New year, new resolutions
For many Americans, a New Year’s Resolution is a chance to better themselves – a chance to stop smoking, lose weight, spend more time with their children, or try a new sport. According to the website 43Things.com, the tradition of resolutions dates back to the year 2000 B.C., when Babylonians held semi-annual festivals centered around the spring and autumn equinoxes and marked these events by paying off debts and returning borrowed goods. The practice carried over into Roman times, when each new year began with pledges and promises to Janus, the god of beginnings and endings.
I asked several students living in the South Hills about their New Year’s Resolutions and what they hope to accomplish in 2014.
Alexa Fury of Peters Township Middle School said, “I want to start donating to local charities, to start getting straight A’s, and to be a better person.”
Rachel Wiles from Mellon Middle School answered, “I want to stay fit. I’m a volleyball player, so I also want to work on getting my overhand serve faster and harder.”
Serena Ingalls, also of Mellon Middle School, said, “My resolution is to stress less and stay in the moment.”
Julianna Hunter, a Peters Township Middle School student, said, “My New Year’s resolution is to work harder on learning to jump with my horse, Artie.”
Lacey Magulick from McMurray Elementary School answered, “I want to get my splits flat for cheerleading!”
Samantha Dusch, who attends Peters Township Middle School, replied, “I want to have good grades this year, I want to improve in dancing, and I want to meet new people.”
Erin McKay, a student at St. Thomas More School, said, “I want to be a nicer person, and I want to get better at flexibility and technique when I dance.”
According to statisticbrain.com, 45 percent of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions and most resolutions are self-improvement or education related, followed by weight, money and relationship related. Of those who make resolutions, only eight percent are successful.
Julianna Chen is a seventh grader at Peters Township Middle School.
Sidebar
The Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2014, according to statisticbrain.com:
1. Lose weight
2. Get organized
3. Spend less, save more
4. Enjoy life to the fullest
5. Stay fit and healthy
6. Learn something exciting
7. Quit smoking
8. Help others with their dreams
9. Fall in love
10. Spend more time with family