By Daniel Jimenez for South Kern Sol
As the New Year approaches, many people start to think about a New Year’s resolution to improve their lives. Many see the New Year as a clean slate and therefore the time to make a positive change to their life.
I tend to look at my life and try to determine what I can do to make it run more smoothly. I prepare for the New Year a few weeks before – Is there anything I need that will help me stick to my resolution? Will the excitement of a new pair of running shoes make me go to the gym? Can I read more to become better at something?
As a senior at CSUB who just landed a good job at Taft Union High School as a Peer Counselor, my New Year’s resolution is to be the best peer counselor I can be. I will do this by preparing myself so that I can give the students I work with the best of me and motivate them to continue their education.
This year, South Kern Sol asked residents of this agricultural region: “What is your New Year’s Resolution?”
“My New Year’s resolution is to be a better mom.”
— Karla Condado, 18, Arvin.
“To be involved with the community, and enjoy every bit of life and always think positive.”
–Maneli Ortiz, 19, Lamont.
“To become a better person for others, for my community and for myself and to become more independent.”
–Nancy Negrete, Taft.
“My New Year’s resolution for 2014 breaks the trend of what a New Years resolution usually tends to be. Instead of promising to make an attempt to stop cursing or start going to the gym more often, this new year I promise myself to morally start becoming the man I want to be, today. Instead of waiting until I’m finished with my career or waiting until I become more established, I will make the commitment to embody the ideas I have planned for myself in a future tense, now.”
–Francisco Velazquez, Bakersfield
“To run a marathon for breast cancer awareness.”
–Donna Europa, 18, Lamont.
“To help more people, volunteer more and make at least one person’s life a better one.”
–Chris Romo, 17, Bakersfield.
“Do better in school, I mean, I’m not doing bad but a 4.0 would be nice, and not do things last minute.”
Natalie Marin, 18, Bakersfield (right)
“To get in better shape and focus on my health versus other things… focusing on what I eat, and kind of like how much I exercise. I have been a little lazy the past year but I think that with some motivation and determination I can definitely achieve a better body and a better health.”
–Dylan McCown, 21, Bakersfield
Daniel Jimenez is a youth reporter for South Kern Sol, and a Senior at CSU, Bakersfield majoring in Communications.