South Kern Sol, Sol on the Street, Dean Welliver
The beginning of a new year is a time where many people reflect about their experiences from the previous year and make goals for what they would like to accomplish in the upcoming year.
South Kern Sol asked youth in Kern County what their New Year’s resolutions are to learn about the changes they would like to make to improve their lives and the goals they have set for themselves in 2018.
“I really want this new year to be a time for me to grow and be more confident in myself. I want to be surrounded with more happiness and positivity and spread it to the people around me.” Emily Nuñez, 16, West High School
“I want to be the voice for those beneath the shadows, it’s time to take away that invisible ‘tape’ that keeps us from expressing how we really feel because everything is possible.” Marisol Sanchez, 18, Golden Valley High School
“I would like to try to get out into the community more and try to help people through education. People who are educated on issues have a better chance of fighting for what they believe in. I also hope to better the environment at my school by starting to educate other students on some of the problems they don’t realize are happening around them all the time, such as bullying.” Chyna Patz, 16, West High School
“My New Year’s resolution is to try and become a vegetarian or stop drinking soda.” Selena Zuniga, 13, Middle School
“My resolution for the year is to better myself for my own benefit as well as the benefit of my community. While change may be scary, 2018 is to be the year of change for the sake of progression. ”Andrew Alvarez, 17, West High School
“My New Year’s resolution is to better myself into a new and improved person and let go of the people who drag me down. I’m ready to let go of all the toxic things and people. I am going to learn new things, meet new people, and explore more.” Virginia Mota, 18, Bakersfield College
“My New Year’s resolution is to stop drinking soda.” Robert Rios, Golden Valley High, 17
“I want to better my character and basically become a better person. I’ve been a Link Crew leader and a peer tutor but I’m not sure if that is actually impacting a life. I want to help more people this year at my school and in my community.” Julian Melendez, 18, Foothill High School
“My New Year’s resolution is to focus on myself more. I have spent the past year giving to other people and putting my happiness last, but I plan to put that to a stop. I want to find inner peace and happiness.” Ja’Nell Gore, 17, Bakersfield High School
“My resolution for 2018 is to get good grades and to improve my GPA.” Raylene Rios, Golden Valley High, 15
