The Black and White

by Staff

My New Year’s resolution is to take every opportunity to improve my future. As a senior, I know that once I graduate, I will be fully responsible for my life and the important decisions that come with it. This year, I want to save as much money as possible, take advantage of new opportunities, and always do my best in everything I pursue. I want to step out of my comfort zone and push myself to become the best version of who I can be. This is a defining year for me, as I begin preparing for independence and adulthood. Ultimately, my goal is to experience personal growth while making the most of the final year of my childhood.

– Zoe Anderson

Every Christmas, my family spends an hour or two of our Christmas morning at the movies. It might sound impersonal, but from Star Wars and musicals to Homestead (last years’ hilarious fail) little feels more like Christmas in my house than a slow morning followed by a good–or occasionally very bad–movie and getting to share that with my family. It was actually 2019 when I joined this tradition for the first time, seeing Star Wars: Episode IX. We also get together for Christmas Eve, doing most of our celebrating the night before and relaxing on the 25th. While I hope 2026 brings many things — good health, good memories, and maybe even some good weather — if the year begins as 2025 ends for me, surrounded by an amazing family, friends, and time to enjoy the things I love, I couldn’t ask for a better start to the new year.

– Michaela Conrady 

Every Year for as long as I can remember, I have had one wish for new years that always stays the same. That being, for my family and friends to be happy and healthy. While each year I have new goals and accomplishments I strive to achieve, this wish has always stuck out and felt like the most important one to me. Happiness brings together the connection and love everyone looks for in our family. Moments we spend sharing traditions, or around the table remind me of not only who is there but also who is missed. Good health is what allows us for these special moments together. These two simple wishes are what allows me to bond and hold onto the people I love each year while being grateful for my family members that go out of their way to make Cchristmas and news years as special as possible. Each year as I grow older I believe my wish will always stay the same. Seeing family members get older I really push on this wish for the upcoming 2026, these people have engraved a special sense of meaning into holidays reminding me how lucky I am, and through my life I will forever carry the traditions they have created. 

– Kaitlyn Limoges

In the coming year, I aspire to deepen my connections with my loved ones and to remain fully present in everyday moments. I am committed to setting goals that are both hopeful and achievable. I want to put focus on myself, be there as a support to my close friends, and dedicate myself to my academic responsibilities. As a junior in high school, one of my primary objectives is to make this the strongest year academically, setting myself up for the perfect college. I aim to achieve an SAT score that reflects my hard work and fills me with pride, overcoming challenges and difficulties that prove my personal growth.  One struggle that has shaped my goals is my experience in my AP Pre-Calculus class. I began the year with a highly disappointing and dissatisfied grade – a C – which was unfamiliar and humbling for me. However, that moment became a turning point, motivating me to work harder in order to improve. I was able to acknowledge that my previous efforts weren’t enough and that I needed to adapt and change my approach. Since then, I have built more consistency and confidence by studying more deeply and practicing more often. For 2026, I hope this momentum continues, wishing not only for my motivation to be sustained, but for it to grow even stronger each day. 

– Kaylie Martell 

What a year! Many things have changed around me and I have definitely changed myself quite a bit. For the New Year, I hope to live in the moment and be more sure of myself. Out of all the people that have helped me, I have realized that many aren’t truly free. Many of my friends, even, are often chained to their doubt and the future which often makes themselves and the people around them absolutely miserable. For instance, I was doing a lab in a science class with a friend, we had the right equations and everything necessary to move forward. All we had to do was ask the teacher but, this friend refused to move on to the next section because he doubted himself. He was worried we would lose points in the future. This doubt lost us valuable time for the lab and annoyed me a little. It made me wonder about how chained to the future I am. From now on, I’m going to enjoy myself and the people around me instead of worrying about the future as worry is crippling. – Will McColl 

This year is one that I would easily describe as art. Throughout the past 12 months, I’ve been led by music. Whether it’s the radio-hits on my playlist or the breathtaking choral pieces I’ve sung, it has guided me through my highs and lows. At the beginning of the year, I knew that I loved to sing and create music. But now, that passion has cultivated into a full-blown desire to create art, to add something to this world.  My new year’s resolution is to continue and further create art in this world. In a time when there is so much turmoil and confusion, art and music is needed more than ever. In 2026, I hope to be able to inspire, bond, and grow through music, even more than 2025. 

– Kaia Patty

My New Year’s resolution is to start to follow through with some of my ideas. Often I find it difficult to actually start working on something that I’m passionate about. Many times it seems I am stuck in the idea phase of things. I am hoping to change that so I can have a fulfilling 2026! 

– Ethan Smitherman