ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 6, 1997 TAG: 9701070122
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN GRIESSMAYER STAFF WRITER
New Year's Eve is an exciting night. People gather to celebrate, count down to midnight and watch fireworks.
Kids get to stay up extra late to cheer and blow noisemakers.
For one night, the world seems like one big party.
But the next morning, long after the giant ball drops in New York's Times Square and the last bits of confetti float to the ground, many people get down to the real business of New Year's: making resolutions.
Resolutions are promises people make to themselves for the new year. Most of the time, these promises will help make us better people.
For instance, many adults make New Year's resolutions to lose weight or stop a bad habit such as smoking. Other people resolve to spend more time with their family, get more exercise or save more money.
But what about kids? Should kids make New Year's resolutions?
Sure, why not? It's a good way to do something to improve yourself.
Resolutions can be complicated, like learning how to play the piano. Or, they can be simple, like trying to smile more.
Peter DiSalvo from Kipps Elementary School in Blacksburg has a resolution that he shares with many other kids. He wants to try to get a great report card.
"That way," he said. "My parents will be so happy that I have been good in school."
In addition to getting better grades, many kids this year will be trying to keep their rooms cleaner, be nicer to their friends, read more books and help out their parents more.
Other kids had more unique resolutions.
Dustin Carter from Rocky Gap Elementary said his resolution is to make 50 points this basketball season. Chad Horton from Eastern Elementary School in Pembroke said his resolution was to build himself a clubhouse.
Amy Terry from Dublin had two very interesting resolutions.
"I will stop picking on my big sister that the Redskins are going to lose," she said. "Then I will stop chasing her boyfriend with a snowball."
As you can tell, New Year's resolutions can be practically anything, as long as they will really help you in some way. No fair resolving to eat fewer Brussels sprouts or watch more television.
The best way to pick a resolution is to think of a goal you've always had that you never achieved. If you can't think of one, ask a parent or teacher. They'll be more than happy to give you some ideas.
Maybe you've always wanted to stop biting your nails. This year, promise yourself that you'll really stop this time and plan a way to make it happen.
One good way to help keep your resolutions is to reward yourself when you stay on track. After a week of not biting your nails, for instance, treat yourself to an ice cream or a comic book. After six months, throw yourself a party.
Before you know it, it will be the end of the year and you won't even remember the last time you bit your nails. You'll feel great because you reached your goal. Your parents and teachers will be proud of you.
And then it will be time to think of a new resolution.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: graphic color ROBERT LUNSFORD STAFFby CNB