What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Niharikaa Banerjee, Writer

January 12, 2025

What’s your New Year’s resolution—bold leap, tiny step, or a little bit of both?

With the arrival of a new year, everyone sets their sights on exciting new goals and aspirations. Whether they improve skills, travel to new places, or take on fresh challenges, New Year’s resolutions offer a glimpse into the dreams of people in our community. I asked several of them what they hope to achieve in 2025, and here’s what they had to say.

2025 New Year’s Resolutions

Ms. Prestia, Grade 2 teacher.

Ms. Prestia, Grade 2 Teacher

My New Year's resolution is to study Korean more regularly. I tend to study a lot, then not study for 3 months. I want to study more consistently and improve my conversational skills. I always want to travel. I’ve been thinking about going somewhere—maybe somewhere I’ve been before, or maybe somewhere new. But I always wonder, where can I travel? What can I do?
Esther Kang, Grade 7. (Niharikaa Banerjee)

Esther Kang, Grade 7

I want to go to Canada. I really want to visit the beach there and enjoy a lot of things. I would love to enjoy yummy treats like maple candy and stuff like that. And for accomplishments, I want to get good grades and become a better person overall.
Mr. Hortezuela, secondary Physics teacher. (Niharikaa Banerjee)

Mr. Hortezuela, secondary Physics teacher

I have my daughter and my wife, so I want to be more present with them—like traveling together and exposing them to more experiences. This year, we want to go to a place aside from Korea—Japan. Since my wife has been to Japan before, we want to go there again. Specifically, Fukuoka, the nearest place in Japan to Korea, according to my wife, has delicious food, and we want to visit there this year.
Aileen Kim, Grade 2. (Niharikaa Banerjee)

Aileen Kim, Grade 2

I want to get a fencing medal because my dad said if I do, he’ll buy me a new phone. I also want to make my house really clean and get another book to read since I’ve already read all the ones at home. One book I like is The Sleepovers, I’ve read it a lot—it’s still my favorite book, but it’s gotten a bit boring now. Also, my mom canceled my swimming class, but I really want to swim again. I also want to try taekwondo because I stopped last year in 2023, and I want to do it again because it was really fun.
Nurse Becky. (Niharikaa Banerjee)

Nurse Becky

My New Year’s resolution is to exercise more and eat healthier food and snacks. I’ve been doing a little bit of running, but maybe I need to make it more of a routine and exercise more regularly. I also want to speak nicely to my daughter—gently—and try to listen to her more carefully, rather than always telling her what to do. These are the things I think I shared with my family on New Year’s Day.
Chirayu Joshi, Grade 9. (Niharikaa Banerjee)

Chirayu Joshi, Grade 9

I wish to become the strongest. That is what I want: to become the best of the best, beyond all of this. In strength. In wisdom. I want to be better than everybody—every creature, every person, in everything.
Fay Lee, Grade 5.

Fay Lee, Grade 5

This year, I'm going to leave DIS for another school in Australia. In Australia, I want to make new friends, of course, and achieve the highest grades. But most importantly, I want to read 400 books. Specifically, I want to focus on Fantasy books, and I've already started buying some on my Kindle. I also didn’t do a lot of sports, so this year, I’d like to try volleyball.
Maria Park, G12. (Niharikaa Banerjee)

Maria Park, G12

My New Year's resolution is to stay on top of my tasks this year and maybe get healthier. So, from this year, I’m planning to journal every day. I recently bought a journal, and I want to write down a diary or something to keep a record.

From travel plans to personal growth, it’s clear that many of us aim high this year. What are your goals for 2025? Whether big or small, let’s make this year one to remember.

About the Contributors

Niharikaa Banerjee, Writer

Niha, a rising junior, is excited to join the journalism class for the first time. With her love for visiting new places and capturing stories, she’s eager to see where this new adventure will take her. Beyond journalism, Niha is also actively involved in the National Honor Society, Gender Equity Network, TEDx, and Students Organizing Against Racism. She’s diving into it all with enthusiasm, ready to make a difference while having fun along the way.

Olya Karpenko, Illustrator

Olya Karpenko illustrates for the Jets Flyover. She can sketch up a storm for any writer. Her biggest hobby is music. For Olya, music represents more than just sound. It means emotions and atmospheres that wrap around her soul. As a globetrotter, Olya jumps from place to place, and has lived in Europe and Asia. A proud member of National Art Honor Society, Olya brings passion and creativity to all of her classes and clubs during her second year at DIS.