BY CALEB KEYES

Just as Janus, the Roman god of beginnings looks to the future and to the past, Latin student and sophomore Jack Mathis prepares for 2015 by recounting his experiences.

“My main goal is to keep up good health to be able to feel good and to keep in good shape,” Mathis said, “These [goals] are not set in stone in my mind, but rather, broad guidelines for me to remember my continuous goals that I kept from last year.”

While he betters himself, Mathis desires to benefit the community as well.

“Especially coming into my junior year, I feel that I should keep improving in the amount of community service I am doing. Not just through Key Club or youth group, but also on my own to help out the community… overall I just keep trying to give back.”

Junior Bailey Vianello similarly seeks to improve himself physically as well as spiritually.

“My New Year’s resolutions this year ranged quite a bit, but I had two main points I wanted to hit, both on the line of making excuses. I am tired of always telling myself I can wait one more day or that I can skip anything and pick it up another time, so I decided to make a more general resolution, which was to lift harder and eat a healthier diet. My second resolution was to strengthen my walk with God… I have also resolved to focus more on reading deeper into my bible and praying, as well as giving myself into my community.”

Senior Mac Lewis also seeks to improve himself in the coming year, hoping to add to his already cheerful disposition.

“I have decided to keep a journal and write down one good thing that happened that day.  I’m doing it to help work on my writing skills and keep a positive outlook on life!”

As for changes he’d like that are out of his hands, Mathis desires to see large changes in the National Security Agency (NSA).

“I did a speech on the pros and cons of the issues concerning Homeland Security and the NSA. I guess I would like to see a more formal debate, attempts to solve some of the ethical issues and a compromise in the Constitution to keep the security up while creating a happy median between the two sides.”

Vianello also desires a change that is a bit closer to home: for our high school to become a caring community.

“I would like to see people love each other, but not in the common sense of the word. I want to see a genuine sense of caring and maturity in the people of Mariemont High School, because it’s something most people truly lack. I want people to feel safe being themselves, and not shell up because the majority of the school gets off by being immature and purposely hurting for their own good.”

To assist the school in accomplishing such a goal, Vianello seeks to start with himself.

“I seek to improve my happiness and also the happiness of others. I seek to do what’s right and to love others instead of being rash and using my anger to spite people. Everyone deserves happiness, and I seek to bring that happiness to as many people as I can.”

In the coming months, Mathis has multiple things for which he is excited: “snow days, getting my drivers license, and becoming an upper classman in the fall.”

Vianello is also anticipating 2015 and the opportunities that lie ahead.

“I’m excited for a second chance, with school and with life. It’s a new year and a fresh start and it gives me the ability to shift my thoughts and my attitude.”