In the Morgan School, as the calendar flips to 2026, students and teachers are embracing a wide range of New Year’s resolutions that showcase the community’s diverse hopes and aspirations. From health and fitness goals to personal growth and new hobbies, Morgan features people of all ages and backgrounds with the common goal of looking for a positive change.
Junior Joao Domingos is one of the few people you’ll see continue the same resolution as the year prior. Domingos throughout his life has struggled with paying attention with whatever is at task. When Domingos was younger he was held back in school for focusing on issues. Domingos, dealing with this, has struggled to focus on things he has no interest in causing bad grades, laziness, etc. His new year’s resolution from last year that will continue into this year will be his commitment to stay focused in all aspects of life. Domingos has worked hard in the past year seeing improvement in the classroom, in the weight room, and on the sports field. To continue this he will stay determined by putting what comes important first.
“I would say I decided for this to be my resolution because I get off task very easily,” said Domingos, “I feel like since I’ve had this goal I’ve been able to take life one step at a time and really focus on the task at hand.”
Domingos believes that staying focused helps him enjoy more of what he’s doing and the steps that take place in order to achieve a goal. Not only will this help him achieve his goals, but he believes it can improve his perseverance, determination, and work ethic.
English teacher Ms. Mazzarella is coming into 2026 with a new goal for herself, one she wouldn’t even be thinking about just seven years ago. Mazzarella decided that in 2026 she wants to play more tennis. Mazzarella had never played tennis until seven when she started playing with her boyfriend. She enjoys playing not only against her boyfriend but also Middle School teacher Ms. Woods.
She wants to achieve this goal by potentially joining various clinics, taking lessons, or recruiting friends to play. Mazzarella started playing seven years ago with her boyfriend but hasn’t been able to stay consistent.
“I always have an excuse, like, I don’t want to spend the money on it, or I don’t know anybody who plays tennis, so I just need to stop making excuses and make time for myself, because it’s something I enjoy,” said Mazzarella.
In the fall, Mazzarella’s daughter will leave for college which will allow her more time to play. “It’ll keep me from being sad that I have no kids at home.” Time has been a big factor in Mazzarella’s tennis journey as she is a mom, English teacher, marine-life volunteer, and so much more, but with the soon departure of her daughter, that will no longer be as much of an issue.
Junior Gavin Clow wants to prioritize his health in 2026 by taking better care of his body. He decided he wanted to start focusing on his body more when he made the decision that he was going to enter the military after high school last spring where being in shape is crucial. As time went on Clow never really held himself to that narrative, but as the new year rolled around, he figured there was no better time than now. Clow expressed how he wants to vastly improve his endurance, so he can limit the amount of breaks he takes when he runs. Clow also wants to enter the military when he’s finished with high school, so being in shape is crucial.
“While in the army, the first few months is boot camp, and from that, you run all the time. You run every day, and if I’m not in shape for that, I don’t wanna fall behind during the beginning and have to try to, you know, scrape by and just, you know, I really have to work in order to get through it,” said Clow, “I wanna be in a good spot beforehand.”
In order to complete this goal, Clow plans on starting with running one mile every day and building from there. He will know he has completed this goal when he is able to run three miles without stopping for any breaks. So far Gavin has started with running around his neighborhood along with the neighboring streets once a day either after school or when he has time. So far he is enjoying it and is optimistic about it going forward.
Junior Nora Winsor has dealt with multiple season ending injuries in her high school sports career. This year she wants to prioritize her recovery by taking her time when doing her various stretches and physical activities while also knowing when she’s reached her limit.
“I have to honor my body’s limits and understand that healing happens at its own pace,” said Winsor, “When my muscles are tired, they don’t work properly, so I just need to rest then so I don’t get hurt again.”
Winsor is back at practice now and is cleared to play from her right knee injury she suffered in the fall which sidelined her for the whole soccer season. She is now determined to practice and play 100 percent in games and in practice. Winsor said she will know she met her resolution when she is consistently 100 percent in practice and games.
Morgan is just like every school, students around every hallway have a goal they have set for themselves for that new year. Everyone’s resolutions will vary, but each one could have the impact of a lifetime.
