Downey students make resolutions stick

DOWNEY - According to www.proactivechange.com, 54 percent of Americans fail to keep their New Year's resolutions by the end of January and 92 percent do not keep them at all. This, however, was not an option for Melanie Sanchez and Samantha Rangel.Sanchez, a senior at Warren High School, gave up soda for the year 2010, a feat that made her happy and that helped her to lose five pounds. "It was a good thing because I felt healthy knowing I wasn't having all those calories and sugars," said Sanchez. "It was (difficult) because during the holidays and get-togethers, there was always soda… but there was always water, tea and other juices too." For 2011, Melanie Sanchez plans on giving up potatoes. Rangel, also a senior at Warren, decided to save up money for a new car. She worked at Ralphs and then Fashion Trend to obtain this goal. "Because I worked at a clothing store, it was hard for me not to buy the merchandise there, especially when we received shipments of cute clothes almost every day," said Rangel. "The thought of freedom from relying on others for rides and being able to go wherever I pleased kept me from spending the money I earned." Rangel started working in May and got her 1993 Honda by September. "It was a cash for clunker type of car, but as long as it got me from point A to point B, I was happy. My hard work had finally been paid off. Now all I have to worry about is gas money," she said. Unlike Melanie Sanchez and Samantha Rangel, it is very difficult for most Americans to keep their goals. Some of the top resolutions around the world in no particular order are to lose weight, to exercise, to stop smoking, to make and manage money and to find a spouse.

********** Published: December 30, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 37