2023 is coming to an end and what do people think about it? This is an excellent time to reflect on achievements and start to set goals for the new year. Take time to pause and reflect on your values and passions to help improve your life. Was it a good or bad year?
“My biggest triumph in 2023 was getting my driver’s license,” said Bailey Olson, a junior at Weber High. Driver licenses are a big thing for high schooler’s because that’s when they are starting to drive, especially juniors. Olsen’s biggest regret this year was, “Dating my ex-boyfriend.” relationships are hard. When asked about her most embarrassing moment, Olson said, “I don’t know, I said some dumb stuff, that’s it.” We all have embarrassing moments whether it’s smaller or bigger. Something Olson learned this year is that, “I need to think deeper about certain people and I need to take different sides when talking and thinking about other people.” Everyone learns something each year whether it is to help self-improve, helping others, or learning some random new facts. “I liked all the connections I was able to make, both, like, making new friends and being able to go to new places,” said Olson when asked about what she liked the most about 2023.
Finley Thompson, a junior, said her biggest triumph of 2023 was. “probably being in the show Curtains. I worked hard on it and it was a big success.” She was a salon girl in the play, but also played many background characters. The cast invests a great amount of time into the show, with about 3-4 hours a day minimum. “Investing time into people who don’t deserve it,” is what Thompson’s biggest regret of 2023 is. Thompson’s most embarrassing moment involved a boy. “I had a big crush on this guy. We are walking down the walls with my friends, having a conversation and I notice he comes out one of the doors. I keep walking but like I’m turning around and glancing at him, and I ran right into one of those poles in between the doors. Face full on bang and fell to the floor and he saw it.” Something she learned in 2023 was, “That math sucks, and I hate math junior year. It sucks and I’m probably going to fail my ACT, but it’s ok.” When asked about what she liked most about 2023, Thompson said, “Meeting new people and finding a new friend group.”
“Don’t be scared to take the leap of faith and hang out with people you don’t know because they will be your best friends in the long run.”
— Finley Thompson
Clara Olsen, a senior, says that her biggest triumph in 2023 was, “I saw Taylor Swift.” Something she learned this year was “It’s ok to defend yourself. You’re not being mean if you’re not a people pleaser, you don’t have to be a people-pleaser for people to like you.” She added “If people want you to be a people-pleaser, then that’s toxic and you should get out of that.” It’s easy to think that only a nice person is a person who is a people pleaser. What she liked most about 2023 was, “Seeing Taylor Swift.” She saw Taylor Swift in Denver on night two. Olsen said her advice would be, “You don’t have to forget and you don’t have to forgive to live on.”
2023 is coming to an end, and these are only a few peoples thoughts, what are yours? It’s time to review strategies, projects, and initiatives. What’s working well? What needs adjustment? Set new clear plans for next year or the next six months, whatever one is better. Start thinking about next year and new year resolutions.