By: Hayden Hendricks 

     Christmas is just around the corner, and so is the New Year. New Year’s resolutions, which are usually goals or commitments someone sets to make in the new year, are a common tradition. However, the tradition comes with many challenges in completing a New Year’s resolution.  

     The Squire interviewed Eisenhower sophomore, Will Mandeville, about New Year’s resolutions. Mandeville says his New Year resolution is to get his bench press higher. Mandeville also states that a challenge in completing his New Year’s resolution is, “Having too much basketball or being too busy to go to the gym.” Mandeville also wants to get better form on the bench press. This exercise hits the chest very well and will make it bigger. In addition to his lifting goals, he is also a player on the basketball team and says he wants to get better and stronger for that. 

     According to online research, the most common New Year’s resolutions are typically to exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight, and save more money. Mandeville feels his resolution will affect his year positively by giving him better health and getting stronger for basketball. His previous resolution was to get better at basketball, and he partially completed it.   

     Along with New Year’s resolutions, other traditions are connected to the new year. New Year’s is celebrated throughout the world and in different cultures. It is also celebrated differently in China and other Asian countries, where it is celebrated when the first new moon of the lunar calendar appears.  

     In the United States, people often gather in New York City to watch the ball drop and listen to music performed live by artists. If you can’t make the trip to New York, you can watch the ball drop from your own home live on TV. At 6 pm the ball is lit and raised to the top of the flagpole, where it will drop at midnight. When reaching the bottom, confetti will be released and people celebrate the new year, usually while the tune “Auld Lang Syne” plays. 

     The ball is nearly six tons in weight and 12 feet wide, with nearly 32 thousand LED lights. Shining brightly, the ball also has a palette of nearly 16 million colors. With performances from, Paul Anka, Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tyla, many people will show up and tune in to begin 2025.  This New Year, be sure to stay awake, watch the performances, set goals, and have fun with your family and friends.