As 2026 kicks off, the hallways are full of talk about New Year’s resolutions. While some students are trying to study more or put their phones away, others are setting big physical goals. From the golf course to the weight room, students like Ayden West and Kobe Lee are proving that staying motivated is easier when you have friends by your side.
For senior Ayden West, the goal for this year is all about mastering the game of golf. He first got into the sport last year, playing with fellow student Zach Baker. “I started golfing with Zach last year,” West said. “I loved it and just decided it was something I wanted to get better at.” West isn’t just relying on his friends, though; he says his parents are his biggest supporters as he spends hours practicing to lower his handicap.
West isn’t the only student working on a physical skill. Freshman Kobe Lee is taking on an even more intense challenge in the gym: “to work out every day.” Kobe knows that going to the gym daily is a lot to handle with a busy school schedule, so he’s teamed up with freshman Niovanni Hilario to stay on track. Having a gym partner means that even on the days they don’t feel like moving, they have someone there to push them through the workout.
To make the daily grind a little more fun, Kobe has a “Weekly Win” reward system. If he completes a full week of “working out for a week straight,” he treats himself to a special prize: “I will get donuts.” It’s a great way to celebrate his hard work while keeping the long-term goal in mind.
However, both students know that things won’t always be easy. For West, the biggest problem is the weather. Since golf is an outdoor sport, the wind and rain can easily ruin a practice session. The challenge is more about how his body feels. “My biggest obstacle will be staying consistent and being sore and tired.” Whether it’s West braving the rain to fix his swing or Lee hitting the weights while he’s sore, these students are showing what it takes to stick to a resolution. With a solid plan and the promise of a few donuts, 2026 is looking like a big year for school fitness.
