The world will be a better place in 2001.
At least parts of it — if third-graders at Salt Lake's Lowell Elementary School follow through on some of their New Year's resolutions.
When teachers Clint Hendry, Joan Williams and Mary Sohn asked their students to write their resolutions as class projects, helping the planet ranked high on many lists.
"I would like to have a better environment where people don't litter," wrote Samantha Slager. "We can save it by all throwing trash in the garbage can. We should always pick up our own things when we go outside to the park. These things we can do to help our environment stay clean."
"My New Year's resolution is: I would like to save the trees because they give us oxygen and an animal's home can be in a tree," wrote Abigail A. Barker. "I think we should not cut down too many trees every day because then we would not have so much oxygen."
"I hope the whole world will find some other thing to draw on instead of cutting down trees to get paper. I will also try not to watch TV," added Cale Colgren.
"Here are my New Year's resolutions," wrote Glen Brixey. "I think people shouldn't pollute too much. They should use bikes/buses to get around. P.S. Why don't we?"
And from Grayden Gaykowski: "In the year 2001 I am going to be careful about what I throw away."
Many of the students realize that a better world starts in their own little corner.
"My New Year's resolution is to try to keep my street clean by picking up trash," said Sarah Nagley. "The way I'm going to do that is when I go to somebody's house I will pick up trash then throw it away. I will just go outside and pick it up."
"My New Year's resolution is to make the neighborhood cleaner," seconded Marcus Chen. "My plan is to first clean my room. Secondly, I will clean my family house. Finally, I will find some people to help me clean the neighborhood." "I'm going to try not to waste a lot of electricity in the new year," promised Wyatt Hoodes, "not to watch so much TV also. My plan is to ride my scooter outside instead of watching TV. For not wasting electricity I'll turn off the lights in the day."
And, said Lauren Barrett, "I want to make my school environment a better place by making the lunchroom cleaner and the playground better." -->
But the environment is not the only concern these students have. They also feel compassion for the world's hungry and homeless populations.
"In the year 2001, I will make the world a better place by trying to battle world hunger by giving food to the food bank," said Daniel Shonjani. "I will also try to earn money so they can build homes for the homeless. I don't know if we can battle all world hunger and build a home for all the homeless people but we can try."
"I think we should start more funds for the hungry," suggested Nathan A. Harwood. "I will accomplish that by simply putting signs (and boxes) near power poles saying, "Please put food in these boxes for those who don't have as much food as we do."
"I will make the world a better place in the year 2001," promised Jack England, "by collecting pop tabs from empty soda cans and putting them in a box so all the pop tabs will get sent to the Ronald McDonald house. I also would call the police if I saw someone laying on the sidewalk (sleeping) so they could help him stay alive and get a house to live in." "My New Year's resolution is to make the world a better place by helping the poor and homeless people at the homeless shelter," wrote Sebastian Hooker. "I would make money for them by helping out my community. It may seem very hard but if I can do it I think you can, too."
Many of the students want to help strangers, but some also want to help their loved ones.
Mariah Unruh's resolution is "to help my family when they need it and when my mother's sick and nobody's being quiet. Now I will be a better example of helping and being quiet while someone's sick."
And, wrote Joe Donohoe: "My New Year's resolution is to help my mom with my baby sister and not get in the way. P.S. I love you, mom."
These third-graders also see the New Year as an opportunity to improve their studies. "My New Year's resolution is to become better at times tables," said Anna Vickrey. Valerie Lee wants "to speak in Navajo." Ashlyn Pezely wants "to get better at ballet."
Aliya Elander, Winnie Quilter and Joshua Clarke are just a few of the students who plan to become better readers.
Tyler Thunell wants to be a better listener. Hillary Smith also hopes "to listen better in class." Travis Hewitt is one of many who want to "do art better."
Monique Mayeda is going "to be better at mathmedics." Perhaps she should also see Frazer Moon, who resolves "to help others spell." He might help Christian Alba, too; his promise for the New Year is to "read about Archoloche."
Dallas Fawson has a specific plan to help him write better: "1. Practice. 2. Write book monthly. 3. Believe you can. 4. Do it. 5. do D.O.L." (Would that be Do Over Lovingly? Or maybe, Defy Ordinary Logic?)
Wyn Barnett hopes to "learn new tricks on the Hula Hoop." Robbie Giles plans to be "better at basketball."
Several students think it's none too soon to be thinking about future careers. Eric Middleton resolves to "become a better geologist." Antonio Corzo wants "to become a better explorer."
But no one is thinking bigger than Emma Waitzman: "My New Year's Resolution is to study and understand how to be a president. When I'm in college I might be able to get a masters degree, then run for president, but it depends on who will vote for me, and I might just be the first girl president.
"When we find out who will be elected for president I can write to him untel I'm old enough to run for president!
"I hope that when I'm old enough to run for president I hope I can be nominated to go on."
Looking ahead, improving skills, helping the world. Those aren't bad resolutions for anyone. "Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve," advised Benjamin Franklin. Do that, and the world will indeed be a better place in 2001.
E-mail: carma@desnews.com