High school students are susceptible to what the world tells them because of their young, immature age, therefore, adults can guide the younger generation because of the wisdom they have gained over the years. As the new year approaches, Ms. Haynes was able to share experiences that have helped her through this past year and was able to reflect on her past and compare students’ lives now  to how they were when she was a student to show how certain information can influence a resolution. 

Ms. Haynes describes her past year as “a little bit of a struggle. My daughter Maddie had gone to college in Illinois but in May, she had transferred to FAU. She was able to be closer to home and family, which made me really happy because I didn’t see her as much as I wanted to but now that’s not the case at all.”  Looking back on her time in high school, she said that, “when I was a senior, I knew I didn’t want to go far, I stayed home to be with family because I knew it was important but I didn’t know why it should be that important.” These both have influenced her life and where she is now. She has a son in high school, Jack, and she is happy he is still home for one more year before deciding to go to college far or close. She cherishes the time she has with him now, not knowing his decision yet. 

Her resolution for 2025 based on this past year and her reflection is “to stay in touch with my loved ones, I know I can do better at it than I have in the past. I’m hoping to spend time with my family more these days now that Maddie can come into town more often” She said this is a cause from “what I did not really understand the deeper meaning of family then and what I know now.” She encourages the students she sees in school “to not stray far from family because they are the ones who will be by your side when you need it most.” Going into the new year, based on Ms. Haynes, staying close to family is essential because it has made her love her life and where she is now.