We asked our student journalists to pick one word that describes what they would like to see more of in their lives this year, and expound on those thoughts, and here is what they have to say.
Photo by Benjamin Marchant
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Growth
By CAM COSEY
The word growth can be interpreted many different ways, whether it is in the physical sense, mental capacity, or spiritual sense.
At this particular point in life growth in spirituality is imperative, when considering the amount of life-altering changes that must be made.
With the everyday bustle and hustle, it is easy for me to forget to give the glory to the most high for the little things in life.
I hope to continually nurture and grow my relationship with God, because it is him who got me to this point in life so far.
I believe growth within my spirituality will directly correlate to improvement in the other aspects of my life.
Courage
By DANI JO STEVENSON
Deuteronomy 31:6-8: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Many have a misconstrued idea of what courage is. Courage can not replace your fear, but rather courage is when, with the help of the Lord, you have the ability to face your fear.
Courage is not just physical bravery but also takes form in following your heart, standing up for what you believe in and letting go of the familiar to expand your horizon.
With so much uncertainty and fear in the world, my strongest desire for 2017 is to have the courage to face the things that fear might normally deter me from.
I am putting my complete trust in God that the courage He will provide me will be bigger than the fear the world hands me.
I refuse to miss out on what could be the greatest things in life because I let fear dictate my ability to live.
Progress
By JOSH EATON
So much of my life has been viewed as a stand still, specifically through my own eyes, possibly through others as well.
It’s easy to view school as forward progress as we advance from one grade to the next, but I was honestly just getting older, letting the days pass me by with little advancement from day to day.
This year I’m striving for progress, real unadulterated forward progress.
Whether it be career-wise, academically, internally or outward in the way I view the world, I’m anticipating a year of tremendous growth for myself.
Passion
By DANIEL DILWORTH
If there is one word to describe what I would like to see more of in my life this year it would be: passion.
Passion is a strong emotion that drives an action — something within you that you cannot control.
Over the next year, my desire is to be fully committed to everything I do.
When I have my personal devotional time, I will be fully engaged in studying God’s Word and becoming a disciple of Christ.
When I am working on schoolwork, I will no longer study to pass an exam; I will learn because of my desire to equip myself for the future and to become a well-rounded citizen.
When I act, I will completely commit to the character and give myself fully to becoming that character.
I will passionately and deliberately work toward the goals I have set for myself with everything that is in me.
I will passionately pursue a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the people God has placed in my life.
I do not know exactly what my life will look like when I live with passion — but I can no longer live in mediocrity; my life must become something more than it is now.
Patience
By PHILLIP HOLLAND
When I look over my life and contemplate what one word I wish I can have more of this year, I keep coming back to patience.
My lack of everlasting patience is hereditary I believe.
I get it from my mother, she is usually pretty short strung.
Although I make it a point to be fair in everything with everyone, every once in awhile, something will make me lose my patience.
I very rarely get mad at anyone, although, the term irritated can be aptly applied.
Triston Buckley 
Emily Retzer