Bear FACTS. Blood Drive Scheduled. Students to Attend Young Men s Future Symposium

Bear FACTS BEAR FACTS HOLIDAY 2013 MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY 2013 FREE Blood Drive Scheduled There will be a b...
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Bear FACTS

BEAR FACTS

HOLIDAY 2013

MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

HOLIDAY 2013

FREE

Blood Drive Scheduled

There will be a blood drive in memory of Senator James J Rhoades on January 6, 2014 in the LGI room. The drive is scheduled from 12pm to 5pm. We hold three blood drives a year. For the past three years we were able to award a senior student with a $500 Scholarship from the Red Cross. Our goal for this year is to increase our donors and increase the amount of scholarship money we are awarded from the Red Cross. Please consider donating. Contact Nurse Merchlinsky if you are interested in donating.

Students to Attend Young Men’s Future Symposium The Young Men’s Futures Symposium is a one day workshop of mentoring, motivation, and opportunity for high school sophomores and juniors. The young men who participate are given the chance to explore the opportunities available to them after high school through their interaction with men in the career world. Topics to be covered include: appropriate conduct and dress for interviews, good communication skills, matching career choice with personal skills/interest, non-traditional career options, managing and understanding personal finance, techniques for goal setting, personal confidence and appreciation of one’s unique qualities. Select students attending: Mark Mahmod, Darryl Andreas, Corbin White, Jason Richmond, Marcus Schmerfeld, Nick Scicchitano, Cody Stetson, Colin Casserly.

Congratulations to Jennie Neifert who was recently voted to be Mahanoy Area’s 2014 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Representative Congratulations to Calvin Talbott for being chosen as the winner in the Artist of the Month contest for May. His illustration will be printed in the Pottsville Republican newspaper in May. Congratulations to the Elks Students of the Month for October Jen Jackowiak and Greg Merchlinsky Students in grades 9-12 who would like to contribute to the next issue of Bear Facts, should sign up in Ms. Scic’s room any day during remediation or at 2:30. Topics are available or choose one of your own.

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ENVIROTHON The Envirothon is a competiton that is held once a year. Two teams per school are tested on their knowledge in soil and land use, aquatics, forestry, ecology, wildlife, and environmental issues. Mahanoy takes teams from the elementary, middle, and high school. Students in grades 9-12 are invited to join the Envirothon study sessions. They are held at least once a month to help prepare students for the Envirothon. Students need to have an interest in Penn-

JEFF DONNELLY SPCA PROJECT

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sylvania ecology. If a student wants to participate they need to contact Mrs. Stone. Only ten students are able to go to the competition. Students need to attend the majority of the study sessions, have at least an 87 average in science, no more than one detention and no ISS. They also need to be part of the recycling program. Mrs. Stone is the advisor and has been for seven years. Mrs. Brylewski was the previous advisor. It was then passed onto Mrs. Stone because she teaches environmental science and ecology. She also is interested in the environment. There are currently twelve members that attended three study sessions so far this year. There are three returning members. They are Marcus Schmerfeld, Daryl Andreas and Nicholas Scicchitano. The Schuylkill County Conservation District has not informed Mrs. Stone yet when the Envirothon will take place this Spring. It will be held at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds.

YES Students Tour Area Business

The YES students toured Solar Innovations on November 14th. Solar Innovations design and make glass walls, railings, window systems and doors; conservatories, greenhouses, sunrooms retractable roofs and alternative energy systems. Students toured the full facility learning about the importance of communicat-ion skills, customer service, and what qualities the company looks for when hiring a prospective employee. Students also learned what it means to be LEED certified as Solar Innovations is trying to A district-wide collection for the SPCA is being achieve Platinum status. If granted they will be conducted under the guidance of Ms. Dot Scicchi- 1 of only 10 manufacturers in the United States tano in memory of Mr. Jeff Donnelly. Students who to achieve this. Students were impressed by the participate get a candy cane to take home. Dona- company’s passion for excellence. tions will be accepted until December 18th.

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Talent Search Talent Search is a federal grant funded program that helps students explore education and career options. The program is open to everyone but is highly recommended for students who are the first generation in their family to go to college and have good grades, behavior, and attendance at school. The program is continuous through graduation and is intended to aid students in applying and being accepted to any type of post-secondary institution, whether it is a 2 or 4 year college, business, trade, or technology school. Talent Search is a great supplement to guidance services offered at Mahanoy Area. The advisor is Miss Fritz, the Talent Search Academic Specialist. Entry to the program usually begins in 8th grade in Mrs. Kern’s Career Education classes, but Miss Fritz has taken students based on guidance and teacher recommendation. In Talent Search, Miss Fritz takes students to career places to explore various fields of work and to post-secondary school campuses to expose them to public and private schooling options. Students have said they benefited from this program and that they would be lost in the admissions and financial aid process without the additional help of being in Talent Search. They also gain good stress relief and study and interviewing and skills tips along the way.

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DUI/Distracted Driving Simulations

On Tuesday November 5th our junior class participated in a program using DUI/Distracted Driving simulators. Students were able to use the simulators to see the consequences of driving while impaired or distracted. This program was provided by the Lehigh Valley Health Network free of charge.

Junior Noel Bernardyn tries the simulator in the LGI room

Students Attend Career Fair

Students Attend Youth Conference

The following students attended an Accounting Career Day at Kutztown University on November 6 with business teacher, Ms. Loy: Lenny Dulsky, Mason Evitts, Nolan Fegley, Luke Holman, Isabella Ixim, M’Kyle Kaminsky, Desiree Malacusky, Jennie Neifert, Devan Smith, Jen Jackowiak, Dylan Mahmod, and Kylee Roberts.

The following students attended a youth conference on Friday, Nov. 8 with Ms. Brylewski: James Thomas, Christy Evancho, Tyler Cavenas, Shaina Leshko, Erin Noon, Andy Kuzma, Greg Merchlinsky, Ruby Rodgers, Kylee Roberts, and Brooke Kufrovich

Students Attend Math Competition The following students attended the Bloomsburg Math Contest on Tuesday November 19 with Mr. Bet: Tyler Cavenas, Tyler Davies, Brandon Donelson, Justin Hall, Jen Jackowiak, Andrew Kuzma,

Alyssa Lorah, Kelsey Macieunas, Dylan Mahmod, Corrine Mensch, Gregory Merchlinsky, Kylee Roberts, James Thomas, Shawna Roberts, Alex Witiszin, and Robert Wozniak.

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MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

Students Recognize National Food Day

In celebrational of National Food Day, NAC has prepared popcorn hands for distribution during lunch periods. NAC is advised by Mrs. Bethany Pepe.

HOLIDAY 2013

Bear Facts: get involved Bears Facts is a club run by Ms. Scic. In Bear Facts you gather information for the high school newspaper, which is published at least four times per school year. You can join by seeing Ms. Scic in the art room. The number of students that are members vary for each issue. But they are always looking for new members. All students grades 9th to 12th are welcome. There is something for everyone. Staff members can meet with Ms. Scic individually at any time during remediation or after school. Ms. Scic was asked many years ago to take the place of the advisor at the time while she was on leave for six months. It ended up being permanent. “I enjoy desktop publishing, gathering information and working with interested students,” says Ms. Scic. All issues of Bear Facts can be viewed on the mabears website. It allows alumni, current students, parents, and community members to see the latest happenings at Mahanoy Area.

2014 Yearbooks on Sale $76.00 see Ms. Scic in the high school art room

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Making Memories Last

Club Briefs Sewing and Fashion Club had a Family Fun Night at Friendly’s (Fairlane Village Mall) on Monday, December 2nd from 5pm-8pm. In addition to a portion of all carry-out and dine-in sales, members sold holiday baked goods, craft items, held a basket raffle, had hourly 50/50 drawings, face and nail painting, and photos with Holiday Helpers! Sewing and Fashion Club is also collecting donations of unwanted craft supply items. Items can be dropped off in the High School Office c/o Mrs. Pepe- Sewing and Fashion Club. Do you have a rip in your favorite pair of pants or a button that needs re-attached? See Mrs. Pepe and the Sewing and Fashion Club for your mending needs. Button repairs are only $0.25. Holes, rips, etc are $0.25 per inch. The Nutrition Advisory Council is sponsoring a canned food drive to benefit the needy. High School students are asked to bring in a non-perishable or canned food item to their homeroom teacher between December 3rd and December 18th. Students will receive one movie/ raffle ticket per item submitted to attend the holiday movie on December 19th. The Nutrition Advisory Council and Global Foods class members are heading to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, PA on Monday, January 6th. Students will learn about agriculture, Pennsylvania products, and view chef demonstrations throughout the day. Admission is free and limited to club or class members. Any ski club member participating in the first ski trip to Big Boulder January 3, 2014, should have signed up in the cafeteria. Remember: if you signed up, your account will be charged whether you go or not. The last day to sign up was December 12 at 2:30.

The yearbook staff consists of students that want to contribute to the yearbook in some way. The yearbook staff does not use the normal setup of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary. This club has editors instead. If you want to be a member of the yearbook staff, you need to be willing to spend time, pay attention to detail, and have writing skills, and/or photography skills. Being a part of the yearbook staff isn’t an easy task. The yearbook staff affects our school in many ways, but the main way is the importance of creating a high quality yearbook because it is how our memories will live on. Most students do not realize the significance of a yearbook until many years after graduation. The Class of 2015 should be ready to begin their book in the Spring of their junior year. It is an exciting activity as senior year approaches. One of the greatest parts of being a member of the yearbook staff is that you get to play a role in creating something that members of your class will treasure more and more with each passing year. It works as a history book, a reference book and a picture book! Although being a member of the staff can be very time consuming, it does not really have to be since it can be worked on anywhere there is Internet access. Students that are interested in becoming paart of the 2015 staff can take responsibility for very small or very large jobs, but, as with anything, it is important that students complete the tasks they say they will. The 2014 book is well underway with just a few staff members and is looking awesome. Juniors, get ready to begin your book in March, 2014!

BEAR FACTS

MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

HOLIDAY 2013

Mahanoy Area Wrestling

Writing Competition

Are you thinking of joining a club or sport? Well, then you should consider joining Mahanoy Area wrestling team. The team is coached my Mark Lawrence and Sam Quick. Coach Lawrence has around twenty years of coaching experience. Coach Lawrence said, “I coach for the love of the sport and for the kids.” Wrestling is a sport unlike any other. “It teaches you to work through more adversity than any other sport,” Coach said. Wrestling consists of one-on-one matches, where the two wrestlers try to win by pin-fall or by having the most points at the end of the match. One thing to keep in mind though is that wrestling is actually both a team and an individual sport. “I think it is a great team and individual sport, there is no truer team sport,” said Coach Lawrence. The wrestling season consists of dual meets, which are school vs school matches, and individual tournaments. The season starts in November and ends around March. “It is tough, physically and mentally...” Coach Lawrence said. The practices are not by any means a walk in the park. The practices are daily and start at 4 p.m. and end around 6:00 p.m. The only things needed to join the club are a hydration test, physical, wrestling shoes, and a never give up attitude. If you want to join the team, talk to anyone on the team or to one of the coaches. To those people that are scared to join because of a lack of experience, “talk to Woz! And there is no better way to overcome those fears than just joining and trying it out,” said Coach Lawrence. The sport is lacking in numbers and more people would be a great help to the program.

Year 28 of the DuPont Challenge—a national writing competition for middle and high school students—kicked off in the beginning of November. The DuPont Challenge calls on students in grades 7–12 from the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories to research, think critically, and write an essay that provides innovative ideas on the world’s most pressing challenges, or demonstrates the application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to our daily lives. This year, the Challenge encourages students to consider how science and innovation can be used to meet the needs of the 21st century for food, energy, and protection. Students should address one of the four following categories in a 700- to 1,000word essay:

Earn $100 For Your Class Account

Faculty vs. Students Volleyball Game

Do you want to earn $100 dollars for your classes account. Then make a donation to the American Heart Association by December 20th. Donations should be given to your Student Council Representatives or Mrs. Brylewski. The class that makes the largest donation will earn the $100. So far the feshman has $1.

The faculty student volleyball game will take place on December 20th. Student Council Representatives are in charge of making a team for each grade. The grade that wins the tournament will get to play the faculty. See Mrs. Brylewski or a student council member if you have questions.



Together, we can feed the world. Together, we can build a secure energy future. Together, we can protect people and the environment. Together, we can be innovative anywhere. Students and sponsoring teacher prizes include savings bonds, teaching grants, exciting trips, and much more. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2014. For more information, including official rules, entry forms, and details on awards, please visit the Challenge website: http://www.thechallenge.dupont.com/

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Hypnotist Visits Mahanoy

On Tuesday October 22nd, 8th to 12th grade students saw the Derrick Watkins Assembly. Derrick is a comedy hypnotist with a drug and alcohol prevention message. The students really enjoyed the assembly and Derrick received a standing ovation.

HOLIDAY 2013

Measles Still Threatens Health Security

On an average 430 children - 18 every hour - die of measles worldwide. Before the U.S. vaccination program started in 1963, measles was a year-round threat in this country. Nearly every child became infected; each year 450 to 500 people died each year, 48,000 were hospitalized, 7,000 had seizures, and about 1,000 suffered permanent brain damage or deafness Measles, once considered an eradicated disease in the USA, is on the rise. People infected abroad continue to spark outbreaks among pockets of unvaccinated people, including infants and young children. It is still a serious illness: 1 in 5 children with measles is hospitalized. Usually there are about 60 cases per year, but 2013 saw a spike in American communities – some 175 cases and counting – virtually all linked to people who brought the infection home after foreign travel.

Attention Football Players Senior football players need to give Mrs Merchlinsky pictures for the powerpoint by December 20th. Pictures should include senior picture and baby picture. Football banquet will be held January 5th at 5pm at the Ryan Township Fire Company. Players and coaches tickets are complimentary. Additional tickets can be purchased for $12 from Mrs Merchlinsky. Deadline for ticket purchase is January 3rd.

Austin Forte salutes while hypnotized by Derrick Watkins.

12/24 Concert

A Transiberian Orchestra Spectacular Sunday, December 15 @ 6 pm Mahanoy Area Auditorium Tickets: $17 in advance & $20 at the door. Sponsored by the Mahanoy Area Music Boosters

BEAR FACTS

MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

HOLIDAY 2013

Name That Christmas Movie! Here’s the quote, you name the Christmas movie that it’s from! 1. “Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” 2. “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” 3. “It’s a one year membership to the Jelly of the Month Club.” 4. “You’ll shoot your eye out kid!” 5. “He never got his picture on bubble gum cards, did he? Have you ever seen his picture on a bubble gum card? Hmmm? How can you say someone is great who’s never had his picture on bubble gum cards?” 6. “Uh, since the United States Government declares

this man to be Santa Claus, this court will not dispute it. Case dismissed.” 7. “Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen.” 8. “We’re your worst nightmare... Elves with attitude.” 9. “Fog as thick as peanut butter” 10. “Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolved.” 11. “The thing about trains... it doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.” 12. “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

Nutrition Advisory Council Members Served their annual Holiday Turkey Dinner on Thursday, November 21 during all lunches to all students, faculty and staff.

s ’ l e i n a

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HOLIDAY 2013

“FOR LASTING MEMORIES”

D

PHOTOGRAPHY 110 West Centre Street Mahanoy City, PA 17948 570-773-2972

BEAR FACTS

Are you or a friend...

MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

Useless Christmas Facts and Trivia 1.The Song White Christmas is the biggest selling Christmas single of all-time. 2.Sugar Plums are chocolate candies that are filled with fruit preservatives or other sweet cream fillings. 3.The Christmas Poem The Night Before Christmas written by Clement Moore was originally titled A Visit from St. Nicholas. 4.The Song Jingle Bells was originally titled One Horse Open Sleigh . 5.Did you realize the name Santa Claus is not mentioned once in the popular Christmas poem The Night Before Christmas . 6.Early Christmas trees were decorated with fruits, flowers and candles which were heavy on the tree branches. In the 1800’s German glass blowers began producing glass balls to replace the heavy decorations and called then bulbs. 7.Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was written and created by Robert May. May was an employee of the department store Montgomery Ward, and created Rudolph for Montgomery Wards who issued coloring books each year to children at their stores for Christmas. 8.The most popular version of Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949 and sold 2 million copies of the song in one year. 9.Hallmark introduced its first Christmas cards in 1915, five years after the founding of the company. 10.In North America, children put stockings out at Christmas time. Their Dutch counterparts, however, use shoes. Dutch children set out shoes to receive gifts any time between mid-November and December 5, St. Nicholas’ birthday.

HOLIDAY 2013

... Having problems keeping your grades up? ...No longer feel like hanging out with friends or family? ...Not enjoying your favorite activities like you used to? ...Being bullied or harrassed? ...Feeling like you just can’t seem to get it together? ...Experimenting with or using alcohol or other drugs? ...Adjusting to a new school? ...Close to someone or have a family member serving in the military? ...Having thought of hurting yourself or someone else? ...Feeling emotionally overwhelmed? ...Always worrying? ...Thinking about suicide? ...Dealing with the breakup of a relationship? ...Being hurt physically or emotionally by someone? ...Dealing with major changes in your family like your parents’ divorce? ...Dealing with the illness or death of someone close to you? The Student Assistance Team is a group of that is here to help you deal with problems that are stopping you from doing well in school or stressing you out. The staff will respect you and your parent’s/ guardian’s privacy at all times. Members include Tom Smith Josette Bet Dot Sciccitano Bridget Pollack Suzanne Merchlinsky

Kate Orsulak Trinna Delia Andrea Caulfield Cathy Stone Pam Wetzel Carolyn Fishburn Artie DiCasimirro

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MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

HOLIDAY 2013

Class News

Senior Class News: President Erin Noon The Class of 2014 is now selling lollipops and beef sticks outside of school for our Senior class fundraiser. Thus far, it is helping students get their dues paid. This will allow them to receive a free yearbook. We are also taking suggestions for class song, class flower, and class moto. We have selected our prom DJ and photographer. Junior Class Report: President Gabrielle Lorady The Junior Class had their class meeting on November 6, 2013. At the meeting we discussed fundraisers and handed out a financial report of owed money on class dues. The class has agreed on the fundraisers of selling quarter length zip ups that represent Mahanoy Area and Lady Bug Blessings. Some of the junior girls are writing essays to be picked for the Pottsville Winter Carnival. Lastly, the junior class took the ASVAB test on November 19, 2013. Sophomore Class Report: President Luke Holman The following students were selected for the 20132014 year as class officers: Luke Holman-Presi-

dent, Jennie Neifert-Vice President, Kimmy Loughlin-Secretary and Nolan Fegley-Treasurer. One of our goals for this year is to raise money for the 2016 class account. Our class sold Gertrude Hawk Chocolate until November 22, 2013. We are ready to take great responsibility for our class and complete our goals. Freshman Class Report: President Liam Mansell The Freshman Class has come up with some fundraisers for this year. Our first fundraiser will be a photo booth at the next formal. Our second fundraiser will be pictures with the Easter bunny. The freshman are also supporting the seniors by buying their lollipops and beef sticks. The freshman participated in the games at the last pep rally. The freshman had a good showing at the bonfire for the eastern conference championship game. Many freshman have been participating in clubs such as, business club, interact club, Sadd, and Spanish club. The freshman class is ready to begin the winter sports season with many joining and participating in athletics.

Dress Down Day Benefits Neidlinger Scholarship On te third Thursday of November, in conjunction with the Great American Smoke Out, the annual Dress Down for Andrew Day was held. All monies collected benefited the Andrew Neidlinger Memorial Scholarship Fund that bestows an annual scholarship to a graduating Golden Bear football player, or cheerleader if no football players apply or meet eligibility. Andrew was a 2005 graduate of MAHS, a Golden Bear football player and team captain, and was an active member of his school and community.

Andrew’s dress down days are held in conjunction with Kick Butts Day in April and the Great American Smoke Out in November because he was a committed member of the MA Teens Against Tobacco (TAT) while a student at Mahanoy. The Andrew Neidlinger Memorial Scholarship is administered through Schuylkill Area Community Foundation www.sacfoundation.com . All donations are tax deductible. The Foundation is a collection of philanthropic funds, each created by a different donar for a variety of purposes. Each fund retains its own identity, donor defined objectives and benefits from pooled investments with other funds.

Gifts to the Foundation are invested according to Foundation policy, and grants are then made from these permanent funds to qualified local charitable organizations as well as in the form of scholarships and awards. Please contact Eileen Kuperavage, Executive Director at [email protected] or Sharon Koszyk at [email protected] if you wish to make a donation at any time. Thank you all for your generous and ongoing support of The Andrew Neidlinger Memorial Scholarship.

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MAHANOY AREA HIGH SCHOOL

Christmas Trivia 1. How many times does Santa check his list? 2. The Grinch is as cuddly as a ______? 3. It would have been a laugh to see Mommy doing what last night? 4. One foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say what? 5. Good tidings to you, and all of your what? 6. Who was seated next to me a day or two ago in the song Jingle Bells? 7. Why do I want my two front teeth for Christmas? 8. What did Frosty The Snowman do when they placed the magic hat on his head? 9. What does Alvin want for Christmas in The Chipmunk Song? 10. On the eleventh day of Christmas, what did my true love send to me? 11. I’m dreaming of a White Christmas with what? 12. What do Janice and Jen want for Christmas in the song It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Answers to “Name That Christmas Movie”

1. It’s a Wonderful Life 2. How The Grinch Stole Christmas 3.National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 4. A Christmas Story 5.A Charlie Brown Christmas 6. Miracle On 34th Street 7. Home Alone 8. The Santa Claus 9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 10. A Christmas Story 11. The Polar Express 12. It’s A Wonderful Life

Answers to Christmas Trivia

1. Twice 2. Cactus! 3. Kissing Santa Claus! 4. Rudolf With Your Nose So Bright, Won’t You Guide My Sleigh Tonight? 5. Kin! 6. Miss Fanny Bright! 7. So I could wish you Merry Christmas! 8. He began to dance around! 9. A Hula Hoop! 10. Eleven Pipers Piping! 11. Every Christmas card I write! 12. Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk!

HOLIDAY 2013

4 Tips to Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions You’ve made a New Year’s resolution? Congratulations: Research says you’re 10 times more likely to successfully alter a behavior than you would if you didn’t make a start-of-the-year vow. And maybe that’s why some 45 percent of American adults ring in the New Year with a resolution. But will they keep it? According to statistics, almost half will give up on their goals within six months. Avoid being one of them. No matter what you’ve vowed—to lose weight? get fit? save money?—these four tips will help you achieve your goal. Be Specific Vague goals won’t work. “You’ve got to develop a specific action plan for change,” says John Norcross, Ph.D., coauthor of Changeology: 5 Steps to Realizing Your Goals and Resolutions ($25, amazon.com). Map out your strategy before New Year’s arrives. If you want to lose weight, target a precise number of pounds to shed, then set concrete mini-goals and the dates on which you aim to accomplish each of them. Want to save money? Determine the amount you will put aside each month and identify explicit changes in behavior you’ll make to get there, whether that means skipping your afternoon latte or carpooling to work to save on fuel costs. Make Your Goal Public Share your decision to change with friends and family who can offer support when you’re wavering and encouragement when you’re doing well at sticking to your resolution. “Public commitments are generally more successful than private decisions,” says Norcross. Substitute Good Behaviors for “Bad” Don’t rely on willpower alone to help you change, advises Norcross. That approach won’t work. Instead, build in a healthy behavior that’s incompatible with the one you want to change. So if eating your usual midafternoon treat runs contrary to your goal of dropping a few pounds, put together a small like-minded group and commit to taking a quick, brisk walk at your normal snack time. Each time you put the brakes on “bad” behavior, you’ll increase your confidence in your ability to make the change. Track Your Progress Record or chart your changed behavior. “Research indicates that such ‘self-monitoring’ increases the probability of keeping your resolution,” says Norcross.