50 JANUARY 2020 By Amanda Savage While Americans make mostly health- related pledges every December 31, most don’t stick with them beyond the first half of the new year. In ancient times, resolutions were profound commitments to powerful deities, and there were serious consequences for not following through. Acknowledging and celebrating seasons is an ancient practice. Like the beginnings of many modern traditions, New Year’s resolutions derive from milestones in the agricultural calendar and a devout appreciation of nature. The Babylonians were the first recorded group to celebrate a defined new year, but the warming lushness of spring symbolized the new year in Mesopotamia. They didn’t have a ball drop or lip- syncing celebrities, but a 12-day festival called Akitu, which celebrated the gods of Earth and encouraged citizens to resolve any lingering debts and to make promises to their gods in the year to come. In Rome, Julius Caesar established January 1 as the start of the new year. January’s namesake could be the Roman God Janus, a two-faced god that symbolized time, transitions, beginnings and endings. He could look into the future and the past at the same time. When Christians became a force of moral standards in the Middle Ages, they kept with the theme of new beginnings and commitments but replaced pagan gods with the Christian God, and parties turned into prayer vigils. In Judaism, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur hold similar ideas of forgiveness and starting over. The common thread tying each era together is self-improvement. The term “New Year resolution” gained momentum in the 18th century, and the religious undertones of the holiday faded and were replaced with bottles of champagne and personal commitments to betterment. According to a Harvard Business Review study conducted by psychologist, researcher and New York Times bestselling author Tasha Eurich, most people believe they are self-aware, but only 10-15% actually are. Self-awareness is instrumental in successful relationships, careers and mental health. Some researchers and authors, like James Clear, believe that true change comes from adjustments to small habits verses setting (and failing at) massive goals. Clear is the author of the New York Times best-seller “Atomic Habits.” Perhaps a successful year of achieving goals could come from letting go of a deadline or a number and simply sticking to healthier habits. Whatever your New Year’s resolutions may be, it’s never too late to start working on them. A brief history of New Year’s resolutions Father Time and Baby New Year depicted in the book Frolic & Fun , 1897. By Kaylee McClaine Alison Dunn, an art teacher at Xavier College Prep was recently honored with the 2019 Secondary Division Outstanding Art Educator award during the annual Arizona Art Education Association (AAEA) conference. This award recognizes an outstanding high school art teacher who has an established record of exceptional teaching and advocacy for art education. The AAEA nominating committee decided to award Dunn based on peer nomination and letters of recommendation. Catherine Robbins, another art teacher at Xavier, nominated Dunn. Robbins teaches next door and sees Dunn interact with her students each day. “Alison wants the Studio Fine Arts Department at Xavier to be the best that it can be, and to that end, she gives excellent advice, shares resources and is a great role model. I wanted to nominate Alison for the Arizona Art Education award to let others know about her accomplishments and because she deserves it,” said Robbins. Dunn currently teaches AP Art History, AP Studio Art, Intermediate and Advanced Drawing/Painting and Oil Painting I and II at Xavier. In addition, Dunn has been the department chair of studio art since 2008, and she also sponsors the National Art Honor Society Chapter. “Our students and the entire Xavier community benefit greatly from Alison’s teaching and inspiration. She ensures our visual arts program is a vital component of 21st century learning,” said Xavier principal Sister Joan Nuckols. With her combination of techniques designed to awaken creativity and problem-solving skills, Dunn has inspired students’ imaginations. Although a small percentage of students end up pursuing art as a college study, Dunn’s teaching techniques go beyond the art classroom. “A majority of [Dunn’s] students will take what they learned in art class and apply it to many facets of their lives. Learning about and practicing art helps students think critically and apply creative solutions to problems,” said Lisa Zuba, director of marketing and staff development at Xavier. Dunn teaches her students to appreciate art by encouraging them to submit their work to competitions, such as the annual Congressional Art Awards. Each year, Dunn also oversees the school-wide student art show. The Secondary Division Outstanding Art Educator award is an annual award that is given to one teacher in each educational division. To receive the award, teachers are nominated by peers and must then submit additional letters of recommendation to the awards committee. “I feel so grateful and supported. I’m grateful to be recognized for how much effort it takes to be an effective teacher. There are misconceptions that teaching art is easy, when in fact, it’s quite demanding,” said Dunn. Xavier art teacher receives recognition According to other teachers, Dunn has always been an advocate for the art community and tries to encourage her students to support art as well. PHOTO: DOMINIQUE PAPLACZYK

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