(December 20, 2011)– Senior Daniel Dietz is a real rock star in the making! He has electric guitar skills. He has the hair and the look. He has the desire. All he feels he needs is the voice, and he intends to fix that in the coming new year. “A vocal coach is expensive, and this way I can work at my own pace,” Dietz said. Dietz’s new year’s resolution is to vocally train himself to sing like a heavy metal lead singer, specifically like Craig Mabbitt, the lead singer of the band Escape the Fate. “I love his style,” said Dietz. “He can hit those high notes, so I’m learning to scream like him.” “One thing I ask myself: how can a guy with a pretty deep voice hit those high notes? So I went online and found an exercise that works for me. In order to get that high pitch scream, you need to practice screaming like a sissy girl,” laughed Dietz. “Then form words out of it.” He searched the web looking for lessons, key tips and vocal exercises to help him do just that. He said he makes an effort to practice every day. Still, he does exercise caution. Dietz had to learn the hard way that this new year’s resolution was not going to be easy to see through. “One time I practiced screaming and my throat became sore, and I started tasting blood. So those who are trying to learn to scream, be careful. You could damage your voice,” Dietz said. Despite this risk, Dietz is fully prepared to give it all it takes. Growing up with parents and cousins who are singers has been a huge motivator behind this resolution. “Since I have a different style (heavy metal), I thought I would bring something new to the family,” said Dietz. Not everyone is as excited about their New Year’s resolutions. Junior Erit Khachatryan isn’t even making any resolutions this year! While most students blame laziness, Khachatryan has more of a back story. “I think anyone who makes big resolutions is an idiot,” said Khachatryan. “People should put more importance on what’s happening right now. They should live life in the moment.” Khachatryan’s strong dislike of New Year’s resolutions stems from resolutions she has made in the past, which, no matter how hard she would try, would never become reality. Over time, disappointment slowly turned into resentment. “I tried every year to get straight A’s in school but it just didn’t happen. And believe me, I tried,” said Khachatryan. “I just don’t think it’s worth it to make resolution when you know it’s not going to happen. Resolutions are only good when they happen.”