Each new year brings the promise of new beginnings — the chance to bring changes and improvements to our lives.

A sampling of local people interviewed found several who not only expressed their intentions for 2013, but the steps they are taking to accomplish them.

Elisa Sellars has enrolled and will start college online to receive a second bachelor’s degree. She will be majoring in intercultural studies in preparation for a service in the missionary field.

Ken Sellars is already studying online through the Master’s Divinity School of Evansville, Ind. His goal for 2013 is to complete his M.A. in biblical counseling by the deadline of March 31.

A common goal for many is to get more exercise, but for Yashica Green, the goal is even more extreme. Her goal is to get into “Insanity,” which she describes as a rigorous program “with a lot of cardio.” Green was home on leave for the holidays from the U.S. Army where she is a medic. She is currently stationed at Vancouver, Wash. With 10 years of service, she has been in Kuwait, Germany and two tours of duty in Iraq.

Another person who wants to get more exercise, and lose some weight along with it, is Jena Moye. Even though she helps care for young grandchildren and three dogs, she has not yet reached her goal of losing weight. She vows to be more self-disciplined in her routine starting New Year’s Day. She also plans to keep a cleaner house, which might prove to be a bigger challenge with the children and dogs.

Josh Bradley wants to quit smoking. He has been a pack-a-day smoker for about four years and wants to quit “for his wife and his life.” He has been trying off and on for awhile, but is committed to achieving it in 2013.

Stephanie Roland is making a big change in her young life. She has enrolled at Bainbridge College and will begin next week to study to become a medical assistant. Roland has been out of school since high school in 2008. She admits to being nervous about the challenges she will face, but said, “I want to take charge of my life and make a better life for myself and my two children.” Even more importantly, she wants to make her grandma proud.