By LINDSEY WOJCIK

Editor in Chief

The clock struck midnight; the lucky ones shared a kiss. Dresses and ties became pajamas as cold hard floors became beds. Recovery began for the champagne induced hangover as America’s celebration had just began for what looks to be the year of change: 2009.

Last year brought Americans an historic presidential race, a drunken “American Idol” judge, a Grammy winner who revolved through rehab doors dozens of times, a pop star on the verge of a comeback and an egotistical-paparazzi-abusing rap star.

After fighting public battles with the press, those who sought and resented the spotlight in 2008 must have something different lined up for 2009. With it being the New Year and all, I thought it might be helpful for some of America’s favorite biggest names to take new year’s resolution suggestions directly from the hand that feeds them.

President-elect Barack Obama: Not gonna light a cigarette.

Obama can’t afford to meet the same demise as two of the featured Marlboro Men did, which is why he spent most of his time on the campaign trail chewing Nicorette gum. The media reported Obama falling off the wagon during the race to office in 2008.

Although Obama has said he does not intend to smoke in the White House, the stress of taking over the presidency during a recession and a war may prove to be too much to allow him to kick the nicotine habit in the can.  

While it may be suave for Hugh Hefner to puff on a pipe, cigarettes are not the hottest accessories for one of the most powerful men in the world.

Even though Obama’s counterpart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, occasionally enjoyed nicotine highs during the New Deal era, a clear head is what Obama will need to pull America out of its economic woes. Stick to the Nicorette in 2009, Obama. The U.S. is counting on it.   

“American Idol” judge, Paula Abdul: No more drinking on the job.

Rumors ran rampant during the last season of “American Idol” about Abdul’s, um, odd behaviors.  

Abdul had been outspoken about her strange ways since 2005, but last year’s offensive against the media after she was criticized for being confused about which rounds

“American Idol” contestants were participating in during a May taping, struck a bad note.  

Abdul claimed her confusion had nothing to do with drugs, but it’s up to the voters to decide what was in that Coke cup sitting on the judges’ table.

With new judge Kara DioGuardi joining Abdul alongside the likes of Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, Abdul has her work cut out for her. Let the new judge cause the controversy this year, Paula, and lay off the rum and Cokes.

Grammy winner Amy Winehouse: Help keep herself and others out of rehab.

Winehouse spent most of 2008 in and out of rehab despite the lyrics of her smash single “Rehab.” Battles with alcoholism, drug use and depression were only a handful of the problems that made Winehouse’s personal life a running Lifetime “movie of the week.”

In late November the media reported that Winehouse’s husband Blake Fielder-Civil wanted to end the marriage. While Winehouse’s reps were unaware of this fact, it could be the best thing to happen to the soulful singer. Fielder-Civil could have been enabling Winehouse’s alcoholism and drug use as, he has been charged with possession of marijuana in the past.

Regardless of the past, 2009 could be Winehouse’s year to tell her story and inspire others to keep from going back to rehab.

Britney Spears: Reduce the stress of a caged life.

Our congrats go out to Ms. Spears for her good behavior in 2008. Not only did she manage to keep a full head of hair, keep her panties on and avoid rehab, her new album, “Circus” looks to be one of her highest selling albums in recent years.  

In what could potentially be the biggest year for the queen of pop since 2004, “Oops… I Did Again” cannot become her fall back excuse. She needs to learn to manage her stress better than her father Jamie Spears has managed her personal life.

His efforts to keep her as caged as the exotic animals in her video “Circus” could be remedied by working it out on the dance floor. Get back “in the zone” Britney, and work all of that stress out in the studio and on stage.

Here’s to hoping an injury won’t deter her from her tour, her father won’t become a psycho control freak and ex-husband Kevin Federline keeps her out of court.

Kanye West: Go into design to avoid a battery fine.

Last year was a big year for the rap superstar. He spent most of the year on tour promoting his 2007 album “Graduation,” released the robotic inspired album “808’s & Heartbreak” and spent much of the latter part of the year dueling paparazzi.

The self-proclaimed “voice of our generation” is looking to go out with the old — harassing the photogs — to bringing in the new as a design intern with a major fashion label this year.

His hopes are to land the coveted position at Louis Vuitton or Raf Simons but I don’t think West’s high end designer dreams will be able to “touch the sky.” Shutter sunglasses and Dayglo leggings are not on the horizon for 2009 Spring Fashion Week.

Though it’s possible that West’s fashion venture could be successful for him. It will keep him distracted from sampling beats from obscure 1950s soul.

How will the egotistical maniac bode as the lowest on the design food chain? Running coffee orders and gathering fabrics will definitely be a freshman adjustment for him. Then again, he may get there and make the demands.

Whatever 2009 brings, fans can only hope the biggest names do it right this time around.