Photo Credit: Gabriel Hughes
Photo Credit: Gabriel Hughes
By: Sophomore Gabriel Hughes
Breathe in, breathe out…Breathe in, breathe out. Tell yourself this message, “Today is going to be my peaceful day.”
Picture This:
It’s just before midnight on Friday; snow is in the forecast, but that doesn't matter because that next morning you decide to wake up early, drive nearly three hours, and stand in single-digit windchill temperatures, in order to participate in history. You don’t care what happens because you are determined to set out in order to witness peaceful and serene venerable monks who are marching, who have continued to march continuously for 91 days at that point, and who have spread their message of peace to millions of people.
Their message is simple yet complex; it is something that may never be able to be achieved, but you don’t care because when you see those venerable monks marching, most without shoes, in the freezing cold, you feel at peace.
The crowd awaiting the monk’s arrival is collective. They share in their want to catch a glimpse and share in a special moment with the monks. Moreover, they share in their want for peace. Most of the crowd describe how when they see the monks, they know they will shed a tear. But, why? No one truly knows.
The time has finally come. After a delay due to the frigid temperatures, the monks arrive at All Faiths Chapel at Dix Park. Their time there is short, there is no speech, but the real moment in history has not yet truly begun.
The time is just past two in the afternoon, it has warmed up slightly, but the temperature is still below freezing and the wind chill is just barely in the double digits. However, there is an internal warmth in everyone. Is it because everyone there is partaking in history, or is it a yearning for peace?
The march to the North Carolina State Capitol has now begun. Just over two miles, it takes the monks, along with all those walking with them, just over an hour to complete. No one walks beside or in front of the monks. They all walk behind.
Their arrival at the Capitol is met with cheers and praise. It is met with crowds overfilled with joy because of the surrealness of what they are watching. Minutes after their arrival, a prayer is said. The Mayor of Raleigh, Janet Cowell, reads a proclamation, declaring the date of their arrival in the state’s Capitol, “Walk For Peace Day.” Afterwards, Governor Josh Stein reads a similar proclamation, also declaring the day as “Walk For Peace Day.”
Then, the lead monk, Bhikkhu Pannakra’s speech begins. The crowd of thousands of people is silent. You can hear a pin drop. He speaks without a script, but rather from the heart. He shares his message of peace and describes that it can only be achieved through the idea of mindfulness.
He shares that we never consider our breathing. Our breathing is like a machine that works only to keep us alive. He describes that we don’t think about our breathing; we just do it.
We are so caught up in our cellular devices, which he refers to as our “lovers.” Bhikkhu explains that we are unable to practice mindfulness. We, as a society, have to learn how to put our phones down, so that we can allow our minds to rest.
In our everyday lives, he explains that we fail to practice mindfulness, but instead choose to multitask. Instead of multitasking, it is imperative that we adopt a mindset of peace, compassion, kindness, and above all, unity. We don’t live in the moment. Instead, we dwell on the past or we chase the future.
After what feels like only a moment, but was, in reality, nearly an hour, the speech concludes. The crowd’s eruption into cheers is combatted with a soft and tranquil snowfall. A moment unlike any other turns into a moment unmatched by any other. It became a story for history.
The crowd then participates in a group blessing. They bow their heads and place their hands together. Three times, they recite the word Sadhu which denotes that the blessing is purposeful.
After seeing them, you feel changed. Some way, somehow, you actually feel at peace. You don’t know why, but you don’t question it. Rather, you just learn to practice mindfulness and you begin to actually pay attention to your breaths.
So, the next time you are filled with worry and fear, breathe in, breathe out…Breathe in, breathe out. Tell yourself this message, “Today is going to be my peaceful day.”
Generated Using Artificial Intelligence, Public Domain
By: Sophomore Josie Baroski
Presently, we are living in an age where AI is becoming more prominent. It is being utilized as a tool in the workplace, as well as schools everywhere. Unfortunately, with this new technology comes environmental concerns, such as water pollution, and concerns among teachers about students being academically dishonest . So is AI a positive advancement or a negative problem we now have to work to solve?
First let’s look at the positives. AI can be helpful in learning new things, brainstorming, person reflection, planning schedules, employee training, and so much more. If used correctly, it can be a helpful tool to anyone who uses it. I, personally, use AI when brainstorming story ideas as well as when studying/ learning complex concepts. But when does this tool become harmful?
The use of AI in schools has drastically increased the simplicity of cheating on assignments such as essays and tests. And the problem? It is hard to tell when it has been misused. Students don’t want to be falsely accused of AI use when they pour their heart out on an essay, but teachers don’t want to be blindsided.
However, a problem can also be schools not teaching AI skills to students, because most are afraid of these skills. Research indicates that 70% of employers won’t even look at a resume missing AI skills. If students are taught to use AI as a writing tool for prompting, without cheating. If schools teach critical thinking adequately before they introduce students to the usefulness of AI, then students will be less likely to abuse it.
Furthermore, the integration of AI has raised concerns within environmental agencies such as the United Nations Environment Assembly. They express concern of AI’s effect on the environment when they express “The proliferating data centres that house AI servers produce electronic waste. They are large consumers of water, which is becoming scarce in many places. They contaminate clean water when huge AI data centers use it as a cooling agent, then return it to the environment laden with chemicals and toxic discharge.
“They rely on critical minerals and rare elements, which are often mined unsustainably”(UNEP). These materials are being seized for the purpose of creating high performance chips and servers, as well as for data centers where AI is stored and trained.
While technological advancement is inevitable in an ever-changing society, we also only have one Earth.
If you ask me, AI is helping us as a society overall. I believe its integration into schools as well as the workplace is overall positive. It helps with data storage, automating repetitive tasks, and scheduling. The work of AI allows employees to focus on high value work, while also enhancing productivity and efficiency.
On the school side, AI really does help with brainstorming and teaching skills, as long as the students are utilizing the tool honestly.
While new technology always comes with challenges, they can be solved through mindfulness and dedication to the problem. Our environment is a serious concern, as damage is irreversible. However no matter what, problems can always yield solutions. Sometimes we just need a little help from AI to do so.
Photo Credit: Josie Baroski
By: Sophomore Josie Baroski
Peace: a state of harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. Peace comes in many different ways. Peace from war, inner peace, and peace towards adversity are a few. This idea is not easily attainable, with all the hardships and hate the world is filled with today, the concept of peace can feel far off. Despite this, a small group of Buddhist monks are trying their best to promote peace, love and harmony in a country that especially needs it.
Their walk in the United States this year started in Texas and will end in Washington DC late February. Originally from Vietnam, this group of monks has walked everyday, about 35 miles per day, since December.
And that is not an easy feat. They have traveled through rain, snow and backlash from certain religious groups. Before being gifted shoes, most were barefoot walking on concrete all day long. They wake early, start walking about 6am, and do not reach their stopping point for the day till the late evening. They do not sleep in warm beds like you and I at night, but rather rest on the floors of churches that open their doors to them.
How do they remain peaceful through all of that? They practice mindfulness. The monks even explain these teachings to the public as they travel through their journey.
In my experience, seeing the monks walk for peace was a very moving visual. They were kind enough to give my mom and I a flower that had travelled part of the journey with them. We listened to the teachings of mindfulness they shared at their nighttime destination. This experience inspired me to promote peace in any way I can, because these monks are able to just by walking.
Photo Credit: Zoe Henderson
Physical Media vs. Audiobooks: They’re Not The Same.
By: Freshman Zoe Henderson
Webster’s Dictionary defines reading as, “Pronouncing or perusing written or printed words or characters of a book or writing.” This particular definition raises the question of what constitutes reading. Although the common misconception is that literary and auditory comprehension present the same results, this is incontrovertibly false.
When examining the primary factors regarding auditory vs. visual comprehension, neurological differences must be considered. While audiobooks and physical books activate similar regions of the brain, there are overlooked cognitive differences that exponentially impact overall comprehension.
For example, the National Library of Medicine describes how the act of reading predominantly stimulates the occipital lobe, whereas listening stimulates the temporal cortex. Since both of these areas are substantially different, the purposes are as well.
The occipital lobe allows for the processing of visual images. When your eyes absorb colors, words, or pictures, the occipital lobe is what works to grasp what you are seeing (Cleveland Clinic).
This cognitive function provides a purpose that cannot otherwise be obtained via listening: by performing the act of reading, new synapses in this designated location of the brain are being formed; thus, enhancing literary comprehension, the pace information is consumed, the ability to adequately analyze what your brain is seeing, along with the critical thinking skills of the individual (Harvard Health). Not only does the occipital lobe consist of those features, it also contributes to one’s depth perception and spatial awareness.
Conversely, processing information through listening stimulates the temporal lobe of the brain. Cleveland Clinic depicts how the temporal lobe is responsible for emotional responses, senses, language, and memory. As previously depicted, this varies from the responsibilities of the occipital lobe; ergo, reading a book and listening to a book are not equivalent to one-another.
In summary of the previously stated neurological differences, both visual and auditory comprehension provide their fair share of positive attributes; however, the effects of each form of media consumption differ. Since both activate opposing cognitive functions, they cannot be considered one in the same.
To further corroborate this stance, attention spans and mind-wandering must be accounted for. Reading has been shown to be one of the few activities that requires concentration from all regions of the brain. Thus, full engagement is needed to get the most out of literature absorption.
A study conducted by the University of Waterloo involved the implementation of distractions during various forms of reading. When the subject was hearing the words, they were more likely to be distracted than those who were reading in their head. This emulates a higher susceptibility to everyday distractions when engaging in auditory activities as opposed to visual comprehension. It also adds to the idea of physical literature creating a higher immunity to external factors, in turn boosting attention spans.
One particular way in which reading improves concentration is the development of neural pathways. By strengthening cognitive endurance via the exercising of your occipital lobe, your mind is forced to work harder and focus on a singular task, minimizing the risk of disruptions.
Audiobooks, however, do not hold the same effect. Due to listening being a more passive occurrence, your brain is not forced to work as hard while attempting to consume the contents of literature.
In conclusion, reading and audiobooks are vastly unalike. The contentions listed hardly scratch the surface on reasons for this assertion. By understanding the neurological effects from both activities, the subtle yet significant contrasts come to light.
Works Cited
“Webster’s Dictionary 1828 - Webster’s Dictionary 1828 - Reading.” Webster's Dictionary 1828, 2026, webstersdictionary1828.com/Home?word=reading. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Buchweitz, Augusto, et al. “Brain Activation for Reading and Listening Comprehension: An FMRI Study of Modality Effects and Individual Differences in Language Comprehension.” Psychology & Neuroscience, vol. 2, no. 2, July 2009, pp. 111–23, https://doi.org/10.3922/j.psns.2009.2.003.
Cleveland Clinic. “Occipital Lobe: Function, Location & Conditions.” Cleveland Clinic, 5 Dec. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24498-occipital-lobe.
Cleveland Clinic. “Temporal Lobe: What It Is, Function, Location & Damage.” Cleveland Clinic, 8 Jan. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/16799-temporal-lobe.
Edwards, Scott. “Reading and the Brain.” Harvard Medical School, 2016, hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/reading-brain.
Varao Sousa, Trish L., et al. “The Way We Encounter Reading Material Influences How Frequently We Mind Wander.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 4, 2013, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00892.
Photo Credit: Delilah Miller
Celebrity Makeup Brands:
Should They Be Stopped?
By: Freshman Delilah Miller
Celebrity makeup brands are found everywhere when walking into makeup stores like Ulta Beauty, Sephora; even walking into shopping stores such as Walmart, Target, TJ Maxx, etc.
The very first celebrity makeup brand was made in 1994 by supermodel, Iman Abdulmajid, when she was only 39. Now, in 2025 there are over 100 celebrity makeup brands, and as of 2025, the beauty industry is worth over $50.6 billion dollars. I’ll be talking about the Pros and Cons of celebrity makeup brands, the profits they make, the best rated brands, the worst rated brands, and what their products contain.
Listed by Free Yourself, the top five celebrity makeup brands of 2025 includes Rihanna’s beauty line, Fenty, pulling in a total revenue of $600 million and with a value of $3 billion dollars. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez made $400 million with a total value of $2 billion. The next beauty line is Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner with a revenue of $400 million and a value of $1.2 billion. Rhode by Hailey Bieber made a revenue of $200 million with a total value of $1 billion. Finally, Anomaly Haircare by Priyanka Chopra, has a revenue of $600 million, but the value is not shared.
Then, with the least profited makeup brands as of 2023 is Flower Beauty by Drew Barrymore, Go-To Skincare by Zoe Foster Blake, JLo Beauty by Jennifer Lopez, and Florence by Millie Bobby Brown. Though they pulled in around $50 million or less, it was the lowest they made in that year.
The cheapest products for a full skincare routine in celebrity owned brands are Flower Beauty by Drew Barrymore, Florence by Millie Bobby Brown, r.e.m by Ariana Grande, Honest Beauty by Jessica Alba, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, and Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez. Almost all of those brands are cruelty free and vegan.
Rare Beauty is one of them, along with donating 1% to the Rare Impact Fund for Mental Health. r.e.m is one that is gluten free, not something popular you see happening with the other brands. Kylie Cosmetics is a brand that is cruelty free and vegan. Florence by Mills is vegan and cruelty free, and the brand donates 1% to nonprofits: Girls Inc., One Tree Planted, and the Olivia Hope Foundation if wanted by the customer. Haus Labs by Lady Gaga is a different brand that is cruelty free and vegan, she has a Born This Way Foundation that donates $1 from every purchase and was made to help mental health. The last celebrity brand is About-Face by Halsey, the brand is cruelty free and vegan, donating most of their profits last January to the California wildfires, donating during LGTBQ+ month every year, and during COVID-19.
The worst rated celebrity owned makeup brands are: Beau Domaine by Brad Pitt, the brand was made following his divorce, and complaints about the cost of multiple products. Twentynine Palms by Jared Leto had a breach of contract, rumors about mismanagement, customer complaints, it’s not shocking that it didn’t do too well in the end. JLo Beauty by Jennifer Lopez, once a mediocre brand, now has come down due to other competition, and talks on the products’ authenticity based on it if it actually works. Blake Brown Beauty by Blake Lively, with sales doing good at times and with customers knowing how the product is supposed to work, it completely won’t work, and peoples’ poor personal perception about Lively. Barker Wellness Co. by Travis Barker has customers question what the products had and the price variations.
There are over 100 celebrity makeup brands but you only end up hearing about 20 of them, the brands who do know what they are doing aren’t the problem. Brands like About-Face, Rhode, Florence; all of those brands are successful in their own way, maybe due to the fact who owns and created them, or because they put work into having a successful beauty brand. Overall, the problem isn’t what the brand has, the problem is who made it.
Photo Credit: Chloe Lowery
By: Freshman Chloe Lowery
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through streaming services, searching for a new binge-worthy show, only to end up picking the one you have chosen many times? This is a more common occurrence than most people realize.
A plausible explanation for replaying is something called the Mere Exposure Effect. This is a psychological phenomenon of developing a preference for things in which they are familiar. In a TedTalk, Michael Smith explains that we have not evolved to tell the difference between a real person's presence and fictional characters. Meaning, when we watch a familiar show it can help to reduce a feeling of loneliness.
Choosing to watch or do something new can be nerve wracking. Smith talks about how choosing can even be anxiety inducing. He explains that going out of your way to try something new, whether it's a book or TV show, exerts energy. While on the other hand, sticking to what you know and are comfortable with gives us that same energy. Choosing what we know allows us to maintain mental and emotional energy.
A theory introduced in 1956,by Donald Horton and R. Richard Wohl offers another reason. The Parasocial Theory is used to describe one-sided relationships, either with a fictional character or celebrity. In an article written by Marina Rain and Raymond A. Mar, they state “We can engage with characters in a myriad of ways, including feeling close to a character- having parasocial interactions or forming parasocial relationships- or coming to see the fictional world through the eyes of that character, identifying with that character”. This explains how the theory comes into play, and how this sort of relationship can begin.
Work Cited
Rain, Maria, and Raymond A. Mar. “Adult attachment and engagement with fictional characters.” Research Gate, September 2021, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352313677_Adult_attachment_and_engagement_with_fictional_characters. Accessed 22 January 2026.
Smith, Michael. “Why You Keep Rewatching the Same TV Show .” YouTube, 30 Dec. 2024, youtu.be/wjFvKau-0pA?si=363OxHOhVHZXIOhT.
What's in Your Backpack?
By: Sophomore Josie Baroski
Yum! Yum! Yum!
By: Junior Amelia Harrison
Junior Amelia Harrison and her scout troop created these kebobs in a cooking competition. Her patrol earned first place with Grilled Chicken Kebabs and Garlic Smashed Potatoes. Harrison is also in the culinary program at the COAST as she works toward a career in restaurants. Keep up the good work, Ameila!
By Freshman Chloe Lowery
Nostalgia, a word defined as “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past”. Most commonly used when reminiscing about shows, songs, games, etc. So why does it hit teenagers so hard?
Psychologist, Dr. Krystine Batcho, states nostalgia serves important emotional functions, like finding oneself over time. Teenage years are just stages of major growth and change, many don’t know who they are yet. Things that brought them joy when they were growing up makes it easy to find comfort in them, making them feel like themselves.
Batcho then goes on to explain that sharing past experiences and memories can help strengthen a relationship. Teens are in a stage of where they can often feel isolated, the connections can feel comforting to them during this period. Thinking about the past can allow them to feel supported and loved.
Nostalgia isn't just for looking back, the future also reaps the benefits. According to an article written by Amy Novotney, for the American Psychological Association, she states that 72% of people find inspiration from nostalgic memories and another 60% reflect on the past for guidance. These statistics show that past experiences shape how we are likely to perform. More research done by Pew Research Center shows that 68% of teens face a lot of pressure, especially to get good grades. The relevance of this is when people don't know what to do they often look back to the past, just as Novotney described.
In the end, nostalgia is so much more than just a love for the past. It brings comfort to those who need it, and sometimes even to those who don’t. It allows teens to stay grounded and have support in a time of major mental and physical changes. When they are able to connect to peaceful times, it helps them to find who they really are. Nostalgia isn’t all about the past, it affects teenagers' futures and helps them navigate life during the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Generated Using Artificial Intelligence, Public Domain
By Sophomore Gabriel Hughes
I have been a Boy Scout since I was first allowed to join in first grade. Now, as an Eagle Scout, I have begun exploring other opportunities within the Scouting America umbrella of programs. I am now a Sea Scout, and I will be joining a new Venturing crew soon, as a charter member. I have already recognized some notable differences among the programs, as they relate to the program’s focus, rank requirements, and even uniforms.
However, there is one commonality that unites all members of scouting worldwide - “Do a Good Turn Daily.” Every time I am at a scout meeting of any kind, we always recite this phrase. Scouts say it, but do they practice it? Do they live it?
I can remember as a young Cub Scout getting my rank. We would wear the rank upside down until we had done a good deed that would result in a turning over and sewing on of the patch. Oh, the memories.
Society, as a collective, do they live by the principles of doing a good turn daily? Does society purposefully try to brighten someone’s day?
Imagine walking down the street and on the ground sits a mother and her young child in need. So often, people walk on by, ignoring not only the external struggles of life, but also the struggles that are internal, locked away by people who seem perfectly okay on the outside.
Now, imagine that one person who sees the mother and young child stops and does something to help them. That something, big or small, makes a difference to not only the mother and child, but also to the person who, by helping, did their good turn.
Life is so short and so often under-appreciated. We live our day by day just trying to get through the day. Rarely do we consider those around us or the difference that it would make in someone’s day or even life if we could just put a smile on their face.
Doing a good turn does not require money. Doing a good turn requires compassion and empathy. Just because someone else’s struggles may not be our own does not mean that we are not all going through something.
Smiling, joy, and laughter are all infectious. It is possible to brighten your own day by brightening someone else’s. It is possible to find joy in life by doing something small for a person other than yourself. It is possible…
A small conversation, a joke, almost anything can make a person feel seen. The phrase, “you made my day,” is not used lightly. Kindness makes the world a better place, but, moreover, it makes life much more enjoyable.
Live your life so that everyday you will be able to say, “I did my good turn today.”
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
— Mother Teresa
Generated Using Artificial Intelligence, Public Domain
By: Graduate Makayla Procter
One of society's biggest skills is the undeniable ability to turn a blind eye to anything and everything happening around them. As members of different communities most of us can live day to day without giving a second thought to what is happening outside of the small world we live in. We think ignoring what goes on around us prevents us from being harmed but one of the most dangerous things is ignorance not awareness.
In Charlotte, North Carolina a young woman at only 23 years old named Iryna Zarutska tragically died from a fatal attack on a train. Even though Zarutska was surrounded by several other passengers that night she died alone in fear and isolation. When passengers saw the act instead of helping they turned a blind eye and demonstrated what is known as the Bystander effect. According to the article How Psychology Explains the Bystander Effect Written by Kendra Cherry “This troubling phenomenon is known as the bystander effect, where the more people are present during an emergency, the less likely anyone one person is to step in and help. There are many factors that play a role in why it happens, including things like fear of social judgment, diffusion of responsibility, lack of clarity, and even, at times, bystander apathy.”
In some cases the bystander effect can cause more damage than the actual situation at hand. So many incidents go unresolved because people ignore what they believe doesn’t pertain to them. Throughout history a recurring pattern that occurs is the bystander effect. One of the largest examples of this is the Holocaust. While Adolf Hitler was terrorizing thousands of people the rest of the world ignored what was going on either out of pure ignorance of the situation or fear of what could happen to them if they spoke up.
A more current example of this is the situation going on right now between Israel and Palestine. Society is doing what they did years ago ignoring a war on people and pretending everything is okay because they are not the ones directly involved. Activists and small content creators online are trying to raise awareness to all the destruction and civilians losing their lives but it takes everyone to make a change. If people actually stood up and did what they could to spread the news of what is going on lives could be saved. People often believe that there is nothing they could do but there is. No matter how small, just the simple act of speaking about it can spread awareness to others who may be listening.
Going through life ignoring everything that is happening because “it doesn’t affect me” or “there is nothing I can do about it” is not enough. Ignoring problems doesn’t make them disappear, it just makes them become diluted to the world.
When people around you are getting striped from their homes, or beaten for who they love, or discriminated against because of their race you can’t simply blame the world and move on. You have to do something about it and the only way to do that is to speak up.
Fear of judgment and injury flows through society like blood through our veins. It is instinct to us as humans to avoid danger but this can’t always be the case. It is important that as a community we no longer ignore those in need. It is important that we open our eyes.
By: Sophomore Gabriel Hughes
“Food Changes Lives,” but what about those who may not always have food on the table? Throughout the world, millions of children and adults alike suffer from chronic hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition everyday. So, what are we, on a global scale, doing to try to mitigate hunger? We are raising the cost of groceries, further limiting access to food.
So often, many people work extremely hard just to provide for themselves and their families, but, at times, people have to go without basic human necessities because they are unable to afford what they truly need.
Thanks to the help of local food banks and ministries around the world, many people who suffer from food insecurity are able to get adequate food so that they do not go hungry. In Brunswick County, one such program is called Matthew’s Ministry.
Matthew’s Ministry is a weekly food backpack program that provides food support for underprivileged students and their families across Brunswick County. With a mission to eliminate childhood hunger, Matthew’s Ministry serves 600+ children in at least 16 schools in Brunswick County.
In speaking with Ms. Kristie Disbrow, founder of Matthew’s Ministry, I learned of the effects that rising food costs are having on her non-profit. She explained that prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, one bag of food, which includes multiple items, had an estimated price tag of $5.55. She said that the same bag of food now costs over $10. Also, she previously only had to pay about two-thirds of the retail price of food from certain suppliers, but that is now a “thing of the past.” Since COVID, she now pays full price for all food that is not donated.
Despite food costs skyrocketing in recent years, Ms. Disbrow explained that they have never turned a child away or even provided them with less food in their 15 years of operation. She attributes this to the very close-knit and generous community. She said that she prays a lot and will always speak about Matthew’s Ministry every chance she gets.
During my interview, I asked how she came up with the idea of a backpack program versus a more traditional food bank. She explained that the program began with only a single child and grew from there. Due to the large size of Brunswick County and a lack of transportation that some face, she decided to utilize the school bus, a guaranteed mode of transportation. She said that backpacks filled with food are delivered to the schools, distributed anonymously, and then can be taken home by the children on the school bus.
Ms. Disbrow said that she does not always know the immense impact she is making on the community due to her not knowing any of the students’ names. However, she described one of the moments that makes this “just makes sense.” She said that she was at a church event during which Matthew’s Ministry came up in conversation. A former recipient, who had since graduated, said that she remembered receiving a backpack full of food every week. Ms. Disbrow explained that moments such as these, “makes it all worth it.”
Matthew’s Ministry also hosts a summer backpack drive, during which it collects backpacks to use during the school year. This year, they collected over 900 backpacks. However, a donation of a backpack is not the only way that the public can help, as Matthew’s Ministry is always seeking food donations.
Matthew’s Ministry also facilitates an annual book drive for elementary-aged children to give books as holiday gifts in the backpacks, while middle and high schoolers receive a Walmart gift card every year.
Now with over 100 volunteers, Matthew’s Ministry, as said by Ms. Disbrow, “would not happen without this community.” The Bible says, in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This verse truly embodies the mission of Matthew’s Ministry.
Last year, I first became connected with Ms. Disbrow and Matthew’s Ministry through her book drive, which I was very fortunate to be able to run as my Eagle Scout Project. Ms. Disbrow and Matthew’s Ministry both have truly changed my life.
To learn more, visit: https://matthewsministry.org
By: Sophomore Gabriel Hughes
Have you ever wanted to show a cow? Yes, you read that right. On October 17th, during the first-ever Brunswick County Agricultural Fair, Brunswick County’s 4-H program hosted a Jersey Jamboree, which featured local Brunswick County officials who joined in learning about Jersey Heifers and how to show them.
The 2025 Brunswick County 4-H Dairy Project officially began in September of this year and showcased Jersey Heifers that were delivered in June. As requirements for this program, participants had to learn about the anatomy of a Jersey Heifer, how to care for one, and how to show the animal, all while also keeping a logbook.
Prior to the show, I had the privilege of speaking with a few of the passionate 4-H members that were showing the cows. Gray, who is 10 years old and in the 5th grade, was showing Hally. Gray said that her cow loves socializing. She explained that she has been showing cows for two years, and this was her third show. Her cow at home is named Cowboy.
I also spoke to Max, who is 13 years old and in the 9th grade. He was showing Loretta. This is also his third show and his second year showing. Max said that he did not have a cow at home…yet.
During the Jersey Jamboree, County Commissioner, Pat Sykes; County Commissioner, Randy Thompson; County Manager, Steve Stone; Deputy County Manager, David Stanley; Deputy County Manager, Niel Brooks; Brunswick County Sheriff, Brian Chism; Assistant Administrator for Agricultural and Natural Resources, NC State Extension, Dr. Mark Blevins, Ed.D.; and Dr. Griffin Hewett, DVM, veterinarian for the Dairy Project, were each partnered with two 4-Hers and a Jersey Heifer. All had the chance to learn about the animal and the proper way to show it.
After spending a few minutes getting to know the 4-Hers and their animal, the County officials rotated to various stations without their heifer to learn about other unique aspects of the Dairy Program. The stations included learning about a cow’s anatomy, making homemade butter, and tying knots that you would use to tie up a cow.
After completing all of the stations (and waking up one of the young cows that had decided it was nap time), the showing began…only this time, it wasn’t the kids showing their heifer. It was time for the County officials to show their stuff!
They rejoined their animal and began showing them in front of an actual dairy cattle judge, Ms. Marti Price, based on what their 4-Her taught them. Some cows were stubborn, or as the judge said, “persistent,” and did not want to be led around the arena. Commissioner Skyes’ cow only wanted a head rub and did not want to move at all.
The walking of the cows continued for a few minutes while the judge gave commands on how the handlers should try and maneuver their cattle. The judge then called for the handlers to line up with their cow. For the more “persistent” cows, getting in a line was easier said than done.
The show concluded with a viewing of the cows and a question and answer session. The judge explained that it was crucial that handlers never stand in front of their heifer, so that judges can always have a clear view of the animal.
The judge then asked each of the participants a general question about cattle. Although not all answers were correct, the judge stressed the importance of being confident in the answer given.
In the end, Dr. Hewett received first place, Mr. Stanley received second place, and Dr. Blevins and Sheriff Chism received third place. However, all participants got a participation medal and memories that will last a lifetime.
By: Sophomore Josie Baroksi
There is a saying “not all heroes wear capes”, which explains how heroes exist in all capacities, not only as the super heroes seen on TV. The first everyday heroes that come to my mind are veterans. Those who fought for freedom, and defended our country from attack. However, not all Veterans physically fought in conflicts. Some, like Joe Hagerman, offered honorary service to their country in other ways.
Mr. Hagerman was a mechanical engineer during World War II. After getting his degree at the University of Alabama, he began his work on the development of B-29 bombers in Marietta Georgia.
B-29 bombers, most notably the B-29 Superfortress, played a significant role in World War II . The B-29 Superfortress models were the airplanes used to drop atomic bombs on the Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki towards the end of the war. The decision to drop atomic weaponry on Japan is often regarded as the choice that ended the war, however it also cost an estimated 100,000 lives. This number includes not only men, but also uninvolved women and children. The B-29 bombers, being the responsible carriers of this destruction, as well as many other bombings, are sometimes referred to as the most controversial bombers in history.
The B-29 bombers were highly advanced propeller-driven aircrafts that could carry heavier objects, for longer amounts of time, at higher altitudes, than any plane ever before. But how did we create these planes? Were inexperienced soldiers putting together planes when they weren’t engaging in combat? No! They had specifically trained men putting together, and checking these planes for error consistently.
This job was not easy. Extensive knowledge of engineering was needed in order to make sure these B-29 bombers were reliable, as well as safe. The work of testing and checking the planes to make sure they were ready for action was tedious, hard work. Mr. Hagerman sometimes took shifts 36 hours long! Can you imagine examining a plane for three days straight? Many of the planes had issues in the beginning, so this work became very necessary to ensure errors were not made during construction that could be fatal to the American soldiers, or cause our bombing mission to go wrong.
The more Mr. Hagerman worked on the B-29 bombers the deeper his understanding of what they meant for World War II became. He knew the dropping of the first atomic bomb would cause the war to terminate quickly thereafter.
Only 27 days passed between the first atomic bombing and the Japanese surrender.
Mr. Hagerman loved what he did. It wasn't easy by any means, and not always fun, but it was his passion. What he loved to do not only fulfilled him, but also aided his country in a hard time of war. When he left service, he received a trophy of a B-29 bomber, with an engraving that read “Thank you for helping us win the war.” The work that he did was that of a true patriot.
By: Senior Lucian Stanley
Art trading is more than just swapping drawings, it’s a creative exchange between cultures, thoughts, and experiences. When most people hear art trading, they think about trading pictures or paintings, but there is more to it than that. People also trade music, poems, short stories, and even digital creations like animations, video edits, and graphic design. It’s all about sharing what you create and getting something meaningful in return.
The cool thing about art trading is that it’s like giving someone a piece of your imagination while receiving a piece of theirs. For example, one person might send a hand-drawn comic while the other sends a song they created on their laptop. Even though they’re different types of art, they hold the same purpose; expressing creativity and emotion. It’s like a conversation, but instead of words, you’re speaking through art. Trading art also helps people learn from one another. A writer may get inspiration from a painting to create a new story. A musician could write a song from the poem they got within the trade. Another reason one may do this is because of the barrier in ability that the other artist is able to make up for. When trading with a person, they may have the possibility to create what the other can not, and vice versa. That way, they can make up for each other in a sort of symbiotic relationship. This can also show others that art isn’t locked into one form. Music, writing, and visual art can all influence each other.
Another important part of art trading is the connection it builds between people. When you trade something you made for the other person, it shows trust and respect. You’re saying “This is something I created, and I would like to share it with you.” That makes the whole exchange feel personal and special. It creates friendship, connections, and a sense of community among creative people. In the end, the art of art trading isn’t just about the objects being traded. It’s about the meaning behind them, the effort put into them, and the bonds they create. It’s a reminder that art is everywhere, not just on paper, but in music, writing, and ideas. Sharing that makes the world a little more connected.
Image Credit: Hello Magazine, Collage: BeFunky
By: Freshman Trista Sargent
There are many actors out there who started their careers as children. They have made a lot of money and gained fame, but they also went through periods where they were struggling with mental health, as well as receiving backlash.
In this article, a select six childhood actors will be mentioned. Said actors are Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, Macaulay Culkin, and Daniel Radcliffe.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen began acting at nine months old in the 1987 sitcom “Full House”. The twins shared the role of Michelle Tanner. As their age increased, their social status did too and they made more money. The two of them started a fashion brand called “The Row.” They chose this name because they wanted something that would stick out without someone taking one look and knowing it was them. Vanessa Friedman said in People.com “...refrain from capturing or sharing any content during your experience…”, in an X post. This quote shows that during the events for “The Row”, the Olsen twins did not want their name to be out there as soon as someone saw the name of the brand.
Lindsay Lohan is known for her roles as Annie and Hallie in “The Parent Trap”, Anna Coleman in “Freaky Friday”, and Cady Heron in “Mean Girls”. She has been in the industry for many years, but that has affected her deeply because she had to obey strict rules in order to keep her job. She began to get involved in several illegal activities: driving under influence, dealing with illegal substances, failure to attend recovery classes, missing court, failing drug tests, theft, accusation of fleeing an accident, accusation of assault, and lying to court. Eventually, she did community service for some years and brought herself back up to return to acting. Crimemuseum.com backs this up, “A judge in May 2015, ended Lohan’s probation after she completed the community service stemming from her 2012 reckless driving arrest. This would make it the first time in almost eight years that Lohan was probation free.” Lohan has now starred in many more movies since then such as “Irish Wish” and “Freakier Friday”. Her recovery earned her more fame.
Amanda Bynes starred in the show “All That” at the age of 10. After that, she made a presence and starred as Viola in “She’s the Man”. She had to take a permanent break from acting in 2010 due to substance abuse and mental health. She was in and out of mental hospitals for the next 10 years and had to move in with her parents in 2013 to keep her safe and healthy. She was released from their care in 2022 when everyone agreed she could stay steady herself. In October 2024, she collaborated with Austin Babblitt, a fashion designer, and made a T-shirt and shorts that sold out very quickly. She now focuses on fans and her health.
Macaulay Culkin is known for his role as Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone”. He has not gotten into legal trouble. He has 2 kids with his Fiance, Brenda Song. Dakota, born in 2021, and Carson, born in 2022. He has not acted recently, but will be in “Zootopia 2”. He has stayed successful because “Home Alone” caught the attention of many people and that role got him many more. As he grew older, he gained more fame from social media, since people liked his acting.
Daniel Radcliffe is known for his role as Harry Potter in “Harry Potter”. He made 33,000,000 United States dollars in 2011. Other than acting, he has a normal life, making friends with his co-stars Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. He does not have a very active social media presence, so most of his fame comes from his recent roles as Abigail in “The Lost City”. He has impacted many people with his skill. Hemag-eg.com states, “Few young actors are as seasoned as Radcliffe, and many around the world relish the opportunity to see the work that this young man continues to deliver both on the screen and behind the scenes.”
Looking at these actors, we can tell that not everyone has the same experience. There are multiple outcomes. Each and every actor is not unanimously loved and received hate once in their career. All actors mentioned today started young and still have a social status. They have kept up with all of their work and appear in many things today, Though they all turned out differently, they still all wanted to achieve their big dreams.
By Sophomore Josie Baroski
Have you or a loved one been personally victimized by the national phenomenon of the 6-7 meme. Has this experience led you to want to eternally plug your ears/ left you wondering what in the world was just said to you? Then you will want to keep reading this article.
So where did this phrase even come from? In 2024, an artist by the name of Skrilla released a TikTok audio where 6-7 is repeatedly said. After gaining significant popularity, the 6-7 song (actually entitled “Doot Doot”) was released as a single in early 2025. Since then, it has received a hand motion, and a surge in popularity.
The phrase 6-7 doesn’t really have any meaning. It is merely an excited gesture typically performed when, for instance, the math teacher tells you the homework problems for that night are 6 & 7.
In Teacher Angela Mabry’s Math 3 class, students constantly use this phrase while performing their mathematics.
“The “6-7” craziness hasn’t really affected me that much. I just have fun with it but don’t let it disrupt class. I will say that I do notice when problems have the answer of 67 or if I assign homework that is #6 and #7. It seems to happen quite often!” Mabry says.
6-7 is a harmless craze that has taken the world by storm. The phrase has even been banned in some schools because of the disruption it causes!
Why do students like to say 6-7 so much? “I don’t know I think it’s funny to say and hear,” says sophomore Olivia Henderson.
Is there any telling when one can expect to no longer hear 6-7 as they walk the halls or endure math class? Truthfully, no. This meme has died and come back numerous times, so we’re not entirely sure how much more it will last. My guess is about 6-7 more months!
By: Senior Brigham Hollis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS, is a progressive disease which weakens the connection between muscles over time. The deterioration of the neural network leads to loss of function for all muscles making it harder to move and eventually lungs will weaken to a terminal degree. There are 5000 new cases of ALS each year with a life expectancy of 2-5 years after finding out. The cause for the cases is not always known so it makes it difficult to create a cure. There is also a genetic factor to some ALS cases which is another reason as to why it is so difficult to cure. Not to mention ALS is the damage of neurons which stop being produced in the human body at 18 months old.
My grandma on my mother’s side had ALS. The first thing we had noticed was my grandma’s slurred speech. My dad had thought she might have suffered a stroke due to that, but it was the weakening of her vocal cords. Eventually, her vocal cords gave out so she was unable to talk and had to write everything. Even despite this, my grandma was always a joy to be around. Movement was difficult for her and we’d often find her on her chair knitting or taking naps. We were able to get a chair for her that would incline so she could stand up easier thanks to a donation from an ALS support group out in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is three hours from where she lived.
I wanted to bring awareness to its existence and hope that this information gets shared with others. I also hope that this tiny writing inspires somebody to go into the research for helping those with ALS.