Oxford Colleges’ article: “Ethics Versus Morals- What’s the Difference?” says “...ethics are societal decisions with rigour and structure. Morals are more self-determined and influenced by many influences from family, education, to religion” (Oxford College 1). Who decided to make laws? Obviously, leaders, but how did they come up with them?

Leaders  had to have woken up one day with an idea to “make their citizens better.” This happens often because laws are constantly changing to benefit people. We cannot live without laws which is the reason we create them. A good example of this is the movie, The Purge. For 12 hours any crime was legal, many people participated and committed any crime they thought of. This led to much chaos, so without laws, states and cities would be unimaginably chaotic. 

The reason why being ethical is moral is because if a person believes in these laws that your government made, they probably believe that not following them will get them in trouble, or they simply know that they will be punished. 

If a person follows laws because they truly believe that they are good for them, instead of following them out of fear, that is a moral decision. They are being influenced by someone or something that they look up to, and follow them. A person may believe that it will cause trouble by not following rules. Societies have many consequences for those who disobey the laws that they create, because it can cause trouble or it just does not fall into alignment with the idea they have for the city or state. This influences people to adhere to legislation.

 Being ethical is moral because anyone can disobey laws, even if they do know the risk of getting caught, they still choose to not obey. 

6:45 a.m.

I wake up drowsy and tired like always, feeling like I could never get enough sleep. I was supposed to be out of bed forty-five minutes ago. I look over at the window, and I notice it's still dark outside and I feel myself close my heavy eyes again. I didn't bother to get out of bed or think about getting to school on time, I just lay there feeling a sense of drowning.

7:25 a.m.

I'm finally walking to my car, hair brushed, teeth brushed, and my jeans stacked over my weathered brown boots. I open the door of my car, get in and start it. I feel cold air that has been trapped inside all night on my face and nose. I feel confused by the weather. It's freezing this morning but just two days ago the sun was hot enough to give a sunburn. I pull out of my driveway and I head to Brunswick Community College.

8:17 a.m.

I arrive at BCC and I pull into the Early College parking lot. I look around and I see plenty of cars parked all around mine. I came to the realization that I'm late once again. For some reason it hadn't come to me on the drive here, but I just now realized I was almost 20 minutes late. As I pack all of my things into my bookbag that lay on the passenger seat I feel my phone vibrating, I check and it's my boyfriend of almost two years. He was irritated and complaining about how he was going to be late for school as well, and his whole day was ruined because of it. I text back and let him know I feel sorry his morning is going like it is, and I continue walking into the building. I feel a weight on my shoulders that isn't my bookbag and I carry it with me to my first period class. 

Its 9:15 a.m.

As I sit in Math class waiting for the bell to ring, I look at my blank paper. A feeling of guilt boils inside of me, I do not understand anything going on in this unit. I think to myself about how it is my fault I feel so behind, I'm always late to this class lately. My math instructor comes over to me asking me how I'm doing, and I admit that I am lost in every way possible. She looks at me with reassurance and tells me to come back for one-on-one instruction for my fourth period. Another period spent in math class to try to understand things everyone else in my class seemed to instantly and fully understand. I told her I would and shortly after we were dismissed. 

10:12 a.m.

I've always liked science, and one of my favourite classes I've taken so far has to be biology. Everytime we come in for class there are on average, 3 different new documents to work on. Unlike in a lot of my other classes, I've never been behind in this one, it feels fun to learn new things in fun ways, like labs, vocabulary projects and more. I've definitely had my hard days in this course, but what I feel is most important is how much I enjoy the work.  

11:24 a.m.

I have always done the worst in history. I enjoy it, but it is a lot of work to learn about things that happened so long ago. I dislike comparing sources and putting those types of pieces together. No matter how I feel, I do my best to show up and get the work done. 

12:39 p.m.

Another day eating a soggy chicken sandwich because I never have the time to pack my lunch. As I threw my styrofoam tray, I looked toward the vending machine still hungry, and I bought a bag of spicy chips. After lunch I realized I do not have a fourth period today, so I headed to the library to get some work done.

1:05 p.m.

As I sit in the library, I think about how I'm going to be able to leave school at 2pm and be able to make it to work at 3pm. As I go through my planner, I realize I've let more work pile up than I needed to, and I feel the weight I've carried for most of the day gets heavier. This time I was sitting down, and it still felt heavier than I could carry. Disappointed in myself, I put my head down and scroll on my phone. While scrolling through my phone I had let the time slip by..

1:54 p.m.

I start to pack up my things and head to my car, the wind strong and cold like it was able to touch my skin through my clothes. As I get back to the car, I climb in, shut the door and take a breath. I wish I could feel at ease knowing the hard part of my day is over, but it feels as though there is more to come. Suddenly, I remember Ms.Mabry asking me to come back in fourth period to do more reviewing, I start to feel so disappointed in myself, this is the second time I have forgotten to go review with her. With a heavy heart, I drove out of the parking lot. 

2:15 p.m.

I'm driving down highway 17 and I'm thinking to myself. Not many thoughts about specific things but things that orbit around my brain all of the time.

'Do I have everything done I need to?’

‘Did I work enough hours this week to pay for my car payment?’

‘Do I have enough gas? Do I have enough money for gas?’

‘I wonder if i still have some clean laundry left’

‘I wonder if anything that will happen today will change my perspective.’

The last thought is always something I think about often, and looking for every day. From when I get up in the morning to recapping my day as I fall asleep, I look for someone, or something to change my perspective. Maybe if my perspective on my life was different, things wouldn't feel so heavy for me.

2:54 p.m.

Just as I thought I was starting to think things through, I am at home, rushing inside to change into all black attire, and head right back out of the door. I wouldn’t say that I dislike my job, but standing in the same spot for six to eight hours gets very repetitive. I answer the phones, clean up messes, seat customers, and help anyone who needs it. 

4:00 p.m.

We have just opened the restaurant, and I stand at my designated spot and wait for cheery faces to walk through the door. While I like to do things other than school, having a job would be at the very bottom of my to-do list if I had one. A lot of people think maintaining a job while in school is easy, and that's awesome for them. The one unfortunate thing that is completely true when it comes to life is that everyone is different, and everyone handles thighs differently. With me, I decided to commit to a job because I was ready to have my own car. While having my own car has been great, the car payment is hefty, and no one else is going to pay for it but me. 

6:30 p.m.

At this point, I'm ready for the night to be over, and I'm looking at the clock every few minutes hoping time is passing by faster. I imagine myself bedrotting, watching TV, and snacking all night instead of sitting in the restaurant. At this point I am tired, and I feel the weight of my unfinished schoolwork, my laundry basket, my unclean room on my shoulders. Then my manager says my name, she says it as if she has tried to get my attention twice before that, “Yes, Ms.Pat?” I say. I don't even remember what she had told me after my acknowledgement of her existence, but I remember the feeling of a longer night ahead of us. 

9:48 p.m.

Ms.Pat has finally closed the restaurant, and I'm putting menus away, cleaning the glass covered in so many fingerprints, and tidying up my workspace. Most importantly to me, all I can think about is going home for the night 

10:15

I've just arrived home and I greet my grandmother sitting on the couch. As I walk back to my room, I walk past the laundry room to see she did all of my laundry for me. The warm feeling only grows when I see my water bottle that I had forgotten that day, laying on my bed amongst all of my stuff. The particular thing about this water bottle that was different from today than yesterday, was that it was clean. Every piece of it was cleaned, while I hadn't even remembered the last time I cleaned it. 

As I clean up my room, I start to think to myself of how grateful I am for the people who see me struggling. They may not be able to take that stress away, but they help without asking every time, in any way they can. Specifically, My Grandma. 

11:43

As I lay in my bed, I think back on my day. I think about the stress of getting up in the morning, the amount of schoolwork I'm too tired to do, and the fact I still haven't packed a lunch. But as I'm drifting to sleep I can't help but feel complete. In my mission for the day, I've found someone AND something to change my perspective on my life. I've realized that I have my grandma and all of the amazing things she does for me out of the kindness of her heart. The fact she will step out of her way, drop what she's doing, and come to be by my side and help me, shows me that I can get through the things that feel impossible. Without any words said, she reminds me that my perspective can always change depending on how I look at the things around me. She shows me these things not only through our conversations, but through her actions. She will always be here to let me know I'm not alone, in every way.

***Some parts of this letter have been omitted for my and my family’s privacy***

I am writing to share this letter which I have sent to local Congressional Representatives as well as multiple media outlets with regard to the leaked Pentagon memo that, within, spoke about severing ties with Scouting America.

My name is Gabriel H., and I am a sixteen year old Sophomore. I am also an Eagle Scout from Troop 262 out of Shallotte, North Carolina. I am writing to you in regards to the leaked Pentagon memo which included plans to sever ties with the Scouting America Program. While I am sure you are receiving an influx of emails and letters as a result of this memo, I would still like to share with you my story from my scouting experience. 

I have been in the scouting program since I was first eligible to join as a Tiger Scout in fall of 2016. I can remember a recruiter from the former Boy Scouts of America coming to my school and describing, in detail, all of the unique programs that scouting had to offer. I remember, more specifically, the awe that I was in when I learned that my local Boy Scout Reservation, Camp Bowers, had its own pirate ship. Needless to say, I went home, told my parents, and signed up with Pack 38 out of Southport, North Carolina less than a week later. 

At my first meeting, I had no clue what I was getting myself into because when I went into our meeting location, there was no pirate ship. But, I was intrigued for other reasons, and that is why I stayed. A handshake, a sign, a salute, the scout law, and the scout oath. I was so interested that my father bet me ten dollars that I could recite the scout law by the time that I got home from the meeting (only about a fifteen minute drive). I am happy to report that I memorized it, and that the ten dollars was mine. However, I did not memorize the saying for the money, but rather I memorized it because I felt the power and importance of the words that I was saying. From there, I continued my journey of cub scouts, going camping, participating in fun outdoor activities, and finally getting to explore the pirate ship (the whole reason I signed up).

When it was time for me to cross over from my cub scout pack into the troop, I was burned out. I felt lost in my scouting journey. I, in truth, did not know what I wanted to do. I decided to stick it out and join Troop 102 out of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina. Almost immediately, a fire that was almost extinguished was reignited with a passion. At my second meeting with Troop 102, I began my first merit badge, Scholarship, earning the badge only two weeks later. I thank my parents for not allowing me to let my flame for scouting burn out completely. 

Troop 102 made me the scouter that I am today, a scouter filled with passion for the program and a scouter who knows that you earn what you receive because nothing is just given to you. For example, when completing the Aviation merit badge, I flew a plane from the copilot’s seat, with the pilot’s permission, while in the air, and without the pilot’s assistance. I did not just go on a commercial flight and call that “good enough.” I earned it. 

Unfortunately, the troop that shaped me and made my eternal flame for scouting burn brighter than ever decided to fold. This was due to all of the leaders’ children attaining the rank of Eagle and aging out of the program. That has led me to where I am today, an Eagle Scout, myself, from Troop 262 in Shallotte.

Nothing in my scouting journey was simply given to me. I worked very hard to ensure integrity in all of my scouting ventures. The scouting program is anything but, “… no longer a meritocracy that holds its members accountable to meet high standards.” The only thing that was given in my scouting journey was the 1732 books that were given to local underprivileged elementary-aged children because of my Eagle Project. (My initial goal was only 500 books). I have worked tirelessly to ensure that everything I do in scouting is properly earned so that my time is not wasted. How about the over 250 volunteer hours that were actually worked by my fellow scouts and individuals in the community? Were those just given to me? Personally, I think not.

Now, instead of celebrating, not only my hard work, but every Eagle Scouts’ hard work, we are diminishing their accomplishments by saying that the leadership that they practiced and the skills that they learned are now, in a sense, worthless, because Scouting America is “woke.” Personally, I believe that Secretary of the Department of War Pete Hegseth needs to wake up and realize that this program that he claims, “no longer supports the future of American boys,” supports the future of ALL people who participate in this program, American boys AND girls alike. 

One of the pinnacle moments in a scouter’s journey is receiving the letter of congratulations from the President of the United States. For me, I now have to wonder if what the president said in his letter was the truth. This action does not correspond with anything that was said in the letter. 

Scouting America’s brand reinvention does not “attack boy friendly spaces,” but rather it creates an open space for all of America’s youth. Why should we not let girls into our program? Some may argue that it is because there are Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and that they should not be intermingled; however, the Girl Scout program is very different from the Boy Scouts. Is it not okay for girls to want to learn about skills, such as first aid, and want to sleep outside? Should we treat them as if they are fragile vessels or should we let them pursue what makes them happy? This idea is not only antiquated, but could be compared to similar beliefs within the Taliban and Isis.

When girls were first welcomed into scouting programs, I adopted a mindset that the programs were separate for a reason and that they should remain so. It is now that I realize I was very close-minded and that our sister troop is actually our better half. My sister troop are the ones who taught me how to tie knots. They were the ones who showed me that they are in the scouting program for a reason and that they have every right to be there. They bring things to the table that our boy’s troop does not. We complement each other which is what leads to our success as a unit.

The military cutting ties with the scouting program is NOT how we support the future of American youth. Many scouts go from wearing the scouting uniform to wearing the uniform of one branch of America’s Armed Forces. Cutting ties is not encouraging scouts to voluntarily join the military, but rather it is discouraging them. Cutting ties will result in scouts simply hanging up their uniform and not wearing one of America’s military. And why? Because Scouting America decided to allow girls to pursue their interests in the Scouting program?

The damage done with this action is collateral. Scouts, individually, did not have a say in whether or not they let girls in the program. Also, what about the almost 30,000 lives that could be at risk this summer at the National Jamboree without the military’s support? As someone who will be there, I am concerned for my own health during those two weeks. At this late date, does Scouting America even have time to create a viable back-up plan?

The left did not want, ” …to destroy it or dilute it into something that stood for nothing.” We are passing the blame to someone without even asking Scouting America why they did what they did. We are blaming the left for a program that decided to evolve with evolving times. Scouting America does, in fact, stand for something. Scouting America stands for America and for the future of both American boys and American girls. It stands for a firm duty to one’s self, one’s God, and above all, one’s country.

We are not trained how to properly fold, care for, and retire a flag for no reason. We do not participate in flag ceremonies for many different occasions for no reason. We do not wear a uniform emblazoned with the American flag for no reason. We do it because of Scouting America’s dedication to America.

Scouting is an adventure, something that all participants will cherish for the rest of their lives. Scouting connects scouts of all ages from all different backgrounds. I joined a program that builds camaraderie between all participants, not a program that is tarnished by the United States’ Government. Being a scout is not just a hobby, it is part of who I am as a person. Scouting has taught me so many things that I could not have learned anywhere else. The principles of scouting are and will continue to be the moral foundation of my life. 

To conclude, I like to leave you with this thought. This past summer, I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. I went with a crew of both boys and girls. In unison we hiked over 140 miles, learned crucial survival skills, and built strong camaraderie. All of the girls were able to walk at the same pace or at an even faster pace than the boys. This is one of the many examples which only showcases how capable girls are and how much they equally deserve to be in the Scouting America program.

I come from a line of scouters and military members, one of which even received a Purple Heart and Combat Valor in Vietnam. I would like to formally invite you to join us at one of our meetings to see us in action. We meet every Monday at 7:00 in the evening. I will speak about this issue at any place, at any time, and I will be more than happy to answer any questions. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to your response.

Best Regards,

Gabriel H., 

Eagle Scout, Troop 262

Sea Scout, Ship 2003

Scribe, 2026 National Youth Leadership Training

Nine movies in 2019 made over a billion dollars at the box office. No other year has had such a huge profit than that. Since 2021, there have been 12 movies that reached over a billion dollars, total revenue. Some of them were Toy Story 4 from 2019, Top Gun: Maverick from 2022, Barbie from 2023, and Lilo & Stitch from 2025.

In the same year, Disney+ was released on November 12, 2019. The subscriber count starts from December 2019 all the way to June 28th, as they have now stopped recording. In December 2019, the subscriber count was at 25 million. By the middle of 2025 in June, the count was 127.8 million. Although it is lower than Netflix, it is one of the most popular streaming platforms in just the past six years.

Then a movie that came out in theaters in 2023 was Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. The movie was originally released in the Movie Theaters, eighty two days later, it was released on Disney+. Although the budget was $330 million, it underperformed and only received $476 million in total box office sales. When the movie went on streaming on May 19th to the 21st, it was the most watched movie out of all of the streaming platforms in May of that year.

In comparison, streaming numbers on Netflix have multiplied by almost five times the amount from 2015 to 2025. In 2015, Netflix had a total of 65 million subscribers, in 2025, it’s rumored around 310 million subscribers as they have now stopped recording subscription numbers. 

The most watched movie on Netflix, K-Pop Demon Hunters, is breaking records by only being released online. The total viewership was 325.1 million views. Due to the popular success, it went into theaters surpassing many previous records, making $18 million to $20 million in just the two day release.

Although, people who go to the movies can be subscribed to a streaming service, or multiple; with the subscriber count, the box office profit, and how well it’s doing on streaming, shows the decline in going to the movies.

Most people now, even myself, wait to watch a movie online. By waiting, it’s easier to watch in the comfort of your own home and to save money, depending if you buy or rent it. But, if you would rather go to the movies to see it on a big screen, have tickets to buy, pick out seats, possibly get a poster or a different collectible at certain theaters, movie theaters are a different experience than watching a movie at home.

I  asked over 50 people (family, friends, bus drivers, teachers, and classmates) of all ages who would like to see new movies at home, in a theater, or both. The chart to the left shows the statistics.

Even for non-swifties, the name Era Tours has appeared a lot in the past two years. Despite being over in December, it continues to be talked about because of its impact. Not only did it break numerous records, but it was the first tour of its kind. Covering all ten of Taylor Swift’s musical eras, from the start to the most recent, it became a cultural phenomenon. 

The Eras Tour brought a new genre of touring to the industry. It was a three hour performance that encompassed every chapter of her life's work. Each era is broken up into its own segment; each with its own stage design, themes, costumes and more. Swift’s performance contains a variety of 40+ songs, spanning throughout her ten eras. Each show was different, since every night there were two surprise songs. Fans never knew what to expect, the songs could be from any album, and it could’ve been a mashup of different ones. It was truly a delicately crafted story, allowing viewers to see her growth not only as an artist, but also as a person. 

Swift has a very large fan base, so this tour was the perfect opportunity to create something big in the community. She used the lyric “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it” in her song, “You’re On Your Own Kid”, which sparked a trend throughout the concerts. People began making specialized bracelets to trade amongst other audience members. Many also made intricate outfits to go along with these bracelets. People would dress up in the vibe of their favorite album, whether it be Taylor Swift or Red, every album was expressed in the crowd. The fans started chanting certain phrases at specific points in songs. A key example of this is in her song, “Anti-Hero”, after she sings the verse “Did you hear my covert narcissism I disguise as altruism like some kind of congressman?”, the crowd responds with “Taylor, you’ll be fine”. 

Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour was more than just a concert, it was something that brought people together. It allowed people from all different backgrounds to come together as one and bond over a wonderful artist.