Places to Travel to in the U.K. 

By: Grayce Osgood

The UK is a very popular place for many different people to visit, and for good reason. It has a long history that you can learn about if you travel there, with many destinations relating to historical events, such as where the Magna Carta was signed, or where past Kings and Queens have visited. The UK also has beautiful scenery, from the English countryside with cozy cottages to the lochs of Scotland. I myself have travelled around parts of the UK while I was there for a couple months over this summer. Overall the UK has much to offer for people willing to travel there. 

Probably the most popular place to travel to in the UK is London, England. London is a centuries old city located in the south of England. Its history can be traced back to when the Romans had power in England. Because of its hundreds of years of history, there are many monuments to visit while you are there. One of them is the Tower of London, which is one of the most popular monuments in London. The tower has been used for multiple things, such as executions, a prison, a zoo, and houses the Crown Jewels. You can also visit other historic buildings such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, or Kensington Palace. There’s also many shopping areas, such as Oxford Street or Covent Garden.

Scotland is a beautiful country, known for its beautiful landscapes of lochs and highlands. One of the most popular lochs in Scotland is Loch Ness, which is said to have a sea monster in it called Nessie, with many people claiming to have seen her. You can also travel through the highlands by walking, train, or by car, and also visit the many old castles they have there, such as the Urquhart Castle or the Eilean Donan Castle. Another place to see is Edinburgh, which is a dark academic city that is hundreds of years old, you can see the Edinburgh Castle, Cathedrals, and museums. 

Ireland has many beautiful places to visit, including the beautiful and unique landscape and old castle ruins. You can also visit the capitol city, Dublin, which has multiple historical areas, Dublin Castle, museums, and shopping areas. Another popular place to visit in Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher, which are stunning cliffs in Clare, Ireland, where you can also see lots of birdlife. You can also visit the ruins of Rock of Cashel, which is centuries old and has been visited by many historical figures such as saints and kings. 

Wales is a country that borders the west of England, it is a country that also holds beautiful scenery and years of history. I was lucky enough to get to travel there for a couple days over last summer while I was in England. St. Briavels Castle is located near the Welsh-English border, and is known for its many ghostly hauntings and a place where royalty once visited. It’s now a youth hostel that you can stay in. Also in Wales is the River Wye, which is a beautiful river that you can canoe on with a tour guide. Wales also has many castles that you can visit, such as the Caerphilly Castle or Cardiff Castle. 

Overall the U.K. has much to offer for people that want to travel there. It holds many historic places including cathedrals, castles, palaces, or prisons. The U.K. also has vast amounts of beautiful landscape that is different from any other place in the world. And is great for people who are interested in the great amount of history it has.

21 Jump Street Review

By Owen Meyers

When it comes to movies that always make me laugh, 21 Jump Street has to be one of the best. It’s absolutely hilarious, and the way it mixes ridiculous humor with a smart script is just perfect. Honestly, it’s one of those movies I can watch a hundred times and still crack up like it’s the first time.

The comedy in 21 Jump Street is next-level. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum are an amazing duo, and their dynamic as Schmidt and Jenko is so ridiculous but somehow feels totally natural. Schmidt is the awkward nerd trying to act cool, and Jenko is the dumb jock who’s suddenly not on top anymore. Watching them try to survive undercover in high school—and fail miserably most of the time—is hilarious. Their attempts to fit in, deal with teen cliques, and balance their own insecurities are just endlessly funny.

What makes the movie even better is how self-aware it is. It doesn’t just rely on cheap jokes—it’s clever about how it plays with high school and action-comedy clichés. Like when Schmidt ends up being popular for being sensitive and eco-friendly, while Jenko struggles to find his place in the nerd crowd—it’s a brilliant twist on typical high school dynamics. Ice Cube as Captain Dickson is another highlight; he’s always yelling and roasting them, and it’s impossible not to laugh every time he’s on screen.

The script itself is one of the reasons 21 Jump Street works so well. The humor feels effortless, and the crazy situations the characters get into—like their drug trip scenes or the chaotic prom finale—are so well-written that they stay funny no matter how many times you watch. It’s not just dumb comedy; it’s smart in the way it handles its ridiculousness.

Overall, 21 Jump Street is just a great time. It’s hilarious, sharp, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you’re into movies that make you laugh out loud and leave you quoting lines for days, this one’s a must-watch. There is also a second one that people say is just as good as the first one. The second one is a similar style movie with the same actors but instead of them going undercover in high school they go to college. In my opinion you can’t beat 21 Jump Street but 22 Jump Street comes real close. 

Is Following Fitness Influencers from Social Media Beneficial?

By: Andrew Howle

As far as we know, social media has taken over the world. It is everywhere around us, and there is no escaping it. Everything you do can be posted online and shared with everyone. This may be potentially a good or bad thing in this generation. Many people have taken up the habit of following social media influencers, especially those who promote fitness. This begs the question: Is following people like fitness influencers beneficial for people to do?

Following these influencers can have positives and negatives. One positive of following a fitness influencer is knowledge. I gain a lot of expertise personally from watching people like Sam Sulek perform workouts. These workouts can educate people very well on the basics of fitness. These videos teach new gym goers how to properly lift without causing an injury. So many clueless people in the world have no absolute idea how to lift properly. I know several people have torn pecs or biceps from lifting. Another huge positive to watching influencers is motivation. Many people are inspired daily by pages on social media of people lifting. When I first started lifting, I was motivated to go to the gym by seeing workouts on my Fyp on TikTok. These videos let me know what was achievable by living a healthy lifestyle. This helped me focus on myself a lot. I considered the gym a therapy to escape my problems in the world. Enough about the positives of social media pages. There are a precise amount of negatives that come with social media fitness. The most notable one is self-comparison or body dysmorphia, which is when people compare their bodies to the bodies of social media influencers. This causes people to be hard on themselves and their appearance. This can be very bad for their mental health. Which is why scrolling through social media should be moderated.

In conclusion, there are immense pros and cons to following fitness accounts. People should follow the accounts for the right reason, not the wrong one. They should actively gain knowledge and motivation from the videos. Following social media influencers is beneficial in moderation. 

How do I Leave High School?

By: Morgan Aycock

Although you may be thinking, “why is she talking about graduating high school when it’s the third semester of her junior year,” there is a simple answer to it: Everyone is talking about it. Growing up, I have always been a homebody. I’ve never wanted to go on any vacations besides the beach and truly don’t ever want to leave the state. Let’s just say I’m not a big traveler. And that is the reason I have come to ask myself: How do I leave this place? How am I about to graduate? I have kept mostly the same friend group my whole life. The whole junior grade is overall very tight-knit. So, how is it that we will all be going our separate ways? How is it that I am going from seeing my best friends everyday to maybe not seeing some of them ever again? I was always told that junior year is the most difficult and the most important. They are right. So much talk about college and careers makes me think: Wow I’m only sixteen and everyone is asking me what I want to do when I get older and what I want to major in college. Don’t get me wrong, I am so thankful for this school and all it has prepared me for, but can’t someone slow down time? There is so much overthinking and wondering about graduating. For me, my concern is how I am going to transition from a small town where everyone knows everyone to a huge college and a big city where I basically know no one. There are so many memories I will forever cherish over the last eleven years I have spent at Wilson Hall, so many friends and places. For example, I can remember the fifth grade Washington and sixth grade Kanuga trip like it was just yesterday. Now, we will be going back to Kanuga in a few short months as juniors. I am so thankful that the place and people I call home to me make it so hard to say goodbye to soon.

The Upcoming NFL Divisional Playoff Round

By: Stirling Tindal

          This weekend the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs starts. There will be two games on Saturday and Sunday. The Texans against the Chiefs will kickoff at 4:30 PM on Saturday followed by the Commanders against the Lions at 8:00 PM. Sunday starts off with the Rams against the Eagles at 3:00 PM and then the Ravens against the Bills at 6:30 PM.

          My pick for the Texans Chiefs game is the underdog. I believe because the chiefs haven’t played in two weeks they will not be fully hot coming into this game. The Texans will also be looking to get their revenge for earlier in the year. This game will show to people that Patrick Mahomes is not the same this season and the Chiefs will expose themselves as frauds. I expect the game to be very close and a final score of 31-28 after overtime. For the Commanders-Lions game I have to take the Lions. The Lions are just too unstoppable right now for the Commanders. The Commanders are a great, young team but the Lions are too big of an obstacle in their way. I believe the score will be 38-21 Lions. In the Rams against the Eagles I have to take the Eagles. The Rams just don’t look like an NFC Championship team to me. I don’t believe the Rams defense will be able to stop Shaquon Barkley from running all over the field. The Eagles probably will go behind first because they think it will be an easy game but come back for a 28-17 win. For maybe the best game this weekend, the Ravens against the Bills, I am going to pick the Bills to win. Josh Allen will show that he is the real MVP and took the ravens defense. Lamar will also show his magic too and keep the game close. My final score is 42-38 Bills move on.

          I expect this weekend’s football games to be pretty spectacular. These games will be filled with many electric moments and big plays to remember for years to come.

Best Food of All Time 

By: Bryce Hanson

        Food is something we all need in our day to day lives, so in order not to take that for granted we show appreciation to our favorites. Foods  like steak, chicken wings, and salad. Like always though there is a certain criteria to be named the best food of all time. This criteria is: overall taste, how often you can eat it, and how much it cost. This criteria will help me show you what I believe the best food is. 

         First I’ll be talking about the foods with the best overall for my taste bud palette. Now I know that this is an obvious one but in my opinion steak has the longest stretch of being the best food known to man and I would be ashamed of myself if I didn’t at least mention it on this blog. Then a solid pick that is not loved by everyone is salad. I’m not a straight lettuce and ranch salad type of guy but a salad with croutons, bacon cheese and ranch is a day in paradise for me. It’s not a versatile meal but it’s overall taste is too good. The last one with best overall taste in opinion is chicken wings. A very versatile dish that has a taste that just melts in your mouth. Also when it’s duo-ed with ranch or blue cheese, the wings just become something legendary. The overall taste of these foods are all very delectable. 

           Next up is how consistent the food is. Steak will always hold a special place in my mouth, but I don’t think I could eat it every day. So sadly I have to eliminate it from being the best. Then comes salad which is a very consistent dish but like I said earlier it’s not very versatile so it would get old after a while. So another great one falls. Then comes wings which a very tasty dish like steak and way more versatile than salad, with all it’s flavors, so it still stands in the running for the best. 

             Lastly, the cost of these food items has gone up exponentially over the last few years and people can’t afford to eat them very often. So yet another flaw of steak is that it is so expensive for the amount you want. Then comes salad which isn’t to bad depending on the place you get it from but usually it’s cheaper than steak. The comes wings and there was a stretch where wings were outrageous but there price has came down where for you to get your fill it will cost between a salad and a steak. So for the grand reveal the best food on earth in my opinion are chicken wings. I could eat them every night and day and I might dare say I have had them for breakfast.

Turkey Hunting

By: Cooper Scott

Turkey hunting is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy doing it with friends and family and it never gets old. Enjoying God’s creation and getting out in nature will never get old, but the turkey hunting aspect is what has me hooked on it. Out of all of the hunting I do, turkey hunting is definitely the most challenging out of all the hunting I do. I have heard if a turkey could smell that you would never kill a turkey because they are already so smart. They can see so well if you ever get one coming to you, you have to be very still or they will see you. Turkey season is during mating season so a Male turkey (gobbler) is very aggressive during turkey, so I like to use turkey decoys. I have been very fortunate the last 8 years tagging out every season year which is killing three turkeys a season. I have never had the adrenaline rush I have then I do before I am about to shoot a turkey. There are three different species of turkeys in the U.S. An Eastern which is in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia that area. A Merriam which is up north the Dakota’s and around there. An Osceola turkey is in Florida. A Rio Grande turkey is in the west and south west, and they are the biggest turkey. I have never traveled to kill a turkey but I look forward to doing that in the future. One thing that is on my bucket list is to do the grand slam. A grand slam is when you kill all of the types of turkeys in one season. Turkey hunting is slowly getting outlawed year by year. The DNR is making rules after rules every year making turkeys harder to kill because the population is slowly dwindling. This year one of my turkey hunting goals is to shoot a turkey on public land, and this is something I have never done before. I have missed twice on public land, but never shot one. The countdown has begun for April 1st.

John Deere Pickup Review

By: Tyler Jordan

John Deere, a name known for high-quality agricultural machinery, is about to make big moves in the automotive world with the upcoming release of its new pickup truck. This bold move is exciting not only for fans of the brand but also for anyone who appreciates modern technology, rugged heavy duty  performance, and a sleek interior and exterior  design in their vehicles. The John Deere pickup promises to offer all of these qualities, combining the brand’s heritage in tough, dependable equipment with a modern vehicle that stands out in today’s competitive pickup market.

One of the most striking features of the new John Deere pickup is its powerful engine options. With a 3.5 liter hybrid making 450 hp and 800 ft pounds of torque and a 4.5 litre inline 6 turbo diesel making 600 hp and 1000 ft pound of torque. With a focus on performance and durability, the truck is built to handle heavy workloads and tough terrain, much like the brand’s signature tractors and farming equipment. This makes it an ideal choice for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who requires a vehicle that can handle the demands. But the truck will have enough power to play around the farm. The truck promises exceptional towing capacity, off-road capabilities, and fuel efficiency, offering a powerhouse designed to get the job done.

Another standout feature of the John Deere pickup is its technology. As we’ve come to expect from John Deere’s agricultural machinery, the truck incorporates advanced tech to enhance the driving experience. Features like adaptive cruise control, a smart info system, and integrated GPS make the vehicle not just a tool for work, but a comfortable and connected ride for everyday use since it will have a built suspension and can get air ride to. 

I’m particularly excited about this new release, as I’ve always been a fan of John Deere’s commitment to quality and innovation. The pickup truck promises to embody the same durability and reliability that the brand has been known for in farming equipment for decades. I appreciate the mechanical and engineering thought behind the truck’s design and the seamless integration of both work-oriented and recreational features. As someone who values performance, reliability, John Deere pickup is something I’m looking forward to. It feels like the perfect fusion of ruggedness and modern luxury, and I can’t wait to see it come out although it’s going to have a hefty price tag of around 60k. But even then, I’m still extremely happy to see John Deere advancing in the automotive world.

Why TikTok shouldn’t be banned 

By: Braelen Lewis

TikTok, the best social media app which is known for its short videos, has become an important part of today’s world. While some have called for its banning, particularly due to concerns over privacy, security, and its potential impact on younger users, there are compelling reasons why TikTok should not be banned. First of all, TikTok has become a significant platform for creativity, providing people with the tools to express themselves in creative  ways. It pushes people to create art, music, dance, and share unique perspectives, fostering creativity in ways that traditional media platforms cannot match. Through its algorithm, TikTok promotes a level playing field where both amateur creators and established stars can gain visibility. This media production allows for diverse voices to be heard, particularly marginalized communities, who might otherwise be overlooked on more conventional platforms. Furthermore, TikTok has fostered an important cultural exchange. Users from different countries and backgrounds interact and learn from each other, creating a shared global experience. Although the official date for the ban is set to be on January 19th the newly elected president has said that he will do everything that he can to save it. This is due to the fact that he believes that the app helped him win the majority vote of young voters due to his large following. I hope that president trump will do what is right and save it from being banned because I do not want to move to instagram reels because on TikTok there is a sense of community that is missing on every other social media app. I will also miss the app due to the streak feature where I have multiple TikTok streams over two hundred with many other people. I also believe that it is not in the government’s interest to ban the app because although they believe that it does all these bad things, if they end up banning it without solid proof the people will be in outrage with large protests and riots to occur. Certainly TikTok does not deserve to be banned because it will ruin many small businesses and hurt many civilians and Jo has used the app for many years.

Will TikTok get Banned

By: Henry Jones

As of January 2025, the question of whether TikTok will get is still uncertain. However, there are multiple factors that could make a difference in the final outcome. To begin, TikTok has faced scrutiny in multiple countries, particularly the United States, due to concerns over its data collection practices and its ties to China. Governments have raised alarms about the possibility of the Chinese government accessing user data, leading to national security concerns. Also, several U.S. states and other countries have already banned TikTok on government-issued devices for security reasons. There have also been discussions in Congress about a potential nationwide ban, however, no sweeping federal ban has been implemented yet, and legal challenges would likely make such a move complex. In TikTok’s defense they have worked to address security concerns by shifting its data storage practices. For example, the company has started storing some U.S. user data in the U.S. and Europe, in an effort to mitigate concerns about Chinese government access. They have aslo made efforts to demonstrate transparency by establishing independent oversight boards and opening up their operations to external audits. These measures aim to show regulators that they are addressing concerns about user privacy and content moderation. 

In terms of how it will effect the users of the app, Banning TikTok would have economic and cultural repercussions, especially for creators, businesses, and advertisers who rely on the platform. It has become a global  force, with millions of active users and a significant influence on entertainment, trends, and social media marketing. In conclusion, the possibility of TikTok being banned is still a subject of debate, it faces significant legal, political, and economic challenges. Whether TikTok gets banned will largely depend on the political climate, national security concerns, and ongoing efforts by the company to address regulatory issues. However, given the app’s massive global influence and user base, it’s also possible that governments might choose to regulate TikTok more heavily rather than implement an outright ban. While a TikTok ban isn’t off the table, it’s also not a certainty in 2025, and the outcome will likely depend on a mix of political, legal, and diplomatic factors. In my opinion, I don’t think it will get banned, but mostly because I want it to stay.