Energy drinks have become extremely popular, especially among teenagers and young adults trying to keep up with busy schedules filled with schoolwork, sports, and social events. If you have seen me at school, you’ve probably noticed me double-fisting a Monster and an Alani in between classes or while studying. With flashy cans and promises of instant energy, brands like Alani, Red Bull, Celsius, and Bloom claim to help people stay focused and energized. However, not everyone

It’s finally 2026! Maybe you’ve seen people writing their new year resolutions or talking about “new year, new me” on social media, and you may have simply rolled your eyes and scrolled. However, various studies have shown that writing New Year's resolutions correctly can actually help you fast-track your way to your goals. It’s important to understand that how you set your resolutions and goals influences whether they are manageable or not. Below are some steps that you can

“Chicken Jockey!” The whole theater erupted in screams. A shower of overpriced popcorn and fountain drinks spewed over every moviegoer. As crazy as it may sound, this was the norm if you wanted to see The Minecraft Movie in April of 2025.  Every fan of the famous blocky game flocked to theaters to view what would be yet another addition to Hollywood’s long catalog of video game-based movies. Although it may seem like a good thing, that the movie industry is expanding to othe

Around finals week, many students experience higher levels of stress and burnout due to upcoming exams and end-of-semester expectations. To have a better understanding of this, a student from each grade level was asked about their stress and motivation (or lack thereof) during final exam week. Although their experiences vary, the responses reveal an overall trend. When asked whether stress levels increase during the week of finals, most students reported feeling more stresse

Double chocolate chip cookies. Brownie doughnuts. Mini Oreo cheesecake bites. Lemon meringue scones. In the world of baking, the sky’s the limit. Along with classic desserts like banana bread and cake pops, there are endless opportunities for unique yet delectable baked goods to make their appearance. If you’re on the hunt for a new hobby to pick up, searching for the perfect dessert to give to your loved ones, or just want to kick off the new year learning how to make your o

Avatar: Fire and Ash , the third movie in the Avatar  franchise by James Cameron, was released on December 19, 2025. James Cameron’s previous two movies in the franchise— Avatar , released in 2009, and Avatar: The Way of Water , released in 2022—were both highly successful. Avatar  grossed $2.9 billion worldwide, while Avatar: The Way of Water  grossed over $2.32 billion worldwide. Due to the popularity and success of the previous films, Avatar: Fire and Ash  was held to very

As of early January, over half of our NFL teams have officially been taken out of the running for the coveted Super Bowl trophy. With only 8 teams left, who will tackle the title of “Super Bowl Champs,” and who will fumble their chances in their first matchup? After the weekend of January 11th and 12th, the four divisional playoff games will start on the 17th. The four matchups consist of the Buffalo Bills vs the Denver Broncos, the Houston Texans vs the New England Patriots

For decades, tensions between the United States and Venezuela had been building over issues including the legitimacy of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime, corruption, and drug trafficking, and U.S. concerns about regional security. Maduro had remained a polarizing figure since a disputed third term began in 2025, with critics inside and outside Venezuela calling for the end of his dictatorial leadership.  On January 3, 2026, the situation reached a dramatic turnin

Did you know that your brain is still developing until the age of 25? During your teenage years, one of the last areas of your brain to fully mature is the prefrontal cortex, which controls decision-making, impulse control, and emotions. Drinking alcohol before this development is complete can interfere with how your brain grows, making it harder to think clearly, manage risks, and control behavior. Because your brain is still developing, alcohol can cause long-lasting change

On November 22nd, 2025, Cape Fear Community College staged Let the Right One In  at the Wilson Center Studio Theater in Wilmington, North Carolina. Jack Thorne’s adaptation of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s novel merges adolescent coming-of-age with horror, which felt especially immediate in the small black box setting. Since this production leaned heavily on a tight ensemble and flexible staging, the choices made by the cast and designers carried a lot of weight. Overall, I believe

Clash Royale has been a staple mobile game in schools all around the world for quite some time. When Clash launched in March 2016, it became one of the most influential mobile games ever released. People have loved the strategic and logical aspects as well as the streamers that promote it. Former Rainbow 6 Siege streamer Jynxi has recently been playing it and raising awareness for the beloved game. However, recent updates to the game have been decreasing player counts and lea

Have you ever been to a place where it smells like you’re at a carnival and Tractor Supply at once? Where there’s fresh air among a crowd? Rodeos are some of the most entertaining experiences in the world. It’s all about experiencing the country life and its morals and values. Every rodeo starts with the national anthem and a prayer, sportsmanship is a consistent theme. As a crowd member, you have the freedom to hoot and holler as you please. There are many ways to conduct yo

Before Santa Claus was cruising the night sky every Christmas Eve with his 9 magical reindeer and classic red getup, he was a kind man whose good deeds inspired a plethora of stories we tell every holiday season. Long before the North Pole workshops, red suit, and his reindeer-led sleigh we all know and love, the story of Santa began with a humble saint whose generosity lit the first spark of wonder. As time marched forward, people added their own twists to his story, reshapi

Our Hoggard football team is known for its amazing, well-rounded players, but also for its wonderful coaching staff, led by Coach Underwood. This is Coach Underwood’s nineteenth year of coaching and his eleventh year as head coach. When asked about this season, he said, “This is one of the top seasons to date. This is a really fun team to coach—they enjoy playing together. We start in February, and they never get tired of it; they just have fun together. Fun is the root of su

November 20th, 2025 is a day that will forever be remembered in Hoggard history, but especially by our soccer fans. With a 2-0 win against West Forsyth, our Varsity Men’s Soccer team took the State Championship title for the first time ever. After a lengthy 4 hour drive to Greensboro, the players competed with grit and determination, ultimately earning the title of State Champions. I had the opportunity to interview with some of the members of our winning team to get their in

Every year, more than 700 million users of Spotify anxiously await its Spotify Wrapped service. It is usually released around the last few days of November or during the first week of December. This year's released on December 3rd. The service, launched in 2016, typically features each listener’s top artists, songs, and genres of the year. In years prior, Spotify seemed to heavily rely on the usage of Artificial Intelligence to make the summaries feel more interactive and uni

It’s the holiday season! You know the season is here once the streets are decorated with Christmas lights, holiday shopping is on the to-do list, and family and friends come to visit. Luckily, Wilmington offers a variety of fun things to do–solo or with family and friends–to get into the holiday spirit and make the most of the holiday season. Here are five Holiday things to do and see in Wilmington this winter: Watch a local Christmas show A classic winter-themed activity is

Christmas is the best time of year: hot chocolate steaming, snuggled under blankets, and matching pjs galore. It’s time to hang out with family and friends. And what makes the perfect hangout? A good movie! Christmas movies are the highlight of the season. Whether it be a cheesy Hallmark movie or a nostalgic classic, there’s a little something for everyone! Recently, I watched The Holiday  for the first time, and it is the perfect holiday film. Here’s why you should immediate

As football season comes to a close, we are diving straight into basketball season. Last year, the women's basketball team reached the state playoffs' final four, but eventually lost to Wakefield, playing at Wake Forest University. As the 25-26 season begins, with five wins so far, the question of another State appearance looms. I sat down with some of our Lady Vikes to talk about the upcoming season: Sophomores Airlie Altman and Lily Voth.  Interview: How would you describe