"Anything?" I asked, with an air of incredulity and excitement that rarely graces U.S. History classroom 2048 from the hours of 7:30-2:30 on a typical school day. "Yes, Aaron," my teacher replied, slouched against the chalkboard and with a disinterested tone. "Anything." Never had I been given such a vague assignment. Exploring one discrete piece of history with a month of class time could lead to an infinite variety of possibilities. As I exited the classroom, I entered a daze...

I'm in sixth grade. It is late October, and I'm with Troop 100 for my first backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. One scout, younger than myself, is really struggling. I'd like to help him, but what can I do? An older Scout taps him on the shoulder and quietly empties the entire contents of the younger boy's pack into his own. He didn't do this to prove that he was the strongest in the troop or a great leader. He...