It is that time of year again: Christmas lights pepper the trees and bushes of about half of Arlington, radio stations blaring hypnotic holiday hymns, Christmas-inspired grub, and pine trees being sold out of bank parking lots. During the holidays, it is common to reflect on the past year and take in a general overview of what has happened. This year was a big one with lots of celebrity scandals and headlines that will not soon be forgotten. This is why I have devised a “Naughty or Nice” list compiling the events of the past year which can be seen as an examination of the past 365 days and all of the entailing scandals and big news events. Let us begin with the naughty, and slowly progress to the nice.

The Naughty

Without contest, the worst event this year has been the rise and propagation of the ISIS atrocity and the situation in the Middle East as a whole. This wound has been left unbandaged from last year, always in the news, yet without any long-term solutions presented. Comprehensively, ISIS, Al-Assad, and all of the evil Islamic fundamentalist terrorists are topping the naughty list this year.

While ISIS is an entire organization, there are other individuals who have truly earned their place on the naughty list this year. Josh Duggar is absolutely one of them. After police reports from 2002 were made public in late May, the entire country was shocked to see that the eldest son of the sanctimonious “19 Kids and Counting” family had inappropriately touched underage girls while they were sleeping in the Duggar family household. As if to add insult to injury, about 3 months later, Duggar was found to be on the list of those exposed in the “Ashley Madison” cheating scandal. While promoting family values, sanctity of marriage, etc., Duggar was cheating on his wife using an online affair service. Coal in his stocking is all I have to say.

The global soccer organization FIFA makes the naughty list this year, after a raid on a luxury Swiss hotel resulted in the arrest of seven higher-ups for corruption amidst the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, in Russia and Qatar respectively. It is said by US prosecutors that bribes were taken in exchange for FIFA presidencies, as well as the bidding for the World Cup placement, one culminating in $10M for the South African 2010 World Cup. Seff Blatter and FIFA, you should know better. Shame, shame.

Refocusing to American culture, it seems like professional sports have been breeding domestic-abusers as of late. Greg Hardy, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, had his domestic abuse charges expunged, or erased completely this November. The actual incident happened in 2014, and the case was dropped in February after a guilty verdict from July 2014. It seems like there is another one of these type of issues being exposed every week now, and it is a shame that would-be role models like these professional athletes are the leading perpetrators of these atrocities.

The final person on the naughty list is none other than Bill Cosby. After a joke about Cosby’s relationships with women was told by comedian Hannibal Buress in October 2014, the spotlight shined brightly on Cosby. Numerous allegations flooded, and more than 50 women came forward to speak out against Cosby’s sexually exploitive, abusive, and “persuasive” relationships with women. These allegations led to shows being pulled from TV and Netflix, statues removed from universities, as well as honorary degrees being taken back. No puddin’ pops under the tree for Mr. Cosby this year.

The Nice

Now, the brighter side of 2015. While this year has seen its struggles, there have been many good things that have happened as well. R&B artist Akon started a solar panel project that has given electricity to people in 14 African countries in less than a year. To call it phenomenal would be an understatement. This was one of the most effective things that anyone has done this year, and it really just goes to show how one man can make such a huge difference in the lives of many.

International Soccer phenom David Beckham went on a UNICEF world tour to promote the organization and to raise money and awareness for the charity that helps out children in need. Beckham’s goal to raise money is to play a match of soccer on all seven continents, from the Asian mountains in Nepal, all the way to the barren desolation of Antarctica. Good job, David, everyone is rooting for you.

Another spot on the nice list is reserved for Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, whose charity has gained some notable popularity after the Panthers’ 13-0 record this football season. The Cam Newton Foundation is committed to ensure that Charlotte and Atlanta communities have sufficient athletic and academic programs as well as emphasizing the charitable aspect of giving back to the community through holiday events, scholarships and community outreach programs. Good work, Cam.

Taylor Swift is on the nice list because she has planned to take her 125-member crew on vacation at the end of the 1989 World Tour. In an Instagram post from December 2, Swift announced that she would be taking her entire band and stage crew to Hamilton Island, just off the northeastern coast of Australia. Lucky for Swift, as she can celebrate her multi-million dollar year. Lucky for her crew too.

Shocking scandals and uplifting stories made this year one for the books, and it showed us the true spectrum of good and bad that can occur in one calendar year.