1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $5^2 - (7 - 2 \times 3)$. 2. **Recall order of operations:** Use PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right)). 3. **Calculate inside the parentheses:** $$7 - 2 \times 3 = 7 - 6 = 1$$ 4. **Calculate the exponent:** $$5^2 = 25$$ 5. **Substitute back and simplify:** $$25 - 1 = 24$$ 6. **Final answer:** $$\boxed{24}$$