Issue #1, Volume #3


WELCOME BACK EDITION!

Editor in Chief: Paige Guthrie
Assistant Editor: Max Hayden
Reporters: Rahne Sinclair
Dallas Gibson
Erika Taxton
Advisor: Dr. Henry McCoy

I cannot say, and will not say
That he is dead. He is just away.
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since he lingers there.
And you-oh, you, who the wildest yearn
For an old-time step, and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of there as the love of here.
Think of him still as the same. I say,
He is not dead-he is just away.

R.I.P Professor Summers & Logan

Poem Submitted by: Kurt Wagner





Recently, I was one of the students at the school who atteneded the grand opening of an organization calling themselves 'SingleEarth'. I tagged along with Mrs. Drake, a little skeptical like some other students I initally saw there but intrested to see what it was and if it actually is what it said.

I'm delighted to report, that for once in our history as students here at the school, SingleEarth was exactly what they claimed to be. A supportive haven for mutants and humans alike. It was comforting to see it, to think that Xavier's dream is finally reaching out past the Academy's gates. I saw mutants and humans alike interacting and not being at each others throats. It was comfortable, and felt almost as much as home as Xaviers did.

I suggest everyone checks it out.







The fourth book in the on-going series, The Ranger's Apprentice, "The Battle for Skandia" is yet another wonderful master piece by John Flanagan.

...Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, Will and Evanlyn's plans to return to Araluen are spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed's toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand, until Halt and Horace make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when Halt makes a horrifying discovery: Skandia's borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights. If two kingdoms are to be saved, an unlikely union must be made. But will it be enough to save the country? And will it last?

A wonderful, grab you by the ears and refuse to let you go book, it will keep you up til all hours of the nights trying to finish it. Though not a cliff-hanger like the first three books, this one is still worth a read.

"The Ruins of Gorlan", "The Burning Bridge" and "The Ice Bound Lands" are the first three.

"Battle for Skandia" gets Four out of five stars.

STUDENT VOICES

Pleasant Change of Pace
By Max Hayden

We’re mutants. That is a given. What is another given is that the world hates and fears us. There is no doubt in my mind about that fact. Most of us have dealt with that fear and hatred firsthand. We’ve seen the footage of mutants being arrested for not other reason than the fact that their DNA is different than baseline humans. Sentinels that have terrorized mutants for years. Protests that demand we be sent back ‘home’, wherever this mythical home of mutants protesters seem to think exists might be. The simple fact is that we’ve faced bigotry and the like since day one. Yet, none of us really care to look outside those that hate us at the rest of the world.

Mutants are a growing minority of the population, and the part of the population that hates us is a dwindling minority of the population. Popular opinion of mutants is more neutral than one would think. Most people are more concerned with their own lives and keeping them going than if some teen has the power to fly or shoot lasers from their fingertips. They don’t hold a whole group responsible for the actions of one splinter faction that has terrorist tendencies. To them killing all mutant for Magneto or the Acolytes actions would be like saying we should kill all Muslims for the actions of a few on September 11th. It would be ridiculous.

Recently I’m sure many of you saw flyers around campus and in town about a group called Single Earth. Many were no doubt skeptical of the message the group seemed to want to convey. There have been quite a few groups pretending to embrace and want to help mutants that have burned us. Most recently the actions of one Dr. Tronner have negatively colored opinions on humans that claim to be on our side. Not willing to just brush this group off as another case of something sinister, myself and quite a few other intrepid souls went to their meeting. I was pleasantly surprised with what we found, and very happy as well. Single Earth is exactly what they claim to be. A pro mutant group that believes there is enough room and rights and everything in this world for humans and mutants.

Site director Sasha Koenae and all those that work for her are open and sincere about their mission statement and goals. During my time at the meeting I saw many happy mutant youths that are greatly benefiting from this program, not having to hide their obvious mutant heritage from those that might be afraid. The group may be small as of right now, but they have the potential, the heart, and the will to become a true force for mutants the world over. A pleasant new day has begun, and the world is better off for it.



Turn of the Rogue
Interview by: Paige Guthrie

Paige: Thanks for taking the time for this Anna...I'm sorry, do you prefer Anna or Rogue? I've never known

Rogue: No problem, I prefer Rogue... but you can call me Anna

Paige:Rogue then, one thing you learn in the country is to be nothing but polite *laughs* So with the New X men recently moving to the "Golden State", what are you're thoughts on it? Do you like it? Dislike it?

Rogue:The move it a bit of a change, we as a team seem to shift homes a bit. I don't mind it, the constant sun is a little much... but I'm sure with a little settling in I'll get used to the new place.

Paige: I know my brother mentioned that it was good being awayf rom the shadow of the X men, that you can do more. Do you agree with that?

Rogue: I would have to agree with Sam I think with being farther away it will give us all a change to show everyone what we're made off

Paige: Now I'm not part of the team, even though I hope to be someday, but I"d have to agree as well, if you don't mind my two cents. It gives mutants more of an influence over the globe as well. On the note of Sam, what do you think of him retaking the leader ship position of the New X Men rather than trying to lead a normal life? Not to try and bring big brothers life to the spot light, but I'm curious about team reations

Rogue: hope to see most of the Guthries on the team, actually. I think you would all bring something new and interesting in. I was very... I guess the word is confused when he decided to take the leadership route in life, he seemed to be well on his way to a normal college student life. I guess we all wonder what it would be like, to just go out and be people (as much as us mutants can)... but I'm sure he had a valid reason to coming back

Paige: Thank you. I'll pass that on to the others as well if they don't read this. Theres something for all of us that's still sensetive, which is the death of two of the greatest X Men of all time. At least in my opinion. Do you think their legacy will live on now that their dead and gone, and will others want to follow in their footsteps more?

Rogue: You'll have to excuse me, but this is still a very sore subject as you must know... but I do hope that a legacy of sorts is passed on and what they have done for the mutant community is never forgotten.

Paige: Of course, I understand completley. While we all miss them I imagine its much harder for some more than others. We'll move on. Is there anything you'd like to add for yourself? Any advice for aspiring New X Men or X Men?

Rogue: Just that its going to be a hard road, keep the sense of team with your friends and no matter what you go through they will be there when things get rough.






Cancer (June 21 – July 22) When Mercury goes into Cancer July 11th you will begin to feel like everything is coming up roses. Finally, you seem to make good sense and everyone understands not only what you want but what you deserve as well. The New Moon in Cancer on July 2nd begins your summer run of having a lot of fun and being able to pay for it. With the economic gray skies forecasts you may want to throw a barbecue and stay close to home for your ‘kick up your heels’ time. Ain’t it great to have some good cosmic news for a change?

Leo (July 22 – August 22) You may want to take another deeper look at your shadow and see if it is undervaluing you by letting you slip a little too carelessly into ego posturing. It is one thing to feel your oats but another inappropriate matter to gloat and preen at everyone else’s expense. When the Sun is in Cancer, it is time to see how you can benefit others as you cast your hook into the cool, clear waters. This month is a time for you Leos to receive to share. The pay-off is a feeling of interrelatedness which connects you to friends and strangers alike.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22) Saturn in your Sun sign is making you better, I promise. You Virgos are known to be a bit cerebral with a touch of overt criticism, so this is the time to show a little kindness and let it wash back over you. The ego is always trying to sell you a bill of goods, and Saturn is helping you drop the rock of thinking, thinking, thinking too much. Life is not a math problem. Let solutions be revealed through right use of will. Calibrate you head and heart and listen for the kinder, softer, gentler voice to speak.

Libra (September 23 – October 22) With Jupiter in Capricorn squaring you for a few more months you may want to check your list of intimates, friends and lovers and see whose time has come to go ‘bye-bye’. You might want to call the Kripalu Institute (www.kripalu.org) and book a silent week-end or plan a stay-at-home week-end to get to know yourself. Librans are too needy for constant companions, so break the chains to the corral that houses all the people with whom you cannot live without. Meet the real you in the inner sanctum.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) If you ladies and gentlemen armed with deadly stingers have any more opportunities to live life on life’s terms with an attitude of proactive behavior the sky maps are going to have to rewrite your script with softer words of descriptions. This is another cosmic cycle when you can realize your dreams if you stick to what people, places and things are ordained by a Higher Power. Push the river and you will drown in troubled waters that you could have avoided.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 20) If the world gets any scarier you optimistic, globe trotters are going to have to find a better source of inspiration. If anyone can make a silk purse out of straw it is you Archers. Your greatest gift is the ability to believe in yourself and not to depend on the luck of the draw or winning the lottery. Now that Pluto is back in Sagittarius until the end of the year, make a list and check it twice of all the things that you need to let go of and what to put in its place. If what you need help with is addictive behavior, make a phone call for help.

Capricorn (December 21 – January 19) As we get closer to that Full Moon in Capricorn on July 18th take a cold detached hard look at your game plan and see where you are or if you need to start over. You are not known to be the fastest trackman in the Zodiac, but you might need to pick up pace a tad. You have all the help you need from Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces. While everyone else in this financial topsy turvy world is crying, “Why me?”, your retort is “Why not me?” Keep plugging away. Your dream plans will soon pay off.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 17) If any sign is going to build a better mouse trap to financial rehabilitation it is going to be you Aquarians. You had better weigh in to see what station you are listening to because Neptune in your Sun Sign could mean static interference for a while longer. No one knows better than you do how important it is to listen to your own still small voice of intuition. The financial woes are not all a bad thing. The Good Book says that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil.” Make sure your love affair is not with the Almighty dollah-but rather that your head trip is leading you to find God’s purpose for your life.

Pisces (February 18 – March 20) Both these lunations this planetary cycle are very beneficial to you, so let go and let God run the show. With Uranus in Pisces in retrograde and Saturn opposing your Sun sign lean on the bedrock of Jupiter and Pluto showering blessings from heaven. This is a great time for you to lay low and let the rest of the world go by. Take a page from Virgo’s book and learn to cope in a feet-on-the-ground realistic way. You may be a dreamer but when it’s time to pay the piper, you will definitely want a roadmap.

Aries (March 21 – April 20) If you find the IRS knocking on your door and the bank set to repossess your dream castle, all is not lost. Less is more and a lighter mortgage will diminish a lot of the stress that overload has been causing. Why not lighten your load-simplify things. Downsize and love the journey that economic snafus have taken you on. If there is one simple and basic message for you Rams it is this: there is little room for speculation or a devil-may-care approach to doing business in 2008. Learn to slow down and let everyone’s mind catch up with your faster-than-the-speed-of-light idea pool.

Taurus (April 21 – May 20) While everyone else is wondering if food stamps are next, your financial garden will be growing and prospering beyond words. Chalk it up to that Saturn in Virgo and Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn-and don’t forget Uranus in Pisces. You’ll be sitting pretty just as long as you remember two things: 1) it rains on the just and the unjust; and 2) this too shall pass. Make sure that you are casting your lot with the Divine and not paying too much attention to ‘get rich’ schemes.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) If Saturn in Virgo squaring your Sun sign has you down in the dumps just remember that Saturn makes us stronger in the long run. This planetary movement can make you work harder for a decent paycheck; get you to the gym to work off that flab; and get you to change that dial to a station that is in tune with the voice of intuition broadcasting from within you. With Mercury now out of retrograde in Gemini, you’ll feel like the load of the world has been lifted from your shoulders. No matter how hard things get, don’t forget to tithe 10% or more. God is your source, not the Stock Market or cockamamie fads.






We interrupt your regularly scheduled Ask Pagie advice column for something new and special. Every month our Editor in Chief extrodinaire answers your concerns and questions, and impacts your life in some Oprah or Dr. Phil like way we hope. This month you get to learn about the woman that dispenses advice like a faucet from Freud’s head. So sit back, grab a nice Caramal latte or something and give this a gander.

MH: Well I would thank you for agreeing to this interview, but then you are the paper editor and you assigned me this interview. So I guess I really don't need to introduce either one of us or anything like that. So to start this interview I guess I'll ask the requisite question, who is Paige Guthrie?

PG: Again with the humor, Max. *smiles* Well, I'm Paige Guthrie. I've been at the Academy for a couple of years now. I'm responsible, some probably call me an over achiever. Their probably right, and I'm proud of it.

MH: I doubt anyone would ever call you that, it's just ridiculously preposterous. That's like saying that the Professor is bald as an eagle. Anyways, one thing I know for sure people are wondering is what is it like growing up with like twenty siblings?

PG: The Professor is bald as an eagle, Max. Eight siblings. But yanno, I'm sure a lot of people think there was a whole lot of fighting going on... and there was a little, theres always a little. But it was nice. The great thing about having a big family, is there’s always somebody to turn to

MH: Not to mention always having someone to blame for things, or never having to worry about finding people for games. If I recall two of your older siblings manifested powers before you, were you jealous of them? I mean that must have colored your young life quite a bit in that direction. And yes I'm trying to seem more dignified and scholarly in my questions. I hope it shows.

PG: Yes, that too. Not that we had much actual games. Sam and Liz yes, I was definitely jealous of Sam. He got to go away and help other people and himself. Liz manifested next, or at least thats what all of us assumed. She just ran away from home, I was mad at her for awhile, but things are getting better between us now. But the answer isy es, I was jealous and was anxious to be next.

And Try harder, Max

MH: Ouch, that one definitely stung. My pride has been wounded, you have struck true. I guess the next question to go along with the last would be then how did you feel when you're powers manifested?

PG: Maybe you should get a package of band aids for your ego and pride, their bruised so easily...Kidding, of course. I felt a whole mix of things, but mostly excitement...That it was finally my turn and I could finally follow Sam, possibly surpass him, and make him proud of me

MH: Geez, does Jono know about your sharp tongue. Man must need gauze after you're done with him. Changing gears from the mockery of the interviewer, how long have you been at Xavier's now?

PG: You just bring it out in me. I thought I already answered that question? Two or three years, heh. I lose track

MH: Better be careful before I tell Jono about you flirting with me. No doubt in all that time here you've seen all the changes of the school. The many tragedies as well. Do you still believe in teh school's goals and the directions it has taken as of late?

PG: : This isn't flirting...its, well I don't know what...But its not flirting. Of course I believe in Xavier's and this Schools dream. Even after everything we've been through and we've seen, there are still people and places we so who support people like us. And thats what we need to look for.

MH: It this isn't flirting than I'm the King of England. Anyways, nice words about the school and it's dream. But a counter point. Even Magneto, the once dreaded enemy of the X-Men and all things they believe in, as Headmaster?

PG: Maybe you are. How am I supposed to know? For my thoughts on that you'll have to look at my next piece, keeping it all to myself until then. But hey, something to look forward to

MH: Cheap way out there boss. Besides, do you think I really read the paper? I mean come on who in this country reads anymore, when countless blogs and reality shows will cloud my mind anyways. That was sarcasm if you didn't catch it. Strange times we live in. Why don’t you walk us through a normal day in the life of the school paper editor?

PG: Do I really have to? I need to be in the Danger Room with Mr. Lebeau in ... an hour...damn. Well, there’s not much to it really. I assign projects to the rest of the editorial staff, like you're doing now. I proof read what you guys turn in, and I write my own stuff. Then I put it all together with Mr. McCoy, and it goes out

MH: How very....boring. I see all my readers dead asleep right now I bet. Probably time to wrap this thing up. Many claimed that you had aspirations to be an X-Man one day, and that Professor Summers was a big influence on your learning and dreams. With his untimely passing, has that had any effect on those aspirations?

PG: Their claims would be right. Its my dream to one day lead the X Men, some might call it an impossible dream but we should set high standards for ourselves I think. If anything, with Mr. Summers passing it wants me to reach that even more. His death was terrible, and I mourn him like everyone else. But he went out the best way anyone could. A hero.

MH: A fitting set of words if I've ever heard any. Thanks for the time boss, then again you did force me to do this so I guess you had plenty of time. Anything else I should add to this one?

PG: None at the time. I'll let you know when I'm proof reading.

BULLETIN BOARD

Birthdays This Month:
19th: Jay Guthrie (Icarus)
20th: Paige Guthrie (Husk)

• Free Lunch Buffet: September 3rd, Noon; Cafeteria; Compliments of Chef Max Hayden
  
• Tryouts for Romeo & Juliet; September 25th; Cafeteria; See Professor McCoy for more info
  
• Welcome Back Dance September 30th in the Ballroom. Formal Wear required. Tickets on sale the 26th
  
• Welcome Back Assembly September 1st at 9:00 am. Attendance is mandatory. Front Lawns

The Academy Times Needs You!

Two spots in our lovely editorial team are now open! Those that are interested in getting out the news and telling it like it is, contact Dr. McCoy or the Editor in Chief for more information.

View the Academy News online at: www.academynews.edu