By Billy Raven
Looking over the �Help� section, the most popular thread is needing help finding an avatar and loads of folks post with either one, or where to look. Often they need help loading it too and many give a hand. Signature images are also another popular question, but Samuel Craft is the best at it and many send the new students to his thread. Another popular one is where to buy what school supplies, like dragon-hide gloves, potions supplies, and other needed items. Course where Gringotts is and how to open a vault comes with this question of buying supplies. Another question dealt with joining the cheer team, and she was pointed in the right direction. When the locker question comes up we usually tell them to look over how others do it, read and sign the rules and open a thread. Lockers are often posted in and not by the owner; usually gifts or notes are posted which keeps this area always fun to check into daily! And finally classes are a hot topic, where to find them, how to join them, and where to send lessons. Seems no matter what time of year, students know that their education is important here.
By Bry Casten
Last issue was the first edition of the Owl Gazette missing a column that appeared in nearly every issue before it: the Ask Alba. With all the April Fools festivities it may or may not have been noticed, but nonetheless I thought it appropriate to wave a fond farewell to the column that has graced the pages of this paper for so long.
Ask Alba was originally an idea to give the first issues of the Owl Gazette a little more� substance, per say. In the early days of the Owl Gazette articles weren�t submitted in the droves we see today, and in an attempt to both fill up the paper and provide an advice column for students Professor Dumbledore took on the Ask Alba.
It has been helpful, for sure. Many students submitted questions in her office, and every month two or three were featured in the paper�those that weren�t featured always received private answers nonetheless. Now, however, we have more than enough articles being submitted to fill the newspaper and our dear headmistress is getting busier� she has a whole school to run after all! These factors have resulted in the end of the Ask Alba column as we know it. At least� for now. Who can say what the future may hold?
By Lynn Jennings
It can't be, but it is. The final months of the year are creeping upon us, much faster than you'd think. It seems like only yesterday that us first years were walking down that stone hallway of the Great Hall and waiting to be sorted. Now, we're all one family, and it's going to be weird to watch it all end.
Of course, it's not like it's over forever. Next year, all the same faces will be here, much older and much wiser. But, are we ready to give up this year? I'm not sure that most of us are. The main reason? Those, much like me, are far from finishing all their lessons. Many of us don't want to admit the truth, but it's there. We thought we had the whole year, and now look at us. I know I'll be pulling some late nights over the next few months.
So, whether you're ready for it to be summer or not, ready or not, here it comes!
By Samuel Craft
This month I met with Professor Dickinson, the new Assistant Head of House of Hufflepuff, and asked her for an interview. Of course, she agreed to meet with me and answer the few questions I had to ask her. So here are the questions and answers I had after this interview!
(SC - Samuel Craft; PD - Professor Dickinson)
SC - 1. How thrilled were you when you found out you made it as an Assistant Head of House?
PD - I was ecstatic!
SC - 2. How do you like your new house thus far?
PD - It has been a lot of fun getting to know Hufflepuff's students. They are a really great bunch!
SC- 3. Were you welcomed with open arms when you first entered your house?
PD - I don't think Hufflepuff welcomes anyone with open arms. It was more like lots of warnings. *laughs*
SC - 4. Have you been put to work in your new house?
PD - Not too bad, although I must admit knowing Gilderoy for so long I thought he would be making me do a lot more work.
SC - 5. What has been your favorite moment in your new house?
PD - I have enjoyed the welcoming thread in our house as well as 'Ask the Professor' both have lead to many 'laugh out loud' moments.
By Beonca Aims
Before you know it, the end of term will be here, so what have you done for your house? Have you finished those classes you promised you would like, what? Five months ago? What about those five monthly challenges, have you been doing them each once a month? Or did you forget a couple times? That was 100 points lost for you house. Has your house done ever contest offered? Worked together in a valiant effort to earn some points by entering? What about your house magazine? Did you contribute? Or just stand by and let others do all the work then pat them on the back and say, �good job�? You know, they would have liked it better if you did an article or something, it would have meant 25 more points to the hour glass. Write anything for the Owl Gazette? Why not, surely you got things to tell us about that is going on in the house, even if it is a rumor! Sheesh, just look at past issues, you will easily get the picture of what you can write about. You don�t even need a degree in grammar or literature to send in a Top Ten, or some short little thing about games, newbies, or just plain what you�re thinking! New house shops, games, RPGs�loads to write about. So, come end of term and your hour glass just sits there, you only have yourself to blame.
By Bryony Casten
January and February heralded two new Inter-House Contests: the name and motto of the new sixth house. With the announcement of the winner a new Monthly Contest was born: The Founding of Phinneas Paddington.
Paddington is a house at Hogwarts, eh? What makes him important enough to get a house in honor of his name? What did he do that makes him one of the greatest wizards of all time? Where did he come from, what were his values and morals, and why did he want to create a Hogwarts house devoted to dreamers and inventors?
These are the sorts of questions entries in the newest Monthly Contest will answer. Give Paddington a history, a biography, something to explain who he was and what implications it has on us today. This is a great contest, so put your thinking caps on and get writing! All entries are due by May 11th to Professor Lockhart, and look for voting soon after!