fhightimes | The Fandom Hightimes #8!

JAKE SAYS:

MUTANTS
by Veronica Mars

There is at least one group of non-human students at Fandom High who feel more accepted here than they did at their old schools because of the diverse make up of the Fandom High student body.

Those students are mutants. The dictionary definition of a mutant is [1] An individual, organism, or new genetic character arising or resulting from mutation. And mutation is defined as [3] Genetics. [a] A change of the DNA sequence within a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type. [b] The process by which such a change occurs in a chromosome, either through an alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the DNA coding for a gene or through a change in the physical arrangement of a chromosome.

Scientists are still trying to understand how and why mutation occurs. But the important thing for us to remember is that our mutant classmates are just like us.

“I just want people to understand that just because we're different, and even dangerous sometimes, we're still human. We feel, we need, we love,” said Rogue, a Fandom High junior. “Just because we can shoot energy beams from our eyes, or read minds, or walk through walls, doesn't mean we're not human, and it definitely doesn't mean we're out to get you."

Rogue has a ‘touch telepathy’ mutation. If she touches someone skin to skin, she can see their thoughts and memories. Mutation runs in Rogue’s family. One of her older sisters has a more traditional form of telepathy. Her parents, however, are not mutants. Rogue’s mutation did not manifest until she was fifteen.

Jake Gavin, Jr., on the other hand, always knew he was a mutant. “I've always been able to talk to my cells,” he explained. “I can sort of talk to my cells and tell them what to do.”

The practical applications of a mutation like Jake’s are astounding. He has a healing reflex that kicks in even if he’s unable to ‘talk’ to his cells. “I don't get sick or poisoned or whatever. And apparently I can survive a gunshot through the head,” he said.

When asked what she wanted people to know about mutants, Rogue replied, “That we don't want to be outcast. That we're not all that different. That if we had a choice, we probably would have chosen to be normal, but we can't.”

It seems that we at Fandom High seem to be doing a good job accepting at least one segment of our non-human classmates.

STAFF PROFILE: ROVER
by Angela Chase

For many students, the Fandom High head of security remains an enigmatic figure. He rolls, shimmies, jiggles, bounces and prevents violence -- but he doesn't talk.

Until now.

Via typewriter, Rover granted an interview to the Fandom High Times. According to Rover, he comes from The Village, where he worked for Number 2 and "kep[t] the citizens secure and happy."

"I decided to branch out and bring my stellar track record to Fandom High who was in need of some security to keep the students safe from the outside world," he explained. As head of security, he watches for students and teachers who are a danger to themselves or others, unauthorized personnel, weapons, or anything else that is against the rules or threatens the safety of students. In this job, he enjoys keeping students safe and, "rolling Professor Jerusalem." He does not like having to roll students, he says, though he does it when needed.

Outside work, he says, "I enjoy rolling on patrol and watching the students. They are quite fascinating. Fandom High is my home and my family."

STAFF PROFILE + HOLIDAY DIVERSITY: BREE VAN DE CAMP
by Angel

If you've spotted your fellow students attempting to knit a scarf or decorate a cookie, you've probably seen someone who's following the lead of Fandom High's Home Economics teacher, Bree Van De Kamp.

A recent widow, Mrs. Van De Kamp teaches at Fandom High to support her family, and to provide her children (15 year old Danielle and 16 year old Andrew) with the finest scholarly and religious education.

Mrs. Van De Kamp, a Presbyterian, feels strongly about her religious beliefs. During her interview, she said, "Well, faith is a large part of my life. I attend church on Sundays, I sent my children to a Christian boarding school, and I try to live my life by the tenants of the Bible. The Christmas season is a very special celebration of our Savior, and the gift of His birth."

Holiday traditions in the Van De Kamp household include "Attend[ing] the Nativity, dinner with family and friends on Christmas Eve, Mass, presents in the morning and breakfast, help out at a soup kitchen, and then dinner again. Usually with my mother-in-law."

Mrs. Van De Kamp added that perparation for the holiday can take "weeks." When asked if pre-holiday setup was a family affair, she replied, "In some respects. Although I think when there is a firm leader at the helm of a project, it runs much more smoothly."

COFFEE PIN-UP

credits:
editors: Jake Gavin jr & Chloe Sullivan
layout: Jake Gavin jr
words: Veronica Mars, Angel, Angela Chase
pictures: Jake Gavin jr, Chloe Sullivan, Google, the unmutual
coffee pin-up artist: www.everythingcoffee-tea.com