Difference between revisions of "The Homeschoolers Aggregate"

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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;"><center>HSA: The Immersive Fiction Game</center></h2><br>
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{{Show
'''Website:[http://www.hsao.net/ The Homeschoolers Aggregate]'''<br>
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|image    = Hsacertificate.jpg
''We play by the rules. And yet information wants to be free.''<br>
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|creators =
[[Image: Hsa1.jpg|right|500x500px| Image of the HSA website]]HomeSchoolers Aggregate Online is a fan creation that began in October 2006 with some short, text based “advertisements” for an online program for home schooled students.  The videos shared the strict rules that participants need to follow in order to remain in the program.  Many viewers questioned the relationship of these videos and the [http://hsao.net/ HSA website] to the Lonelygirl15 production.  Fans soon realized that the videos and site were an independent production that ran parallel to Bree’s story.  Some viewers speculated that Bree was a former participant of the program due to HSA's strict policies.  Others speculated that it was a cult, trying to lure students to enroll.  As it turned out, HSA was a game that followed the idea of immersive fiction more that a traditional ARG.  The HSA offered no dead-drops or computer codes to break.  To participate in HSA, students need to register by the deadline and complete written tasks that often help them find the password to the class notebook, a password-protected message forum.  Since HSA discourages students from interacting or socializing, the message forum is the place where students leave the answers to their “assignments.”  Assignments range from replying to philosophical theories, making personal connections to philosophical ideas, responding to specific pieces of art, and even creating and sharing one’s own art work. 
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Students find the assignments posted on the website.  Videos either reinforce a lesson’s focus, provide insight to an area of examination or offer clues to the participants to figure out the assignment’s password.  At HSA, when students solve the password and are ready to post their answer in the notebook, they are said to “Bring It” to the notebook.  Students who are interested are free to post their own in-character blogs that link off the HSA website.
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|cast    =
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{{Show/row|Rose Kelly|Unknown}}
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{{Show/row|Cedric Boone|None}}
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{{Show/row|TWJaniak|[[TWJaniak|Himself]]}}
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{{Show/row|LordGreystoke422|[[LordGreystoke422|Himself]]}}
  
The head of school is a woman known as Rose Marie Crandall Crowley Kelly, who is married to Phillip Crowley (no relation to [[Aleister]]).  She is a very strict, yet supportive instructor who encourages her students to do their best. She expects students to follow her rules without question, and those who have questioned her have had their IP addresses banned from the site.  Assignments receive responses from Ms. Kelly and student work is exhibited on the website. 
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'''Homeschoolers Aggregate Online''' (or HSAO) was a fan-created immersive online fiction series that began in October 2006 with some short, text based "advertisements" for an online program for home schooled students.
  
Throughout each term, a back story emerges involving Ms. Kelly’s exploits and those who seem to trying to undo for reasons that remain unclear.  The website offers clues, additional character blogs and links. At the end of the term, students are treated to a graduation ceremony video, an on-line yearbook and a certificate of completion.  HSA has a small group of followers who seem to enjoy the intellectual stimulation of this game.
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Videos in the series shared strict rules that participants needed to follow in order to remain in the program. Many viewers questioned the relationship of these videos and the HSA website to the [[lonelygirl15]] production, but it was quickly realized that the videos and site were fan-run spinoff running parallel to [[Bree]]'s story. HSAO was a game following the idea of immersive fiction more than a traditional [[ARG]], as it offered no puzzles to break.
  
This is the first time that HSA’s creator has ever been involved in such a pursuit. Participants have been forgiving and patient as her stories unfold and her skills improve.
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==Interaction==
<br>
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To participate in the program, students were required to register by a deadline. They then completed written tasks to find a password to The Class Notebook, a password-protected message forum. On the forum, students were discouraged from interacting or socializing and were to instead leave answers to "assignments," which had been posted on the HSA website. Assignments ranged from replying to philosophical theories and making personal connections to these ideas, to discussing issues relevant to Bree's situation, to responding to specific pieces of art, and even creating and sharing one's own art work.
<br>''For an explanation of this game for potential participants, see [http://hsao.net/whatishsa.html How to Play: HSA]<ref>[http://hsao.net/whatishsa.html How to Play: HSA]</ref> from the HSAO website.'' <br><br>
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;"><center>HSA: On the Lonelygirl15 Forum</center></h2><br><center>{{Userbox
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  |info-fc  = #090
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  |id      =  HSA
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  |info    = This user heeds Ms. Kelly’s call to '''[[The Homeschoolers Aggregate|Study up, students!]]'''.
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}}
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</center>
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The Homeschoolers Aggregate appears to be a secular forum for gifted homeschoolers to receive informal assignments in and to discuss Literary Theory, Poetry, Art, and Moral and Ethical Philosophy. Whether the Aggregate is an accredited institution, and whether it supports other subjects outside the liberal arts, is unknown.
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Videos from the group were created to either reinforce a lesson's focus, provide insight to an area of examination, or to offer clues as to what the new forum password was. While interaction was discouraged, students could elect to post personal information about themselves on their in-character blogs on the site.
  
Internet fans of Bree stumbled across the HSAOnline introductory and training videos hosted on YouTube. The source of the lonelyfans' speculation that Bree is/was a student of the Homeschoolers Aggregate is unknown, but several participants of the Tribute to Lonelygirl15 Phorum flocked to register in a new session to be administered by HSAOnline's strict but supportive educator, Ms. Kelly, who continually exhorts the students to "Study up!"
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The head of school was a woman known as Rose Marie Crandall Crowley Kelly, married to Phillip Crowley (no relation to [[Aleister]]).  She was a very strict yet supportive instructor who encouraged students to do their best. She expected students to follow her rules without question, and those who have questioned her have had their IP addresses banned from the site. Assignments would receive responses from Ms. Kelly and student work was frequently exhibited on the website. At the end of each term, students were treated to a graduation ceremony video and a certificate of completion.
  
Ms. Kelly and the HSAOnline administrators seem very solicitous regarding the online privacy of their student families. HSAOnline appears to be recovering from some sort of major recent hack, based on some oblique comments from Ms. Kelly. <br>
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==Storyline==
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Throughout each term, a back story emerged involving Ms. Kelly’s exploits, and those who seemed interested in harming her, for reasons that remain unclear. The website offered clues, blogs for additional characters such as guest instructors or former students, and links to related material.
  
Many of the new HSAOnline students, like many of the fans of the ''lonelygirl15''-inspired internet game ''cassieiswatching'', use [http://lonelygirl15.com/forum Bukanator's forum] as a secondary clubhouse to discuss the mysterious Aggregate.<br><br>
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During its primary stages, HSAOnline appeared to be recovering from some sort of major hack of its computer systems as well as from a suspicious fire, based on some oblique comments from Ms. Kelly. Orientation 2006 completed with a speech by [[LordGreystoke422]] entitled HSAO: What is Reality. Graduates who completed the necessary assignments were issued diplomas and treated to HSAO online yearbooks.
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! <h2 style="margin:0;background:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3bfb1;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Characters</h2>
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===Disorientation 2006: Transcendental Train Trip===
[[Image:Fire.gif|right|thumb|150px|<font color="indigo">'''Often used to symbolize Ms. Kelly's relationship to fire, "Burn" is a piece by artist [http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/walker_kara.html Kara Walker]'''</font>]]Teachers and Administrators
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For a short period, Ms. Kelly was institutionalized for unclear reasons vaguely addressed in a video entitled ''Rose Kelly''There is some speculation as to whether Ms. Kelly suffers from spontaneous combustions. During this period, students were invited along on a train trip by a mysterious host/architect. The train ride turned into a surrealistic and confusing journey that lead nowhere.
* [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mskelly333 Ms. Kelly's YouTube Channel] & [http://one.revver.com/account/show/mskelly HSA videos on Revver] --Ms. Kelly, the bright, stoic and opinionated head of HSA, spends much of her time focused on the importance of structure, order and education. For reasons that have yet to be made clear, Ms. Kelly seems to be a target for sinister people who bring trouble her way.  While very supportive of her students, she is very judgmental about situations that she feels lead to immortal student behavior.
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* [http://tenrich.blogspot.com TWJaniak] -- The former site adminstrator on the [http://www.lonelygirl15.com/forum/ forum], notable among the lonelyfans as the creator of a series of videos giving advice to Bree and Daniel on their growing relationship. Ms Kelly invited Mr. Janiak to be a guest speaker for the new course. TW produced a video on the topic of [http://one.revver.com/watch/79194/flv  Truth in Friendship] for the orientation class. For many Orientation 2006 students, he was viewed as a guest instructor, who offered wisdom and guidance.
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On the train, the characters, Lyn, her mother Rebecca, laughing, Indigo (gogo) James, and Ms. Kelly, realized that they are fictional characters whose situations, struggles, and lives have been plotted by the architect, their host on the journey. The host mistakenly believed that the characters would happily join together to discuss this new development, however, the characters expressed their shock and anger that this author's whim has forced them to experience difficulty and pain. The characters refused to oblige the author/architect/host, and stayed in their rooms. One by one the characters confronted the author. They each left the train, vowing to become real and take hold of their own lives.
  
*[http://technologicalaspectsofart.blogspot.com/ Professor Cedric Boone] -- A professor who joined Ms. Kelly for the term in 2006. He provides help and additional instruction to studentsHe is also involved in what appears to be some covert work for TiKO Foundation.
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Although the lounge, library, and drawing room art offer much to occupy the travelers, many of whom are Ms. Kelly's students, there was little else to do but watch the characters grow into people and leave the architect's story. Ms. Kelly jumped off of the train part way through the trip to get back to her family, her school and the consequences she would face for some fraudulent behavior. In a drunken stupor, the architect found herself left forever on an empty train, alone to wander the halls of the fictional train wreck she created. Back at HSA and with her life now in her own hands, Ms. Kelly vowed to turn things aroundShe applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for her school. Back at the helm, she began planning a new term for her students focused on technology and art.
  
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===Term 2006: Technology and Art===
Notable Students to Date:
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Students spent the term focused on examining technology and art, as well as learning from the examples set by lonelygirl15 in a series of lessons from Bree. HSA is sponsored by a mysterious charitable foundation named TiKO, whose sponsors choose to remain anonymous. TiKO demands that HSA hold a very public open house, so that the sponsors can assess the school's work. Some paperwork in Ms. Kelly’s office alluded to a conflict between TiKO’s intentions and Ms. Kelly’s curriculum. Professor Boone secretly worked for TiKO, as discovered by emails in his classroom. Ms. Kelly explained to students that she was concerned about continued funding for her non-profit school.
  
* taiya -- a lonelyfan puzzle solver, likely to become a star pupil in Ms Kelly's course due to her prowess with the Registration Problem.
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As graduation neared, Ms. Kelly solicited some of her friends to contribute their words of wisdom for the graduation video. Contributing friends included [[User:ApotheosisAZ|ApotheosisAZ]], {{youtube|mkCp39x1IYI|Simian Liberation Front}}, [[Nikki Bower]], Dr. [[Immant]], [[Jonas]], TWJaniak, Sister and [[Daniel]]'s friend Paul.  Students' final projects were displayed on the HSA website.
  
* Josh -- a potential student who was briefly shunned for spoofing Ms Kelly in guestbook comments; Ms Kelly unblocked Josh before the end of Registration. Josh was subsequently blocked again for telling Ms. Kelly that he couldn't complete his assignments because he had "a life." This "life" has been made clearly evident by Josh's 3652 (and counting) forum posts.
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===Term 1 2007: The Philosophy of Good and Evil===
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Students completed a variety of exercises and receive help with class notebook passwords from Professor Boone. However, they began to notice Ms. Kelly’s sporadic attendance and lack of responses to their class work. Professor Boone shared some information with students in the form of a notice. A video credited to The Executive Director of the TiKO Foundation explained some concern over Ms. Kelly's last few video lessons, which appeared to be targeting Bree and her situation. The video did not give specific information, other than to say that Ms. Kelly needed to learn how to better serve her students. Along with the text, the video also showed firefighters battling a blazing building and an unknown man engaged in actions that appeared to be suspicious.
  
*JoannaChildsface -- a lonelyfan who can be counted on for keeping students updated on Guestbook Gossip and other mysteries of HSAOnline.
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Professor Boone, left to run the school in Ms. Kelly’s absence, discussed his concerns with the students. Suspicious of the sponsors, TiKO's public relations video, and Rose's plight in the hands of these individuals, he left copies of sensitive material that he had delivered at his time as a go-between for TiKO and the sponsors, and posted a lesson involving pieces of art that alluded to sinister behavior on the part of those holding Ms. Kelly. Surprisingly, a new video was released, again credited to both HSA and TiKO. It included a calm voice-mail message from Ms. Kelly, who stated that the seminar had "opened [her] eyes."  Professor Boone and the class were left to wonder if Ms. Kelly willfully joined forces with her captors or if she was influenced through more sinister means.  
  
* [http://callmevi.blogspot.com Violet] -- a current student who corresponds with former student Lyn
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After Daniel appeared on camera under the influence of his captors, convincing Bree to do the [[The Ceremony|ceremony]], Ms. Kelly offered a new lesson, suggesting that [[the Order]] could provide a helpful career boost for Bree and her friends. Back at the school, with the term ending, a number of the students asked for extensions to complete missing work in time to receive certificates of completion. However, with her sudden time away, Ms. Kelly was unable to provide the necessary assistance to help these students complete their academic tasks. At the end of the term, only four students managed to complete the requirements to receive their certificates.
  
* [http://mayatis-guide-to-life.blogspot.com/ Mayati] -- Marisa or Meritmenat Byrne, a current student who appears to reside in a different time zone from most of the HSA students. Mayati describes herself as a 17 year old girl who attends a very small school and who has religious and work chores which take up much of her time. She has hinted that she practices a minority religion which incorporates Kemetic elements, and she may have known Bree when both girls were younger.
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===Winter Course 2007: Examining Ms. Kelly===
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As the first term of 2007 ended with neither fanfare nor a special graduation ceremony, Ms. Kelly seemed too preoccupied by her recent experiences to focus on lessons. Ms. Kelly's weekly visit to her therapist was presented as a voice-over, unlike her previous text-based videos. The continuation of this visit shed no real light on the dreams that seemed to plague her. It is still unknown whether or not Ms. Kelly accepted the seemingly sinister intentions of the TiKO Foundation. Ms. Kelly stepped away from her self-reflection to share a lesson called Perception vs. Reality that alluded to the family issues afflicting Daniel. With another voice-over and the continued water motif, Ms. Kelly shared her suggestions for ways to approach the future.
  
* Truth_n_sc -- a new friend who helps Lyn by offering supportive suggestions and comments to her blog entries
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==External Links==
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*[http://technologicalaspectsofart.blogspot.com/  Professor Boone’s Classroom]
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*[http://one.revver.com/account/show/mskelly  Ms. Kelly’s Video Collection on Revver]
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*[http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mskelly333  Ms. Kelly’s YouTube Channel]
  
<h2 style="margin:0;background:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Rumored Former Students</h2>
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[[Category:Community content]]
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Rumored Former Students:
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* [http://risingstill.blogspot.com/  Lyn] -- a former student who seems to have been expelled from HSA.  She broke Ms. Kelly's rule about contacting classmates.  She and her mother, Ms. Kelly's former employee, have recently moved away from their old town, and currently reside in an unnamed town with Lyn's grandmother.  Lyn stresses that she was not involved in any of the recent problems facing HSA.
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* [[Bree]]
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<br>
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">The End of Orientation 2006</h2>
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Orientation 2006 ended with a rousing speech by [[LordGreystoke422]] entitled [http://one.revver.com/find/keywords/lordgreystoke422#_show_video_88516    HSAO: What is Reality]. <br> This 18 minute and 48 second video ended the term with a presentation that they were not expecting.  "It has been suggested that this was the longest graduation speech in history. Though long it is actually exceeded by others such as a noted 24 minute graduation speech once given by Warren Beatty, it is definitely the longest in HSAO history and may be one of the only Graduation speeches involving the removal of clothing." <ref>[[LordGreystoke422]]</ref>
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<br>  Graduates who completed the necessary assignments were issued diplomas and were treated to HSAO online yearbooks.<br><br>
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The graduates were as follows:<br>
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{| border="2" cellpadding="3" bgcolor="indigo" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; color:white"
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|-valign="left"
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||Amy#2
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||Joanna Childsface
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||Alystra
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||Faith
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||Summer
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||KT
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||Taiya
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||Josh
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||D.Kimble
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||Seige
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||Violet
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||Kevin
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||Blair
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|} [[Image:Hsacertificate.jpg|center|thumb|600px|<center><font color="indigo">'''HSA Certificate of completion'''</font></center>]]
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<br><br>
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Disorientation 2006</h2>
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For a short period, HSAO's director, Ms. Kelly, was institutionalized for reasons that are unclear but vaguely addressed in a video entitled [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ItOftFyMw  Rose Kelly.]  There was some speculation as to whether Ms. Kelly suffered from spontaneous combustions.  During this period, students were invited along on a train trip by a mysterious host/architect.  This train ride turned into a surrealistic and confusing journey that led guests nowhere.  Although the lounge, library and drawing room art offered much to occupy the travelers, there was little else to do but watch as guests became frustrated with the host and left one by one.  Ms. Kelly jumped off of the train part way through the trip to get back to her family, her school and the consequences she faced for some fraudulent behavior. <br><br>
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She vowed to turn things around and applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for her school.  Back at the helm, she began planning a new term for her students focused on [http://hsao.net/school.html/  technology and art].
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Term 2006</h2>
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Students spent the term focused on examining technology and art, as well as learning from the examples set by lonelygirl15 in a series of lessons entitled [http://hsao.net/lessonsbree.html Lesson from Bree.]  HSA became sponsored by a charitable foundation called [http://continue.to/tiko  TiKO.] This foundation is rather mysterious as its sponsors choose to remain anonymous and work under the TiKO name.  TiKO demanded that HSA hold a very [http://continue.to/openhouse/ public] Open House so the sponsors could see the work of the school.  Some paperwork in Ms. Kelly’s [http://hsao.net/hsaoffice.html  office] alluded to some conflict between TiKO’s intentions and Ms. Kelly’s curriculum. Professor Boone also seemed to doing some secretive work for TiKO as stated in some [http://hsao.net/email.jpg emails]found on [http://technologicalaspectsofart.blogspot.com/ his site.]  Ms. Kelly explained to her current class that she was concerned about continued funding for her non-profit school.  As graduation neared, Ms. Kelly solicited some of her friends to contribute their words of wisdom for the graduation [http://one.revver.com/watch/129924/flv/affiliate/29920 video.] Contributing friends included [[ApotheosisAZ]], Dr.[[Immant]], [[Jonas]], [[Nikki Bower]], [[TWJaniak]], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkCp39x1IYI    Simian Liberation Front], [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=GuillotineCalamity Sister] and Daniel's friend [http://one.revver.com/watch/130116/flv/affiliate/29920  Paul]. Students’ final [http://hsao.net/final.html projects] were displayed on the [http://hsao.net/ HSA website.]
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<br> <br>
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The graduates were for this term were as follows:<ref>[http://hsao.net/final.html  HSA Final Student Exhibition 2006]</ref> <br><br>
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{| border="2" cellpadding="3" bgcolor="indigo" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; color:white"
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|-valign="left"
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||
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'''Faith''' (our dependable little spark)<br>
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'''Joanna C.''' (so faithful and bright)<br>
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'''rustydevil''' (whose enthusiasm was a pleasure)<br>
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'''MysteriousC''' (whose gift of a ribbon left me red in the face)<br>
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'''Fitzroy''' (who was no longer a stow-away,<br>but instead an important part of our group)<br>
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'''Ashley''' (who worked so hard and shared so much)<br>
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||
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'''KT''' (who convinced Ms. Kelly to loosen up a bit)<br>
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'''Amy#2''' (who is really #1 to Ms. Kelly)<br>
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'''Momo''' (who came, shared and helped us grow)<br>
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'''Jules''' (who I allow to remain)<br>
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'''Luminous''' (who is just that)<br>
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'''Blair''' (who is always level-headed and creative)
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|}
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<br>
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Term 1 2007</h2> 
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[[Image:tiko.jpg|left|thumbnail|<center> HSA receives funding from anonymous sponsors through [http://continue.to/tiko  the TiKO Foundation]]]</center>Students were busy at work completing a variety of [http://hsao.net/kindness.html  exercises] and receiving help with class notebook passwords from [http://technologicalaspectsofart.blogspot.com  Professor Boone.]  However, students noticed Ms. Kelly’s absence in responding to students about their class work.  Professor Boone shared some information with students in the form of a [http://hsao.net/jan30notice.jpg  notice].  A [http://one.revver.com/watch/155179/flv/affiliate/29920  video] credited to The Executive Director of the [http://continue.to/tiko  TiKO Foundation] explained some concern over Ms. Kelly’s last [http://one.revver.com/collections/show/113424  few video lessons], which seemed to be targeting [[Bree]] and her current situation.  The video did not give specific information other than to say that Ms. Kelly needed to learn how to better serve her students.  Along with the text, the video also showed firefighters battling a blazing building and an unknown man engaged in actions that appeared to be suspicious. Professor Cedric Boone, left to run the school in Ms. Kelly’s absence, discusses his concerns with the students.  Suspicious of the sponsors, [http://one.revver.com/watch/157804/flv/affiliate/29920  TiKO’s public relations video] and Rose’s plight in the hands of these individuals, he leaves [http://hsao.net/listen.html  copies of sensitive material] that he had delivered as his time as a go-between for TiKO and the sponsors, and [http://one.revver.com/watch/159866/flv/affiliate/29920 posts a lesson] involving pieces of art that allude to sinister behavior on the part of those holding Ms. Kelly.  Surprisingly, a new video credited to [http://one.revver.com/watch/162990/flv/affiliate/29920 HSA and TiKO] is posted that includes a calm voicemail message from Ms. Kelly, who states that the seminar has “opened [her] eyes.”  Professor Boone and the class are left to wonder if Ms. Kelly willfully joined forces with her captors or if she was influenced through more sinister means.
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<br><br>
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Assignments</h2>
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[[Image:Assign3.jpg|right|thumb|300px|<font color="indigo">Student responses to assignments are exhibited on the HSA website.  These [http://hsao.net/listpoems.html  list poems,] which are showcased as a response to an assignment, were created and submitted by students.</font>]]
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[[Assignment 1--October 9, 2006]]  -First Orientation Assignment
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[[Assignment 2-- October 12, 2006]] -Second Orientation Assignment
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[[Assignment 3--October 18, 2006]] -Third Orientation Assignment
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[[Assignment 4- October 19, 2006]] -Fourth Orientation Assignment
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[[Assignment 5- October 25, 2006]] -Fifth Orientation Assignment
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[[Assignment 6- October 25, 2006]] -Final Orientation Assignment
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[http://hsao.net/registration.html  Registration Task- November 23, 2006]- First Academic Task of 2006 Term
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[http://continue.to/openhouse  Open House Exhibition]- Showcase of Student Work from 2006 Term
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[http://hsao.net/final.html  Technology & Art Final Projects]- Final Student Exhibition from 2006 Term
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[http://hsao.net/kindness.html  Current Student Responses]- On-Going Showcase of Student Work: 2007<br><br><br><br><br>
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<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">References</h2><references/> <br>
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<h2 style="margin:0;background-color:indigo;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:white;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Videos</h2>
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Orientation 2006 Videos
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[[Image:Hsalogo.jpg|left|thumb|200px|<center><font color="indigo">'''HSA Video Opening'''</font></center>]]<br>The videos from HSA serve several purposes.  They either reinforce a lesson’s focus, provide insight to a specific term topic or offer clues to the class notebook password.  Sometimes, Ms. Kelly needs to share information with students, clarify students’ issues or respond to the life of young Bree.  There are times when she thinks she is being clever and posts a tongue-in-cheek video.  However, because she is who she is, even these videos seem to be as uptight as Ms. Kelly.  HSA videos are shown both on Ms. Kelly’s YouTube channel and also on her Revver page.<br><br><br>
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiwe_yPJx3s  HSAOnline Introduction Video] –First Video posted October 2, 2006<br>
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Description: Where gifted young homeschoolers meet.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/72680/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline Training Video: Peer Interaction] –Second Video posted October 3, 2006<br>
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Description: Appropriate ways to interact with peers at HSA. Visit us at hsao.net.
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We need to clarify how we help our families.<br><br>
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[[Image:Twjsnow.jpg|right|thumb|125px|<font color="indigo">'''TWJaniak served as an HSA guest speaker in a snowy, Friday the 13th lesson on truth and friendship.'''</font>]]
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/72681/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline Training Video: Academics]–Third video posted October 3, 2006<br>
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Description: Follow our rules to avoid consequences.Visit hsao.net.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/79194/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline presents TWJaniak: Truth in Friendship]<br> Guest Director video posted October 13, 2006.<br>
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TWJaniak’s Description: Ms. Kelly of the Homeschoolers Aggregate Online has asked that I address her students on the importance of trust within friendships. Here is my address to her students. <br>
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HSAOnline Description: Guestspeaker: We are proud to present TWJaniak, sharing an important lesson for all of our students. We at HSA deeply appreciate the time TWJaniak took to provide our students with his valuable wisdom.<br><br>[[Image:Lg422hsao.jpg|left|thumb|130px|<font color="indigo">'''LordGreystoke422 served as the HSA graduation speaker in an engaging, controversial video.'''</font>]]
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/88516/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline presents LordGreystoke: What is Reality?] Guest Director video posted October 29, 2006<br>
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LordGreystoke's Description: A graduation speech to the Home Schooling Aggregate Online class of 2006 to help them prepare for what might soon slap them in the face: Reality. I am very flattered to have been asked to have such a prestigious honor. Thanks a million to Ms Kelly. She's the best! <br><br>
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HSAOnline Description: We are pleased and honored to have Lord Greystoke as our keynote speaker to share his wisdom with our Orientation 2006 graduates as they end their term with us.<br><br>
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'''Term 2006: Art & Technology Videos'''
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IomunJY85ZY  HSAOnline: A New Beginning]- video posted November 17, 2006<br>
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Description: Ms. Kelly is back planning a new term.<br><br>
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIks_ji-9Co  HSAOnline: Term Registration]- video posted November 23, 2006<br>
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Description: How to begin the registration process<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/107495/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Learn from Bree]- video posted November 27, 2006<br>
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Description: Disobey and you will pay. We explore what NOT to do to live a life of order and purity. Your peer Bree provides some valuable life lessons that can help you stay on the right track. Obey the rules, students, and everything will be just fine. <br>
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:Quiz Question: Can you spot the three spelling errors? <br>
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:: Quiz Answer: "lamb"--->lam "per say"--->per  se "occured"--->occurred    If you got them correct: Well done! If not: Let's hang our heads in shame together, and meet for detention to write out these words 100 times each.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/110917/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Homeless or Jonas?]- video posted December 2, 2006<br>
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Description: Lessons from Bree- the current situation offers a lesson in making the right decision. Your peer, Bree, now has two options before her: Homeless or Jonas? Which would you choose, students?<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/112591/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: Stay Focused]- video posted December 5, 2006<br>
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Description: Please review.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/114745/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Quick Study in Language]- video posted December 7, 2006<br>
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Description: ("Blazing Truth" by Pedestrial) Class, please take note of this quick review of terms necessary in the study of Phytology. It is always important to consider wise words from the ages whenever facing challenges or seeking personal growth. Although your current answer lies in the stars, this presentation offers some extra credit. Study up, students.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/119183/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: Open House]- video posted December 12, 2006<br>
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Description: ("Every Man and Every Woman is a Star" by sansdolor). Open House begins today. HSA is opening its doors to you. Come see what our gifted students have been exploring. See their thoughtful responses to art and technology; view our lessons from Bree; see students' original artwork. Our generous sponsors have allowed us the opportunity to continue providing our services to students at no cost. Visit us to see what HSA does best. Remember, education begins at home.<br><br>
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[[Image: openhouse.jpg|right|thumb|350px|<center><font color="indigo">[http://continue.to/openhouse  The Open House offered an opportunity to view the HSA curriculum as well as student work from the term.] </font></center>]]
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/120022/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Lesson From Professor Boone]- video posted December 13, 2006<br>
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Description: ("Nocturne" by Noman Outlander) This special lesson in physiology is for students only from Professor Boone.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/120653/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline; Consider, Plan and Act]- video posted December 14, 2006<br>
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Description: ("In the Blood" by Misha Nogha) Lessons from Bree- How to Use Seclusion. Students, your peer Bree is now in seclusion. There are ways she can use this time to prepare for action. Now is the time to act. Let us hope she uses her time well.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/123871/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: Good: A is so]- video posted December 18, 2006<br>
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Description: ("Storm on the Sea" by Androne Sebastian) This is a call for answers. It is amazing how we solve/balance/reconcile this equation every day. This is the last time to bring it, class.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/128159/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: The End of 2006 at HSA]- video posted December 26, 2006<br>
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Description: HSA shares some updates with students regarding the academic focus for our upcoming term in 2007. We will continue exploring some compelling questions about life. In addition, we will continue learning valuable life lesson by examining the most public saga of your peer Bree. You are welcome to visit us on December 29th for our exciting graduation ceremony and for our online exhibition of engaging, thoughtful student work. Enjoy the rest of your break, students!<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/130116/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: Graduation 2006 (full version)]- video posted December 29, 2006<br>
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Description: Leave it to a teen like Paul to show up late! Special thanks to all our friends for their support. Students, you should be proud. I am.<br><br>
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'''Term 1: 2007 Videos'''
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/132266/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: Term 1 2007 Preview]- video posted January 2, 2007<br>
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Description: Lessons from [[Bree]]- In this preview of Term 1, 2007, we will explore some important lessons such as the importance of proper planning, understanding the concept of secrecy and how to identify places appropriate for ringing in the New Year. Registration begins soon.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/134313/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: Questions, Answers and More Questions]- video posted January 5, 2007<br>
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Description: (Music: Requiem by Steve Dobrogosz) HSA Term 1/2007 Sometimes life offers more questions than answers. This should never discourage us though. As we continue our search, sometimes the answers we need the most reveal themselves. Join us for our next term when we will be exploring some of life’s most challenging questions. Let us explore, grow and create together. HSA holds registration from January 6th to January 10th. Visit us at [http://hsao.net  http://hsao.net] for more information. <br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/137136/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline:Lessons Begin]- video posted January 9, 2007<br>
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Description: On Wednesday, January 10, we will begin with the first assignment of the term. Consider for a moment whether or not people give freely, while expecting nothing in return. As human beings, we are amazing creatures. Study up, students.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/138349/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: The Importance of Listening]- video posted January 11, 2007<br>
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Description: As your first assignment is due tomorrow, we should review the necessary skill of communication. Stating your ideas is most important. However, equally important is the concept of listening. We should carefully listen to each others ideas to experience the most growth. I look forward to reviewing your answers to the first question.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/139414/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: Peer Interaction: Part Two]- video posted January 12, 2007<br>
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Description: As we share our condolences with young [[Bree]], we offer guidance and suggestions to help her maintain her purity in her current surroundings. Students, always be careful in unsupervised coed situations.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/142059/flv/affiliate/29920 HSAOnline: For Shame]- video posted January 15, 2007<br>
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Description: We are not surprised by the recent turn of events. We really aren't. This is a rather sad and unfunny situation, overall. <br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/143153/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Consideration: A Quiz]- video posted January 17, 2007<br>
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Description: This multiple choice quiz should help us all to reflect on how our words and actions affect others. Hopefully with attention to those around us, we can all lead more thoughtful and considerate lives. <br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/146822/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Strangers, Pin-Monkeys and Luck]- video posted January 20, 2007<br>
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Description: This lesson addresses important rules of safety.  Students, you should always be cautious about who you meet.  With luck, you might meet some considerate people.  However, are you aware of all the risks in the world?  In addition, Ms. Kelly shares her praise for [[Bree]] and her cohorts for some wise decision-making.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/150310/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: The Importance of Planning] – Video posted January 23, 2007<br>
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Description: (I Dont Get It -Song by MRBIGSus) Planning for the future is always an important step in life. Students, here we weight some choices for your peer [[Bree]] to consider. We appreciate that you are listening. We do hope she is listening, too. <br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/152808/flv/affiliate/29920    HSAOnline: The Importance of Gratitude] – Video posted January 26, 2007<br>
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Description: With much thanks to RobTomorrow for his insightful comment, we address some of the recent behavior of young [[Bree]]. [[Daniel]] and [[Jonas]] have given their devoted help to Bree. However, has she given thanks? HSA also acknowledges and thanks [[Nikki Bower]], [[ApotheosisAZ]], [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=LG15curiousGeorge  Simian Liberation Front], [http://one.revver.com/find/user/colbertNgirl  ColbertNationGirl] and [[PaulMark18]] for always being so polite, creative and gracious. Thank you.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/155179/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Hard Lessons from the Executive Director] – Video posted January 29, 2007<br>
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Description:  The Executive Director explains the absence of Ms. Kelly. Hopefully, she with some lessons of her own, she can realize her role and duty at HSA.<br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/155179/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Lessons Continue] – Video posted February 2, 2007<br>
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Description:  In light of the absence of Ms. Kelly and knowing what we do about her views on priorities and education, we will move forward in the curriculum. Students, you will need to use your critical viewing skills to examine some art work that you will find in a gallery on the assignments page at HSA. Let us work together to explore the deeper meanings within these images. Put forth your best efforts and I look forward to what you find. And I am eagerly waiting for you to bring it. <br><br>
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[http://one.revver.com/watch/162990/flv/affiliate/29920  HSAOnline: Influence] – Video posted February 5, 2007<br>
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Description:  HSA and TiKO are united in education. Together in knowledge and opportunity because education begins at home. <br><br>
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[[Category:Fan fiction]]
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[[Category:Homeschoolers Aggregate]]
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[[Category:Fan groups]]
 
[[Category:Fan groups]]

Latest revision as of 16:37, 7 April 2009

The Homeschoolers Aggregate
Hsacertificate.jpg
Cast
Rose Kelly Unknown
Cedric Boone None
TWJaniak Himself
LordGreystoke422 Himself

Homeschoolers Aggregate Online (or HSAO) was a fan-created immersive online fiction series that began in October 2006 with some short, text based "advertisements" for an online program for home schooled students.

Videos in the series shared strict rules that participants needed to follow in order to remain in the program. Many viewers questioned the relationship of these videos and the HSA website to the lonelygirl15 production, but it was quickly realized that the videos and site were fan-run spinoff running parallel to Bree's story. HSAO was a game following the idea of immersive fiction more than a traditional ARG, as it offered no puzzles to break.

Interaction

To participate in the program, students were required to register by a deadline. They then completed written tasks to find a password to The Class Notebook, a password-protected message forum. On the forum, students were discouraged from interacting or socializing and were to instead leave answers to "assignments," which had been posted on the HSA website. Assignments ranged from replying to philosophical theories and making personal connections to these ideas, to discussing issues relevant to Bree's situation, to responding to specific pieces of art, and even creating and sharing one's own art work.

Videos from the group were created to either reinforce a lesson's focus, provide insight to an area of examination, or to offer clues as to what the new forum password was. While interaction was discouraged, students could elect to post personal information about themselves on their in-character blogs on the site.

The head of school was a woman known as Rose Marie Crandall Crowley Kelly, married to Phillip Crowley (no relation to Aleister). She was a very strict yet supportive instructor who encouraged students to do their best. She expected students to follow her rules without question, and those who have questioned her have had their IP addresses banned from the site. Assignments would receive responses from Ms. Kelly and student work was frequently exhibited on the website. At the end of each term, students were treated to a graduation ceremony video and a certificate of completion.

Storyline

Throughout each term, a back story emerged involving Ms. Kelly’s exploits, and those who seemed interested in harming her, for reasons that remain unclear. The website offered clues, blogs for additional characters such as guest instructors or former students, and links to related material.

During its primary stages, HSAOnline appeared to be recovering from some sort of major hack of its computer systems as well as from a suspicious fire, based on some oblique comments from Ms. Kelly. Orientation 2006 completed with a speech by LordGreystoke422 entitled HSAO: What is Reality. Graduates who completed the necessary assignments were issued diplomas and treated to HSAO online yearbooks.

Disorientation 2006: Transcendental Train Trip

For a short period, Ms. Kelly was institutionalized for unclear reasons vaguely addressed in a video entitled Rose Kelly. There is some speculation as to whether Ms. Kelly suffers from spontaneous combustions. During this period, students were invited along on a train trip by a mysterious host/architect. The train ride turned into a surrealistic and confusing journey that lead nowhere.

On the train, the characters, Lyn, her mother Rebecca, laughing, Indigo (gogo) James, and Ms. Kelly, realized that they are fictional characters whose situations, struggles, and lives have been plotted by the architect, their host on the journey. The host mistakenly believed that the characters would happily join together to discuss this new development, however, the characters expressed their shock and anger that this author's whim has forced them to experience difficulty and pain. The characters refused to oblige the author/architect/host, and stayed in their rooms. One by one the characters confronted the author. They each left the train, vowing to become real and take hold of their own lives.

Although the lounge, library, and drawing room art offer much to occupy the travelers, many of whom are Ms. Kelly's students, there was little else to do but watch the characters grow into people and leave the architect's story. Ms. Kelly jumped off of the train part way through the trip to get back to her family, her school and the consequences she would face for some fraudulent behavior. In a drunken stupor, the architect found herself left forever on an empty train, alone to wander the halls of the fictional train wreck she created. Back at HSA and with her life now in her own hands, Ms. Kelly vowed to turn things around. She applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for her school. Back at the helm, she began planning a new term for her students focused on technology and art.

Term 2006: Technology and Art

Students spent the term focused on examining technology and art, as well as learning from the examples set by lonelygirl15 in a series of lessons from Bree. HSA is sponsored by a mysterious charitable foundation named TiKO, whose sponsors choose to remain anonymous. TiKO demands that HSA hold a very public open house, so that the sponsors can assess the school's work. Some paperwork in Ms. Kelly’s office alluded to a conflict between TiKO’s intentions and Ms. Kelly’s curriculum. Professor Boone secretly worked for TiKO, as discovered by emails in his classroom. Ms. Kelly explained to students that she was concerned about continued funding for her non-profit school.

As graduation neared, Ms. Kelly solicited some of her friends to contribute their words of wisdom for the graduation video. Contributing friends included ApotheosisAZ, Simian Liberation Front, Nikki Bower, Dr. Immant, Jonas, TWJaniak, Sister and Daniel's friend Paul. Students' final projects were displayed on the HSA website.

Term 1 2007: The Philosophy of Good and Evil

Students completed a variety of exercises and receive help with class notebook passwords from Professor Boone. However, they began to notice Ms. Kelly’s sporadic attendance and lack of responses to their class work. Professor Boone shared some information with students in the form of a notice. A video credited to The Executive Director of the TiKO Foundation explained some concern over Ms. Kelly's last few video lessons, which appeared to be targeting Bree and her situation. The video did not give specific information, other than to say that Ms. Kelly needed to learn how to better serve her students. Along with the text, the video also showed firefighters battling a blazing building and an unknown man engaged in actions that appeared to be suspicious.

Professor Boone, left to run the school in Ms. Kelly’s absence, discussed his concerns with the students. Suspicious of the sponsors, TiKO's public relations video, and Rose's plight in the hands of these individuals, he left copies of sensitive material that he had delivered at his time as a go-between for TiKO and the sponsors, and posted a lesson involving pieces of art that alluded to sinister behavior on the part of those holding Ms. Kelly. Surprisingly, a new video was released, again credited to both HSA and TiKO. It included a calm voice-mail message from Ms. Kelly, who stated that the seminar had "opened [her] eyes." Professor Boone and the class were left to wonder if Ms. Kelly willfully joined forces with her captors or if she was influenced through more sinister means.

After Daniel appeared on camera under the influence of his captors, convincing Bree to do the ceremony, Ms. Kelly offered a new lesson, suggesting that the Order could provide a helpful career boost for Bree and her friends. Back at the school, with the term ending, a number of the students asked for extensions to complete missing work in time to receive certificates of completion. However, with her sudden time away, Ms. Kelly was unable to provide the necessary assistance to help these students complete their academic tasks. At the end of the term, only four students managed to complete the requirements to receive their certificates.

Winter Course 2007: Examining Ms. Kelly

As the first term of 2007 ended with neither fanfare nor a special graduation ceremony, Ms. Kelly seemed too preoccupied by her recent experiences to focus on lessons. Ms. Kelly's weekly visit to her therapist was presented as a voice-over, unlike her previous text-based videos. The continuation of this visit shed no real light on the dreams that seemed to plague her. It is still unknown whether or not Ms. Kelly accepted the seemingly sinister intentions of the TiKO Foundation. Ms. Kelly stepped away from her self-reflection to share a lesson called Perception vs. Reality that alluded to the family issues afflicting Daniel. With another voice-over and the continued water motif, Ms. Kelly shared her suggestions for ways to approach the future.

External Links