The Sandstone Intelligencer

The Sandstone Intelligencer is a bathroom-distributed, student-run, satirical newspaper at Potsdam Central High School. It was founded in 2008 by the brilliant Mr. Smart.

Initial Conception and Publication

Mr. Smart came up with the idea of the Intelligencer while he was on a college tour, and noticed a certain student publication that he found quite interesting. Upon his return to Potsdam, he decided to start his own little paper.

Smart decided that he should distribute his publication by posting it in bathrooms, placing them in the bathroom stalls and above urinals. This was done in a hope to produce a phenomenon of students leaving class just to read the papers. He took on two others as editors, Nimbus and RandomPencil.

The first issue was a two-pager featuring an editorial by Smart gratuitously lauding his own 'brilliance.' This was compounded by a snooty article by Nimbus about the name of the publication, a headline proclaiming that nobody would notice the paper, and a fictitious horoscope.

Content

To a certain extent, the staff of the paper was and is committed to being fairly content-free. They seek to parody goings-on at the school, but do their best to avoid giving too much actual news.

The first printings were usually littered with thinly veiled references to pop culture. This was especially apparent in Smart's constant quotations of rocker Billy Joel.

Reception

The paper was received mainly by the staff of the English department and more obscure parts of the student body, but was eventually accepted as another quirk of life.

The school administration at the time was only somewhat receptive to the idea, rejecting several articles, which showed up on their forum anyway, and infringing on other aspects of the publication's journalistic freedom. After a change in leadership at the school, the staff has reported that they are optimistic regarding the changes that they are observing.

After finding out that the publication was showing up each week, many rumors emerged as to who the editors were. However, to date, nobody has figured out who any of the editors actually are.

Secrecy

All of the Intelligencers editors write under pseudonyms. There has been no explanation as to why this is, but they remain stubbornly anonymous. There has been no indication as to whether or not the editors will ever reveal their identities. However, in the final issue of the 2007-2008 school year, editor Nimbus mentioned going "off to college." He has not revealed his identity, thus putting rumors of revelation at the end of the school year to death.

Return

Recent activity on the paper's forum indicates a planned return for this school year. It was made in a post by Nimbus, prompting further questions as to his age.

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