Winner announced: Mazaloom Achievement Award Year 234

(Year 234, Winter) It was the 4th time that Crown Princess Emireza handed out the annual Mazaloom Achievement Award. This is a way to honor citizens who maxed a 10 level skill, and because it covers all social groups, it has grown rather popular with both the press and people in general. There are no strict rules, but the Crown Princess has previously stated that there is no cance the same skill or same region will be awarded twice - at least not for the first ten rounds.

This year the committee searched high and low anywhere but in Newcest (region Gloom, but region Mazaloom when awarded), Henford (region Rossie) or Brindleton Bay (region Gloom), and found the worthy winner in Oasis Spring (region Advorton): Sissela Morck (83).

Sissela maxed the Fishing skill quite some time ago.

- We live a simple life here at Nookstone, and back when we settled we harvested what we could fom nature to make ends meet. I often walked down to the Nook River, and over the years I maxed my skill.

Many will recognize her for other efforts than fishing, though.

Getaways

(Year 234, Summer) This Spring, our Ministery of Science & Education has debated how to implement getaways with the national educational program. But that is not all, our politicians also suggests ways to better encourage the establishing of local custom venues all over Mazaloom. Below there is a list of the 8 unique getaways that will now get stately support.

Today the best known getaways are located in the south. Gibbi Point is well known for their venues.  With the new political initiative, this will now change. Minister of Science & Education, Emma R. Golden (64, RIGHT party), explains why and how this is done.

Winner announced: Mazaloom Achievement Award Year 233

(Year 233, Winter) They say that it takes three times to make a new tradition, and this week a tradition was sealed! The annual Mazaloom Achievement Reward for maxing a skill was handed out for the third time. The committee, lead by HRH Crown Princess Emireza, searched high and low for this year's awarded resident. She was found in Brindleton Bay and her great achievement is maxing the Cooking skill.

HRH Crown Princess Emireza (22) and Emma Sherwood (87).

Emma Sherwood (87) served House de Cavalier for decades, cooking their daily meals. But she also prepared food for large parties, and she was a trusted support for the duke's three children - today all grown up. When Emma retired, she was offered to move in at Hindquarter Manor, an estate owneed privately by the duke. She would stay there for as long as she wanted, and without serving the household - unless she felt like occasionally giving a hand.

Skill Lectures and National Mentors

(Year 234, Spring) Ministry of Science & Education is currently debating a better national routine for education aimed towards young adults and older. Both elementary and secondary students already have options including privat schools - including boarding schools, in addition to the free national school system. We also have university and institutes which are popular for career specializing, but normally takes 4 years to complete. Now the time has come for grown-ups who want building a single skill in a less formal setting. Ministry of Science & Education will focus on venues for learning specific skills, covering personal interests and beyond.

While the target group will be grown-ups, many teenagers will also find this interesting, especially those in need of building certain skills to be accepted for a chosen private high school. Many teenagers have hobbies, too.

Winner announced: Mazaloom Achievement Award Year 232

(Year 232, Winter) For the second time the Mazaloom Achievement Award was given to a resident who reached the top level of a skill. Last year jazz singer Olivia Clump was the very first to be honored. Speculations have been flying all over this year, because there are so many candidates. Media has been assuming that certain criteria would not repeat two following years, especially not this early in the routine. So, it was expected that this year's honoree would not be female, not from Newcrest, and not being awarded for Cooking, Painting or Singing skills.

Crown Princess Emireza and Count Vladislaus IV Straud met at the graveyard.

Yesterday, in the very early morning hour, HRH Crown Princess Emireza met up at the Henford-on-Bagley graveyard - location and hour picked by the winner, to hand out this year's award. And, the press was there, too!

A pledge from the Butler Academy

(Year 232, Winter) The Butler Academy, located at Mirage Park in Del Sol Valley, is the most successful of our many private high schools. Founded in Year 136 this boarding school is clearly the oldest, but it is also winning both ranks: Most A graduatees and Most popular. The school still offers classes that were requested by Aristocracy generations ago, but with a few extras. Students no longer become butlers, cooks, maids and governesses, alone. Bartenders and Nectar makers might study here as well. Culinary chefs aiming for restaurants are welcomed, too.

Principal Abraham Golden in his office at the Butler Academy.

Not every student aims to serve a higher ranked House. No, these days even some studies there to prepare themselves for administrating the House they some day will be the Head of. However, times are changing, and the school's Principal Mr. Abraham Golden can tell us more.

Old Penelope Military School

(Year 232, Winter) Couple years ago, Year 230, a new private high school opened at StrangerVille Plaza, Old Penelope Military School. The lot is owned by Mazaloom Military Forces and serves as Operational Quarter including the office of Grand Marshal and more. The boarding school offer is in addition to other daily matters, and only a limited number of students are permitted.

On a rainy day of Fall a new term started, and a new student showed up: Bincky Tocker (18) from Chestnut Ridge. He did not need to travel far, but brought some belongings as this will be his new home for the coming 6 years.

At first, you might think of a Military School as a place where rather few chose to spend years of their lives. In the past, we recall students doing very poorly at school was sent off to military school. But, Old Penelope is different. This is a popular offer among teenagers who like to focus more on sports and work out than academic books. The disciplinary aspects of such a school will be a reasonable cost to most.

New University Term at Mossy Lane

(Year 232, Fall) Fall means the start of another term for university students, and in Britechester, both dorms and public spaces become busy these days! At the private dorm, Mossy Lane Dorm, a group of 5 young adults prepares for the new term. The current group includes a Baron and a Lady, but all 5 are actually children of Aristocracy.

From left: Mr Zaviar Jupiter (Physics), Dr. Valeria Phlum (Biology), Lady Corva Saxor (Biology),
Baron Rainert of Myshuno (History), and Mr John Phlum (Drama). 

Located at Gibbs Hill (Region 2 Rossie), the dorm serves both Britechester University (U-Brite) and Foxbury Institute (Fox). There are two nicer suits intended for students from top of society, meaning children of the 5 dukedoms, or even of the counties and baronies if vacant. Those suites are rented for the double cost, which will normally sum up to §8,000 for all 4 terms - and that is not including school fees!

 

Crazy Man being thrown out

(Year 231, Winter) In StrangerVille a man named George Cahill has occupied some land for a couple decades. He used to be a Pilot, and he crash landed his airplane «Old Penelope» in the Villian desert, just outside the Plaza area. Under the destroyed plane, he built his little underground cave, where he since then has been living - illegally.

Last week a small group of Military officers assisted by security staff forced themselves into the cave to arrest the man.

Lady Corva Saxor graduated

(Year 231, Fall) This Summer Lady Corva Saxor (25) graduated from the Butler Academy, and with top grades she secured herself a spot on the high school's new wall of fame!

You might wonder how a daughter of the Duke of Meadows could end up at a school like the Butler Academy? Well, it is not as weird as it sounds. Many children from the top aristocracy do actually study here. It may not be their top ambition in life to become a Butler or other Servant, although that would secure them a position in a better residence, but these finer families are actually expected to serve aristocracy. If you are not the main heir of your House, well - then you were raised to accept being the child that will be married off to another House, serving Military or joining a Monastery. Or - serving a higher ranked House than the one that raised you. This is why most families of aristocracy are expected to provide minimum 3 kids. So, just where does Lady Corva fit the bill?

Educational Format Adjusted

(Year 230, Spring) The new Science & Education department has already proposed their first big case to The People Chamber, and today it was clear that all three chambers did approve on the Education Act.

The adjustments are minor, but will make it easier for everyone to navigate not only between possible school offers, but also through their own study.

The new Science & Education department visits The Showbiz Academy in Del Sol Valley. Left to right: Knox Greenburg, Evergreen Harbor (MIDDLE), Leader Emma Ratchild, Tartosa (RIGHT), Jurton Summerton, Britechester (LEFT) and Bianca Sterner, Crafthole (LEFT).

Last week the Science & Education dept. traveled to meet all Principals to discuss the new format with them, and also to see the many educational institutions.

100 Years: The Butler Academy

(Year 229) In Year 129 The Butler Academy was founded by Mr. Hector Golden. This weekend there was a grand celebration including a formal dinner arranged by former and current students, and yesterday Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie guested this fine institution.

The Butler Academy was located at Arts Quarter in San Myshuno for more than 80 years. Then it took over some old property in Del Sol Valley (which actually is closer to San Myshuno than you might think), and shortly the old factory was renovated to meet the school's needs. Being next door to the Showbiz Academy (orange build) might seem like two rivals lining up shoulder by shoulder, but they definitely aim for different students. The Butler Academy's mission is of course to provide servants for the aristocracy, but this is also a popular boarding high school attracting children of fine, noble Houses, preparing them for a future as a servant or even as the head of a finer estate. Many a finer Missus studied here, then served for a few years as Governess or Cook, before marrying into a good House bringing her good earned skills and character values. Students learn subjects like Gourmet cooking, Parenting and Handiness, but they also get acquainted to history and rules of the aristocracy.

Sprucewood Prime - Young Students' Favorite

(Year 229) At the moment there are two private boarding schools, one for elementary students in Evergreen Harbor and another for high school students in Windenburg. They are both expensive (§1,000 per year, but with a discount if paying the total before 1st term), so they mainly reach out to high society. Previously I shared tidbits from the general system with uniforms etc, now it's time to stop by for a regular inspection, with info on the building and owners. And, we'll start with Sprucewood Prime!

It should not be necessary to suggest that Sproucewood Prime is extremely popular with the children. The colorful building works like a magnet, and I must admit it was quite fun mashing together crazy colors with no color scheme at all. 

This boarding school intends to be a playful stop in a sim's life, and this part is actually quite controversial, as most high society families are rather old fashioned clinging to the traditional values that brought them up where they are today. How can this school be so popular with the elite when it so obviously breaks with their aesthetics and traditions? Well, when their little Lord learns about Sprucewood Prime from other students, there is no escape. If the Monarch's children can study here, it's very hard for a Duke to explain to his child that this boarding school is no good.

Boarding Schools

(Year 229) My kingdom already has several private high schools where students can attend in order to focus on certain skills, without moving out. The Showbiz Academy is one, the traditional Butler Academy another. All those students technically just visit another lot occasionally to study harder.

Now I'm adding two real boarding schools where students will reside during the period that covers most of their life stage. One school is for children (primary) and the other for teenagers (high school), and because they are residential lots with minimum one Principal residing there, the number of students will be vey limited.

HRH Crown Princess Emireze (front left) studies at Summerfield High.

I'm not familiar with real life boarding schools (never was a big thing where I live), so my take on this might be a bit off the real stuff. Still, I'm very much looking forward to sending some kids there. When playing the royal family I quickly noticed that the house gets too full too quickly - there will hardly be room for more than one servant and definitely no pet dog. So what to do? Yup, send those Princes and Princesses away! Same goes for the families of Dukes and perhaps even Counts. They go by different rules, though: While a Monarch can send off all children (within boarding school capacity), the lower ranked peerages will only send their main heir. This way I think the household size limitation might feel less of a problem, and the boarding school capacity will normally be satisfying even if the number of students is very limited.