Penn Manor Class of 2013 Lights up the Night at prom

May 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment

By Danielle Johnson and Michelle Zercher

The Penn Manor Class of 2013 celebrated the ending of their high school years on Friday, May 10 at the Eden Resort from 5-10 p.m.

The theme of this years prom was “Light Up The Night.” The theme allowed decorations of hanging lanterns and candles on the tables. Even the monogrammed gel candles for the students to take home tied in with the theme.

The Prom Committee worked hard to prepare a night of relaxation and celebration for the senior class.

Senior Jillian Heckman said, “The goal of this year’s prom committee was simple. We wanted to give seniors one last chance to celebrate all the remarkable accomplishments we have achieved over the past four years and to recognize they are a part of an amazing class of individuals.”

A total of 400 students and guests gathered in the courtyard of the Eden to eat and dance the night away.

Of the 400 attendees, 227 people ordered the stuffed chicken breast, 109 ordered the sliced beef and 50 ordered the manicotti. There was one gluten-free meal served and five vegan meals.

The following are pictures of students who attended prom and some of their favorite parts.

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Filed Under: Featured

Agriculture classes are more than just farming

May 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Students in the floriculture class

Students in the floriculture class teach the Life Skills students how to make flower arrangements and terrariums. (Photo provided by Mrs. Fay)

By Michelle Zercher

When most people think about an agriculture class they think, “oh, all they do is learn about farming.” Well, that is not true. Agriculture classes are incredibly beneficial classes for any student to take while they are in high school. They teach students skills that will be helpful for them as they continue their lives as adults.

Honestly it all depends on the classes you take. For example if you are interested in engines, you can take engines one and two, and if you are interested in flowers or plants you can take horticulture and floriculture. You can also take the agriculture science classes that are offered. You will learn a variety of things like how to write checks, keep a budget, get a loan, balance a checkbook and many other things that will help you later in life. Agribusiness is another class that the ag department offers. You will learn about different types of businesses, create your own business plan and help run the fruit sale.

Agriculture classes are not ones that you can screw off in and expect to get a good grade. I’m not saying that you will need to study like you do in an AP or honors class, but you will need to actually pay attention in the classes to do well. There is time for talking and independent work almost everyday, because the teachers give you an assignment and you are responsible for finishing it.

One skill that is stressed in ag classes is public speaking. Katrina Reiff, a senior at Penn Manor High School, said that the most important things she learned in ag were, “how to present myself in interviews and prepare for my future.”

The agriculture teachers want you to enjoy the class, but they also want you to be able to buckle down and learn what they are trying to teach you. I think it is easier to learn things in a more relaxed classroom atmosphere. The ag teachers do a very good job at making the classroom relaxed and easy to learn in.

Agriculture classes are taught in a way that teaches you the concepts and how to apply them to real life. They also teach you things that you could need in other classes. For example you learn about Punnett squares in ag science 4, and you also learn about them in biology and biology 2.

When you are in an agriculture class you have the option to join the FFA. According to the National FFA’s website, “through agricultural education, students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success. Agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components one is classroom/laboratory instruction (contextual learning), second is supervised agricultural experience programs (work-based learning) and third is student leadership organizations (National FFA Organization).”

FFA is a fun way to learn things and it gives you many more opportunities to get involved in your ag classes. You can show animals at the fair through the FFA, you can go to leadership conferences, you can compete on career development event team, and you can participate in the activities that the FFA organizes.

The agriculture classes are incredibly helpful and students should carefully consider taking at least one during the high school career. They won’t regret it.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Opinion

Spring cleaning at Long’s Park

May 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

By Mrs. Taylor’s and Mrs. McMichael’s Life Skills and School to Work classeslongs park 2

On Friday April 26 the Serteen Club, Autistic Support Class, Life Skills and School to Work classes joined together for a day of spring cleaning at Lancaster’s Long’s Park. The Serteen Club organizes a park clean up every year to beautify the park in preparation for the Sertoma Chicken BBQ on May 18.

The Serteen Club advisor, Mrs. Rathbone-Frank explained, “Most of the students really just want to help other people.”

Serteen is a teenage branch of the Sertoma Club.  The Serteens do service projects that they plan and help other organizations such as the Millersville Parade Committee.

The Autistic Support, Life Skills and School to Work classes help at Long’s Park side by side with the Serteen students weeding, planting, mulching, and picking up trash.  It’s a day of hard dirty work, but the chance to socialize and make new friends is priceless.

The day is a very productive one with old beds being cleaned out, new annuals planted in the various beds throughout the park, and finally fresh mulch being spread on the flower beds and the playgrounds to keep the little ones safe. The Long’s Park staff supplies everything needed in the way of gloves, garden tools, digging shovels, and wheelbarrows, just to name a few.

longs park 1This year was especially nice because the weather cooperated and no one had to deal with the cold, rain or mud. At lunch the students break for a pizza party, and appetites are satisfied with the pizza, snacks and drinks that are supplied by the Serteen Club and Life Skills class. During the day while the students are working hard, fresh drinks are delivered periodically to those who needed them.

“It was fun, and I would definitely come back next year,” Destiny Osborne, a first year student.

“I find the day interesting, and I learn something new each time I go,” said Cristian Phibbs.

Filed Under: Featured, School Happenings

Students love their old cars

May 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

By Grant Houck

Senior Mike Eshleman is very attached to his car. (Photo by Grant Houck)

Senior Mike Eshleman is very attached to his 1999 Saturn SL2. (Photo by Grant Houck)

The paint is chipped and faded. The interior upholstery is stained and discolored. The engine groans to life when the car is started and whines loudly every time the driver nudges the accelerator.

“But that’s why I love it,” explains Mike Eshleman, senior at Penn Manor who holds a special place in his heart for his car, a 1999 Saturn SL2.

Eshleman’s fondness for his car is not uncommon among students at Penn Manor High School. Just ask around; you might be surprised to find that the majority of young drivers are sentimental about their vehicles.

Some students have even nicknamed their cars.

“I named my car the “Silver Bullet” because of its silver exterior and sleek design,” said Matt Gue, senior driver and owner of a 2004 Ford Focus, ”I think it gives my car a little more personality.”

Other drivers appreciate their vehicles for what they offer under the hood. Senior Bobby Goss owns a 2008 Ford Mustang, a popular muscle car and longtime icon for the american auto industry. Mustangs are known for their speed and style and boast impressive mechanical design, albeit with a hefty price tag.

“I consider myself a car enthusiast. I couldn’t call myself that if I didn’t at least own nice car,” says Goss, “Over the years I have grown attached to my car and I kind of consider it a part of me.”

Filed Under: Featured

Senioritis strikes again

May 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Perhaps these sleeping students are also suffering from senioritis. photo credit: Jens-Olaf via photopin cc

Perhaps these sleeping students are also suffering from senioritis. photo credit: Jens-Olaf via photopin cc

By Josh Lefever

Every year new students graduate from high school. Every year students begin to slack and some of their work starts to slip. Many colleges each year take back their acceptance to students for low academic performance in their senior year.

When many students were asked if they thought that they did procrastinate more in their senior year some had very different answers.

Richard Schulz is a prime example of a “procrastinator.“

“Yes, I have waited way too long to do papers and homework assignments, said Schulz. “I’ve found myself up late many nights trying to get a paper done for the next day.”

Harrison Schettler also agreed that he has slacked much more his senior year.

Some students allow senioritis to carry over from their senior year to their freshman year of college. They slack and some even get kicked out of college.

Many students at Penn Manor do not think the overall slack of their senior year will transfer into college.

“I am going to make sure I actually get my work done in advance, and study for all my tests,’” said Schulz.

Shettler actually has some motivation to keep his grades up here and in college.

“Next year I’ll be running track so I think that will help me keep my grades up.”

Some of you may be wondering if these students planned for an easy senior year.

“I did not purposely make me schedule easier, but I would say that i’ve had much more fun this year in many of my classes,” said Schulz.

Danielle Landis and Shettler both agreed they also did not plan to have an easy senior year.

As the year is dwindling down now students can see how their effort decreased across time.

“Yes I would say my work ethic at the beginning was much higher than now,” said Schulz. “Just all the things that i’ve done this year has shown me I am almost done with this part of my life.”

Filed Under: Featured, School Happenings

A new kind of energy

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

verveBy Coral Consylman

We have all heard of energy drinks and possibly have tried them. Popular energy drinks are Red Bull, Full Throttle and Monster. But this year a new energy drink has been sweeping colleges and high schools.

It’s called Verve, and according to its makers, it is a healthy alternative energy drink that is nutritious. Verve was created by Vemma Company that has brand partners buy a monthly supply of Verve and get paid to spread the word to friends so the business becomes successful.

Brand partners earn points when people in their network sign-up to get more products which then turn into paychecks. Shipments are not cheap, because two cases of Verve cost $150. Most partners sign through builder packs with more product and marketing supplies that can cost $500 and even $1,000 a month.

If partners stack up enough points and keep up with shipments, they can move up company ranks.

Eric Shetrompf is a brand partner for Verve and a junior at Penn Manor.

“I love the product and how healthy it is and the brand partner aspect of everything is a lot of work but totally worth it,” said Shetrompf.

Daily meetings are held for brand partners. Each meeting consists of 10 to 60 people, and there are always new people showing up.

“The usual meeting consists of brand partners listening to up lines from higher brand partners, trying product and looking at new cars that brand partners can earn,” said Shetrompf.

Brand partners who purchase and sell enough product earn Platinum Status with Verve and have the option to purchase a car.

Penn Manor’s Mrs.Christa Craig, who teaches entrepreneurship, is not convinced by Verve.

“I haven’t heard of Verve, and I would be extremely skeptical of this. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” said Craig. “This seems like a marketing ploy to me- they are trying to get their name out to as many outlets as possible. Reaching “diamond” level is probably difficult, so few do.”

Filed Under: Featured, News

Marching band plans new show

May 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

By Emily Thyrum

The marching band is planning a show called "Water" for the 2013-2014 school year. The show is based on the movement of water.

The marching band is planning a show called “Water” for the 2013-2014 school year. The show is based on the movement of water.

Normally, band camp consists of long and difficult work, but this year, The Penn Manor Marching Unit will flow right through it.

According to Mr. Tom Mumma, the band director, the marching band show of the 2013-2014 school year was originally going to be called “H20,” but now the name is “Water.” The music is called New Beginnings.

The show will have many different shades of blue out on the field with the backdrops scattered around the field. These backdrops will be the same as the last year, which will be turned horizontally to create a swirly blue background.

At the end of the band season of the 2012-2013 school year, the band staff met to pick the next year’s show. Everyone in the staff brought different possible shows to the meeting, and the list was then narrowed down. The show was decided on about a month later. Details are worked out a few weeks after that.

“[I am most looking forward to] arranging the music. I really like the music this year,” said Mumma. He is also looking forward to working with the students and performing the music, which he finds fun this year.

According to Mumma, the band will probably be five to 10 students larger than it was in 2012-2013. Some of the smaller sections from the 2012-2013 school year will now have more members, so Mumma expects that the band will move back up to the American division of the Cavalcade of Bands. This division consists of bands of a small-medium size.

“I like the drive and the impact of the music,” Mumma said. He also likes how the music flows, and he thinks the lyrical sections will be effective on the field.

Mumma plans to hand out the music on May 29. The band will try to put the general idea of the show out on the field for the first competition in September.

The music is rather challenging, and there are no pauses in the music, to emphasize the topic of water as the show. These aspects will be a challenge for the band for the upcoming school year.

Another challenge for the staff will be writing the show so some people will go out of view for some moments since there will be no pauses.

Band members are looking forward to next year’s show.

“[I’m excited for] being a positive role model for the younger students and the possibility to lead my section,” said Julia Yoder, a sophomore and flutist.

“I’m looking forward to seeing band members I can’t see anywhere else,” said Ashley Pfister, a freshman who plays the clarinet.

Filed Under: Arts and Entertainment, Featured, School Happenings

The forthcoming of Gatsby

May 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

By Abbey Bailey

The much-anticipated Great Gatsby movie opens on May 10.

The much-anticipated Great Gatsby movie opens on May 10.

From the mind and hands of renowned director Baz Luhrmann, known for Moulin Rouge, Australia and Romeo + Juliet, comes the retelling of the iconic story “The Great Gatsby.” The release date of the film is May 10.

Originally written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, “The Great Gatsby” is a book that many high school students are familiar with. Fitzgerald tells the story of Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate and WWI veteran who gets a job in New York and moves to Long Island. He is immediately attracted to the lifestyle of his flamboyant neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Carraway meets and bonds with many people whose lives connect with his and Gatsby’s in different ways he can only dream of. The island holds many secrets.

There are many renowned stars in this film, such as Tobey Macguire and Carey Mulligan. Macguire is known for his role as Peter Parker in “Spider-Man” (2002-2007), and Mulligan for her debut portrayal as Kitty Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice.” Mulligan has also starred in many British television hits, like Doctor Who and Northanger Abbey. Macguire will play Caraway in the film depiction of Fitzgerald’s classic novel. Mulligans is to play Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby’s one love. But the biggest star of them all is Leonardo DiCaprio who will portray the eccentric Jay Gatsby. DiCaprio starred as Romeo Capulet in Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” (1996), so the two men have worked together before.

The anticipation for the movie grew when Warner Bros. made the decision to postpone the release of the movie due to the original date in December being close to many other hits, such as “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Les Misérables” and “Django Unchained.” Dicaprio also played Calvin Candie in “Django,” which also interfered with the making of “Gatsby.”

Penn Manor English teacher Tim Joyce , who teaches “The Great Gatbsy” in his 10th-grade American literature course, expressed his anticipation for the movie. Mr. Joyce enjoys the directing styles of Luhrmann, along with the soundtracks chosen to go along with his movies.

“I like the way he [Luhrmann] puts a modern spin on classic literature,” says Joyce. Luhrmann did this in the 1996 film version of “Romeo + Juliet.”

The film trailer was released in mid-March and caused a frenzy of excitement in movie goers and fans of the book alike. There will be a midnight premiere of the film at Regal Cinemas in Lancaster on May 9 starting at 10 p.m. for 3D and 10:30 p.m. for 2D.

Filed Under: Arts and Entertainment, Featured, Uncategorized

Some sports begin at Spooky Nook

May 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The new Spooky Nook sports complex contains courts for a number of sports and hosts many sports teams.

The new Spooky Nook sports complex contains courts for a number of sports and hosts many sports teams. (Photo from spookynooksports.com)

By Addie Porter

Lancaster County is now home to one of the largest sports complexes in North America, and the home training facility for USA Field Hockey team, Spooky Nook Sports Complex in East Hempfield Township.

The privately-funded, multi-million dollar project, which began in 2011, has officially put Lancaster on the map for something other than rolling cornfields and horse-and-buggies.

Chosen after a long search for the perfect location, the original building used to be used as an Armstrong World Industries distribution center. The current facility will include over 800,000 indoor square feet and sits on 65 acres of land, and the accommodations include fitness centers, brand new fields and courts for team sports such as volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, field hockey, basketball, tennis and lacrosse, locker and team facilities, summer camps, party rooms, a food court and smoothie bar, and much more.

Though the complex is not entirely finished just yet, several sports teams have been made available to local athletes to participate in for the 2013 season, such as basketball, field hockey and volleyball.

“I’m excited to see where the season takes us,” said freshman Ellie Barley, a member of the ninth-grade Elite basketball team. “We’re a new team, and I think we have a lot of potential.”  Barley also mentioned how nice the brand new courts are.

Filed Under: Featured, News

Drivers often take advantage of warm weather

May 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
photo credit: Michi1308 via photopin cc

photo credit: Michi1308 via photopin cc

By Jordan Machado

Drivers from the ages of 18-24 love when warm and nice weather comes around. They are able to have some fun while driving a car, which always isn’t the best. Driving faster than speed limit might have consequences: you could be pulled over, ticketed or, worst, you could be in a car accident.

Millersville Borough  and Penn Manor high school both have a very important person on their team and that is Officer Jason Hottenstein. He has been a police officer for 17 years total and 12 of those, the school resource officer.

Officer Hottenstein explained that drivers seem to get pedal happy and want to see what their car is able to do. Police officers aren’t on the lookout for speeding in spring more than they are all year due to not having any major highways or roads in this area.

One out of five drivers has excuses as to why they speed according to National Highway Traffic Safety Association:

  1. They’re in a hurry.
  2. They’re inattentive to their driving.
  3. They don’t take traffic laws seriously; rules don’t apply to them.
  4. They don’t view their driving behaviors as dangerous.
  5. They don’t expect to get caught.

“Everyone likes to play their music, let their hair flow in the wind, talk on the phone and have friends in the car and seem to forget how fast they may be going which leads to accidents,” said Officer Hottenstein.

According to an organization called Outreach to Save Lives, an average of 36 percent of speeders are teens/young adults ages 16-25, 23 percent are adults from 26-45, 12 percent are adults ages 46-63, which leaves 29 percent to emergency vehicles responding to an emergency.

Junior Donald McMillan admits to speeding.

“Teens are very easily distracted and does lead us forgetting how fast we are pressing the gas pedal. To be honest, I know I’ve done it before,” said junior McMillan.

Senior Hannah Henegar said that she knows speeding can be an issue.

“I do speed when I’ve had a long day at practice from softball or a game. I get tired and want to be able to relax,” said Henegar. “I haven’t been stopped yet and hope I never will. As I myself feel that I am a good driver, I understand anything at anytime can go wrong.”

Filed Under: Featured
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