The temperature’s dropping: things to do indoors to keep active

By Aly Whiteman

As the temperature goes down, so does physical activity. It’s harder to stay active for long periods of time, and lots of us would rather binge watch a show with blankets and hot chocolate than go for a run or play basketball. Some people settle with the fact that there isn’t anything better to do. In reality, there are many things in Lancaster County to do when the weather gets colder.

For example, there’s the Escape Room in Lancaster City. If you’ve ever played one of the escape games online, you’ll enjoy this. There are three themed rooms — Escape from Hades, Medieval Castle and 1920s Train Station. You have one goal: follow the clues to find the key to get out in one hour. If you’d like to try to beat the clock, you’ll have to visit the website and book ahead of time. It costs $24 a person, unless you book a group, in which cast it costs $300 for 11-12 people. To purchase tickets, go to escaperoomlancaster.com

photo credit: clarkmaxwell foam pit. via photopin (license)
photo credit: clarkmaxwell foam pit. via photopin (license)

If puzzle solving isn’t your style, and you’d rather bounce around, SkyZone in Lancaster is something you might want to check out. For $12, you can bounce on the many trampolines they have, jump into a foam pool and play ultimate dodgeball for half an hour. If you want more time, you can add 30 additional minutes for $4. It’s strongly suggested to buy tickets ahead of time, so you are able to jump when you want. And if that doesn’t sell you, when you come to SkyZone, you’ll leave with a pair of neon orange socks that you can wear if you return.

Brandon Harris, a junior at Penn Manor High School, said, “The best time to go is on Friday nights, because there are a lot of people there, which makes it better.”

For hours and to pre-purchase tickets, go to www.skyzone.com/lancaster.

If you’re not into jumping and can’t really do cool flips and would rather shoot your friends with lasers, check out Laserdome in Manheim. For $15, you get 40 minutes in “The Dome,” where you run over ramps and under structures to try to shoot the opposing team’s base with lasers. But you have to watch out, though, since the opposing team will be aiming at you. Ten additional dollars will double your time. In the lobby, there’s a full arcade with games like “Call of Duty” and a roller coaster simulator, and a laser course that you can crawl through to try tp beat it. For group prices and hours, go to laserdome.com/.

If you’re a bad shot and better on wheels, The Castle Roller Rink in Lancaster might be for you. Each night is a different theme, and the prices range from $5-$7. If you’re a beginner, there’s an area in the middle of the skating rink for you to practice. If you’re more advanced, the outside ring is where you can go as fast as you want and do tricks. Quad skates are $3 to rent, while inlines are $5. There’s an arcade and a food court for when you get tired. There’s music playing the entire time, and there are request nights for when you want to hear a certain song. Mixed in with the free skates are games like the limbo, the chicken dance and backwards skates. Justin Arment, a homeschooled sophomore, said that his favorite game he’s played there is the backwards skate. For themes and specific prices, go to castlerollerskating.com/.

Bowling is fun to do on a cold day with a group of friends. photo credit: aguscr descansan las bolas via photopin (license)
Bowling is fun to do on a cold day with a group of friends.
photo credit: aguscr descansan las bolas via photopin (license)

And if none of that interests you, you might like Leisure Lanes Bowling and Golf Center. It’s on Columbia Ave and is a frequent spot for high school students to bowl. For bowling, it’s $4 per game, per person and $2.50 for shoe rental. Glow bowling starts at 11 p.m., and in between games, you can play pool, get some food and win stuffed animals in the arcade. Bowling is open 24/7, so you can go wherever you want to. James Mintzer, a senior, said that his favorite memories there are during cast parties for the musicals he’s been involved in. For party prices and to pre-reserve lanes, go to www.leisurelanespa.com/.

As you can see, there’s a lot of different things to do as the temperature drops. The question is, which one are you going to do first?

FFA students show animals at local fair

By Lily Gibson

Rebecca High and her two pigs, Phoenix (left) and Jett (right).
Rebecca High and her two pigs, Phoenix (left) and Jett (right).

Penn Manor FFA students showed their cattle, pigs and goats  at the West Lampeter Fair from Sept. 28-30.

Rebecca High, sophomore, showed her two pigs, Phoenix and Jett, on Wednesday, Sept. 28. The two pigs were in the Heavyweight division and both received a ribbon, one for second premium and one for third. High also received a ribbon herself for showmanship. This was her third year showing pigs and she intends to show again next season.

Sophomore Tabitha Swope showed her dairy beef cattle on Thursday, Sept. 29. This was her fifth year showing dairy beef; however, she plans for this to be her last season so she can focus more on academics.

Experiences can differ from year to year.

Swope said that the first time she received a blue ribbon, her cattle ate it, but she does always hope to receive another blue ribbon.

Even though High hasn’t showed for as long, she still has some advice to give.

“You definitely have to work with your pigs” she said, to make sure they show well.

When showing an animal, students start fresh each year by raising the animal from a calf or a piglet. The students care for the animals for several months until fair season, when they show and sell the animals.

High said that she received her pigs a few weeks early this year, and that had a fairly large effect on the results. She said that the pigs gained weight too fast, and that she had to adjust their diet in order to keep the pigs in their weight division.

The idea behind having students entered in the farm fairs is “to gain experience in agriculture,” as agriculture teacher Mr. Neil Fellenbaum said. However, not all students who show do so just for agricultural experiences. High stated that she started showing animals because she was asked by her brother her first year, but enjoyed it so much that she has continued.

FFA students who enter projects in farm fairs do it of their own decision and not as a part of class. Mr. Fellenbaum said that these are called Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, and the student choose based on their own interests. These projects are mostly completed outside of class, but there is limited class time set aside to plan and update the projects.

There are also certain limitations on where a student can show and who can enter. Mr. Fellenbaum stated that a student must be a member of FFA in order to show animals, and according to Swope, students can only show certain animals at certain fairs.

Pros and cons of being a little brother

tulli brothers
My mom, Nick (front), and I in Pittsburgh in the summer of 2005. Photo provided

By Matt Tulli

You may have read the title of this article and assumed that there are far more positives than negatives in being the little brother. If not, you’re probably the younger sibling. Well, for the older siblings or people who thought that way, I’m here to shoot that assumption down.

Being a younger brother does have tons of positives. First, you’re the second one to experience school, so you pretty much know what to expect. For me, my brother Nick did an awesome job of filling me in on mostly everything I needed to know about high school. Nick took me through the high school towards the end of summer so I wouldn’t end up running into people trying to figure out this dang map they gave us at orientation.

I luckily had three of his former teachers in the first semester: Mr. Bender, Ms. Dowd and Mrs. Mintzer. He filled me in on the ins-and-outs of every teacher’s class and how to succeed in them. He set an awesome reputation for me; one that really helped me through the all-important first semester. If I had a question about something in high school, he was always there to answer it.

What he unfortunately didn’t fill me in on was lunch on the first day. I had no idea how to navigate through the kitchen, and I wound up being one of the last people to leave it. Then, I wound up sitting with some kids who the only contact I ever had with them was liking their statuses on Facebook in seventh grade. Two of them didn’t even have Facebook accounts, so I ate my chicken wings awkwardly listening to their conversation while staring at my food.

Away from school, Nick was the one to teach me the ever-important feat in your childhood: how to ride a bike. This process took over three days, with him just giving up and pushing me on my face at least twice. Without him, I probably would have been scared to try and never cared to learn.

Also, he was the measuring stick for my height. Whenever he comes home from State College, where he is a freshman at Penn State University, there is at least one point throughout the break when we would look each other in the eyes, look down at our feet, and look back up to the tops of our heads. Nici will usually say, “Jeez you’re getting tall,” or “You’re gonna be towering over me soon.” Laugh all you want: I take pride in the fact that I’m almost as big as my 18-year old brother

But let’s look at it on the flip side.

Nick was the one who was basically inclined to lay a beating on me at appropriate times. Like when I turned off the XBox in the middle of a game, Nick gave me a good whooping. When I beat him in a game of basketball in the driveway, he is allowed to give me a punch in the arm; I’m used to it by now. It’s what he’s supposed to do, right? And I’m supposed to be the instigator. That’s how it’s always been, and that’s how it will always be.

He was the first one to experience things like driving, cell phones, church retreats and college. The first time that Nick legally sat behind that wheel (and proceeded to pound the brake so hard it practically broke my neck), I realized it would be exactly three years, seven months and four days until I would be in that position. Not exactly a short wait, if you ask me.

When he opened up that cell phone on Christmas day of his seventh grade year, I was immediately jealous. He had his whole group of friends at his fingertips, and what did I have? I had to wait. When I had to go up to the Poconos to drop Nick off for a week-long, no-parent church retreat, I just wanted to be his age. But unfortunately, he was going into eighth grade and I was going into fourth. So I had to keep waiting. And don’t even get me started on when we dropped him off at Penn State on that fateful August day. That may have been one of the worst days of my life.

But one of the most brutal things that Nick ever did to me was basically turn me into his own personal servant. The two of us would be upstairs in the TV room, Nick playing PlayStation, and me watching, like usual. At any point that he would be hungry or have needs that would have to be satisfied, he would just tell me to “bring us some snacks,” or “go get my iPod charger,” or something along those lines. In the rare event that I would refuse, Nick would always just say “I’ll time you,” really meaning that he won’t keep track of how fast I do the task; he would just make up a certain time when I arrived back. This continued until I was about 9, when my common sense finally raised to a level where I realized what he was doing.

In the end, I realize that Nick was always there to guide me or just give me advice. We’re brothers; we don’t have to love each other at first but soon we’ll look back and be thankful for all the good things that they did. I wouldn’t change anything about the relationship between Nick and me.

Addressing rumors about new driving rules

By Olivia Hertzler

The most exciting thing for many teenagers turning 16 soon is finally being able to start driving.  If you’re like many Penn Manor students, you might have heard that if your birthday is after December 31, 1997, then you have to have your learner’s permit for a year.

Fortunately for those about to turn 16, this rumor isn’t true.

“I’ve heard some students say that we need our permits for a year, but there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to find that.” said sophomore Emily Thryrum.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website ,“a six-month skill-building period to practice and gain experience is required before a young driver may take the road test for a junior license.”

Act 81 of 2011 increased the number of supervised hours teens are required to spend behind the wheel from 50 to 65.

After six months of driving with your permit you are eligible to take the test for your junior licence.  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website, a junior license will include some of the following restrictions:

  • Nighttime driving restriction beginning at 11 p.m.

  • A limit on the number of passengers in the car who aren’t immediate family members.

For more information about requirements for new drivers, see the Pennsylvania Young Driver Law fact sheet.

Creative writers make difference at Penn Manor

By Steven A. Monserrate

The Creative Writing Club is one of the main influences on the  creative writing community at Penn Manor, providing students with a space to share ideas and improve their writing. Here, students in the Creative Writing Club work on a new prompt during the meeting on November 26. (Photo by Steven A. Monserrate)
The Creative Writing Club is one of the main influences on the creative writing community at Penn Manor, providing students with a space to share ideas and improve their writing. Here, students in the Creative Writing Club work on a new prompt during the meeting on November 26. (Photo by Steven A. Monserrate)

Many Penn Manor students are involved in a growing community, which organizes the writers of the school together to improve their writing.

These students participate in the Creative Writing Club, take a class or write in their free time.

They are having an impact at Penn Manor by supporting freedom of expression and providing an open atmosphere so that the students can say and write what they want, without judgement.

Junior Harrison Wallace became interested in writing because of his friends.

“In seventh grade, myself and two other friends started to write a story, it inspired me to keep on writing.” he said.

Wallace wants to go to IUP or Millersville to study script writing or cast directing, because it will help him understand the story and the characters and how the entire story relates to the audience.

Wallace commented on the creative writing community.

“I feel like they just express themselves and therefore we’ve had people open up about a lot of stuff.”

Junior Eliezer Griffis is also a member of the Creative Writing Club.

“I write because it’s relaxing… there’s so much in my mind, I need to put it down somewhere,” said Griffis.

Griffis said that he wants to write a book about the Navy, which he feels is overlooked by many today.

“There aren’t many books about the Navy. I want to be able to write a story about what the regular Navy does,” said Griffis. “It’s all about the Navy Seals, the Marines or the Army. The Navy deserves some credit.”

Griffis commented on the Creative Writing Club.

“[It is an ] inviting atmosphere, fun, yet mysterious because you never know what you are going to do.”

Like many, Griffis joined the club and will take the class not only to have a good time with his friends, but to learn more from the authors who are already involved with the community and to teach and share ideas with others.

Mrs. Mayo, an English teacher at Penn Manor, is the advisor of the Creative Writing Club.

“It started when a former student came to me the last day of school and said that there needed to be a creative writing club and that I needed to do it. I said that I didn’t have time but he said that I needed to make some.”

The club started the following year, and about twenty or so people attended. As word spread however, the club grew.

“It is bigger than I ever planned or expected, but everybody works so well… When I saw the amount of people who joined the club, I honestly thought that I’d have to do something about it, but I decided not to and it’s worked out pretty well.”

The club has a goal of helping the students think outside the box. With the talent that has been demonstrated by the students, we’re getting more open with expression, according to Mrs. Mayo.

“It’s amazing because everything that we do in club because I can say, ‘Let’s do this!’ and there’s no grade, no judgement, no complaints. We come in with some crazy ideas and sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t,” said Mrs. Mayo.

She also mentioned that the club has, “an atmosphere of absolutely no judgment, everyone can feel comfortable being themselves.”

Some of the club members post their works on Penn Manor Expressions, a site that allows students to post their writing where others can see it.

English teacher Mr. Scott Hertzog will teach creative writing this spring. The class is a place where people can come to write and get feedback while also getting a new learning experience on different forms of writing, including different types of poems, short stories, novels and novellas.

“When people come to creative writing class, they look for a way to express themselves through their writing.” Mr. Hertzog said. “What is interesting for me is that in creative writing, there’s almost no topic that I can’t write about — there’s really no limit.”

The class has students write frequently. Some of the writing styles are not easy, so practice is always emphasized.

“Some do it for the grade, but others want the piece to be the best that it can be,” Mr. Hertzog said.

Mr. Hertzog mentioned that the club and class are pretty well mixed, saying that out of the 22 or so students who will attend the class, about half of them are already involved with the club.

“I hope that the passion that the club members have will join with that of the classes attitude as well,” he said.

Fifth Quarter provides safe, post-game gathering place

Many others agreed with Laura that the french fries, hotdogs, fried oreos and drinks are all the highlight of their night. But the students aren’t the only ones welcome; parents are encouraged to come and eat while waiting to pick up their kids. Many parents like that they know where teens are and that they’re safe. Another plus to parents is that the students are to leave by 10:45 p.m. in order for those with junior licenses to be home by the 11 p.m. curfew. The highlight of the night is always the deep fried oreos.Denis Mylin cuts and fries potatoes for Fifth Quarter. (Photo by Douaa Jellouf)
Denis Mylin cuts and fries potatoes for Fifth Quarter. (Photo by Douaa Jellouf)

By Sadie Penn and Douaa Jellouf

After the Penn Manor High School football game against Warwick on October 18, many teens made their way to Crossway Church on Barbara Street for a safe, post-football-game hangout.

“It is the place to hangout after the home football games,” said Denis Mylin, the founder of Fifth Quarter and the youth leader of Millersville Bible Church.

Friday’s event ended the the 13th year Fifth Quarter has been in existence. Three churches, Millersville Bible, Crossway and Grace United Methodist alternate between weeks of home games to provide free food and a safe environment for the teens of Penn Manor.

According to Mylin, approximately 500 teens from the junior and senior high age groups attended the event.

Other services are also provided such as security and parking attendants.

Fifth Quarter is not at all sponsored by Penn Manor School District.  The event founders choose to do this to “provide a service to the community and the students,” according to Mylin.

Outside donations have been accepted in the past from places like John Herr’s and Darrenkamps, but only the churches are allowed to volunteer due to the need for safety and trust.

A highlight of the night is always the deep fried Oreos. (Photo by Douaa Jellouf)
A highlight of the night is always the deep fried Oreos. (Photo by Douaa Jellouf)

A freshman at Penn Manor, Laura Buckwalter, said that she enjoyed Fifth Quarter because “We get free food, and we don’t have to buy the fries at the game.”

Many others agreed with Laura that the french fries, hotdogs, fried oreos and drinks are all the highlight of their night. But the students aren’t the only ones welcome; parents are encouraged to come and eat while waiting to pick up their kids. Many parents like that they know where teens are and that they’re safe. Another plus to parents is that the students are to leave by 10:45 p.m. in order for those with junior licenses to be home by the 11 p.m. curfew.

Proposed PA law would prevent minors from tanning

By Greta Lindsley

tanning
photo credit: Travel Salem via photopin cc

Prom is fast approaching, which means a lot of preparation for high school seniors and underclassmen asked to accompany a senior on this special night. For many teenage girls, there is a lot to do including buying the perfect dress, painting nails, and figuring out what to do with their hair.

Another important step in reaching the perfect “prom look” is tanning at a tanning salon.

When asked about why they like to tan at a salon, junior Eden White stated, “it’s way easier than sitting outside for hours when you barely get any color.”

Junior Tori Valentin stated, “I like being tan all year long and I find tanning really relaxing.”

Both girls attended prom in 2012 and loved the idea to tan to stand out in their dresses.

According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 13 percent of high-school students use tanning salons, 21 percent of high-school girls use tanning salons, and 32 percent of 12th-grade girls use tanning salons.

A lot of concern comes from State Representative RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) on this issue. A week after New Jersey passed a law prohibiting kids under 17 from using tanning beds, Swanger had launched an effort to pass a similar law in Pennsylvania.

“Tanning beds are essentially cigarettes for the skin,” said Swanger in a press release. “This exposure to ultraviolet radiation is known to be particularly dangerous for teenagers, who are at greater risk of developing skin cancer from indoor and outdoor tanning.”

The danger of the ultraviolet radiation is what is scaring the public, but for those tanning specifically for prom, it’s a risk they are willing to take.

White stated, “I would be kind of upset if tanning would be banned for people under 18. I think that parents should be allowed to sign for their kid if they personally think it’s okay.”

Valentin stated, “I would be upset because I enjoy tanning, but at the same time, I know it’s bad for me.”

Teens with Tattoos

tattoo1
Casey Hurlburt, a senior, has multiple tattoos on her body, including this one on her ribs.

By Alexis Cunningham

To older generations, tattoos might be considered rebellious and repulsive. Our parents and grandparents might not understand why teens mark their bodies up with ink, but there are a number of reasons. Teenagers use body art to give an everyday reminder to hard times, to honor loved ones and to express their identities. Tattoos are more accepted in modern times and many believe that ink is art.

The consequences that our guardians consider when we ask for parental consent can vary. One consequence is that a tattoo can be painful and irritate the skin on certain areas of the body, and if for some reason the tattoo needs to be removed, laser removal can be very painful. However, for most adults, their main concern is that some employers will not hire a person with visible tattoos. And what happens if the tattoo is later regretted?

According to Kidshealth.org, safety is the main concern on doctors’ minds when tattoos are mentioned. Kidshealth.org encourages teens to contact their doctors before they get tattoos. Educating oneself about the risks of tattooing is vital.

The most common health hazard faced when getting a tattoo is infection. Infections can include redness, tenderness, color change in skin and pus on or around the tattoo. Hepatitis is also a risk. To prevent diseases from being transferred by needles, be sure to get the hepatitis and tetanus shots prior to getting a tattoo.

Risks vary from person to person, but if there are other health or skin disorders be sure to ask a doctor first. Kidshealth.org also encourages teens to do their homework on the qualifications and cleanliness when it comes to a particular parlor. With more than 21,000 parlors in the United States alone, there are plenty to choose from.

Many people get their tattoos on places that can easily be covered, such as their backs, arms and feet. Being able to cover your tattoo is vital. This can determine whether or not you’ll get hired for a certain position. According to Barrie Gross of AllBusiness.com, most employers will hire someone with a tattoo as long as it is not visible in the workplace. This is to maintaining a professional environment for customers or clients. Only 11 percent of people with tattoos get their tattoo removed, so covering it up is less painful and less expensive.

tattoo2
SophomoreAshlee Oswald has her last name tattooed on her foot.

According to Statisticbrain.com, 14 percent of all Americans have at least one tattoo. This is equivalent to 45 million people. Only 17 percent of the 45 million with tattoos regret getting inked. This might be the the result of the 43 percent of people already tattooed who think that a tattoo must have a personal meaning.

A minor under the age of 18 can not get a tattoo without a guardian’s consent in the state of Pennsylvania.

Emily Adams, a senior, stated that her parents approved of her tattoos.

“The one tattoo (birds and a dandelion on her back) is art,” said Adams. “The other is more meaningful, which is why it’s in a noticeable place (on her wrist).”

Adams states that she will not regret her tattoos later on in life because she put them on places that she can cover up.

Ashlee Oswald, a sophomore, went to Tattooing By Mee to get hers done. Her tattoo is of her last name on her foot.

“My dad wasn’t very supportive of it, but said it was okay because it was my last name,” Oswald said. “My tattoo is meaningful because it is my last name and family is very important to me. I will not regret it later in life because my family will never change and when I get married I am not changing my last name.”

Deion Valentin, a senior, said that his mom approved of his tattoo and took him to a local tattoo shop where she had her own done.

“I’m a Christian so I decided to get something with religion,” said Valentin. He added that he does not believe he will regret his tattoo as he ages.

Casey Hurlburt, a senior, said, “I did go to a friend, now I go to the shop Tattooing By Mee, they are great. Did my parents approve? Not at all, but now that I’m 18 it doesn’t matter.”

“They mean something to me,” said Hurlburt, “I want to do tattoos eventually, so I have a lot of thought in them so I know I won’t regret them.”

Students predict spring trends

Junior Jackie Hemler wears pastel florals for spring.
Junior Jackie Hemler wears a pastel floral scarf for spring.

By Lauren Hillegas

With changing weather comes changing fashions. Spring is finally here and so are the new trends for the season. Even here in Penn Manor, the new fashion trends will be popular with those who are drawn to everything chic.

“I’m excited to finally wear rompers and skirts,” said junior Jen Adams.

While rompers and skirts are sure to be popular, pastel colors are going to be huge, according to VOGUE magazine.

Juniors Liz La, Rachel Shelley and Michelle Herman are all in agreement when it comes to pastels for the spring fashion season.

herman
Junior Michelle Herman’s shirt has a floral print, one of the most popular trends for spring.

“I think pastel-colored lace will be a big trend for spring,” said Shelley.

According to ELLE magazine, lace is also going to make a comeback.

Another trend you will be seeing a lot of is floral patterns. As well as being listed as an upcoming trend in ELLE magazine, junior Rachel Hreben also predicted a wave of florals for the spring season.

Along with florals, bright colors are going to be popular, according to students Hreben and junior Kelly DiCamillo as well as GLAMOUR magazine.

Junior Rachel Hreben also wears florals, but chose bright colors, another popular spring trend.
Junior Rachel Hreben also wears florals, but chose bright colors, another popular spring trend.

Valentine’s Day loved and hated

valentines dayBy Courtney Ricci

Valentine’s Day is a time when pink hearts seem to pop up in every place imaginable, roses are top sellers in all flower shops and those delicious chocolates and heart-shaped candies end up being the majority of our diets for the month of February.

For some, this holiday is just commercialized to make us spend a couple more dollars. While to others, it’s one day of the year you get spend telling and showing your sweetheart how much he or she really means to you. And to the others still, it is just another day.  But what does it mean to you?

Penn Manor students offered a variety of persepctives.

“Valentine’s Day is overrated,” said freshman Jack Zimmerman. “It’s made to be way more than it actually is and I don’t enjoy the holiday.”

Sophomore Carolyn Weber offers another perspective.

“It is a cute holiday, and even more so if you have someone to share it with,” said Weber. Her plans are to spend time with some of her friends getting dinner and watching a movie together.

“I enjoy Valentine’s Day because it is a holiday full of happiness and love,” said freshman Will Forrey. Forrey plans to take his girlfriend of more than one year out for dinner.

Some students have no opinion on the subject of Valentine’s Day.

“I’m neutral,” said freshman Bennett Manning. “I don’t really care about it one way or another. Heck, I don’t even know when Valentine’s Day is.”

The holiday is celebrated at Penn Manor High School in a couple of ways. Tri-M sends singing grams out for students, and the Thespians sell candy grams. About every two years, Student Council organizes a match-maker event where students fill out surveys and receive matches, but that event is not being held this year.

 

photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography  via photopin cc