Penn Manor Productions presents “Noises Off”

By Jalyn Clow

The cast of Penn Manor’s fall play, “Noises Off,” will perform November 16-17. (Photo provided)

Looking for something to do? Well Penn Manor’s fall play “Noises Off” is coming up this weekend and it’s a show you do not want to miss.

Michael Frayn’s chaotic comedy “Noises Off” takes a look at a group of actors and actresses and how their egos, passionate affairs and memory loss turn their stressful performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a production of “Nothing On” in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance. “Noises Off” is a delightful backstage buffoonery, complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and -of course- flying sardines.

There are about 40 students working on various crews and 11 cast members working hard to make this show the best it can be. The play is directed by Carole Shellenberger.

The show’s play within a play format challenges the actors to play two different characters.

“It’s really hard and very difficult having to time our conversations perfectly, but I have a feeling that it will click,” said junior True Herbert, the actor who plays Garry who in turn plays a character named Roger. The cast also worked on British accents.

As for the crew members, they are working hard to get all the flying sardines they need to give the show its comical aspect. Students have worked hard on all areas of putting on a production, including designing and building the set, makeup and costumes for the actors, sound and lighting, and marketing and promotion.

Assistant director Melissa Mintzer said, “It involves a lot of timing and practice to get things to flow just right… it’s been quite a challenge!”

Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16-17. All seats are reserved, and tickets can be bought online here.

Penn Manor puts on “Twelve Angry Jurors”

By Hannah Reen

Pictured above are the 13 actors who take part in Penn Manor’s production of "Twelve Angry Jurors." From left to right, (back row) Parker Brown, Alexander Anderson, Garrison Webster, Hailey Fafel, Logan Graves, Max Minnick, Alex Patterson (middle row) Skyla Taglieri, Kassidy Ponton (front row) Madison Beatty, Logan Connelly, Claudia Heitland, Kristopher Boston. (Photo provided)
Pictured above are the 13 actors who take part in Penn Manor’s production of “Twelve Angry Jurors.” From left to right, (back row) Parker Brown, Alexander Anderson, Garrison Webster, Hailey Fafel, Logan Graves, Max Minnick, Alex Patterson (middle row) Skyla Taglieri, Kassidy Ponton (front row) Madison Beatty, Logan Connelly, Claudia Heitland, Kristopher Boston. (Photo provided)

Nothing to do this weekend? How about coming to see Penn Manor’s fall play? Tonight, November 18, and tomorrow night, November 19, at 7:30 p.m., Penn Manor Theatre will be hosting the production of “Twelve Angry Jurors.” Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for students and $7 for adults.

Although “Twelve Angry Jurors” is a very popular production to perform in high schools today, this will be Penn Manor’s first time premiere. When asked why “Twelve Angry Jurors” was chosen this year, Carole Shellenberger, the play’s director, said, “In light of today’s political atmosphere, I thought it was the perfect time to do it.”

The play centers around 12 jurors just out of court, deliberating whether a 19-year-old boy is guilty of stabbing his father. Drama starts to arise in the beginning of the play when 11 votes are cast for guilty and one is cast for not guilty. Even though the majority clearly rules, the vote is not unanimous and thus, thickens the air among these jurors, stirring up emotions.

Many of the actors chose the same scene from the play as their favorite.

“I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s definitely the fight scene,” said senior, Skyla Taglieri, who is cast as Juror #11.

“It’s emotion-packed and adrenaline-filled,” said senior, Parker Brown, who plays Juror #10.

Those who aren’t theatre fanatics, might not realize what goes on behind the scenes when putting on a production. The cast is most visible, but the crew works hard behind the scenes. Lighting, sound, construction, marketing, makeup and costumes all play a role in making sure everything goes smoothly.

“Everyone spends a lot of time behind the scenes, working on the little details, to make a bigger picture in the end,” says junior, Claudia Heitland, who plays Juror #4, when asked about what goes into the production process.

The backstage crews also spend their time at their own rehearsals during the weeks that the actors have their practices. On the weeks leading up to the shows, the cast and crew spend nearly six to eight hours, just over the weekend, at rehearsals to make sure that the performances go well. Some things, such as the makeup and costumes, are picked out and arranged well ahead of time, while others, such as the lighting and sound, are only able to be tested a few weeks in advance.

“Theatre is a lot more committed than people give it credit for,” said Heitland.

Tatted teachers

By Rebekah Lueke

For centuries people have been getting tattoos.

Inked Magazine wrote in 2014, “About one in every five people in America has at least one tattoo.”

But why do people mark their bodies with ink forever? For some people, it’s because they want to express themselves; for others, tattoos hold a strong sentiment or memory, and for a good portion of people it ends up being a good story to tell.

When you think of someone with a tattoo, you probably don’t picture the middle-aged adult who stands at the front of the class and lectures you daily.

Untitled Magazine writes, “Society raises us to believe that tattoos are a form of rebellion.”

So it’s not common to pair teachers and tattoos together.

Penn Manor has more tatted teachers than you may know.

Ms. Beck's tattoo of a fish with faith written in it on her wrist.
Ms. Beck’s tattoo of a fish with faith written in it on her wrist.

Science teacher Ms. Tonya Beck has two tattoos. On her calf she has a mom holding a baby with her kids’ names which she got in 2010. Four years after she got another tattoo on her wrist which reads “faith”.

Ms. Beck said she would definitely get another tattoo.

“I got them to express things important to me,” she said.

FCS teacher Ms. Elizabeth Sheerer got her first tattoo in her freshman year of college on her back. Her tattoo is a rose and vine that forms a treble clef.  

Ms. Beck”s tattoo of a mom holding a baby with her kids names, on her calf.
Ms. Beck”s tattoo of a mom holding a baby with her kids names, on her calf.

“I got it because music is very important in my life,” Ms. Sheerer said. “I told myself if I ever saw a treble clef with a rose I would get it, and I did.”

Teachers are just like any other person, so does a teacher having a tattoo make them easier to talk to?

“I think it makes us seem more down-to-earth, or easier to talk to,” said Mrs. Jennifer Kroesen, math teacher.

Mrs. Kroesen got her first tattoo eight years ago on her foot.

“The tattoo is a palm tree,” she said. “The trunk is my kids’ initials. I got it in Key West with my husband on a trip away.”

“I absolutely think it opens up conversation,” said English teacher Ms. Lisa Mayo.

Ms. Mayo's ankle with an Orioles logo.
Ms. Mayo’s ankle with an Orioles logo.

Ms. Mayo has a Baltimore Orioles logo tattooed onto the inside of her right ankle. Two years ago she got it because she wanted to “make a commitment”.

For some people, getting a tattoo is just something that happens fast, for others it takes some time.

Ms. Janna Ames, biology teacher and head cheerleading coach, waited five years before actually going through with her tattoo. Just this past summer, Ms. Ames got the bible verse 1 Corinthian 9:25-27, in her mom’s handwriting, on her rib by her heart.

“I got it because it talks about how athletes do stuff because they have a gift,” she said. “They guide others.”

Mrs. Kroesen has a palm tree with her kids' initials tattooed on her foot.
Mrs. Kroesen has a palm tree with her kids’ initials tattooed on her foot.

The verse reads, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I myself might be disqualified.”

According to Statistic Brain, about 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo. Maybe your teacher could is one of the 45 million.

Welcome to Wonderland: homecoming dance approaches

By Rebekah Lueke

Are you looking to do something this weekend? The homecoming dance will take place at Penn Manor High School on Saturday, Oct. 15.

The cafeteria will be decorated in theme of “Alice in Wonderland” by Penn Manor’s cheerleaders. The dance begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m..

Tickets may be purchased at the doors Saturday night. For one person, tickets cost $8 dollars. For a couple, tickets cost $15. Any student who wants to bring someone from another school must pick up a form in the main office.

On the night of the dance, the homecoming queen will be announced.  Members of the homecoming court were nominated by the senior class.

The homecoming court includes seniors Brooke DeBerdine, Emily Gutierrez, Emma Young, Karly Emmert, Kiah Trago, Lynsey Wissler, Shania Pagan, and Victoria Martin.

Emmert, homecoming queen nominee, said, “The court got together and decided to raise money for Operation Homefront. The money goes to veterans that come home and need medical treatments, help with a fresh start, transitioning from being homeless and other ways of support.”

The homecoming queen will be determined by whoever gets the most votes from the sophomores, juniors and seniors. The runner-up will be the girl who raises the most money.

“I am very excited,” said Emmert. “It’s weird to think that it will be my last, but I know it will be a great time. All of the girls on the homecoming court are happy to have this experience.”

Life Skills students collect, recycle paper

A poster created by the Life Skills class, with inserts from the paper and the words "We Recycle" written on it. (Photo by Aly Whiteman)
A poster created by the Life Skills class, with inserts from the paper and the words “We Recycle” written on it. (Photo by Aly Whiteman)

By Aly Whiteman

It was Friday, Sept. 30 when two students and a teacher brought 1,700 pounds of newspaper to Gordon’s Recycling Services in York, Pa. All of the papers were stacked in the back of a white van, which drove up onto a giant scale and weighed in. After the van backed into what looks like a huge garage, the students threw all of the paper they collected into the giant pile of newspapers. The van is then weighed a second time, to see how many pounds they brought.

The students were students from Mrs. Melissa McMichael’s Life Skills class, and the newspapers were the papers they collected from around Penn Manor High School.

Life Skills students gather the copy paper, newspapers, broken textbooks and magazines from the classrooms every Tuesday, then sort it into different piles depending on the types of paper, remove all paper clips and staples, then bring all of the supplies to Gordon’s Waste on the last Friday of each month.

Julia Siar, a student in the Life Skills class likes how all of her classmates work as a team to sort and bring everything to the recycling center.

“Helping out is a good thing to do with the earth. Keeping it clean and healthy,” Siar said.

Mrs. McMichael said that it’s part of a “Good Citizenship” unit, which teaches the students skills, such as taking care of the earth and being active in the community.

Leroy Boynes, another student  the class, said that he learns how to sort the papers into piles, and what’s trash and what’s recyclables.

For each ton of printer paper, the class receives $70, and for each ton of newspaper, they get $45. Last year, they got approximately 38,000 pounds of materials from the school as a whole.

This money goes towards Community Based Instruction, which teach the students skills like table etiquette, then allows them to  visit a restaurant to practice those skills.

 

Marching band returns to competition

By Keegan France

After two years of abstaining from competitions, the Penn Manor marching band has decided to re-enter and compete again.

“I’m excited but I’m also nervous,” said Band Director Mr. Andrew Johnson.

Two years ago, former Band Director Mr. Tom Mumma decided to pull Penn Manor out of local and state competitions to reduce time spent on marching band the pressure that went into competing. This past summer, the band members and music teachers met to decide the future of the marching band in competitions.

“The students were really behind it. The students like being competitive,” Mr. Johnson said about the meeting. Even with an extra night of practice, an extra week of band camp and the pressure to compete, many students enjoyed their first competition, held on Sept. 17 at Hempfield High School.

The marching band finished in seventh place out of eight competing bands. Many students expressed that they were not nervous and that they exceeded expectations.  

“It was a lot of fun,” said senior and Drum Major Emma Young. Young is one senior who was still in marching band when Penn Manor competed three years ago. She said she, too, did not feel nervous, and that the experience was enjoyable.

The marching band had a showcase on Saturday, Sept. 24 which Young described as being more laid back and gave students a better chance to socialize with students from other schools.

The band’s next competition will be on Oct. 8 at Cumberland Valley High School.

Mr. Johnson said that band competitions are usually paid for by the school or by fundraisers throughout the year; however, improved performances provides a motive for Penn Manor to upgrade their band room and equipment.

New teachers join Penn Manor staff

By Cavan Zechman

The new school year brought more than just new freshmen to Penn Manor High School. The high school employed five new teachers for the fall semester of the 2016-2017 school year, some being full-time positions. These teachers include Mr. Ben Schober, Mr. Joshua Barben, Mr. Shawn Lassiter, Mrs. Lindsay Feger and Ms. Courtney Heiser.

Physical education teacher Mr. Shober. (Photo by Cavan Zechman)
Physical education teacher Mr. Schober. (Photo by Cavan Zechman)

Mr. Schober was hired to teach sports medicine and ninth grade health and physical education in place of Mrs. Kramer for the fall semester. He enjoys the other educators of the physical education department.

“I’m very grateful to have such a supportive team of educators around me in the phys ed department,” said Mr. Schober, who has been subbing and coaching at Penn Manor for the past few years.

This is Mr. Schober’s second long-term substitute position; he was previously employed as a phys ed teacher in spring 2015 at Carter & Macrae Elementary in the School District of Lancaster. He also coaches the Penn Manor track and field team, coming up on his fifth year, and is in the middle of his second year of coaching the football team.

In his free time, Mr. Schober likes to stay active and go outside for hikes, climbing his first two mountains this past summer. The Baltimore Ravens are his favorite football team, and he also likes the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins for baseball, basketball and hockey.

Math teacher Ms. Heiser. (Photo by Cavan Zechman)
Math teacher Ms. Heiser. (Photo by Cavan Zechman)

Ms. Heiser is now teaching Intro to algebra A and Intro to algebra C in the high school. Ms. Heiser was notified about the opening of the teaching position here at Penn Manor by her former principal after long-term subbing at Lampeter-Strasburg last year. This is her third teaching job after teaching in York City for a year and at Lampeter-Strasburg.

Penn Manor has been helpful to Ms. Heiser so far.

“I enjoy how the math department at Penn Manor is big on working collaboratively, and I have found it very helpful,” she said.

When she is not teaching, Ms. Heiser enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite sports to watch are football and baseball, especially the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Orioles.

English teacher Mrs. Feger. (Photo provided)
English teacher Mrs. Feger. (Photo provided)

Mrs. Feger teaches English full-time and was notified of this job opportunity when her husband, math teacher Mr. Feger, told her about the open position. She had to teach a lesson to a group of tenth graders as part of her interview before she got the job.

“Interviewing at Penn Manor is no joke,” Mrs. Feger said.

This is her second full-time teaching job, previously teaching at the district of Annville-Cleona. The welcoming environment of Penn Manor is what stands out to Mrs. Feger, as well the 1:1 student laptop program, which she said has made her teaching better.  

Mrs. Feger loves to read, travel and spend time with family and friends in her free time. She likes to watch all sports, but currently watches golf the most. Her favorite teams include the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and the Boston Red Sox.

Two additional teachers joined the Penn Manor staff this year. Mr. Barben teaches history and Mr. Lassiter teaches music.

Anime Club kicks off with first meeting

Members of the Anime and Manga Book Club gathered together for a picture during the first meeting on Wednesday. (Photo by Alexander J. Drain)
Members of the Anime and Manga Book Club gathered together for a picture during the first meeting on Wednesday. (Photo by Alexander J. Drain)

By Alexander J. Drain

Almost 40 people were crammed into the library’s Distance Learning Lab this Wednesday during the first meeting of the Anime and Manga club. Passions were high as people finally had a chance to meet with people who shared their interests in Japanese art and animation.

English teacher Mr. Scott Hertzog and senior Abigail Purdin founded the club explore Asian culture through anime and manga. During club meetings, students will discuss and watch anime and connect themes from them to Asian philosophy.

Mr. Hertzog wanted to make the club after he ran into “fans of anime who didn’t really have a place to connect.” Mr. Hertzog gained an interest in anime when he and his daughter started watching it several years ago.

Purdin has also had a strong connection with anime for the majority of her life.

“Ever since I was a little kid, my dad watched it all the time,” said Purdin.

Mr. Hertzog stressed that the club is meant to be a safe place for people to discuss their personal taste in anime or manga without harassment.

The first meeting consisted of a meet and greet involving people writing down their favorite anime and manga as well as what they expect from the club.

The club will continue to meet on Wednesdays throughout the school year.

High school principals try “looping”

By Rebekah Lueke

The high school principals will try looping for at least the next two years. From left to right are Mrs. Marsh, Ms. O'Connor, Dr. Gale, Dr. D'Amico and Mr. Eby.
The high school principals will try looping for at least the next two years. From left to right are Mrs. Marsh, Ms. O’Connor, Dr. Gale, Dr. D’Amico and Mr. Eby. (Photo by Rebekah Lueke)

Penn Manor High School is switching it up and trying something new this year. For the first time, the assistant principals will switch positions in managing the ninth through 12th grades.   

The idea is to “loop” them together, so the assistant principals will follow their classes up to the next grade. Every two years students will have a different principal. Assistant principals Ms. Dorina O’Connor (ninth grade) and Mrs. Kimberly Marsh (10th grade) will switch between ninth and 10th grade every year. Assistant principals Dr. Jason D’Amico (11th grade) and Mr. Doug Eby (12th grade) will switch between 11th and 12th grade every year.

Principal Dr. Philip Gale said he believes this will “create consistency.”

The principals know transitioning can be hard, and they hope this will make it easier. The goal of this new “looping” idea is for the students, their families and the principals to connect and develop relationships while students transition into their grades.

Dr. Gale said that this new policy will stay for at least two years, so they can see how it goes.

“It’s kind of like the fear of the unknown,” said Mr. Eby. “We wanted to see what it would be like, because we haven’t done it before.”

“I hope it will stay. It’s a nice idea,” Ms. O’Connor said.

Students won’t experience a different principal each year, only every two years so that the principals can connect with the students better.  

“Anytime you do what you think is best for students and families, you can’t go wrong,” said Dr. D’Amico. 

Creative Writing Club takes a break

Members of the Creative Writing Club in 2014-2015 pose for a group shot. (Photo provided)
Members of the Creative Writing Club in 2014-2015 pose for a group shot. (Photo provided)

By Kayla Valentine

A popular club is no longer meeting, which to some students might come as a shock since Creative Writing Club has been a success since it started.

Due to her responsibilities as class advisor for the class of 2018, English teacher Mrs. Lisa Mayo has decided not to run the club for the next two years. Mrs. Mayo started the club in Fall 2011, and she has every intent of bringing the club back.

 
“I’m very sad. I’m going to miss that time with talented students, but I have to think of my own sanity,” said Mrs. Mayo. She hopes kids will keep writing and posting on Penn Manor Expressions.