Students will be Scared, Entertained by New Releases

It’s  something that can help people make up even over a fight. It’s a great place to go to with family or that classic first date.

Yes, the one thing everybody loves!

Movies.

With the changing of the year, new movies will surface to (hopefully) dazzle, amaze and astound us.

The internet has played a key role in shedding light on this year’s feature films, at least the ones students in Penn Manor will probably want to see.

First on the list, The Green Hornet. In this movie Seth Rogen plays Britt Reid, the main character, son and heir to Los Angeles’ largest newspaper fortune. He is a rich and spoiled man without a care in the world and has never worked a day in his life. When his father James Reid (Tom Wilkinson) dies, Britt then meets a man, Kato (Jay Chou). They realize that they have the money and power to do something worthwhile with their lives and make James Reid proud. The Green Hornet stars Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Michael Pena, Adam Sandler and Kwon Sang-Woo. It will be released on January 14.

The third movie in the Big Mommas series is the movie called Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son is also set to debut in 2011. This movie stars Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas, Faizon Love, Emily Rios and Portia Doubleday. Malcolm, Martin Lawrence’s character, and his 17 year old nephew, Trent, go undercover to an all girl’s school after Trent claims to have seen a murder at the school. Malcolm disguises himself as Big Momma and Trent as Charmaine. This movie, coming out Feb. 18, is sure to generate some laughs.

Last but not least, there’s a Scream 4, the fourth in the horror series. After 11 years of silence, a new Scream comes out to make us shiver. The movie picks up right where Scream 3 left off and brings the return of the three main characters. However, a new killer arrives to finish the work of Roman and Billy, characters from the previous Scream movies. This thriller comes to theaters April 15.

By Alex Sanchez-Cruz

What Penn Manor Students Think 2011 will Bring

The 2010 spotlight was filled with lots of Snooki, many celebrities getting in trouble with law, The Tea Party, the fashion takeover by leggings and Bret Farve getting caught ‘sexting’.

Everyone’ s curious to see what manic events 2011 will bring. Penn Manor students have some ideas…

http://lightlybuzzed.com/2010/09/a-collection-of-lindsay-lohan-mugshots/
http://lightlybuzzed.com/2010/09/a-collection-of-lindsay-lohan-mugshots/

On the subject of Lindsay Lohan, many students thought that because of her track record in 2010, that 2011 would not be much better.

“I think she’ll get a DUI, and fail more drug tests and just continue to go in and out of jail,” predicted junior Amanda Nolt.

Nicole Harnish, also a junior, said “I’d have to agree that she will repeat the same mistakes, she will definitely keep getting in trouble, but I think she will do something scandalous this year.”

Zach Miller agreed saying “She may die from a drug overdose, and she will definitely go back to jail for more drug violations, she definitely won’t be making a sequel to The Parent Trap this year.”

The world is waiting for you to entertain us Lindsay!

Nothing will kick off 2011 better then the start of the new Jersey Shore season. Especially with a new cast member, Deena Nicole Cortese, who just so happens to be best friends with the infamous Snooki. Students had some predictions about what will happen this season…

www.fanpop.com

” I think Sammi and Ron will break up, and everyone will hate Sammi even more then they did last season,” said Alissa Oktela. ”

“I think someone, possibly Ronnie is going to get kicked out for fighting” forecast senior Julia Rios.

Another show that is expected to be popular also on MTV, is The Skins.This show is written mostly by teenagers that are hoping to speak to American Youth. The show is about the fast life of teenagers and how drugs, sex  and death are becoming way too common.

“I think people will really like it and it will be a big hit of 2011 because teens will really be able to relate to the show,” freshman Alissa Oktela predicted. The show premiers Jan. 19.

On the thought of teenagers, leggings came back into style with a bang in 2010. Will they be just as popular in 2011?

Rios thinks they will.

“They just got popular, but they will stay in style cause I’ll keep wearing them, ha-ha.”

“Also,”  Sarah Tirado said, “They match everything and they are just too comfy to go out of style.”

We will have to wait and see if these students were right about the trendy fashion statement of 2010.

Football was in the headlines last year for Bret Favre’s sexting scandal and the helmet-to-helmet hit rule, which was enforced when rough play brought the injury rate to an all-time high.

Some sportswriters are predicting a player strike or an owner lockout. Either way fans will be disappointed and the networks will lose millions of dollars.

“I hate Bret Favre, I’m so glad that he’s retiring, and as far as the lockout goes, I really think the players should be given a break due to the increased injuries this season,” said Rios.

“My prediction for the 2011 football season is that the Eagles will win the Super Bowl, Go Eagles!” said freshman Taylor Hess.

Only time will tell if the students predictions are right!

By Chassidy Sowersby

Plowable Snow Coming our Way

Set your alarm clocks fifteen minutes early tomorrow, slippery travel may cause some quandaries in the early hours.

A low pressure system is coming from the Midwest with little moisture in the air as another low pressure system strides northward up the East coast carrying a lot a moisture.  These two systems are beginning to collide giving the potential for snow over a vast area.

Light snow will begin around 4 p.m. lasting until about 6 pm when the snow will intensify and larger amounts of snowfall will begin to pile up.  Around midnight, snowfall will slow and soon taper off around 3 a.m., according to Eric Horst, meteorologist at Millersville University.

David Bender explains our next weather maker. Photo by Kyle Hallett

“I expect two to five inches by the time this event is over with more accumulations further eastward,” said Horst,  “this won’t be a major storm, it’s just moving too quickly for larger amounts of snow.”

Horst gives this storm a 20 percent chance that six to eight inches will be seen and maybe, if the system is too dry, only two inches will accumulate.

A plow makes their way through the snow. Photo by clallam.net

Further east, up to a foot or more is expected.  Snow amounts fall the further west you track.

The morning commute will most likely see snow covered secondary roads with wet conditions on the main roads.  Plows will be on the move during this whole storm and being careful is the best bet.

As for the rest of the week, cold temperatures will stick around with wind following the snow storm that may cause some drifting.

Get your snow stuff ready, sledding is a real possibility.

By Cree Bleacher and Kyle Hallett

Change in Time for Varsity Boys Basketball Game Leaves JV Game Cancelled

With all the snow being called for,  many Lancaster-Lebanon League games have adjusted their scheduled game times to avoid the heaviest part of the storm.

“I talked to Eric Horst, the meteorologist at Millersville, the snow will start between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the major accumulation between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.,” said Athletic Director Jeff Roth.

Due to the potential heavy snow, the varsity game will be played at 6 p.m. and the JV team won’t be playing.

“We may make that game up at a future date,” said Roth.

“We made the decision this early because we have a lot of people that we need to contact like refs, vendors, ticket takers, score keepers, security and bus drivers,” said Roth.

No other sports at Penn Manor have been adjusted at this time.

By Liz Lawrence and Brian Dunne

Synthetic Marijuana may not Last Long in PA

The state of Pennsylvania could be on its way to banning synthetic marijuana.

Six states have already made the synthetic marijuana, and many of the chemicals associated with the drug, illegal to distribute and possess. Pennsylvania seems to be following suit. The state’s House Judiciary Committee approved a bill in September making synthetic marijuana illegal. It still has to pass the state Senate, the House of Representatives and get the governor’s signature bef0re it officially becomes a law.

According to the bill, and other states that have already banned synthetic marijuana, it isn’t safe for human consumption and can lead to death.

In a timely signal that synthetic marijuana can have serious consequences, a Shippensburg man crashed his car and injured his passengers New Year’s Day after he smoked K2, a form of the substance, according to police.

If the new bill is passed, the substance and many of the chemical properties found in the drug, won’t be allowed to be marketed even as an herbal incense. Many people have chosen to disregard the fact that the incense’s packaging warns “not for human consumption.”

According to Darrin Donmoyer, Penn Manor’s Student Assistant Program Director, synthetic marijuana is one of the newest drugs being talked about by students.

“It’s legal because it’s so new and the chemicals that they are using to produce it were not outlawed when it first came out,” said Donmoyer. “They’re selling it as ‘herbal incense’ blends.”

The desire to get the high from the drug may lead some to smoke the substance even if other forms of the drug are declared illegal.

The effects of this “fake” drug are headaches, anxiety, high blood pressure, stiff muscles, vomiting, temporary lose of vision, seizures and in some cases non-responsiveness.

“My hope is that students will quickly recognize that it is not a suitable alternative,” said Donmoyer.

He also said that the same help that is offered for other substances is also offered to those who use or are addicted to or are using synthetic marijuana.

The thoughts about synthetic marijuana by some members of the student body showed that many already disapprove of the drug.

“From what I have read, trying that stuff isn’t worth it,” said one student.

“Don’t waste your money…it isn’t worth it,” stated another student.

One student showed major concern towards the health risks.

“It’s even worse than cigarettes because it can put microscopic holes in your lungs after just one use. Imagine using that daily, that would cause terrible lung damage.”

Several students who had previously tried the drug said that it tasted horrible.

Both synthetic and non-synthetic marijuana have proven to be extremely unhealthy and cause adverse affects. But certain side affects from the synthetic version are putting it in the illegal zone with the original.

By Kendall Seigworth and Kim Blake

Little Fockers at it Again

The Focker family is at it again in the third film depicting the lives of this outrageous family.

In the new installment, Ben Stiller plays a devoted father and husband, Greg Focker, who strives to become the successor of his crazed ex-military father-in-law, played by Robert De Niro. The twist to the new movie is that the Focker family now has twins to look after and their birthday is approaching fast.

While planning the party, the family comes to town including Greg’s parents played by Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman. The mix of the parents and in-laws creates many humorous disasters.

During the movie, Greg also acquires a new work partner, played by Jessica Alba. De Niro suspects foul play and does his own research on the partnership. The comical investigation is sure to get many laughs as he enlists the unintentional help of the twin Fockers.

If you’re a fan of this gut-busting family, then this third installment is a must see. With the humor of all the original characters and the addition of some new, this movie is a definite success.

The movie premiered December 22, 2010. You can see it at Regal Manor 16 and Penn Cinemas to make your own opinion.

By Toni Warfel

Fire Drill Disrupts Wrestling Match

Right before a Penn Manor High School wrestling match against Elizabethtown with more than 300 people attending is no time for a fire drill but that’s exactly what happened Wednesday night.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the high school building.  Fans and athletes from both schools were outside shivering trying to keep warm while temperatures dropped below 30 degrees and a chilly wind made it more uncomfortable.

“That was exciting,” said Jeff Roth, Athletic Director at Penn Manor; “I evacuated everyone from the building. That was the first time I had to do that in 10 years.”

With the wrestling match scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., the crowd of people was still was still outside as police and fire engines started to arrive along with the district superintendent Mike Lichleiter. As the crowd filed out of the school, most were still unsure as to what was going on.

“We were in the middle of a photo shoot and the cop came in and told us all to leave the building,” said Brock Kauffman, a wrestler at Penn Manor.

After standing out in the cold for longer than 45 minutes, people were informed that there was no fire in the high school.

“The fire alarm going off was due to a faulty smoke detector,” said Principal Phil Gale.

The smoke detector that caused this event was in a storage closet close to the nurse’s office which is making some say dust or spiders could have done it.

The wrestling match did not start until 7:30pm., and was not over until 9:45pm.

By Mary Treier

Can I get a Fist Pump Please?

“Smoosh” is the new smash for the Jersey Shore cast members.

For the past two years, millions of teens have been taking a trip to the Jersey Shore every Thursday night on MTV at 10 p.m. and if parents are listening closely enough, they may hear some new and shocking vocabulary their teens are learning from the program.

Since MTV is mainly a teen network, it is safe to say that most of people watching the show are teens.

According to MTV.com, Jersey Shore is bringing in 2.7 million more viewers than the hit show Teen Mom.  In fact, of all cable shows, Jersey Shore was ranked second out of twenty-five, only under the ESPN Monday night football and right above Nickelodeon’s iCarly.

In essence, Jersey Shore has become the “talk” of the town.  So the question is, is this new hip teen show affecting the way teens live their lives and their vocabulary?

“It doesn’t influence me to act a certain way, but it might influence younger kids who watch it,” said Penn Manor senior Moriah Freeman.

When the show first premiered, it was all about meeting new people and having fun on the Jersey shore.  This past summer, the show in Miami was all about drama, drinking and sex.

In the hopes of starting fresh in the second season, the Jersey Shore characters Ronni, Vinny, Pauly, Mike, Sammi, Nicole and Jeni came to the new house to find more drama, more alcohol and more sex.

The first issue to come about and upset the house was former cast member Angelina, who left the show early the previous season, showing up for some additional fun.

With Angelina there last season, it definitely brought more problems within the house.

Vinny and Angelina had both openly expressed their hate for one another, or what they thought was hate.

After Vinny calling Angelina “the Statin Island dump,” and Angelina saying, more then once, how ugly Vinny is, they certainly found themselves in the smoosh room.

This fires up Nicole because she claims that Angelina “smooshes” or tries to “smoosh” every guy that she does.

The “smoosh room”, or “the community sex room,” was created from an extra bedroom for when the girls or guys in the house bring home a date they met.

After the boys get their “GTL” on (gym, tan, laundry), they come back, relax and then…T-shirt time!

Then it’s time to party. The cast member have found themselves at multiple clubs in one night.

The guys were the ones who mostly came back with the “smoosh partner.”

Of course the majority of the scene is cut out, but the young kids, teens and even some adults watching might take this show a little too seriously.

“Smoosh” has become a popular word in everyday life.

“I don’t think it influences anyone but it definitely makes the show interesting,” said senior Kristi Rineer.

“I think it’s stupid how people think it’s OK to act that way,” said senior Livie Stoltzfus.

“Smoosh was added to my vocabulary,” said senior Brock Kauffman.

Those who are against it, are strongly against it and those who love it, won’t miss a Thursday night.

With another season about to start, this makes us think… what is next?

By Sarah Garner

Swimmers Take a Loss and a Draw

The water was like an ice cube when their dry bodies became engulfed as they dove in for warm-ups.

Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., the Penn Manor Swim Team went head to head against Conestoga Valley at F&M college. They went into their third dual meet of the season, not knowing what the turnout would come to, only that it would be a close one for both teams. After the last event ended, the score was announced over the loud speaker. Boys: 91-79 CV, and girls: 85-85, a draw.

The 200 Medley Relay event, which opened the meet, lead both the Penn Manor girls and boys team falling behind in points. Both stole second place.

Penn Manor's Cooper Lindsley swam a great meet. Photo by Liz Lawrence

The 200 freestyle event was next, and was a nail-biting one for the swimmers, coaches, and spectators. Penn Manor’s Cooper Lindsley was neck and neck with CV’s Logan Monger for the entire 8 laps. Monger came out on top, but only by .24 of a second. Lindsley’s time being 1:49.95, was dropped from his previous best by a whole two seconds. Brian Dunne added a couple points to the boys score by placing fourth.

Taking first place with a time of 2:30.58 in the 200 IM (individual medley), was Penn Manor’s Joelle Williamson. Jillian Heckman touched the wall immediately after taking second place with a time of 2:30.82.

The last event before the break was the 50 free. Boys took a one, two winning streak by brothers Casey and Travis Wells, making the score 28-34 CV. Girls placed first and third by Jess Burkhart and Jenna Reel, making the CV girls up by only two points.

A fresh start was granted after the break.

Burkhart took first in the 100 free, and following shortly behind was Heckman. Lindsley and Monger battled it out, yet again in the same event, with same outcome: Lindsley after Monger.

Jillian Heckman also had a great meet. Photo by Harlie Madonna

After the 500 freestyle event the girls were still down by only two points, boys by six. The 200 freestyle relay turned the meet around, giving a lead to the Penn Manor girls. Heckman, Reel, Lauren Longenecker and Burkhart took first and Karen Myers, Kelly DiCamillo, Laura Wissler, and Danielle Warfel took third, scoring a total of 10 points for the team.

C. Wells and Blake Wales had a one, two streak in the 100 breaststroke event.

T. Wells, Armstrong, Trevor Bryne and Lindsley came out on top in the last event, the 400 freestyle relay, but not changing the final outcome, with CV taking the win.

Girls had an extremely intense last relay. They were under tons of pressure to place first and third. There was a last minute switch to make sure that this would happen. Williamson and Myers were switched. At the end of the meet, the Penn Manor girls did take first by the team of Heckman, Reel, Myers, and Burkhart. They also placed third, but the third place team was disqualified due to an early start. Those few points caused the draw.

“We did have some 9th graders that swam new events last night and did really well. I think that’s going to be a good thing for the rest of the season. We start our section schedule next week,” commented coach, CeCe O’Day.

By Jenna Reel

Friday Night Hoops to be Featured Game

Penn Manor’s boys basketball team is coming off a hot win and to add to it, Fox 43 TV has chosen Friday’s basketball game against Manheim Township as a high school frenzy “Game of the Week.”  As of now they are both undefeated in Section One basketball.

“Game of the Week” is Fox 43 television station’s weekly pick of five important sporting events in the area. Students can vote for their school’s game at  www.hsfrenzy.com

Penn Manor plans to show why this has been selected as the game of the week.  They plan to come out winners in this showdown of the unbeaten in section 1 basketball.

“Let’s get fired up,”  Penn Manor’s athletic director Jeff Roth said energetically.

Tickets are being sold at all lunches this week for $1 to make sure the gym is filled Friday. Roth is expecting a huge crowd and wants it roaring.

“I want kids who usually don’t come to the games to come and see how fun and exciting the games are,” Roth said.

This week is a pretty tough week for the Comets. They had the tornadoes Tuesday night, Manheim Township Friday and then they head off to Trinity for the weekend.

Trinity is a perennial state power team in basketball.

Roth predicts WGAL TV and Lancaster Newspapers will also cover the game Friday night.  Roth said students will definitely have the opportunity to get on TV if they attend the game.

The Comets and their crowd may be heard all the way to their opponent’s hometown. This is a chance for Penn Manor to really show its school spirit.

By Tyler Funk