As unlikely as it seemed, students discovered a glitch in the school’s technology system Tuesday. They had a glorious romp around the Internet for a few short, but breathless moments, enjoying all kinds of sites that are normally blocked during the school day.
For about 40 minutes on October 26, the school’s normally strict content blockers and filters froze and failed. The malfunction allowed students in the school to log onto some of their favorite websites such as Facebook and Youtube.
How anyone first discovered it is unknown but news travels fast in tight hallways where conversations can easily be overheard.
Senior Lizzie Pflumm gazes longingly at her now blocked FaceBook page.
“It was pretty cool, I played games the whole class, along with everyone else in the block. I got on Youtube and my Facebook to update my status and I talked to my friends in different classrooms,”senior Cody Welch commented, “I don’t think they should be kept unblocked, because no one got any work done while the filters were down.”
With the filters down, there was no restriction on what content was being viewed, which could have allowed for nefarious “site-seeing.”
Students who joined in on this rare occurrence posted their glee on Facebook that evening. Some are still talking about it.
“I was on both Facebook and Youtube during class,” senior Tanner Kennedy said, “I doubt that will happen again.”
“It was a technical malfunction,” said Principal Phil Gale, “that’s it.”
Normally Youtube is a site blocked to students. Photo courtesy of Youtube
“It was real cool,” senior Paul Slaugh stated, “They should keep harmless sights like Youtube and Facebook unblocked all the time, and only censor adult content.”
“I was on Gamebattles, Facebook and Youtube at the same time.” said Nick Weidinger, also a senior at the school.
Coming off of the best season they’ve had in an extremely long time, Penn Manor’s boys cross country ended this week with a record of 12 wins and 9 losses.
In some ways, girls cross country had more success since they actually launched a star runner who, as a freshman, swept the entire league.
Having to run a lot everyday not knowing if you’re going to do well at the meet is something you have to overcome if you want to be on the cross-country team.
But it seems all the running is really paying off.
“We did really well. Better than we’ve done in a long time,” said Faheem Gilani, a Penn Manor cross country runner.
“We did 100 times better than every previous year,” noted Peter Ashworth, a runner as well. “We improved tremendously.”
Gilani personally had one of his best years ever. As well as Ashworth.
Next year boys cross country team doesn’t plan on slowing down. With upcoming addition Travis Wells, Jon Bitner and new younger talent, they are looking to improve on this year’s impressive season.
Girls cross country also had one of their best seasons this past year.
With a winning record of 11 wins and 10 losses they were extremely happy about the outcome since it was a much better record than last year.
Emily Edows will be the captain for girls cross country next year.
The girls run everyday except Sunday, and practices are pretty intense.
“We could have done better but it was a good season. Best we’ve done in a long time,” says Greta Lindsley.
Greta Lindsley running a cross-country race
With a 21-0 record as a freshman, Lindsley had an outstanding season.
After winning the L-L League meet, she went to districts October 27 and competed, taking fourth.
The top thirty go to states where Lindsley will compete on Saturday, November 6th.
“I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing because it seems to be working,” Lindsley said.
She has been doing what she’s been doing for quite a long time too. Running has been Lindsley’s sport since kindergarten.
If she doesn’t have practice on a certain day then she trains at home.
Her dad is the main person in her life who has really encouraged her and got her going in the sport, she said.
Derek Jeter, Lady Gaga, President Obama, Kobe Bryant, all can be considered role models for today’s generation.
At Penn Manor, however, not just famous celebrities, athletes, and politicians are role models. Family members, friends, co-workers, and many others also are potential shining examples to teens. They come in all colors, ages, shapes, and sizes.
Austin Richwine says his role model is Chase Utley. Photo by Jenna Reel
A junior at Penn Manor High School, Austin Richwine, explains that his parents are his role models in his life.
“They let me have fun and balance that with good parenting. I try and pass what they teach me to my friends and my sister,” said Richwine.
“Chase Utley is my famous role model because he plays baseball and he plays it right. I try to play like him,” Richwine said.
Sophomore Cooper Lindsley and junior Ryan Dettrey both say that their famous role model is Michael Phelps.
“I’m a swimmer so I look up to him,” says Dettrey.
“I want to be a ‘swimming awesome machine man’ like him. I try to follow him by swimming like a beast,” Lindsley said.
Sophomore, Aaron Lugo said that Jon Sciaretta is his friend and role model.
“He is so fun to be around and always tries to have a good time. I act like him because I try to do the same and I grew out my facial hair like his,” said Lugo. “My famous role model would have to be David Ortiz because he is an awesome baseball player. I try to copy his batting stance.”
Sophomore Aaron Lugo looks up to Jon Sciaretta. Photo by Cree Bleacher
Patrick Ament explains how his grandpa is his role model.
“He is so funny and always makes me laugh. I try to be funny like him and I sometimes use his jokes. As for my famous role model, I’d have to say it’s Lil’ Wayne. We have a lot in common and I listen to his music all the time” said Ament.
Rapper Eminem is Josh Carle's role model. Photo credit to taringa.net
Senior Josh Carle said that his famous role model is rapper Eminem.
“I think it’s really cool how he overcame all of his problems and is still a well-known, great rapper,” said Carle.
The Hempfield Black Knights furthered their decade-long hold on girls volleyball league championships Wednesday night by totaling an impressive eight titles in the last nine years.
Although the Penn Manor’s Comets were the victims in the devastating loss, they secured a second place league finish and refined their plans for district play.
The Comets fought hard but fell short in all three games as they got out of rhythm and made mistakes in the league playoff, of which a an experienced team such as Hempfield took quick advantage.
“We matched up skills-wise. I think we did just as good, both teams made mistakes, but they were better at fixing their mistakes, said Penn Manor coach Jared Staub the day after the match.
The first two games resulted in a 25-19 score with Hempfield dominating and staying on top throughout both games. Brittani Young, the Hempfield libero, was a key part in the win over the Comets. Coming back from an injury that forced her off the court for the past two games of the playoffs, Young played her game.
In the end, it was Hempfield’s flawless defense, passing and digging most of Manor’s serves and hits, which converted crucial points for the Knights.
The third game was a little different. The Comets came out with a determination to lengthen the night by winning the third game and going to a fourth. Late into the game the Comets maintained a lead of 18-17, but fell apart as they watched themselves fall to end up as the second seed in L-L League Class AAA going into districts.
District games start Saturday and the Comets are going in with the same attitude.
“First round is different. It’s a pool play tournament and a long night. We have to play hard, but force other teams to make mistake and not let teams push us around,” said Staub.
In elementary school it was typical for students to wear their favorite cartoon character or a Disney movie character as their Halloween costume.
But when student’s reach high school, the decision to pick out a costume gets a little more complex. Costumes in high school are more likely to be based off of a celebrity such as Lady Gaga or the actors from the MTV show such as Jersey Shore.
Most students at Penn Manor said they got their costume from Party City or Spirit Halloween. However, two students told Penn Points that they rented their costumes from The Millersville Costume Shop.
Lady Gaga will be a popular costume this year. Photo courtesy of Homorazzi.com
Senior Zach Miller said, “I found my tiger outfit that I used to wear so I’m going to try and squeeze into it.”
An employee from Spirit Halloween, located across from Park City, said that the costume prices range anywhere from “less than $10 to up to anything you would like to spend.”
The employee said the most popular-selling costumes this year were Lady Gaga, Alice in Wonderland characters and the actors from Jersey Shore. The most expensive Alice in Wonderland is $60, and the most expensive Lady Gaga costume at Spirit is $40. The employee at Spirit shared that “The Jersey Shore costumes are all sold out, Snookie, Dj Pauly-D and the Situation.”
According to an online resource, www.costumzee.com, other popular costumes were Chucky, a nerd, Barbie and Disney characters.
People and kids especially spend a lot on Halloween costumes each year. Costumes can be very expensive depending on where you get them, but if it’s a great looking costume, kids will purchase it.
Some teens will dress like characters from MTV's Jersey Shore. Photo courtesty of Kiss951.radio.com
Freshman Alyssa Oktela said, “I am willing to spend over $50 for a costume. Last year, my costume was $80-dollars. I will normally purchase my costumes at Hot Topic.
Even though Halloween is geared toward younger kids, high school kids are still participating in the trick-or-treat fun. Some parents approve of their teenagers going out, and others don’t find it to be a good idea.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do this year yet because my parents said I was too old to go out, but I’m going to try to go with my little cousins. I am going to go to Party City soon to find a costume although I don’t have any ideas yet,” said freshman Brittany Weidman.
Some kids take their younger siblings or cousins around. They still enjoy the lights and surroundings, but are supervising their younger siblings.
Oktela said, “I sometimes go with my younger siblings and cousins, but I don’t dress up or get candy.”
Instant energy. It sounds like a good, easy solution to lack of sleep and exhaustion, but what it really does to the human body may be slightly terrifying.
Regardless of the rush many may feel from energy drinks, recent studies have shown that drinking them can cause serious short-term and long-term health risks.
A selection of energy drinks is displayed in gas stations, grocery stores and malls. Photo courtesy of Google images.
There have been more than 500 energy drinks launched worldwide, according to NBC news. Some of the most popular drinks consumed are Red Bull, Monster, Jolt, Amp, Rockstar and Full Throttle. Many of which find their way, on a daily basis, in the stomachs of students at Penn Manor.
For the students that drink energy drinks, most describe the after-effect as a “crash.”
Senior Amanda Ackerman said, “It’s horrible, I just don’t wanna do anything.”
“Afterwards it feels like my heart is beating really fast,” added Jordan Drexel, also a senior.
Anthony Bernard described his experiences as “very happy” and “giddy,” but nothing like a lack in energy or focus.
“I get jittery for like five minutes and then I go back to normal,” explained senior Justin Herr.
The biggest concern about energy drinks is the most obvious: Caffeine.
According to NBC news, a 12-ounce serving of Amp contains 107 milligrams of caffeine, compared with 34 to 38 milligrams for the same amount of Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Monster has 120 milligrams and Red Bull has 116.
A common reason for energy drink consumption is to fight morning grogginess. Photo courtesy of Google images
This “drug” can cause addiction, but isn’t necessarily the worst thing about the energy-boosting beverages.
Apart from the caffeine that starts the addiction, energy drinks have legal herbal stimulants within them. Teenage bodies are not always able to handle these types of chemicals. Herbal stimulants can do serious damage to the body’s nervous system and they also contribute to neurological problems.
But what about the sugar?
The sugar that is used to sweeten energy drinks and add to the boost is processed, just like most soft drinks and coffees. But, this type of sugar breaks down very quickly which releases too much energy at one time.
This concept is what puts the body under stress while it is also trying to maintain other body functions; the body plunges into overload. The feeling of fatigue takes over after drinking a Red Bull or a Monster because the energy from the broken sugars is quickly burned up and the rest of your body continues to be in overdrive for awhile.
Other additives in energy drinks also contribute to the negative health risks.
Taurine, B vitamins, amino acids and guarana are the thought-to-be harmless ingredients in the beverages, but in the quantity added to energy drinks can cause an overdose of caffeine and stimulation.
Guarana, one common ingredient that is added to energy drinks. Photo courtesy of Google Images
How do students afford such beverages? These “energy enhancers” cost anywhere from one dollar to over three dollars. That’s a big number if you’re like senior Crystal Bugner who drinks at least one energy drink everyday.
Bugner spends $20 out of every paycheck to support her habit.
She introduced herself by saying, “My name is Crystal and I’m addicted to caffeine.”
Other students aren’t afraid to roll out the dough either.
Ackerman said, “I usually pay myself, almost three bucks a drink”
“Depending on the quality and expiration, (I’ll pay) three dollars, but I wouldn’t be afraid to pay up to four,” commented Bernard.
But regardless of price and ingredients, most students are like Herr.
“I am aware of the risks, but I really don’t care.”
The Hempfield Black Knights defeated the Comets twice during the regular season. But the Comets may very well overtake their biggest rival in the league championship?
The Hempfield Knights and the Penn Manor Comets meet in the Girls Volleyball League championship at Manheim Township High School at 7:00 tonight. The Comets, not ranked, are defined as the underdogs competing against the Knights who are ranked third in the state in class AAA, and who won the last 7 of 8 League titles.
The league playoffs are played back-to-back for three days.
“We have to be prepared because we don’t get to practice in between games,”said Coach Jarrod Staub. “We played them twice so we know how they play.”
Both the Comets and the Knights dominated their opponents during the league playoffs, and both feel confident that they are the better team. The Knights have more experience playing in the “big game,” but the Comets know it won’t be easy, but expect to surpass the Knights, and grab the league championship title.
“Our strengths is the height of our players, our good offense, serving tough and good blocking,”said Staub. “The one thing that could be better is our defense.”
The question everyone is having for this game is what will the Comets do different this game compared to the regular season?
“Consistency and not to have dumb mistakes like we had in the previous regular season games,” said Staub.
The winner of the game will get the number one L-L League seed into the District Three class AAA tournament. Whichever team loses will be awarded the number two seed. The District tournament will start Saturday.
Although the commercials say, “Droid does,” iPhone users at Penn Manor think iPhone “does” more.
The iPhone has been out for years and has sold millions. The touchscreen iPhone with its thousands of available software apps did not seem to have much competition until November 6, 2009. That’s when the first Droid came out and it is currently outselling the popular iPhone.
Despite the sales figures of the Droid, Penn Manor students seem to favor the iPhone.
The new iPhone 4 with the featured app "FaceTime" Photo by, nexus404.com
Ryan Connelly is an owner of the iPhone 4, Apple’s newest, hippest model. He recently upgraded from the iPhone 3G and likes the new one a lot more. Connelly likes the iPhone 4 more because it has better screen resolution and it’s even faster then the iPhone 3G.
“I do love the iPhone, but if I had Verizon I would probably have a Droid right now,” said Connelly.
iPhone is exclusively carried by ATT although, reportedly, the phone will be carried by Verizon by the summer of 2011.
The iPhone 4 has brought Apple’s one and only phone line even more attention. The website ijafri.com reports that 1.5 million phones were sold on its launch day.
Nick Weidinger, a Penn Manor student, is also a proud owner of the iPhone 4. He loves the software because it is easy to use and he is able to jail-break it. Jail-breaking is when you set the phone to not use the exact apple software. Doing this you have no limitations to your device.
“The iPhone 4 is just so sweet,” said Weidinger.
Although he loves his phone, he thinks that both phones are very good.
Mike Gebby does not have an iPhone or a Droid. But Gebby’s dad has purchased the Droid and he is a huge fan.
Droid X, Photo by venturebeat.com
“If I could, I would buy a Droid 2 (the latest model) in a second, iPhone just isn’t good. I like it (the Droid) more because it has a full keyboard,” said Gebby.
Even though some students prefer the Droid over the iPhone, droidforums.net says that the Droid 2 (the second version of the Motorola Droid) sold only 250-350k phones.
And then there are the hybrid phones. A little of this and a little of that.
Clark Habecker has the T-Mobile G-1. This phone runs on the Android software although it is not technically a “Droid.” Habecker bought his phone about a year and a half ago and is planning on purchasing a T-Mobile G-2 when his contract is over.
Although the Droid is a new phone and the technology is very advanced, it has a few problems that have not been fixed. One of the problems is “Force Close.” Some of the phone’s apps tend to randomly stop working and need to restart. Androidforums.com reports more difficulties with the Droid.
“I would actually prefer to have an iPhone, but I can’t get off T-Mobile’s service,” Habecker said.
Apple’s iPhone is outpacing the competition here at Penn Manor.
“I was wowed the first time I used my iPhone 4, the screen resolution is outstanding along with it being very easy to use,” said Penn Manor junior Landon Alecxih.
Alecxih was a previous owner of the iPhone 3GS. He upgraded when the iPhone 4 was released and does not regret his decision at all.
“I have never held any of the Droid phones. I think all the Droid company is doing is taking the apple’s software for the iPhone and making minor changes and calling it their own,” said Alecxih.
“I have the Droid X, and it’s so much better then any iPhone product. The Droids don’t get any bugs unlike the iPhone,” said Brian Sloss.
The iPhone does have quite a few bugs. Pcmag.com shows the top five bugs of just the new iPhone 4. The main example is lousy reception. This is happening because the antenna goes around the phone, so when you hold the phone up to your ear, your blocking your own signal. The other examples range from battery life to screen screw-ups. Buyers should take notice to these bugs before they shell out anywhere from $199 to $599 for the technology.
Even though the Droid has a key board, and the iPhone 4 has face time, the competition between the companies should remain red-hot through the holidays.
As guests walked in they were met with the smell of hamburgers, the sound of old 50s music and chorus members in poodle skirts and leather jackets.
On Friday, Oct., 22, the Manor Singers and Chorus had their infamous Hop fundraiser. Doors opened at 6:30 and soon all the seats were filled.
“This is our third year doing the hop, and every year it’s been successful,” said Jenna Spayd.
“The first year we had it at Manor Middle and it was a little crazy, but this year we have everything down. Third time’s a charm,” said Adam Swift.
Bethany Napier dressed as a 50s girl Photo By: Whitney Reno
For the first half an hour Penn Manor’s own band, Man Hunt, played 50’s music for the guests to enjoy while they were mingling and looking at the donated raffle items.
Some students swing danced for entertainment.
Then it was time to dig into the burgers, fries and milkshakes, donated by John Herr’s and Turkey Hill.
Students sold tickets for $25 each, and the money went into their own chorus accounts and is used for things such as the trip to Hawaii for the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor or chorus sweatshirts.
Tickets went fast for this well known event.
“We didn’t really do a whole lot of advertising because it’s so well known,” said chorus member Sam Hershey. “But some people didn’t know it was going on, until they saw us in our costumes.”
Hershey wore her costume to school in support of the hop.
Some students decided to keep the money they raised, but some students decided to help out a friend.
Swift sold five tickets, and decided to give his money to a friend who is going to Hawaii.
Hershey sold ten tickets and is going to use some of the money for herself, and give the rest away to someone going to Hawaii.
The general feedback from guest is always positive.
“Everyone loves it so much. Some sing, and they always like the food,” said Choral Director Melissa Telesco.
Since the second grade Bobby Rehm has been on the mats, rolling around, trying to tie up his competitors. This past year Rehm qualified for state wrestling competition. Being in one of the hardest districts in P.A. qualifying for states was something very few wrestlers can do.
“He’s an intense competitor and hates to lose,” says wrestling head coach Steve Hess.
Sophomore year is when his skills really started to skyrocket and he improved as a competitor tremendously. He did a lot of lifting and off-season work which contributed to his success.
Rehm has been wrestling in the 125-pound weight class since his sophomore year; occasionally wrestling in the 130-pound class.
Bobby Rehm
His current best record is 36 wins and 6 losses, which he tallied this past year, his 11th grade year, the year he also went to the state championships.
“I like that it’s a one-on-one sport, not necessarily a team sport,” Rehm says.
In Rehm’s near future he hopes to wrestle Division One in college. Then hopefully he will qualify for the national competition. His current goal is to win the state competition this year.
Rehm wrestles two to three times a week and then normally has a tournament ever other weekend.
Hess plans to incorporate more lifting and conditioning in his program to improve wrestling’s record this year. He also moved some coaches around in hopes of also improving this season’s outcome.
Solanco is Penn Manor’s biggest rival, according to Hess, so beating them this year will definitely take extra effort.
“Practicing is my least favorite part. Practices are hard and take a lot out of you,” Rehm says.
His favorite wrestling move to do on his opponents is called the inside trip ankle pick.
“Bobby enjoys getting really physical and is never satisfied unless he gets the pin” says Kyle Kann, a fellow wrestler.
