A Hero Gone Wrong – All Wrong

He might be one of the greatest sports figures of all time.  He is also someone I cannot stand.

Sid the kid, the next great one or just Sidney Crosby are the names this hockey superstar goes by. Sid the kid applies very well to his personality, but if it weren’t for the catchiness of this nickname, Sid the baby would work a lot better.

As a Flyers fan since I was 7 years old, I was destined to hate the rival team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, which is the team Crosby represents.

Simon Zimmerman has negative feelings towards Sidney Crosby. Photo by Dessie Jackson

I’ve been to plenty of Flyers vs. Penguins games and each one comes with the same repetitive chant in which I joyfully join.

“Crosby sucks! Crosby sucks! Crosby sucks!”

It’s quite funny because even when this all-star is sitting and taking a break on the bench, this chant still roars through the stadium. The crowd and all Flyers’ fans share the same passionate hate I have for Crosby.

Why, you might ask?

Sure, he is extremely successful.

Sure, he has won a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold at the young age of 22.

Sure, he might be looked at as the next Wayne Gretzky.

But these stats do not take away from the fact that his immature attitude is incredibly annoying and takes away any respect I “could” have for him.

For example, he always throws fits when things don’t go his way.  If his team is losing by a lot, bad penalties are called against the team. It’s a little immature for the captain of the team to be doing that.

When he complains on the verge of tears to the refs or slams his stick weakly against the ice like a puny lumberjack, it’s pretty pathetic, but honestly I get a kick out of witnessing it.

A captain of a NHL team should be setting the stage for the rest of the team, not setting a bad example because he gets his panties tied in a bunch.

I never have liked this player and I believe I never will.

I really didn’t expect for a Canadian hero to be such a baby, but hey it’s not my country.

By Simon Zimmerman

Comets Almost Grab Victory Against Knights

The Brian Ramsey clap.

If you’re a comet fan, and you were at the district playoff game Saturday afternoon at the Giant center in Hershey, then you’re very familiar with the “comet call”.

An early lead was grasped by the Knights with a Taylor McDuffie, Mike Uehlein takeover. The comets had a continual ninepoint deficit that was displayed on the score board, 15-6, at the first buzzer.

With a 28-19 lead the Knights ended the half with a flawless offense and a rowdy student section that just wouldn’t quit.

Whatever Coach Charlie Detz said to the players worked. Jon Brooks ended the second quarter with what seemed to be an effortless three pointer. A 12-2 run ended the third and took the score to a nail biting 31-30.

Notorious rivals, the comets were down in the fourth, but with senior Sam Cornell’s three-pointer the gap was closed, 38-38.

Later in the fourth there was another deficit, this time 12 points, with Penn Manor striving to be close with Welsh’s three pointer with a shocking fifteen seconds left, but they kept coming when sophomore Marc Summy threw the rock for another three points with four seconds left to end the score at 54-60, the Black Knights 26th win to remain undefeated.

By Dana Poetzl

Penn Manor- Big Supporter of Breast Cancer Research

A new fashion trend has hit Penn Manor and its all pink, all the time.

Many students can be seen throughout the halls wearing “I ♥ Boobies” bracelets sold by the “Keep a Breast Foundation.”  These bracelets can be found at popular stores in the mall such as Zumiez and Hot Topic, or they can simply be found online.

Although the bracelets are rising in popularity, not everyone cares about the significance.

In fact some students think that it’s all just one big joke.

“Students may be wearing [the bracelets], but they really don’t care about breast cancer,” said Eric Ederati.

“Kids think it’s funny when [breast cancer] is really a serious problem,” said Danielle Leon.

Derek Hollow, wearing one of the bracelets himself, acknowledged he wasn’t that interested in the charity.

“I got it from my brother and I just thought it was funny,” said Derek. “It’s like having a Livestrong bracelet; people wear them just to wear them.”

And then there was Anissa Gerlach.

“I think some students are wearing [the bracelets] for the right reason,” said Gerlach.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer can begin in various parts of the breasts. It is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells.

“In 2009, an estimated 192,370  cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among women in the United States. Pennsylvania alone had approximately 9,380 new cases of female breast cancer,” said ACS employee Danine Baird.

Understanding breast cancer and knowing the signs are two key factors to staying in control of your health.

Cancer is a serious disease, but the survival rate has gone up in the past 50 years from 80% to 98%, according to americancancersociety.com.

“The American Cancer Society patient services provide free support and educational programs designed to assist survivors in their treatment, educate patients and caregivers, and improve the overall quality of their life,” said Baird.

Breast cancer walks, such as the Relay for Life, and peer-support programs are growing in popularity.

No matter what the reason, breast cancer support rates are on the rise and Penn Manor has done more than just start a fashion trend.

By Emily Brody

Snap, Crackle, Popcorn Chicken: A Profile of Penn Manor’s Crunchy Superstar

The cafeteria’s popcorn chicken is amazing. There are no other words for it.

Well, at least no other word I’ve heard from students. In fact, on days when it’s the main lunch, it makes up almost 75% of the average 1010 meals sold daily.

Polling students on why the chicken is so popular brings in a range of opinions: “People just like it. Maybe it’s the spices?” “There’s no reason, it’s just automatically awesome,” “It’s not about the chicken. It’s about the gravy that comes with the chicken,” “You know, until someone invents bacon that tells me I’m handsome, I will hold up the popcorn chicken as one of mankind’s greatest creations.”

Popcorn chicken is the cafeteria's most popular meal.

Now, strange thing is, Penn Manor’s popcorn chicken is easily available at local grocery stores as Tyson’s Any’tizers popcorn chicken bites. Nothing is changed, no ingredients added, just sent to the kitchens and prepared according to the instructions on the bag.

This information got mixed reviews. Some students loved the idea; others were indifferent, stating that they’d get tired of it if they started to have it at home.

John Erisman, a Penn Manor social studies teacher and a resident popcorn chicken specialist, said that while popcorn chicken is one of the only two cafeteria’s meals he eats, he wouldn’t have it at home, and that he suggests fans visit a Chick-fil-A restaurant.

“I’m telling you, best chicken in the world,” Erisman said.

Guess sometimes there is too much of a good thing.

By Kennedy Phillips

Ice Cream Headaches for Haiti

A classic carnival popcorn machine has been wheeled into Penn Manor’s cafeteria and homemade ice cream is being churned and served.

But where you might expect someone like Vancouver’s ‘electrician’ from the Olympic closing ceremonies, there is a trio of students dedicated to easing the suffering in Haiti.

Working through the disaster relief fund of Compassion International, an offshoot of the world-wide child advocacy group, these volunteers, Becca Kyper, Lyndsay Funk and Grace Lefever, are using the most effective fund-raising method known to man: food.

“On Monday, we raised over $100, and now, we’re getting even more.” One hundred dollars is enough to provide medical treatment for fifty patients.

 “There’s not really a goal here. I mean it would be awesome if we made enough to build a house, but we just do what we can.”

The fundraiser runs through Friday, March 5, so go buy a sundae and save a life.

PM NATION-MLB Bold Predictions

Cody Straub: Welcome to the second edition to PM Nation. First off I would like to thank John Almanza for drawing the PM Nation logo. This week we will make our predictions for the upcoming Major League Baseball season. We will share who we think will win the CY Young for the American and National League, Most Valuable Player, which two teams will reach the World Series and a sleeper team who could surprise everyone.

PM NATION- is a weekly column written by Taylor Groff and Cody Straub.

Taylor Groff: We will first debate the possible CY Young winners in the AL and NL. My selection for the NL is Tim Lincecum from the San Francisco Giants. I’m telling you this guy is lights out when he is pitching. He already is a two-time CY Young award winner and has a ridiculously low ERA of 2.90. He throws hitters off with his extreme delivery and the velocity on his fastball is off the charts. In the AL I’m predicting Felix Hernandez from the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners have added some key players to the team like Milton Bradley, Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman. With these additions to the lineup, Felix will be able to go out confidently on the mound with some big bats behind him.

CS: Tim Lincecum is a great pick, expect for the fact the he is killing his arm every time he throws. His body is not meant to withstand a long grueling season year after year and I think this is the year his arm gives in. My pick for the N.L. CY Young is Adam Wainwright. Throughout Wainwright’s career his stats have improved. Last year Wainwright had a 2.63 ERA and 19 wins.  With a potent offense in St. Louis Wainwright will not have to bring his best stuff every game to pick up a win. In the American League the CY Young winner will be Zach Grienke. The defending CY Young winner had a league low 2.16 ERA last year. When this guy can win 16 games on arguably the worst team in the league he deserves a lot of credit.

Taylor Groff

TG: For MVP I’m going to have to go with my hometown hero Ryan Howard. When this guy hits a homerun it looks like the ball is going to outer space. He is an incredible player and he has been improving all aspects of his game. His defense is definitely taking a lot of positive steps forward. The only small problem is when you break down his swing, he has a lot of trouble hitting the off speed pitches. He hit .279 with 45 homeruns and 141 RBI’s.

CS: There is no way a guy who doesn’t even hit .280, and basically doesn’t show up until the weather gets warm, can win MVP. My MVP choice is Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins. He batted .365, much better than Howard, 28 homeruns and 96 RBI’s. While his homerun and RBI’s were just average, his power is improving every season and I think he will put up big numbers. Behind the plate catching, Mauer only made three errors compared to Howard’s 14 errors. Taylor, there is no way your “hometown hero” will win the MVP ahead of Mauer when Howard can’t hit a curveball to save his life.

TG: Really? So your telling me that just because Howard hit .280 that he isn’t worthy of an MVP selection. The years he has been in the league he has put up Hall of Fame numbers. Talk to me now.

CS: That is exactly what I am saying, when Mauer hits .365, Howard DOES NOT deserve to get MVP ahead of him. My World Series prediction is the St. Louis Cardinals over the New York Yankees in six games.  The Cardinals have the best rotation in the league with Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, and Joel Pineiro at the top of the rotation. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday are two MVP candidates in their lineup. My sleeper team who I think will make the playoffs is the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners made the best trade by stealing Cliff Lee from the Phillles.  It’s okay Taylor don’t cry. With Felix Hernandez and Lee at the top of the rotation the Mariners will never suffer long losing streaks through the season. Ichiro will lead their line up and continue to hit over .300 like he does every season.

TG: I think that the World Series teams will be the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. The Sox are led by a strong rotation and trying to fill some holes in the offense. Their rotation with Josh Beckett, John Lackey, John Lestor, Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka will lead the Sox to a World Series berth.  The Phillies will surely make it three consecutive appearances to the World Series. My sleeper team is the Colorado Rockies. They have a lot of young talent and their star pitcher, Jeff Francis, is returning from an injury.

CS: That’s all for this edition, except for this shout out to Vernon Macklin for dunking over AJ Ogilvy and making him look like a fool.

The Most Horrible Noise In The World

Crunch. Snap. Chomp.

Three times a day, whether I’m with friends or family, I eat meals. Who knew it would be so bothersome to eat with surround sound chewing in each ear.

Mike Nitroy Food Column
Mike Nitroy Photographed by Dessie Jackson

Nothing annoys me more than loud and obnoxious chewing. The problem is when I tell someone they’re doing it; I always get the same answer.

“No, I’m not!!”

Carrots, potato chips, cereal, soup, celery and corn on the cob are just the beginning on the list of food that I can’t stand hearing as it grinds and sifts through people’s teeth. The same sound you’d hear stepped on a frog I suppose.

However I wasn’t always this way.

My best friend was the one who made me aware of what we now call the ‘eighth deadly sin’.

We share everything from secrets to things about our parents. One day after hearing a story about her dad crunching chips, I returned home to sit at the dinner table and looked up to realize the noise that I’ve failed for so long to hear was coming from every member of my family.

Two years later, I still find myself cringing at the squishing noises that come from people’s mouths. My family laughs about.

But I’m not laughing.

A family gathering in the summer of 2009 is still vivid in my mind, and ears: sitting at a table with my extended family around me devouring corn on the cob. The squish of teeth as the kernels came off sounded like a quiet lawnmower tearing through those hard-to-get weeds in your back yard. My face was hit with a splash of juice.

If my life was a bad sitcom, that would’ve been the cue for the laugh track.

Don’t get me wrong, I love food and how no matter how much I eat, I don’t gain a pound. But I’ll forever blame my friend for making me aware of the true evil that food can do.

By Mike Nitroy

Manor Madness Moving Into March

Finally the month of March is here.

Saint Patty’s Day is steadily approaching, Major League baseball is warming up down in Florida, and spring is right around the corner.

But the buzz around Penn Manor during March doesn’t involve wearing shamrocks, following sluggers crack homers, or waiting for that thermometer to reach the fifty-degree mark.

Instead, March Madness fever spreads over the school faster than an ugly rumor.

Selection Sunday is coming up on March 14 where the NCAA college basketball tournament participants will be announced. Students of Penn Manor are preparing their online leagues, scouting different conferences, and even looking for potential “sleeper teams” that could surprise the nation during this frenzied tournament.

Sixty-five Division One college basketball teams will enter the tournament which begins this year on Tuesday, March 16. That number will diminish down to two teams on April 3 when the championship game will be played in Indianapolis.

Syracuse, Kentucky and Kansas will be the top dogs entering the tourney, but senior Wes Rowe says that it is the upsets that make this tournament so fun to watch.

“My team won’t make the tournament, but the excitement and great match ups will still make March Madness the best time of the year,” said senior Billy Scheid.

“March Madness gives well-deserving teams an opportunity to compete at the highest level and believe that their hard work [during the regular season] can be rewarded on the basketball court, and possibly make some history,” said Penn Manor history teacher John Erisman, who is also a huge fan of the tournament.

Among others, Villanova, Duke and Syracuse seem to be the favorite around Penn Manor as the playoff approaches.

But when this anticipated time of the year comes, tension as each student hopes for the best chosen bracket, and roots for their team to go all the way will bring a certain liveliness to Penn Manor that can only be described as March Madness.

By Cody Erb

The Truth Behind The Rumor

More?

After Lancaster County has been burdened with somewhere around three feet of snow throughout the month of February, there are speculations of a snowy first week of March.

Throughout schools and workplaces alike, people have been hearing a rumor of the supposed “42 inch snowicane.”

But no one seems to know the exact origin of said rumor. Most people seem to believe the prediction was made in the 2010 Farmer’s Almanac. However, the almanac predicted only “periods of rain and snow, chilly,” for the first week of March.

Another trusted almanac, Baer’s Almanac, predicted very nearly the same thing. Baer’s predicted there to be one less inch of precipitation than usual.

Eric Horst, Millersville University’s meteorologist, put the rumor to rest (for now) in an interview with the Lancaster New Era. Horst said predicting any sort of weather, let alone an exact amount of snowfall is comparable to “throwing darts in the dark.”

Horst and The Weather Channel estimated that the storm expected between Tuesday and Wednesday of this week may drop, at most, an inch of the white stuff.

By Sarah Schaeffer

USA Women take Olympic Silver in Clash with Canada

women's hockey usa vs canada
USA forward Natalie Darwitz in front of Canada's goalie Kim St. Pierre and defender Carla Macleod. Photo courtesy of islandsportsnews.net

She shoots, she scores! That is her second goal tonight, Marie-Philip Poulin puts Canada up by two late in the first period.

After making it all the way to the gold medal round, team USA lost to team Canada in the Olympics 2-0. Canada came out of it with a gold medal, USA with the silver.

Team USA just could not simply put the puck between the pipes as Canada’s goalie, Shannon Szabados, stopped every shot that came her way. The total shot count of the USA was 28. Canada only got off one more shot with a total of 29 shots on goal.

Although Canada did score two goals, USA’s goalie, Jessie Vetter, can not be blamed. She stopped 27 of Canada’s shots. On top of all that, USA’s offense could not capitalize at all out on the ice. USA had two, 5-on-3 power plays and not one goal to come out of it.

The team’s rivalries began to boil going into the game, and seemed like it became personal out on the ice. There were penalties being called left and right in the first two periods. Canada had a total of 12 penalty minutes and USA with 10.

Even with no penalties being called in the third period, it was just as rough. There were no signs of checking, which is illegal in womens hockey opposed to men, it was still very rough. It looked as though you could have been watching the men, but it just seemed like the referees got tired of blowing their whistles.

In the end it was a fantastic match-up between the two teams. Both teams went undefeated on their way to the medal rounds. USA outscored their opponents 40-to-2 going into the game and Canada outscored their opponents 46-to-2. The game was definitely a game to remember, and a game to talk about until the next time the two teams face off.

By Mike Bouder