Once again the USA national soccer team has failed to reach the Olympics. For the second time in the last three Olympics the United States will not be represented in the soccer competition.
The under-23 U.S. soccer team was in Group A for the Olympic qualifying, with Canada, El Salvador, and Cuba. The team could not clinch a spot, finishing third out of four in the group, one goal behind second place and the 2012 Olympics.
“This is probably the worst feeling I have ever felt in my life so far as a pro athlete,” said Freddy Adu, team captain for the U.S. national team who notched two assists in their El Salvador showdown.
USA soccer player drops to the ground after their Olympic dreams are crushed. Photo credit ABC News.
After a depressing 2-0 loss against Canada, El Salvador was their last hope. A goal from Terrence Boyd in the first 61 seconds gave the U.S. confidence that they could leave with an easy victory.
But El Salvador wasn’t giving up without a fight.
Not long after Boyd’s goal, the underdog El Salvador put two quick goals on the board to make it 2 to 1 before half.
After the two goals were scored by El Salvador, goalkeeper Bill Hamid was replaced by Sean Johnson who played the remainder of the game.
The U.S. came back with two goals within three minutes of each other to regain the lead, a second from Boyd and one from Joe Corona. All they had to do was keep it that way to advance to the next stage.
But they didn’t.
With less than four minutes left, El Salvador’s Jaime Alas blasted a 25 yard shot off of the goalkeepers hands and in the net, ruining hopes for the U.S.
Several American players dropped to the ground in devastation and disbelief.
Goalkeeper Sean Johnson, who did not start the game and let the equalizer in the net, refused to speak with reporters after their devastating tie.
“It truly is amazing how much more undeveloped the U.S. Men’s Soccer is compared to other countries around the world,” said Penn Manor junior Bobby Goss.
USA superstars Landon Donavon and Clint Dempsey were not playing in any of their Olympic qualifying games, which is a popular excuse for fans around the country for the team’s disappointing defeat.
Darren Weidman “had his groove” on Wednesday when the Buckskins visited Millersville.
It was the bottom of the fifth. Conestoga Valley is down big with two outs. The batter hits a fly ball.It is going towards the gap.
A scared Weidman thinks to himself “you got to be kidding me.”
Darren Weidman threw a no hitter on against Conestoga Valley. Photo by Sam Valentin
But outfielder Tim Harris got to it.Weidman survived the stressful moment.
Little did Weidman know that this was actually the last batter he would face on the day. He surrendered zero hits in six innings of “easy” work against Conestoga Valley.
“It (the no- hitter) was easy. They were not very good hitters. Their three and four hitters were good but the rest of the team was not up to the varsity level,” said Junior pitcher and shortstop, Darren Weidman.
He first noticed the rare coincidence in the third inning and just tried to pitch.
“After third inning I thought wow they do not have any hits. I tried to it off my mind while throwing,” said Weidman.”When I got out there I was in the zone and was not paying attention to anything but pitching.”
Well Weidman did wind up going one for three at the plate and helped himself out by bringing in two runs. Penn Manor won the game easily, having to bring in the mercy rule. The Comets won ten to nothing in six innings.
This was not Penn Manor’s first no hitter but it was Weidman’s first.
“Maybe next year. I do not know if I could do it again this year,” Weidman stated.
According to Penn Mnaor’s Athletic Director, Jeff Roth there are only a handful of no hitters thrown in the league a season and that it was an outstanding performance by the Comet’s hurler.
After wednesday the baseball team upped there record to 5-6 and Darren is now 2-2 on the year. After starting off the year slow with some close games the Comets seemed to regroup and now find themselves in the midst of a three game winning streak.
“We are playing our best baseball right now,” said Roth.
They will put their win streak on the line today at Cocalico. They have eight more games left to try to make a push for the league playoffs.
Four students at Penn Manor got $50 for missing a day of school. What the heck?
Lake Heckaman, Anthony Cazillo, Mark Dano, and Lauren Pironis missed a day of school and won $50 for placing first at the Economics Challenge in Lititz.
The Penn Manor Economics team is holding up their winning plaque. Photo by Penn Manor Staff.
Penn Manor High School economics students traveled to Lititz to compete in the Economics Pennsylvania Eastern PA Economics Challenge. The team was accompanied by their AP Economy teacher, Chris Meier.
The day involved three tests, each with 15 questions for all four students. There was one test about microeconomics, one on macroeconomics, and one on international affairs.
“The macro test was hard because we didn’t learn about it in class, but the other two were easy,” said Lake Heckaman, a junior at Penn Manor.
Penn Manor was up against more than 30 teams, but they came out on top.
“All the teams were very smart, but I guess we were just smarter,” said Heckaman.
“We won because Mr. Meier is a good teacher and there was mad talent on our team,” said Heckaman.
This competition was a very good experience for the students that participated in the Economic Challenge. It showed them how they stacked up against other schools’ top economic students.
“It was an opportunity for us to showcase our knowledge, and I think our team really seized the opportunity,” said Mark Dano, a junior at Penn Manor.
The Penn Manor High School team, placed first in the David Ricardo division. This team won the honor of moving to the PA State Final Competition where they placed third.
Along with the Penn Manor sport teams, there are many Penn Manor clubs and academic teams that are successful.
The 2012 NFL Draft will be hosted April 26, in New York City at the Radio City Music Hall. This draft is like no other. Many experts say this draft’s potential is the best. Ever.
“I think this year’s draft is going to be insane, I can’t wait to see how everything pans out,” said junior Adam Sahd.
One question all the experts are asking, will the Colts take Andrew Luck, or Robert Griffin III?
“I don’t think you can pass up a quarterback like Andrew Luck, he has all the attributes you need in a quarterback,” said Sahd.
Also in the draft is Penn Manor alum, Chas Alecxih. Alecxih graduated from Penn Manor in 2006, and earned his stripes at Pittsburgh University where he was named First team All-Big East his senior season.
Here’s what we project in this years first ten picks.
Potential number one draft picks, Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck photo by imagecpr.com
Top 10 Projections
1. Indianapolis Colts- With the loss of legendary quarterback Peyton Manning the Colts need a franchise quarterback. The Colts are most likely to select Stanford Quarterback Andrew Luck.
2. Washington Redskins- With a disappointing year, nowhere near qualifying for the playoffs, the skins need a turn around player and there is no better person for the job than Baylor Quarterback Robert Griffin III.
3. Minnesota Vikings- The Vikings need some more protection in the trenches, they’re looking to get Offensive Tackle from USCMatt Kalil. But, don’t be surprised if a team in need of a Quarterback trades up to snag Ryan Tannehill from Texas A&M.
4. Cleveland Browns- The Browns lost their star running back this past offseason, with Peyton Hillis battling injuries all of last year, the Browns traded Hillis to Kansas City. The Browns need to fill the empty spot in the running back position, the Browns can;t pass up Alabama star Running Back Trent Richardson, who is arguably the most talented player in the draft.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- If Cleveland decides differently and decides not to go with Richardson, Richardson could fall to the Buccaneers, but if not the go to pick for the Bucs is standout Cornerback from LSUMorris Claiborne.
6. St. Louis Rams- The Rams are lacking a playmaker, down field threat. Wide Receiver Justin Blackmon from OklahomaState is exactly the guy for the job. His size and speed will make him one of the best receivers in the NFL and a perfect player to cause match up problems with.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars- Draft experts say South Carolina Defensive End Melvin Ingram‘s ‘short arms’ could effect his play in the NFL, but he can help a team in so many facets of the game, he’s hard to pass up.
8. Miami Dolphins- With multiple players failing to succeed in the Quarterback position, Dolphins are in need of a commander. Ryan Tannehill from Texas A&M is a good pick for it, he will need some experience first before he is a big name Quarterback.
9. Carolina Panthers- The Panthers are in need of a defensive stopper, the pick is a toss up between Memphis DTDontari Poe , or Fletcher CoxDT from Mississippi State.
10. Buffalo Bills- The Bills number one priority is to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick, they are looking at an Offensive Tackle if they can’t re-sign Demetress Bell. So, it looks like the Bills will be selecting Riley Reiff, from Iowa.
Now taking a look at the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers, both teams coming off disappointing seasons in which they had multiple key players sidelined due to injuries. During this offseason, the Steelers lost veteran wide receiver Hines Ward to retirement, and still have yet to sign their star receiver Mike Wallace. While the Eagles resigned receiver DeSean Jackson, and left tackle Jason Peters is out for the year with a torn right achilles. Both teams now are in desperate need of talent in the 2012 draft.
15. Philadelphia Eagles- Coming into the offseason, the Eagles number one need was the linebacker position, but with the signing of Texans Linebacker DeMeco Ryans that position is filled. The second need is the defensive tackle spot. Depending on what the Panthers go with, the Eagles could scoop up the leftovers. The Eagles will either get Dontari Poe, or Fletcher Cox.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers- Coming into the draft, the Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert has been characterized as never being able to turn down pure talent even if it’s in a position they aren’t in need. Relying on Colbert’s characteristic look for the Steelers to take the top talent left in the draft which could be tight end from Stanford Coby Fleener, or AlabamalinebackerDont’a Hightower.
Principal Doug Eby believes he can outsmart Mother Nature.
Time after time, Spring Fling, the school district’s big May festival and club fundraiser fights bad weather, thunderstorms, high winds, torrential rains, and cloudy or unseasonably cold temperatures.
But not this year, said Eby who heads the event. This year he checked the Farmer’s Almanac and CHANGED the week in which Spring Fling is typically held.
This year Spring Fling will be held on May 18th, from 3:00PM to 9:30PM.
“We changed the date,” said Eby. “We’re actually a whole week different this year, and confirming with the Farmers Almanac for the the future weather prediction … I guarantee it’s not going to rain, it will be a beautiful day, 75 degrees. There is a zero percent chance of rain, so I’m talking sunny, light breeze from the southeast. And it’ll be the night of your life if you attend,” said Eby with a straight face that held back a flicker of a smile.
No matter if it rains or shines, people will gather around Comet Field for some fun rides, Dip n Dots, french fries, soft pretzels and BBQ Chicken.
Hundreds and hundreds of people gather at Comet Field every year to support Comet Pride and have a good time with family and friends for the annual Spring Fling event.
The regular rain-out doesn’t seem to stop people from coming back year after year.
But what if for one year, it was completely nice, all day? Some old timers remember when the sun did shine, somewhere back in 2005, for the event.
Senior Coordinator Sara Bennis setting up venues for the Spring Fling.
“It all depends on the weather… If it’s nice, it’ll be packed,” said Doug Eby, junior principal and coordinator of the Penn Manor event.
Rain or shine, organizing a fun Spring Fling takes a lot of time and preparation.
This year, it’s put together by a seniors Sara Bennis and Alex Kirk. Along with junior students Savanah Blake and Adam Hess, who will take over next year.
The four leaders are from Eby’s internship class, but are only part of the 90-person crew who are helping out with cleaning and making sure that May, 18 is a great night.
It’s really important that all the crew members are determined and committed, said the team of organizers.
“It’s really our job to call all the people for it, such as the fire company and ambulance people, which we have done, but we just have to get our contracts in,” said Bennis.
So, it takes more then a Sumo-wrestling pit and fireworks to make a great Spring Fling.
There will be several professional stands, 10-12 school club stands, bands on the stage, Marines, National Guards, roller coasters, four large blow up inflatables, and bouncy boxy which is a bounce castle with people boxing with giant gloves.
Food: Hamburgers, hot dogs, Walking Tacos, Smoothies, Maggie Moo’s, pizza, pretzels and more.
FFA will be having activities like throwing a hay-bale the farthest and a two man saw competition.
“It will be the Spring fling of all Spring flings,” said Eby.
Penn Manor alumni, Matt Johnson will be on the national spotlight as his appearance on the popular TV game show Jeopardy airs next week.
The multi-talented 2000 graduate of Penn Manor not only tested his knowledge on Jeopardy, but also plays in a local band and is planning on making a trip back to the high school as an artist in residence as he awaits the airing of his show.
“The process is actually a rigorous ordeal for a TV game show,” said Johnson about applying for the show, “But it’s definitely an awesome opportunity.”
The process begins by taking an online trivia test, in which about 300,000 people are involved. Out of the 300,000 people who take the test, only 3,000 are selected to participate in further testing and evaluation, which includes interviews and personality tests.
“And if you’re picked, they call and tell you you have to be in L.A .in a month,” said Johnson.
2000 graduate of Penn Manor, Matt Johnson. Photo courtesy of lancasteronline.com.
The show, which Johnson said was filmed back in December, airs on April 24 on national television. Unfortunately, he couldn’t release any details regarding his performance on the show because of the contract he signed prior to filming it.
“I’ve been threatening not to watch it as we get closer and closer to the airing of the show. It’s like when you hear your own voice on a recording and it sounds weird, you know?” stated Johnson.
In addition to appearing on Jeopardy, Johnson’s band, Slackwater News, is opening for the national act, Rubblebucket at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster on Friday April 20. The band consists of four other Penn Manor alumni, JJ Gammache, Dan Zdilla, Matt Blank and Dan Ramirez. Johnson is the guitarist in the indie rock group.
“Three out of the four members of the band and myself have been playing together for at least 10 years,” said Johnson.
Johnson will be making his trip back to the high school on April 27 as an artist in residence. He will be working with both music and twilight students throughout the course of the day.
“It’s really cool that he had the opportunity to appear on jeopardy, I think it will be a great experience for all the students that get to work with him when he comes back to the high school,” said Penn Manor junior Bobby Goss.
Keep an eye out for the Jeopardy star next week not only on TV, but also in the halls of Penn Manor.
Last March, a powerful earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter Scale struck 43 miles off the coast of the Oshika Peninsula in the Tohoku region, the most northeastern area of Japan’s main island. This was the largest earthquake ever recorded to hit Japan, and one of the five strongest earthquakes in the world since modern record keeping began in the beginning of the 20th century.
However, the earthquake only indirectly caused the widespread destruction of the Japanese western coastline. By shifting the earth’s tectonic plates below the ocean, the tremendous movement generated great crests in the water which swelled and rose above the surface into tidal waves, or as the Japanese coined the term, tsunamis, with the biggest one reaching a height of 45 feet.
But, it wasn’t until a hour after the earthquake hit, that the tsunamis reached the coastline and pummeled it relentlessly, causing extensive damage and destruction to almost one million buildings and homes, and leaving more than 19,000 people dead according to the Japanese National Police Agency.
Fukashima nuclear power plant after the tsunami. Image found on Google Images
One year after this event, Japanese scientists now speculate the threat of a future earthquake which could generate tsunamis much more deadly then the previous ones. According to a panel of various experts, an earthquake in the future could produce tsunamis as high as 112 feet, crashing upon the already battered Japanese western coastline, possibly causing further death and destruction.
So far, Japan hasn’t done much to protect themselves from future tsunamis, except at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant where construction of a 59-foot high sea wall to shield the nuclear reactors has begun. Many of the power plants alongside Japan’s west coast were severely damaged by the aftermath of the earthquake, especially the Fukashima power plant. The waves’ destruction caused a massive meltdown leading to the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986. Due to the radiation that was released by the meltdown, the area primarily around Fukashima is now too dangerous to live in, and many residents will never be able to move back.
From science fiction to reality, a flying car has made its first flight.
With four wheels, two seats and two wings that can fold up, a flying car called The Transition, made by Terrafugia, made it possible to go from the road, to the air in a matter of seconds.
The car made it’s first flight March 23 at the New York Auto show, flying for eight minutes straight at over 1,400 feet above the ground. For those eight minutes, the car stayed within the area it was supposed to which demonstrated the high control level of the plane.
But it’s not quite what the Jetsons had in mind.
The Transition by Terrafugia
If stuck in traffic, the driver of The Transition can’t just magically start floating into the air. In order for it to take flight, it needs a runway to start gaining speed to start into the air. The car can go up to 70 MPH on the road, and 115 MPH in the air while getting 35 miler per gallon.
The Transition may seem a bit dangerous to some people, so in case of emergency while in the air, the car comes with a full vehicle parachute.
The price for the new flying commuter car is a whopping $279,000 – not exactly within most working people’s budgets.
“I don’t think it will be a very popular product, like I can’t really think of anyone who would want to spend that much money on something like that,” said Jena Lacock, referring to the Transition.
Not everyone agree with Lacock, considering around 100 people already put down a $10,000 deposit on the car.
Terrafugias’ goal is to be fully selling this car within the next year, making it the first flying car to be sold in stores.
“It’s going to be a crazy world” said Lacock, “once the flying cars are a normal household thing, and flying is a normal thing, the skies will be an unorganized and dangerous place.”
The police officers will be in for another training sequence, so that the skies can be patrolled somewhat like it is on the ground today.
A mental condition that has always been around is more now in the spotlight than ever before.
World Autistic Awareness day was April 2 this year and it marks recognition of a condition that some are calling an epidemic. In Penn Manor High School an entire classroom is devoted to treating children with autism.
The increase in autism among children is hotly debated. The cause, the number of children diagnosed and treatments and learning support have supporters, parents and educators on opposing ground at times.
Up an estimated 23 percent since 2009, scientists and educators are placing some children on an autistic spectrum that measures how severe the condition is for a individual.
Autism is a condition, usually diagnosed between the ages of two and three, where children have difficulties with social interaction with other children. They also have difficulties expressing themselves verbally and emotionally, and have repetitive behaviors.
Penn Manor’s autistic support is run by Carol Woodman.
This class has five autistic children. They go about a normal routine schedule throughout their school day, she said.
“In the mornings they concentrate on academics…after lunch we do more activity type stuff like we go to the gymnasium, and do crafts,” said Ginny Hall who has been working with autistic children since 1997 and, is one of the aides for the classroom.
Hall feels that the children being able to be around other kids their age helps them a lot.
Autistic Awareness
A recent article on CNN said that “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1 in 88 children are affected by autism, and the percentage of children with autism has risen since 2009.”
Some believe childhood inoculations have contributed to the rise in autism.
According to autismspeaks.org, one out of 54 boys have autism. Autism is found more in boys than girls, but it is on the rise for both genders.
Many organizations have come together to bring awareness and raise money for this condition. Autism Speaks is a large group of people dedicated to helping fund laboratories to find the cause of autism because it is still unknown.
Autism Speaks also works heavily with the children to better their lives in many ways.
The support group at Penn Manor allows the children to be there until 21. After that it is decided what is best for them between the parents and teachers. All the students at Penn Manor are in the middle for to high functioning on the spectrum. All the children at Penn Manor are literate.
“They really enjoy going into the auditorium, and cafeteria, associating with the other children,” said Hall.
Whether it’s a family beach vacation, hours spent at practice and sporting events, or just sitting by the pool, doctors insist keeping your skin safe under the sizzling summer sun should be a top priority.
According to skincancer.org, a new study has revealed an alarming rise in melanoma, a tumor of skin cells, among people aged 18 to 39. Over the past 40 years, rates of this potentially deadly skin cancer has grown by 800 percent among young women and 400 percent among young men.
Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells and most often appears on skin that is continuously exposed to the sun. Skin cancer can also show up on your skin when unprotected parts of the body that aren’t used to sun light are exposed for extended period of time.
A person should never have to deal with skin cancer let alone in there teen years.
“I’m not worried about getting melanoma or anything like that,” said Penn Manor senior, Chris Flemming.
“I love being tan in the summer, and I don’t think about getting skin cancer too much when I’m laying out all the time,” stated another Penn Manor senior Ashley Richards.
“Increased use of tanning beds and sun exposure is likely one of the major causes in the increased melanoma incidences in teenagers,” says Jennifer Aldrink, MD, a pediatric surgeon at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in an interview with wusa9.com.
Indoor tanning, outdoor tanning, terrible sun burns from a lack of using sun screen, geographic location, moles, skin type, and even a weak immune system all cause or are leading to this rise among teens.
All of these factors, however, don’t seem to come into teens’ minds when going through their day.
“I never use sun screen when I’m outside fishing all day,” said senior Robert Warfel.
There are a lot things that teenagers can do in order to keep themselves safe and probably lower the statistics that are showing the rise in skin cancer.
According to skincancer.org some ways to protect yourself and your family include —
– Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
– Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin.
– Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
– Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible. – Do not burn.
Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
– Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB)
sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. – Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. – Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months. – Examine your skin head-to-toe every month. – See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.
