Penn Points Online

Penn Points Stars Ink PA Award

By David Mohimani –

It was just another spring day in Lancaster County, the odor of manure seeped through the cracks in the window, a familiar smell to Penn Manor students.

Seniors Jake Shiner and Sam Valentin surfed the web for their next story.

Adviser Susan Baldrige, sensed the students were looking for something to do. She had noticed an interesting man in the library and sent her journalists on the trail.

As Shiner and Valentin strolled out to the library they were wary of what they might encounter, their teacher had sent them out on several lame stories in the past. This might another.

What they encountered was the sports story of the year in Pennsylvania.

“Mr Funk was in the library looking in old yearbooks for people for his softball league,” said Shiner.

“The story came from there,” added Shiner.

The extremely unique story delves deep inside the inner -workings of a senior softball league. They highlighted that no matter the age, for some, the passion for the game is never extinguished.

Boys of Summer — Picture from award winning story by Shiner and Valentin

“It’s kind of a feel good story because these old timers are playing the game they love,” explained Valentin.

“They don’t want to believe they’re not young anymore,”added Shiner.

Valentin and Shiner came in first place in the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association competition in the sports story category. It was announced this week and the actual award ceremony will be held in Hershey March 14.

The students were not surprised by how well their story has been received. They had already won another state-wide award for sportswriting for their story.

“We were really confident because Mrs B. told us it was a really good story and we thought it was too. We had already won the Pennsylvania School Press Association award for it so this was kind of expected,” said Valentin.

Even with these accolades the journalists feel the story could have won even more.

“It’s a good feeling (winning the award), but I think we could have won a national award,” said Valentin.

They may have a point.

Fellow Penn Manor students Sarah Schaeffer and Bryan Hess took home first place in the feature story category for her story about juveniles in Pennsylvania who have been tried as adults.

Schaeffer’s story ended up winning the national award for best feature story, the coveted Brasler Award.

The catch is that at the state level Valentin and Shiner’s story received a higher score than Schaeffer’s.

“Her story was really good. It’s just kind of disappointing that we didn’t get recognized at the national level,” stated Valentin.

“We’re not bitter, it’s just disappointing,” reiterated Valentin ” because our story beat them in PA.”

Baldrige has fond memories of the story that won’t soon be forgotten.

“My favorite day in journalism was the day we edited that story,” said Baldrige.

She explained that they were just bouncing ideas off each other of what should go where and things like that. By the time they were finished they had created a 1300-word masterpiece. Outlining this incredible league of old timers just having fun, filled with pictures and their remembered times of glory.

Shiner offered his final reflections on the story.

“I’m really proud of it. It was a great accomplishment that I’ll always remember.”

To read the entire award winning story by Shiner and Valentin go to the following link: https://www.pennpoints.net/?p=33530

Also here is link to Schaeffer’s national award winning story:https://www.pennpoints.net/?p=33925

FFA Week Plows its Way In

By Chad Gates-

Check your calendars, it’s FFA week!

Here at Penn Manor, the agriculture wing is a much more important part of the school than it’s given credit. Although nearly 25% percent of all Penn Manor students are involved in the agriculture wing Most of what gets broken [chairs, desks, etc.] is sent to the ag-wing for repair. Not only that, one in every four students at Penn Manor is involved in FFA or takes an agriculture class.

The purpose of FFA week is to give members of FFA a chance to educate the public on the importance of agriculture.

Founded in 1928 as the “Future Farmers of America,” but later changed in 1988 to the “National FFA Organization,” or FFA, it is the largest youth organization in the United States.

According to the National FFA Organization’s website, the week of George Washington’s birthday was designated as National FFA Week in 1947 at a National FFA Board of Directors meeting. FFA Week always runs from Saturday to Saturday, and encompasses February 22, Washington’s birthday.

During FFA week, members are encouraged to wear a certain clothing each day to show their pride for FFA week. Tuesday is camo-wear, Wednesday is wear your official FFA shirt, Thursday is John Deere vs. International, and Friday is flannel Friday.

Tuesday, February 21, was the awards ceremony. Members of FFA are interviewed by a table of judges for them to decide if the member is eligible to win the award that they have applied for.

Wednesday was the Teacher-Staff ice cream social. Members of FFA made homemade ice cream and served it to the teachers and staff of the high school along with drinks, snacks, and various ice cream condiments such as chocolate syrup and whipped cream. The ice cream was made in a metal cylinder surrounded by ice and salt with a paddle that churns the ice cream when a handle attached to it is cranked.

The only flavor that was made was vanilla but those who there enjoyed it. Teachers Billijo Atkins and Brittney Klugston described the ice cream as, “creamy and refreshing.”

When interviewed, Doug Fellenbaum, an ag teacher here at the school revealed the recipe of the delicious dessert. It consisted of milk, sugar, heavy cream, evaporated milk, condensed milk, 1/2 carton of egg beaters and vanilla.

Friday, February 24 is the FFA lock-in. Members of FFA will spend a night in the ag-wing getting to know one another, and playing games. The lock-in starts at 7pm and will go until 8pm the following morning.

Kayla Major, a FFA member said, “The lock-in will last 13 hours and the goal is for members to pull an “all-nighter” and stay awake until the end of the lock-in the next morning. If someone gets tired though, there will be a room for the members to relax or sleep if they get tired or aren’t able to make it through the night.”

Sign up for the lock-in is in room 342 and members are encouraged to bring their own snacks. Breakfast will also be served in the morning as well.

Keeping a Winning Tradition Alive

By Brady Charles and Daulton Parmer

A “hott” new start is in store for the Penn Manor Girl’s Soccer program.

Jason Hottenstein.

The next heir to the throne.

Hottenstein was the assistant coach to former ‘Coach of the Year’ William Zapata (185-49-17) for 10 years. Zapata ended his legacy by stepping down after last season.

“I’m curious to see if the coaching and system changes will maintain the success of the girls team,” said junior boys soccer player, Juan Cubano.

With two state championships since the 2002 spring season, the Penn Manor girls soccer program has built a winning tradition that has stained the hearts of the Penn Manor community.

They’ve established themselves as a front runner year in and year out for the state crown.

“The girls [soccer] tradition is always strong, no matter how many seniors they’ve lost, you still know they’ll be good,” said Cubano.

The coaching change isn’t the only change to the program.

A total of nine seniors, graduated last June, putting a big question mark in the thoughts of the Penn Manor girls soccer team.

“My goal this year is to win a game,” Hottenstein said jokingly about his upcoming first season as a head coach.

“But in all seriousness, I’d like to get back into the LL (Lancaster Lebanon) League final,” Hottenstein said.

During a wild run in last year’s postseason, the Comets took the league championship in a game decided by penalty kicks.

A month later, the Comets came up a play short in a crushing loss during the state championship match against Cumberland Valley.

The 2012 team will be led by their captains, Logan Kramer, Lindsay Hutchinson and Sara Bennis.

“We’re going to have a lot of growing pains losing nine seniors and our goalie, but our three captains as well as our seniors will need to step up,” said Hottenstein.

Defense has always been the backbone of the girl’s team.

“We need our defense to step up this season, we lost a lot of defenders to graduation, we’re going to be counting on a lot of first-year varsity players,” said Hutchinson.

The defense is now playing in a flat back four formation, which is a change from the team’s old stopper and sweeper style.

“The defense fits well with our personnel, the new style will open up space for us to attack, and make runs from the defense,” said Bennis.

The three captains believe they can be very successful this coming season.

“I’m confident in our team and I know we can fill in our missing spots which the seniors left open after last season,” said Kramer.

Will the dominating tradition continue to grow with a brand new system and a first year head coach?

The Comets will find out March 19, when the Comets begin their season at Wilson.

Malachy, The Little Guy, Takes Best In Show

By: Alex James Cummins and Alex Sorce

While lovers were busy wooing their significant other this year, one little fur ball was winning the hearts of America.

This year’s annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which took place on Valentines Day, had an outcome that surprised a lot of people across the country and at Penn Manor as well. Although not many students and teachers were watching the show due to Valentine Day activities, most people did get the chance to see which “dog” won.

There was one senior who had the chance to see and enjoy the dog show with his mother and sister.

“Yeah dude that’s an ugly-a&% dog. It looks more like a foot rest than a dog,” said Tyler Smith.

Malachy, an 11-pound, 4-year-old Pekingese, with his long hair flowing behind and nearly covering his tiny black triangle of a face, the eventual winner strutted his stuff around the runway.

Here’s a link to a page about Malachy’s performance: http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2012/results/bis/

The majority of Penn Manor may not agree with the judge’s decision, but sure enough Malachy was awarded Best In Show of 2012.

WOW.

What?!?!

How did THAT thing win?!

Malachy Winning the hearts of the judges. Photo Courtesy of ABC News

These were common remarks when students were shown a picture of the Westminster champion.

“I don’t know what that’s supposed to be, it looks like something from Dr. Seuss,” said junior Adam Hess. Hess also said that he doesn’t think Malachy is even a dog.

“Oh my gosh, no one likes ankle biters,” said Brian Osmolinski, a physics teacher at Penn Manor. “Not the dog I would plan to win.”

“That probably gets treated a lot better than me,” said phys-ed teacher Billie Jo Atkins, not even giving the champion the respect of a gender.

“That thing looks like a mini Chewbacca,” stated senior Bo Perez immediately after laughing over the picture of Malachy.

Actually, he almost died laughing.

A lot of Penn Manor students compared their own dogs to Malachy, the champion.

Along with making his opinion very clear that Malachy should not have won, Osmolinski thinks his black lab could throw the 2012 champion.

Hess said that his German short-haired pointer could have beat Malachy for the title.

“My English Bulldog, Boozer, could have easily beat that dog. My dog looks a lot better,” said Perez.

“I don’t pamper my dogs like that thing probably does,” said Atkins.

“My dog is way better than that creature,” said senior Bob Warfel.

“It’s Snooki in dog form,” said senior Mitch Domin

While the majority of Penn Manor thinks Malachy shouldn’t have won the “hearts” of the judges this Valentines Day, there are some people who don’t have a problem with this furry guy winning.

“I’m glad it won, it’s pretty cute but I think it could use a hair cut,” said senior Ashley Richards

“It’s doesn’t bother me that it won, little dogs can win too,” said Atkins.

What to do Without Gue

By Ryan Flexman-Penn Manor junior Matt Gue helped his team reach the playoffs, but can’t help them any further.

“I’m already missing hockey. It’s my life it’s what I do and I got it taken away from me,” said Gue via Twitter.

The school’s ice hockey team had one of their best regular seasons this year, with a total of seven wins, nine losses and two ties. Tallying around 12 goals and 30 points, Gue was a significant part of their offense, until he dislocated his shoulder after being smashed from behind into the boards during a game.

Penn Manor junior Matt Gue. Photo by Ryan Flexman

“It will be hard to miss the playoffs, especially being there to watch my team and knowing I could be helping out,” said Gue.

Harder than Gue knew.

The Comets fell to one of the league’s power houses, The Warwick Warriors, in the first round of the playoffs 5 to 2.

Jason Green, one of Gues’ teammates, also noted that they had already played, the Warriors twice before with two inconsistent efforts, once with Gue and once without.

When playing with Gue, Penn Manor won 9-4, but without Gue, they lost 6-1. Gue tacked on one of his 12 goals against Warwick.

“As you can see, Matt is a big part of our team both on and off the ice. We’re really going to hurt without him,” said Green.

Gue thinks his injury was “bad timing” considering he has been playing multiple sports for 12 years and this is his first athletic injury, but he’s looking forward to next year being even better.

“I think if our team plays together, we could easily beat Warwick and go further than people are expecting of us. We are known for our physical play and high amount of penalties, but when we play together, we could beat anybody,” said Gue before Wednesday’s loss.

Not only is Gue missing all of the playoffs, but he was also invited to play in the CPIHL All-Star game, where only the best players in the league play in. Due to his injury, he was unable to participate in the All-Star game.

“Yeah I am missing the All-Star game also, and all of baseball season” said Gue, “but missing the playoffs is my biggest pain, letting my team down.”

Gue received surgery on his shoulder Tuesday, and is now out of any activity for the next four to five months. The surgery took almost six hours, and it’s nothing but a blur to Gue.

“When the medicine wears off, there’s an excruciating pain in my right shoulder,” said Gue. “But at least it’s only my junior year, we still have next year to do big things.”

Boys Volleyball Hopes to ‘Spike’ it Big

By Aaron Brown and Ian Noll –

Penn Manor Boys Volleyball team is returning key players from last year’s squad to make a run in the league, districts and state tournaments.

“Our goal this year is to put up a banner,” junior Mark Dano said.

Last year, the Comets lost two seniors, Ryan Mays and Pat Navin, but the team is getting prepared to set their goals in motion, with key returning players such as seniors Dylan and Cheyenne Weber, Reagan Forrey, Marc Summy, Dayonte Dixon, Joey Jackson and juniors Mark Dano and Devon Reis.

varsity PMVB-1 — Varsity is returning all it's starters except for 3. Photo from Chris Telesco

Dano said that the team is looking to be undefeated and top their powerhouse rival, Hempfield. A large part of Hempfield’s success is not returning this year, which could put the Comets up as the favorite for the section.

“The better question is whether Hempfield can contend with us,” Dano said confidently.

The long-time rivalry with Hempfield is a reoccurring theme for Penn Manor’s boys volleyball. They face off with each other at least twice a season.

Another goal for the boys is to bring out more fans to their games. Volleyball isn’t as popular at Penn Manor compared to football and basketball, but this season could change that.

“Hopefully our play will bring out more Comet fans,” Dano said.

Like most sports, the home team has the advantage because of the home crowd, but if there is no one in the crowd, there is no advantage for the home team.

: Junior Mark Dano has high hopes for the upcoming season.Photo by Kyle Hallett

“It is an honor. I’ve been involved with Penn Manor volleyball in one way or another–as a fan, sibling of a player, player, or coach–since its inception,” said Chris Telesco, the head coach of the profound 2005 state runner-up to Hempfield, and current head coach. “So I’ve seen the best players and the best teams. The team I played on was one of the better teams, yet I take joy in seeing my athletes and teams raise the bar.”

Penn Manor is very fortunate to have such an experienced coach. With this experience comes great knowledge of the game of volleyball.

“Our goal is nothing new – to maximize our potential,” said Telesco. “We have a talented and deep team this year, so I know that this is a team that can be a league, district and state contender, but it depends on how these boys come together, how hard they work. We are in the toughest league and district in the state, so we have our work cut out for us.”

Fausnaughts Come to Penn Manor

By Jay Jackson –

Fat Tuesday around here is always jam-packed with powdered sugar, glaze and cinnamon but it’s not always that the delicious traditional fried doughnuts can be enjoyed with the sun shining on the muncher’s face.

This year Fausnaught Day seems to be the start of an early spring, unlike last year. It is almost a full 20 degrees warmer this year than last year’s chilly, snowy winter. The weather is supposed to be flirting with 60 degrees all week.

Apparently our famous groundhog, Octoraro Orphie, the ground hog who DIDN’T see his shadow this year, got it right.

“It is supposed to to be so nice out this week,” said Janelle Musser a senior at Penn Manor. “I just hope it stays nice.”

Every year Fausnaught day swings around but many students don’t know the history of this holiday.

Fausnaught day originated as the day before Lent starts when people usually give up unhealthy foods or habits. Tradition has it that Fausnaught day was used to clean out the cabinet of all of the sugar, lard, fat, and butter that people give up during the time of Lent.

But many here are not familiar with the traiditon.

“I have no idea why we have Fausnaught day,” said senior Drew Purzycki.

For those that don’t know what Lent is, it is the Christian season of preparation before Easter.

In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter.

Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ for his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

But around here, most kids just want doughnuts.

“I just know that it is Fat Tuesday, and I love Fausnaughts,” Purzycki said.

“I love Fausnaught day, I eat so many that I want to die,” said Forrest Paes.

Penn Manor students may not know much about it but they do know how to celebrate Fausnaught day.

“I have like three boxes waiting for me and I am so excited to get home,” said Purszycki. “Powered sugar is definitely my favorite. It isn’t even close.”

“I went to Pine View (Acres Dairy) this morning to get mine. You have to get the best ones which are cinnamon sugar,” said Musser.

Musser may be an exception because she actually knows some background information about the fattening holiday.

“Yeah, you use up all of the fat and unhealthy stuff that you have before lent,” said Musser.

There are definitely some Fausnaught fanatics in Lancaster County.

“I like the gooey richness and the powdered sugar sprinkled across my lips,” said Ian Toomey who clams to be the biggest Fausnaught fan in Lancaster county.

Lent observers better eat up because the season of sacrifice is beginning.

“I am going to try to eat better and eat less junk food but it’s going to be so tough,” said Musser.

However some Penn Manorites aren’t going to give anything up.

“No way I am going to give anything up even though I probably should,” Toomey explained. “I just love Fausnaughts.”

New Software Filtering College Applications

By Brandon Bowers –

Colleges are now going to have a software called turn-it-in that will run an application essay to see if it’s plagiarized.

Scary to think that just to apply to a college, they can see if you took someone’s essay they wrote or took it off an online site, they can even see if you took it out of a trash folder and copied it in to be lazy.

Pennsylvania schools, including Penn State, are using the software for incoming applicants.

Vicky Nace Penn Manor senior going to Ohio University next year to play field hockey said “I did my application online and the essay was not mandatory but was advised. I did not write one.”

Diane Bounds the school librarian had a view on the software.

She said, “It is definately a good idea for this. An application is the college’s first interview with the student. If they want honest students that’s what they have to do for a good first impression.”

online-college-application — Online College Application. Photo courtesy by sessions.edu

Previously, colleges may have read an essay and thought it was the best thing since Shakespeare but when the student was accepted and started school, that student may not have done so well because their essay was actually someone’s work and that great writing…

Well it never showed it’s pretty face again.

“Students don’t understand copywriting other students’ work for an essay or any other paper is not plagiarizing but it still is,” Bounds said.

Now that colleges will run this program, students will have to be careful and make sure they write their own essays to apply to a college they
really like.

Penn Manor junior Erica Williams said, “I think it’s a good idea so the students can show real ability and not someone elses.”

If colleges did not start this program many of students may plagiarize their essays just to get into a school because they may think it is the hardest and most time consuming part. The students may make it easy and copy and paste someone’s essay to make the application easy and get by with someone’s work and not their own.

College is a higher education that students go to get a better understanding in the field they may want to study. So if they plagiarized an essay the colleges may catch you and not accept a cheater in their school.

Penn Manor senior Will Welsh said, “It is better that they do use it so they can’t copy and past everything, if they copy and paste everything they wouldn’t learn anything therefore college would be pointless.”

Colleges are using the software because they believe students who are going to college need to buckle down and get ready for college and not take other people’s work to pass them through.

Lacrosse Player a Standout in College Game on TV

By Brady Charles –

Penn Manor alum Peter DeLuca starred in his own show Sunday, making a name for himself in Division 1 lacrosse.

In a live televised event on NBC Sports, DeLuca, a sophomore at Jacksonville University, tied a career-high in saves (20) in an upset win against national powerhouse Navy.

Sunday’s showcase was a part of Moe’s Southwest Grille Classic at the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Everbank Field, which also included a game between Ohio State vs Denver beforehand.

But it was Deluca who stole the show and the television announcers couldn’t get enough, showing replays over and over of him defending the goal.

pete2 — Pete Deluca, number 28, had 20 saves in Sunday’s televised event. Photo courtesy of Facebook

“That’s Deluca again,” said one after one amazing save. “He’s only a sophomore.”

“That’s All-American Play,” proclaimed another.

After the game it was Deluca and his coach, Guy Van Arsdale, who were interviewed on the sidelines.

The young goalie already has had a huge impact on the beginning of the Dolphin’s season, but Sunday was the first Division 1 win for the season. DeLuca’s career high of 20 saves came first in last year’s season finale against Duke.

“You got to play for 60 minutes, and that’s what got us the W,” said DeLuca after the game was over and Jacksonville had won 13-7.

DeLuca was named “Game MVP” by NBC Sports, and during the interview, many noticed the MVP’s facial hair.

DeLuca was sporting a mustache, which the team does as a tradition.

“Everyone grows out a mustache until our team’s first win, we have fun with it,” said DeLuca.

Luckily that win came quick.

Jacksonville is a third year lacrosse program on the rise in Northeast Florida. With the location of the University just miles off the beach, many top recruits are drawn to the school.

“Being in Florida and being so close to the beach I think gives us an almost unfair advantage in recruiting process,” said DeLuca.

Jacksonville is one hot topic on lacrosse forums such as Laxpower.com, Lax.com and Insidelacrosse.com.

So is Pete.

Some followers of the game are putting DeLuca in the early discussion as an All-American candidate.

Something DeLuca’s familiar with.

As a junior in high school DeLuca was named an All-American, which was only months prior to his recruitment by Jacksonville.

In only their third year of having a lacrosse program, the Dolphins had a coaching change to Van Arsdale, a Hobart grad, and former Division III “Player of the Year” in 1983. Van Arsdale was, coincidentally, a goalie.

“Our new coach is more of a disciplinarian then our old coach, it’s a little different, he taught me a bunch of new things this year that helped me out a lot,” DeLuca said.

“We work very hard, and our coach is tough on us. He expects a lot out of us,” Deluca said.

Jacksonville faces a tough non-league schedule which includes Duke and Michigan in a five-day span. DeLuca feels confident about the upcoming Duke game.

“They looked very beatable in their loss to Notre Dame this weekend, we feel good about it as long as we play like we are capable of playing,” DeLuca said.

Jacksonville will face off against the highly touted 10th ranked Duke squad Sunday in Durham, N.C. at 1 p.m.

FDA Backs Down from Scare Tactics

By Jay Jackson –

The Food and Drug Administration just came out with nine new pictures on packaging to illustrate some of the terrible affects of cigarette smoking.

These new packs could have pictures on them such as a diseased lung, a person that needs oxygen because of heart disease, a picture of a mouth was a result of smoking, and a picture of a baby meaning that smoke can cause a lot of harm to little kids especially. That is just one of the few pictures that may be on the new packaging.

“The introduction of these warnings is expected to have a significant public health impact by decreasing the number of smokers, resulting in lives saved, increased life expectancy and lower medical costs,” the FDA stated on their web site.

Some Penn Manor students have other plans however.

“It isn’t going to affect me,” said an anonymous junior who says he smokes a half of a pack a day. “I want to live my life to the fullest and if that happens when I am smoking so be it.”

This is the first time that the small warning labels would change in 25 years. These pictures may never make it to the cigarette packs however. The FDA and the cigarette companies are in a lawsuit to see if the FDA can make them change the packs to such extremes.

new-cigarette-labels-9c33e180f6ed482c — This image provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. One of nine new warning labels cigarette makers may have to use by the fall of 2012. In the most significant change to U.S. cigarette packs in 25 years, the FDA's the new warning labels depict in graphic detail the negative health effects of tobacco use.

“We want to make a difference and help people who are smoking stop smoking and discourage people who haven’t taken up the habit yet,” FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg told ABC News.

“One of the problems in our society is that we don’t have an illness idea about nicotine addiction,” said Dr. Mary O’Sullivan, director of the smoking cessation program at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt in New York. ” But that’s the story, suffering.”

The goal of these new packages are used to play on the emotions of the smoker or it could be just to scare them straight.

“The point of putting these pictures is the shock value and research tells us shock value on its own rarely works,” said Timothy Edgar, associate professor and graduate program director of health communication at Emerson College in Boston.

“I think people are still going to have a hard time saying, ‘Yes, that’s me on that label,'” he said. “There’s a physical addiction involved in this as well. It’s not an absolute choice for many who smoke.”

“Oh my god, if I saw those disgusting pictures on my pack of Marlboro Lights, I think I would throw up,” said a senior girl who was asked not to be named.

There are roughly 450,000 deaths caused by smoking each year and the FDA thinks that these pictures will deter people from smoking the deadly cigarette.

These pictures may scare some people however this doesn’t mean they will end up quitting.

“No way I will stop smoking,” said one senior. “I am addicted and I know it. I’ll stop when I am dead.”

Now we will just have to just wait and see if these disturbing photos will be printed on every packet of cigarettes.