Prezi: Better than Powerpoint?

By Connor Hughes –

It’s like a more customizable, creative version of PowerPoint, and Penn Manor students are catching on.

Prezi's user-friendly interface is simple and fun.

This cloud-based, no downloads needed, presentation software opens up a new world between whiteboards and slides. The zoomable canvas makes it fun to explore ideas and the connections between them. The result; a visually captivating presentation that leads your audience down a path of discovery.

“When I started teaching 15 years ago, PowerPoint was around,” said English teacher Scott Hertzog who is requiring students to produce a project using the new presentation software.  “[PowerPoint] is a tool that was used to death and you’ve seen them all before.  There’s something about Prezi, the way it zooms in is very creative,” said Hertzog.

Prezi’s most advertised feature is the ability to zoom in and out of your presentation. You can visualize your ideas, pan left, move right, zoom-in on a detail, or zoom-out to show the big picture.

Prezi is very customizable.  You can add custom time-lines, charts, and graphs.

But why would someone use Prezi instead of, the very popular presentation program, PowerPoint?

Hertzog is using Prezi in a mandatory project, and he has nothing but positive things to say about the PowerPoint-killer.

“Intuitive, I mean it’s really straight forward.  The learning curve is easier to overcome compared to PowerPoint or Keynote because it’s all there and it has a really nice interface,” said Hertzog.

Hertzog thinks using PowerPoint is like beating a dead horse.

Although, Hertzog doesn’t think that Prezi is the do-all solution to every presentation.

“Like PowerPoint, Prezi can also be overused,” said Hertzog. “Teachers say it’s just another tool in the toolbox for students, it doesn’t have to be used every time you need to present something.”

Prezi is also free, you can use it online with for no cost. And, everything you do on Prezi is open for the public to see.

“There’s nothing you need to download.  And everything you do on Prezi is public,” said Hertzog. “They’re not just doing it for me. They’re doing it so anyone in the world can see it.  It raises the stakes in terms of education, suddenly people from the outside world can comment on it.”

Penn Manor senior Abby Barley likes the flexible and futuristic qualities of Prezi.

“PowerPoint is so 20th century, Prezi is the 21st.  With PowerPoint, you can’t customize anything, and a Prezi is just so much more fun to make,” said Barley.  “PowerPoint is just standard and boring.”

Another technologically advanced feature that Prezi has to offer is the ability to collaborate.

“Prezi Meeting” is an online collaboration feature that allows up to ten people (together or geographically separated) to co-edit and show their Prezis in real time. Users participate in a Prezi simultaneously, and each is visually represented in the presentation window by a small Prezi avatar.

This means a group of people can all be working on the same Prezi, at the same time, from completely different places.

Prezi is a free, creative, collaborative, and exciting way to create and deliver an amazing presentation.  What’s not to love?

 

 

1600 Miles Apart but Forever Close

By Alexa Stewart –

The saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” has been put to the test with two Penn Manor graduates.

Gretta Williams and her fiancé Luis Cruz have been high school sweethearts since they first met in chemistry class in 2008. They’ve been together ever since and had big plans to move in together after high school and go to college. Those plans were interrupted last May when Cruz announced to Williams he would be leaving in a month to serve his country.

“I was upset at first and worried about what would happen to us and how our relationship would change,” said Williams. “After he left I was excited and proud of him for choosing to do what he did.”

Cruz enlisted in the Air Force in 2011 and is currently stationed in Texas, thousands of miles away from Williams living at home in Mountville, PA.

Williams Visiting Cruz in Texas

“The distance is hard at times because he’s worried about me and what I’m doing and sometimes there are small pointless arguments,” recalled Williams. “But him being away makes us stronger and does make us communicate more and show love more because we don’t see each other everyday.”

But not everything remained smooth.

The distance and stress caught up to the young couple not too long ago when they reached their breaking point. Cruz and William’s available hours to communicate conflicted and sometimes they don’t get to talk for days.

“That time was tough because he takes classes third shift, so I’m sleeping. But when I’m up during the day, he’s either catching up on sleep or in training,” added Williams. “Weekends got really boring without him and everything caught up to me and I hit my breaking point, but we pulled through it.”

Now the couple talks almost everyday and things are getting easier. Although, talking is not enough for Williams. Williams is currently in college and has a part-time job. Williams’ parents are helping her save money to visit Cruz in Texas. However, most of those fiscal responsibilities lie with Williams herself.

“Plane tickets are extremely expensive so I don’t get to see him as much as I would like, but that’s just something I have to accept if I want things to work out,” said Williams.

The silver lining in this whole experience is that the couple will receive valuable benefits because of Cruz’s military service. They can fly anywhere in the world free, health insurance is only 85 cents a month, Cruz is eligible to work for the president, discounted hotels, food, and Cruz’s schooling is absolutely free. If he were to choose to not attend post-secondary school, the money would be saved for his children’s schooling.

“The benefits are beyond amazing and they will help us out so much in our future life together,” recalled Williams. “Things like this just continuously give me reasons to only think of this whole experience as something positive.”

Williams plans to spend the upcoming Valentine’s day with her fiancé in Texas. She will continue to take everything day by day but in this story, love conquers all.

 

Teenage Driver Cheats Death Twice, His New Outlook

By Daulton Parmer –

Richard Schulz feels lucky to be alive.

As a regular kid, Schulz achieves good grades and has made good friends. But one thing he hasn’t been so good at, is his driving.

Schulz has had his license for only 10 months and he’s had two near death experiences in that time.

About six months ago, Schulz was driving himself and two friends to a party, and before the blink of an eye, he drove head on into a tree.

“After it all happened, we were stunned and the pain finally hit when we got out of the car,” Schulz said.

“I quickly called 911 as I was laying on the grass,” Schulz recalled.

Richard Schulz Penn Manor junior. Photo by Daulton Parmer

His Lexus totaled, spitting out blood, arms and face burned, and stomach ripped open from the force of the seat belt, Schulz was like a crumpled ken dog.

Yet, he survived.

Schulz all bloodied up, laid on the ground as his friends tried to put him at ease. They however did not receive a scratch.

“I’m so thankful my friends didn’t get hurt because of my stupidity,” Schulz said.

Schulz was rushed to the hospital and his family was also on their way. He wasn’t focused on how badly he was injured, he was scared to see the reaction of his parents.

“I was just hoping to God I wasn’t going to get grounded,” he said.

Three months later there was a second accident that would rush Schulz to the hospital.

“This time it wasn’t my fault,” Schulz said.

Schulz was coming back from his girlfriend’s house, driving a lot more carefully than before. Waiting at a red light, as it turned green, he pulled away. But just like that, a speeder didn’t have time for the light and sideswiped Schulz. He was rushed to the hospital again.

“I don’t remember too much from that accident, I hurt my head very badly that night,” Schulz said.

Schulz has fully recovered from all of the injuries, and is looking forward to the future.

He’s back to playing basketball and soccer, and continuing his passion in photography.

“I’ve learned to take driving a lot more seriously and to all other drivers out there, don’t think it couldn’t happen to you,” Schulz said.

First Year Teacher says Job is Worth the Drive

By Chad Gates –

There’s a new teacher that walks the halls of Penn Manor.

His name is William Shirk, and he’s a young teacher in his mid-20s with lots of ambition, ready to take on the challenges of working in a high school with over 1700 students.

It was the Spring of 2011 when Shirk graduated from Millersville University. He graduated with a degree in Special Education. Shortly after graduating, William attended a local job fair where Penn Manor had a table. This is where he met Mike Leichliter, the Penn Manor School District’s superintendent.

Some time later, Shirk was called and asked to come in for an interview for a position at Penn Manor High School. It went well and Shirk was then scheduled to teach a practice class at the high school.

After teaching the class, Shirk obtained the position and was hired to work at Penn Manor High School as a math teacher.

“Its been a very good experience, but very busy as well,” Shirk said about working at the high school in his first year. “Everyone here at the school [staff, administration, and teachers] has been helpful, and everything I’ve learned so far has prepared me for this.”

However, Shirk has to commute a far distance from Downingtown each day there and back from his house, which is approximately 50 minutes away from Millersville.

But the commute doesn’t bother the young, energetic math expert.

Shirk said that he enjoys working at Penn Manor and plans to continue to work here at the high school.

Penn Manor Student’s Life is Out of the Park

By Aaron Brown –

To Brad Snyder, a junior at Penn Manor High School, baseball is more than just a game using a bat and a ball, it’s his life.

In addition to baseball, Snyder likes to play and watch sports, play video games, lift weights, and hang with friends. His plan for after high school includes attending college to major in sports management and possibly play baseball.

Currently Snyder  participates in Penn Manor’s recreational basketball league until baseball starts. He has been playing baseball since he was 6 years old.  However, playing baseball and watching it on T.V. is not enough for Snyder, which is why one of his “bucket-list” goals in life is to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.

“I love baseball and it’s a cool way to see the country,” said Snyder.

To some people, traveling around the country to visit all 30 MLB ballparks would be a complete waste of time, but to Snyder it is worth it. To pass time while traveling, Snyder plays games or listens to music on his iPod while admiring the landscape of each state that he passes through.

“I like the sight-seeing throughout the week, but I always look forward to the game the most,” said Snyder.

This past summer Snyder went to the baseball field in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Atlanta. On top of seeing these three marvelous stadiums he also got to see four landmarks in Atlanta, the World of Coke, Stone Mountain, the Centennial Olympic Park, and the place where CNN is shot.

“Baseball was my dad and grandpa’s favorite sport,” said Snyder.

So it’s no coincidence that their love of the game would become Snyder’s.

All of us have a person in our life that influences us or gets us involved in a hobby during our lifetime, whether it be your mom, dad, brother, sister, relative, or friend. Snyder’s was his dad and grandpa. They encouraged his love for baseball at an early age.

“Baseball means a lot to me. It’s one of the biggest things in my life right now,” said Snyder. “I will do anything I can to improve my skills.”

Penn Manor junior, Brad Snyder. Photo by Maria Vita.

“My favorite stadium so far is the Pirates because it is a smaller stadium, so you seem closer to the action and there is a great view of the city skyline,” Snyder said.

“I enjoy the trips as much as he does,” says Eric Snyder, Snyder’s younger brother, “I look up to him as a role model on and off the field.”

Snyder’s love for baseball is an inspiration to the rest of his team. When teammates see Snyder working hard in the weight room or during practice, they pick up the intensity, too.

Baseball is America’s past-time — something that Snyder agrees with one hundred percent.

“Through this experience, I’ve got to visit cities all over the country and have gotten to see the diverse cultures around the country,” said Snyder.

Snyder hopes to take a vacation to see the new stadium in Miami, and the Pirates stadium again over this upcoming summer.

 

Neck Surgery not bringing Skip Reddig Down

By Dakota Jordan–

Guitar teacher Skip Reddig thought he was finally feeling the strain of 29 years of teaching when he started to experience pain in his arm and shoulder last year.

“I had a constant pain,” said the music department coordinator.

Reddig who has been teaching at Penn Manor for 23 years started out as the band director.

“I always wanted to be a band director” said Reddig who began as a drummer in junior high and after college taught at a school in New Jersey for six years before holding the position as band director at Penn Manor for many years.

But after 15 years he felt it was time for a change.

“I saw there was a need and a desire for a guitar class at Penn Manor,” says Reddig. “As soon as I picked up a guitar it was like a new life for me.”

Things began to take a turn for the worse when Reddig went to the doctor to look into his shoulder pain. When the doctor looked at Reddig’s x-ray he saw the problem wasn’t his shoulder at all but the discs in his neck, which had begun to collapse.

“I went in for surgery in September and they went in and fixed my discs” says Reddig “I’m feeling a lot better and it is really good to be back.”

Apple Profits Boosted by iPhone Popularity – What’s up with the Stock Price?

By- Dakota Jordan

After a huge fourth quarter gain for Apple not even Siri can answer why stock prices are so low.

Apple, which has positioned itself as the biggest computer and software company in America, displayed an 118 percent jump in net income during the fourth quarter last year. That’s a total of a $13  billion increase, leading Apple to a total revenue of $46 billion for one quarter alone.

Not only are prices up but they are soaring. Monday Apple breached the $500 per share mark. Apple is now worth more than $469 billion, making it the most valuable public company in the world by a significant margin. Exxon Mobil, the second most valuable public company, which is worth approximately $400 billion after a weakening in that company’s stock price.

When the iPhone 4S was released in October, it was greeted by critics and consumers alike with very little enthusiasm as it lacked the razzle dazzle of the expected iPhone 5, but the iPhone, along with its communications assistant, Siri, had more than enough market power to carry Apple to another victory over smart phone competitors such as Google and Windows.

The phone sold over 37 million units in the third quarter, accounting for a large percentage of apples sales.

Then why are Apple stocks still below their estimated value?

“This isn’t supposed to be happening to a company of this size,” said David Rolfe, chief investment officer at Wedgewood Partners Inc., manages a $150 million fund where Apple is the largest component. “In our collective investment experience, none of us have ever seen this before.”

But investors want dividends and that’s holding Apple stocks back, Apple’s growing cash balance is having a huge overhang on the stock market, say experts, Apple is having trouble figuring out what to do with the money.

In the meantime, the iPhone’s popularity seems unstoppable.

“I love it!” said Penn Manor senior Maegan Kepperling about her new iPhone and her new best friend Siri. “It’s a huge help with everyday life.”

The other big problem is Apple is just getting too big to fast, analysts refuse to believe that a company that barely existed ten years ago is now the second most valuable company in the world. Second only to Exxon, there is just no way Apple can keep growing at a 73 percent annual rate, analysts insist.

“The mantra has been: Hey, a company this size just cannot keep growing at these unbelievable rates,” said Rolfe

But with a 118 percent rise since the holidays, even the experts might be wrong.

2012 Valentines Day- What Girls and Guys Want

By Alicia Ygarza and Tyler Funk

2012 is bringing a Valentine’s Day like no other.

According to WGAL, sweetheart photos are becoming very popular this Valentine’s Day, and they’re making woman feel like superstars.

“Some women are slipping on something slinky and getting their picture taken for their sweetheart this year,” wrote WGAL.

A cute Valentine’s Day teddy bear, courtesy of squidoo.com

“Most girls want roses and a teddy bear, but I just want to spend time with my boyfriend,” said Penn Manor student Kaitlin Hotchkiss, who has been with her boyfriend for three months.

“Time is more special to me than him spending money on me,” said Hotchkiss.

Hotchkiss seems too good to be true, because for some people like Nicole Harnish, they would love to have at least one flower given to them on Valentine’s Day.

“My boyfriend won’t do anything extravagant for me, he’ll keep things more simple. But all I want is flowers, at least one rose,” said Harnish, who’s been with her boyfriend for over a year.

According to www.womansday.com, “Men account for 73 percent of Valentine’s Day flower sales.”

“All I want for Valentine’s day is a guy that’ll take care of me and treat me right,” said Kelsea Lynn, a single Penn Manor student.

A couple dancing together on Valentine’s Day, courtesy of blog.do501.com
“I’ve always wanted flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day but have never gotten them,” said Lynn.
Since many girls would be satisfied with flowers, or a night to relax. What is it that boys want for Valentine’s Day?
Although Valentine’s Day gifts for men range from video games, clothes, tools, sports gear, a treat to dinner, and even  the accessories such as wallets, cell phones, deodorant, chargers or something small.
Here at Penn Manor the big hit seems to be candy or chocolate of some sort.
Some students say they would like a home cooked meal, which saves money over going out to dinner. However, it’s the meaning that counts.

“I would want a gift card or something useful,” said Aaron Lugo, a junior at Penn Manor.

Ryan Dicamillo, a senior at Penn Manor said, “I would want a home cooked meal and an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet afterward.”

“A nice bottle of cologne,” said Nick Young, a junior at Penn Manor.

Ian Toomey, a senior at Penn Manor, wants a homemade meal and cake for his Valentine’s Day.

Dylan Weber a senior at Penn Manor said, “I would like some chocolate or a card with something meaningful.”

It seems the boys and girls at Penn Manor are alike and would enjoy some of the same meaningful items for Valentine’s Day.

Dodgin’ Dutchess Loves Competition

By Alex James Cummins –

Dodge, Dip, Dive, Duck, Dodge. The five D’s of dodge-ball according to the hit movie, “Dodgeball,” are five rules that  Penn Manor science teacher, Erick Dutchess, relies on when he plays competitively outside of school. Competition is an important aspect in Dutchess’s life. Well actually, it might be THE most important part of his life.

Erick Dutchess wants to win everything, even arm wrestling with a student. Photo by Alex Cummins

One night a week, Dutchess laces up his gym shoes and plays competitive dodgeball with his team, Blitzburgh. This shouldn’t be surprising to many people due to Dutchess’s competitive and fun attitude noticed by many throughout the school.

“I get an intense feeling of satisfaction when I peg someone in the face,” said Dutchess.

As if everyone gets that feeling when playing dodgeball.

Dutchess is a very active person outside of school. Grading papers, coaching rec basketball, coaching lacrosse and much more – it just adds to Dutchess’s competitive life style.

Dutchess is always looking for ways to challenge himself against other people and destroy them.

As much as he likes to come out on top in competitive situations, he uses competition to help others as well. In Dutchess’s mind, competition is engaging life to the fullest.

“I try to use competition in the classroom as much as possible as a motivational strategy, so the students can achieve higher acedemic goals.”

Dutchess uses competition in the classroom while he teaches, to help enrich the lives of his students.

Fans can catch Blitzburgh, which currently has a record of 1 – 1 playing once a week at Wheatland Middle School in Lancaster. The games are at 7 p.m.  on Tuesdays every week. The team consists of 11 players and includes other Penn Manor staff members such as teachers Britney Clugston, Jarod Staub, Nick Swartz and Liz Kelly. 

A Passion To Run, a Passion to Serve

By Shadrack Kiprop –

From a modest childhood to a prosperous life, Penn Manor head track coach Arthur Morris has had one constant throughout it all in his 66 years, a love of running.

At the young age of 9 years in his native England, Morris fell in love with running after a chance encounter with it at his school.

While he was at a middle school, everyone who had gym class had to run cross-country races.  He won most races and discovered that he was decent at running, and it encouraged him to do more. 

“As I embarked on my journey in running to be one of the best, I learned to be patient in seeing the results that arose from my training, and I believed that hard work paid off,” said Morris.

As the years fell on Morris’s shoulders, he drew an inspiration from the former English athlete Roger Banister, best known for running the first mile in less than four minutes.

Banister had a reflection on achieving his goal.

After his failure at the 1952 Olympics, Banister spent two months deciding whether to give up running.  Instead, he steeled himself for an even greater achievement.

Banister decided he would be the first man to run a mile in under four minutes.  He intensified his training and did hard intervals.The following year on May 2,1953, he ran 4:03.6 and declared,”this race made me realize that the four minute mile was not out of reach.”

Banister achieved his goal in  1954.

“Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt,” said Banister at the time.  “Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead.”

It’s no wonder Morris was so inspired by Banister’s words and dedication.

Six years after Banister’s dramatic race, the prospect of America and all the opportunities there lured the Morris family from their native Great Britain.

At the thought of leaving his homeland country for America, Morris said that he didn’t want to come because it meant leaving his friends, but later appreciated the chance he was given to obtain a college education.

Morris sailed from England to America at the age of 14, and landed at J.P. McCaskey High School, a school that has always had competitive track and field  athletes. 

Since he had gone to only boys’ schools during most of his early school career back in England, he had to sort out what it meant to go to a new school that was definitely co-ed.

But within a year, Morris said he blended in with the student body.

“I was very shy but running enabled me to build a sense of confidence, meet and be accepted by other people,” said Morris.

Penn Manor English teacher Michael  Kaufhold was a McCaskey graduate, track and also a cross-country runner. He followed in Morris’ footsteps, by placing in the top ten in the crosscountry championship in his senior year.

He recalled Morris as an outstanding runner.

“Art Morris kept the McCaskey winning tradition in cross-country races,” recalled Kaufhold.  “No one wanted to lose a cross-country dual meet,” said Kaufhold.

During his senior year, Morris continued his philosophy of working hard and striving to be the best runner, and his success came to reality when he earned a silver medal in cross-country and won the state mile championship in track and field. After his break-through in the championships, he inspired many runners to believe that nothing was impossible to accomplish.

Arthur E.Morris,a high school state mile champion and a current head coach at Penn Manor. Photo by http://arthurmorrislegalexpensetrust.com/

In a blink of an eye, Penn State, one of the best colleges in Pennsylvania, according to Morris, was quick in hand to recruit him. In addition, he got a full scholarship for both track & field, cross-country running and also soccer.

At Penn State, he embarked on continuing his running career and pursuing a civil engineering degree.

Morris smiles at the notion that, since he was a well-known runner, he won the mayoral elections in Lancaster. He was sworn in as the youngest mayor in Lancaster history at the age of 34, and served for a decade.

“I was elected  as a mayor even though I wasn’t a natural born citizen of America,” said Morris.

As the Lancaster Mayor, he insisted on being an advocate for good government, public disclosure and accountability.

“We brought water and sewerage to people with low income, and I was proud of trying to help those who were left unfortunate and neglected. I hope I made a difference  in their lives,” noted Morris.

As Morris aged, he decided to give back to the community by being a track and field coach, and currently serves as a Penn Manor track and field head coach.