Penn Points Online

Fall Fest 2011 Generated a Great Time

By Brandon Schuman –

The 2011 Turkey Hill Fall Fest started off slow but was rocking by the end.

Many Penn Manor students flocked to the Overlook Community Campus to enjoy a day of free music and fun Saturday.

“I’m not a big country music guy, but it was fun,” said Penn Manor senior Landon Alecxih.

The weather was bitter and rainy but hundreds stuck it out. Bradley Gaskin, a budding star, opened the festivities. He had a hard time getting the crowd’s attention, but that could be attributed to the weather more than the artist.

American Idol alumna Lauren Alaina came on stage after Gaskin. She didn’t seem to capture the audience’s imagination very much. She sang a few original songs but failed to really separate herself.

Randy Houser, a more established artist, finally got the audience into the show. His rousing performance of his hit song Boots On brought the crowd into a frenzy.

“I like that song, it’s very catchy,” said senior Abby Barley. “I sing to it in my car.”

Next up on stage was country duo Steel Magnolia.

There was only one problem.

Joshua Scott Jones, the group’s male stalwart, had just entered drug and alcohol rehabilitation. His female counterpart and fiance, Meghan Linsey, was left to brave the stormy weather on her own. Jones’ voice was notably missed from the stage.

Last but certainly not least, Rodney Atkins took the stage. He immediately got the crowd on his side. His songs echoed throughout the Overlook Community Campus. The number one country song in the world, Take a Back Road, brought the audience to their feet.

“It’s the best song ever,” said Barley.

The day may have been sloppy and rainy, but the music was crisp and clean.

High School Library Offers High-Tech QR Codes

By Alicia Ygarza and Amber Brenner –

There’s nothing fun about typing out a website URL, especially when it’s a long URL. Nobody enjoys their web browser telling them that the website they gruelingly typed doesn’t exist. Or, even worse, when you accidentally mistype something and the URL does exist, but it’s not anywhere close to what you were searching for.

Japan has been holding a secret to getting rid of the problem for a while. The idea made a pit stop in Europe before circulating to the US, where it has trickled down to Penn Manor, thanks to the new high school librarian.

“I found out about QR codes by reading a magazine. I thought they were interesting so I looked into them,” commented Diane Bounds, the librarian. “QR codes started in China and since they were using bar codes for so long and ran out, they created QR codes.”

A QR Code (which stands for “Quick Response”) is a high-tech bar code. Instead of being a one-dimensional picture of simple lines, it is a 2D “bar code.”

A simple way to think about it is as a print-based link. By using a smart phone, or even an iPod touch with a camera, a person can take a picture of the QR code and be immediately taken to an embedded link.

But the ingenious codes don’t stop there. QR Codes can also contain things such as a phone number, a text message or a picture.

Jules — Julie Ault and Lexsander Gonsalez marvel in the wonder of QR Codes

“I use QR codes personally because in magazines you can get coupons. If QR codes are available, I’ll use them. They’re a nice way to share resources. [Shawn] Canady [technology support] was the one who decided to connect them to fireside book-chats,” said Bounds.

QR codes can be found along windows in the library. You can even create your own QR code to share online.

For more information, or to create your own QR code, you can visit www.QRstuff.com.

All you have to do is choose your data type, meaning what you want the code to hold information for. The choices include plain text, website URLs, phone numbers, email addresses or messages, contact information, event information, Google Maps locations and links to social networking pages, iTunes pages and YouTube videos.

After you’ve chosen your data type, you enter the “content” you want. For instance, you could create a code to send secret messages to people that you know have QR readers. You type the message, then select your desired output method. You can download the image to your desktop, print the code or send it in an email to a friend.

Stop by the library to learn more.

Fewer Homeruns Flying over the Fence this Spring

By Kevin Holton –

Fly balls may not be soaring so far this year.

In an effort to minimize injuries, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) has set a ban on bats that do not pass specific safety tests for high school baseball and Penn Manor’s players will have to switch to the new bats during their spring season.

“It’ll prevent a lot of serious injuries and have less of a risk,” said Penn Manor baseball player Austin Richwine.

But there will probably be a lot less balls that are knocked “out of the park.”

item-bm11-aaapro — BBCOR bats may change high school baseball. Photo courtsey of justbats.com

The University of Massachusetts – Lowell Baseball Research Center had previously only tested bats for college baseball but not for high school baseball, according to the PIAA.

Until this year.

For high school baseball play, all bats must be safety certified for the 2012 season under the latest testing regulations.

“It’ll effect a lot of people’s personal stats because of less pop,” added Richwine

The Lowell Research Center previously certified a bat through a BESR test which determined the speed of the ball after it is hit where a new test, the BBCOR test, measures the bounciness that a bat gives a ball when it is hit.

The performance of a safety certified bat is very similar to that of a wooden bat. According to stevetheump.com, with solid wood bats, much of that energy is lost as the ball hits the bat. With a hollow, composite bat, the walls slighty flex and do not take away energy from a pitched ball thus giving it more power to soar farther.

“Statistically in Division I college baseball, home runs and runs scored all fell drastically this year due to the use of BBCOR bats, ” said Matthew Scheuing, a history teacher at Penn Manor and an F&M College baseball coach.

The new bats do have many positive effects. According to Scheuing, players will now have to really focus more on actual hitting, bunting and running techinques that were not developed in previous years due to the increase in the power of other bats.

“The new bats give us a more true evaluation of a player’s abilities both as hitters and pitchers,” said Scheuing

BBCOR bats may seem like a huge downgrade from bats that were previously used, but according to Streeter Stuart, the Penn Manor High School baseball coach, the bats do not put all players at a disadvantage.

“The new BBCOR bats are still more technologically advanced than the bats I was using in high school or college,” said Stuart. “But the same thing is true now that was true 20 years ago. If you hit the ball square, it will be hit hard.”

Although this bat will cause less injuries, it will not guarantee safety.

“A line drive that hits you in the head, no matter the type of bat, is going to hurt you,” said Stuart.

Penn Manor Gets Pumped for Spirit Week

By Julia Norton-

Today kicked off Penn Manor’s annual spirit week.

This event started off with a flashback to the 1980s with displays of neon colors and big hair. Some students had a difficult time getting it quite right.

“They said I look like Kurt Cobain, which is 90s,” said senior Troy Diffenderfer.

Tuesday – Bring out your hunting attire Tuesday in support of camo day.

Wednesday is nerd day. Wear glasses, high socks and pocket protectors.

“I’ll wear my glasses for nerd day,” said senior Xavier Wingenroth.

Thursday – Dress up as your favorite superhero. Tights and capes are acceptable.

Friday – Wear blue and gold to support the Comets both at school, tailgating and at the homecoming football game against Ephrata, beginning at 7 pm.

Sam Valentin contributed to this article.

Penn Manor Smashes Through Ephrata

By Travis Wells –

The Penn Manor Comets brought home a huge victory against Ephrata under the lights Friday.

The Mountaineers tried to stay strong but there was no stopping the Comets. The game ended 42-7, Penn Manor.

The Comets got right to it in the first quarter scoring with in the first three minutes with a pass thrown by Adam Sahd to wideout Daulton Parmer.

“We actually got off to a good start on offense which we sort of lacked in previous games,” said running back Adam Hess. “Our defense was also a huge part in the win.”

sahd throwing football comets — Penn Manor quarterback Adam Sahd led his team to victory. Photo by Alex Geli

After an overtime loss against Hempfield the previous Friday, the Comets were hungry for revenge on the Mountaineers.

Mistakes on the field caused turnovers by both teams but even when Ephrata had the ball on Penn Manor’s five-yard line the force of the defensive line wouldn’t let them through.

The Comets got the ball back and Sahd was quick to make the play, rushing 60 yards for a TD ending the first quarter 14-0.

But Ephrata refused to give up that easily, early in the second quarter a TD pass thrown by Ephrata narrowed the Comet’s lead to 7.

“We played really smart the first half only causing one turnover,” said linebacker Joziah Rodriguez.

The second half was just as good for the Comets. Sahd threw two touchdown passes to Brandon Stone and Adam Hess and rushed for another 20-yard touchdown giving them a huge advantage of 35-7.

Things just got worse for Ephrata in the fourth. An on-sides kick by Brian Sloss caused Ephrata to fumble. The Comets took advantage and made another touchdown.

“We played our best and it worked,” said Sahd.

Homecoming Queen Candidates Named for Penn Manor 2012

By Jena Lacock-

The 2011 Penn Manor homecoming court has been chosen and the candidates for queen will be presented at the homecoming football game Oct. 7. The queen will be crowned during halftime.

The candidates are:

Sara Bennis, the daughter of Elaine and Steve Bennis, is very involved in school activities. She is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, Varsity Club, Prom Committee, varsity soccer team and is the spring fling coordinator. Her future plans are to attend West Chester University where she will play soccer and major in pre-physical therapy.

Homecoming1 — The 2012 Penn Manor homecoming court. Left to right Kayla Bixler, Lauren Wissler, Michelle Dempsey, Ellen Blazer, Kelly Lenahan, Sara Bennis, Demi Greenawalt.

Ellen Blazer, the daughter of Ruth and Eric Blazer, plays a big role at Penn Manor. She takes part in the fall play, spring musical, is the class president, is in the International Thespian Society, chorus, Rocket Club and competes in the Junior Engineering Technical Society Competition. Her plans after high school are to attend a four-year college studying either engineering or mathematics.

Kelly Lenahan, the daughter of Rob and Janet Lenahan, has a busy schedule. She is the president of chorus, member of the Manor Singers, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, First Priority club, is in the spring musical, is a concert pianist, takes part in youth group and is a competitive Irish dancer. She plans on attending a four year college to study music performance or music education.

Kayla Bixler, the daughter of Lisa and Eric Bixler, is involved in many activities at school. She is a field hockey captain, Student Council President, in National Honor Society, Optimist Queen runner-up, Prom Committee and competes in the Junior Engineering Technology Society Competition. Bixler plans to attend college to study medicine and play field hockey.

The homecoming football game will be held Oct. 7.

Demi Greenawalt, the daughter of Missy and Dave Greenawalt, participates in many activities at Penn Manor. She is in Student Government, Yearbook Committee, Varsity Club, Prom Committee, plays girls soccer and inters at Grauer’s Decorating Center. After high school she is continuing her education at an art school.

Laura Wissler, the daughter of Dannel and Randy Wissler, takes part in track and field, swim team, Powder Puff and Manor FFA. She placed eighth in the state for track and field. Her future plans are to attend Delaware Valley or University of Wyoming to pursue becoming a large animal veterinarian.

Michelle Dempsey, the daughter of Suzanne and Mike Dempsey, participates in National Honor Society, Envirothon, track and field, National History Day, scholastic writing competition, youth group, and praise team. She wants to go to a four year college to major in English Literature. After college, Dempsey plans on becoming an editor for a publishing company.

School Board Meeting

The Penn Manor School Board will be holding a board meeting on October 3 at 7 p.m. at Manor Middle School.

Items to be discussed are:

Review of AYP Public Information
Internet Security Issues
Central Manor Change Orders – totaling $75,249.68
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Financing
Approving purchase of 422 Beaver Valley Pike

For the full agenda go to: http://www.pennmanor.net/agenda/ and click on Oct. 3

Facebook is Part of Your College Application

By Mark Dano –

Social networking may not be all fun and games. For many students, it can determine whether they are accepted or rejected by their desired college.

College institutions have started to search applicants on Facebook or Google to gain a further background on the prospective students. The number of college admission officials has quadrupled in the past year alone.

“College admissions reps look at student’s social networking sites because they are looking to gain information about a potential student that may not be captured in a traditional application,” said Brandy Basile, a counselor at Penn Manor. “They are looking to see what sets you apart from other applications. Many students applying to college look basically the same on paper the college wants to see what you are going to bring to there community.”

Facebook can be a big deal for college applicants. Photo courtesy of ipadcrashes.com

“One of the reasons I don’t have a Facebook is because colleges and jobs look at it,” said Penn Manor junior Aaron Brown, one student who is aware that colleges are watching.

According to a survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep, a company who prepares prospective college students for taking entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT, almost 25% of admission offices at 359 colleges say they used Facebook and another 20 percent used Google to help evaluate an applicant.

Some seniors who have recently applied to a college and are awaiting a response are also aware.

“I’ve heard that before,” said Dylan Weber, a senior at Penn Manor. “But I’m not worried about it. There’s nothing on my Facebook that would harm me.”

Despite students awareness, colleges still find things that “negatively impacted” the applicant’s odds of being admitted. Essay plagiarism, vulgarities in blogs, and photos showing underage drinking were among some of the offenses found. The idea that a student can work hard for years for the opportunity to attend college can all be washed away by one mistake on the internet.

The easiest way to avoid making this type of mistake is using common sense.

“Whether students are planning to attend college or go directly into the workforce I believe that you should keep in mind that anything you post becomes public information,” said Basile. “It’s really simple in my mind just don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandparents seeing or reading. Be extremely careful when posting pictures as well don’t let your friends post pictures that paint you in a bad light.”

On the other hand, students can use their Facebook or social networking page to help them get accepted into their college of choice.

“Use your site to help your application post a picture of you doing something positive at school or in the community,” said Basile.

Either way the reality is that colleges are here to stay, and students need to be aware of what they post on their pages.

“As Facebook and other social networking sites become more popular I definitely see this trend continuing especially with prestigious schools,” said Basile.

Teen Drivers Could be Driving Alone Soon

By Mitch Domin and Cheyenne Weber –

Student: “Can you take my friend and I to school?”

New driver: “Nah, I just got my license, can’t take you it’s against the law, maybe in six months.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett intends to make this scenario happen.

Corbett is expected to soon sign into law a bill that increases mandatory driving experience needed during the learner’s permit phase, prohibits new drivers from transporting more than one person under the age of 18 and requires every young driver to wear a seatbelt. For the first six months teen drivers can carry one person under the age of 18, under the provision. If the teen does not get in a accident in the six month time period, he or she will be limited to three people in the car at a time.

“I feel like it would make us safer if everyone actually followed it, but I can’t see that happening,” said senior Alec Keck.

But it’s the younger drivers who do not support the new law.

Matt Rayha2 junky car — New drivers may soon have more restrictions on them in Pa. File photo

“It’s not fair, why do we have to wait,” complained freshman Mark Conrad.

“My main goal is to reduce teen driving fatalities,” said state Rep. Katharine Watson, the prime sponsor of the bill.

“It’s a hassle,” said Penn Manor senior Evan Bigler. “People will do it (drive with more than one friend) anyway.”

This bill’s specific perks are. if a driver or passenger under the age of 18 is not following the safety actions – namely not wearing a seat belt, it will be a primary offense and police could pull the driver over. The learner’s permit requirement went from 50 hours of driving to 65 hours of driving. The bill also says the permit driver must have at least five hours of driving in bad weather and 10 hours of driving at night.

“People drive drunk, people drive without a seat bell and people drive with to many people in the car nothings going to change because of some bill,” said Nick Fonzi.