Penn Points Online

Penn Manor vs. Hempfield Lax Heats up an already Hot Rivalry

By Connor Hughes, Connor Rowe and Jay Jackson

The Penn Manor lacrosse team opens its season against arch rival Hempfield, Friday, March 25 at 4:15.

The boys from Penn Manor are hyped about the game and aren’t afraid to share.

“Hempfield’s game plan is to cruise through and get the win, but everyone has a game plan until you get [hit] in the face,” one player exclaimed.

Hempfield is a lacrosse powerhouse with five district championships since 2000.

Not only does Hempfield hold all of these championships, they’ve never lost to Penn Manor, a team that battles every year.

“This is the year to beat them,” one player insisted.

The win would mean a lot to all the guys, according to senior Peter Horning, “It’d be culmination of all the work that went into this team ever since fifth grade.”

Sophmore Brady Charles has been waiting for this game for a long time.

“We’ve been hyping it since the summer,” said Charles. “It’s all about revenge. Penn Manor has never won against Hempfield.”

Charles is very confident.

“One-hundred and ten percent chance we win. No doubt. We expect to win,” he said.

Charles also mentioned the demeanor that the Hempfield players have.

“They’re over-confident, cocky,” insisted Charles.

This rivalry has been growing for years, and now it’s getting heated.

“[You] think [you] can beat us?” Hempfield defender Nick Best, allegedly asked on a Facebook post.

“Why wouldn’t I? That’s not the right attitude,” responded defensive midfielder Jaq Presbery.

This match-up could go either way, but it seems like the Comets have the ability and confidence to take the victory.

“Gentlemen this is our time, our year, our game,” said Mark Curtain. “I don’t care what they’ve done or who they are, I know we are prepared to take care of business. I wouldn’t want to go into battle with anyone else. If we play as a family, work as a family and pick each other up, we will win as a family.”

Nothing’s Better Than a Classic

By Corbin Gillichbauer-

On March 22, 1963 the Beatles released their first album “Please Please Me,” two years before their 50th anniversary of the band, and many still think the Beatles started a music sensation to rock and pop.

Many forget about John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr but students at Penn Manor do not.

Mike Gebhard said, “They are my favorite band ever, ‘Let it Be’ is my favorite song from the Beatles.”

Please Please Me is a 31:59 minutes of Beatles music.

Vaughn Stetler a die-hard Beatles fan who listens to them daily said, “I can’t get enough of them.”

Zach Sheaffer’s favorite quote from the Beatles music ever said was, “But tomorrow may rain, so I’ll follow the sun.”

People don’t forget the great music a band created for the world. Kids at Penn Manor think that the Beatles started off a revolution of new music. “P.S. I Love You”

Penn Manor Girls Begin a Quest for the Postseason

By Bryan Buckius –

Balls, bats, and gloves. Penn Manor girls softball isn’t afraid to get down and dirty.

With the start of a new season finally here, the Penn Manor girls softball team is looking to write a new chapter in their book of success.

Kierstin Bechtold was the only starter to graduate last year and the lady comets are looking to improve on their 8 wins and 11 loses from a year ago.

“This season we want to have a winning record and make districts,” said junior Jenny Hanner.

Penn Manor’s junior varsity coach Aron Basile is anticipating a successful year as well.

“We have the potential to be successful. It’s just a matter of time,” said Basile.

With eight of nine starters returning, Basile said some of the key players for the Comets success are going to be Jenny Hanner, Jenna Santaniello ( 2nd team all star), and Ashley Witmer( honorable mention). Senior pitcher Kendra Keuper will also have a pivotal role in the Comets lineup

The Comets have drastically improved over the last few seasons. Over the last three years the softball team went from only winning four games to having a record of 8-11 last year.

Although having talent is important for a team to be successful, that’s not the only key to winning.

“If we want to be successful this year we need to be more than a team. We need to be a family,” said Hanner.

The softball team officially kicks of their season and a quest for the postseason Friday at May at 4:15 at Manheim Central.

Love As An Addiction – It’s Hard To Break

By Kayla Pagan –

Grades dropping, tears falling, bad habits and more, are all results of teenage breakups.

But heartbreak isn’t only a emotional situation, it actually causes physical pain, literal heartbreak. It also can increase a person’s heart rate and make someone’s pupils dilate.

Adoree Durayappah, a psychologist and writer for the Huffington Post stated that scientists at the University of Amsterdam have found that social rejection is connected to the parasympathetic nervous system.

“Any time I would see my ex my heart would go crazy,” said Shayna Sanchez, a junior at Penn Manor.

But after the reality of the breakup happens, another symptom can be passivity, according to the research.

“I didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere for the longest time. I found myself locked in my room listening to the most depressing music I could find, wanting nothing to do with the world,” said Liz Rivera, a senior at Penn Manor High School.

Getting over a breakup is like recovering from a cocaine addiction, researchers at Stony Brook University said. Motivation, reward and addiction cravings are all generated from the same part of the brain as pain and anguish, feelings felt during a breakup.

Relationships are addicting. We get so used to them, so used to any and everything associated with that significant other, that when we lose them it’s like we’re going through withdrawal.

“Everything changed, I didn’t know what to do, or who to turn to, I relied on her for so long, that when she was gone, I felt lost,” said junior Maddi Eckenrode.

The joy of gaining something is not nearly as strong as the pain of losing someone.

Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist, studied how people make choices where they have to decide between risk-taking alternatives. Durayappah’s example was that people find that losing $50 is more significant than gaining $50.

Similarly, psychological research suggests the human brain always loses more than it gains. The joy of entering a new relationship is nothing compared to the pain caused by breakups.

“I’m so scared to give my all to someone else, who knows when they’ll be gone,” said 11th grader, Kyle Black.

“It’s easier to avoid falling for someone, because when they walk out of my life it won’t hurt as much,” said Liz Rivera.

People tend to be loss averse, they avoid the chances of risking loss more than taking the chance to potentially gain.

“We want to avoid the risk of losing, even though there could be a chance for true love,” said Durayappah.

Physiologically, breakups are heart-breaking. But it’s not necessary to tell teens that, they already know.

A Cold Spring is not Refreshing

The weather feels like the photo on the left when everyone wants it to be like the photo on the right. Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com

By Eli Marcelino –

Spring arrived but it forgot to bring warmer temperatures.

Now that the long cold winter is over and spring officially began March 21, you might think Mother Nature would be giving us lots of warm, sunny days. But it seemed that the first week of spring of 2011 seemed more like the first week of winter.

“This year’s spring started pretty crappy. It is still cold,” said freshman David Carmichael.

So far this “spring” the weather has been cloudy and rainy with highs barely into the 40s.

Although a few brave flowers are peeking above the soil, blooms are still a rare sight.

“The weather feels like winter,” said freshman Ricky Reveron.

According to WGAL.com, not only it is supposed to rain this week but they are also calling for chance of snow on Sunday.

“I’m angered by it,” said junior Cody Stryker. “It’s not pleasant for me.”

“It’s very depressing considering it’s Spring,” said senior Morgan Talbert. “It’s a downer for people who play sports because we can’t practice.”

Peace-Keeping Mission Could be a Cause for Concern for PM Enlisted

By Vaughn Stetler –

America is turning over its enforcement of the no-fly zone to NATO.

The United Nations authorized the intervention after massive violations of human rights were taking place in Libya, namely its leader, Moammar Gadhafi, was attacking his own people in order to squash a civil rebellion.

Not everyone agrees with the intervention.

One high level aide said that “The U.S. would once again be meddling in in the Middle East,” and “There are a number of risks including political and tactical.”

Civilians run from house that was hit in an air strike. CNN.com

There are people who are on the other side of this argument such as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry, who said “We must not make repeating mistakes like we did in Iraq, Kurdistan, Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

Any sort of foreign military action may have some of Penn Manor future enlisted members worried.

Penn Manor senior and future NROTC enlistee Kyle Kann said, “I do not think that we should get involved. We should let them work out their own problems. It would give them an opportunity to shape the future of the country as they see fit.”

When Kann said the decision by the U.S. to get involved in Libya would not change his plans for enlisting.

Rebels celebrating after capture of city. CNN.com

“No not at all,” said Kann, “I still want to serve my country even if I do not agree with what they are doing in the Middle East.”

Penn Manor senior James McElroy is thinking of joining the Marines.

“We don’t need to send any more troops over there (Middle East),” McElroy said. “There is already enough problems with Iraq and Afghanistan.”

McElroy thought that we should send aid to some of the people who had been affected by this conflict he said, “Of course the U.S. has always been an ally of foreign countries that are having crisis, why should that change now.”

Another senior, Andrew Noel, who is going into the Navy to be an engineer said, “I was supposed to be stationed in Germany but now the (military action in Libya) might change were I am going after basic I may be stationed in the Middle East or somewhere else.”

UConn Girls Fight Through Tournment For Their 7th Title.

By Brandon Bowers-

Anything can happen, UConn girls are geared up and ready to play in the this year’s NCAA Championship game, going for their seventh national title. And history.

UConn’s captain forward Maya Moore may lead her team to yet another NCAA Championship.

She is one of the best scorers in the league. Her score total in four years is 1110 with a percentage of .538 and her 3-point field goals are 294 with an average of .406.

She only misses a shot one out of every two shots she takes and from long range she only misses about one in every two or three shots.

“UConn is one of the best girls basketball team in history, no one would had ever thought that one team could go 90 and 0 before finally losing to Stanford. It was a heart breaker for them they had history and would of taken it farther, But 90 and o will be hard to beat,” said junior Kevin Bubaker.

UConn after winning NCAA Championship photo courdisy of http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://easthaddam.htnp.com

People may not watch girls basketball because they may think it’s boring or not interesting, but UConn may make basketball a different story. They have won six championships and may be ready to take on seven.

The tournament will decide if they are the best team in the country. If so, they will be making history, even if they are “girls.”

After this year, Moore will be leaving and may be entering a draft to the WNBA so UConn will be losing a big threat in the lineup. UConn coach Geno Auriemma will have a tough time replacing her.

“I personality don’t watch girls basketball but when highlights come on ESPN, it is always UConn and Maya Moore making ridiculous shots or them beating a team by 30 to 40 points,” said junior Will Welsh. “That is crazy. The UConn girls should just play in the men’s league and beat up on all the boys. They are so good when I seen that they where 90 and 0 I was shocked,” said Welsh.

The girls may only have four more games until they are in the championship game but they may still have to come out ready to play and win these key games so they can get that seventh title.

“It’s just that girls seems too slow to watch,” complained junior Matt Duvall. “But UConn is a different team. They have the plays and the talent to take their time to get a good shot or find an open hole for a lay up. they have had a disappointing game against Standford to snap the 90-game win streak, but they will win this year’s NCAA Championship.”

Their big win against Purdue now puts them in the final four match up against number five- ranked Georgetown this Sunday. If UConn pulls off yet another big win it will put them in the championship game for a chance for the historic seventh title.

To see the UConn women in action, go to this video: http://search.espn.go.com/uconn/women%27s-basketball/57

I Play Games, so I Kill People

By Ryan Krause –

Games make kids violent. No, actually that’s a myth.

I’ve played many violent games: Counter Strike, Team Fortress 2, Gears of War, Halo, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Dead Space and many more.

Heck, some games like Dead Space reward you for dismembering zombies with a plasma cutter. In fact, the whole point of the game is to basically be as violent as possible.

Ryan Krause. Image taken by Spencer Barnett and Laura Revelt.

But hey, you don’t see kids running around with plasma cutters chopping people’s limbs off.

These games are rated “M” for mature for a reason.

And yes, of course, there is violence in the world, but it’s not directly related to games.

Some kids have said that the game, Grand Theft Auto, taught them to be violent, but it’s not their fault that their parents let them play these 17+ rated games.

Game stores are supposed to ask for identification if the customer looks underage for a game.

That’s why there is the ESRB rating.

It’s not the game company’s fault that kids buy their games underage and that parents don’t monitor their 12-year-old who bought it.

Some people say that the kids aren’t at a good age for judgment, but isn’t that what parents are for?

Parents are supposed to be guiding their kids. While their kids might be playing Call of Duty, it is their parents’ duty to make sure no overly violent games are in possession of their children.

There was a news story on FOX claiming that games cause rape.

Dead Space 2 is full of graphic violence. Image owned by Electronic Arts.

On the FOX News website, Carole Leiberman said, “The increase in rapes can be attributed in large part to the playing out of (sexual) scenes in video games.”

How can one know what goes on in another individual’s brain?

Another quote – this one is by Dr. Jerry Weichman – on the FOX News website was, “If a younger kid experiences Bulletstorm’s explicit language and violence, the damage could be significant.”

The parents of such a child should not have let their kid play such a game or allow it in their presence.

They should have thought ahead of what their kids could have been up to.

Games like Call of Duty give you a rating for how well you kill people. Does that make kids go around and kill people and act out scores?

Nope.

According to USnews.com, “The average video game player is 35 years old and has been playing for 12 years.”

“According to FBI statistics, youth violence has declined in recent years as computer and video game popularity soared,” they also stated.

Kids have a better outlet with video games because, in short, they’re not real.

Every single head-shot, every stab, every punch and every curb-stomp is simulated.

And all of these actions are performed on virtual characters who have no feelings whatsoever. I promise.

For the advertising of the game, Dead Space 2, the creators emphasized on how violent the game is and how your parents would hate it.

It attracts teenagers who need a way to vent their frustration with everyday life, and have fun doing it.

Now, every console comes with parental controls that restricts what games can be played based upon the ratings.

Basically it all comes down to how well parents monitor their kids. It’s not the company’s fault their games are misused.

It’s like blaming Marlboro for giving you lung cancer or McDonalds for making you overweight.

You’re already given a heads up – caution labels, nutritional information. The final decision to lift the cigarette or Big Mac up to your mouth and ingest it is in your hands – literally. And if you can’t control yourself, well, parents are there for a reason.

Games have warnings of their own. They did their job. It’s time for the moms and dads out there to do theirs.

Classic Beauty, Elizabeth Taylor Dies

By Alicia Ygarza –

Elizabeth Taylor had a huge heart, a heart for films, a heart for helping people and a heart for love. But while her love and emotions were strong, her body was weak.

Taylor died Wednesday, March 23 at Cedar’s-Sinai Medical Center at the age of 79 due to congestive heart failure. According to published news reports, she was hospitalized at the Cedar-Sinai Medical Center for six weeks.

By many, Taylor is considered one of the last of the glamorous studio stars.

Elizabeth Taylor died Wednesday at the age of 79. Photo courtesy of themakeoverguy.

Taylor was a child when she started her movie career. “There’s One Born Every Minute” was Taylor’s first film, released when she was 10.

Then, in 1944, MGM’s “National Velvet” made Taylor a star.

According to IMDb, during the 1940s and 50s Taylor stared in film after film and rose to be known as “one of the world’s great beauties.” She had a creamy complexion, jet-black hair and famous lilac-colored eyes.

Though Taylor was famous for her beauty, she was also infamous for her illnesses.

According to Lancaster New Era, Taylor suffered with pneumonia and a brain tumor.

“A diva, she made a spectacle of her private life- eight marriages, ravenous appetites for drugs, booze and food, ill food that sparked headlines constantly proclaiming her at death’s door,” according to that published report.

One thing Taylor will always be remembered as is a great friend.

In an interview, actress Shirley MacLaine said, “I don’t know what was more impressive, her magnitude as a star, or her magnitude as a friend.”

Taylor also is known for her supportive friendship with Michael Jackson.

Taylor once said, “I don’t entirely approve of some of the things I have done, or am, or have been. But I’m me. God knows, I’m me.”

Movie Ticket Prices Getting Too Expensive for Teens

By Brandon Bowers-

It isn’t easy for hard-working teens to afford a date to the movies, either a regular show or in 3D or IMAX.

The ticket price for some is a small fortune.

IMAX movie tickets at Penn Cinemas are $15.50 for anyone over 12 and $13.50 for 12 and under. The price is still high, $13.50 for seniors (over 60).

“Fifteen-fifty for a movie that is in 3D on a super huge screen, come on now!” said junior Will Welsh. “I would rather wait for the the movie to comes out on DVD and buy it for $15.

“That is ridiculous to take a friend or that special one to see a movie,” Welsh said. “Plus if you take the girl you like your spending up to $45 because you have to treat the girl with the movie ticket and popcorn and candy to make everything right. It’s just what you have to do on a date if you want the girl to like you.”

Also, for a regular evening movie at Penn Cinema, it is $9.50 for adults (over 12) and $7.00 for under 12 and seniors. To see a movie in 3D you will be paying $3 extra.

An expensive ticket for a IMAX 3D show. Photo courtesy by http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static.myce.com/images_posts

“If I’m ever going to the movies again I will be going with my family so they can pay for everything,” noted sophomore Zac Burke. “That is a lot of money for one person to see an hour-and-a-half movie. For my family, my dad would be paying up to $30 plus food and candy.

“I would be broke if I took a girl,” Burke said.

The price for tickets has risen dramatically in the past years. Even a matinee show is $7.50 for adults and $7 for others and $3 extra for 3D.

It may be nice to go see a movie in 3D or in IMAX but the price may scare people away.

“I will always treat my girl to a movie because I put them before me so if that means spending $45 at an IMAX (or) 3D movie then I will, because I want her to feel special and be comfortable with me,” said Tyrell Wickersham a freshman at Hempfield High School.

Penn Cinema has comfortable seating in their new IMAX theater, but Regal Manor Stadium in the Manor Shopping Center does have 3D and is closer for teens driving from Penn Manor. If you’re looking for high quality, Penn Cinema’s IMAX, may be your best bet… if you’re willing to a pay.

At Regal Manor the prices of an adult ticket is now $15 for a 3D movie any time. For moviegoers under 12 years of age, the tickets are $10.75 to $11, same for the seniors over 60.

Regal may not have an IMAX like Penn Cinema but their 3D feature seems be good enough to spend $15 for an hour and a half movie.

“I always want the best and will do everything I can do to give my girl the best. If I have to pay $45 for a IMAX 3D movie then I will because I like to be a nice guy,” said junior Kevin Burbaker.

The cheapest movie tickets and concession prices around this area is Kendig Square Movies. Although it may not have the newest technology or the latest movies but the prices are more affordable.

At Kendig Square movie tickets are $5 for any movie any time and the popcorn and candy is also under $5.