‘Old Heads’ Gumming up the Works on Facebook

By Crystal Bugner –

“Alright, fine, you can put the pictures up… but don’t tag me, my mom is a Facebook friend.”

This phrase is becoming more and more common as it seems more and more gray hair is popping up in profile pictures.

Since 2009 there have been a plethora of articles stating that the number of adults on Facebook are doubling… tripling… ever rising.

Eek, get off our Facebook, old heads!  What used to be the teen capital of the internet is now cluttered with invites to Sunday brunch from Grampy and Grammy.

Students at Penn Manor have stated, or in many cases complained, that they do, in fact, have parents on the website.

Junior Kim Blake said not only does her mom have a Facebook, but her mom has the password to her daughter’s account. And she doesn’t feel hindered by this like most teens.

“I do what I want and I post what I want,” Blake said with a nonchalant shrug. She said she doesn’t see her mother as a threat. Blake even said this makes her feel like her mother trusts her more.

Teens and adults are colliding on Facebook.

Most teens, on the other hand, do not share this sentiment.

Junior Jake Mercado gave his opinion, one that most kids with parents on the website echo.

“Old folks ruined Facebook,” Mercado said.

Not surprising coming from a kid who told his mom specifically not to add him, something many students said they wish they would have done to save themselves some shame and suffering.

He commented saying that all his mother does is play Farmville and comment too much, so he didn’t feel like having her on his Facebook… and to avoid some embarrassing situations that could pop up.

Student Alex LaFrance told one such embarrassing story. He put up on his Faceook that he was listening to Billy Idol and he put in an F-bomb. No, not THE F-bomb, but something like it, and he received a nice little talking to.

It made LaFrance think twice about using the social networking site.

“No. I wish I didn’t have a Facebook,” said LaFrance and on March 11th he deleted his Facebook.

OK, it’s a free country.  So if you’re over 40 and have kids and insist on having Facebook, here are a few helpful rules:

1.No pictures of your kids, no exceptions.  The photos you post are likely not the photos your kids would like the world to see.

2. The reverse is not true.  We teens were here first.  Realize kids will be kids, they may not post what you like.

3. Don’t expect your kids to send you a friend request.  That almost never happens.

4. Don’t expect your kids to confirm you as a friend. Awkward around the dinner table, yes, but more often than not, you will NOT be confirmed.

5. Don’t expect your kids to acknowledge you as family, either.

6.Don’t look at your kids’ friend’s profiles. That’s just weird and creepy.

7. Don’t add your kid’s friends. That makes it even weirder.

8. Stop sending Farmville requests except to your little circle of cyber farmers who enjoy them.  More than 50 requests to random associates is a little bit excessive, even if you really want to reach the next level.

9. Limit your likes, staying in contact can be okay, liking everything your kid does, is not.

10.Commenting on everything – not a good idea either.  Those comments always end up sounding lame the next day to everyone but you.

So there you have it. Now that someone’s laid the ground rules, parents, do as you will, but remember there’s some social expectations that come with this.

For extra pointers take a peek over at http://myparentsjoinedfacebook.com

Penn Manor Gets a New Mascot

By Crystal Bugner –

Erick Dutchess just had a baby!

Well, not one of his own. This baby has a few more feathers than what you’d expect.

The new man of the hour is just starting to walk, but he’s becoming pretty popular among students. He’s the emu that was just hatched in Dutchess’s class. That’s right, there’s an emu in the school.

He came out of his shell Sunday, March 13, and since then there’s been a constant stream of visitors popping in to see how he’s doing.

“A few girls have asked him to prom,” joked Dutchess.

The fertilized emu egg was donated by the Gillichbauer family, residents of the Penn Manor School District. The family has emus of their own, and offered to give the egg to Dutchess free of charge.

In fact, the only charge for this exotic creature was the price of the incubator, which was several hundred dollars and paid for by a grant from the school district.

Dutchess said the emu doesn’t have many other environmental needs aside from the incubator, as long as you exclude the affection of students.

The need for affection doesn’t seem to be a problem though with how many students are happily stopping in to see his growth progress on the way to their classes.

“He needs less external heat, but he’s still very needy in terms of food and cleanliness,” said Dutchess about a week after the emu was born.

The emu is learning to take his first steps. Photo by Crystal Bugner

Hopefully this little guy will grow big and strong, though there have been worries expressed about how long he will live. For the time being much of the school will be wishing him the best and making sure he has all he needs.

As for a name, Dutchess said that’s up to his future owner, physics teacher, Mr.Hess.

“I think we’re going to let Mr.Hess decide, because it’s his animal,” said Dutchess.

Steven Hess admitted it hasn’t been the first thing on his agenda.

“I hadn’t really thought about a name, probably something simple like ‘Pat,'” Hess said, in which case we wish him and Pat luck in the future.

Japan Fights Chain Reaction – U.S. Not Yet Affected

By Dayonte Dixon –

Many people have heard of the devastation that occurred in Japan.

Recently there was a 9.0 earthquake in Japan, but the worst of it was that it set off a 30-foot tsunami that wiped out much of northeastern Japan.

And the bad news continues even after the earthquake and tsunami.

Destruction leaves many lost and without homes photo by www.9news.com

That alone killed more than 10,000 people and left many without food to eat or clean water to drink.

Raya Aya, who teaches Japanese to Penn Manor student Jing Li through a cyber arrangement, lives in Tokyo.

“The earthquake and the tsunami itself were huge,” said Raya.  “Can you imagine that you would be the one looking for the loved one in a deserted area for a week.”

Even more bad news is that it shut down the power at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in northeastern Japan. There have been many different suggested scenarios that could happen according to the news in Japan.

The Obama administration has rushed the most sophisticated devices  to detect problems at the site.

The devices were strapped onto a plane or helicopter and flew over the plant. The devices detected harmful radiation in the immediate vicinity of the plant. The United States warned its citizens to stay at least 50 miles away from the plant at all times.

At this time the United State’s biggest fear is that the efforts by Japanese military to get water into four of the six reactors of the plant has failed. Also that the Japanese have failed to get electricity back in the plant so that the reactors would be able to function.

“There is no danger for us because the radiation (from the nuclear plant in Japan) won’t reach this far.” Said Brock Kauffman, senior at Penn Manor high school.

Just to be safe, president Obama has ordered the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to do a comprehensive review of the safety of the nuclear plants in the United States.

Experts from the United States and Tokyo met to compare notes on the issue and the United States suspect that the company has underestimated the risk and moved too slowly to contain the damage.

Children are treated like adults when it comes to radiation. Everyone in the area of the damaged nuclear plant Photo by www.hometestingblog.com

Even as recent as Tuesday smoke was spotted coming out of the building that houses the number three reactor, the most badly damaged of the plant’s half-dozen reactors. It tapered off after two hours, but more smoke was seen near reactor number two, about 20 minutes later, according to officials from the Tokyo Electric Power Co.

A senior at Penn Manor High School, Peter Ashworth says “I think they (Japan) are telling the truth, but I doubt they’re telling all of it… that’s what most countries do.”

Authorities concluded that the smoke was just steam, but also acknowledged that the radiation of the plant had spread one kilometer west.

Authorities have forced workers to evacuate and also have taken further steps so that the radiation doesn’t effect the people.  But higher than normal levels of radiation has been detected in local produce.

School Board Braces for Challenges

By Sarah Schaeffer and Jay Jackson –

Adding to the school district’s budget woes, the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau announced a change in state regulations that will cause a two to four month cash flow lag in some of their collections. According to Terry Hackman, Executive Director of LCTCB, Act 32 will impact school district revenue as it mandates collecting residency information about employees from their employers.

“Cash flow will be fine,” said district business manager Chris Johnston,”what’s more difficult is if we book revenue in one year and another year there could be a major hit to our revenue which we won’t get back.”

Board member Donna Wert questioned Hackman on where unknown money ends up. Hackman explained that if they can’t determine the residency of an employee, that money goes back to the municipalities where the employer is located.

The board also discussed the state budget cuts of more than $1.8 million to the district. A meeting will be held tonight at Manor Middle at 7 p.m. to discuss possible cuts in sports team funding.

Also on the chopping block is reimbursement for dual enrollment classes.

“Dual enrollment will lose money, but not the program,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Leichliter,”the program will still exist, I just don’t see as many students being able to afford it. Now parents will be paying Millersville or HACC tuition without payback.”

As a part of a proposed solution, meetings will take place between Leichliter and Principal Philip Gale to discuss the possibility of cyber-classes in place of dual enrollment in the future.

Another facet of last night’s meeting was student insight presented by senior Katie Maisel and junior Evan Bigler. The two presented the idea, already approved by Gale, to have student leaders meet with board members to discuss any ongoing events and concerns and answer any student questions. This meeting will take place in early April.

“We’re going to affect your parents’ pocketbooks, but we’re going to affect your lives,” said Frerichs of the future meeting.

With Hambright Elementary among the aging buildings in the district, the school board was discussing the opportunity for the public to have a voice in the outcome of the school building; whether it should be rebuilt or just renovated.

Florida Winning? Fredette About It

By Marc Summy –

The NCAA game between the Florida Gators (28-7) and Brigham Young University Cougars (32-4) has captured the interest of most students at Penn Manor High.

The second-ranked Florida Gators will take on the third-ranked, in their region, Brigham Young Cougars on Thursday, March 24. Tip-off time is set for 7:27 p.m. and can be seen on nationally televised TBS.

The majority of students who follow men’s Division 1 basketball tournament have concluded the same statement, “Florida has no chance.”

Brigham Young's Jimmer Fredette (32) celebrates a victory. Photo Credit AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

This is entirely due to BYU’s player of the year candidate,  a one-man shooting machine named Jimmer Fredette.

Fredette, who leads the nation with 28.8 points per game, is hard to stop.

With the Cougars starting power forward Brandon Davies being dismissed from the team due to the school’s code of conduct, Jimmer Fredette has even more weight on his back. That seems to be OK with him. In the past four games, Jimmer has accumulated an average of 37 ppg. including a 52-point game against New Mexico.

Sport’s fanatic Quinn Nadu said, “I have Jimmer Fever, I love him.”

Tournament followers may remember these two teams from last year’s 2010 first round match-up. The Cougars slashed the Gators on a 99-92 double overtime victory.

In that game Fredette was posting stats of 37 points and shooting 50 percent from the field, many predict something similar will happen in this year’s game.

Among these believers is senior, Dan Elliot, who predicts the final score “Jimmer 87, Florida 82.”

Not many people chose Florida to win except for supportive fan, Nick Hartley, who argues that, “Florida is a more solid team.”

But Hartley does not want to count out the decisively quick, team captain, Fredette.

“Jimmer can’t be stopped,” he admitted.

People that are passionate about the game of basketball, who wouldn’t normally favor one of these teams want BYU to win because they just enjoy seeing Fredette in action.

Brian Ramsey, a respected basketball fan, said, “I just wanna see Jimmer play.”

The Great Debate Boils in Penn Manor

By Jay Jackson –

There is no in-between in life.  You either drink Coke or Pepsi. It’s either vanilla or chocolate ice cream, unless you’re one of those fence sitters who prefers a swirl.  And, by the way, are you a cat person or do you prefer dogs?

Now, the greatest loyalty question ever – is it the pen or the pencil for  your work?

Logan Rupp using a familiar pencil - he said it helps him write more neatly. Photo by Jay Jackson

Let’s say you walk into a classroom and the letters BIC are laid in front of you, but that’s not the only thing. Right beside the trusty pen is the hardworking, all-American classic – the number two pencil.

A major decision is presented before you. Graphite or ink? Or more specifically, pens or pencils?

Oh the passion, the heartbreak, the drama!

“I love pens! G2-pilot is my favorite pen by far,” said junior Alex Kirk.

Likewise, Jenna Waite, strongly favors pens.

“I’m an artist,” she said as she was working on a cartoon in the library. “I like the scribbleness of pens.”

J.J. Dejesus agreed.

“Yeah, I’m a pen man,” he said. “I feel like my work is stronger when I use a pen.”

There are pencils, mechanical pencils and all sorts of pens. Many have no preference,  but some refuse to write with anything else besides their own pen or pencils.

“I prefer mechanical pencils because they are erasable and regular pencils hurt my hand unless you have a grippy,” noted junior Sara Bennis.

Not everybody is a pen-hater. In fact people like their pens. No, they are passionate about their pens. No, they are crazy about their pens!

“If I didn’t have a pen, I won’t write notes I would completely shut down,” said Eric Schlotzhauer.  “It feels like I am ripping the paper when I write with a pencil.”

Who knew that  a pen could make that big of a splash in someone’s everyday life?

“Mechanical pencils are the way to go,” said  junior Ryan Martzall, emphatically.

John Soders, a ninth grader, thinks it is all about age.

“I am going to be a pen man when I get older,” said Soder who uses pencils now and who wants to be a mechanic when he grows up. “I think adults use a pen more than a pencil. ”

However the whole school isn’t up in arms with this great debate of writing utensils.

“Depends on the situation, there are times for both,” said Mr. Herman.

Which do you prefer? Let the debate began.

Tanning Takes its Toll on Teens

By Alyssa Byers –

What has two legs and is unnaturally tan in the winter? Hint: sometimes the species can be seen in the halls of Penn Manor this time of year.

It’s unnaturally tan girl or tan boy.

Tanning has become a sensation, whether it’s during the windy months of fall, the cold days of winter or on the warm nights of spring. But why are teens doing this when the dangers have been so well advertised?

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has decided to back up legislation in the making banning teens from using tanning beds. They said that the radiation produced by tanning beds could be worse than what the sun gives off.

But many teens have decided to disregard that advice, concentrating instead on their more pressing  problem of pale skin, using tanning beds day and night. Can tanning become an obsession?

“I think it’s okay to do for special occasions, or once in awhile,” said Jenna Santaniello. “But I don’t think you should do it all the time because it can start to look unnatural and it can be dangerous.”

According to a study compiled by dermatology researchers, not only is tanning dangerous, but it can also be addictive.

According to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology, the ultraviolet light makes our brain release endorphins, a feel good hormone. This helps contribute to some people’s addiction with tanning. The article also said that some may use tanning as a way to reduce stress, and is often the reason why they do it so much.

However, the study also pointed to research saying said that excessive tanning may cause anxiety and depression, and increase drug and alcohol use.

Seniors Sam Adams and Leah Freeman both think tanning can be addictive. Adams used to tan every other day, and Freeman tanned a couple times a week. Adams said she tanned so much because she didn’t like being pale.

Some researchers say tanning beds could be more dangerous than the sun. Photo from fashionindie.com.

This could explain why so many people continue to tan even after hearing about all of its health risks. Cancer and wrinkles are two major symptoms of tanning, but many, including Adams, admit to ignoring the risks.

“I think it can be addictive because people feel the need to feel pretty by matching the definition of beauty which is bleached blonde hair, blue eyes and dark tan skin, when in reality the typical American beauty is not the only beauty,” said Eric Bear.

“I don’t tan mid-winter because it looks unnatural, but when I start tanning in the spring it’s very easy to get addicted because it’s relaxing, and who doesn’t love a good tan?” said Melissa Martin.

It seems, though, that cancer isn’t the only thing groups like this should watch out for.

Pokémon, Gotta Catch ‘Em All… Again

By Ryan Krause –

The well known Pokémon game series returns, and this time it has a major improvement: a storyline.

The Pokémon Black Version. Image owned by Nintendo.

On March 6, both Pokémon Black and Pokémon White were released for the popular hand-held, the Nintendo DS.

On the first day there were approximately 2.5 million combined copies of both the Black and White versions sold.

To put this in perspective, there were about 5.6 million copies of Call of Duty: Black Ops sold on its release day.

The newest versions of the series included something that the other ones failed to produce, a plot.

The past versions displayed a simple storyline. Basically it goes something like this…

Boy moves, boy gets a free Pokémon from a choice of three, boy travels the world trying to catch every Pokémon and beat every gym leader and the Elite Four.

The newest installment of this series actually can invoke feelings from the player.

Michael Keen, a senior at Penn Manor, said, “I like how there are more rival battles.”

But Keen also pointed out, “The characters look terrible, three of them are freaking ice cream cones.”

After about every gym battle, one of the player’s “best friends” challenges you to a Pokémon battle as soon as he steps out of the gym. That’s no fun if the player forgot to save the game before hand and loses that battle.

On the other end of the spectrum, the storyline is a lot more in depth past a group of people stealing Pokémon.

Team Plasma has a greater reason than just to be the most dominant group in the world, rather it is because they think that trainers treat their Pokémon unfairly and don’t deserve them.

We won’t say any more so as not to spoil the game.

This game is basically Nintendo’s final hit game for the DS to last until the Nintendo 3DS releases March 27.

The Benefits of Best Friends

By Alyssa Jahnke –

A senior at Penn Manor High School, Dani Warfel, believes she has chosen a good best friend, one that may have saved her life.

Her best friend is able to give her advice to keep her safe. Even if she thinks about getting in a car with someone who is intoxicated, her best friend reminds her there are consequences.  Warfel’s best friend went through her own experience of a death of a friend that was involved in a car crash.

“She keeps me in line,” said Warfel.

A best friend, or BFF, is important for any teen.  In fact, some teens consider several friends as their BFFs.

“It’s better to have a couple best friends then a whole bunch of friends that you’re not close to. In the end the couple best friends will be the ones you know the longest,” said senior Devin Yecker.

Photo Courtesy of sugarluxeblog.com

In high school, choosing a best friend or group of them can be hard to do.  Many high school students have learned that their best friends can have the best or worst advice and have an impact on their lives.  From being able to share their life experiences to being able to help them get through the rough times, a best friend is important to nearly every teen.

Senior Jenna Reel said, “The best advice I ever received was make wise decisions when you choose your friends. Some friends can drag you down, and family should be before friends.”

Sometimes being a teenager can make you feel disconnected from your parents or other adults.  A best friend will listen to you express your feelings and concerns, and try to give you advice or help you solve problems.  A best friend can better understand what’s going on in the teenage world.

“Always do what makes you happy is the best advice I ever got,” stated senior Abby Newport.

Best friends can influence the amount of trouble one gets into or stays out of.  Best friends can even apply peer pressure on each other.

“My best friend encourages me to do bad things,” said Danny Boehler, a senior at Penn Manor.

Many times a friend will go along with what their best friend says because they trust their opinion.

“My best friend gets me in trouble,” joked Newport.

Being best friends has a level of responsibility built into it.  Hopefully most BFF’s can give good advice to help their friend make good decisions.

“They help me make wise decisions with right and wrong, and we go through the list of benefits and consequences before we do something,” said Reel.

Best friends can also keep you accountable when you make a bad decision.

“When I do something bad she gives me a lecture,” joked senior Devin Yecker.

But the most important thing about disappointing a best friend, is their belief and encouragement that you will make a better decision the next time.

“She doesn’t really get mad when I do something she doesn’t like, but she’ll give me a pep talk,” said Reel.

You choose a best friend that shares common interests and values.

Yecker said, “My best friend and I have the same views in life.”

Being a best friend, having a best friend or having a group of BFFs is a cornerstone of any teenager’s life.  Having someone to share happiness or frustrations and give advice is what a best friend is all about.

One Thousand Good Wishes for Japan

By Faith Walauskas –

The 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan March 11, the resulting tsunami and the threat of nuclear disaster has devastated that country and its citizens. People around the world are offering to help Japan recover from the disaster in any way possible.

Penn Manor students also “wish” to contribute their help.

A class in the art department is taking time from their normal assignments to fold 1000 origami cranes that will be sold during homeroom periods to raise money towards the Japan relief effort.

“It wasn’t the teachers’ idea, but rather the students’,” said art teacher Karen Gingerich. “The original idea was to sell the origami paper to students during homeroom, have them write a wish on the back, then return the paper to be folded and displayed in the administrators’ office.”

The cranes are folded by Penn Manor High School students.

The idea for the cranes is based on a story called Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes.  The girl was only two years old when the U.S. dropped the atom bomb on her city (Hiroshima).  Several years later she developed leukemia, most likely from the bomb’s radiation.

Sadako folded cranes while she was in the hospital after a friend told her about a Japanese legend offering a cure from illness to anyone who could fold one thousand origami cranes.

But Sadako didn’t live long enough.  Her family and friends folded the cranes so that she could be buried with one thousand. She was only 12 years old when she died.

August 6 is Peace Day in Japan and people there leave thousands of paper cranes below a statue of Sadoko’s likeness to express their wish for peace in the world. Paper cranes are placed beneath Sadako’s statue by people who wish to remember Hiroshima and express their hopes for a peaceful world. Their prayer is engraved on the base of the statue: “This is our cry, this is our prayer; peace in the world.”

The cranes are colorful and varied.

“It was our 4th block drawing class,” said Gingerich.  “We’re working on a drawing we started last Monday that explores origami paper folding, using the shapes as the subject matter.

“We started the project on Tuesday, March 15, the earthquake happened on Friday the 11th,” Gingerich said.

“Sianna Emrich suggested the idea of 1000 cranes for Japan and I was immediately excited,” Gingerich recalled. “We started brainstorming, we talked about the story of the girl, the tradition (1000 wishes for hope, health, love).  We chose the symbol of hope.”

Gingerich said the students decided to use the cranes as a fundraiser to help the people of Japan and began folding the cranes immediately.

“We’ve folded 400 cranes already,” she said.  “Each crane displays a wish for hope. We will continue collecting donations to reach our goal of $1,000.”

Gingerich said any money raised will be going specifically to the children of Japan who have suffered from the disasters but she said they are not certain if they will donate through UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, or through another charity.

“I love the symbolism behind the crane,” said Gingerich.  “These students are truly making a difference one crane at a time; the impact is pretty powerful.”

She said a table will be set up in the cafeteria next week for students to make donations.

Kira Klassen, who was instrumental in creating the crane project, shares an important connection with Japan – her father currently lives there.

Several hundred cranes were folded so far by art students.

“He didn’t like the earthquake at all, but he’s fine,” said senior Kira Klaassen, “They’re also feeling progressively larger aftershocks. The Internet’s been down in some parts of Japan for awhile.”

It was natural for Klaassen to be involved in the project.

“I have really been interested in Japanese culture, they have a lot of history that we should all learn to appreciate,” said Klaassen.  “The cranes are the symbol of hope and that’s exactly what Japan needs. Food is very scarce in parts of Japan right now, bread is limited and clean water, after the flooding.

“I just want to be able to help any way possible,” said Klaassen.

For more information on the tradition of folded cranes, go to the 1000 Cranes of Hope website.

Photos by Karen Gingerich.