Students Advocate for AP Art

Faith Walauskas is the new generation of Gonzo.

By Faith Walauskas –

Last year, the art department got very close to a shot in the heart for art students and teachers– the elimination of the Advanced Placement art course.

In the end, the course was continued.  The universal question remains – in light of budget cuts – how long will the course be offered at Penn Manor.

“A.P. Art was in danger last year because we had a teacher resign and we chose to not replace (that person) due to budget cutbacks we made,” said Penn Manor Superintendent Mike Leichliter.

AP Art requires aspiring art students to create a 24-piece portfolio that may  be used for college credits. The portfolio includes a 12-piece breadth portion, and 12 pieces based around a coherent theme.

“AP Art offers many valuable opportunities to students looking for a challenging and rigorous environment to nurture their artistic and creative strengths,” said  AP art teacher Karen Gingerich. “AP Art, as with all the arts, encourages students to become independent thinkers who will contribute inventively and critically to their culture.”

Students who were planning to take AP Art or have completed the course are its biggest advocates.

“I’m currently a double major in Psychology and Studio Art, and despite how much I complained about AP Art, it actually helped me to prepare for college,” said 2010 Penn Manor graduate Dani Leon. “In fact, I was surprised to realize I knew more about art and critiquing than most of my fellow(college)students. If anything the class over-prepared me.”

Leon was contacted through Facebook messaging while she spends her spring semester overseas in London.

“It’s hard for a non-artist to know what an artist needs. They’re not wasting their time or their lives painting silly pictures. No, they’re creating dimension to their world, exploring in a way that few know how to,” said Leon. “It’s easy to dismiss it because art is subjective, but for that very reason it must stay. We are taught in school, especially public school that there is a question and then there is an answer. Unfortunately that is not how life works.”

In an email, Leichliter explained, “Last year the state kept their funding level BUT used federal stimulus funds which expire this year–Penn Manor like other schools in the Lancaster, PA, and across the nation will be making some very tough choices regarding programs in the future.  I can tell you that we will continue to have options for students but I am sure they will not be as many nor look identical to what we have today.”

Leichliter’s email reply also included a link he suggested be checked out regarding the continuing financial conflicts Pennsylvania schools are facing.

“The decision of which classes will not be offered next year will be based upon the number of student requests that are receive during the course selection process,” explained Penn Manor Principal Philip Gale, “We will be making reductions in staffing that will have an impact on classes that are offered. At this time, it has not been decided which classes will be offered or not offered.”

“As we push forward into challenging times ahead, I have faith and hope that the arts will continue to thrive in Penn Manor,” says Gingerich.

A Small Town Celebrates Legacy

By Lauren Ressler –

Happy birthday to you, Millersville.

Over 100 community members were present at Millersville University’s Pucillo gym Saturday for the kick-off  ‘Dancing Through the Decades’ event, celebrating the 250-year-old town of Millersville.

Guests arrived at the facility between 6 and 7 p.m., which had been transformed into a ballroom furnished with a stage, dance floor, dining tables and a disco ball. Many people were drawn to the display of period clothing pieces in the back of the room.  The costumes represented different decades, created by Christina McSherry. Antique photos were also displayed

Christina McSherry in a replica ballgown she created..

Guests flocked to a corner of the room around 6:45 p.m. when Mauro Castano, famous chef and cake designer from TLC’s Cake Boss, arrived to present an elaborate cake designed by Carlo’s Bake Shop. Castano posed with committee members and guests for pictures before taking the stage to give a heartfelt speech.

“I always tell people events like this make America what it is. It’s you guys,” said Castano.

Castano explained that the cake was “a little bit of the old and the new,” portraying a street scene of the town.

Scott Boyd of the House of Representatives took the stage to present a resolution passed by the House on February 26, recognizing Millersville’s 250th

anniversary.

“You don’t look a day over 195,” said Boyd, spreading smiles throughout the room.

Boyd also presented a framed replica of a map kept in the state archives of a birds-eye view of Millersville, drawn in 1895.

Other featured speakers included mayor Richard Moriarty and amicable anniversary co-chairs Steven DiGuiseppe and Mary Ann Gerber, both dressed in historic costumes.

While guests watched the unveiling of the cake and listened intently to speakers, dancers were preparing in the hallway.

Exhibition ballroom dancers Barbara Snyder, Ken Wilson, Deborah Paparo, and Leraunt VanLool said they rehearsed for forty grueling hours together before their performance at the event. The four dancers performed dances that reflected different time periods such as the waltz, charleston, quickstep, foxtrot, swing, hustle and rumba, complete with costumes and festive music.

“Those dresses are gorgeous!” said Penn Manor National Honors Society member Kaykey Gaukler. “Now when people go out they just wear tight pants and short shirts,” she said with a laugh.

A modern dance piece was performed by the Millersville University dance team to the pop song “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas. Between each dance, guests were invited onto the dance floor to try out their dancing shoes.  From

Event chairmember Steven DiGuiseppe, posing in costume with the cake provided by Carlos Bakery. Photo by Lauren Ressler

the waltz to the “YMCA”, community members enjoyed dancing through the decades under the glittering disco ball.

After a large meal and cheerful dancing, guests crowded outside for a majestic display of fireworks.

“This is really, truly a community event,” said events co-chair Carol Reichler. “It’s a very proud moment for me.”

According to committee members, the event went smoothly and was entertaining for guests. This great kick-off event, leading the celebration of Millersville, could not have been possible without the many volunteers and the businesses that donated time and money to plan the anniversary events throughout the year.

In representative Scott Boyd’s words, “I love birthday parties.”

Teens Withstand School, Sports and Stress

By Bobby Rehm –

School, sports, and stress. How do some students stand it?

For many high school students, sports play a large role in their lives. The experience of spending extra time after school at practice is a common one for many. Sports are simply a part of high school, but is it too much for students sometimes?

Stress is almost always a part of the lives of students. School work, relationships and grades are all contributors to stress and sports add even more to the mix. For many, jobs also add some lovely stress.

Many student athletes find themselves tired, exhausted, or somewhat stressed.

Brock Kauffman, a senior on the varsity wrestling team, finds himself feeling the same way. Though the stress gets a bit high, he finds that it’s not too bad.

“Yeah it’s manageable,” he said.

Dan Elliot, another student athlete, handles school and being in a varsity sport. Photo by Bobby Rehm.

What’s the most stressful part of his day?

“Waking up for morning runs for sure,” said Kauffman.

There are many ways to handle stress. Depending on how a person reacts to it, there may be different solutions to help manage the body’s stress levels. Counselors, students, and stress experts all agree that awareness of stress is the first step to preventing and reducing it.

Another student athlete, Connor Rowe, agrees with Kauffman. Rowe, a varsity lacrosse player and team captain, also finds being a student-athlete controllable.

“Being a captain adds some stress, but it’s manageable,” he said. Both students earn As and Bs and also have jobs in the summer.

Although being a student-athlete can be stressful, to most, it’s simply not that bad.

Penn Manor on the Pursuit of Happiness

By Sarah Schaeffer –

Who knew happiness could be so much more than a three-syllable noun?

When planning for one’s life, common goals usually include a sufficiently paying job, a family and happiness.

But what is happiness? And is it achievable when so many people in the world seem to be unhappy?

The truth is, happiness varies from person to person.

“Really nice warm weather, good music and gymnastics all make me happy,” said junior Brendan Kincade.

For some, nature brings happiness. Photo by Sarah Schaeffer

“I’m happy when I’m talking to people. Thinking, hard questions and being challenged in my faith make me happy. So does being outside and beautiful sites,” said junior Jocelyn Mylin.

“A direct mathematical function for this is tennis plus chocolate plus another arbitrary interesting constant equals [my] happiness,” said senior Faheem Gilani.

Despite the wide variety of personal meanings, happiness can also be regarded in a scientific approach according to many modern psychologists.

Maria Vita, psychology teacher at Penn Manor High School, explained a few of the factors that have been proven to impact personal happiness:

-Control over your situations. The feeling of being able to change and control your daily situations plays a big part in your level of happiness. Although people have different approaches to control, some leaving control to fate and some feeling personal control, it comes down to the same thing.

-Your experience with love and happiness as a child. In studies, it’s been proven that people who are held and nurtured as small children, are more likely to have happy adults lives. This contact as a child helps adults to (subconsciously) carry a sense of security and comfort into their adulthood.

-Daily activities. Work can be a source of happiness when it provides a sense of accomplishment. Interacting with other people also contributes, as humans are social beings.

Time Magazine also recently published a list of helpful hints to live a happier, healthier life, found here.

Lancaster County may not need any help from Time Magazine, however, as it was ranked 15th happiest out of 188 cities in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index of 2010.

Though the specifics of individual happiness may vary from person to person, it is agreed among Penn Manor that happiness is key.

“The happier you are, maybe the longer you live,” said Vita.

“Happiness is setting some sort of goal and achieving it,” said senior Lars Andersen.

“Whatever you find joy and satisfaction in, is happiness,” said Mylin.

“Happiness is inside,” said Gilani.

Middle Eastern Teens Gather Via Facebook to Protest

By Alicia Ygarza –

In the past, revolutions were fought with swords and cannons. Unlike those revolutions, the latest  in the Middle East are being run by young adults and teens via Facebook.

At least they were until the government discovered how powerful social networking sites could be.

Furious teens in Egypt and Libya have been protesting to overthrow their governments. Expressing their disgust with the government, organizing crowds of protests and arranging meeting times, their communication portal has been Facebook, although it has been shut down in Libya and just reopened in Egypt.

“The teenagers in Libya and Egypt are protesting because they want democracy,” explained Richard Brenton, a social studies teacher at Penn Manor High School.

“They want the rights you and I take for granted, they see what we have and they want their share, they want the same opportunities,” said Brenton.

How could you gather a large group of people to meet in one specific place, at a specific time?

Facebook.

When Libya’s government found that teens were planning protests over Facebook, the site was blocked to all users.

“The teens in the Middle East love Facebook, because in a way it is like democracy. They can be free and there is no political leader telling them what they can and cannot do,” said Brenton.

The Egyptian Youth Movement created a “manifesto” posted on Facebook, stating their reasons for the demand of government reform.

They wrote:

“We call on all Egyptians to join us in Tahrir Square on Tuesday, 22 of February, in our demonstration for the implementation of the demands of our revolution….

– Abolition of the current government.

– Abolition of the Emergency law.

An Egyptian disaproves the emergency law.

– The Release of all detainees.

– The formation of a presidential council, including civilians, and fair judges.

– Retribution of all the media figures that have contributed in killing our martyrs.

– Abolition of the state security apparatus and restructuring of the Ministry of Interior as well as all of the NDP headquarters.S

– Forming a new technocratic government.

– Abolishing the government led by Ahmed Shafik – which includes the foul faces that have a history of corruption such as Mufid Shehab, Aisha Abdel Hadi, Faiza Abu Naga, Sameh Fahmi, Ali Meselhi, Mahmoud Wagdy – to be dismissed and the formation of a new technocratic government,”according to the New York Times.

Ahmad Samih, an Egyptian abolitionist, is trying to gain support from local and worldwide seekers to stop the government from disconnecting Facebook to the people.

“It would be like if someone took my cell phone. It’s how I communicate, and how I find out what’s going on with people,” said Troy Diffenderfer, a student at Penn Manor High School about his Facebook.

The Egyptian government doesn’t care what their people want.

For commuting together, the government has been known to taser, beat, torture, jail and even kill members of the Youth Movement.

Pro- democracy activists are killed in Libya

“I think we as teens take our freedom of speech for granted. We can pretty much put anything we want on the internet, ” said Diffenderfer.

Could local teens be influenced by the teens in Egypt and Libya?

Just recently, student protested at Dickinson College have emerged for the lack of protection from sexual assult.

The Youth Movement declared, “Our revolution and struggle will continue until we achieve all our demands.”

Students Go Black Ops about the New Map Pack

By Alex Sanchez –

Fact: Black Ops sold more copies then any other Call Of Duty game before it. Another fact: the latest map pack is the greatest map pack ever for the Call Of Duty franchise.

Poster for First Strike. Photo courtesy of Call Of Duty Wiki.com

On February 1, the new map pack First Strike was released for the Xbox 360 and many people have been more than happy with the results.

In this map pack, five new maps have been added. Four normal multi-player maps, Berlin Wall, Kowloon, Stadium and Discovery are in the pack. The maps bring a new feel for plays as there are things that make each map different.

First there’s Stadium which is the new version of Nuke Town with added changes.  It’s a medium-sized map which takes place in New York.

Then there’s Discovery which one of the biggest map for Black Ops, and is the hardest.

But not to Penn Manor freshman Eric Shetrompf who says, “Discovery is a big map but it isn’t that hard to move around. You want to look out for the ice bridge.”

The ice bridge is one of the new features that this map has where there’s a bridge made out of ice that can be blown up.

Kowloon is next and this map is based off the mission in Black Ops’ campaign called “Numbers.” This map is full of hidden places and is the best map for all game types. In fact Shetromphf has even more to share about this map.

“There’s a lot of places to hide and lot of campers which makes it hard to move around when you first play the map,” Shetromphf said.

Also in this map, there’s two zip lines which let players move around the map with ease but when you do this you can’t defend yourself or attack anyone until you’re on the other side.

“I’ve died when I used it a few times and I’ve killed (those) who have used it,” said Shetrompf.

Now for the Berlin Wall, which if you don’t know what that’s based on, you must have failed history.  This map is in Germany. This map is made for snipers because there’s a lot of long-range places and camping spots just for long-range fighting. But the worst thing about is the No-man’s land which has auto turrets that will shoot and kill anyone in it. But its a great way to go across the map so if you want to press your luck to get to the other side-good luck.

Last, the best thing about this map pack is the zombies map called Ascension.

In this new zombie map you’re in a Russian space station where a man’s voice says, “Hurry the mechanism must not be damaged. You must repair the mechanism and hurry, she is coming!”

This is just the beginning for him because if you do the Node puzzle you get a surprise – but you going to have to find that out for your self.

This map is the biggest and hardest map for the C.O.D. series yet. But don’t take my word for it.

Listen to what Shetrompf  has to say about this map, “It’s the best zombies by far…. It’s so intense and there’s so much stuff in it that you really need some team work or else you’re dead.”

You start off in one room and you have to earn points by killing zombies and unlocking more and more doors and weapons. The point of it all is to to survive to the highest round that you can. And there’s new things like new perks weapons Easter eggs and zombies.

Now the map pack First Strike is out for PS3.

Nothing has changed from the Xbox version.

Anthony Fulginiti has the map pack for the PS3 and he says that, “It’s easy to get used to… when I first got it I went to Stadium and I learned the map quick and I got a good score in the end.”

So for PS3 users, the multi-player experience is a bit easier for them.

As for the zombies experience he says that, “It not as good as I thought it would be, the monkeys are easy to beat and the zombies are smarter than the normal zombies, but not that much.”

The results are in and First Strike made records as the most downloaded map pack in C.O.D. history.

So it must be good and at a good price. But if you’re a Wii user as of right now the Wii gets no map pack but keep your hopes up because there is a new patch coming.

A Little Infielder has to Fight for a spot on the Varsity Baseball Team

By Brandon Bowers –

Matt Duvall, a junior at Penn Manor High School, really wants to make the baseball team this year.

But Duvall is not dedicated to the open gyms and the weight rooms Coach Zander encouraged prospective players to use.

Duvall is hoping his heart and natural ability will make up for the lack of pre-spring training.  He said he is going to give it his all to show the coaches he deserves a spot on the varsity.

Matt Duvall awaiting this upcoming baseball season. Photo by Brandon Bowers

Time will tell.  High school tryouts start March 7 and the team roster will be announced March 10.

Can Duvall make it through without going to any of the extra help or early practices and make the team?  It’s going to be a test.  It turns out that fate intervened to decide the whole issue.

“I just have to work all the time when the open gyms are and basketball the other times and I don’t have the energy to go to baseball right from basketball because I’m so tired and want to sleep,” said Duvall.

“Weight room is hard because that starts at 6 in the a.m and I’m not a morning person so my good friend usually comes and wakes me up to go lift,” Duvall said.

Duvall may be the kind of kid that you look at and say he doesn’t look too active or doesn’t play any sports because of how slim he is.

“It’s not like I don’t have the baseball mentality to play and know what I’m doing when I’m in action on the field,” said Duvall.

“I love to lay out and get dirt to keep the ball in the infield to save a big play, I may not be the best at the hitting part, but I can bunt to move the runners over for the next batter to get the runs in,” Duvall said

“I’ve never been good at batting. Some players are good at batting and some are just good at defense but, the best players are good at both and can hit home runs and make big plays in the field. I just perfected one of those skills and that is my defense. I would rather make a diving play in the field to save an inning then hit a home run,” Duvall said.

Matt Duvall. Photo by Brandon Bowers

The varsity baseball team may want to have Duvall to be a part of the team because he may have a big role to play in this year’s season.

“I really want to make the team and have a part because we are going to have a small team and hopefully Coach Zander keeps me in case someone gets hurt or I prove to him I should start in practice,” said Duvall.

“If I don’t make the team, I will work on what I need so I can come out next year and surprise the coaches and make the team next year and hopefully get a scholarship to play in college,” Duvall said.

It may be a hard tryout for this little second, baseman but he is going to show up and give it his all to make the team.

As it turns out, an emergency due to a sudden illness and missing school on the first day of try outs put him on thin ice and is keeping him from trying out.

Interviews a Feature at National FFA Week

By Evan Shertzer – February 21 – 25

Awards, interviews, homemade ice cream, socializing and dancing.

That’s how Penn Manor’s Agricultural Department celebrated National FFA Week.

The week consisted of three events. Tuesday night FFA members were interviewed for awards and money they could win during the FFA Banquet. On Wednesday after school, the FFA members made homemade ice cream for all the staff and teachers in room 342 as a thank you for letting them out of class for all the activities they have to attend to for the FFA. Friday night the County line dance was held at Pequea Elementary School.

The awards night interview was a big night for a lot of FFA members. It was a night with activities to decide what awards they will win during the FFA Banquet and also what money they could win to put toward their SAE projects for the next year.

Amanda Stoltzfus, an ag teacher at Penn Manor, interviewed students for awards.

“There were approximately 25 students interviewed,” Stoltzfus said. “There are seven main awards categories with multiple awards within those categories.”

Amber Williams, a senior and reporter for the FFA at Penn Manor, was at the awards night being interviewed.

“I got interviewed for the specialty award which was an award open to juniors and seniors,” Williams said. “I was also interviewed for the IHCC award, which was for money to better your SAE project. IHCC was sponsored by the International Harvestors Club.”

“I am hoping that I get some money toward my SAE project so that I can grow my project even bigger than last. I also hope that I am chosen for an award in the specialty category,” Williams also said.

The next day was the ice cream social for the teachers and staff at Penn Manor. FFA members made homemade ice cream during fourth block and also set up room 342 for teachers to sit down, enjoy their ice cream, and socialize.

Tyler Bauman Making ice cream for the ice cream social. Photo by Evan Shertzer

“At the ice cream social, we make homemade ice cream for all the school teachers and provide all the toppings,” Stoltzfus said.

Tyler Bauman, a junior, was at the ice cream social and was helping make the ice cream.

“I made the freshman make most of the ice cream, but it was fun,” Bauman said.

The final night of National FFA Week was celebrated by the county line dance at Pequea Elementary School. FFA members and teachers went to the line dance that started at 6:00 p.m. and lasted until 8:30 p.m.

“It was a great time,” Stoltzfus said. “The DJ taught lessons, so those who didn’t know how to dance learned. Even the guys were dancing.”

After that, the National FFA Week for Penn Manor came to an end.

“It was a very successful week and it went smoothly,” said Stoltzfus. “The kids and teachers enjoyed it.”

Beyond The Desk: What Penn Manor’s Really Thinking

By Lauren Pironis –

Have you ever looked over at a classmate and seen a trail of slobber dribbling down their face?

Maybe it’s not that unusual.  In a survey of 35 students at Penn Manor High School, every student admitted to being off task in one or more of their classes.

Many said that they have mastered the art of looking like they are paying attention while actually being so far from topic it’s hard to believe. Depending on the student, there are evidently many ways not to pay attention.

However, not every student at Penn Manor is in the clouds. They just have an occasional lapse in focus.

“Well in chemistry, I just get out my calculator, graph functions and study them,” said student Ellen Blazer.

Lunch, on the other hand, is a major distraction to most students.

Juniors Amanda Nolt and Kayla Bixler searching for clothes and playing Harry Potter Sporcle. Photo by Lauren Pironis.

Trying to pay attention without eating breakfast or having to wait until C lunch is rather difficult.

“When I’m not paying attention, I’m usually daydreaming about plans I have later that day or wondering what I’m getting for lunch,” said junior Sara Bennis.

“I think about gym class and lunch. Also if I have a game that day, I’ll think about that a lot,” said Jaquan Presbery.

The majority of students think of future plans. If something exciting is going to happen, especially if the class isn’t necessarily entertaining, a mind may wander far beyond the walls of the classroom.

“I find myself thinking about what I’m doing over the weekend or even that night. Sporting events or shows are probably also a pretty big distraction,” said Michelle Dempsey.

Distractions are probably the reason behind the lack of focus kids have these days. Everything from cell phones to a stressful project can be a distraction.

Students lose attention in class by texting the truth. Photo by Lindsey Ostrum.

So what are kids really thinking about during class?

“My girlfriend and soccer,” said Andrew Herr.

“I usually am paying attention, but if I have a lot on my mind or if I’m stressed out about something, I tend to lose focus and think about other things,” said Kelly Lenahan.

“Honestly my mind is usually on the things more that are bothering me, I have to really be into the lesson or topic in the class to concentrate,” said Kimberly Drennen.

“I think about what I’m going to do after school, about my weekend, but then a couple minutes later I realize what I’m doing and listen to what my teacher is saying,” said Alicia Ygarza.

Other distractions, although common, are far less talked about such as sexual activities and addictions.

Some unnamed students have admitted to pondering mid-class about where they are going to get their next cigarette or if they are going to smoke, or drink, or both with their friends that weekend. Many young men are thinking, of course, about young women.

In contrast, there are some students that daydream without guilt, but they still manage to do well in the class.

“I honestly think of absolutely nothing,” said Alec O’Rourke.

“I try not to be in class whenever possible. When I am, I daydream about odd things to do and adventures to have. Also, I doodle sometimes,” said Jesse Graham.

“Once, I thought of my teacher’s head replaced with a sea urchin. Probably because I was thinking of this time, when I was on vacation and snorkeling, and all of a sudden, I was about a foot above a bed of sea urchins,” said a student who doesn’t want to be named, about a rather interesting in-class experience.

“I think mostly about how to get other people to shut up,” said another student.

Erick Dutchess checking out a cool website during third block. Photo by Lauren Pironis

“When class becomes really boring, I just start to stare at the teacher. I look at what they are wearing and the way their mouth moves when they talk. It’s really annoying actually,” said Janelle Musser.

However, students aren’t the only ones who are off task these days.

“Dodgeball, Call of Duty and tacos,” is what math teacher, Jarod Staub, thinks about.

“Trying to get students not to bug me,” said science teacher, David Bender about his off-task thoughts.

History teacher, Cynthia Lonergan, said,”Trips I want to take, and how much they will cost and if I can afford them.”

Sallie Bookman often thinks of recipes.

She said,”I could be a cook. I am constantly thinking of what I’m going to cook for dinner that night.”

Astheimer enjoying her cup of coffee. Photo by Lauren Pironis

“I think of where I’m going to get my next cup of coffee,” said English teacher Holly Astheimer.

Science teacher Erick Dutchess said,”I often get off task but I mostly think of things I’m going to do that night. When the class gets off task though it’s usually informational or educational.”

The minds of the students and teachers at Penn Manor are rather amusing. They think of a variety of topics depending on their own perspective. Overall, kids can’t focus for seven hours straight without needing an escape. That is why a large amount of class time is spent on different subjects.

Teens and Alcohol Don’t Mix Well

By Jen Felegi –

Even though the drinking age is 21, many teens begin drinking much earlier – in high school, in fact.

SADD, an organization that focuses on information about underage drinking, said that three quarters of students consume alcohol by the end of high school.  Also, it’s usually more then just a sip they consume.  By eighth grade more than a third of students have consumed alcohol.

Although teens are informed in school about the risks of drinking alcohol, some would rather risk their health to be in the social crowd that enjoys drinking. Teens also know drinking alcohol is illegal but some take the chance that they won’t be arrested at a weekend party.

After talking with a handful of Penn Manor students who drink, all of them except one, said they beganat least two years earlier.

“I began drinking in eighth grade,” said one anonymous student.

Underage drinking. Photo courtesy of Granby Police Department Blog

Almost every student interviewed has drank or still does drink alcohol.  The students who still drink began in 10th grade or earlier on.  They said that their parents know they drink or believe they don’t drink very often.  One student said, “My mom buys me the alcohol,” when asked if their parents know.

Other students said, “They(aka parents) know.”

“Parents knew [I] drank, but didn’t mind,” said one student who stopped drinking recently.

Only one said, “I would say it’s not ok to drink.”  This student enjoys hanging out with friends and being social without the use of alcohol.  Never has the student even considered drinking at all.

Some teens that drink do it so they can fit in or be cool.  Others may drink to relieve stress or problems in life.  Getting drunk makes the person unaware of their surroundings.

According to familydoctor.org, you can become addicted to alcohol because it is a drug.  Teens may be surprised hearing that even one beer can slow down your reaction and confuse your thinking.  Driving requires concentration and coordination, but after a drink it is danger to get behind the wheel.

“I did [drive] once, but it was an emergency,” said one student.

“I have a couple times,” admitted another student.

One anonymous student said, “I made bad decisions. All the problems it caused wasn’t worth it.”

Teens stop drinking when they make bad choices and begin realizing the effect partying has in their life.  Some teens are able to go out and have fun without caring what others think.

“It’s not hard to go to parties and not drink,” a student insisted.

“Drinking usually can make it hard to form genuine relationships and makes it very difficult to focus on other activities,”said one teen.

Many teens don’t care that drinking is illegal and neither do their parents.  They start young and are surrounded by others, the same age, doing the same activity.

A mother of a student in the high school always said to her child, “Remember you’re graduating this year and getting into college, make good choices.”