How much will you take to be with the person you “love?”
Even though relationship abuse is not common in Penn Manor High School, it still exists. Some teens may be scared to tell the truth about what happens in their relationship.
Some teens don’t know when they are in an abusive relationship. Some warning signs are if your partner:
puts you down.
is very controlling.
threatened to commit suicide if you leave them.
acts very jealous and possessive.
has threatened you or hurt you.
There can be mental, sexual and physical abuse. According to ACADV, a state Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 60 percent of girls, ages 15 to 24 surveyed were involved in an ongoing abusive relationship that they chose to stay in.
A girl upset about her abusive relationship. Photo Courtesy of www.melodyvalley.files.wordpress.com
“I consider relationship abuse when someone hits you or hurts you mentally through fighting,” said Jacklyn Schmalhofer a senior at Penn Manor.
Being with someone in a relationship you want to feel safe with them and not have to worry what they are going to say or do next. Teen relationship abuse can gradually accelerate over time.
“I have had a girl tell me she was going to slit my throat because I kissed another girl at a party,” said a junior boy at Penn Manor.
Teens who are involved in a abusive relationship are more likely to use drugs, do poorly in school and have unexplained injuries, according to Trouble Teen a site to help parents with teen issues.
Lauren Anderson, a junior at Penn Manor said, “My advice to all the ladies out there, if you can’t keep him on the leash he will beat you with the leash!”
Anderson was giving her advice that young women should not lose control of the relationship.
According to WebMD, about 80 percent of girls that have been physically abused in their relationship continue to date the abuser.
A junior girl at Penn Manor said, “I have been in a relationship that has started out verbally aggressive and then got physically aggressive. The fights slowly got worse and I thought they would get better but they never did.”
If there is a violent relationship problem, there are many people that can be contacted with helpful advise.
“If you are in an abusive relationship get out of it or at least try too,” said Schmalhofer.
If you need advice about reltationship abuse contact the Lancaster County Women Shelters Hotline, (717)291-5826.
Sounds good in theory, you get out of the house, you gain independence, but when the reality hits for the students going to an out of state college, is it the right choice?
What is it that makes young adults want to move to another state to get an education? Won’t they miss their family? Aren’t they scared of flying, or unsure of the thought of flying to their new “home”?
“I’m not scared to fly,” said Lars Anderson, a senior at Penn Manor who is considering attending Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Texas, Virgina and Florida could all be new homes to Penn Manor students that are soon to be freshmen in college.
When students go out of state for college, some may need to fly. Photo courtesy of 123rf.com
“I don’t mind distance,” said Anderson
“Winters are mild,” Anderson said, who noted weather in Texas would be a nice change compared to the rough seasons we have here.
When recently visiting a local university, he said, “I don’t want to go to a party school, I didn’t like the atmosphere.”
Anderson plans to come home for the major holidays.
Elly Raush, a home schooled senior, who signed to Jacksonville University to play volleyball will also be flying away to get an education.
“Nope, I’m not afraid to fly, I get car sick easily, so it will be much nicer than driving!” Raush said.
From a parent’s perspective, things can be different – or not at all.
“He’s a big boy,” said history teacher Richard Brenton whose son Tyler flies to Seattle to attend University of Washington.
“Worried about him flying? No! He’s very independent,” he said, explaining, “He flies back and forth a minimum of four times a school year.”
The expenses may be a reason for parents to disregard their child’s dreams of going away to an out of state college, but Brenton said that with adequate planning, travel expenses may not make a huge difference.
“Thanksgiving tickets are more expensive. Along with buying plane tickets, family holidays may need to be adjusted.” he said.
To help the adjustment to the style of college life, students may need to find a new clique of friends to keep from getting home sick.
“The first three months were hard, Tyler was in a new place and didn’t know anyone, but that is how you grow,” said Brenton. “College is a very selfish time for people. It needs to be all about them.”
It’s game night, you’re playing your rival. You’re having a great game and you end up scoring the game-winning basket, but the crowd doesn’t go wild.
For a lot of teenagers, basketball games are a regular occurrence on a Friday night.
Boys basketball games, that is.
While students fill the bleachers to cheer on boys basketball, the girls basketball team has to play with a crowd of mostly parents. Girls basketball takes a backseat to boys basketball in high school sports and the girls basketball team has their opinions about this. There isn’t a definite explanation as to why, but it’s apparent that, to students, boys basketball trumps girls.
Devin Yecker, a senior on the girls varsity basketball team, said she’s bothered by the lack of attention her team gets.
“They announce guys away games and not girls home games,” Yecker said, “I hate it.”
Girls basketball team tips off with empty bleachers. Photo by Davor.
There’s never a big crowd at girls basketball games, not even close to the amount at boys. The team agreed that they usually have about 25-30 spectators.
“We usually only have parents come,” said Hannah Willett of the varsity girls basketball team.
Willett said that the lack of fans doesn’t bother her.
“I can understand why people don’t come to our games, it’s a little boring to watch,” Willett said.
Abby Newport, senior on the girls varsity team, agrees with her teammates that the school should show more support for the girls teams.
“It bothers me a lot,” Newport said.
Student sections are notorious for making the game more intense, pumping players up and motivating teams to play harder. Most high school athletes will tell you that large crowds containing student sections help them play better, the girls basketball team agrees with this even though they never get the luxury of that kind of support.
“We play well when people come,” Willett said.
Sarah Nagy agreed with her teammate, “I think we’d play better if more people came, it’d be more intense.”
Girls basketball may not be as popular to watch as boys, but the girls team feels they should still be acknowledged. They work hard and play hard, even with the lack of fans.
“Penn Manor girls basketball is amazing,” Nagy said, “I think we’re better than the recognition we get.”
The 2011 boys rec league championship started fast with an opening three by sophomore Travis Wells and it ended nearly just as fast.
The Magic led by seniors Mark Curtin and Connor Rowe jumped out to a 15-0 lead over the Sixers.
The 2011 Magic rec basketball team pulled out a victory Monday. Photo by David Mohimani
The Magic played a suffocating two-three zone that led to Sixer turnovers and easy transition points. It was clear that the Magic had gone over the scouting report, they were able to hold prolific Rec league scorer senior Garret Young to one point in the first half.
“We just tried to tire him (Young) out, I mean Dudley Rowe came up with a great game plan, the harder he works in the back court the harder it is for him to score.”said Mark Curtin.
The Sixers significant size advantage turned to disadvantage quickly when their lack of foot speed and poor stamina was exposed by the smaller, quicker Magic.
After getting out to the early lead, the Magic never relented, keeping a consistent double-digit lead that was never truly threatened.
Curtin, while a very adequate and adept scorer, chose to play the role of distributor in the championship game.
“I mean Steve Nash is one of my idols, I was just trying to distribute,” said Curtin.
The Sixers were clearly frustrated by the aggressive zone and never seemed in rhythm offensively. They were held to just a measly 15 points in the first half and 35 points in total.
Some doubted that the Magic were a championship caliber team.
Rowe said that before the game Young called him out saying that he was not a “scorer.”
With the volleyball season around the corner, the Comets are hoping for a great season.
Penn Manor has a strong returning class of juniors that are looking to compete this season. Coach Chris Telesco is not predicting a state championship this year but expects the season to be successful in many ways.
“I expect this to be a confidence-building year, in which we will realize the potential of the team as a whole, and the players individually,” said Telesco.
This junior-packed team is competing in a very tough section with Hempfield.
“We are and will continue to be a front-runner. Hempfield is consistantly dominant, and this year looks to be a strong year for them, which gives us more incentive to take them down,” said Telesco.
The key returning players are setter Cheyenne Weber, outside hitter Dylan Weber, middle hitter Marc Summy and opposite hitter Joey Jackson.
However, Telesco is expecting the leader of the team to be junior setter Cheyenne Weber who ties their team together.
“I fully expect Cheyenne Weber to be the quarterback of our team. As the setter, he needs to be the quickest and strongest player both physically and mentally,” said Telesco.
From left to right: Returning juniors Dayonte Dixon, Cheyenne Weber and Marc Summy.
Both Weber brothers are going to be expected to do a lot this year.
“We need to work hard and play the game we know how to play,” said Cheyenne’s twin brother Dylan Weber, “we will mostly be a junior team and I am looking forward to this season.”
“I prepared for the long season by lifting weights and doing power training and I play Junior Olympic volleyball and I also go to open gyms,” Dylan Weber said.
The volleyball team doesn’t only work physically to prepare but also mentally.
“We will be working on mental preparation,” said Telesco.
Without a doubt, big things are expected for the volleyball team this year with the returning players and the work they have put into the off-season.
Don’t worry, its not a flat tire. It’s just a pothole.
Warmer temperatures may be a welcome relief for those weary of winter, but they don’t do local roads any favors.
This year, there have been 278 reports of potholes in Lancaster city’s streets and alleys. That compares to 510 during the same time frame last year and 309 in 2009.
Although no one is keeping track of the number of potholes that have opened up around Penn Manor, local drivers are definitely noticing them.
“It’s annoying,” said Aron Basile, a safety education teacher at Penn Manor High School. “We have so much bad weather causing this.”
Potholes like these found in Millersville irritate drivers. Photo by Eli Marcelino
Wendy Letavic, an English teacher at the high school, is one of the many people who complain about the potholes in the roads.
Letavic said that she has to go around them because she thinks that her car is going to fall apart.
“I think it is something that must be fixed because it could cause an accident or damage to your car,” she said, adding, “even though I know that it is expensive but necessary.”
Workers for contractor J.D. Eckman Inc., spent Monday and Tuesday repairing sections of North Prince Street in Lancaster city, where potholes have appeared in recent weeks.
“I hate it, specially when I’m on my way to school,” said Ariela Contreras, a senior.
On North Prince Street, sections of the roadway that failed after being repaved just four months ago are being repaired. The repairs are the responsibility of the contractor because the contract has not been completed.
Winter may almost be over, but the effects of big storms in the past weeks can still be felt in the Penn Manor parking lot. Even three weeks after a big snowstorm hit Lancaster, people still can’t park in their own spots.
Cade Murry, a senior at Penn Manor High School, is still waiting for his parking spot to be cleared.
One of the parking spots in PMHS Parking Lot that aren't cleared yet. Photo By Evan Shertzer
“I think it’s pathetic my spots not open since I pay $40 to park in it all year,” Murry said, “I don’t really care about parking in another spot, but they should still keep all the spots open.”
Recently a few students from the Ag department at Penn Manor took matters in to their own hands and plowed open a path on the sidewalk because it was plowed shut.
One other problem students encounter is how slippery it is on the parking deck.
Dan Short, who drives a rear-wheel drive sports car, said he has trouble on those snowy mornings coming to school.
“I only drive my car sometimes to school because I know I will have trouble,” Short said.
Snowy mornings are hard to predict, and for the Janitors and Dr Jason D’Amico, who’s in charge of the parking lot and passes at Penn Manor High School, it’s even harder to predict when to get here to start clearing the snow.
“Depending on when the snow arrives is when (the Janitors) get here,” said D’Amico, “Like Penndot.”
Mr. Dickenson, head of the Janitors at Penn Manor High School, said, “We get here depending on when the snow arrives. We have two guys at 4:30 a.m. or 5:00 a.m., and three guys arrive at 6:00 a.m. We also have one guy from 11:00 p.m. to 7 a.m.”
The Janitors are in charge of all the sidewalk clearing and stairs at Penn Manor. The Grounds Maintenance Crew clears the parking lots from snow.
With the amount of snow the Susquehanna Valley has been getting, there are certain things that are just inevitable.
“There’s no where else to push the snow,” Dickenson said, “So you’re going to lose a couple spots somewhere.”
“After last year’s snow, (the Janitors) have it all their shifts and clearing down to a science,” D’Amico said.
The recent snow storm caused a 2 hour delay on Monday for Penn Manor. Students were welcomed by ice covered parking spots and unploughed sidewalks. The previous week showed more favorable weather in the mid 60’s, which can mean only one thing.
Cam Newton, the Heisman trophy winner, is thinking about entering the NFL Scouting Combine to show off his skills and hard work to get drafted.
“I’m now trying to become the best player I can become. I understand that now I’m a professional, I have to be mature enough to think that way. I don’t have a couch, like in college, to call you every morning. I’m trying to polish my skills on a day-to-day basis. I’m aware I’m moving up on some draft board, but that doesn’t matter to me. To worry about what other people think is a negative in my book,” said Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton in an interview with Ed Gruver.
Cam Newton Photo courtesy by http://www.vikingsgab.com
Cam Newton is one of a kind quarter back. He can do it all with his speed and his arm that can get the ball there before the defense can catch up to it.
“I think a team that can build around him and can revolve around him, He can do it all as seen this year and his pass and run he is a dual threat so we will have to see which team picks him up,” said sophomore Tim Harris.
Newton is going to get picked early in the draft and go to a team that really needs him and may help their team win games.
“I think he should go to the Bills as the 3rd overall pick in the draft, they need a quarterback. He will help by a new style of quarterback by his rushing game a Mike Vick style,” sophomore Aaron Lugo said.
“I’ve been preparing to be confident in a lot of things,” Cam Newton said in an interview with Ed Gruver.
He has his own endorsement deal with Under Armour that he will wear hes signature shoe to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Cam Newton after winning BCS Championship Photo by http://www.thegrio.com/assets_c/2010/11/cam-newton-and-chizik-thumb-400xauto-14188.jpg
“I think he should go to the lions because they get first pick in draft and they need a quarter back. The lions won like two games in like 16 years they need someone that can throw the ball and run at the same time and not get sacked like 85 times in a single game. They need to win more then two game in the next four years,” said sophomore Zac Burke.
Cam Newton is a player that may go anywhere and won’t care, he will just want to play and get better at that level so he can lead his team to many victories.
“We don’t have anything set in stone. I’m pretty sure I’ll be in a commercial. But this is a blessing in itself. I would never have imagined it, but here I am,” said Cam Newton in an interview with Ed Gruver.
Cam Newton is a player that may be great for a long time and could make the team he plays for very happy with his running ability and his strong arm.
This is the first in an occasional series about people at Penn Manor who have changed themselves for the better.
By Cheyenne Weber –
Kids at school called Evan Bigler “Big E.” And with good reason.
Obesity is the number one health risk facing the youth of America today. Obesity contributes to an estimated 400,000 deaths a year in the U.S. Evan Bigler, a Penn Manor High School junior, was once staring into those statistics at his obese weight of 285 pounds.
“I hated when kids called me “Big E” before my weight loss. I didn’t need people to remind me that I was fat,” said Bigler with a look of disgust on his face at the memory.
Bigler, before the weight loss. Photo by the Bigler family.
“It’s not that I ate unhealthy foods but I ate a lot of food all the time with little to no cardio,” Bigler explained. “I didn’t want to eat a lot, I was just hungry all the time, I couldn’t help it, I ate like a big kid because I was a big kid,” said Bigler.
Evan Bigler walks in the hallways a little different these days.
He often wears a tight T-shirt with his chest and biceps straining the fabric through his shirt and wearing his slim size-34 jeans and his slicked back, gel-spiked hair and always rocking his fresh watches, a different watch almost everyday.
But the most noticeable change in his wardrobe is the new air of confidence he wears.
“Knowing what I know of Evan Bigler, I knew if he put his mind to it, I knew he could do it,” said Doug Kramer, Bigler’s math teacher who sometimes worked out with the high school junior, developing a mentoring relationship with the teen. “I am proud of Evan for losing the weight and I am happy he got himself healthier.”
“Just keep dieting and keep exercising. Don’t stop. You’ll eventually see improvements,” insisted Bigler.
Bigler after his drastic weight loss. Photo by the Bigler family.
“If there’s anyone reading this who wants to lose weight and change their life like I did, contact me and you can use my gym anytime and I will help you get to your goal weight,” Bigler said.
“One time my family came over for dinner and I hadn’t seen my uncle in forever and my uncle said to my dad while I was sitting on the couch, ‘Who in the heck is that kid sitting on your couch?'”
“My dad goes, ‘that’s Evan’ and my uncle said ‘no way’ he looks like a new person,” remembered Bigler.
After all the weight loss and the new look, Evan started to come out of his shell and he started to get new friends and he now goes to more sporting events, dance parties and clubs.
One could say Evan is popular for the first time in his life.
But even though he has new friends and he’s talking to girls and is always busy, Evan still hangs out with his old friends saying they will always be his friends.
“Evan’s been my friend and neighbor for seven years now and I walked out of my house one day and the kid was ripped. But him losing weight and getting new friends didn’t affect our relationship as friends at all, it actually made us better friends,” said Eric Schlotzhauer.
“It’s hard to share my time with my old friends and new friends, I have been hanging with my new friends more lately and to be honest, the people I hang out with now, I just have more fun with. My old friends will always be my friends but I guess you could say I moved on in my life and just want to try new things, that I couldn’t do before,” explained Bigler.
Canning, fund raising, opening ceremonies dancing and the closing ceremony have one thing in common.
Thon!
Thon is a cancer fundraiser held every year at Penn State University. It is 46 hours long, and volunteers round it up to two days.
It is a fundraiser to support those who have had, and the families of those who died, from cancer. Thon is a growing organization that previously was a college event but now students at Penn Manor High School have gotten involved as well.
Jordan Drexel, a Penn Manor senior, is one of those students.
The amount of money the cancer benefit THON raised. Photo courtesy of http://www.webwiseforradio.com
“I had leukemia, cancer in the blood. I was diagnosed in the second grade. Fifth grade was the last time I had chemotherapy,” Drexel said.
Thon started on Feb. 18th, and ended with a ceremony. Thon is run through many organizations. Each organization picks somebody that applies for Thon and sponsors them. The organizations raise money to allow a member to dance.
The people who dance are not allowed to know what time it is. They have to stay awake and dance the entire time. There was a pep rally on Sunday, February 20th. A lot of sports teams and organizations sing or make a skit for the pep rally. There is an ending ceremony. The ending ceremony is when they recognize the people who are being sponsored. On the screen are pictures of the people and what they are doing now. Other slides show people who died from cancer. The ending ceremony is very emotional and gets to a lot of people.
“The ending ceremony is very touching and I actually teared up,” Bryan Buckius, a Penn Manor student admitted.
Thon consists of more than 15,000 Penn State students, and 708 of those students were on the dance floor. Thon raised more this year than last year. In 2010, $7.8 million was raised, and in 2011, $9,563,016.09 was raised for the Four Diamonds Fund.
The canning, fund raising and organizations all contributed to the grand total. The top 5 fundraisers were Altoona raising $89,728.24, Fayette with $86,094.38, New Kensington with $52,392.69, Berks with $48,876.96, and Hazleton with $30,694.09.
Drexel was a part of Thon in 2010.
“The Four Diamonds fund helped us financially a lot,” Jordan Drexel said.
One college changes the lives of so many during Thon!
