Selection Sunday was just two days ago and I still can’t get one thing off of my mind; Temple is a five seed.
Maybe it’s because ever since I was a little kid my father and I watched Temple basketball, or because our basement was filled with posters of Aaron McKie, Eddie Jones and Rick Brunson. Maybe, I am a little biased.
The fact that Temple was at one point 15th in the nation and that the Atlantic Ten was a tough conference this year, gives me the impression that they were the most under-seeded team in the nation.
To add insult to injury, they drew the best 12 seed in the tournament; Cornell, a team that could have easily been a 10 seed after winning the Ivy League championship.
To support my argument, I heard Doug Gotlieb, an ESPN NCAA Basketball analyst, say that Temple was the most under-seeded team in the tournament; it’s good to know I am not the only one who is distraught by Temple’s seeding.
My prediction: Temple will make it to the sweet 16, beating Cornell and Wisconsin, but then lose to Kentucky. So I guess it’s not really worth getting worked up about!
Frustration has led many people to severe actions, but none can compare to leaving a baby in a dumpster.
In 2003, Pennsylvania’s state legislature created and passed a law called The Newborn Protection Act. The legislation was created so that any parent could voluntarily relinquish their child to a hospital without any questions asked.
Coincidentally, this was the same year “Baby Allison” was found.
A newborn, given the name “Allison” after her death, was found in December lying in a Strasburg Township burn barrel, according to findagrave.com.
Since then, every hospital in Pennsylvania has become a “safe haven” for newborns. Bassinets are set up in the hospitals and all a parent has to do is lay the child down and walk away; not even names or addresses are written down.
Safe haven laws aim to prevent infant deaths.
An age limit was set a few years later due to problems in some states.
“Nebraska had no age limit, and parents were dropping off their teenagers,” said Susan Savage, an advocate of the Safe Haven Program.
Infants must not be older than 28 days to be dropped off.
The child, after it is examined, is taken to a foster program. As long as the child has no signs of abuse, parents will not receive any punishment.
Since the program was developed seven years ago, the question is: why build up awareness now?
“Our goal is to prevent crisis pregnancy and rash decisions,” said Savage. “Money for awareness [of the program] has run out, but we try to get the idea out every year. The challenge is that as young people are aging, crisis pregnancies are important at certain points in their life and not at other points.”
While it is a good effort, the idea did not spread as well to everyone.
In Sept. of 2007, a baby was found in a trash bin behind the Lancaster YMCA, hidden in a canvas tote, according to findagrave.com. After investigation, it was announced that the baby had died due to suffocation.
Donations from the community paid for a heart-shaped tombstone. The community members named the baby “Mary Anne” and over 100 people showed up to the funeral.
Reverend Daniel Mitzel, who presided over the service, said the baby was like family.
“We immediately felt that baby, as any other member of the human race, deserved a burial with prayer and faith,” said Mitzel.
If you have any questions about the program visit www.secretsafe.org to learn more.
At a Jay-Z concert, you would think that the iconic rapper would suffice as entertainment. From what I saw, this was not the case.
Alcohol, marijuana, and even cocaine use flooded the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey one recent Saturday at the Hova (Jay-Z) concert where I sat in the audience.
Everywhere I turned I would see a lit blunt (a cigar with the tobacco taken out and replaced with marijuana) followed by a cloud of smoke with the potent smell of marijuana mixed in.
Simon Zimmerman talks about his concert experience. Photo by Dessie Jackson
I would also see clearly underage young adults sipping on some brewskies while bobbing their heads to the beat.
I am not one to pass judgment on others, however, I was very surprised that authorities, security guards, or the Izod Center staff were not putting a stop to this illegal activity.
For instance, the row behind me was filled with a group of guys who were smoking a blunt. Their activity had not been called to anyone’s attention until a hysterical pregnant woman came running in with three police officers, her finger pointed directly at the men behind me.
The officers then pulled them out in the hall. When the men returned they told my friend and I that the only thing the cops said was, “Everyone is doing it and we are only bringing you out so that woman will stop complaining.”
This amused and shocked me at the same time.
It amused me because they completely got away with what they were doing.
It shocked me because the officers didn’t do a single thing to discipline them.
But I suppose that the fuzz wouldn’t be able to arrest about 1,000 people participating in the same exact commotion.
It would be like a huge chain gang walking out of the stadium.
I guess that when citizens outnumber authorities, illegal acts might just have to be tolerated.
Welcome to the fourth edition of PM Nation. Obviously with the NCAA Tournament starting this weekend, that is our topic this week. We will have two separate columns this week about March Madness. This edition’s topic will be about the selection process and if the committee’s system is the right way to choose which teams should go dancing.
PM Nation
Cody Straub: The question: is the NCAA committee’s system through judging the RPI, strength of schedule, vs. the RPI top 50, and using the teams’ whole season resume instead of just the last couple weeks of the season the right way to select teams to go dancing.
Taylor: No, look at Villanova. They start off the season real high and then at the end of the season they lose three out of their last four games. You don’t want high seeded teams coming into the tournament cold.
CS: Look at teams like Gonzaga in a weak conference. They play a hard non-conference schedule, but toward the end of the season, they don’t have any chances to get good wins because of their weak conference. So they should not be punished with a lower seed because their best wins are at the beginning of the season.
TG: I’m not saying teams with weak conferences shouldn’t get in, but because of their weak conference, they need to win every conference game so they can create a better resume.
CS: Every team in the country will lose one game they should have won. So one slip-up in a conference game should put a team in or out of the tournament, as long they have good wins.
TG: Like Dick Vitale said on Selection Sunday, the last ten games of the season should be the most meaningful games. Mississippi State should have been in the tournament because of how they ended their season.
Taylor Groff Co-editor for PM Nation
CS: That is ridiculous. Mississippi State did not beat anyone until the Vanderbilt game. You can’t tell me they get in ahead of Florida, Florida has more quality wins and played better non-conference games.
TG: That is all for this edition, stay tuned later this week for our tournament predictions. If you agree or disagree with this column, you can write your opinion down in the comment box about the topic, we want to know what everyone thinks.
It’s sticky. It’s sweet. It’s in your back pocket. And it might just make you smarter.
It’s gum!
On April 12, juniors will begin three weeks of PSSA testing for reading, math, writing and science. As of now there is no gum chewing allowed during these tests, but if the rule is changed could it affect test scores?
According to a study done by Baylor College of Medicine and sponsored by Wrigley Science Institute in April 2009, “Those who chewed gum had a 3% increase in standardized test scores and had final math grades that were significantly better than the other students.”
“I think it could somewhat affect [scores] but I’m skeptical to accept results from Wrigley Institute,” said Angela Stiklaitis, head of the math department.
Will allowing gum during PSSA tests increase test scores? Photo by superstock.com
Researches began to test 108 students between the ages of 13-16 by assigning half of the students to chew sugar-free gum while in math class, completing math homework and during math tests for 14 weeks.
The other half of the class would do these same activities, but without chewing gum.
The researchers concluded that the students who were allowed gum not only had improved test scores, but also had longer attention spans.
Would this make gum chewing okay?
“I think it would be alright [if they allowed gum]. However, their chewing could not be a distraction, but have to be polite and respectful,” said Stiklaitis.
Even students feel as if helps them during class.
“[Gum] helps me concentrate,” said Joanne Cusatis.
“It helps stimulate your brain and keeps you focused,” added Abby Talbot.
And some students just like to chew it.
“[Class] is boring without [gum]. I like to twirl it too,” said Jaime Reel.
So whether chewing gum is just for fun, or for helping students concentrate, will it ever be allowed during the PSSAs is a question yet to be answered.
The battle of David versus Goliath took place at Norristown Area High School Saturday, March 13.
Goliath prevailed.
After sneaking into the PIAA State tournament, Penn Manor’s basketball team entered the playoff immediately met by the paramount Penn Wood Patriots.
The Pats beat the Comets last year in the first round of states by four en route to a state championship title.
They were hungry for another.
Manor flooded the first quarter with three pointers ending the period with a 27-18 lead over Penn Wood.
The Patriots didn’t seem too concerned.
The second quarter was a different story as Penn Wood’s lightning quick 2-3 defense shut down the Comets to a dismal five second-quarter points.
With Manor focused on shutting down dominating 6-9 big man, Shawn Oakman, and swingman, Aaron Brown, senior guard, Tyree Johnson, took over.
Johnson dumped 26 first half points on the Comets, and the 2009 champs went into the locker room with a 43-32 lead at halftime.
The Patriots continued their authority over the smaller Comet lineup in the second half.
The Comets struggled to slow down the commanding inside game of Penn Wood in the second half, and quickly found themselves in foul trouble.
Frustration carried on throughout the second half for Charlie Detz’s Comets, as their first quarter stand out seemed petty in a 76-57 loss to Penn Wood.
Patrick Welsh led all Penn Manor scorers with 14 points. Senior guard, Jon Brooks, added another 8 points.
Detz will expect for his underclassman to step up next year to replace this heavily successful senior lineup as Penn Manor looks to continue their dominant reputation in the Lancaster Lebanon league.
If Eric Cartmen, Stewie and Bart Simpson took part in an epic animated battle, who would win?
In a recent Penn Manor study, three of the leading animated comedies were polled to find out what show students preferred.
The shows that were polled include: “Family Guy”, “South Park” and “The Simpsons.”
“Family Guy” was first aired on January 31st, 1999 on the Fox network. There are currently 138 episodes and in its eighth season.
“South Park” was first aired on August 13th, 1997 on Comedy Central. There are currently 195 episodes and in its fourteenth season.
The oldest of the three shows is “The Simpsons;” it first aired on December 17th, 1989 on the Fox network. There are currently 454 episodes and has twenty-one seasons.
The Simpsons were once the most popular animated comedy...not the case anymore. Photo courtesy of trueslant.com
“Every episode is funny,” said Conor Snow, about his favorite show, “Family Guy.”
Penn Manor junior Patrick Miller disagreed, “South Park always takes me on an epic journey.”
On the other hand, junior, Kevin Szurok said, “Simpsons is too family oriented.”
Out of 64 students surveyed, 36 of them chose “Family Guy,” 25 chose South Park and 3 said they liked “The Simpsons.”
This shows that “The Simpsons” is becoming an outdated form of comedy. The reason for this could be, because “The Simpsons” are not as vulgar as “South Park” and not as teen oriented as “Family Guy.”
While “Family Guy” takes the cake, their could be something to debate here. When we went around interviewing people, most of the results came in clumps, meaning, one table would all choose “Family Guy” and another table would all choose “South Park.” This shows that friends who have similar interests in comedy tend to converse and hangout together more.
As Bart Simpson and “The Simpsons” are left in the dust, it is up to “Family Guy” to keep the animated comedy genre alive.
In its first year, Penn Points was named one of the 13 finalists in the National Scholastic Press Association’s annual Online Pacemaker award. The Pacemaker award is somewhat equivalent to an Oscar except for high school journalism. Penn Manor’s Penn Points is the only Pennsylvania Online newspaper finalist for the N.S.P.A. and one of few from the east coast.
This year Portland Oregon will be hosting the N.S.P.A. Convention in April where the award ceremony will be held along with seminars and journalism speakers. Other awards that will be given out are Yearbook/ Magazine Pacemaker, Best of Show award, J.E.A. write-off award, Journalist of the Year award, Aspiring Young Journalist award and Investigative Journalism award.
According to N.S.P.A. the Online Pacemaker competition has seen a 70 percent rise in entries since last year’s 2009 competition. This year, 132 high school websites entered into the category. All together the finalists include:
The Feather Online, Fresno Christian HS, Fresno, Calif. http://www.thefeather.com
Suzanna Quiring, editor
Greg Stobbe, adviser
The Chronicle Online, Harvard-Westlake School, North Hollywood, Calif. http://chronicle.hw.com
Jamie Kim, editor
Kathleen Neumeyer, adviser
The Saratoga Falcon, Saratoga HS, Saratoga, Calif. http://www.saratogafalcon.org
Mira Chaykin, Brian Kim, editors
Mike Tyler, adviser
ipatriotpost.com, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla. http://www.ipatriotpost.com
Arthur Yidi, editor
Diana Adams, adviser
Online Gargoyle, University Laboratory HS, Urbana, Ill. http://www.uni.illinois.edu/og/
Danny Ge/Hadley Hauser/Maritza Mestre/Laura Dripps/Katherine Allen/Sindha Agha/Diana Liu, editors
David Porreca, adviser
Patriot, John Carroll School, Bel Air, Md. http://www.jcpatriot.com
Kate Froehlich, editor
Mark Ionescu, adviser
The Rockville High School Rampage, Rockville HS, Rockville, Md. http://www.rockvillerampage.com
Michaela Karem, Olivia Parker, editors
Peter Daddone, adviser
Jordynea Hill gets up at the crack of dawn every morning to have bottles and diapers ready for her newborn son. She’ll need at least 12 diapers for just one day of changing and enough formula to fill his daily needs. Hill is a Penn Manor High School senior who can no longer walk the halls during regular school hours, can’t go to any sporting events and can’t eat lunch with her friends in the school cafeteria. Hill, 17, attends Twilight (evening) school so she can take better care of her four-month-old son.
She’d be the first to say how difficult it is to be a teenage mom.
“Wait as long as you can, till you think you can take care of a kid,” Hill said to teens having unprotected sex.
Unfortunately teens across the country don’t seem to be following the advice that Hill and many other teenage parents are giving.
A national study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit group that studies reproductive and sexual health, showed that the rate in teen pregnancy, that had been on the decline since the 1990’s, is now rising.
The popular teen show “16 and Pregnant” and its follow-up show, “Teen Mom,” are examples of how difficult it is to be a parent at such a young age. Even though the shows are among some of the most watched, many teens just don’t seem to be taking the consequences seriously.
Lashaya Baker, a Penn Manor senior, agrees that teens sometimes rush into sex without thinking of the consequences.
Lashaya Baker stops in the hall to talk to teacher Kathy Kirk.
“Yes, they’re doing it because everyone else is doing it,” she said,
Baker herself is six months pregnant.
In a recent survey at Penn Manor, some students said they were not certain they would always use contraception if they planned to have sex.
Randomly, 42 students were asked to take an anonymous survey about their attitudes toward unprotected sex. These students included all grades and both boys and girls. About three-quarters of the students surveyed claimed they were sexually active.
Although only less than one percent of the population was questioned, the survey results indicated some students were not concerned with the consequences of unprotected sex. Out of 42 students, only half said they were using some sort of contraceptives every time they have sex, if they were currently sexually active.
The students that weren’t sexually active were asked whether or not they would use contraceptives every time in the future. Not all said they would.
“The issue here is clearly that we have a lot of teenagers who are having sex, but they aren’t careful enough at contraception to avoid pregnancy,” said Sarah Brown, executive director of the nonprofit National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy during a recent interview with New York Times.
In the same survey, five out of five senior boys who were surveyed admitted to being sexually active, compared to two out of five freshman boys. Five out of five senior girls said they were sexually active, with four out of five on birth control. Three out of five freshman girls said they are sexually active, but out of those five, none said they were using any type of birth control.
Birth control pills are just one option to prevent pregnancy.
When teen girls were asked whether they would have sex without a condom which can protect from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, their responses were revealing.
“Yeah, ‘cause I’m on birth control,” said a Penn Manor junior, “If you’re in the heat of the moment it’s just going to happen, you’re not just going to say stop.”
That was a similar story repeated by those in the survey – that teens often decided to have sex without any planning.
That story changed when reality hit for Brittany Scott a pregnant teen at Penn Manor.
“Now I’d probably say ‘no,’ because it’s not worth the risk,” said Scott now 21 weeks pregnant.
Out of the 21 boys that were surveyed, only 13 said that they currently use or would use protection every time they have sex and only 9 out of the 21 girls that were surveyed are on birth control.
Also, some adults in the high school were asked their views on the availability or effectiveness of sex education in school. Currently, all students in high school take a health class where reproduction is discussed but birth control methods are not.
Some felt that schools should not be focusing on just abstinence or prevention, but showing the positives and negatives of both.
“I think if it’s abstinence based, you’re dumb to think they’re not doing it so they should be taught how to be safe,” said Penn Manor health teacher, Stephen Weidner.
“Both, you should have to educate the students with information of sex and abstinence,” said Principal Phil Gale, “It isn’t only a school thing, it’s a parent and school responsibility.”
Teenage students were asked their feelings on whether or not they think people rush into sex without knowing the possible outcomes.
“I think everyone acknowledges what could happen, but I don’t think they use [their knowledge],” said junior Stef Freidman.
Couple walks the halls of Penn Manor
Tara Coulter is another Penn Manor senior who said she didn’t take sufficient precautions and is now dealing with the consequences of being a teen mom.
“Wish it came later,” said Coulter, of her three-month-old son, “People always tell you how hard it will be but you don’t know how hard it will be till it happens. It’s not cool to have a baby until you’re ready.”
“Yeah, even though we learn stuff in health class, people just don’t think before they do things,” said Scott who is expecting her baby this summer.
Paul Chismar, Penn Manor earth science teacher, agreed, “Absolutely, they’re not prepared for the consequences.”
“They think ‘it won’t happen to me’” said Cindy Bachman, athletic director secretary and cheerleading coach.
It makes me itch. I think of it, I crave it. I dream of it, because I have to catch them all- Pokemon!
Yes, I’m a 17-year-old boy trying to hide the fact that I’m walking around and thinking; what Pokemon should I start my adventure with? Where will I find a moonstone? How do you catch the Abra before teleporting away?
This isn’t what my girl friend wants to hear I’m thinking about when she asks me, “what are you thinking about?”
But after a weekend run to a local game shop with my girlfriend, who probably can beat me in some of the video games, the old game caught my eye- Pokemon Red for GameBoy color. And my delight for the game resurfaced.
This game, sadly for me, was in front of my face more than any book when I was growing up. This was my breakthrough to gaming. It was the first game I could completely control. I knew everything about the 151 Pokemon as if they really were my own (friends). I knew their moves, their strengths, their weaknesses, and I played for hours upon hours.
The adventures of starting out in your hometown of Pallet Town then adventuring and capturing Pokemon in this world took me into the driver’s seat, becoming a training Pokemon master. By choosing Squirtle, Charmander, or Bulbasaur the journey began.
After the game store incident, the rush of excitement and nostalgia returned. I searched for my classic games to reconnect, yearning to start a new adventure as a Pokemon trainer. After a search through old baseball cards, miscellaneous boxes in the garage and turning my room a little more inside out, there was no luck of finding my beloved Pokemon Red game.
So now with a withdrawal from Pokemon for years, I go back to the game store with a bag full of old video games that have been collecting dust. This way I can trade them in and bring home something new to feed my addiction.
This addiction to video games is not rare for my generation, but for me, I get lost in the exaggerated plot lines and characters. With only one true love of video games, Pokemon, everything else falls short. This addiction comes from hours of watching the Pokemon series on Saturday mornings of my child hood and getting my hands on my own Pokemon.
So now, I find a used Pokemon Fire Red and a used Game Boy Micro to start my new quest to become a Pokemon master. With the last copy of the Pokemon Fire Red, this is a restored version of the classic Pokemon Red, I started my adventure all over again. I took that sigh of relief when I heard the noise that every truly addicted Pokemon kid knows, the intro fight song.
Knowing my addiction needed to be tamed, I put the Game Boy down for a day after playing for about a week straight. Then one night, I woke up from tossing, turning and sweating. I was having a dream that I beat the elite four. Of course I got up. I knew what I had to do.
