Category: Featured

By Brandon Schuman –

Penn Manor fans didn’t get to see their team win Tuesday against their arch rival but they did get to see history made.

There was a feeling of anticipation inside the gymnasium even before the game started.

The student section was riled up before tip-off as students waited for the beginning of Penn Manor basketball’s nemesis, J.P. McCaskey. The entire gym had cheering fans as Penn Manor and McCaskey supporters showed up in droves for the long awaited rivalry game to begin.

Penn Manor’s fans went home happy even though their team lost. The fans had the privilege of witnessing an unheralded performance, a school record, by one of the players in blue and gold.

“It was probably the best offensive showings I’ve ever seen,” said Penn Manor Athletic Director, Jeff Roth. “That would have to be one of the best performances I’ve seen.”

Marc Summy, a senior guard at Penn Manor, drained six three-point bombs en route to a Comet’s record 48 points. Even the great Penn Manor legend Wally Walker who went on to be the fifth player taken in the 1976 NBA draft and played 8 seasons in the league, never posted more points in a single game then Marc did on Tuesday night. The previous school record , 46 points, was held by Walker.

“It’s kind of hard to put in perspective,” Summy reflected on his record-breaking night, “To know that you accomplished something in your career that people will remember you for is beyond what words can describe.”

Although Summy lit up the scoreboard, it wasn’t enough to stop the McCaskey Red Tornado. The Tornado beat the Comets 81-78 in a triple OT thriller. The game had many peaks and valleys, one of which was Summy drilling a three-point shot to send the game into overtime. Throughout the game Penn Manor repeatedly passed Summy the ball enabling him to score at will  even with some rough defending from McCaskey.

“They were practically draped all over me,” Summy said about McCaskey’s physical presence.

The crowd on both sides complained about the officials. Penn Manor fans complained about some rough defending on Summy.

“It was ridiculous, absurd,” said Penn Manor senior Adam Morris while recalling the rough treatment Summy received.

Even the questionable defending couldn’t slow Summy down.

“It got to the point where it really wasn’t an option if it was going in or not,” senior Penn Manor forward Landon Alexcih commented. (Alexcih was the only other Comet with a point total in double figures)

“Marc made those buckets to keep us in contention when we needed it most,” said Roth.

” I just wanted to win,” Summy remembered his super human performance, “I thought as a team, that we played our hearts out. I just play for the love of the game.”

Teammates notice Summy’s work ethic at practice.

Landon Alexcih praised Summy’s diligence by saying, “It’s great that it happened to a guy who is as great as Marc. He’s a guy who puts in so much work and he finally got to see the fruits of his labor.”

Jeff Roth has noticed the team’s improvement. “Our basketball program has come a long way.”

Alexcih noticed the profound meaning this game has for the team. “It’s going to have a huge affect on the rest of the season.”

 

David Burch contributed to this article.

 

 

 

By Alex Kirk –

‘Tis the season to be jolly.

When it comes to holiday decorations, there are a few different types of decorators.  There are those that waste no time and have their lights and ornaments set up the day after thanksgiving, those that set up a few weeks before the break, and those that wait until the absolute last minute and put up their decorations the day before Christmas to avoid looking like the “Humbug House”.

In any case, the Penn Manor community was quite festive this year with holiday cheer.

On most streets, those passing by can see radiant shades of red, green, and other bright colors covering houses, trees, and other yard objects. The crazier decorators even went as far as lining their properties with an armada of Santa and snowman inflatables.

To witness such inflatables, those interested can take a drive down Millersville Pike.  One house has every inflatable that a person could imagine, ranging anywhere from Spongebob in a Santa hat to Frosty the Snowman with his broom.  Take caution though because during the daytime the house does not keep them inflated.  The extravagant scene must be seen at night to experience the full effect.

Please enjoy a video showing just a few of the many houses in the area that went above and beyond with decorations.

By Kevin Holton-

Get out those winter coats but keep those snow shovels away.

The Christmas of 2011 looks to be a cold and sunny one.

“I’m dissapointed,” said Penn Manor junior, Juan Cubano.  “I was really looking forward to snow on Christmas since there hasn’t been any the last few years.”

According to The Weather Channel, there will be rainy and cold weather surrounding Christmas day.  With highs in the mid 40s and lows in the lower 30s over the weekend, it will surely be a chilly day but most likely not a snowy one.

Some students at Penn Manor couldn’t care less if there’s snow on Christmas.

“I don’t care if it’s a white Christmas, all I want is the presents,” stated junior Brady Charles.

“I’m glad there won’t be snow because it will be a safer holiday,” said senior David Schnieder.

Others are really frustrated about not having snow on Christmas.

“I’ll be sad because I wont be able to make snowmen with my cousins,” said senior Reagan Forrey.

“I’ll be [angry] because I love white Christmas’s,” said senior Tyler Smith.

Millersville University’s Meteorologist, Eric Horst, explained there is about a 1 in 10 chance of there being snow on Christmas. With a cold front coming on Friday, the temperatures will change to about seasonal with high 40s during the day and upper 20s at night, explained Horst.

“I don’t see any signs of a major outbreak,” he said.

With only maybe a few flurries on Sunday or Monday, there is no big storm in the forecast.

“Beyond Christmas we’re going to be seeing the same pattern during the week with seasonal temperatures and a possible decrease in temperatures during the weekend,” said Horst.

Even though the forcast isn’t calling for snow, you can never stop believeing especially if you’re full of holiday spirit.

“If you truly believe then it will be a white Christmas,” said Penn Manor senior Bryson Neely.

 

 

 

 

By Corey Fry and Becca Frankford –

With the swoop of her hand Grace Gundel drops to the line and smoothly loops the L and flows on with the rest of her sentence, finishing the handcrafted capitals and small letters carefully linking them with graceful curves. The captivating expression she displays through her writing are portrayed simplistically through elegance and cherub. Moving through the alphabet she finishes her work with a loop of an s, completing an entire line in what is, to most high school students, a foreign language.

Except it’s not.  It’s cursive.

Grace Gundel is one of the few students remaining in high school who is fluent in reading and writing traditional cursive.  The fact that so many other students can neither read or write cursive presents quite a few problems.

“Sometimes I write in cursive on the board and kids look at me like… uh…. they cant read it!” Gordy Eck, a social studies teacher at Penn Manor High School said about the abilities of his students that can and cannot read this so-called impossible script.

Eck, a football coach for the high school’s team, attended a catholic elementary school when he was a child where cursive classes were part of the curriculum, and where he perfected his now precise cursive.

“I had to practice every night when I got home from school,” Eck said.

“I like writing in cursive, like the hand written notes.. I think people should still be taught to write in cursive.. I still write hand written notes because its more personal,” Eck went on to say.

However, on the other side of this debate, some people argue that cursive is “a waste of time,” and not worth the time and effort.

Tim Joyce, an English teacher at the high school, is one of several teachers who do not write in cursive.

“My stepdad was an engineer, and his handwriting was block print so mine looks like his,” Joyce said.

But as far as today’s students not knowing how to read or write cursive,  Joyce said,”Sometimes surprised but, I don’t find it mind-blowing.”

Most private and public elementary schools issue 60 minutes of lessons on proper cursive writing techniques everyday.

“As long as its legible, who cares if all the letters connect or not,” Joyce said,” Why would we waste our time on that when we have kids that aren’t reading on an appropriate level.”

Cursive is something we’re seeing less and less of every day.  Most people are no longer familiar with the style beyond their own signatures.

But what happened to the longhand writing style that all of our ancestors had learned growing up?  Many call its absence a result of our rapidly evolving technological advances.  No need to write out a letter to a friend when you could much more easily call them on the phone.

There are a number of modern methods one can use to get in contact with someone far away, such as cell phones, email messaging, and facebook.  In a society where letter writing is obsolete, there is hardly any demand for quality penmanship.

“I would rather text because I can’t write cursive, and its faster and doesn’t waste paper, ink, or lead. I like to go green,” one Penn Manor senior said.

After taking a poll throughout the high school, for one student alone the average amount of texts being sent and received from November to the beginning of December was 7,618. About 2,000 of them were sent during school.

Almost all schools include cursive handwriting as part of their curriculum even though they don’t necessarily have to teach it.  In the majority of school districts, students are only briefly taught the cursive alphabet as part of their elementary education.  Some schools have even removed it from their curriculum entirely.

“I think it looks nicer then regular print, and if i am in a hurry or if its really important and i want it to look good,” senior, Grace Gundel said about why she still likes to write in cursive. “I think its becoming a lost art. Not many kids know how to write in cursive which is pathetic. They aren’t being taught it anymore. I learned it in first grade. I remember the teacher putting it on the overhead, one letter everyday.”

According to Edutopia, in a poll regarding whether or not text messaging is harming students’ writing skills. 54 percent stated that they believe that the writing habits kids acquire from texting are being carried over into the writing skills they use on paper. The other 46 percent said that they see some to no relevance.

Some students have become concerned about the disappearance of cursive in their peer’s writing styles.

“The younger generation… Some don’t even know how to write in cursive,” said Rachel Shetler, a senior at Penn Manor.  “Grace Gundel is the only person I know who uses it.”

According  to Carl Brown, principal of Manatee Elementary in Viera, Florida, in USA Today, “With all the other subjects we must teach, we just don’t have the time to spend a lot of effort on cursive.” Brown also stated that 25 years ago he had to attend a summertime handwriting camp in Brevard County Florida because his chicken scratch was illegible.

Cursive is still taught throughout the private schools around the U.S., mostly because in schools like, Vanderbilt University, it is required to teach lessons on cursive writing.

According to Lisa Smoak in USA Today, only 3 out of 22 students could sign cursive when giving a thank you card for the entire fifth grade to sign.

 

 

 

 By Jay Jackson and Cheyenne Weber–

“I am more comfortable with my race,” said Samara Figueroa, a minority student, who was walking down the Penn Manor High School hall recently with another Hispanic student and friend.

Like many Hispanic students at the mostly white Penn Manor High School, Figueroa hangs out primarily with other Spanish students.  She said, as do many students, people prefer to hang out with members of their own race.

But they insist that doesn’t make them racists, although they are very aware of their differences.

“I used to go to a city school, and I was nervous because I heard there were a lot of white people (here), I am not racist or anything,” said Figueroa. “A lot of (non-Hispanic) people stare at me, and people are always like, ‘Why do you talk like that?'”

Even though the number of minorities in Penn Manor School District rose from 13 percent in 2008 to 17 percent in 2011, the minority base in the high school is still that, a minority. Nearly 85 percent of the high school student body is white. Nine percent are Hispanic, three percent are black, and two percent are considered mixed race (not Hispanic). Two percent of the student body is  Asian, and three students are Native American.

Whether it is because of a comfort zone, fear or it is just an easier way to relate, the minorities and whites at Penn Manor seem to have their reasons to be naturally attracted together in the halls, classrooms and in the cafeteria.

Different races do different things from handshakes, slang and fashions.

“I would feel left out if I was the minority in school,” said Zach Hecker, a white student. “Some people are afraid to hang out with a bunch of black people and say something wrong.”

One of the main reasons the students don’t often socialize outside their race, they say, is because others sometimes don’t understand or relate to their culture.

Another common sentiment was that people also tend to reach out to only their race because people feel more comfortable talking to someone when they have something in common with that person.

One place where the students overtly congregate by race is during lunch in the cafeteria.

An entire table of black students and another of Hispanic students stuck out in the bustling, mostly white Penn Manor cafeteria this year.

A book, titled Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, says this phenomenon is called self-segregation.

“It’s not the same when you’re not with the people you’re with all the time. It’s okay ’cause they get your jokes and everything, but other times they are just out of it,” said Gladdy Clay, a minority student.

Students said there are obvious divisions or cliques in school, often along racial lines.  And they said it a lot. Penn Manor students were quick with their opinions about the race divisions in the high school.

“I get nervous being around the other minorities,” said Mark Conrad, a white student.

“We pay attention in class. We don’t pay attention to other people that don’t want us here,” said one Penn Manor minority student.

To some students racial cliques seem impenetrable unless you have the right colored skin. This can be tough for new students at Penn Manor.

“Some rednecks act immature. They click their boots loud and they give you that look, but we don’t come at them for being white,” said a student at Penn Manor who wished to remain unnamed.

“Sometimes it’s a little frustrating because, like, everybody acts differently because different cultures act in different ways,” said another Penn Manor minority student.

“In a (white) majority school district, black students and Hispanic students will sit together out of a feeling of comfort and some will also say there are somethings my white friends can’t understand,” said Quay Hanna a Penn Manor club leader, activist and author who gets kids talking about racial issues in an effort to ease tensions.

When you first meet someone, you don’t know if that person has anything in common with you. Color is something that is apparent at first glance. If you are the same color it gives that person a natural comfort zone without even greeting each other, some experts say.

Communication is a part of life and sometimes inter-racial communication can be a huge hurdle, affirmed Hanna.

“I felt really weird just hanging out with a bunch of black kids and being the only white kid there. Sometimes I don’t understand what they are saying,” said Hecker.

Many students at Penn Manor haven’t been put in the situation of being the minority and have trouble dealing with the thought of being different.

“I was in a class with a whole bunch of rednecks, and I was like hell, no. I am getting out of here, so I switched classes,” said a Penn Manor minority student.

The minorities at Penn Manor go through this everyday and it can be extremely stressful for some.

Some minority students feel like they aren’t welcome in a group of white students.

“Were just being us. They think we are loud but were just being normal when a white person is loud they are called normal but if were loud were called ghetto,” said Jarkysha Jones.

It can be tough to be a certain color and come to a school where you’re not the majority race.

“I ask white students if they went to a Philly school…how would they know where to sit when you enter the cafeteria.  Even the white students might not always be like you,” said Hanna.

It is hard to think that students believe that if you are of the same ethnicity that you will have things in common or will be easier to get along with, but it is unfortunately true.

“We’re not here for everybody else, we’re here to learn,” said another Penn Manor minority student.

But racial tensions here at the high school are not interfering with education, most students agreed.

“I had to get used to the white people. Once you are around it for awhile you get used to it,” said Dayonte Dixon, a minority student.”Minorities are clicking together because they are an odd man out”

By Tim Harris –

Kennedy Kulish is a big sister with a big story to tell.

When Kennedy was 6 years old her younger brother, Kaeden, was born with seven different heart defects and had three open heart surgeries at an early age.

Kennedy’s mother explained the first time Kennedy met her little brother.

“As parents it’s a hard decision to make, for a 6 year-old to see your child like that.” Mrs. Kulish said “but I believe that decision for her to see Kaeden like that is why she has such strong bonds for what she does for Kaeden.”

Kennedy will be the first one to tell you that her relationship with her brother is like almost any other siblings.

“I do get mad sometimes,” she said “but I realize that what we argue about is just stuff, and Kaeden is more than that and we are just lucky to have him.”

But what is truly amazing about this sister is how much she does for not only her brother, but hundreds of other children across the country. Kennedy was recently chosen as a WGAL Jefferson Award winner and has been selected to represent Pennsylvania in the national Jefferson Award Contest.

“I just really love giving back to other people,” Kennedy said. “It all just started with Kisses for Kaeden.”

Kisses for Kaeden is Kennedy’s organization that she started for her brother and children like him.

“I raise money for children who need major surgeries but don’t have good insurance,” she said.

Kisses for Kaeden to date has collected over $134,000, and has caught the attention of more than just local media.

“I remember meeting President Bush,” Kennedy said with a smile.

The former President of the United States, George W. Bush flew into Lancaster Airport just to meet this little girl from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

“It all started when we got a call from the United Way lady who said Kennedy was in the running out of 40 others to meet the president, and we didn’t think much of it and we were just honored she was in the running,” Mrs. Kulish said “Then we got that call saying she was going to meet him.”

Kennedy got to speak with the president and they exchanged gifts, he then awarded Kennedy with a “Call to Service” pin. The Kulish family was also a guest on “The Nate Show” as well as other smaller television shows.

“None of this would be possible without the help of so many people,” Kennedy said.

As a member of Color Guard, Cheerleading, Do Something Club, Student Council and as well as being a Volunteer Fire Fighter, Kennedy has more than a busy schedule.

“It means so much when people volunteer to help out. It shows that others really care too,” Kennedy said.

“Kennedy is my little Mother Teresa,” Mrs. Kulish said “No matter what I know that Kennedy will always do what is right for others.”

 

By Frank Herr and  Kevin Holton-

Penn Manor School District will be putting the ‘giving’ in Thanksgiving this year.

Both the “Do Something” Club and Student Council at the high school have launched a fundraiser that will raise money for local families who find themselves in a tough spot this holiday season. Members of both of these organizations are collecting money that will cover the expenses of turkey dinners for those in need.

They hope the whole school district gets involved to meet the goal.

“We don’t think that it might be successful,” said Jeremy Nesmith, Coordinator of Alternative Education and Student Council Advisor. “We are sure that the staff and student body will be successful.”

After the success of the recent clothing drive, organizers feel the district will pitch in to raise at least enough money for 80 to 100 turkeys.

Students, faculty, administrators and families are encouraged to help reach this goal. Each turkey voucher costs $15 but the club members warn there is much work to be done in order to provide for the community in this manner.  These turkeys are being discounted for the fundraiser by Darrenkamp’s Market.

This turkey drive will give a full turkey dinner to district and local families who find themselves in a tight economic spot, to feel that there are folks around willing to lend a helping hand, said the club members.

“A lot of these families feel like they are disconnected from the community, so they will feel appreciated, and that they are a part of something,” said Penn Manor social worker Megan Martin.

A large part of having a functional community is letting the public know that when they need help, there are almost always people to turn to.

Penn Manor isn’t the only school participating in this drive. Both Lampeter-Strasburg and Solanco school districts are taking part in the fundraising process. All proceeds from each district go directly to  L-S YMCA.  From there, they are dispersed to the families. Penn Manor wants to make sure that every needy family in their district will be provided with a turkey and then hopes to have extra to donate to the rest of the community.

Although turkeys are the primary goal of this drive, the fundraiser is trying to get canned good, too. Elementary schools are collecting canned goods, while the secondary school is responsible for collecting money for turkeys.  But everyone is encouraged to give.

“Families will feel as if a burden has been lifted off their shoulders,” predicted Nesmith.

Organizations that have already contributed to this fundraiser are the Penn Manor staff and athletes, Penn Manor Alumni Association, Millersville Women Association, Millerville business Association, Marine Corps. League, and The American Legion.

If anyone is interesting in donating money to the Turkey Drive, please give money to a member of the Student Council or The “Do Something” Club.  You can also make checks payable to Penn Manor Family Fund with Turkey written in the memo section and send the checks to the high school.

All donations should be sent to Penn Manor High School c/o Jeremy Nesmith or Deb Meckley at 11 E Cottage Ave. Millersville Pa, 17551.  Also, if anyone knows of a family in need of help for the holidays, please have them contact Deb Meckley.

Spread the word and spread the joy, said the club members.  Everyone’s support in this fundraiser is very important.

By Eric Schlotzhauer –

With all the scandalous events unfolding at Penn State University, Joe Paterno decided to take a leave after the current football season, but that was not enough for the Board of Trustees who took control of his fate.

Penn Manor alumni who attend Penn State and other local high school alums are torn about the events in State College and the resulting turmoil.

Paterno, Penn State football coach, was fired after 61 years of service to the school.  All of this happened when Jerry Sandusky was charged with allegedly raping multiple boys dating back to 1994. Paterno knew of the allegations and told higher authority about it, doing everything right under legal terms.

A melting pot of emotions and opinions are surfacing throughout the college, Penn Manor High School, and the nation.

“The moral responsibility of all the leadership positions within the association (both coaching and academic) was thrown out the window like a red headed step child,” said Erick Dutchess, Penn Manor Biology teacher, with a half joking demeanor.

“I personally think he should have been fired,” said Casey Wells, Penn Manor alumni who now attends Penn State University as a freshman.

Paterno has made multiple statements during the course of the scandal investigation starting with his  decision to retire prior to the Board of Trustee’s news conference.

“That’s why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can. This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more,” said Paterno in a statement before the break of the news of his contract being terminated.”

Wednesday’s press conference regarding Paterno’s fate broke the news at approximately 10:15 p.m.

“The university is much larger than its athletic teams,” board vice chair John Surma said during a news conference. “The Penn State board of trustees tonight decided it is in the best interest of the university to have a change in leadership to deal with the difficult issues that we are facing.”

Directly following the Board of Trustees announcement that University President Graham Spanier, and Paterno would no longer be a part of the college, gasps and objections echoed through the room.

“I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees’ decision, but I have to accept it,” said Paterno after hearing the boards final decision on the matter. “A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please respect the university, its property and all that we value.  I have been incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players and staff who have been a part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I will be forever in your debt.”

Paterno was delivered a letter containing a phone number in which he called, and the board members told him that they would no longer be needing his service as head coach of Penn State’s football team.  Students and fans believed Paterno deserved more than a phone call after being coach for more than four decades.

Paterno announced how devastated he was about hearing the charges of the sex scandal, but he is not the only one devastated over the whole thing. With all the news of Paterno hitting the air, the victims are sometimes shoved under the rug.

“The whole situation is so messed up.  I feel for the victims and their families,” said Josh Carle, a Penn Manor alumni and now  a student at Penn State University as a Freshman

“WE ARE…angry that innocents would be violated under our care,” said Brittany Jones, Penn State freshman via Facebook.

“As bad as I feel for JoePa, no matter what, we will ALWAYS have him. I can’t imagine what the victims are going through.  They should’ve never experienced things like that.  I think it is hard to see how they are all being overshadowed by these events.  My thoughts and prayers go out to them,” said Tyler Pobursky, a local high school student and devoted Penn State fan, via Facebook.

Penn State fans, students and employees have shown sympathy for the victims throughout the scandal.  Students rallying and rioting in the streets of University Park wanted the nation to see their feeling of anger, sadness and betrayal.

“A news van got flipped over and windows were broken,” said Wells. “People got tear gassed and hit with rocks.”

Penn State students have been insistent that the destruction and violence of the riots were a select few from the university.

“WE ARE…in support of appropriate punishment for every person involved,” said Jones via Facebook.

Penn State’s Football team will play their last home game of the season this Saturday against Nebraska.

“A lot of people just aren’t going and there is going to be a blue-out,” said Carle.

Students have announced that the game will be a blue-out instead of the “norm,” which is a white-out, to support child abuse awareness.  Police have warned the students that poor behavior will not be tolerated during Saturday’s game.

“There was a rumor that all the seniors weren’t going to play in the game,” said Carle.

While most people bid farewell, reminiscing on the legacy he left behind, some who remain say they have no faith in the Penn State Football program.

“They will rebound with another coaching hire,” said Dutchess. “They will continue to propel the program into its current downward spiral.”

“I don’t think Joe understands the ramifications of the last 10 years of his coaching tenure.  I believe he will find a happy life at home eating ice cream and watching Penn State lose to Pitt in 2016,” said Dutchess with a lack of emotion.

Time will tell how the college and their football team will recover from this tragedy.  It is apparent that everyone wishes for the well-being of the victims, and it will take time for things to go back to usual.

“WE ARE…PENN STATE proud and we will rise again,” said Jones via Facebook.