Category: News

Billion-dollar Giveaway to help the World

By Jake Shiner –

Ever get that feeling that you have too much money? Well Bill Gates does.

Gates has led the wealthy as the world’s richest man for 13 years straight (1995-2008), but has just recently given the title to Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim.

Given, not lost however because in the past three years Gates has donated $30 billion and plans to donate more to his wife Melinda’s charity organization that helps to fight leading causes of death such as AIDS, malaria and the causes of mother/children deaths.

Melinda and Bill Gates strolling

It’s not everyday that a billionaire decides to give away most of his or her wealth, but for Gates, it was an easy decision. According to a CBS news report, he and his wife agree that all lives are equally valuable, no matter where you live on the globe, and that these problems they’re combating aren’t as prominent at home. They have so much money that they can’t even fathom an idea of how to spend it on themselves, so they decided to help the less fortunate.

While Gates said it was a relatively easy choice, how would Penn Manor students handle the donation of 60 billion dollars?

Seniors Josh Carle and Tyler Wilson both agreed that they would donate their money to research.

“I’d give all my money to cancer research,” said Wilson, “I care.”

Jesse Graham had similar ideas and  said “I would give my money to some kind of world hunger organization and green initiatives.”

Cody Welch on the other hand was having more selfish thoughts. “Is there an option of just not giving it away,” he asked.

Since the Gates family is giving away most of their fortune, that means there is less for their kids to inherit. How would you feel as one of the Gates kids?

“I might be disappointed, but it’s no big deal,” said Carle.

Graham noted the fact that he would still be inheriting at a good amount of money anyways. “I’d be cool having just a billion dollars, I’d be set forever.

Welch on the other hand had different feelings. “I’d be extremely angry and upset with my father, I would have nothing but bad things to say about him… if my father is Bill Gates, I should be inheriting $20 billion,” said Welch.

As it turns out Bill and his wife don’t plan on giving too much money to their kids (for their standards). He and his wife agreed that they didn’t want money to shape their three kids’ lives.

The Gates have challenged other wealthy persons to give away at least half of their fortune in their lifetime, and investor Warren Buffet, the third richest man in the world, has already followed suit. Maybe if other billion and millionaires join in they can help to save and better lives all over the globe.

PVAAS Predictions Raise Reasonable Concern

By Sarah Schaeffer –

The future for Penn Manor’s PSSA’s does not seem bright, according to the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS), Penn Manor students are predicted to be behind in their PSSA’s this year.

PVAAS, released for the first time to the public this year, measures individual students’ academic growth over time, specifically through their third and eighth grade PSSA’s, projecting their eleventh grade scores. A growth index number is assigned to each student to predict their growth, with a zero represents a year’s worth of academic growth in a year, a positive number represents more than a year’s growth and a negative number indicates less than a year’s worth of growth.

PVAAS Prediction Chart. Photo courtesy of Lancaster Online.

On Monday, the PVAAS scores were published in local newspapers, ranking Lancaster County’s public schools’ growth predictions. Penn Manor was given a -5.8 in math and a -1.0 in reading. Meaning, basically, that the school district is slightly behind in reading and way behind in math, ahead of only McCaskey and Solanco in Lancaster County.

The chart is also displayed in traffic light colors, green indicating above predicted achievement, yellow meaning predicted achievement and red indicating below predicted achievement. Though Penn Manor is expected to not achieve a year’s worth of growth in either math or reading, the district falls in the red only in math and yellow in reading.

“PVAAS is extremely accurate and an indicator of student growth on PSSA’s over time,” said Dr. Michael Leichliter, Penn Manor’s superintendent.

“I’m disappointed [in the PVAAS results],” said Angela Stiklaitis, head of the Penn Manor math department.

Leichliter also said the high school had not focused in all classes on math like it has in reading. This may provide an explanation as to why Penn Manor’s reading scores are slightly more optimistic than math.

However, the “enrichment” scheduling implemented this year in the high school will, hopefully, positively impact the current juniors’ PSSA scores.

“A combination of enrichment and individual remediation will help [students’ scores],” said said Stiklaitis.

With PSSAs already three days in, the pressure’s on for Penn Manor.

Westboro Baptist “Free Speech” Angers Some

By Bryan Hess –

The Supreme Court decided in favor of Westboro Baptist Church March 2 in a case that is very controversial, like most things in which the self-proclaimed church is involved.

The church is notorious for causing a disturbance at funerals of soldiers that were killed in combat.  They attend the funerals to protest and claim that this is God’s way of punishing the country for its acceptance of homosexuality.  Now, church leaders of Westboro have threatened to protest at the funerals of children who died recently in a Perry County fire.

Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder died while fighting in Iraq.  Members of Westboro found out about the funeral and came to protest.  Albert Snyder, the father of the deceased, decided to press charges against the church.

Initially, the father was awarded $10.9 million.  Then on February 4, 2008, that total was reduced to $5 million.  Westboro appealed the case, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the lower court’s decision.

Then the Supreme Court decided to take the case.

Although the Supreme Court has sided in favor of Westboro Baptist Church's protests, not everyone agrees. Cartoon courtesy of Politically Illustrated.

This decision surprised many.  It was a lopsided decision of 8-1 in favor of Westboro Baptist Church.  Chief Justice Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, stated all of Westboro’s actions were protected under the First Amendment.

Ben Baer, a senior, agreed with the decision.  He feels that as long as the church follows all the rules that they aren’t doing anything wrong.

“They should be allowed to voice their opinion,” said Baer.

Westboro Baptist Church has strong beliefs against homosexuality, and believes that all tragedies that happen are because of America’s tolerance of homosexuality.

Fred Phelps is the leader of the church, which consists mostly of family members.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote the dissenting opinion.  He believes that the Church was only protesting to bring attention to themselves.  He also went on to say that there were many other places Westboro Baptist Church could have picketed, but they chose not to because the protest would have probably gone unnoticed.

Tyler Keck, another senior, said he agrees with the opinion of Alito.

“There were plenty of public places for them to protest, there is no reason they had to be at a funeral,” said Keck.

Keck also believed that because Westboro personally attacked the family that they should not be protected under the First Amendment.

No one thought the tragic deaths of seven children in a house fire in Perry County had anything to do with the Westboro Baptist Church.  However church leaders issued a statement announcing they would be holding a protest at the funerals of the children to show the fire was the result of God’s wrath on the homosexuality issue.

The U.S. Senator from Pa., Robert Casey, issued a statement denouncing the planned protest at the childrens’ funeral.

“Westboro Baptist Church’s repeated exploitation of personal tragedy is disgusting,” Casey’s statement read.  “They have protested funerals of troops killed serving their country.  Now it is targeting the funeral of children.  The protesters should stay in Kansas and pray for the Clouse family.  The U.S. Supreme Court may say that they can continue to preach hate, but that doesn’t mean we should tolerate their actions in Pennsylvania.  If this protest goes forward, I hope that the people of Perry County and the Midstate will come out to support the family.”

Contest for Obama to Speak at High School Graduation Needs more Entries

By Alex Blythe-

The White House is holding a nationwide contest to select one high school to win a graduation speech by President Barack Obama. The contest is based on the readiness of students for college and future careers. Last year’s contest winner was Kalamazoo Central High School.

Senior Josh Carle thought it would be cool to have the President speak at Penn Manor’s 2010-2011 graduation.

Another senior, Eric Clark had a different opinion. “I don’t care, if it was him rather than the valedictorian or the salutatorian, then yes.”

President Obama speaking at Kalamazoos graduation. Photo courtesy of mychinaconnection.com

This year there is a shortage of applicants for the competition and the deadline is quickly approaching. The deadline was moved from February 25 until Friday, March 11. As of February 28 only 68 applications were received out of more than 1,000 schools around the country.

“I wouldn’t submit an application myself but it would be inspiring if he did come,” stated Carle.

The officials are not sure why the applications haven’t been pouring in, maybe it’s a lack of interest in the idea or just plain procrastination.

“I wouldn’t (submit an application), unless I thought we deserved it,” said senior Ally Emmert.

According to CBS News, the White House is asking staff members, “friendly congressional, gubernatorial and mayoral offices,” to urge schools and students to apply.

A junior at Penn Manor, Brian Geer, didn’t have much of an opinion on the contest.

“It might just be weird,” he joked.

Father Intends to Make Son’s Murderer Suffer

By Sarah Garner

“I do intend to kill this man,” were the words of  John Foreman after he heard of his son’s killer was possibly being released from jail.

In 1975, 16-year-old Michael Woodmansee kidnapped, raped and stabbed 5-year-old Jason Foreman to death in Kingstown, Rhode Island and then stored his body in a trunk.

Jason Foreman was presumed to be missing until 1982, when Woodmansee attempted to lure another young boy into his home. The boy got away and the police then began to question Woodmansee about Foreman’s disappearance. He confessed and was convicted of second-degree murder.

Michael Woodmansee awaits his trial. Photo courtesy of http://www.projo.com/news/.html

According to True Crime Report, Woodmansee confessed to fantasizing about how fun and easy it would be to kill a young boy. He then told police he stripped Jason’s flesh and shellacked his bones.

When Woodmansee’s home was searched, authorities found Jason Foreman’s skull, bones and a journal he kept that detailed the gruesome killing.

According to Foxnews.com, John Foreman had an interview with WPRO-am radio saying that he will kill his son’s murderer “as aggressively and as painfully as he killed my son” if he is released from jail early.

John Foreman also told the radio station that Woodmansee explained in his journal how he would eat young Jason’s flesh.

“That’s what he thinks about. That’s what is still on his mind I’m sure, if he gets out again, to do this again,” said Foreman.

To relieve the Foreman family from not hearing the details of their son’s death and in hopes of never hearing of him again, Woodmansee pled guilty to second degree murder in 1983, and agreed to be sentenced to 40 years in prison.

According to the Providence Journal reports, Woodmansee is set to be released 12 years early, which infuriated the Foreman family.

John Foreman now regrets agreeing with the plea deal that is possibly going to release the man who murdered his son.

“I’ve got myself to blame for that…allowing him to be released early to become a predator to someone else,” Foreman told WPRO-AM radio. “I’m to blame for all that, and I’ll make it right.”

“I do intend, if this man is released anywhere in my vicinity, or if I can find him after the fact, I do intend to kill this man,” said Foreman. “I cannot think, I cannot sleep. All I think about is trying to find a way to get this man, to kill him.”

“He was concerned and outraged about Woodmansee’s scheduled release,” Amy Kempe stated on Monday, a spokeswomen for Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. “He was urging the Department of Corrections to consider all avenues available to keep him behind bars.”

Left: Michael Woodmansee (now), Right: Jason Foreman (age 5) Courtesy Photo of http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http

Kempe stated that the office will work with the Department of Correction to review all legal options that are available.

Patricia Coyne-Fague, chief legal counsel for the Department of Corrections, also stated on Monday that she had not yet heard from the attorney general’s office, but that usually the only time an inmate can loose good time he’s earned for early release is if he misbehaves.

Although, in result to Woodmansee’s “good behavior” in prison, he now has 12 years taken off his sentence.

Coyne-Fague went on to explain the law that has allowed Woodmansee to earn up to 10 days off his sentence for every month he behaved. He also managed to hold a job in prison which also made him eligible to receive up to two additional days per month off his sentence for every month he worked.

To protect Woodmansee, he served just about all of the last 23 years of his sentence in prisons in Massachusetts instead of Rhode Island, but returned the Rhode Island last week.

If no other legal actions occur, Woodmansee is set to be released in August.

“He doesn’t deserve to get out of prison,” said Tom Foreman, John’s brother, in an interview with NBC News. “It’ll be like letting an animal out.”

New Wireless Network Lightsquared may affect GPS signals?

By Cheyenne Weber –

Recalculating.

Millions of GPS units are sold around the world and direct people to their destination they intend to go.  But maybe not so much in the future.

Two basic technologies consumers depend on – high speed internet and global positioning devices are on a collision course as companies vie to upgrade connections.

Lightsquared is working to upgrade internet connections across the nation. Image courtesy of IT Geek Blog

A new high-speed wireless network called Lightsquared 4G is being installed across the nation to upgrade internet connections but the signals could block GPS signals, cause them to lag and interrupt service, leaving GPS users lost. This could even affect aircraft which are flying by a GPS system.

“The bigger conflict puts two of the most popular consumer technologies against each other: the growing wireless networks that power iPads and smartphones, vs. the network of GPS satellites that enable much of the same technology,” said Alan Levin, a technology writer for USA Today.

According to Leving, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants the LightSquared Network to hook up 100 million customers by the end of 2012.  At the same time the FAA – Federal Aviation Administration is raising concerns about the possible interruption to GPS systems.

A cell tower has more than one transmitter to handle the calls and texts but more towers and more signals from internet services may interfere with established GPS signals.

That could lead to serious problems for drivers and airlines, said the FAA.

Although representatives from LightSquared say “it has filters that prevent its signal from interfering with GPS devices, others are not so sure.

Example of How GPS connection works. Image courtesy of Riggosrag.com

In fact, a group has formed calling itself “The Coalition to Save Our GPS” has formed to protect the GPS signals.  A member will testify soon to the House Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee on the issue, said Levin.

“The company has no interest in harming GPS because it is essential to the very smartphones on its networks,” said LightSquared’s executive vice president Jeff Carlisle.

Levin reasoned that the FCC gave Lightsquared a go-ahead to start their network because of the amount of jobs it will create and to force more competition into the broadband services industry.

Lindsay Lohan – a Thief?

By Olivia Bailey and Cassie Kreider –

Lindsay Lohan, the 24-year-old actress, has been accused of stealing a $2500 necklace from a store in Venice, California. The Los Angeles Police Department has handed the case over to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. They have obtained a search warrant for her house.

When they got it, a friend of Lohan’s brought the necklace to the Pacific Division police station.  Los Angeles Times was told that a surveillance camera showed Lohan wearing the necklace.
However, she claims she “borrowed” it and her stylist forgot to return it. According to ABC New, this is not the first time she has been linked to missing jewelry. In 2009, Lindsay Lohan was in England when $400,000 worth of jewelry went missing from the set of Elle magazine. They say, “Elle has no reason to believe that Lindsay Lohan was in any way responsible.”
Dezire Diaz, a Penn Manor freshman says that Lindsay Lohan probably didn’t steal the necklace, “She has better things to worry about”
Lindsay Lohan making her way to court to be charged with felony grand theft.
If she is convicted she will serve up to three years in the California State Prison.
According to Hollywood Life.com, Lohan showed up to the court in a snug white mini-dress for the occasion.
She pleaded not guilty and after took her fifth mug shot and paid $40,000 for her bail. Her probation has been revoked.
According to TMZ, Lidnsey Lohan’s attorney Shawn Chapman Holley said,”We vehemently deny these allegations and, if charges are filed, we will fight them in court, not in the press.”
The necklace was said to be a gold choker with green, semiprecious stones.
A video was released showing Lindsay in the jewelry store and now the store is selling the tape.

Higher Education Takes a Hit in New Budget Proposal

By Jordan Lyons and Lauren Ressler –

Money.

It’s the subject of almost every newscast and newspaper article across the country. Increasing national debt, state budgets in crisis, and personal finances are stirring a movement to reverse this accumulation of unpaid money.

Republican Gov. Tom Corbett announced Tuesday his plans to reverse this trend and cut Pennsylvania’s state budget by billions of dollars.

And the main target?  Education.

According to published reports, Corbett wants to oust over 1,500 state workers, freeze school employee’s salaries for one year and cut budgets for public education and higher education. He said he is fulfilling his campaign pledge to decrease the deficit without additional taxes or costs to the taxpayer.

“The substance of this budget is built on four core principles: Fiscal discipline, limited government, free enterprise and reform,” Corbett said.

The state subsidy to the fourteen state-owned colleges in Pennsylvania is expected to be cut by 50 percent. This means tuition could potentially skyrocket and the availability of financial aid will, most likely, drop. What does this mean for students going to college?

With state budget cuts, college tuition may soar.

It’s going to be expensive,” predicted Penn Manor senior Caitlyn Whirt. “It’s already hitting hard. Financial aid is extremely hard to get.”

Phil Gale, Principal at Penn Manor High School said his worst fear is that students won’t go to college, that they will leave in greater debt, or that parents will be pressed to pay more out of pocket.

“We knew the budget was changing, but I was surprised by how much is being cut from higher education,” said Gale about the about the 50 percent cuts to state college budgets. “In a state like Pennsylvania, that’s a lot of money.”

Students, like Whirt, are relying more on scholarships and banking on receiving student loans to help them pay for school in the fall.

Senior Katie Maisel is aware of the rising tuition, but she said this will not affect her college choice. Maisel, who will be attending Penn State’s Honors college in the fall, said her parents want her to apply for more scholarships because of the drop in state funding.

Due to an expected increase in tuition for state-funded higher education, students may turn toward private colleges and out-of-state institutions as a more affordable option.

Dr. Mike Leichliter, superintendent for Penn Manor School District, said public institutions of higher education have always been the more affordable option for students.

“They (students) go for a good program at a lesser cost,” said Leichliter about state programs.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett addresses the media in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower, Politics PA)

Phil Gale, however, emphasized private schools’ ability to give out more financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships because they do not rely on state funding.

Conservative legislators have always favored a smaller government and these cuts to public institutions may be paving the path to an all-private education.

Leichliter and Gale both agree that technical schools and community colleges may become a more common road for students after high school. These smaller educational institutions are more affordable and more goal-oriented, providing students with focused studies.

“We already support technical training at Penn Manor,” said Lichleiter. “We send more students to CTC than any other school district in Lancaster.”

Students and families are weighing their options and their wallets, while state-supported colleges scramble to reconfigure their budgets.

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.”

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.”