Allergies are bad this time of year, especially when there are rats in Penn Manor.
Allergen build-up from rats actually can make humans sinuses erupt. According to the National Cooperative Inner-City Asthma Study (NCICAS), which did a study of rat allergens in inner-city homes, 33 percent of homes had rat allergens. Rat populations are higher in cities than other residential areas which is what inspired the study. The people exposed to rat allergens had more hospital visits and asthma-related symptoms than people who were not exposed to rat allergens.
Rats can cause allergies just like dogs and cats. Photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk
NCICAS also showed that school students with rat allergens miss a significant amount more of school than kids with less allergens to mice or rats when rodents were present in the classroom.
The article “Rodent Allergy- Symptoms, Precautions and Treatment” from YGOY, a health update website published a story warning victims of allergies caused by rodents.
The article described rat allergen symptoms including runny nose, itchy watery or sore eyes, swollen eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulty, scratchy throat, coughing and wheezing, itchy skin or welts of the skin and asthma-like symptoms.
Nearly the same allergy symptoms arise in people suffering more common allergies to dust, mold and pollen.
“Either I have a really bad cold or the rats are taking a toll on me, because I feel really crappy,” said Rebecca Shoe, a junior at Penn Manor who was in a classroom one block a day where rats are used and kept in cages.
Precautions that should be taken when handling a rat are simple, according to allergy experts. Avoid contact with the allergen, possibly take an anti-histamine to reduce irritation of the skin. Also wearing gloves and a face mask will help prevent allergy attacks from the rats as well.
People are sometimes surprised to hear about an allergy to rats.
Maddi Eckenrode, a junior at Penn Manor said, “ Cats and dogs are usually what people are allergic to, now rats are becoming the problem? That’s crazy.”
Allergies from rats come from their dander (dead skin cells), saliva and/or urine. Also certain types of bedding and hay can cause allergies to act up more than usual.
Kate Middleton’s younger sister, Pippa, has suddenly grown increasingly popular and has even been considered the “funner, hotter” sister.
“To a certain section of British men, she’s become the most eligible girl in England,” said Catherine Ostler, editor of Tatler Magazine to an ABC News interview.
“At parties, people are always terribly keen on talking to Pippa. And she has a magnetic effect on men,” said Ostler.
According to US Magazine, Pippa and Kate are publicized as the best of friends but they do have a healthy rivalry.
Pippa Middleton leads the way while sister Kate follows behind
“She was the sister who sparkled,” according to US Magazine’s The Making of a Royal Romance.
According to that article, when Kate went to Marlborough C0llege, the students didn’t recall noticing her.
“Pippa was always more liked at school than Kate because she was very outgoing while Kate was more of a loner,” said an insider in an article in Style Forever.
According to USA Today, Life Line Live, while “racy” pictures of Pippa swarm the web of her in a white skirt and purple bra dancing with a man in his boxers, pictures of Kate pushing a shopping cart while standing on the back of it are the most “racy” pictures people have seen of her yet.
The sisters look identical with their large bright white smiles, button noses and large brownish hazel eyes. Which one would you prefer to date or hang out with?
“I would prefer to date Kate. She has sexy dimples and a beautiful smile. Pippa looks older than Kate and has wrinkles,” said Angel Sanchez, a student at Penn Manor.
“I would rather hangout with Pippa. From what I’ve heard she seems like more fun and she’s more attractive than Kate,” said Troy Diffenderfer, a student at Penn Manor.
“I’d rather date Kate because she has a nice body and her hair is prettier than Pippa’s. Pippa has no swag, she’s an alcoholic and she has a big forehead,” said Shahir Wahidullah.
It seems British and American men don’t have the same taste in women.
The little known class that is big in the hearts of many.
Penn Manor has had a woodshop class for the last…well nobody is really sure how many years. Sean McKnight, the head of the Technology department claims it’s been around for as long as he can remember. Administrator Jason D’Amico couldn’t come up with an exact date either. Regardless of its age, Penn Manor’s woodshop class is still going strong.
Ben Darrach's Electric Guitar
“Many schools are doing away with [woodshop],” said McKnight. “We think the hands-on work is good.”
Lancaster Country Day School has never had a program, according to Secretary June Chrales.
The School District of Lancaster doesn’t have a specific woodshop class like Penn Manor does either, said Kelly Burkholder. They have pathways that help students prepare for life after high school. One of these pathways is a technology path though.
Penn Manor’s woodshop class, just like every elective has had ups and downs in numbers over the years, although it has always been a favorite course for a few students. This year however, the woodshop class, which became known as AP Wood, had students who went above and beyond the call of the average wood worker.
Eric Gerlach gifted the class with the title of Advanced Placement Woodshop. While there is no actual GPA weighting like a usual AP class, every student works hard to perfect their study in the course.
Eric Gerlach's Tresure Chest
“It is the hardest level of woodshop Penn Manor offers. Some of the projects are so hard to make [the student] could be given an AP credit,” said Gerlach.
Maybe that is what sets this years class apart from all the others.
Matt Soto has been the woodshop teacher for the past six years. This class ranks very highly compared to his past years, said Soto.
“This is one of the most accomplished classes. There is a very high skill level from all the students,” said Soto. “There are a whole variety of students in this class, from Career Prep to College Prep and Honors. One thing that is similar is their desire to make a nice project.”
Soto stated, “No, not every project is perfect. That’s the beauty of it, the students takes these imperfections and try to hide or fix them.”
And these imperfections become invisible to make an amazing project.
Travis McConathey's Cherry Roll Top Desk
Such as Travis McConathey’s roll-top desk: an upright cherry desk with a magnificent rolling door.
“I enjoyed the class,” McConathey said. “I liked working with wood and making raw materials into a finished product.”
Bo Perez made a large lawn bench. His favorite part of the class was using the lathe where he crafted a walnut gavel. Perez plans to take the course every year he is eligible.
Jordan Drexel created a walnut dove-tailed chest. He plans to continue using his talents after he is done at Penn Manor’s woodshop.
Bo Perez's Lawn BenchJordan Drexel's Dove-Tailed Chest
“My grandparents have a woodshop in their barn. I’ll finish some of the projects from my great grandfather.”
Soto was so impressed with this years class he invited some of the schools administrators to a AP Wood showing so they can see the impressive work done by students.
“It’s hard to believe you can turn scrap wood into something so impressive,” said Administrator Doug Eby.
Bo Perez's Lathe-Spun Gavel
Eby was surprised when he walked into the woodshop and saw such intricate pieces.
Dean of Students, Eric Howe, was equally impressed.
“You don’t always see talent expressed like this in a normal school day,” Howe said. “Some pieces could be sold in stores. You would never know they were made by high school kids.”
With all the breath-taking projects coming out of the woodshop this year the only remaining question is; will woodshop be on your course selection sheet for next year?
Getting paid for creativity at such a young age is definitely unusual.
Only 15 years old, a jewelry artist’s called simply “Ceaira” is creating her own jewelry and selling it to the world on Facebook. She calls her jewelry line “Vanilla Mochi”. People may consider her a “Scene Queen,” someone who gets a lot of attention on the internet because of their outlandish looks or abilities.
Ceaira wearing one of her creations
“Making jewelry was something I bounced around in my head for some time because I notice that a lot of people make really cute jewelry and get paid decent for it,” said Ceaira. “Since I’m not old enough to get a job I thought it would be perfect.”
Vanilla Mochi was created on Facebook in March of 2011. Having a little trouble at first she got her friends to model her first designs, so she would get publicity. She also said she had trouble thinking up designs at first.
The inspiration that got the design ideas flowing was a Japanese fashion called Lolita, particularly Sweet Lolita. It deals with lots of pastel colors and certain things that are consider adorable. She wanted to make jewelry that would go well with Lolita fashion. From there on her ideas kept flowing.”
Ceaira’s business is not typical, even for an online business.
Chocolate Chip Cookie
To order from Vanilla Mochi, you have to fill out specific information and send it on a message on Facebook.
To actually get your jewelry you have to pay first and then she will make it and send it to you.
You can either pay with Paypal or money order. She also does custom designs, like a certain color on the necklace.
For copyright reasons, if a customer wants a Pokemon character; she puts it under the category of custom, so no one thinks she claimed it as her own.
Ceaira also customizes the materials that go into each jewelry creation.
“I’m hoping to branch out and have a kind of spin-off brand, more things toward the darker side, like Gothic”
Ceaira does not intend to keep this as a main career choice for her future because she has an interest in alternative modeling.
You can go to Vanilla Mochi’s page on Facebook by:
As the end of the year approaches, seniors are finalizing plans for the next year. Some will head for another two or four years of schooling at a college or university, others will go right into the workforce, but not all seniors are sure of their next step.
A common question heard at senior lunch tables and in the classroom is, “where are you going next year?”
Penn Manor seniors are all curious where everyone is headed, so we went around and found out. Here are results that were attained from seniors.
Seniors get ready for their next big step after high school.
Arcadia University (Glenside, PA)
Veronica Willig
The Art Institute of Pennsylvania (PA)
Sam Adams
Bloomsburg University (Bloomsburg, PA)
Abigail Novak
Cassey Graeff
Julia Rios
Jenna Santaniello
Olivia Hertzler
Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
Robert Henry
Boston University (Boston, MA)
Laura Revelt
Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA)
Mikah Farbo
California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA)
Ben Clark
Catholic University of America (Washington, DC)
Dan Elliot
Chestnut Hill College (Philadelphia, PA)
Kayley Gaukler
Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
Alicia Burns
Coastal Carolina University (Conway, SC)
Maeve Snyder
Consolidated School of Business (PA)
Cidney Rupp
Cornell University (Ithica, NY)
Ande Olson
Career & Technology Center (PA)
Caylin Koser
Delaware Valley College (Doylestown, PA)
Kaleb Long
Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)
Jeremy Vital
Eastern University (St. Davids, PA)
Bryan Hess
East Stroudsburg University (East Stroudsburg, PA)
Holly Mancinelli
Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, PA)
Amy Wagner
Brian Ramsey
Connor Rowe Evan Singleton Emily Hutchinson
Franklin and Marshall College (Lancaster, PA)
Alec O’Rourke
Lars Andersen
Frostburg State University (Frostburg, MD)
Spencer Barnett
Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA)
Elsie Huber
Jenna Spayd
Grove City College (Grove City, PA)
Peter Ashworth
Harrisburg Area Community College (PA)
Alex Blythe
Allana Herr
Amanda Ackerman
Chassidy Sowersby
Dani Adams
Derek Groff
Dillon Walker
Emmy Hess
Genny Leonards
Jeremy Ostsberg
Kendall Seigworth
Kristi Rineer
Mike Bowder
Mitchell Creasy
Tanner Burkhardt
Morgan Mock
Paige Kuster
Rebecca Irwin
Ryan Mays
Shane Burkhardt
Stacy Smith
Storm Kelley
Taylor Stump
Hood College (Frederick, MD)
Brandon McCormick Jaq Presbery
Houghton College (Houghton, NY)
Austin Groff
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA)
Kyle Hallett
Melissa Martin
Taylor Groff
James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA)
Zach Rayha
Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
Natasha Fletcher
Juniata College (Huntingdon, PA)
Allison Herr
Kutztown University (Kutztown, PA)
Samantha McCrery
Whitney Reno
Lancaster General College (Lancaster, PA)
Riannon Herr
Lafayette College (Easton, PA)
Helen Hutchens
Demetrius Dixon
Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)
Morgan Fletcher
Lock Haven University (Lock Haven, PA)
Joe Gordon
Cody Goldberg
Mike Liebl
Mansfield University (Mansfield, PA)
Kendra Keuper
Tyler Beckley
Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)
Nick Hartley
Millersville University (Millersville, PA)
Nick Weidinger
Sam Brenner
Alix Mullins
Anissa Gerlach
Alyssa Byers
Lauren Richards
Megan Wilson
Cassie Funk
Wyman Unen
Kira Klaassen
Noah Kuhn
Jacklyn Schmalhofer
Paul Slaugh
Olivia Rinier
Montana Stokem
Clark Habecker
Kaylynne Staub
Cassandra Sweikert
Liz Lawrence
Mercyhurst Brown (Erie, PA)
Suzanne Brown
Misericordia University (Dallas, PA)
Morgan Ream
Jenna Reel
Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA)
Stef Friedman
Ocean County College(Toms River, NJ)
Henry Kohler
Norwich University(Northfield, VT)
Trevor Troup
Penn State Harrisburg (Middletown, PA)
Devin Yecker
Cree Bleacher
Penn State University (University Park, PA)
Corey Morales
Brock Kauffman
Katie Maisel
Katie Breneman
Josh Carle
Mike Gebhart
Taylor Breidenbaugh
Greg Gydush
Bethany Dickert
Penn State York (York, PA)
Bryan Buckius
Alex Geli
Pennsylvania Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences(Philadelphia, PA)
Jeff Bitzs
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (Lancaster, PA)
Andrea Deibert
Amanda Miley
Leah Freeman
Jenna Waite
Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport, PA)
Erika Roop
Pennsylvania Gunsmith School (Pittsburgh, PA)
Chase Miller
Philadelphia University(Philadelphia, PA)
Danielle Warfel
Pulse Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology (Downington, PA)
Mary Treier
Robert Morris University (Moon Township, PA)
Stetson Hershey
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Shippensburg, PA)
Brian Dunne
Robin Green
Matt Aston
Abby Newport
Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA)
Morgan Talbert
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Alex Manm
Ariela Contreias
Jessen Smith
Katie Coons
Ella Perry
Willie Chalfant
Emily Land
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Lancaster, PA)
Evan Shertzer
Daniel Boehler
University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA)
Renee Suter
University Of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
Eric Clark Sophia Wushanley
University Of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
Jesse Graham
Erin Loy
Jessica Cheng
Garrett Young
Mark Curtin
University of Rochester(Rochester, NY)
Mark Christman
University Of Tampa (Tampa, Fl)
Lizzie Pflumm
University Of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA)
Rachel Sherts
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA)
Maddy Hess
Virginia Wesleyan College (Norfolk, VA)
Zach Campbell
Washington College (Chestertown, MD)
Caroline Lovett
Washington University (St. Louis, MO)
Ben Crisman
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (West Chester, PA)
Dan Short
Moriah Freeman
Widener University (Chester, PA)
Eric Gerlach
York College of Pennsylvania (York, PA)
Kendal Phillips
Sarah Garner
Work/Career
Jessie Lindeman
Cory Lentz
Kyle Angelo
Rob Fisher
Gabby Myers
Eric Byers
Nesha Stoltzfus
Other
Eric Bear-Year off in Paris, France
Michael Keen- Air Force
Jeremiah Mazzur- Military/Army
Will Tomlinson- Military
Felix Yaliel- Move in with best friend and work
Jordan Lyons- Military/ Air Force
Lauren Ressler- Taking time off
Faith Walauskas- Year off
Ryan -Air Force
Jeff Ford- Army
Mike Stokes- Military
Taylor Smith- Air Force or School
*This is not the entire senior class. If you would like your name to be added to the list with your plan for next year, contact the Penn Points Staff (room 358 in Library) or Robin Green or Laura Revelt.
After reviewing the list we found some surprising statistics, trends and difficult decisions that were made. The most popular school seniors are attending next year is Harrisburg Area Community College or HACC. According to hacc.edu, HACC has six campuses in Pennsylvania including Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Harrisburg, Gettysburg, and Virtual. Of the senior class, at least 23 are going to HACC. The second most popular school is Millersville University, with 19 seniors planning to attend there. According to the poll only 22 seniors are going to attend college in another state.
Of course many of the schools that seniors are attending next year are very good schools, but we found some impressive statistics. Three seniors are going to Ivy League universities next year. Eric Clark, majoring in biological basis of behavior, and Sophia Wushanley are both attending the University of Pennsylvania and Ande Olson is going to Cornell University in the fall.
Olson will be majoring in engineering. He explained how he came to the decision to attend Cornell University.
“My grandfather went to Cornell and it’s a very prestigious school,” said Olson.
Olson and Clark talked of what they thought was required to be accepted at an Ivy League school.
“I definitely needed strong academics, community service and leadership,” said Olson.
“I had a diverse application,” said Clark.
Clark explained he is involved in academics of all subjects, sports, music, church, community service and that he had good SAT scores.
Clark also emphasized the fact that he only applied to the University of Pennsylvania, with early decision, and this allowed him to focus on it.
“I didn’t have to worry myself with back-up schools,” said Clark.
“I put a lot of time and hard work into the application process.”
According to Olson, after he narrowed down his college options to two universities, he chose Cornell through long discussions with his parents.
“It’s probably a better choice for me.”
Clark on the other hand knew he wanted to go to the University of Pennsylvania from the start.
“They’re a good school,” said Clark.
Clark also said that he loves Philadelphia and that it’s a good city location and listed Penn’s multiple clubs, facilities, tennis courts and, not to mention, his girlfriend goes there, as positive aspects of the University of Pennsylvania.
Besides the struggle to balance difficult high school classes, work, sports and staying active in clubs, prospective college students have to face decisions that can take them far away from their family, friends and significant other. College can make or break relationships.
Penn Manor seniors who are now separating next year are the Fletcher sisters. Morgan and Natasha, twins, have been together for over 18 years, since before birth, but come August, Morgan will be attending Lehigh University, enrolled in the business college, and Natasha will be majoring in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University. Morgan will be in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Natasha in Baltimore, Maryland.
Twins who will finally be separated after 18 years. Photo by: Robin Green
“Every day I get asked- you guys are separating?” Morgan said.
The Fletchers expressed the pros and cons of being apart next year.
“I think it’s time that we separate and get our own identities,” said Morgan. “We need some independence (from each other) because we never had it before.”
Natasha listed a few positive aspects as, “Freedom, individualism and we’ll be able to find our own friends.”
“We’re not going to have to help people tell us apart. We won’t have that awkwardness in the beginning of meeting people.”
Morgan applied to nine schools and Natasha applied to six, but they both only applied to one school that was the same. Morgan explained their parents hoped they would go to the same college but that she had doubts from the start of the application process that they would go to that one school they both applied to.
“They understand we have different interests,” said Natasha.
“It’s bad because we will miss each other, because we’ve never been apart,” said Morgan.
Natasha said, “We are getting separated, so that’ll be an adjustment.”
Natasha mentioned other cons of attending different colleges such as not talking or seeing each other everyday, which is what they are so used to.
“We know other twins that said it was extremely hard,”said Morgan
Morgan talked of family friends that are twins who cried their first month apart.
“Then I think they were happy in the long run,” said Morgan. “It was a bittersweet situation for them.”
“I think it will be the same experience for us but not as extreme.”
On the flip side some friendships will be continued as seniors attend the same university next year. Lars Andersen and Alec O’Rourke are both going to Franklin & Marshall College, informally known as F&M, here in Lancaster.
“This was not planned out,” said Andersen.
O’Rourke applied to 6-8 schools and Andersen applied to seven.
Andersen said, “Somehow we both ended up at F&M.
Andersen will be majoring in finance or premed and O’Rourke is undecided.
One word Andersen used for describing his feelings of the two of them going to the same college in the fall was, “apprehensive.”
A con they both expressed of going to F&M is how close it is to home.
“It sucks that its five minutes away from my house,” said O’Rourke.
“We can’t escape the greater Lancaster area, bu that’s also a pro because we already know our way around town,” said Andersen.
Other pros they mentioned were the dorms and that they both have already studied at the school. O’Rourke took two classes and Andersen took one.
“I’m glad our dorm is not a broom closet,” said O’Rourke.
“We’re not going to be in every class together,” said Andersen.
For the most part the two seemed happy to be attending the same school next year and mentioned the conicidence that they will be graduating from high school on the F&M campus.
A senior with unique plans next year is Eric Bear. Bear will be spending the fall semester of 2011 in Paris, France.
“I will be staying with a host family in the seventh district of Paris. I will be studying French Language and Literature at La Sorbonne-Paris, France,” said Bear.
Bear explained that he will be learning French and the culture while there, but he will also be teaching English to French-speaking children in the schools of Paris because of his five years of experience with the French language.
“While I am there I will also be traveling all over France and throughout Europe receiving private tours and sightseeing through the program along with various trips with my home stay family,” added Bear.
The trip is through the CIEE Study Abroad Program: Gap Year. Bear found out about it from Maureen Klingaman, a French teacher here at Penn Manor.
“It seemed like this came my way at the perfect time, and it was just what I needed. The criteria they requested was that the student was a senior taking off a semester in the fall, speaks french, and is a global citizen,” said Bear.
Bear met the criteria because of his years of French and his involvement in Serteen, Boy Scouts, experience with a photography company and his internship at LG Electronics Mobile Communications.
Bear expressed his excitement to go on the trip and what a opportunity it is.
“Usually most students do not study abroad until their junior or senior year (of college), and for me to be able to do this before my freshman year is pretty amazing,” said Bear.
Besides passport and student visa fees, Bear does not have to pay for the trip. He leaves in September 2011 and will return December 2011. He then will attend New York University in the Spring of 2012, double- majoring in International Marketing and Fashion Merchandising with a minor in French.
To all seniors, good luck next year as you carry out your plans and accomplish your goals!
Though those words are foreign to most of us, they are right up Penn Manor sophomore Shadrack Kiprop’s alley.
He exclaimed, “I love America!” in Swahili, with that enormous smile that is very frequently worn on his face.
Kiprop’s life has not always been something to smile about, however, as he has endured some rough times in his young life.
Sixteen-year-old Kiprop moved from Kericho, Kenya to America his freshman year of high school with his mother and two sisters. His sister Olive is 19 and attends Georgia Tech, and his sister Purity is 21 and is attending school to become an LPN.
Kiprop stated that like most people who move to prosperous countries, he and his family moved to America for a better life. Life in Africa was very modest.
Shadrack Kiprop. Photo courtesy Morgan Fletcher
“I lived in a village. I liked it but there’s really nothing. No electricity,” said Kiprop.
“I’d say life was good, but you don’t really have any careers. No opportunities.”
Kiprop explained that his area was surrounded by farmland and his house contained about three rooms. They used fuel and put it on a lamp, which he said became troublesome at times because fuel was expensive and it is hard to share one lamp.
Kiprop laughs at the notion that many westerners have about African countries and their beliefs that wild animals roam around everywhere.
“In my country, there are parks to keep the animals,” he said.
He cites his homeland as a work-in-progress.
“My country was colonized by the British, so it’s a developing country. There are some schools, and people who can get to those schools,” he said.
Kiprop cited English as being among the most difficult things he picked up in his transition to America.
“Speaking English is like the most important thing,” he said. “English was hard because when I went home, no one else spoke it.”
He got a head start in the English language while still in school in Kenya.
“I learned [English] in school, a little bit. We had to talk English all day in school. It was a must to speak it. If you got caught [not speaking it], you might get sent home.”
That was not the only punishment implemented by the one-room school.
“If you made a mistake in class, you got spanked,” Kiprop explained. “You get spanked, you learn not to make the mistake again.”
A dark memory in Kiprop’s life is the time when he was kidnapped as an infant. A housemaid took two-year-old Kiprop away from his family for about six months to another part of Kenya. He was found by a family who reported the incident to the police. Kiprop explained that it was hard to find him because there are no detectives in his homeland.
“The good thing, that I’m thankful for, is that I’m alive.”
The Kiprop’s first stop to America was Texas because it was an affordable place to live. His mother had been in America previously, so she began applying for them to be able to move. About a month later, they moved to Lancaster because there were more employment opportunities and better education.
Kiprop does not watch a lot of T.V. and claims American food to be just “alright.”
He has, however, fallen in love with one thing since his move.
“I love running. I want to be the best, but it takes time.”
Kiprop’s first experience with running was last year, for in Kenya it was too expensive for him to join the program. He has been on the track team for two years and throughout his time has greatly improved in the two-mile race. He hopes to be able to run in college.
Kiprop has also been working hard to fulfill another goal.
His best friend back home in Kenya, Evans Cheruiyot, cannot afford to attend the local high school. He is the same age as Kiprop, but is in seventh grade.
Cheruiyot’s father died when he was young and he lived with Kiprop for many years and they went to school together.
“When I came to America, his mom died, so he’s an orphan,” said Kiprop. “I promised myself me and my mom would raise the money to send him to high school.”
Kiprop started collecting money last summer and hopes to raise the $200-$300 he needs in the next two summers. Some teachers at Penn Manor have chipped in.
Kiprop is unsure whether or not he will ever return to Kenya and stay permanently.
“That’s a tough question,” he said. “I’ll visit and come back to America [to live permanently].”
He does not know what profession he will take on when he’s older. He believes he might want to do something with the government.
“I might try to do something to help the corrupt countries,” Kiprop said.
When told that he is a very nice, caring person, the boy with the big smile and an even bigger heart put on a humble grin and simply said, “I try.”
Hair extensions are becoming very popular nowadays. From Sammi from the Jersey Shore to Scene Queens modeling for the internet– they are even getting so popular that people are willing to steal them. Not just to wear them, but to make money off of them.
“My hair takes long to grow and I wanted to give length to my hair,” said Harlie Madonna, a sophomore at Penn Manor who got extensions to her hair.
Hair extensions can be applied three different ways. You can either clip them in, glue them in or weave them in. Weaving the hair extensions in is a more permanent way of applying them if you want them in for a while (6 months to a year). In order to have the best quality, you must get them tightened every two to three weeks. This is the most expensive but easiest type of way to get extensions done.
Sally Beauty Supply
When getting your extensions glued, you have to use a special kind of glue. There are many different types such as: ones that dry clear, ones that are made for darker hair and ones that are made for lighter hair. Glued extensions last at least two weeks only if you wash it a certain way. Getting your extensions glued in may not be the best way, however, because they can leave you with bald spots if you don’t apply them the right way.
The easiest and fastest way to put your extensions in is by getting clip ins. You can take them out and put them in whenever you please. You can’t sleep with them in and you can’t shower with them. These extensions last up to four months, only if you take good care of them.
Extensions can range from $10 to about $200. It basically all depends on how much hair you get, the length of the hair, the quality and the kind of hair. Synthetic is fake hair and is cheaper than Remy, real human hair. Remy hair is the more popular type of extension because you can treat it as actual hair, meaning you can cut, dye, straighten or even curl it.
Clip in hair extensions
Ever since extensions have become popular, people are willing to steal for them.
There have been a couple of cases around the country where people have broken into stores to steal hair extensions.
In Pearland, Texas a beauty salon was stuck twice. The robbers only stole the extensions, no money. The same thing happened in Missouri when a beauty shop was broken into for only hair, not the cash available. The criminals only stole Remy hair, not synthetic.
Police think it may be a part of a large crime ring.
Whoever the criminals are they sure can get rich quick from all that hair.
Lady Gaga is known for creating surprise and disbelief among her fan base, but this time she’s really done it.
Gaga’s new album, “Born This Way,” was released Monday after months of anticipation, available in both downloadable and CD form.
Unbeknown to the many fans who pre-ordered Gaga’s album, Amazon offered a one-day sale of the MP3 album for only 99 cents as compared to iTunes’ $11, where most people buy their music.
Natalie Dell'Estate listens to Lady Gaga's new album. Photo by Sarah Schaeffer
On top of the surprise sale, customers were even more surprised and disappointed when the massive sales stalled the entire Amazon server, which recently implemented a “Cloud Drive” service, allowing users to store files on the internet.
Smartly, Amazon promised the despaired users to get them their album for the same 99 cent price when the server started up again.
Regardless of the technical difficulties, Penn Manor students still managed to get their Gaga.
“I pre-ordered [the album] in March from Borders or Barnes and Noble because that’s where it was cheapest,” said junior and Gaga fan Natalie Dell’Estate, who has listened to parts of the album more than once already.
“I got [the album] on iTunes the day it came out,” said junior Mike Nitroy. “I was mad because I payed full price and then found out it was 99 cents on Amazon.”
As far as the quality of the much sought after album, the reviews are mixed.
“I really like her music. It just makes me want to dance. When you actually listen to her sing, she’s actually talented,” said Dell’Estate. “This CD is different from her first, it has a lot of electric/techno/80’s inspirations.”
“I listened to it all at once and it’s just okay. Some of it’s weird,” said Nitroy.
Senior Eric Bear downloaded “Born This Way” immediately and loves it, even playing the album aloud on a field trip.
Yes, you may be coming from a math final and a trip to the nurse to get some Advil for your headache, but here’s another equation for you:
The Hangover, plus a drug dealing monkey, minus Zach Galifianakis’ hair, plus a new tattoo, minus one-fifth of a human hand,equals the much anticipated sequel to the top grossing comedy of all time.
The Hangover Part II.
Stu (Helms) realizing the tattoo on his face is permanent. Photo from thehangoverquotes.com
When the clock struck midnight on Thursday, May 26, the wolfpack was officially at it again. This time, though, they really dug themselves into an even deeper hole.
Phil, played by Bradley Cooper, had a similar conversation with Tracy, wife of Justin Bartha’s character, Doug, who is played by Sarah Baresse, as in the first Hangover in the beginning of the second.
Phil: “Tracy, I’m sorry.”
Tracy: “Where the (heck) are you?”
Phil: (sigh) “It happened again.”
Tracy: “Don’t say that.”
Phil: “No, this time we really (messed) up.”
Tracy: “What the (heck) is wrong with you three?”
Phil: “So much ‘Trace,’ I don’t even know where to begin.”
Well, Phil, to help jog your memory, the night all begins around a campfire in Thailand where Stu, played by Ed Helms. With a couple bags of marshmallows, thanks to the regrettably invited Alan, played by Galifianakis, the wolfpack plus Teddy, Stu’s soon-to-be goody good brother-in-law who is played by Mason Lee, are just enjoying a few drinks and relaxing.
By the time the night was over, Alan got a haircut, Stu got a tattoo, Phil was sweaty…, Teddy lost a finger, they lost Teddy and they were visited by an old friend.
Ken Jeong, who played Mr. Chow in the first Hangover, was back and ready for round two: less furious and more profane, party-happy, making dirty jokes and using drugs. To think the real-life Jeong is actually a certified doctor is dumbfounding. Although he returned to the sequel, it didn’t take long for him to end up in an ice box with no heart rate due to OD-ing on cocaine.
Phil (Cooper) trying to realize what just happened the night before. Photo from thehangoverquotes.com
The waking up scene was similar to the first Hangover, with an additional cockroach.
Phil awakens, drenched in his own sweat, only to be greeted by Alan who tumbles off the bunk bed and lands on the floor with a big, “THUD!” They venture around the room – a room which they have no idea how or when they got in – and find, not a tiger, but Stu in the bathroom, facing the opposite way. A moan and a shift of the body later, Stu is faced with his new friend on the right side of his face: a tattoo similar to the one on boxer Mike Tyson.
“You’re going to freak out, but it’s going to be okay,” Phil said to him, not really helping the situation at all.
The tattoo is not the only new friend that the wolfpack met in that instance. A monkey with a Rolling Stones jacket on was also found in the vacant hotel room. After a scuffle on what is exactly under a blanket on the floor, it turns out to be Chow. The crowd was certainly pleased by the reappearance of the rather comfortable-with-his-body character.
There was one problem as they did a head count. Teddy was gone. The only evidence and remains from the scene was his finger still harnessed by his crimson Stanford University ring lying in a bucket of water.
Lots of “Oh my God!’s,” “What is going on?!’s” and “What the (bleep)!’s” occurred throughout the movie – for good reason.
After waking up, they take a wild ride on the find-what-the-heck-happened-last-night train, stopping at places like a police station, a monastery that Alan compares to “a P.F. Chang’s,” a club and ultimately ending up in a boat on dry ground, thanks to the great driving of “fat Jesus.”
Alan (Galifianakis). One minute he's an angry, marshmallow-spiking fiend, the next he's an innocent, bearded monkey-lover.
The Hangover Part II’s main course consisted of raunchiness, comedy, drugs, a side of nudity and Tiramike Tyson – clever, I know – for dessert, just like the first one. In fact, reviews around the internet and among students here at Penn Manor say that the sequel is just like part I, just in another location: Bangkok, Thailand.
I can’t blame them for making basically the same movie because, well, it worked the first time so why not do it again?
This is what made the first one successful and will surely do the same for the second: a toast followed by a crazy night, waking up with animals made more for the jungle than a hotel room, not remembering what they did, where they did it and with whom they did it with, losing a friend, going to search for the friend, then finally rushing to a wedding with [hopefully (watch and find out)] the correct number of people and ending off with another highlight reel of R-rated photos while the credits role and Flo Rida serenades you with his rapping.
You can thank Stu for inviting Alan and who, as a result, gets drugged for a second time and leads them to a very eventful day attempting to grasp the fact that this night actually happened… again.
Well, whether or not you like it, AT&T users will have to comply.
On May 2, 2011 AT&T applied a new data cap to their broadband users of 150GB per month. And every 50GB over that costs an additional $10.
Now, should you be worried? Or will that only affect the data-consuming Torrent users?
Actually yes, you should be worried.
With today’s ability to stream movies over sites like Hulu and YouTube it is very easy to hit the limit if you’re a media user.
An average HD video being streamed consumes about 2GB per hour and a standard video anywhere from 0.3GB to 1GB per hour.
The AT&T logo. Image copyrighted by AT&T.
That could eat one’s data up to the cap pretty quickly if there’s multiple users on that one network. AT&T claims that only two percent of their customers are expected to breach that cap.
According to MaximumPC.com, AT&T said that an average user uses about 18GB per month.
But what about enthusiasts who game daily online? Or have daily updates from programs?
One may be thinking, “Hey, this program will provide me with this information! It can’t hurt to slap on top of the other ones I have running in the background.”
But, it all adds up. Especially with weekly updates from online games that can be a couple GB.
And how about iTunes and other media distributors online that focus on downloading their products? Steam, a digital distributor for games, has everything focused around downloading all their games. And a majority of them can be anywhere from 50MB to 12GB.
Luckily for the AT&T “U-verse” members, (ones who pay extra to have internet, TV and phone access) they are capped at 250GB per month. That’s the same amount of a cap as Comcast’s.
