Category: Student Life

By Alicia Ygarza –

Justin Bieber tops the hearts of teens worldwide, the music charts and recently the movie charts. Although most high school students may not admit they’re fans, some find the heart-throbbing teen appealing.

But shh, don’t tell.

Thousands of teens find his voice, hair and eyes flawless. While Bieber seems too good to be true, many times when his name is brought into a conversation, at least among high school students, there are numerous critics who dislike him.

Do high school girls think his fans are younger “teenyboppers?”  Are guys jealous of his popularity and perfect hair?

Or, are the people who are criticizing him just not admitting that they secretly tap their foot to Bieber’s songs when listening to them on the radio?

“I only know his songs on the radio and I can’t help but sing them, they’re so catchy!” said Ashley Thompson, a student at Penn Manor.

“If someone asked me if I was a fan, I would say no. But if someone asked me do I like him, I’d say yes,” said Thompson, “I don’t want people thinking I’m a fan.”

Bieber fans in Penn Manor High School are as scarce as hen’s teeth. With one million albums sold from his first album, you would think his fans would be easier to find.

Bieber has become such a success, his biggest fans have made a dictionary full of Bieber words, also known as the “Biebtionary.”

“I don’t like his music, he’s a boy band wannabe,” said William Welsh a junior at Penn Manor High School.  “I don’t know anyone who likes Justin Bieber, when I hear his music on the radio I change the station. I listen to everything but Justin Bieber.”

According to justinbieberzone.com, Welsh would be considered a “Bieber-hater.” A person who hates Justin Bieber because of “jealousy and unknown reasons.”

Criticisms from people don’t faze Bieber, “There’s more people that like me than there are who hate me, so I kind of brush it off,” he said during a Billboard interview.

“People say, ‘Oh, people just like him because he’s pretty.’ Or the funniest one: ‘When he goes through puberty, he’s not going to be a good singer anymore.’ How does that make sense when we’ve seen people like Michael Jackson and Usher and Justin Timberlake do it?'” added Bieber during the interview.

It seems Bieber has heard it all, and he will never give up on his career.

Plus, there’s one girl in particular who would love to be Bieber’s “Bieber-Shawty.”

“I would love to go out to eat with him, and I know this sounds corny, but I would love to watch fireworks with him,” said Grace Wolfe, a junior at Penn Manor.

By David Mohimani, Sarah Schaeffer, Morgan Fletcher, and Simon Zimmerman –

Briana Reisinger and Tatiana Roman contributed to this report –

Ahhh… Valentine’s Day.  Hearts.  Romance.  Love.  Most, but not all Penn Manor students “love” this time of year. They celebrate it in different ways.

Some Penn Manor students are sending their Valentines lollipops.

“I like it especially if I’m in a relationship,” tenth grader John Machado said.

Machado enjoys the gift-giving aspect of Valentine’s Day.

“Yeah, I’d like some chocolates,” he said.  Machado is planning to get someone a Valentine’s Day present this year but he’s not sure what he’ll get yet.

Bianeara Galarza is also in favor of the perks that come with having a significant other on Valentine’s Day.

“I like it. I’m going to spend it with my boyfriend,” Galarza said.  She’s planning to get him an outfit and she would like some clothes from him.

Also on the topic of spending, USA Today recently recognized the growing use of social media by big companies to promote Valentine’s Day.

Mattel, the maker of Barbie and friends, has created an entire online relationship dispute between Barbie and her ex-boyfriend Ken. The public can log on and see the ongoing arguments and vote whether they think the couple should or should not get back together and also purchase Barbie and Ken merchandise.

Similarly, Victoria’s Secret is offering online e-Valentines. Senders can select photos and messages to send to their loved ones.

They can also include a link to the gift they wish to receive.

Mulberry, a British clothing maker, is offering virtual flowers. The flowers wait to bloom until Valentine’s Day, but on Feb 14, when recipients click on the flower, they are treated to a beautiful bouquet.

Valentine’s Day is not so sweet for everyone –

Valentine’s Day is not always all fun and games for couples, however; sometimes they break up.

The thought of Valentine’s Day in general is enough to send some people into a sour mood.

“It’s  a day that reminds you that you’re alone,” said senior Katie Breneman.

Students at Penn Manor have heard and delivered the best (or worst) break-up lines and have shared with Penn Points in the spirit of the season.

“‘I’m not ready for a relationship,'” said Jesse Nogueras, regarding to what most people say when they want to break up with someone.  “But they only said that because they wanted somebody else.”

“You’ve changed” is a line Kyle Lively admitted to using in a past relationship.

“I heard one that this girl used on this guy, ‘you’re shorter than me,'” said Dezire Diaz.

“My cat doesn’t like you,” Tori Ressler recalled hearing.

Regardless of the words, it is agreed that over-text break-ups are unacceptable.

“Anything over a text [is not okay]. It doesn’t matter whether it would be good or not in person,” Tom Sowers said.

By Mary Treier –

Sometimes it’s easy to like who you are. You feel great when you pass a test, score a winning touchdown or tell a funny joke after which everyone laughs.

But how do you feel about yourself when you just said something stupid or fumbled the football? You sometimes feel dumb or left out of the action. You start wishing you were someone else or that you could change how you look. You think you aren’t good in school, on the team or part of the “cool” crowd.

The obsession with body image and the opinions of others around you is driving teens to diet, use steroids, develop dangerous eating disorders and create a lifelong cycle of low self-esteem.

“When girls color their hair or get new clothes and a haircut, every girl wishes that was something they could do. For a girl I think they like feeling special and prettier than the girls around them sometimes,” senior Jennifer Felegi said.

To say that today’s society is saturated with an outrageous amount of information and visual media would be an understatement.

A negative body image can be made worse by comparing ourselves to models and actors on TV, in the movies and in magazines, even though the body type many of them represent is not realistic or healthy for most people.

Advertising in teen magazines and on television typically glamorizes skinny models that do not resemble the average woman. Teens have a picture in their minds of what the perfect body is and they try to measure up to that image. If they are happy with their body shape they generally have a positive teen self-image. On the other hand, if they don’t measure up, their self-image becomes

more of an issue.

“I think there is a big competition with self-image, especially when it comes to the certain body image that all girls should have,” said Julia Rios, a senior at Penn Manor.

Popular film and television actresses are becoming younger, taller, and thinner. Some have even been known to faint on the set from lack of food.

Until society realizes how dangerous these images can be to young girls, the country will continue to pay for emotional and physical support to counteract these damages.

By Cassey Graeff-

Students at Penn Manor High School are enjoying the trend of texting over calling.

More than 70 percent of cell phone users send and receive text messages, according to cellphones.org.  Texting is not such a good thing at times, which multiple students at Penn Manor have discovered.

“I feel like an idiot when I text, they don’t get to get to know me for who I actually am,” said Karly Wiest a senior at Penn Manor High School.

“My parents read my texts and I got grounded for a week,” said senior Maddy Hess.

“People have threatened me (over text) and my mom has yelled at me,” said sophomore Erica Williams.

Even though students have gotten in trouble for texting, the number of texts sent has not been reduced. Of 18-29 year olds, 95 percent text message. When a short poll was taken 49 out of 50 high school students have unlimited texting and use it.

“Yes, I text a lot,” said Alex Lombardo a junior at Penn Manor.

“I have unlimited texting, and I text about everyday,” said Alyssa Jahnke.

The use of alter-egos was a varied experience depending on the student.

An alter ego is texting as someone other than the actual texter. Having an alter ego over text may consist of saying things that you will not follow through with.  The reason some teens do this is to attract the attention of someone else or to gain a new sense of confidence by becoming someone else.

“I was Tim from Mops and Stuff,” said Hess.

“Well I won’t go into great detail but yes, with boys,” said Wiest about using an alter ego.

Lombardo had quite a different response, “Well it’s different talking over text, but I try and be myself as much as I can. You can’t hear emotion so it’s hard to be sarcastic.”

Lombardo agreed with many other students that the best form of communication is face-to-face talking.

“Talking face to face you can really sense how somebody feels based on their body language,” said Williams.

Hess believes texting and talking on the phone is a waste of time, and she would much rather talk face to face with a friend.

By Sarah Schaeffer

for more by Sarah Schaeffer, follow this link: http://scschaeffer.wordpress.com/

February 3 brought the turn of the New Year in China.

Celebrations including parades, fireworks and dancing will continue for the next 15 days to acknowledge the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar.

The Chinese name every year three different ways, but the most commonly recognized way is with the name of an animal, with this year being the Year of the Rabbit.

The Chinese believe that persons born in different years have different personalities, similar to the well-known zodiac signs. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit, including celebrities Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore and Brad Pitt, are said to be talented, well-mannered and wise.

If you’re currently attending Penn Manor, it’s likely you were born in either the Year of the Monkey (1992), the Year of the Rooster (1993), the Year of the Dog (1994), the Year of the Pig (1995) or the Year of the Rat (1996).

An insight into current students’ personalities according to the Chinese Zodiac from chinesezodiac.com:

Year of the Monkey- Monkeys may appear confused, but they are truly creative and intellectual. They are sensitive, but also jokesters. They rarely feel ill and take sick days even more rarely. In relationships, Monkeys take their time to settle down. Famous Monkeys include Johnny Cash, Diana Ross and Rod Stewart.

Year of the Rooster- Roosters are confident, motivated and trustworthy. They are energetic and detail-oriented. Roosters are always active. In relationships, Roosters do not work well with sensitive partners. Celebrity Roosters include Eric Clapton, Yoko Ono and Dolly Parton.

Year of the Dog- Dogs are loyal, organized and helpful. Dogs are easy-going and adaptable. Dogs fight illness easily. Dogs often have trouble in relationships due to their tendency to be anxious and worrisome. Famous Dogs include Naomi Campbell, Madonna and Sylvester Stallone.

Year of the Pig- Pigs are compassionate, generous and entertaining. They are helpful and big-hearted. Pigs often do not have the best health, as they are over-indulgent. Pigs typically do well in relationships because they are incredibly affectionate. Celebrity Pigs include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg.

Year of the Rat- Rats are honest, spontaneous and live in the moment. They are survivors and give good advice. However, they can be tense and aggressive. In relationships, Rats are charming but have a hard time breaking off old relationships. Celebrity Rats include Sean Penn, Olivia Newton-John and Louis Armstrong.