October 1984

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Penn Post
Mt. Penn Jr./Sr. High School
25th and Filbert Sts. - Mt. Penn, Pa. 19606

OCTOBER 1984

 

A LIGHT IN A
DARK ROOM

     Many people don�t realize how lucky we are to have an education. We wonder why certain courses are required and why we even have some of the courses that we do. It is important for us to know all about ourselves, inside and out. The more we know about ourselves, the better we may get to know others.
     Two very important required courses are English and Health. English is taught to us so that we may know how to communicate in the adult world. The more English we know and use, the easier it will be to achieve ends that we wouldn�t ordinarily achieve if we didn�t use good English.
     It is very logical as to why we have health classes. Some of us don�t understand the big words used but as long as we understand how our body functions we will be able to take care of ourselves better.
     We may not always use courses like trig and chemistry, but they are good to know because it is like going into a dark room with a lit candle. The dark room are the subjects we don�t understand. When we take these courses and go into the dark room, the light gets bigger and brighter, and we know a little more. This knowledge makes it easier to get along with others who have also brightened the light in their rooms by studying in school and broadening their horizons.
     We should all try to learn the most we can in school so that when we get out of school, we may walk into many lighted rooms.
          - Robin Clouser

 
Welcome Back

To the Student Body:
     As we embark upon another new year, it is my hope that each of you enjoys a prosperous, successful, and safe educational experience with us. It is also my wish that you contemplate and retain for future use the ensuing comments.
     A famous architect was asked which of his great accomplishments gave him the most satisfaction. He replied that he was never totally satisfied and that it was this feeling of not having attained perfection that compelled him to strive for higher goals.
     If you will strive continually to achieve greater and greater accomplishments, if all of you will utilize your innate abilities and talents, and if you will allow us to challenge you to use those abilities to the utmost degree, then you will be successful, not only in your endeavors at Mt. Penn.
     Once again, my best wishes for a successful, enjoyable, and safe 1984-85.
          - Mr. Orlando

Coming Events
10/18, MPHS Open House
10/19, Senior Class
               Spaghetti Dinner
10/20, Homecoming
10/23, PSAT/NMSQT Tests
10/26, M.L.C. Halloween Dance
10/29, Y-Teens Trick/Treat
               for UNICEF
11/01, Band/Chorus Citrus Sale
11/03, SAT Testing
11/08, M.L.C. Spaghetti Dinner
11/16, Report Cards Issued

Policy Changes
     In this 1984-85 school year a few regulations have been changed and a few new ideas have been added.
     This year if a student receives a detention slip from a teacher he will report directly to that teacher. This was changed so that the student will have a chance to obtain individualized instruction. For larger offenses against school policy, such as lateness or truancy, the student will report to the detention room as usual.
     There is also talk of a change in the attendance policy. If a student is truant (illegally absent) two days or more per quarter, he may fail that quarter. Also, this year there is an attendance committee. Although not new, many students have not taken advantage of this system in the previous years. The committee consists of three school officials and one student. Its purpose is to provide students with an alternative when they have reached their 5th day of absence. If a student wishes, instead of reporting to detention for six days for one extra absence, a student may ask to have the committee review his case and possibly spare himself the detention.
     A change involving failing students has also been made. If a teacher feels a student is doing poorly or failing, the student may be obliged to report to school for an extra 30 minutes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, in other words - no early dismissal. The early dismissal is given to the students as a privilege for those doing their work well and completing it on time.
     Although some of these changes may seem harsh, we must realize they are made only to better the education provided by our school system.
          - Kelly Grim
 
Letters to the Editor
Hopes of a Longer Lunch Period

     At 11:45 a.m. a senior high dismissal bell is rung to signify the beginning of lunch period. Charge! The mad rush to the lunch line is becoming second nature to most students. We students shouldn�t be subject to conditions that are too uncomfortable. During the warmer part of the year, the cafeteria is basically uncrowded and comfortable, but when winter rolls around, it becomes very crowded.
     Unfortunately, students at the end of the lunch line find it terribly difficult to eat their lunches quickly enough. By the time the students at the end of the line are through the line, it�s already 12:05 p.m., and they have only 10 minutes to eat lunch and then prepare for the afternoon. Another problem that then arises is students being late for their 6th period class. Late slips are then required for the tardy students.
     One possible solution might be to have our lunch period extended 5 to 10 minutes longer. Perhaps we could begin classes earlier, such as 7:30 a.m. Possibly another way to resolve their problem is to decrease the time of the activity period and add that time to our lunch time. Students find it difficult to work seriously during the activity period anyway because of all the distractions.
     Many students feel that adequate time for eating lunch is necessary to prepare for one�s self for afternoon classes.
          - Karen Denby

Religion in the Schools
     All around the country there is a big issue debating prayer in the classroom. Some want it and some do not. This controversy also extends to religion classes.
     This conflict really is a two-way street. There are students who want to learn more about their religion and practice it at the same time. These students are the ones who will benefit. The conflict arises among those students who don�t want religion taught in the classroom. They feel religion should be preached in church on Sundays. According to these people, the classroom should be used only for educational purposes.
     As far as having religion as a mandatory class, I feel the class should serve as an elective class. That way the students who would like the course can take it on their own. This way those who didn�t wish to take the class are not effected.
This conflict can have an easy solution if both sides of the issue would compromise on everyone�s interests.
          - Diane Churan
From Our Critics
Commercial Comedy
     �It�s the creature!� is screamed as Rodney Dangerfield makes his appearance on the Miller�s Light beer commercial. �Man, I sure hope those horses can swim,� quips Bubba Smith of the Miller�s Light beer commercial. �Book 'um," charges Sergeant Friday of the Dragnet-based Yellow Pages commercial.
     What has happened to the television scenario? Today, it seems, the biggest source of entertainment being provided to the public, is that of T.V.�s commercials. More and more of us are scurrying off to raid the refrigerator or answer the doorbell during the network�s program, rather than during the commercials which may, in fact, be on the air longer than the T.V. show itself. This fact alone may be a blessing in disguise.
     All is not well in commercial land; for instance, the lyrics of toilet bowl disinfect can be heard throughout the three major networks in the form of, �Don�t be bullied by your bowl, bully your bowl instead.� This type of commercial is a degrading form of low-life entertainment which is insulting to the intelligence of the viewing public. Perhaps the best we can do is sit back and wait for the light to shine through at the end of the tunnel or for another MASH to appear.
          - Steph Sosh

�Purple Rain�
     Purple Rain is basically a non-fiction account of rock, pop, and blues star Prince�s life. Although I went into the theater expecting a thinly plotted video movie such as Rick Springfield�s �Hard to Hold�, I came out pleasantly surprised, Instead of the acting in �Purple Rain� just piecing the music together, the music was used as a way of elaborating on the feelings of the characters.
     The movie begins as Prince, who belongs to a band called �Prince and the Revolution�, meets Appolonia, a beautiful girl who needs his help in boosting her career. Prince agrees, and they fall in love. But then Appolonia�s rising career threatens Princes job at a night club, and he is told to shape up his act. He does so, and, in the process manages to create a new song - the hig single �Purple Rain� - and save his career also.
     �Purple Rain� also includes Prince�s #1 hits �When Doves Cry�, �Let�s Go Crazy�, and many more songs which are sure to become popular. So BEAT IT Michael Jackson � Prince is on the rise!
     You don�t have to be a Prince fan to love this movie, but if you are, you�ll think it�s a 10!
          - Jenny Eckel
One Child
Torey Hayden
     One Child �tells of only one child. It was not written to evoke pity. Nor was it intended to bring praise on one teacher. Nor to depress those who have found peace in not knowing. Instead, it is an answer to the question of frustration in working with the mentally ill. It is a song to the human soul, because this little girl is like all my children. Like all of us she is a survivor.�
     This is a true story of the dedication, the psychological help, and most important, the love Torey Hayden (a special ed. teacher) gives to one child, Sheila. Sheila is a six year old who has been placed in Torey�s class while waiting to be admitted to a state hospital for tying a younger boy to a tree and severely burning him.
     Sheila refuses to do any kind of paperwork. She would also destroy almost everything in the room including the classroom goldfish. Torey then finds out her mother had literally dumped her on a highway, and she now lives with her father who abuses her. Her home consists of one room in a migrant camp that has no running water or electricity.
In spite of all this, when she is tested, her IQ is over 180. She had taught herself to read and do math, yet never showed these abilities in the classroom.
     After many incidents and interactions between Sheila and Torey, Sheila learns to trust someone for the first time in her life. Even after she was molested, she was able to keep going forward in her life because of the trust and love she had for Torey.
     This book is quite different from the books we are used to reading but I think it would be a good book for everyone to read because it can teach us all something about ourselves and others.
          - Heather Hill

 

Penn Post
Volume XXVIII, Edition I
October 1984
Penn Post is published 8 times per year by the Journalism Class of Mt. Penn Junior/Senior High School

Penn Post Staff

Editor Kelly Grim
Editorials Steph Sosh
Features Jenny Eckel
News David Blose
Sports Diane Churan
Reporters Scott Christman
Robin Clouser
Karen Denby
Heather Hill
Sandy Steigerwalt
Kim Schmidt
Advisor Mrs. Strickler

 

 

Outstanding Students

Jennifer Miller
JENNIFER MILLER

     Our first female senior of the issue is very active, and is an outstanding and energetic senior, Jenny Miller. Jenny is vice president of the National Honor Society and secretary of the Class of �85. In addition to the offices she holds, Jenny is also a cheerleader, president of Y-Teens, a member of chorus, and a member of the yearbook staff.
Jenny is one of the captains of the hockey team and also plays on the softball team. Jenny likes to draw, play the piano, and play sports in her spare time. She hopes to go to college, possibly Temple, to study therapy.
          - Robin Clouser

Junior Miss
     Mt. Penn�s candidate for the 84-85 Berks County�s junior Miss is Sandy Steigerwalt. The competition is among twenty girls from different schools in Berks County and the pageant is being held at Schuylkill Valley High at 7 P.M. on October 6.
     The last practice is being held Oct. 5 (the night before). From there, the girls pair up and spend the night at a volunteer chaperone�s home. Before practice is over on Oct. 5, the personal interviews are held. The personal interviews involve current events, and future plans.
     The competition on Oct. 6 includes a dance, which is done by all the competitors, talent, and evening gown. Sandy�s talent will be a dance acrobatic routine to the song �Lucky Star.�
     There will be five awards given during the pageant - a scholastic award, which is a scholarship of approximately $2,000; an award in each of the following areas -poise, physical fitness, personality, and talent.
     Sandy has found this a very memorable experience. It has given her a chance to excel at what she does best, meet new friends, and have lots of fun in the process.
          - Kelly Grim

VO-TECH STUDENT
     In this month�s issue of the Penn Post, the most outstanding Vo-Tech student is Chris Peckham. Chris has been in painting and decorating at Vo-Tech for three years. This year he is on Co-op doing commercial painting for John Hoppe, who is a part of a union belonging to Frank Fararo & Son.
     Chris has been known to have a good-level head and does well not only in Vo-Tech but also in his academic classes. He likes to paint murals on vans and would like to run his own business someday.
          - Robin Clouser
 
Chris Peckham
CHRIS PECKHAM

Donald Mackowiak
DONALD MACKOWIAK

     Our male student of the issue is Donald Mackowiak. Donald is a very active member in our school. He is president of the U.N. club, and business manager of the yearbook He also participates in Boys Leader Corps, National Honor Society, and college bowl.
     Donald�s hobbies include boating, water skiing and camping. Besides being very active in school, Donald is also a very active member in Boy Scouts of America. After Mt. Penn, Donald plans to attend college, majoring in physics and chemistry.
          - Scott Christman

Financial Aid
     Financial aid is help in paying college costs. There are two kinds of expenses that financial aid can help pay for; one is direct educational costs (tuition, fees, and books) and the second is personal living expenses (food, transportation, and housing).
The three main types of financial aid are grants or scholarships, loans, and work.
     Both grants and scholarships consist of money that doesn�t have to be paid back. Grants are given on the basis of need alone, but scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and/or academic achievement or ability in sports.
     Loans must be repaid, usually after you have graduated. The major difference between student loans and other loans is the student loans usually have lower interest rates.
     Many colleges will arrange a work-study program, which will help you pay for college but attend college as well.
     Grants and scholarships are considered �gift aid�, while loans and work aid are considered �self help aid.� You may be able to receive a combination of the two types of aid.
          - Heather Hill

 
PRINCIPAL�S CORNER
     This year�s seniors will come into contact with representatives from Berks County industries as we hope to facilitate a smoother transition from school to society. These representatives will speak to seniors on car loans, banking procedures, insurance practices, purchase of a car, career opportunities, and other pertinant topics.
     Our SAT scores increased dramatically over last year�s. The class of �85�s verbal score increased by 14 points while the math score reflected a jump of 20 points. Our combined scores are approximately 150 points above the national norm.
     Congratulations to Lori Fizz, Matt Elvin, and Bill Reed for being named National Ment Scholarship Semifinalists. Lori, Matt, and Bill are three of the 15,000 students selected as semifinalists out of the 1,000,000 students nationwide who participate in the NMST program.
     A reminder to students to take advantage of the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday early dismissals by scheduling conferences with teachers to get extra help or to simply discuss topics of interest to you. The help is here if you want to avail yourself of the opportunity. Don�t fall behind in your class work and then decide to work when it is too late to achieve the grade you�re capable of.
 
Alumni News
     You might remember seeing Jeff Rogers on the basketball or volleyball court or maybe even on the baseball field. He was very active while in high school.
     Jeff is now attending PCPS (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science) and majoring in pharmacy. This school is highly respected and the educational facilities are excellent. Jeff is doing very well for himself and working hard for his grades. In his spare time he plays on an intramural basketball team. He advises those of you who wish to begin a pharmaceutical career to be certain it is what you want to do. The work is extremely hard and you must be very dedicated to your studies.
          - Diane Churan

MAIA PLACES
     Maia Carvalho placed 5th in the Berks County Girls� Golf Tournament at Arrowhead recently. Her score of 114 qualified her for the District III Golf Tournament to be held in York. This is the 3rd year Maia has received a medal in county competition.
     Christine Jurasinski missed qualifying by only 1 stroke. She placed 6th.
     Evan Spohn, from our boys� team, also qualified for the District Tournament.
          - Diane Churan

Dear Habib
Once again our Habib has offered to help our readers with their problems. Send your questions to Habib by way of the Penn Post mail box in the main office.

Dear Habib:
     I have a really good male friend who always drops in without notice and stays a long time. Sometimes I�m not up to talking to him, but I don�t want to tell him to go. He�s a very good friend, and I don�t want to hurt him, but I don�t want him constantly around. How can I tell him to leave?
          Signed,
          Wishing to be alone

Dear Wishing to be alone:
     Your problem can be solved very easily. All you have to do is tell him nicely that you don�t feel like having company. Let him know that you would like to be alone. Assure him that it has nothing to do with him. I'm sure he�ll understand because he seems to care about you.
          Signed,
          Habib


Dear Habib:
     Sometimes when my friends and I go to parties, I don�t know how to act. All my friends seem to blend in well; mixing and mingling with others. I�m shy when it comes down to opening my mouth to make new friends. How can I overcome my shyness?
          Signed,
          Afraid

Dear Afraid,
     First thing you have to do is develop realistic expectations about popularity. If you feel classifed and locked into a certain role with friends, look for some outside friendships. Becoming active in special-interest groups can give you a new perspective on popularity and yourself.  Don�t be afraid to open up.
          Signed,
          Habib
 

Happy Ads
Feliz Cumpleanos, Consepcion! Luv ya � Antonia y Consuela

Hope you have a very Happy
Birthday Tommy D!

Hey, Juniors! One more to go!!

Hang in there Sally!
Love ya! - Karen

Miss ya and luv ya, K.P.

Casa del sot - Where anything goes!

9/15 Thanks Carole and Bill

Popular Eating Places..
SURVEY

     A recent survey has been done to find out what the most popular food places are that are located in the vicinity of Mt. Penn.
     This survey was only given to grades nine through twelve. Out of a hundred students surveyed, 35% chose Pizza Hut, 20% chose McDonald�s, 13% chose Wendy�s, 7% chose the Chink Shop, and 10% chose to eat at other places.
     Also listed on the survey sheet were two new food places just recently opened up: The Edmond�s 23 Street Substation and Italian Gardens. 6% chose Edmonds 23 Street Substation, located at the top of Grant Street. 7% chose Italian Gardens, located across from Wendy�s where Taco Casa used to be.
          - Robin Clouser

 
New Students
Seniors
     WILLIAM REED, a former student of Central Catholic High School, enjoys classes at Mt. Penn. He feels they�re tougher, but more beneficial for future use.
     His favorite class is Advanced Placement Math. He added that Mount Penn has an excellent math department.
     In questioning William about our open lunch program, he stated, �Open lunch at Mount Penn is more reasonable than Central�s program, but it should be longer!�
     Although William is not in any clubs yet, he plans to be an active member in the Future Teachers of America and the yearbook staff.
     William finds Mount Penn students to be more open minded and is adapting quite well to our school.
          - Sandy Steigerwalt

Juniors
     CHRISTINE CUNNIUS, from Central, feels Mt. Penn has better teachers and nicer students. She likes the early dismissal but wishes there was more free time. The only complaint she has is that we have hardly any dances.
     JOSEPH GALLAGHER, from Central likes our open lunch system, but didn�t like coming back to school. He says the only difference between Mt. Penn and Central is that there are no nuns at Mt. Penn. Joseph enjoys drag racing in his free time.
     AMY HELM, also from Central, thinks Mt. Penn has better classes than Central. She too, thinks the teachers and people are nicer at Mt. Penn. Amy doesn�t like having the same classes every day and she misses the free periods that Central has.
     KIM SCHMIDT, came to Mt. Penn from Linden Hall, an all-girl boarding school. She likes having guys in her classes, but, like all of us, she wishes we would have a longer lunch period, since she had over an hour at Linden Hall. Kim has played basketball for four years; she was a library aid, and a former drama club member.
     BARBARA YERGER, a former Reading High student, feels the student teacher relationship is better here than at Reading. She also thinks students at Mt. Penn are more interested in academics than in electives. Besides missing her friends, she also misses some of the many electives Reading has. Barbara is an active chorus member and is still getting used to our small chorus.
          - Heather Hill

New Teachers

MRS. DEL SIGNORE
     One of the many new faces this year on the faculty is that of Mrs. Del Signore. She will be with us until January when Mrs. Spatz will return from her sabbatical leave. Mrs. Del Signore teaches mathematics and computer courses. This is her first full-time teaching position since recently graduating from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. When she first moved here from Rhode Island, school had already started and she took a job in a doctor�s office.
     Mrs. Del Signore entered the teaching field because of the great pleasure she takes in working with younger people. She student-taught at Classical High School in Rhode Island. She finds no major difference between Mt. Penn and Classical High, other than MPHS being smaller and our students are very well-behaved.
     Photography, working out at the Nautilus, and playing the guitar for fun are some of Mrs. Del Signore�s favorite hobbies. She has been married for one year and plans to start a family in the future. Another of Mrs. Del Signore�s goals is to continue teaching full-time.
          - Steph Sosh

WHO�S MRS. THOMAS?
     Mrs. Thomas is a new name in our school but not a new person. You guessed it! Mrs. Thomas, formerly Miss Biffel, was married this past summer to Mr. John Thomas.
     The couple left for Cancun, Mexico, on June 28th, to be married. Mrs. Thomas was married on July 3rd, and to symbolize this, her wedding band has three diamonds in it.
     The bride and bridegroom stayed in a hotel in Cancun, which was located on the tip of a pennisula. Since their hotel was on a pennisula, two bodies of water surrounded their hotel. On the east side of their hotel was the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west side was the Caribbean. Imagine that! Having the view of two beautiful waters and the choice to swim in either. Mrs. Thomas was especially excited about the Caribbean waters. She said it was as blue as day.
     Mr. and Mrs. Thomas enjoyed parasailing, snorkling in the Caribbean, exchanging goods with Mexican merchants, and visiting the ancient Mexican ruins.
          - Karen Denby
MRS. WARMKESSEL
     Mrs. Lucinda Warmkessel is teaching 7th and 8th grade reading at Mt. Penn Jr./Sr. High School. You may remember her from the elementary school, where she taught 3rd. grade. For Mrs. Warmkessel the biggest change in coming from the elementary school to the high school is the changing of classes, not having the same students all day.
     Mrs. Warmkessel is a graduate of Penn State University and has a Masters from Kutztown University. She is also a church organist and enjoys music.
     After twelve years of teaching, two of the twelve years in Ohio, Mrs. Warmkessel feels that the most important aspect of education is the student-teacher relationship. She says the teacher must treat each student as an individual and let him know the teacher is here to help the student learn all that he can.
          - Heather Hill

STEP
(Seniors Transitioning to
Employment Program)

     This year Mt. Penn is one of the many schools picked to participate in the STEP program. STEP is run by Threshold Rehabilitation Service, Inc., a non-profit corporation providing rehabilitation services to handicapped adults. One of STEP�s major goals is to provide opportunities for participants to achieve their maximum vocational potential. STEP deals with the process of helping students prepare and train for a job.
     The purpose of STEP is to place students into full-time employment upon graduation or as soon as possible thereafter. Students who participate in the STEP program are expected to attend classes, counseling and placement meetings; to actively seek employment when they are identified by the training team as job ready. Activities include discovering open positions, making telephone calls, going to worksites for applications and interviews, and following-up at all times.
     Students participating in STEP will be filling out an employment application, participating in a mock job interview which is videotaped, and completing a Money Management Questionnaire. Some of the job skills will be employer contact, preparation of applications and resumes, job interviews, employee-employer communications, orientation to work, job retention, money management, and community orientation.
     Classes for the STEP program will be held every Monday during activity period. Thirty seniors have already enrolled.
          - Robin Clouser
 
MOUNT PENN�S
NEW SOUND

     Mount Penn his a new addition to its band. The band his purchased a keyboard bass along with a 130 watt bass amplifier. Mr. Ruch say that it will be used mainly to augment the bass sound in the hand. Another use will he to supply the bass sound while accompanying the chorus on selected choral pieces. Also purchased by the band was a set of parade percussion. Mr. Ruch hopes to have the band do a small warm-up parade this fall and then do some big parades in the spring. To further enhance the look of the marching band, Mr. Ruch hopes to purchase additional equipment for the band front with some of the profits made from their citrus fruit sale that begins in November.
     Mr. Ruch would also like to add a few notes about the winter concert. First, the date of the concert has been changed from Dec. 13, 1984 to Dec. 18, 1984. Also, this year's concert will be a combined concert with the Mount Penn Elementary School�s band and chorus under the direction of Mr. Boshart.
          - Dave Blose

FUTURE TEACHERS OF
AMERICA

     The FTA club is on its way once again. Mrs. Haag, the advisor, is now even more encouraged than ever since the number of college students involved in a teaching career is declining and projections indicate that there will be many job openings in the future. More of our students may be considering teaching now.
     This year�s president is Sandy Steigerwalt. The other officers will be announced after the club has their first meeting.
Their plans for the year are a lolly-pop sale and student teaching at the elementary school, grades K-6.
          - Kelly Grim

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS OF AMERICA
     FBLA takes off for another good year with Tracy Damiano, president; Traci Wenger, vice president; Robin Clouser, secretary; and Tina Seidel as treasurer. The first meeting was held at Schuylkill Valley on October 9. The initiation will be held sometime at the end of October.
     The members of FBLA will be holding many bake sales during the year. Mrs. Starr has planned for them to go to the Reading Area Community College on Secretary Day in April. She would also like to take them to visit and spend some time in business offices.
          - Robin Clouser
Y-TEENS
     The time has come again for this year's freshmen and other newcomers to bear the scorn and humiliation of the Y-Teen initiation. To particpate as a Y-Teen member, each individual must undergo zany antics. The girls involved in the informal initiation will have to submit themselves to mockery, embarrassment, and crazy acts of weirdness.
     This year�s staff consists of Jenny Miller, president; Bert Schreiber, vice-president; Christine Jurasinski, secretary; and Kelly Clark, treasurer. Miss Weaver is the Y-Teen advisor. The Y-Teen members have great expectations for the anxiously awaited participants. The date for the initiation will be October 4.
     Some important events that will take place include Trick or Treating for UNICEF, a Christmas party and Christmas caroling, the Valentine�s Day Dance, the Variety Show, and a fashion show exhibiting spring and summer fashions.
     This year there is a possibility of initiating a junior Y-Teen Club. This way 7th and 8th grade students can participate in a club of their own since junior high students aren�t allowed to participate in senior high clubs.
          - Karen Denby

STUDENT COUNCIL
     This year much has been planned for Student Council activities. Future plans include an assembly, a dance around Christmas time, a walk-a-thon for the repairing of the Statue of Liberty, and possibly organizing a MADD (Mothers against Drunk Driving) committee.
     The 1984-85 officers are David Werner, president; Alan Ganas, vice president; Cherisse Conlon, secretary; and Amy Miller, treasurer.

Student Council Representatives
Delegates Alternates

202 Roberta Schreiber

(David Werner)

302 Donald Mackowiak

(Timothy Miller)

206 Scott Christman

(Alan Ganas)

301 Suzanna Post

(Melinda Snyder)

207 Christine Jurasinski

(Darren Max)

208 Mala Carvaiho

(Kelly Carter)

305 Kim Steiger

(Alan Rosenthal)

303 Janine Lysczek

(Amy Miller)

211 Nicholas Baer

(Cherisse Conlon)

212 Jeffrey Seyfert

(Pamela Tucci)

102 Amy Milakofsky

(Howard Schnee)

c-1 Debra Albrecht

(Cyndy Jurasinski)

210 Jessica Rech

(Marcie Smith)

103 Michael Green

(Richard Horst)

105 Thomas Calvaresi

(Stacy Acker)

203 Gregory Pocrass

(Tracy Spinka)

205 R.Himmelberger

(Elizabeth Fox)

Gym Cory Baver

(Shelby Davis)

GIRLS' LEADLER CORPS
     Girl�s Leader Corps is an organization for all girls who possess a leadership quality. This club is responsible for doing good deeds for the surrounding community. Some of the helpful activities planned for this year include: a Thanksgiving basket for a needy family, a Christmas visit to a nursing home and pediatric ward in a hospital helping out with the Special Olympics, planning the jump-Rope-A-Thon, and a fund raiser. The annual trip is not yet determined.
     The club�s advisor is Mrs. Thomas and the officers are Roberta Schreiber, president; Kelly Clark, vice president; Sally Ford, secretary; and Diane Churan, treasurer.
          - Diane Churan

PENN ALMA
     This year has much planned for the Penn Alma staff. Their advisor, Mrs. Tucci, will be starting off the year by selling ads. The price range for the ads is as follows: $100 - full page, $60 - half page, $35 - quarter page, $25 - eighth of a page, $5 - patron, and $1 for boosters.
     The yearbook is scheduled to be released sometime in May.

Yearbook Staff
Editor -
Nellie Sternbergh

Assistant Editor -
Gregg Tucci

Business Manager -
Donald Mackowiak

Photographers -
Steve Newcomer
Mike Vogt
Tim Miller


Typists -
Tracy Wenger

Head Typist -
Tina Seidel

Seniors -
Sandy Steigerwalt

Underclassmen -
Tracy Damiano

Sports -
Sybil Kane

Clubs -
Sybil Kane

          - Kelly Grim

SCIENCE CLUB
     This year the science club has the following officers:

     President - Heather Hill
     Vice President -Thanh Lieu
     Secretary - Christine Jurasinski
     Treasurer - Leann Deisher

     The science club plans to make this year the most active year yet. Some of the planned activities include a trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show, a Christmas get together, and a trip to Baltimore Harbor. The annual Valentine�s Day carnation sale is still on, as well as the Christmas candy stick sale, and possibly another sale yet to be determined. The club hopes to get a speaker to speak to them about a medically related topic. As always, the science club welcomes new members.
          - Heather Hill
 
COURSE CHANGES
     There have been several course changes for the 1984-85 school year.

English
     Tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade English classes will rotate each quarter so that a class will have three or four different teachers during the year.
     Grade 12 - All students are required to write a research paper. In addition, they will have two quarters of English literature and one of grammar.
     Grade 11 - The research course is being moved to the junior year. Each junior is required to write a research paper. Other quarters will be composition, grammar, and American literature.
     Grade 10 - Students will have one quarter of speech, one quarter of grammar, and one quarter of literature. The third quarter this year, they are being offered a choice of drama, preparation for the Verbal SAT, or literature.

Mathematics
    
Grades 7 and 8 - Back-to-back scheduling has made it possible to section stu�dents according to their math ability, no matter what section they are in for other courses.
     Remedial time is now available for those who have difficulty with math on the seventh grade level.
     Grade 12 - Advanced Placement Mathematics is offered to seniors taking calculus. One of the objectives of this course is to prepare for the advanced placement calculus test given in the spring.

Business
     Grade 9 - Introduction to Business is a rotating course that will include typing, computer programming, reading, and personal business record keeping.
     Grade 8 - 8B and 8C will have typing once a week.
          - Sandy Steigerwalt
LIBRARY CHANGES
     This school year, the library has taken on a new look; a new slate - blue colored carpet has replaced the original rust-colored one which has been present since the early sixties. The library has also been repainted which is a first since 1976.  Another difference in the library is the arrangement of the book collection. Still filed under the Dewey Decimal System, many books have been relocated in the library. The entire process took almost the entire summer to complete, ending the Thursday before Labor Day.
     To say the least, Mrs. Haag is delighted by the changes saying, �The library has a new, clean, fresh look to it which has been a long time in coming.� Mrs. Haag also added that many old reference encyclopedias have been retired to the classrooms as the library has obtained a brand new set of encyclopedias. Mrs. Haag mentioned that the students of Mt. Penn can be proud of our book collection which is the best of any of the other seventeen schools in the county.
          - Steph Sosh

HOMECOMING DAY
     This year the Sports Boosters Club will sponsor its second annual Homecoming Day and Dance on October 20. During the day, the Mount Penn hockey team will challenge the Exeter hockey team to a game. After the hockey game, the soccer team will play Governor Mifflin.
     Nominees for king and queen will be announced at the Homecoming Dance which will be held at the MPHS on October 19.  On Homecoming Day, the king and the queen, as well as the other nominees, will be chauffeured in choice cars around the A-Field.
     Refreshments and baked goods will be served throughout the entire day.
          - Karen Denby
Sports
VARSITY HOCKEY
     It�s that season again and sticks are really hot at Mt. Penn. However, Mrs. Thomas feels the team is still in a building process. The program is better than ever because the number of participants and interest is really increasing. With the two-coach concept there is more individual contact. The girls are a young team and have only been playing the new system for 1 or 2 years. Mrs. Thomas feels very positive and says the team is full of talent.
     The girls have already played their toughest matches. The hardest part is over, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Injuries have plagued the team. Sally Ford broke her arm during a scrimmage game and Roberta Schreiber bruised her knee.
The team does have high hopes and is a good contender in their division. They�ve come a long way and are going to go much farther. Go for it girls!!

Diane Churan - Inner
Kelly Clark - Back
Cherisse Conlon - Inner
Karen Denby - Wing
Kathy Ford - Link
Sally Ford - Inner
Norine Miller - Goalie
Jenny Schickler - Link
Laura Schnader - Link
Roberta Schreiber - Back
Kim Steiger - Inner
Terry Goodbred - Sweeper
Steph Sosh - Back
Vicki Straka - Back
Amy Miller - Back
Jenny Miller - Wing
          - Diane Churan

JV HOCKEY

     This year�s Junior Varsity hockey team is doing a very good job. In preseason scrimmages they won 1 and lost 2. The team is full of potential and has great speed. The team is mostly comprised of freshmen with a few returning from last year. The team�s goalie, Jenny Eckel, is very strong in the cage and in one game she had 10 saves. There are a few who are expected to be playing varsity by the end of the season. Miss Weaver and the girls are very hopeful in improving their record.

The Team
Jenny Eckel
Steph Froelich
Sandy Horning
Alicia Jacobs
Cindy Jurasinski
Janine Lysczek
Amy Milakofsky
Perrin Quick
Heather Ruhe
Vali Sikla
Tanya Sload
Nancy Snyder
Lara Stutz
Pam Tucci
          - Diane Churan
A NEW HOCKEY FIELD
     Mt. Penn does not have a regulation-size hockey field (100 yds. x 60 yds.). For years Mt. Penn hockey players had to be satisfied with a short field on a hill. A rough terrain also made it a very inadequate playing field. Moving on the right track and getting things done, Mrs. Thomas, the hockey coach, is pushing to get a regulation-size field.
     As a result of Mrs. Thomas� efforts, the hockey games are now played on a regulation-size field at the Antietam Recreation Center. Next year, however, we may have a regulation field at the A-field. Because of the sale of the Pennside building, there is money for school improvements. Mrs. Thomas has received approval for the original hockey field to be leveled and lengthened this spring.
Mrs. Thomas feels very optimistic about the field. She continued to add that if athletes in a school district are willing to put forth their time and efforts for an athletic program, then it�s the school district�s responsibility to supply for those athletes the best equipment and facilities possible.
          - Karen Denby
 
Sports
Mt. Penn Golfers
Look Ahead

     This season may be the turning point for the Mt. Penn golf team. With the experience of the older players combined with the youth and enthusiasm of the younger players may make this a season of surprises tot the team.
     The Mounts opening match was lost to a strong Fleetwood team. They then lost two consecutive matches by one stroke - 472 to 471 against Twin Valley, and 428 to 427 against Daniel Boone. The Mounts fourth match provided better results. Mt. Penn defeated Reading 422 to 464 winning by 22 strokes.
Coach Roger Fegely feels that the golf team has a very promising future with a young team and they should be contenders within the next 3 years. Fegely also says that individual golfers should do well in qualifying for the district tournaments. Good Luck Mounts!

Here is this year's golf team:
Returning Players:
Evan Spohn - 11
Brett Bowers - 11
Steve Kunkel - 11
Maia Carvalho - 11
Christine Jurasinski - 11

New Players

Dan Hafetz - 9
Derek Hutchenson - 9
Mark Leffler - 9
Jeff Seyfert - 9
Todd Boyer - 9
Marc Goldstein - 10
          - Dave Blose

Let�s Hear it for the
Cheerleaders

     The Mount Penn cheerleaders attended camp at East Stroudsburg College July 27-31. They competed with many other schools and won numerous awards. They received a ribbon for a special dance routine, placed in all evening ribbon competitions, and were quite honored to receive the spirit ribbon.
     The spirit ribbon was an award in which the counselors observed all squads closely to see which group displayed the best spirit. Spirit was determined both on and off the practice field. In recognition of the "spirited� group, they were awarded a spirit ribbon and Shimmy Kitty (a stuffed animal) for one night, which they could decorate with their school colors. Mount Penn decorated Shimmy Kitty with a Mount Penn hat, buttons, stickers, and orange and black pom pom strings.
     The workshop featured instruction in cheers, chants, pom pom routines, tumbling, mounts, jumps, and stunts.
     Members of the squad that attended camp are:

Traci Wenger (Co-Cap.)
Sandy Steigerwalt (Co-Cap.)
Missy Becker
Wendy Crow
Karen Denby
Tracy Damiano
Gloria Hutchenson

          - Sandy Steigerwalt

Outstanding Athletes

Jennifer Miller
JENNIFER MILLER

David Werner
DAVID WERNER

     The female athlete of this issue is Jenny Miller. Jenny, a twelfth grader, plays right wing on field hockey. She�s one of the leading scorers on the team, and she�s one of the captains.
     She�s not only outstanding on the field, but off it as well. A leader on the team, she�s always ready to help the younger girls. Jenny has been playing field hockey for 4 years. She also plays softball and is a cheerleader.
          - Kim Schmidt
     This issue�s male athlete is Dave Werner, a senior. Dave plays a striker on the varsity soccer team, and is one of the leading scorers.
     He excels in not only soccer, but in basketball and baseball as well. Dave has played all of these sports for his four high school years.
          - Jenny Eckel
MOUNTS ARE ON THE BALL
     This year the Mount Penn soccer team has experienced an enthusiastic �break-through.� The Mounts won two of their league games this season. The victories were against the Exeter and Twin Valley High Schools. Unfortunately, Fleetwood beat the Mounts in a 4 to 1 battle. The Mounts have 2 wins and 2 losses in the Berks County League and have 4 wins and 2 losses over all.
     Mr. Messner, the head soccer coach, feels that the Mounts are doing very well, and he believes that they will hold their place against most of the other soccer teams.
     Although the Mounts lost three starters (Jeff Motze, Jack Evans, and Kevin Epler) this year, Mr. Messner feels the team has a very strong defense. The offense is a bit weaker because of many injuries, such as the ankle injury sustained by Dave Werner.  Mr. Messner thinks that the Mounts are playing as a team this season and will contribute to many more wins this year. Although the Mounts are on the right track, Mr. Messner believes there is still room for improvement and the need for more playing time.
     Disappointingly, the J.V. soccer team hasn�t been doing as well. The reason may be a lack of experience of the individual players.
     Mr. Messner likes the fact that more people are interested in playing soccer and hopes the interest will continue in the future.
 
VARSITY
Joe Boyle (co-captain)
Dave Werner (co-captain)
Tom DiGiacomo (co-captain)
Leon Pace
Rick Schreiber
Brendan Kane
Todd Ringler
Matt Elvin
Barclay Wilson
Sean Gimeno
Harry Siklas
Dave Chlebowski
Kerry Motze
Tom Schmitz
Steve Monroe
Greg Tucci
Mike Dautrich
JR. VARSITY
Jeff Hoyt
Darren Straka
Victor Calvaresi
John Henry
Charles Truckermiller
Nick Baer
Dave Schmitz
Kyle Seidel
Kevin Haney
Dave Dunkelberger
Jay Kissinger
Bill LaBate
Jason Miller
Jeff Volutza