Due to some recent changes the Shen Pen’s online edition will be moving to http://shenpenonline.wordpress.com/.
Poll of the Week
Poll of the Week
Spread the word to end the word
March 7th, is Spread the Word to End the Word day. Today is devoted to ending the use of the derogatory “r-word” associated with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Every time this word is used in a joke or in calling someone stupid it brings down a person with a disability and makes them feel like lesser people. Just because it doesn’t offend you doesn’t mean it doesn’t offend someone around you with a disability or someone who has a loved one or friend with a disability.
Remove this word from your vocabulary and help create an accepting environment for everyone.
Respect day at shen
by Jesse McAndrews
For about half of the students at High School East, Respect Day started with a motivational speech from a man named Mike Donahue. Donahue was from a company called R5, which sends motivational speakers to schools across the nation.
Donahue’s speech didn’t exactly start as a speech but a mash up of clips a lot like the things you would see on a show like Americas Funniest Home Videos. The clips had the audience laughing and seemed to help get students interested in what he had to say.
Then Donahue’s speech became serious, he spoke of his past and his troubles, including his mother stabbing him. He spoke of bullying and how one thing can affect one person and how people stereotype others.
In high school, students hear a lot of speeches like his, but there was no sound when Donahue spoke. He had everyone’s full attention through his speech and rounds of applause anytime he would jokingly say, “Now clap for me.”
The speech really related to teens. Donahue said adults don’t get it and that students lives are so hard and shared some stories of teens he had met. This really gave a sense of comfort to students. It also tried to get students to try and understand others better.
He didn’t fail to touch students hearts and really get his message out there.
Sophomore Nick Franks said, “I thought he was very dedicated in his line of work. He was kind of funny and had some true things to say.”
Senior Aaron Dritz describer Donahue as, “Very personable, great with the kids, but serious as well.”
Poll of the Week
Shen names new varsity coaches
The Shenendehowa Board of Education approved the appointments of new varsity soccer and football head coaches on Tuesday, February 7.
Brian Clawson will take Brent Steuerwald’s place as the football head coach, and Jonathan Bain will take Mike Campisi’s place as the soccer head coach. Both are eager to start, but also have respect for the men they’re replacing.
Steuerwald had run the football program at Shen for 44 years in it’s entirety and Campisi ran the soccer program for 32 years. When the decisions were announced both coaches just wanted to say their goodbyes and thank their successors for the effort they put in as assistant coaches in their programs.
Poll of the Week
Poll of the Week
To ski or not to ski
by Brittany Lefebvre
There are many clubs offered at Shenendehowa to give students opportunities to get involved in different activities. One club that has caught the interest of many students is Ski Club.
Ski Club has been offered at Shenendehowa for many years and is very popular among students. It starts in the month of January and continues for six weeks. Every Wednesday Ski Club takes off to the Jiminy Peak mountain resort. The club is open to all skiers and snowboarders, whether they have just started or if they are skilled. Jiminy Peak offers lessons to those who want the training and also rents equipment to those who sign up for it.
Arjan Sarang, a junior at Shenendehowa, has been doing Ski Club since eighth grade. He said, “I think Ski Club is fairly priced, and [is] a fun, relaxing club I can enjoy with friends while skiing or hanging out in the lodge.”
Shannon Ryan, another junior at Shenendehowa said she was very excited to start Ski Club. She also said, “I think the transportation is convenient to have for the students because otherwise many students wouldn’t have a way of going during the week.”
Ski Club has continued to be a popular club at Shen and allows students to experience a fun outdoor activity during the cold winter months.
