Author: Brian Wallace

Brian is the Community Relations Coordinator for Penn Manor School District.

Manor FFA honors members and supporters at 2023 banquet

by Brian Wallace

The Manor FFA chapter at Penn Manor High School honored several of its members and community supporters during its annual banquet, held March 23 at the high school.

Pennsylvania FFA vice president Benjamin Torrey attended the event, along with McKenna Clifton, National FFA Southern Region vice president.

The following awards were announced:

Star Greenhand awards went to Ethan Todd (agriscience), Emily Railing (agribusiness), Weston Shertzer (production), and Ryan Brenneman (placement).

A Star Chapter Award was presented to Lincoln Stewart (production).

Upperclassmen Leadership Awards went to Chloe Perry (Dekalb Award, Birchler Award, Outstanding Interview); Brandon McMichael (Lockhart Award, Most Improved Senior); Timothy Frey (Lockhart Award); Vita Failla (Humanitarian Award, Outstanding Volunteer); Elisabeth Strickler (Advocate of Agriculture Award); Katie Moyer (Outstanding Contributor); and Kenzi Nafziger (Charles Award).

Proficiency Awards went to Leah Hess (specialty crop production), Olivia Malpica (goat production), Carly Railing (dairy production), Jenna Smith (diversified livestock production), Molly Gehr (sheep production), and Elisabeth Strickler (small animal production).

Underclassmen Leadership Awards were presented to Emily Railing, Landon Hess, Chase Vinson, Sarah Souhrada, and Nathaniel Frey (Emerging Leaders), and Bethany Kramer (Bachman Sports Leadership Award).

A Scholarship Recipient Award went to Chloe Perry (career in agricultural sciences and highest GPA in the chapter).

SAE Grant Recipients were Kayla Wasche, Madison Martin, Delvin Kneisley, Jeanette Kneisley, Kendall Hohenwater, Vita Failla, Jenna Smith, Gershom Magutu, and Samantha Brunner.

Highest Fruit Seller Awards were presented to Trinity Mowery (high school), Connor Funk (Marticville Middle School) and Katlyn Charles (Manor Middle School). 

The Outstanding Recordkeeping award went toEmily Railing.

Chapter Ag Mechanics Competition awards went to (Upper Track) Keith French (1st place), Collin Harnish (2nd) and Layne Perry (3rd); (Lower Track) Ryan Brenneman (1st), Nathaniel Frey (2nd), and Delvin Kneisley (3rd).

The Blue & Gold Award was presented to Seth and Tiffanie Perry.

Honorary Chapter Degree recipients were Alan and Kathleen Railing, Jay and Amanda Kneisley, Mara Tate, Mary Wurzbach, and Steve Harnish.

At the close of the banquet, Manor FFA officers for 2023-2024 were installed. They are Jeanette Kneisley (president), Jenna Smith (vice president), Carly Railing (executive vice president), Olivia Malpica (advisor), Layne Perry and Nathaniel Frey (treasurers), Bethany Kramer and Sarah Souhrada (secretaries), Molly Gehr (reporter), Chase Vinson (chaplain), Emily Railing (sentinel), and Madison Martin (historian).

  • Photo of Star Greenhand Award winners Ethan Todd, Emily Railing, Weston Shertzer and Ryan Brenneman.
    Star Greenhand Award winners, from left, Ethan Todd, Emily Railing, Weston Shertzer and Ryan Brenneman.

Mrs. Ciemiewicz named LLMEA Music Teacher of the Year

by Brian Wallace

Congratulations to Lauren Ciemiewicz, Penn Manor High School choral director and music teacher, for being named Teacher of the Year by the Lancaster-Lebanon Music Educators Association.

Lauren was nominated by an LLMEA member and selected for this honor by the entire association, which includes Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, at its April 18 banquet.

“We congratulate Lauren on being named Teacher of the Year. Her unwavering dedication to her craft and students is truly remarkable,” said Baron Jones, Penn Manor High School principal.

In addition to teaching piano and guitar classes, Mrs. Ciemiewicz directs the Penn Manor Chorus, Manor Singers and Vocal Jazz Ensemble. She is now in her 12th year at Penn Manor.

“I am so honored to have received this award,” she said. “I’m extremely blessed that I get to make music with amazing students each and every day!”

Mrs. Ciemiewicz is currently attending the All-State Music Ensembles Festival in the Poconos with two of those students – Nicole Chen and Kaleb Kabakjian.

Many thanks to Mrs. Ciemiewicz, and congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

Penn Manor announces student services, principal changes

by Brian Wallace

   The Penn Manor school board has approved key administrative staff changes in the district office and at Penn Manor High School and Marticville Middle School.

High school principal Baron Jones will take over as principal at Marticville, replacing Chris Smith, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Doug Eby, currently an assistant principal at the high school, will become Penn Manor High School principal.

Dee Galen has been named director of student support services for Penn Manor School District, replacing Peggy Anastasio, who recently left the district. 

  All three appointments take effect July 1.

   Baron Jones has served as high school principal since 2019. He previously was principal of Conestoga Valley Middle School and was an assistant principal at Spring Grove Area High School.

  He also taught secondary social studies for the School District of Lancaster.

  Jones received his master’s degree in Educational Leadership/Principalship from Widener University’s Graduate School of Education and his teacher certification from Millersville University in 2005.

   He lives in Millersville with his wife, Georgia, and their sons, Brayden and Quinten, who attend Penn Manor schools.

   “The prospect of leading Marticville Middle School as its new principal is both humbling and exhilarating,” Jones said. “I am looking forward to working with everyone involved to create a dynamic, nurturing, and successful learning environment.

   Doug Eby has been an assistant principal at Penn Manor High School since 2009. He previously was a middle school social studies teacher in Penn Manor.

   He received his master’s degree in Leadership for Teaching and Learning and his principal’s certificate from Millersville University. He also received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from MU.

  Eby and his wife, Jen, live in Landisville with their four sons, Conor, Brayden, Chase and Hudson.

  “I am beyond excited for this new opportunity to serve the Penn Manor community,” he said. “I appreciate Penn Manor’s dedication to building relationships with students and the community and will continue to provide opportunities for our students that will prepare them for life after high school.” 

  Dee Galen is currently director of special education for Hempfield School District, a position she has held since 2010. She previously was coordinator of elementary special education and a learning support teacher at Hempfield.

  Galen has a master’s degree in education from Millersville University and earned her special education supervisory certificate from MU in 2011. She also earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Millersville University.

  She lives in Lancaster with her two children, Parker and Trevor.

   “I am so excited to be joining the Penn Manor School District team,” Galen said. “Their commitment to building relationships with students, families, staff and the community was felt throughout my interview process.”

  Congratulations and best wishes to all three of these staff members.

Photo of Baron Jones
Baron Jones
Photo of Doug Eby
Doug Eby
Photo of Dee Galen
Dee Galen

Hundreds turn out for Dedication Weekend celebration

by Brian Wallace

Hundreds of community members, distinguished guests, Penn Manor staff and students turned out to celebrate Penn Manor High School during Dedication Weekend activities at the school.

The weekend kicked off with the districtwide art show on Thursday, April 13, followed by the recognition on Friday of Distinguished Penn Manor Alumni Elizabeth Maine Allen, (Class of 1974), William Myers Jr. (1976), Charlie Reisinger (1990), and Tiffany Harrington Harris (1991).

Myers, Reisinger and Harris spoke to 900 Penn Manor High School juniors and seniors about their time as Comets and their experiences since graduating. The alumni were later honored at a luncheon induction ceremony. (Allen was unable to attend.)

Saturday’s event was a free community festival featuring food trucks, “bounce house” rides and activities and displays by Penn Manor student groups.  Admission was free, and attendees could tour the high school and check out the art show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The dedication on Sunday featured tours of the high school before and after the 2 p.m. ceremony and an opportunity for guests to shop for Penn Manor swag at the newly opened school store. Among the invited guests was former Penn Manor superintendent Mike Leichliter, who helped initiate the high school project nearly seven years ago.

Student speakers were Abigail Ames and Suren Clark, and high school math teacher Doug Kramer also addressed the crowd. The Manor Singers closed the ceremony by singing the Penn Manor Alma Mater.

All in all, it was a truly memorable weekend that showed off our Comet Pride. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of our dedicated Penn Manor High School staff. Many thanks to all!


  • Photo of a young boy on a inflatable slide.

Penn Manor High School Dedication Weekend is April 14-16

by Brian Wallace

Please join us in celebrating the completion of the Penn Manor High School project during Dedication Weekend, April 14-16. The high school will host several events that weekend to thank the community for its patience and support during the project and to formally dedicate the school.

Activities will include:

Thursday, April 13, through Sunday, April 16 – An art show featuring work by student artists from all Penn Manor schools will be on display from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 13, and remain on display throughout the weekend. 

Friday, April 14 – Recognition of Distinguished Penn Manor Alumni Elizabeth Maine Allen, (Class of 1974), William Myers Jr. (1976), Charlie Reisinger (1990), and Tiffany Harrington Harris (1991).

The alumni will be honored at a luncheon in the high school Large Group Instruction room. Earlier in the day, they will talk with current Penn Manor students about their time at Penn Manor and their experiences since graduating.

Saturday, April 15 – Penn Manor Community Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the High School Auxiliary Gym, featuring food trucks, childrens’ games and activities and displays on Penn Manor student groups and activities. 

Admission is free, and attendees will be able to tour the high school during the event.

Sunday, April 16 – Penn Manor High School Dedication Ceremony at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The ceremony will feature student musicians, distinguished guests and tours of the high school from 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. The school store will be selling Penn Manor gear during the event.

Please join us in celebrating Penn Manor’s past and its bright future by attending any or all of these events!

Hambright becomes fourth PM school with a community garden

by Brian Wallace

Hambright Elementary School has added a community garden to its campus, joining three other Penn Manor schools that provide hands-on gardening education to students.

The project is a joint effort involving the Hambright staff, students and PTO members, The Edible Classroom, local businesses, and students and teachers at Penn Manor High School.

The garden provides a unique learning experience for students who will see the life cycle of crops and learn how crops are cared for. 

Every classroom at Hambright will participate in two lessons led by Edible Classroom instructors this spring. Hambright students and staff will be planting tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, along with some unusual crops, including dinosaur kale, dragon tongue beans, and jelly melon. 

The project began last year when Hambright PTO member Lauren Weaver met with Grace Julian, co-founder of The Edible Classroom, a nonprofit that provides gardening classes to students at area schools, including Conestoga, Central Manor and Eshleman Elementary.

A Hambright Garden Team was formed, and staff members and parents began soliciting donations and holding fundraisers, including a recent Bingo Night at Hambright.

Giant Foods donated $5,000 for materials, Kreider Mulch and Tudbinks Nursery donated topsoil and bales of potting soil, and Home Depot donated and erected a garden shed on the site. Warner Holdings Garage donated tires to serve as beds for growing herbs.

Penn Manor High School students in Mary Wurzbach’s Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics classes built the garden beds. A grant from the PA Department of Agriculture paid for a garden hose, trowels, trellis, magnifying glasses and other materials. 

Hambright held a school-wide “bucket brigade” day March 16, during which all students helped fill the garden beds with soil.

Students will document the progress of the garden on a school website, and many of the crops will be harvested before the end of the school year. At the next school family event on April 14, students will be painting signs to identify the crops.

“Every student and staff member at Hambright has had an impact on the creation of the garden this school year,” said Brad Showalter, a Hambright fourth-grade teacher who has helped lead the project. 

“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, this school is providing a unique educational experience that will be used for many years to come.”

  • Photo of students building garden beds
    High school students construct the garden beds.

Vaping Prevention & Awareness Night April 20 at Penn Manor HS

by Brian Wallace

Penn Manor will host a Vaping Prevention and Awareness Night at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the Penn Manor High School auditorium.

This free event is for all parents, guardians, grandparents, students, friends, and community members and will be presented by Stephanie Owsiany, Student Assistance Program Specialist with the Caron Foundation.

This one-hour presentation provides parents and caregivers of elementary, middle, and high school students with research-based information that can help reduce the chances that their teen will engage in substance use.

Penn Manor High School students will provide free child care for this event. If you need child care, please complete thos Google Form no later than April 14 so we can provide adequate child care coverage. 

If you have any questions regarding this event, please reach out to PMHS assistant principal Kim Marsh at 872-9520, ext 1807, or by email at kimberly.marsh@pennmanor.net.

22 Penn Manor HS students earn Scholastic and Young Artists awards

by Brian Wallace

The artwork of 22 talented Penn Manor High School students is on display in downtown Lancaster as part of the Scholastic Art Awards and the Lancaster County Young Artists Awards exhibitions.

The students won awards – including one national award – in one or both of the competitions, with several students earning multiple awards. In all, 44 pieces of their artwork, including photographs, paintings, and illustrations, were honored. 

You can view the students’ work through April 23 at the Lancaster Museum of Art, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster 17603 and online here.

Rylee Dean earned a national Scholastic Art Silver Award for her photograph, “Entranced,” along with regional Gold and Silver Key Awards. She also was named a Scholastics American Visions Nominee.

Evan Schlegel earned a Silver Key Award in digital photography and received the Echo Valley Choice Award, the PA Guild of Craftsmen Award and the Tolbert Photo Award.

Frances Rain received LCYA Gold and Silver Awards, along with two LCYA honorable mentions.

Grace Bresch and Alex Burkholder each earned LCYA Gold and honorable mention awards.

Skyler Janesky each earned an LCYA Gold award, along with a Scholastics honorable mention and two LCYA honorable mentions.

Devlyn Theurer received two LCYA Silver Awards and two LCYA honorable mentions.

Jason Joniec earned a LCYA Gold individual and portfolio awards.

Madeline Whited earned a Scholastics silver portfolio award and an LCYA honorable mention.

Brooklynn Ayala received LCYA Silver and honorable mention awards.

Natalie Doyle earned a Scholastics Silver Key award.

Tyler Hess earned an LCYA Gold award.

Jami Bachman earned LCYA Silver and honorable mention awards.

Aidan Karlow earned a Scholastics Silver Key award.

Sophie Burgess earned a Scholastics Gold Key award.

Nicole Foutz and Adessa Bradley each earned Scholastics honorable mentions.

Paige Kendig and Sophia Officer each earned two LCYA honorable mention awards.

Luisa Calero Molina and Miranda Martin earned LCYA honorable mentions.

Nhu Y Pham Dang received a Scholastics Silver portfolio award.

Congratulations to these students and their art teachers – Maggie Cantrell, Maria Anderson and Alexis Carson.

  • Photo collage of student artwork

Hambright Elementary named Watershed School of Excellence

by Brian Wallace

Hambright Elementary School has been named a 2023 Watershed School of Excellence by the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators for its efforts to teach students about the impact of watersheds on the environment.

Hambright was praised for “providing student-centered learning experiences that engage students through hands-on investigation of local environmental issues.”

Fourth-grade teachers Bradley Showalter and Katherine Harnish accepted the award on behalf of Hambright at a ceremony in March. Both teachers, along with Kelley Groff and Ay’Shia Gaston, completed watershed education training in 2021 under a partnership with Millersville University, Virginia Wesleyan University and Norfolk Collegiate School.

At Hambright, teachers incorporate lessons about watersheds – land areas that channel rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, rivers, and, eventually, to the ocean – in their classes.

Students learn how to identify a watershed and how water moves within these areas. They also study the Hambright campus and use a computer simulation to determine how surface changes would improve the watershed. Students also have conducted studies of water quality and aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Little Conestoga Creek at Maple Grove and Charlestown Parks to determine the health of local waterways.

Hambright also participates in the “Trout in the Classroom” program, in which students raise trout from eggs and release them to local waterways to reinforce the idea of environmental stewardship.

Mr. Showalters’ students painted the storm drains around the school to let people know that only rainwater should go down the drains.

In Ms. Harnish’s classes, students completed a water challenge, encouraging their peers to try to reduce water waste. By doing things like turning off the tap when brushing their teeth or taking a shorter shower, Hambright students pledged to save nearly 15,000 gallons of water for the week.

Ms. Groff’s classes also conducted a litter cleanup and analysis. They determined what litter was found most often on the school campus and created a public awareness campaign in the school to decrease littering.

The Hambright teachers were hailed by the PAEE as “passionate, determined, and innovative educators.”

Congratulations to these teachers, and to Hambright Elementary, on this award.

  • Photo of teachers Bradley Showalter and Katie Harnish holding the watershed award.
    Hambright teachers Bradley Showalter and Katie Harnish with the watershed award.

REAL Life brings financial literacy lessons to Penn Manor HS

by Brian Wallace

All Penn Manor 11th-graders learned real-world financial lessons on February 28 and March 1 when they participated in REAL Life, a financial literacy program sponsored by Junior Achievement of South Central PA.

Held in the high school gymnasium, REAL Life included exercises and games designed to help students understand how financial decisions will impact their lives during high school and into adulthood.

Students participated in a budgeting simulation called Budget Builder, in which they were assigned a unique life situation, including marital status, number of children (if any), education, employment, and income.

They had to determine how much of their income was available to them each month after taxes, and allocate their money as they completed their budget, led by an adult volunteer from the business world.

Another activity was “Is the Price Right?” In this competition, students worked in groups to try to guess the prices of common household items.

The 11th-graders also learned how to create their own personal “brand” and competed in REAL Life #Adulting, a Monopoly-style game in which they encountered financial challenges as they moved their game pieces around the board.

REAL Life also included a giant Jenga game activity in which teams answered questions about the “do’s” and “don’ts” of job interviewing to see which team could build the tallest tower.

These hands-on activities all were led by community volunteers.

“We are so grateful that our community aids us in providing great learning experiences for our students,” said Baron Jones, Penn Manor High School principal.  “The REAL Life event helps students better grasp how life after high school works.”

Penn Manor would like to thank the volunteers and Junior Achievement for making this event possible.

  • Photos of REAL Life activities in Penn Manor gym
    REAL Life Adulting game exercise

Deadline extended to March 10 for nominations for Outstanding Employees, Educators

by Brian Wallace

The deadline has been extended to March 10 for nominees for the 2022-2023 Outstanding Educator/Employee Awards.

If you know of a teacher or other staff member who goes out of his or her way to help students and support our schools, consider nominating her/him for an Outstanding Educator/Employee Award. Nominees will be accepted online only here. Use one form for each nominee.

The school district will present the 2022-2023 awards for Outstanding Elementary Educator, Outstanding Secondary Educator and Outstanding Employee later this year. Nominations can be submitted by parents/guardians, students and colleagues of Penn Manor staff members.

Please note that honorees from previous years are not eligible this year. Here is the list of past winners.

Here are an explanation of the awards and nomination guidelines.

The Outstanding Educator Awards should be based on a teacher’s ability to promote academic growth in his/her students and for outstanding pupil-teacher relationships.  A person may nominate one elementary teacher, one secondary teacher or one teacher on each level.  The nominee must currently be employed by Penn Manor School District.

Outstanding Employee Awards should be based on a staff member’s ability to support the educational program and the quality of his/her relationships with staff and students.  A person may nominate one elementary staff member, one secondary staff member or one employee on each level.  The nominee must currently be employed by Penn Manor.

Last year’s honorees were Chip Froelich, the school district’s delivery driver; Wendy Letavic, Penn Manor’s English Learning Development Specialist; and Jenna Fisher, former physical education teacher at Pequea Elementary, who is now an assistant principal at the high school.

Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge the hard work of our employees!

Penn Manor students named to All-State Chorus

by Brian Wallace

Two Penn Manor High School students, Kaleb Kabakjian and Nicole Chen, have qualified to perform in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s All-State Music Ensembles Festival.

Kaleb, a junior, qualified as a Bass 1, and Nicole, a senior, qualified as one of only two chorus accompanists in the entire state of Pennsylvania. They earned their All-State honors following auditions at the recent Region V Chorus Festival, at which they both performed.

This is the second All-State honor in a row for Nicole.

“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication that these students have put forward in preparation for this festival season,” said Lauren Ciemiewicz, Penn Manor High School choral director. 

“Nicole and Kaleb are both natural leaders in their school ensembles and are excellent musician role models for their peers.”

The All-State Chorus Festival will be held April 19-22 at the Kalahari Resort in the Poconos.

Congratulations to Kaleb, Nicole and Mrs. Ciemiewicz! 

Photo of Nicole Chen and Kaleb Kabakjian
Nicole Chen and Kaleb Kabakjian

Penn Manor approves 2023-2024 school calendar

by Brian Wallace

The Penn Manor Board of School Directors has approved the 2023-2024 school calendar. The opening day for staff is August 21, 2023, and the first day of school for students is August 28. The tentative last day of school for students is May 31, 2024. You can see a printable calendar here.

Image of 2023-2024 school district calendar

After 32 years, Central Manor bus driver hands the keys to her daughter

by Brian Wallace

When Rowe Kenneson retired recently after 32 years of driving a Central Manor Elementary School bus, a familiar face replaced her in the driver’s seat of Bus 223 — her daughter, Kimberly Swisher.

Rowe was honored February 17 for her service in transporting students, including her own daughter and son, over more than three decades at Central Manor. Students and staff presented her with cards and gifts.

On hand for the occasion was Kimberly and Rowe’s grandson, Emerson.

Rowe retired two days before Christmas, and her daughter began driving her route right after the holiday break.

Rowe said it didn’t require any convincing for Kimberly to take over. In fact, her daughter came up with the idea. Driving a bus “is a great part-time job for a parent,” she said.

“We are so happy for Rowe as she begins the next chapter in her life,” said Central Manor principal Brian Malek. “Rowe always looked out for her students on Bus 223.  When I heard her daughter was taking over her route, I kept thinking about how proud Rowe must have felt.”

Many thanks to Rowe for her many years of service, and welcome to the Penn Manor bus driver family for Kimberly!

  • Photo of former bus driver Rowe Kenneson and her daughter, Kimberly Swisher.
    Rowe Kenneson, left, and her daughter, Kimberly Swisher.

Commencement to be held May 31 at F&M for Class of 2023

by Brian Wallace

After a three-year hiatus, the Penn Manor High School commencement is returning to an indoor ceremony at the Alumni Sports and Fitness Center at Franklin & Marshall College. Commencement will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. Additional details will be shared at a later date.