Penn High School will graduate 868 students on Friday, June 7, at Purcell Pavilion on the University of Notre Dame campus.

The Class of 2019 Senior Recognition Night ceremony was held last night (Tuesday, May 14) in the CPA. It’s a time to recognize the academic success that members of the Senior Class has achieved recognizing them for awards and honors that they’ve earned for graduation.

This year’s graduating class seniors have earned just over $11 million in scholarships!

Awards conferred at last night’s Senior Recognition included academic excellence, leadership, service to school and community, citizenship, attendance, athletic accomplishments and a whole host of other accomplishments. Click here to see the full listing of Senior Awards and Commencement Recognitions of the graduating Class of 2019.

“The honors being bestowed upon our students this evening are all certainly well-deserved and each represents a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment on the part of our students, and also the Penn faculty,” said Penn Principal Sean Galiher. “Our success is only measured by our student’s success.”

The Penn High School Principal’s Academic Excellence Award was presented to eight seniors based upon academic excellence and overall achievement: Katherine Adams, Brittney Day, Chloe Dobay, Kathryn Iapalucci, Kayla Neal, Justin Schneider, Zachary Simon, and Erik Wilcox.

The Principal’s Leadership Award is presented annually to students who contribute their talent, time, energy, and motivation to the leadership of Penn’s student body. Siddharth Das and Jenna Marshall were honored for helping to make a difference in the culture of Penn on behalf of their classmates. Principal Galiher noted that the work and dedication of Siddharth and Jenna went above and beyond that of any normal Penn student leader.

The Principal’s Citizenship and Service Award was presented to eight Penn High School students who have selflessly donated many hours to make sure that Penn High School is well represented in whatever service project they’re involved in. Principal Galiher said of these students, “Simply put, they make good things happen at Penn!” The winners of the 2019 Principal’s Citizenship and Service Award were: Madison Bansback, Olivia Coughlin, Sophia Davidson, Mia Farias, Caden Paquette, Matthew Pruitt, Brittany Stahl, and Tessa Ziwawo.

The Class of 2019 boasts 18 valedictorians and three salutatorians. This year’s valedictorians have an average GPA of 4.38 on a scale of 4.0!

The valedictorians and salutatorians will also be honored at Commencement on June 7. The Class of 2019’s 18 valedictorians include: Ammaar Basher, Amy Bernard, Ella Boardley, Charlotte Chang, Xi (Chelsea) Chen, Siddharth Das, Lucas Jerzak, Aidan Kaczanowski, Hasaan Kazi, Shurun Kim, Sabrina Kurian, Tingyi Lu, Abigail Meckstroth, Zainab Nasser, Sophia Patel, Justin Ralston, Alvin Wang, and Corey Wang.

The salutatorians are McKenna Hillsdon-Smith, Christian Marshall, and Zachary Simon. Their average GPA is 4.29 on a scale of 4.0!

This year eight Penn High School students designated as National Merit Semi-Finalists based upon their high PSAT scores have been named National Merit Finalists. These students advanced to Finalist standing in the Merit Scholarship competition of 2019 by demonstrating, through distinguished performance, high potential for future academic accomplishment. They are now eligible for one of the 8,000 scholarships to be awarded this spring. Penn’s 2019 National Merit Finalists are: Amy Bernard, Xi (Chelsea) Chen, Aidan Kaczanowski, Brandon King, Tingyi Lu, Corey Wang, Eric Wood, and Tinale Zhang.

The following National Merit Fianlists also received a scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation: Aidan Kaczanowski, Brandon King, Corey Wang, Eric Wood, and Tinale Zhang. 

Ten students received recognition from the College Board and were awarded National Merit Commended Scholar status: Ammaar Basher, Ella Boardley, Michael Cha, Micah Focht, Noah Reynolds, Ioannis Samoilis, Carly Scopel, Jacqueline Sekan, Zachary Simon, and Alvin Wang.

Penn also has one student who was named a 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars Competition Valedictorian Tingyi Lu was chosen from a pool of the nation’s nearly 3.6 million graduating high school seniors.

Another valedictorian Corey Wang was also selected as a 2019 Indiana Academic All-Star. Each Indiana high school can nominate one senior for this prestigious award. Of the 90 regional winners chosen by a selection committee, 40 of these students, including Corey, have been selected and honored as an Indiana Academic All-Star. Awards were presented to the students and an influential educator of their choice at a luncheon ceremony held in April in Indianapolis. Corey chose his Calculus Math teacher Mrs. Valerie Ong to be recognized with him.

Abigail Meckstroth and Emily Morales Liddiard are being awarded the Community Foundation of Saint Joseph County Eli Lilly Endowment Scholarship based on their high academic merits and test scores. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, required books, and equipment for four years of undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any accredited Indiana public or private college or university. Abigail plans to attend The University of Notre Dame in the fall and Emily plans to attend Purdue University.

Every year scholarships are also awarded for the Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Thacker Scholarship and the Larry Beehler Scholarship. Dr. Jerry Thacker is Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation and Mr. Larry Beehler is a longtime member of P-H-M’s Board of School Trustees. It was announced last night that Olivia Coughlin was the recipient of the Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Thacker Scholarship and Zachary Parcell was the recipient of the Larry Beehler Scholarship. 

Every year since 1967, Penn’s faculty vote to recognize an outstanding member of the graduating class based on service, character and leadership; the student must also, at the end of seventh semester, be in the top 10% of their graduating class. The senior selected is awarded the Paul H. Schmucker Award in memory of the distinguished member of Penn High School faculty from 1960-1967. This year’s recipient is Caden Paquette.

Each year, the graduating class also nominates a classmate who best exemplifies the qualities of service to his/her school community, school spirit, respect for classmates and Penn High School for the Kingsman of the Year Award. A tradition since 1970, the recipient is recognized for his/her leadership and willingness to accept challenge and is a great honor and show of respect from the recipients fellow classmates. The Class of 2019 Kingsman of the Year Award winner is Corey Wang.

Other Award Winners from the evening included:

Click here to download and print the full list of the Senior Awards and Commencement Recognitions of the graduating Class of 2019.

The P-H-M Education Foundation Silver Mile Bubble Bash was held Saturday, May 4 and it was a huge success!

• $80,000+ was raised to support #PHMExcellence in all 15 of our schools
  • $22,000+ was raised by schools coin collection
  • $18,000+ raised in Silent Auction
• 1,500 community members attended
• 591 runners/walkers participated in the 2019 Silver Mile Bubble Bash
• Bittersweet Elementary School had the most overall participation in the event and won a prize valued at $2,500 of either the gaga ball pit or the 9 disc golf set
• Horizon Elementary had the most students participate in the Bubble Bash run/walk and also won a prize valued at $2,500 of either the gaga ball pit or the 9 disc golf set

  • Northpoint Elemenary came in 2^nd for participation and won $1,000

  • Meadow’s Edge Elementary came in 3^rd and won $500

Penn hosted its first ever Unified Track and Field Meet yesterday (Wednesday, May 8). Exceptional Education student-athletes and their partners from both Penn and Elkhart Central High School competed in various competitions such as long jump, shot put and track races.

The clouds and rain cleared out giving way to warm weather and sunny skies for the after school event hosted at Penn’s TCU Freed Field. Click here to see the full photo gallery on Penn’s website.

It was also a special night of recognition for these three seniors:

• Erin Darr
• Hunter Hines
• Andre Northern

P-H-M’s amazing Exceptional Education staff and teachers were also honored for their contributions to the “Triangle of Success.” P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, Penn Principal Sean Galiher, Exceptional Education Director Gena Todd, Ex Ed Program Supervisor (Middle School) Rebecca Allen, Penn Athletic Director Jeff Hart, and Penn Asst. Principal Josiah Parker were on hand to say “Thank you!”

Many of Penn student-athletes from various Varsity teams came out to volunteer for the event as time keepers, measuring jumps and throws, etc.

Unified Track and Field is the newest Indiana High School Athletic Association sport in the Champions Together format. It is partnered with Special Olympics. Unified Track and Field pairs student-athletes with intellectual disabilities with partners without disabilities giving the student-athletes the opportunity to compete for a varsity sport. This is the first year for Penn’s Unified Track Team. Penn’s team this year had eight athletes and 14 partners. Click learn more. 

So far Penn’s Team has competed in three meets:  April 24 at Elkhart Memorial, May 3 at Goshen, and May 8 at Penn. The Kingsmen team will also participate in the IHSAA State Tournament, starting with the Sectional on Saturday, May 18, in Griffin at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Penn teacher Bennett Blazo is the head coach of Penn’s Unified Track Team. Pam Walters, Karen Tagliaferri, Noah Lipsky and Francisco Cardoza are assistant coaches.

Penn High School will hold its 2019 Commencement ceremonies on Friday, June 7, at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Parents and guests are to enter through the south main entrance of the Purcell Pavilion between Gates 8 and 10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Handicapped facilities are available throughout the Joyce Center.

Tickets are not required.

Click here for the Graduation and Senior Recognition night information.

The doors for graduating seniors to enter Purcell Pavilion will be open at 4:30 p.m. Seniors are to enter at Gate 10 and report to the field house at the Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center no later than 4:45 p.m.!

Students will be able to pick up their diplomas beginning Wednesday, June 19, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Pick-up will be outside the Main Office inside Door A.

HR Imaging Partners will be positioned to take individual pictures of seniors with their diplomas. Every student will be photographed and all photographs will be available for purchase on a protected website. The website is http://shop.hrimaging.com; select the orange tab, which is ‘order prints from special events’.

NO ONE EXCEPT SCHOOL & P-H-M PERSONNEL WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE ARENA FLOOR TO TAKE PICTURES!

Senior Recognition Program will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, in the Penn High School Center for the Performing Arts by invitation only.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $175,000 to replace nine older diesel school buses in Indiana. P-H-M was the only school district in our area, and only one of three in Indiana, selected to receive DERA rebates in Indiana!

The other Indiana districts were North Daviess Community Schools (in SW Indiana) and School City of East Chicago.

The funds are going to school bus fleets, each of which will receive rebates through EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The new buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.  

Applicants replacing buses with engine model years of 2006 and older will receive rebates between $15,000 and $20,000 per bus, depending on the size of the bus. Regional, state or tribal agencies including school districts and municipalities, or private entities that operate school buses under contract with state, tribal or local agencies were eligible to apply.

Nationwide, EPA recently awarded more than $9.3 million to replace 473 older diesel school buses. The funds are going to 145 school bus fleets in 43 states or territories. Bus replacements funded through the rebate program reduce emissions and exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen oxides for children at schools, bus stops, and on the buses themselves. 

Click to learn more about this EPA program.

Penn High School was ranked 13th in Indiana—the only Top #20 high school in the Michiana area—in US News & World Report’s 2019 U.S. News Best High Schools listing. 

Penn’s other points of distinction noted by the prestigious national magazine ranking, students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement course work and exams. The AP participation rate at Penn High School is 47 percent.

With the release of the Spring 2018 ISTEP+ results, overall Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation ranks in the state’s Top 5% of public school districts for grade 10 ISTEP+ scores. And Penn High School ranks in the Top 5% of all Indiana public high schools. Click to read more about Penn’s Performance Report from the Indiana Department of Education.

Indiana high school students typically follow the Core 40 curriculum, which includes required classes in English Language Arts, math, Social Studies and Science, among others. Students who fulfill additional requirements can earn a diploma with academic or technical honors. At Penn High School, more than 85% of students graduate with High Honors, Academic Honors or Technical Honors. Learn more about the Core 40 Curriculum on the Indiana Department of Education website.

The Academies at Penn High School provide the framework for student success. Through their work in each academy, students find relevant and meaningful coursework taught in a supportive environment where each student is known well by his teachers and peers. Through these “smaller learning communities,” students build relationships while engaged in relevant learning experiences.

Penn’s Early College Academy has received an endorsement as an Early College High School by The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning. As an endorsed Early College High School by the CELL, Penn’s Early College Academy is regarded as an exemplar for other high schools across Indiana implementing an Early College program.

Penn is a Four Star School earning the Project Lead the Way Distinguished School distinction in 2017-18 (for the 2016-17 school year), and the STEM Academy has been certified as a Full STEM Certified Program by the Indiana Department of Education. 

Click to see the full list and find out more how US News & World Report ranks the Best High Schools. 

Click to watch Class of 2018 student profiles from each of Penn’s seven academies (video profiles about the Class of 2019 graduates will soon be added. Commencement will be held June 7 at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion).

There was a break in the rain on Wednesday (May 1) for the 11^th annual “Running is Elementary.” The course was mostly dry, but the 4^th and 5^th grade runners did get a little muddy!

Click to watch the YouTube video below & then click here to see the full photo gallery on our Facebook page.

The one mile run is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. Approximately 610 students participated in Wednesday’s race. Many more students participated in the 6-week training leading up to the race, but could not participate in the rain day event held on May 1; originally the race was scheduled for Monday, April 29, but had to be rescheduled due to rain.

This annual event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary one mile race. The students are cheered on by their families, principals, teachers and running coaches; it’s amazing to see the dedication and hard work the students put in to complete the race. 

Cindy Batalis (P-H-M’s 2009 Teacher of the Year and physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) began the yearly tradition of Running Is Elementary back in 2008. Batalis’ own love for running and her desire to pass that love on to students is evident in the passion she puts into the Running is Elementary event each year. 

The top times for the 2019 Running Is Elementary Race were as follows:

5^th grade Girls Winner

BIB# 485
Northpoint
Time: 6:42

5th grade Boys Winner

BIB# 431
Moran
Time: 6:11 

4^th grade Girls Winner

BIB# 522
Northpoint
Time: 7:21
 

4^th grade Boys Winner

BIB# 163
Elsie Rogers
Time: 6:15

“Running Buddies” accompany those students who may need a little extra assistance and/or encouragement. All runners are to be congratulated for their efforts and hard work!

A big thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation and Corporations for Education for sponsoring the event! After Race Snack Donations were donated by Urban Swirl.

For 70 years May has been the National Mental Health Month. Since 1949, Mental Health America and affiliates reach millions to spread the word that May is National Mental Health Month and mental health is something everyone should care about. A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic physical conditions like heart disease. It can also help people recover from these conditions. 

Mental illnesses are real, and recovery is always the goal. Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. Finding the balance between work and play and the ups and downs of life can help you on the path towards focusing both the mind and body.

KEY MESSAGES FROM MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA:

• Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being.

• Mental illnesses are common and treatable.

• A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also help people recover from these conditions.

• For those dealing with a chronic health condition and the people who care for them, it can be especially important to focus on mental health.

• Humor, spirituality, recreation, animal companionship, and work-life balance are important for everyone, but may be of special importance to people also living with chronic health conditions and those who care for them.

• Finding a reason to laugh, going for a walk, meditating or playing with a pet can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy.

• Sometimes life is far from funny, but finding humor in a situation can lift moods with laughter and help people to better deal with and overcome difficult experiences.

• Whether you go to church, meditate daily, or simply find time to enjoy that cup of tea each morning while checking in, it can be important to connect with your spiritual side in order to find that mind and body connection.

• Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes.

• Finding the balance between work and play, the ups and downs of life, physical health and mental health, can help you on the path towards focusing both mind and body.

For more information on May is Mental Health Month, click here to visit MHA’s website.

Now Wed., May 1

3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

behind Elm Road Elementary School 

59400 Elm Road, Mishawaka
 

“Running is Elementary” is gearing up for another great year! This is the 11th year for the one mile, non-competitive run which will feature the participation of almost 700 fourth and fifth grade students from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools. This event is FREE to students and takes place on the Penn cross-country course located behind Elm Road Elementary School.

Each school year fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to join the running club at each of P-H-M’s elementary schools. The kids go through this six-week club trained by designated coaches at each school. The end of the six weeks is then celebrated by participating in the Running is Elementary run.

Click to download the RIE forms to sign your student(s) to participate. 

Mary Frank physical education teacher and P-H-M’s 2009 Teacher of the Year Cindy Batalis began this event in 2008. Running has always been a true passion for Batalis and she shares that passion with students by organizing this yearly event.

The event is hosted by the P-H-M Education Foundation and Corporations for Education.

The P-H-M Education Foundation announced its Fall Grant Cycle recipients. A total of $18,510 was disbursed to P-H-M staff. See the complete list is below.

Monies raised from PHMEF events like the Silver Mile Bubble Bash Run for Education make these grants possible. Since the Foundation’s inception in 1996, more than $1 million have been distributed in innovative teaching grants supporting P-H-M teachers, staff, and students. 

The Grants Committee is comprised of Foundation board members, community representatives, and a P-H-M administrator who evaluate each grant application. 

EZ Form grant winners of $250 or less:

1. Work Experience Program
   Penn High School – John Mott
   Awarded: $228.89
   Implementing works skills for Exceptional Education students
    
2. Oh Rats! On the Cutting Edge with Rat Dissection
   Penn High School  – Shellie Harshberger​
   Awarded: $195
   Rat dissection kit for freshman biology
    
3. Integrating Sensory Tools to Increase Student Success
   Mary Frank Elementary – Jill Coffman
   Awarded: $90
   Fidget devices and noise canceling headphones
    
4. Snap Circuits for 5th Grade Soft Start Morning Work
   Elsie Rogers Elementary – Rachael Givens
   Awarded: $151.95
   Snap Circuits kits for intro to circuitry and electrics
    
5. Solar Power For a Better Tomorrow
   Penn High School – Jonathan Lockwood
   Awarded: $250
   Solar panels will be used for environmental impact studies
    
6. Science Standard Resource to Support Differentiation with Instruction
   Discovery Middle School – Shelia Toth
   Awarded: $250
   Resource science books to support differentiated instruction
    
7. Shut the Box Algebraic Thinking Games
   Elsie Rogers Elementary – Carlye Ponsler
   Awarded: $178.68
   Easy to learn, algebraic thinking game for kids and adults
    
8. Creation Station
   Horizon Elementary – Dorene Pond
   Awarded: $239.12
   Art station to help students work through their emotions & refocus on learning​
    
9. SALC-IHSAA Student Leadership Conference
   Penn High School – Jeff Hart/Curt Rallo
   Awarded $250
   Cover registration fees for the student leadership conference
    
10. Horizon Elementary Omnikin Ball Unit
    Horizon Elementary – Danielle Snoeyink
    Awarded $244.99
    Multicolored ball allows for students to play different games outside of traditional ball games
     
11. Chatterboxes
    Mary Frank Elementary – Lindsay Helman​
    Awarded $250
    Boxes allow students to record their voices and reduce background noise
     
12. Building Strong, Unique Young Women Through Art
    Schmucker Middle – Mary Goldthrite-DeKever
    Awarded $237
    Materials for girls to participate in art-based activities that focuses on self-awareness
     
13. Lunch, Munch, Board Games & Doodle With My Bunch
    Schmucker Middle – Mary Goldthrite-DeKeverz
    Awarded $247.48
    Provides games during lunch time
     
14. Guided Math Resources: Learning Wrap-Ups and Puzzle/Game Books
    Elsie Rogers Elementary – Hollie Truckowski
    Awarded $73.91
    Learning tool that utilizes visual and tactical learning senses
     
15. Nonfiction Flashlight Friday
    Elsie Rogers Elementary – Hollie Truckowski
    Awarded $194.99
    Nonfiction books that students can use flashlight behind page to reveal what is hidden in and around different places
     
16. Solar Cooking
    Elsie Rogers Elementary – Diana Mendelsohn
    Awarded $250
    Solar oven fun and unique way to cook food

Full Funding/Traditional Form Grants approved for $250 or more:

1. LAMP Words For Life 
   Horizon Elementary– Mandy Stanifer
   Received $599.98
   LAMP Words for Life is an app program that is a voice output communication aid that allows nonverbal students with autism and/or other disabilities to increase communication skills.
    
2. Hike Through History
   Bittersweet Elementary – Patricia Heidkamp
   Received $938.72
   Hike Through History is for students to have access to materials that will provide them the information to act as a co-creator of a 45-foot timeline poster showing impactful people, landmarks, and historical events.
    
3. Hands Free in PE
   Walt Disney Elementary – Tom Stanton
   Received $558
   Wireless headset microphone to better communicate with students, enable teachers to model technique and interact with students through instructions, and to preserve the vocal health of teachers.
    
4. Concert Lighting for Visual Performance Unit
   Grissom Middle – Heather Baker
   Received $987.25
   Stand lights would be utilized in different capacities to provide a visual component for the audience.
    
5. Maslow Before Bloom SEL Library
   Mary Frank Elementary – Lindsay Helman
   Received $795.36
   Books that cover numerous topics on social emotional learning to help students learn to accept strong emotions and cope effectively.  
    
6. Getting Better, Together
   Penn High School – John Gensic, Jennie Mitchell, Danielle Black
   Received $1,100
   Video reflection software will improve student and teacher classroom speech, practice, dialogue, and engagement via specific timed asynchronous video peer feedback.
    
7. Metal Working to Make Visions Become Reality
   Penn High School – Scott Shelhart
   Received $2,500
   Welding machine to be used for a new after school club – the Kingsmen Metal Society – that will provide exploration and learning opportunities to people that would not otherwise be able to access the metalwork area. This is the first step to working toward involving the Arts in the shop areas, with the option of adding a metal sculpture class.
    
8. It’s All About the Bass … No Treble
   Elsie Rogers Elementary – Erin Elliott
   Received $1,439.69
   This will provide a bass xylophone to the school. With proper care, this instrument can last decades. Adding the instrument will provide more opportunities for students during playing time to practice their music skills.​
    
9. Circuits in 132
   Penn High School – Kylee Wetzel
   Received $326.99
   The circuit machine is a smart machine that can use a computer to design their item they are going to cut. The machine will be used by Penn’s Child Development and Education Professions classes.
    
10. All The Feels: Sensory Word Work
    Walt Disney Elementary – Trisha Leddy
    Received $932
    Sensory word work will enable students to improve their phonemic awareness, sensory development, and social emotional growth.  A container will be filled with a variety of materials to let children explore and manipulate letter, words, and sounds. It will also help children develop fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and language skills. 
     
11. Leaping Forward with VEX Robotics
    Penn High School – Jim Langfeldt
    Received $5,000
    Starting in 2004, VEX Robotics Platform has been the backbone of mostly all applied pre-engineering projects in the STEM academy. This will provide updated materials allowing students to design, build, program, and test autonomous vehicles.

Click to see the Fall 2018 Grant Recipients.