Penn Awarded Nearly $30,000 in Education Foundation Grants

The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation (PHMEF) continues its mission of supporting excellence in education by awarding $73,715.48 in classroom innovation grants for the 2025-2026 school year, marking one of the largest funding years in foundation history! And Penn was fortunate to receive $28,206.97 in grant dollars!

Each year, PHMEF’s Annual Grant Cycle provides teachers across the district with opportunities to bring creative, hands-on learning projects to life, projects that go beyond traditional classroom resources. The grants are made possible through the generosity of community donors, local businesses, and district supporters.

During the first couple of weeks of December, PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom surprised grant recipients. Click here to see the full photo gallery.

Penn was awarded six traditional grants (more than $1,000) and 15 EZ grants (under $750) for a total of 21 grants. The descriptions are listed below:

1. Tania Bangtsson CPA Haze Machine
Braden McMillen • $1,449.98
Purchase of a professional-grade haze machine to enhance student learning and production quality. Facilitates a hands-on student experience (with staff guidance/oversight) for classroom learning and public performances. Allows for student interaction with stage lighting to create high-quality atmospheres to enhance production.

2. Kingsmen in Custom Shining Armor
Stephen Vincent, John Gensic • $1,713.08
Collaboration between Principles of Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics students to produce custom Kingsmen Armor (chainmail articles, shields, helmet, NO swords) that can be worn by student mascots. Additional production of chain nets for outdoor basketball hoops located east of the Educational Services Center. 

3. Graphing Finite Math for Infinite Human Flourishing
Angela Yarrell, John Gensic • $2,560.00
Funds to purchase new graphing calculators to allow students to focus on financial literacy and forecasting. Students can compare compound interest, annuities, mutual funds, stocks and more. Additionally, students will use calculators to model increased use of electricity in the region due to data centers and population growth. Grant allows for all students to have access to the same tools in classrooms. 

4. Wisdom Across Generations
John Gensic, Angela Yarrell, Corin Sailor, Sarah Dwigans, Danielle Black • $1,175.00
Purchase of 25 books, 5 of each author for 5 different classrooms. Allows for students who complete work early, to stay engaged and off digital devices. 

5. Shaping Future Minds
Scott Shelhart, John Gensic • $2,599.00
Purchase of a 3D Printer with laser engraving technology. Allows all students enrolled in
Manufacturing to have the same technological printing level experience as the Robotics
students while continuing to learn the importance of manufacturing through student projects.

6. Penn HS Digital and Legacy Recognition Wall
Josiah Parker • $10,000.00
Allows for the creation of a Digital Alumni Recognition Wall to preserve, celebrate and expand access to past/current student achievement. Will feature two touchscreen TVs to explore
digitized photos, trophies and historic memorabilia that are currently in storage due to limited display space. The Wall will highlight the prestigious Schmucker Award and Kingsmen Award as well as past honorees. The Wall will be created and maintained collaboratively by students in Computer Science, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Architecture, Yearbook and Photography classes.

7. Classroom Breakout Boxes
Stephanie Roy-Stover
Digital Escape Room
Awarded $657.00 

8. Portable Bocce Ball Courts
Keith Stork
Portable bocce ball courts for new Unified Sports team
Awarded $609.08

9. Chinese Culture and Literature Study
Ming Liu
Chinese Culture and Literature Books
Awarded $300.00 

10. Blooket Plus
Melissa Brazeau
Online Review Game for Spanish Classes/Club
Awarded $550.00 

11. Real-Time Heart Rate Monitoring in Cellular Respiration Labs
Zackary Lopez
Heart Rate Monitors for Biology Class
Awarded $350.00 

12. Go Penn Go!
Alex Dunfee
Penn Spirit Button Maker
Awarded $723.85 

13. Dishwashers for Biology Classrooms
Sarah Clark
Countertop Dishwashers for Biology Classrooms
Awarded $639.98

14. Illuminating Art – Sculptural Ceramic Lamp Design
Lacey Dilly
Ceramic Lamp Materials and Lighting Inserts for Sculpture II Class
Awarded $750.00

15. Jewelry Room Updates
Jessica Marsh
Mobile Jewelry Making Tools for Students
Awarded $750.00 

16. Bridging Language Barriers: Enhancing Communication Through AI Translation Technology
Sarah Hendricks and Wendy Pierce
Two Pairs AI Glasses to Aid in Language Translation for Parent Conferences 
Awarded $700.00

17. Dried for Good
John Gensic
Funds Kiln Drying Existing Materials (Wood) for Future Use in Construction Classes
Awarded $325.00 

18. Just Planed Wood
Evan White
Small Wood Planing Tool for Construction Class
Awarded $730.00 

19. Professional Audio/Video Recordings
Andrew Nemeth
Professional Audio/Video Recording Equipment
Awarded $750.00 

20. Daily Formative Assessment Materials
Ashlyn Graham
Individual Student White Boards
Awarded $205.00 

21. Modern Measures to Maximize Potential
John Gensic, Matt Cates
Biometric Impedance Analysis Tools
Awarded $670.00 

On behalf of the entire PHM Education Foundation Board I want you to know how deeply we believe in our teachers and staff,” said PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom. “Your dedication, and passion for making a positive impact are what make our schools truly exceptional. We are committed to funding your innovative ideas because you are the heart of excellence in PHM, and we are proud to support the remarkable work you do every day.”

For more on the P-H-M Education Foundation’s 2025-26 grant awards, click here.