Penn awards Valedictorian status to 17 students

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that 17 students have earned Valedictorian honors.

"I am very proud of the 2018 Penn High School Valedictorians,” Galiher said. “This accomplishment is a culmination of many years of hard work and persistence.  Each student is a shining example of the vision of excellence we have for our school and community. I am extremely proud of each student and know that they will continue to make a difference in the lives of others."

Penn’s Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018, at 7 p.m., at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion. Click here for graduation information.

NICHOLAS CASETTI

Parents: Jennifer Casetti and Alfredo Casetti.

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, studying Chemical Engineering.

Career plans: To be an Entrepreneur.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Debate, TEAMS, Tennis, National AP Scholar, Indiana Academic All-Star, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, Academic All-State.

MADELINE CULLISON

Parents: Dorothy Miller and Christopher Cullison.

Elementary School: Bittersweet.

Middle School: Schmucker.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish.

Career plans: Research.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Key Club, Dream Commission Society, Powder Puff Football, Kingsmen Court, Commended Scholar. 

MARGARET FINNESSY

Parents: Eve Finnessy and John Finnessy

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University, majoring in Biological Sciences.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Swim Team, Spell Bowl, Habitat for Humanity, Kingsmen Against Cancer, National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

KENDRA FUELLING

Parents: Dana Fuelling and Brad Fuelling.

Elementary School: Mary Frank.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Purdue University.

Career plans: To become a Veterinarian.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Marching Band (Section Leader in Pit), Orchestra.

KRISTINE HOCKER

Parents: Katherine Hocker and Kim Hocker

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend MIT to study Neuroscience and Philosophy.

Career plans: Neuroscientist.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Plays Viola in the Symphonic Orchestra, Freshmen Mentor, Kingsmen Tutor, National Merit Finalist, French Club, Key Club.

MORGAN JANKOWSKI

Parents: Juliann Jankowski and Craig Jankowski.

Elementary School: St. Pius X.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Indiana University, with a double major in Ballet and Business.

Career plans: To be a professional Ballet dancer.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Wells Scholar at Indiana University, National Merit Commended Scholar, DECA Business Club, French Club Vice-President, Dancer at Ballet in Chicago.

FEZAAN KAZI

Parents: Noreen Kazi and Amer Kazi.

Elementary School: Stanley Clark.

Middle School: Stanley Clark.

College plans: Attend Indiana University.

Career plans: To attend medical school and become a Neurosurgeon.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Science Academic Super Bowl Captain, Key Club, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Principal’s Honor Roll, Youth Leadership in South Bend.

VERONICA KIRGIOS

Parents: Claudia Polini and Hristos Kirgios.

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Mathematics, Political Science and Linguistics.

Career plans: To be a Political Science Statistical Researcher to aid in policy-making in the U.S. 

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: GSA, Kingsmen Court, Varsity Lacrosse Captain, March For Our Lives organizer, Commended National Merit Scholar, Indiana Outstanding High School Student of Spanish Award, Volunteer at LaCasa de Amistad.

SYBIL KURIAN

Parents: Shyla Kurian and Sabu Kurian.

Elementary School: St. Thomas.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Trine University, majoring in Exercise Science.

Career plans: To obtain a PhD in Physical Therapy and work at a Veterans Hospital.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Cross Country, Track, Student Council, Freshmen Mentor, Volunteer at Hospital.

KENDRA LAIDIG

Parents: Sheila Laidig and Scott Laidig.

Elementary School: Madison.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Butler University and double major in Health Care and Business, and Spanish, and Graduate in the Physician’s Assistants Program.

Career plans: Physician’s Assistant.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: DECA President, Track and Field, National Honor Society, Student-Athlete Leadership Council.

ERIN LUDWIG

Parents: Jennifer Ludwig and David Ludwig

Elementary School: Prairie Vista.

Middle School: Schmucker.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior.

Career plans: Life sciences.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Soccer (State Champions in 2016 and 2017, National Champions in 2017), Tennis, President of Handwritten Hearts, National Honor Society, Key Club, Freshmen Mentor, Kingsmen Tutor, winner of the C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Award presented by the Indiana High School Athletic Association.

BRYAN MAI

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Parents: Wendy Mai and David Mai

Elementary School: St. Pius X

Middle School: St. Pius X

College plans: Attend the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and major in Business Administration.

Career plans: Dentistry, with plans to own a practice.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: DECA Vice President, Tennis Captain, National Honor Society, Hospital Volunteer, Key Club.

CHRISTOPHER MAZUREK

Parents: Elizabeth Mazurek and Tadeusz Mazurek.

Elementary School: Elm Rd.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Band, Quiz Bowl, South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

MATTHEW RACH

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Parents: Marget Rach and Michael Rach.

Elementary School: Elm Road.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Purdue University to study Mechanical Engineering.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: National Honor Society, Swim Team, TEAMS member, Academic All-Star.

MAHEERA SIDDIQUE

Parents: Sadia Malik and Jamil Siddique.

Elementary Schools: Sunrise Academy and Mary Frank.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Indiana University, majoring in Political Science and Linguistics.

Career plans: To be a diplomat for the United States or a representative for the United Nations.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Key Club, Model United Nations, Dream Commission Society, Kingsmen Court, Freshmen Mentor.

MACKENZIE WOOD

Parents: Kiley Wood and Matt Wood.

Elementary Schools: Horizon and Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University to study Computer Engineering.

Career plans: Play professional soccer and represent our country on the U.S. National Team.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Attended U.S. Soccer Women’s National Training Camp in 2016 and 2018, attended U.S. Soccer id2 Camp in 2016, Team Captain for Penn Girls Soccer, attended All-American Game in 2017, Indiana Career Goalkeeper Shutout Record for IHSAA, National Honor Society, Soccer and Hospital Volunteer.

RENEE YASEEN

Parents: Raghda Hasna and Zuhair Yaseen.

Elementary Schools: Walt Disney and Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, studying International Economics and Arabic Language.

Career plans: To be a Lawyer.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Debate Team Captain, National Honor Society President, Model United Nations Executive, Choir, Jazz, Kingsmen Court, Natural Helpers, National Merit Scholarship Finalist.