Penn Unified Track and Field turned in a record-setting performance to capture the State Championship on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Photo Galleries from the meet and the community celebration are posted below.

The Kingsmen scored 129 points to claim the state crown, surpassing the previous state-championship record of 126 set by Valparaiso in 2021.

State Championship heat winners wearing the gold-and-black included Elia DeSelm (400-meter dash), Ethan Holmes and Hope Roberson (long jump), Cohen Schiff and Anden Carmichael (shot put), the boys 4×100 relay (Cash Caloni, Chase Weaver, Anden Carmichael, Aidan Gigante), and the girls 4×100 relay (Logan Edwards, Payten Blatz, Alina Blackwell, Caitlyn Gaynor).

Top 5 Teams: 1. Penn 129, 2. Elkhart 121, 3. Lafayette Jefferson 102, 4. Fishers 99, 5. Kokomo 88.

Results: https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025-26%20UTr%20State%20Results.pdf

[rl_gallery id=”70558″]

[rl_gallery id=”70623″]

Penn High School extends its best wishes to our students and their families for a safe Summer as the 2025-2026 draws to a close.

Thank you for all of your contributions to the excellence of Penn High School.

A photo gallery of students leaving on the final school day of the 2025-2026 school year is posted below.

[Show slideshow]

Penn High School’s talented vocal musicians, under the direction of Andrew Nemeth, will take the stage for the Viva Voce Jazz Cafe on Thursday, May 28, at 7 p.m. in the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts. The evening promises a unique concert experience featuring jazz-style performances in a relaxed cafe atmosphere.

TICKETS

A Photo Gallery of rehearsal is posted below.

Viva Voce, which translates from Italian as “live voice,” is one of Penn’s premiere vocal ensembles. The group is known for its advanced musicianship and polished harmonies. The Jazz Cafe format gives audience members the opportunity to enjoy the music in a more intimate setting.

Penn’s performing arts programs continue to be among the school’s signature strengths, regularly showcasing student talent through concerts, musicals, and special performances throughout the year.

[Show slideshow]

Penn High School students enjoyed a “Royal Evening of Bloom’ at the 2026 Prom on Saturday, May 16, at the Century Center in South Bend.

Marie Roach was named Prom Queen, and Tobias Prince was named Prom King.

Grace Kazmierzak sang the Senior Serenade for the Prom King and Queen.  

The Bluewater Kings Band will perform live with a 9-piece band, and there was also a D.J. providing entertainment.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ... 6 ►

Penn High School Dance students will showcase their talents at the 2026 Dance Classic on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22.

Tickets

Performances are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. each night at the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts at Penn High School.

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ►

Penn High School Director of Choirs Andrew Nemeth has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2027 Grammy Museum Music Educator Award.

The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college and public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. A joint partnership and presentation of the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. 

Nemeth, who is also the Fine Arts and Communications Academy Leader at Penn and directs Gold Standard and Viva Voce, completed his B.M. degree in Music Education from Butler University (2010). He studied voice with Steven Rickards and Mary Anne Scott, and studied conducting with Henry Leck, Eric Stark, and Tim Brimmer. He earned his M.M. degree in Music Education from Boston University in 2016 where he studied conducting with Ann Howard Jones.

Each year, one recipient of the Grammy Museum Music Educator Award is selected from 10 finalists and recognized for their remarkable impact on students’ lives. The 13th annual honoree will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 69th Annual GRAMMY Awards and a range of GRAMMY Week events. The nine additional finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. Fifteen semi-finalists will receive a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.

A total of 203 music teachers from 179 cities, and 37 states have been announced as quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. In total, over 2,100 initial nominations were submitted. In addition to the quarterfinalists, 187 legacy applicants from 2026 will also be eligible to win the award this year.

Penn’s Symphonic Winds and Symphonic Orchestra both qualified for State Finals, which will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Indianapolis area high schools.

• The Symphonic Orchestra performs at 10:30 a.m. at Pike High School.
• Symphonic Winds performs at 6:55 p.m. at Lawrence Central High School.

Penn’s choir competed in regional competition and earned the exclusive “Gold Rating with Distinction”.

The State Finals appearances highlight an outstanding school year for Penn Music.

Between the wildly successful Spring Musical, performances in Philadelphia and Tennessee, December’s Mark Wood symphonic experience, many seniors earning Music Scholarship money for next year, and our Finalist appearances in Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and Orchestra, this is a banner year for Penn Music with a lot to celebrate.

Penn Music Thanks all who have contributed to foster strong music programs in our community.

#PHMExcellence