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

Penn High School honored Class of 2026 Seniors who have committed to becoming health care professionals through their studies in Penn’s Project League the Way Biomedical Science program with a White Coat Ceremony.

A few photos from the ceremony are posted below. A complete Photo Gallery is available to download at phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2026.

Penn-Harris-Madison Supt. Dr. Heather Short, Penn Principal Rachel Fry and P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom joined PLTW instructor Kelsey Weaver at the White Coat Ceremony. 

This White Coat Ceremony is sponsored by the PHM Education Foundation, with the coats and stethoscopes being purchased by PHMEF donors/sponsors Michiana Gastroenterology.

Students had their names embroidered on their white coats for college labs. They were also gifted high-quality stethoscopes that should last through college and beyond.

Family members and Penn underclassmen PLTW Biomed Science students were in attendance for the ceremony that was held at the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts. 

Students enrolled in Penn’s PLTW classes have the opportunity to explore more than 80 different medical careers throughout the program. Courses offer a wide variety of medical conditions, from disease, disorders, to patient care. Penn’s program is designed to foster collaboration with their peers. The goal is to offer students the opportunity to gain introductory skills needed to pursue a career as a  medical professional.

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Penn High School qualified three teams for the Academic Super Bowl State Finals.

Team photos posted below.

The English, Fine Arts and Math Academic Super Bowl teams advance to the state competition on Saturday, May 9, at Purdue University.

Penn’s Academic Super Bowl Teams qualified for State at the Mishawaka Regional.

The theme for the competitions is the American Revolution.

English Team

Coach Candice Walther

Team Members:  (State finalists)– Addison Singleton, Annabelle Neary, Logan Hubbard

Additional members — Allison Tessier, Kristin Kale, Graham Royer, Emma Laidig, Riley Miles

Fine Arts Team

Coach Ashlyn Graham

Team Members (State Finalists)–Anton Kozelichki, Joanna Lin, Mia Helm, Landen Hendricks

Additional team members — Sreeja Bhattacharjee, Riley Miles, Addison Schlundt

Math Team

Coach Paul McClelland

Team Members (State finalists)–Anthony Scott, Lilith Schommer-Pries, Eli Sanders-Fields

Additional team members–Sultaan Khan, Joshua Oh, Aidan Lee

ENGLISH TEAM

FINE ARTS TEAM

MATH TEAM

Ishita Masetty of Penn High School has been named an Indiana Academic All-Star, one of the state’s highest academic honors for graduating seniors. 

According to Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry, just 90 students across Indiana are selected as Regional Academic All-Stars, with only 40 advancing to earn the distinction of State Academic All-Star. This places Masetty among an elite group of scholars recognized for their excellence in academics, leadership, and service.

In addition to this prestigious recognition, Masetty was awarded the Rick Reed Academic Competitions Scholarship, earning a $1,000 scholarship in honor of her achievements. Her accomplishments reflect a strong commitment to academic success and represent Penn High School at the highest level across the state.

Masetty’s honor included her inspirational educator, Mrs. Catherine Maes (Advanced Placement Chemistry).

Masetty said that Maes helped chemistry change from a subject to a lens through which she sees the world.

“Entering her classroom as the only sophomore, I’d felt intimidated at the prospect of keeping pace with Juniors who seemed effortlessly fluent in a language I was just learning to speak,” Masetty said of starting her Chemistry class with Mrs. Maes. “But through patient guidance and unwavering encouragement, Ms. Maes slowly taught me to trust myself.

“She answered every confused question with genuine enthusiasm, stayed after school to work through problems until concepts clicked, and celebrated my growth as if it were her own. Ms. Maes has a rare gift: she makes every student feel capable of brilliance. She believe in me long before I believed in myself.”

Masetty is one of Penn’s Valedictorians for the Class of 2026. She is also a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction.

Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry announced that 20 students have been selected to represent the Class of 2026 as Valedictorians and two students have been named Salutatorians.

Penn High School’s Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, June 8, 2026, at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Doors open for parents at 5:30 p.m.

Fiona Bao, Sreeja Bhattacharjee, Mehreen Buchh, Gavin Doster, Sultaan Khan, Angie Liu, Trenton Mager, Ishita Masetty, Joseph McQueary, Kelsey Meyer, Leo Ni, Joshua Oh, Roman Ramos, Marie Roach, Henry Smoker, Grant Spadafore, Amina Spahic, Jocelyn Teeple, Zoya Turk and Brooqlin Vargas were named Valedictorians based on their academic achievements.

Diya Lahane and Aidan Lee have been named Salutatorians.

Additional information showcasing Penn’s Valedictorians and Salutatorians will be posted at a later date.

More information on Penn’s Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony can be found here.

Here is an informational video.

Penn Science Olympiad earned its first Top Ten finishes in two events at the Science Olympiad State competition at Northridge High School.

• Iniya Christopher & Alishba Syeda — 6th in Disease Detectives
• Joanna Lin & Emily Pearson — 8th in Botany

Penn’s season included a third-place finish at the Regional.

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