Penn High School’s Pep Band, under the direction of D.J. Landoll, performed at the Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Game on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. The Fighting Irish played against North Carolina State.

“Being invited to perform was a reflection of the trust that Notre Dame has in the Penn music program and the P-H-M brand,” Landoll said. “It seems that we have a reputation that inspired confidence in the event organizers, who were gracious professionals and helped create a good experience for our kids.

 “We’re proud of our product and enjoyed getting to show it to a new audience, but I imagine that the students were excited primarily because it was another good reason to be with their friends making fun music – everything else is secondary,” Landoll said. “We honestly love playing together and just being together.”

The Notre Dame Men’s Basketball Team features Penn graduate Markus Burton, who was named Indiana Mr. Basketball last season.

[Show slideshow]

By LANGSTON ARTRIP

The Penn Debate Team won the Team Sweepstakes at the Ben Davis Debate Tournament. Penn Debate has won the last five consecutive meets they have competed in.

This team’s success is due to the immense amount of work that everyone puts into this team and how passionate they are about the Penn Debate Team. This is assisted by the middle school program that Coach Jeremy Starkweather and the debate team’s captains have put time and energy into to make sure that they are ready to compete at the high school level. The Penn Debate Team expects only excellence and success in its endeavors and they have achieved and overshot many of their expected goals.

These are the top individual awards.

• 1st Place Lincoln Douglas- Akul Bhambhani

• 2nd Place Lincoln Douglas- Sarah Rooney

• 2nd Place Policy- Kevin Wu & Rebeca Ramirez

• 3rd Place Policy- Leena Khan & Sarah Ahmed
• 3rd Place Public Forum- Alina Luck & Jaanavi Kaushik

Penn High School’s German Club got into the Winter festivities by creating Gingerbread Houses at a recent meeting.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

[Show slideshow]

The Dance Choreography Showcase is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at the Penn High School Center for Performing Arts.

Click here for ticket information.  

[Show slideshow]

The Penn Debate Team won the Team Sweepstakes at the Chesterton Debate Tournament. Penn Debate has won the last four consecutive meets that they have competed in. 

Penn Debate coach Jeremy Starkweather credited the team’s success to Leadership and the Middle School Debate Program.

“My team captains have shown some of my all-time best leadership skills, and have put in countless hours preparing not just for their performances, but also for our rookies and veteran members alike,” Starkweather said.

In the last two years, Penn Debate has invested in the middle schoolers, hosting an all-PHM District Tournament.

“With the preparations happening at the middle-school level, our team is starting their careers ahead of the game compared to some of the other teams throughout the state,” Starkweather said. 

Penn’s top individual awards at Chesterton:

• 1st place Public Forum: Noah Schafer and Bohdan Kolomiiets

• 1st place Lincoln Douglas: Akul Bhambani

• 2nd place Lincoln Douglas: Sarah Rooney 

• 2nd place World Schools: Noah Shafer, Stanley Liew, and Danielle Esgeuerra 

• 2nd place Novice Policy: Danielle Cilliberti and Addison Schlundt

• 1st place Novice Congress: Selin Biligicer

• 2nd place Novice Congress: Langston Artrip

In the Lincoln Douglas Category, both Akul Bhambani and Sarah Rooney were undefeated. Their match was very close and came down to a tiebreaker round in which Akul Bhambani persevered to the end.

Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher announced that Matthew Deahl, Jaanavi Kaushik, Stanley Liew and Megan Zhang have been named Rising Stars for the Class of 2025 by the Indiana Association of School Principals.

The Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) is proud to present the Rising Stars of Indiana Class of 2025. Each Indiana high school was invited to recognize up to four students currently in the 11th grade, based on their academic achievement. The Class of 2025 is surely promised success with these students. 

Please join Penn and the IASP in congratulating these students on all they have already achieved, as well as offering support and encouragement as they continue their accomplishments and expand their knowledge, growth and leadership skills well into the future.

Penn High School presents its annual “Sounds of the Season” concert at

• Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 87:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m.

Click here to purchase tickets in advance online. Tickets in advance are $6 + a processing fee. But by buying your ticket online, you can pick your seat!

Tickets are available for sale at the Box Office, which opens one hour before the concert begins. Tickets at the box office are $8.00. The Box Office can take cash or card.

Check out the Photo Gallery posted below to get an idea of what a great student production this is. You won’t want to miss it!

[Show slideshow]

1 2 3 ►

Penn High School hosted its annual Showcase for prospective students.

A photo gallery is posted below.

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ►

Penn High School’s National Honor Society held its 2023 Induction Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 20.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ►