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.

VALEDICTORIANS

FIONA BAO

Parents: Na Liu and Haidong Bao 

Elementary School: Northpoint

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Indiana University – Indianapolis for Neuroscience; plans to become a doctor

Activities/Honors: Penn Tennis, Penn Symphonic Orchestra, HOSA (Future Health Professionals), Red Cross, National Honor Society, Technology Students Association

SREEJA BHATTACHARJEE

Parents: Dr. Jayeeta Dhar and grandmother Mrs. Maya Dhar

Elementary School: Walt Disney

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame; plans to be a college professor

Activities/Honors: Spell Bowl (Captain), Social Studies Bowl (Captain), Fine Arts Bowl (Captain), Freshman Mentoring (Executive Board Member), Science National Honor Society (Executive Board Member), French Club (Executive Board Member), Spectrum Student Magazine (Editor), Kingsman Tutor, National Honor Society; AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholar Finalist, Rising Star of Indiana Class of 2026, U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate, Scholastic National Portfolio Award Winner, Scholastic Short Story National Silver Medalist, National French Exam Gold Medalist, Scholastic Regional Gold Key and American Voices nominee, Billy Michal Student Leadership Award for Indiana;  Spell Bowl – State individual Gold four times, Team Gold two times, Team Silver one time, Team Bronze one time, Social Studies Bowl – State Team Silver three times, Fine Arts Bowl – State Team Gold one time, Silver one time

MEHREEN BUCHH

Parents: Asima Rashid and Basharat Buchh

Elementary School: Stanley Clark

Middle School: Stanley Clark

College/career plans: Indiana University; Neuroscience

Activities/Honors: Kingsmen Court Executive, Muslim Student Association President, HOSA (Future Health Professionals) Volunteer Coordinator, National Merit Finalist, State Speech Semifinalist in Original Oratory, Student Ambassador to the Board of Trustees, Notre Dame Multicellular Systems of Engineering Lab volunteer, Kingsmen Tutor, National Honor Society, Freshman Mentor

GAVIN DOSTER

Parents: Kiera Cope and John Doster II

Elementary School: Prairie Vista

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: First Year Engineering (Plan for Nuclear Engineering after) at Purdue University; plans to earn a masters and eventually a Ph.D in Nuclear Engineering/Physics to become a Nuclear Reactor Research and Development engineer

Activities/Honors: National Honor Society, The Air We Share Club, Penn’s Association for Children with Autism, Penn Boys Soccer; AP Scholar with Distinction, 2x Indiana Soccer Coaches Association (ISCA) Academic All-State, Indiana Soccer Coaches Association (ISCA) Boys Top Team Player, Purdue Design and Innovation Challenge Crowd Favorite.

SULTAAN KHAN

Parents: Maliha Khan and Mehdi Khan

Elementary School: Northpoint

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Attend Indiana University – Bloomington majoring in Neuroscience and Data Science and minoring in Mathematics and Statistics; plans to attend medical school after undergraduate studies

Activities/Honors: Math Competitions, Model United Nations, Technology Student Association, Freshmen Mentoring, Mathcounts Coach; National Merit Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society; Math Academic Super Bowl Team, Science Academic Super Bowl Team

ANGIE LIU

Parents: Ling Chen and Cheng Lui

Elementary School: Tarkington

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: Study Business at the University of Michigan 

Activities/Honors: DECA, National Honor Society, Key Club, MSA, KTI, Girls Tennis

TRENTON MAGER

Parents: Claudia Mager and Theodore Mager

Elementary School: Prairie Vista

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: Indiana University – Bloomington to study Biochemistry; Ophthalmology/Scientific Research

Activities/Honors: Penn Concert choir, Rhapsody Show Choir, Penn Musical Theater, National Merit Scholar, Key Club, National Honor Society

ISHITA MASETTY

Parents: Vijayshanti Potti and Sivaprasad Masetty

Elementary School: Northpoint

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: University of Pennsylvania; pursuing dual-degree between Wharton School of Business (Economics w/ Statistics plus Data Science) & School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Electrical Engineering/AI); Startup/Quantitative Finance/Engineer

Activities/Honors: Captain of Indiana Academic Spell Bowl; Chapter Executive & State President for Indiana Technology Student Association (led 600-plus students and tripled statewide membership); President & Founder of Science Olympiad; DECA; Speech and Debate; Indiana Department of Health Youth Advisory Board Member (Advocacy & Policy and Community Health subcommittees); Mayor’s Liaison for the Mishawaka Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council; Youth Outreach Program Director for Asian-American Alliance, Inc. (organized Indiana’s first Asian youth leadership conference with 200-plus attendees from 22 schools); NASA SEES Summer Program/Research Intern (<2% acceptance rate); five-time Research Assistant at Notre Dame, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Indiana University (three-time published researcher); Leader and advocate for Indiana Women in Tech Week (helped coordinate 25-plus conferences and workshops statewide with 10-plus partners including Microsoft, Eli Lilly, and Ivy Tech, reaching more than 10,000 students; authored a children’s book implemented in 70-plus schools nationwide and sold 500-plus copies; youngest workshop leader at Indiana’s annual Computer Science Professional Development Week); Jane Street Program Participant in New York City.

Honors: NSLI-Y South Korea Summer Scholar (14/5,000-plus selected by the U.S. Department of State for a six-week study abroad program in Jeonju, South Korea); Indiana Academic All-Star & Rick Reed Academic Competitions Winner (1/40 selected statewide); NCWIT National Aspirations in Computing Award Winner (40/3,000-plus selected and flown out to Bank of America headquarters) & two-time Indiana Affiliate State Winner; United States Senate Youth Program Delegate (1 of 2 selected in Indiana; received an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet the President, Secretary of War, etc.); Coolidge Senator (100/5,000-plus selected; attended a weeklong program in Vermont); two-time U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Semifinalist; two-time South Bend Human Rights Commission Essay Contest Winner (first student in city history to win twice); Top 6 at National History Day International Competition; National Congressional Debate Qualifier; DECA SCDC 3rd place & ICDC Qualifier; 6x Spell Bowl State Champion (only student in state history); U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate; National Merit Scholar; two-time AP Scholar with Distinction; Class of 2026 Indiana Rising Star, National Technical Honor Society.

JOSEPH McQUEARY

Parents: Jessica Lamble and Jason McQueary

Elementary School: Walt Disney

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: Plans to attend Purdue University – West Lafayette for Chemical Engineering; plans to pursue a career in Chemical Engineer in a cutting edge industry (fuels, pharmaceuticals, etc), then transition to leadership

Activities/Honors: Track and Cross Country for three years each, Debate, DECA, Key Club (VP), National Honor Society, Rocketry Club, Economics Club, The Air We Share Club, Introduction to Engineering Program at Notre Dame, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council; AP Scholar with Distinction, Northern Indiana Conference All-Academic Team (Cross Country), Scholarship Award for the Engineering Program, College Board National Recognition Program

KELSEY MEYER

Parents: Teresa Meyer and Michael Meyer

Elementary School: Prairie Vista

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin – Madison; hopes to improve the sustainability of infrastructure

Activities/Honors: Technology Students Association, DECA, Science Olympiad, Key Club, Raised $2,700 for Water Wells for Africa, Kingsman Tutor, Technical Theatre, Cross Country Academic All-State, NHS, AP Scholar with Distinction, Penn Girls Cross Country, Penn Girls Track and Field

LEO NI

Parents: Ping Ni and Yao Tang

Elementary School: Northpoint

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans:  Purdue University majoring in engineering; plans to work in engineering and pursuing a master’s degree

Activities/Honors: Penn Varsity Swim & Dive Team, Student-Athlete Leadership Council

National Merit Scholarship Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, two-time NISCA All-American, First-Team All-Northern Indiana Conference (Swimming), IHSSCA Academic All-State

JOSHUA OH

Parents: Hyeyoung Oh and Solomon Oh

Elementary School: Prairie Vista

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Plans to attend the University of Chicago, majoring in math and considering a double major in either computer science or economics; seeks career in Quantitative Finance

Activities/Honors: Debate Team Captain, Math Academic Super Bowl State Champion Team Member, Science Academic Super Bowl, Science Olympiad founding member, South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra 1st Violin, Ross Mathematics Program Alum, Questbridge Finalist, National Merit Finalist, DECA, DECA State Finalist, Odyssey Scholar, Debate State Competitor, Mathcounts Head Coach, MATHCON National Finalist, Trine Math Competition Team&Individual Advanced Division 1st place, SNHS, National Honor Society

ROMAN RAMOS

Parents: Alice Ramos and Roman “Gabriel” Ramos

Elementary School: Horizon

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Eastman School of Music – Double Major in Music Education and Music Performance; hopes to teach music at a public school

Activities/Honors: Marching Band, Advanced Jazz Ensemble (Top Jazz Band), Symphonic Winds (Top Concert Band), National Merit Finalist, Winner of PASIC High School Concert Snare Competition

MARIE ROACH

Parents: Clare Roach and Brandon Roach

Elementary School: Prairie Vista

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: Plans to attend the University of Notre Dame to study Global Affairs and French with a minor in European Studies; hopes to work for the State Department as an Ambassador

Activities/Honors: Penn Girls Varsity Soccer, Penn Varsity Unified Track and Field, Indiana Honors Program in Foreign Language, Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellow, Student-Athlete Leadership Council Representative, French Club Co-President, National Honor Society Tutoring Chair, Model United Nations Executive, DECA, Kingsmen Tutor Intern, Kingsmen Building Bridges Co-Founder, National French Exam Silver Medalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Excellent and Honorable Mention Awards at Ball State National Media Contest, ISCA Academic All-State Girls Soccer, First Team All-Northern Indiana Conference and Second Team All-District Girls Soccer

HENRY SMOKER

Parents: Jen Smoker and Phil Smoker

Elementary School: Meadow’s Edge

Middle School: Grissom

College/career plans: University of Notre Dame; Surgeon

Activities/Honors: Penn’s Association for Children’s Autism, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Key Club, National Honor Society, Kingsmen Against Cancer, Penn’s First Aid Club, Penn Boys Track, Penn Boys Soccer; Junior Irish Boys Soccer Team, EMT Shadow, Youth Group Leader at Granger Student Ministries; Junior Marshall, AP Scholar with Distinction, and First-Team All-Northern Indiana Conference for Boys Soccer

GRANT SPADAFORE

Parents: Katie Spadafore and Scott Spadafore

Elementary School: Elm Rd.

Middle School: Grissom

College/career plans: California Institute of Technology, Computer Science Major / Robotics Minor; Robotics/Entrepreneurship

Activities/Honors: Programming, Robotics, Congressional Debate, CAD, Dean’s List National Finalist, ISSDA State Congressional Debate runner-up, Penn Robotics, Penn Speech and Debate, Mishawaka Youth Advisory Council

AMINA SPAHIC

Parents: Enisa Spahic and Muharem Spahic

Elementary School: Mary Frank

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Pursuing a Chemical Engineering Degree at Notre Dame with Minor in Spanish; Chemical Engineering and potential cosmetic chemist

Activities/Honors: Varsity Tennis, Cross Country, Speech and Debate Captain, Rocketry Founder, Dream Commission Society Executive, Technology Student Association Executive, Around the World Executive, Key Club

JOCELYN TEEPLE

Parents: Terri Witkowski and Christopher Teeple

Elementary School: Bittersweet

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: Attending Purdue for Elementary Education; Becoming a Teacher and eventually going back for a masters in Administration to become a Principal

Activities/Honors: Cadet Teaching at Horizon Elementary School; Working at Prairie Vista Kids Club; Penn Association for Children with Autism Vice President; Handwritten Hearts; The Air We Share; Key Club; National Honor Society; AP Scholar with Distinction

ZOYA TURK

Parents: Sonia Turk and Aasim Turk

Elementary School: Northpoint

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Attend Purdue University, majoring in Neurobiology and Physiology; plans to follow the pre-med track in hopes of becoming an Oncologist

Activities/Honors: Penn High School Girls Varsity Soccer, Penn High School Girls Varsity Track (two-year Captain), DECA, Penn Student-Athlete Leadership Council Representative, Penn’s Association for Children’s Autism, Freshman Mentoring, Key Club, Hospital Volunteer- Infusion Center and ER, Non-Profit Co-President: Play It Forward, Medical Shadow in a Hematology Oncology Unit, 6 year Club Soccer Member: Jr. Irish Soccer Club, Attendee and Volunteer at Mini Medical University; State Champion: DECA Innovation Plan, Indiana State Career Development Conference, AP Scholar Award with Distinction Recipient, IATCCC Academic All-State First Team Track & Field, ISCA Academic All-State Girls Soccer, Honorable Mention All-Conference and Second Team All-District Girls Soccer

BROOQLIN VARGAS

Parents: Kimberly Greene and Sergio Vargas

Elementary School: Prairie Vista

Middle School: Schmucker

College/career plans: Purdue and join Air Force ROTC to later become a fighter pilot in the Air Force

Activities/Honors: National Honor Society,Vice President of Handwritten Hearts, Co-Founder of the Penn Anti-Vape Club, Penn Fellowship of Christian Athletes

SALUTATORIANS

DIYA LAHANE

Parents: Pravina Lahane and Sanjeev Lahane 

Elementary School: Mary Frank

Middle School: Discovery

College/career plans: Indiana University Bloomington – Neuroscience/Pre-Med Track; plans to be a Physician

Activities/Honors: Red Cross Secretary and Co-Founder, Penn Assisting Seniors President, Kingsmen Tutoring Internship Executive, Symphonic Orchestra Violinist and Executive, Penn Tennis, Notre Dame Physical Chemistry Intern, Notre Dame Evolutionary and Ecological Research Intern, Saint Joseph Hospital Volunteer, AP Scholar with Distinction, ISSMA Regional Ensemble Gold with Distinction two times, ISSMA State Finals 5th Place, TSA First Place in On-Demand Video, TSA First Place in Audio Podcasting two times, and TSA Second Place in On-Demand Video two times. 

AIDAN LEE

Parents: Sun Ae Min and Junghee Lee  

Elementary School: Torrey Pines Elementary, Isidore Newman School 

Middle School: Isidore Newman School, Discovery Middle School

College/career plans: Majoring In Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Purdue University – West Lafayette; plans to be an Engineer 

Activities/Honors: Korean Club Treasurer (2024-2025); Korean Club Vice President (2025-2026); Chess Team Vice President (2025-2026), Scholastic Chess Indiana Team State Top Ten finish (ninth 2025, ninth 2026); TSA State Finalist 2 Gold Medals and 1 Bronze Medal; South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra Principal Clarinetist (2022-2023, 2024-2026); ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Gold Medalist (2023-2026), 6 District Gold Medals (2023-2026), 3 State Gold Medals (2023-2025); ISSMA Band State Finals 2nd place in 2024, 4th place in 2025; Vaccine Awareness Club Vice President (2025-2026); Math Academic SuperBowl (2022-2026); Rising Stars of Indiana Nominee (2024); Science Olympiad Co-founder and Vice President (2024-2026), 2nd Chemistry Notre Dame Invitational, 5th Chemistry Regionals; Indiana All State Honor Band (2025). Trine University Math Competition (2023-2026), 1st Intermediate Individual (2025), U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad State Qualifier (2024), Math Counts Coach (2023-2026), Memorial Hospital Beacon Health Systems ER Volunteer (2025).

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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Penn High School student Sreeja Bhattacharjee is a 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards national winner.