By JAROD SWANK

Pennant Reporter

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, the Kingsmen wrestling team will honor its seniors when Penn takes on Adams. The seniors will be honored just before the start of the 7 p.m. meet.

The seniors who will be honored as well as competing in the match are: Kory Cavanaugh (113), Trace Manspeaker (138), Haden Hensley (145), Bailey Mott (152), Jarod Swank (170), Dustin Hochstedler (195), Travis Trost (160), Rashid Fahim (170), Lance Tribett (220), Will Vakalahi (220), Lennon Young (220), and Matthew Eitler (285).

When asked about this year’s senior class, Coach Harper had this to say, “Kingsmen Strong means: Character, respect, discipline, sportsmanship, domination. Our senior class is Kingsmen Strong.”

Come out and support the Penn wrestlers against Adams on Wednesday, and the seniors as they compete at Penn High School for the last time.

Penn High’s Girls Swim Team will seek its 21st consecutive Northern Indiana Conference championship on Saturday, Jan. 14, when the Kingsmen host the NIC conference meet.

The spectator gallery opens at 8:15 a.m. at Penn. Diving starts at 9 a.m., and the swim events start at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students.

Penn’s Kionna Clayton, a University of Hawaii recruit, led Penn last season with four blue ribbons.

Coach Brad Harper’s Penn Kingsmen travel to Mishawaka High School for the Northern Indiana Conference wrestling tournament on Saturday, Jan. 14.

Wrestling begins  at 9 a.m., and finals will start at approximately 3 p.m. The teams that will be in attendance along with Penn will be Bremen, Elkhart Central, Jimtown, Glenn, Mishawaka, Marian, New Prairie, Adams, Clay, Riley, St. Joseph, and Washington.

Penn will be pursuing its seventh straight NIC championship in wrestling. Kory Cavanaugh (113 weight class) returns as a defending champion for Penn. Jarod Swank (170), Trace Manspeaker (138), Preston Risner (132), and Max Chaffee (182) earned runner-up finishes last season.

By JANESSA CHESNIC

Student Reporter

More than 20 Penn High School students taking Principles of Biomedical Science, a Project Lead the Way class, led the way into scientific inquiry for third graders at Kennedy Primary School in South Bend on Nov. 30.

The Penn students took a field trip to Kennedy to interview the third grade students and evaluate their science fair projects.

The PLTW class was given time to evaluate each project.

When the elementary students came in the present their projects, the Penn students began to ask them questions such as, “Tell me about your project,” and “What was your hypothesis?” and “Do you believe your projects is important to society? Why?”

“Our students use the scientific method regularly in their science classes when doing experiments,” Penn Principles of Biomedical Science instructor Amy Tiebout said. “This experience gave them the opportunity to see from a teacher's perspective as they judged young students.

“It was interesting to see how thoughtfully they approached their task,” Mrs. Tiebout continued. “Each student who participated seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with the third graders at Kennedy Primary, and the young students were so excited to share their projects with our judges.”  

Penn Sophomore Maddie Bansback plans on becoming a teacher so this experience helped her tremendously.

“The students experiments involved the scientific method, which gave us all a review on the topic,” said Bansback. “I hope that the students will grow in their science education. They were doing a lot of hands-on experiments that will help them grow as scientists.”

When the PLTW class would talk to the students, they could tell how much knowledge they gained from their projects.

“I was amazed by their projects because I didn’t learn some of those things until I was in middle school,” Bansback said.

Penn High School Biology Instructor Shellie Harshberger challenges her students to ‘think like a scientist.’

Students practice reading data tables, charts, and continually do lessons on scientific method and writing scientific text.

Andrew Warner, who also teaches Biology to freshmen at Penn, gets his students excited about Biology with engaging labs, such as the egg-cell membrane lab. Students learn that salty-sugary environments cause the cell (egg) to shrivel up and shrink in size, while water environments cause the cell (egg) to grow more than 40 percent of its original mass. Those lessons makes cell biology ‘visible’ and help students understand key concepts.

Whether it’s getting students to ‘think like a scientist,’ or making cell biology a hands-on activity, Harshberger, Warner and the entire Biology instruction team at Penn have been difference makers.

Penn’s Biology instructors – Shellie Harshberger, Chad Miller, John Gensic, Andrew Warner, Rob Berkheiser and Amy Tiebout – helped Penn students vault to the top of the state in achievement, as Penn ranked second in the state in ISTEP Biology scores, with 88 percent of its students passing.

“The success of our students on the Biology ISTEP is a reflection of the dedication of the Biology teachers,” Penn High School Principal Steve Hope said. “The Biology teachers have dedicated themselves to delivering engaging instruction through inquiry-based and problem-based learning.

“This engaging instruction coupled with their commitment to establishing and maintaining positive relationships completed the recipe for great success,” Hope said. “The Biology PLC (Professional Learning Community) has continuously worked toward becoming better and better. I am very proud of their efforts.”

Penn’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy leader, Assistant Principal Rachel Fry, also lauded Penn’s leap from 10^th in the state to second.

“Penn Biology teachers have worked collaboratively to build curriculum that allows students the opportunity to engage in authentic learning both inside and outside of our schools walls,” Fry said. “We are finding an increasing number of students interested in STEM careers as they begin thinking about their futures, and I believe a lot of that has to do with the inspiration and experiences gained in their Biology classes as ninth graders. 

“As a result of these efforts, I am not surprised at the remarkable student achievement results their students earned on the ISTEP,” Fry said. “I applaud both the teachers and students for their hard work!”

Penn’s Biology teachers use a variety of methods to help students excel on the state Biology test. Student-led lessons, online quizzes, practice tests, burning questions and literacy-rich classrooms help enhance the ability of students to excel.

John Gensic, who teaches Biology in Penn’s Early College Academy and is the Biology Professional Learning Community leader, said that innovative techniques by Penn teachers have been key components in Penn’s success.

“From teacher to teacher and day to day, a variety of best practices are happening in our classrooms,” said Gensic, who was a finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year in 2016. “Engaging students in critical thinking about ecology, genetics, and evolution have helped students learn the standards content more deeply.  We practice literacy skills or reading, writing, and speaking.  We also try to get students to read nature through observations, demonstrations, projects, and labs that challenge their current mental models in an attempt to help them refine and grow their understanding of the world.

 “We ultimately believe that our strong ISTEP score is a result of the "ecology" that surrounds our students.  Teaching primarily within the 9th Grade and Early College Academies, we get to work with teams of other content area teachers that we share students with.  Working in these teams helps us best serve the students we have in Biology class.”

Gensic said that Penn’s outstanding ISTEP showing is a team effort beyond the classrooms at Penn.

“I think it says a lot about the families, middle, and grade schools that send their students to Penn,” Gensic said. “The support systems in place through the Freshman Academy and Early College Academy are helping students continue their development in high school that builds on previous success.  Penn's STEM Academy is being supplied with students who have the ISTEP measured skills at one of the highest levels in the state.”

Penn’s Biology teachers each bring a passion for Science and Biology into the classroom. The support and professional development opportunities through the administration, and collaboration among teachers – pillars in Penn’s Academy system – has helped teachers develop various strategies to reach all learners.  

Engaging instruction, teacher collaboration and strong administrative support have helped Penn Biology students rank in the Top 5 in Indiana ISTEP scores. It is a formula of success that has Penn students pursing excellence in learning.

The Penn High School Competition Poms team has the opportunity to perform at either pre-game or half-time of the Harlem Globetrotter's game at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at Notre Dame. 

If the Penn Poms team sells 50 tickets, they get to perform at pre-game.  If they sell 100 tickets, they will be able to perform at half-time.  

If you'd like to come and join in the fun and help the Penn Competition Poms team, please contact Cole Arrington of the Harlem Globetrotters:  Arrington@harlemglobetrotters.com / 678-497-1877 to order tickets.

You MUST say you are ordering tickets for the Penn High School Pom Group to get a $10 discount and help the Penn Competition Poms.

Penn point guard Brian Doslak stole the basketball in the final seconds and hit two free throws with :00.3 left, wrapping up a stunning 51-48 victory for the Kingsmen against No. 12 Valparaiso in high school boys basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Penn rallied from a 17-point deficit early in the second half, 35-18. Penn had an 18-3 run in the second half, and the Kingsmen outscored Valpo 20-7 in the fourth quarter.

Doslak also hit two free throws with :20 left to give Penn a 49-46 lead. Valpo was setting up to attempt a game-winning shot, inbounding the ball with :05 left. Immediately after Valpo inbounded the ball, Doslak darted in for the steal. Click here for video of Doslak’s steal. 

Doslak finished with 20 points. Noah Applegate and Connor Schneider scored 10 points each for Penn.

PENN 51: Drew Lutz 3, Drew Schneider 0, Brian Doslak 20, Beau Ludwick 0, Luke Carlton 0, Noah Applegate 10, Noah Krathwohl 2, Matt McCown 4, Connor Schneider 10, Riley Smith 2.

Valparaiso 48: Connor Wolf 5, Adrian Casaday 6, Zach Anselm 2, Brandon Newman 2, Trace Ramsey 10, Marcus Gholston 1, Charlie Healey 5, Patrick Kelly 10, Jay Bisacky 7, Michael Mann 0.

PENN             13        5          13        20 – 51

Valparaiso     18        14        9          7 – 48

Three-pointers: PENN 4 (Doslak 3, Lutz 1), Valparaiso 3 (Wolf 1, Healy 1, Casaday 1). Shooting: PENN 18-of-33 for 55 percent, Valparaiso 17-of-34 for 50 percent. Free throws: PENN 11-of-17 for 65 percent, Valparaiso 11-of-16 for 69 percent. Rebounding: PENN 21 (Applegate 5), Valparaiso 16 (Ramsey 5). Turnovers: PENN 15, Valparaiso 11.

Kingsmen teams rolled up a record of 518-129-3 for an 80 percent overall winning percentage in the 2015-2016 school year. In Northern Indiana Conference competition, Penn teams were 264-27 for a 91 percent winning percentage. Penn won 12 of the 19 NIC championships, and was runner-up in four sports.

In Indiana High School Athletic Association state tournaments in 2015-2016, Penn earned the championship trophy in 16 of 19 sectional championships. Penn won nine regional championships, four semi-state championships and one state championship.

Penn’s Girls Basketball team, coached by Kristi Kaniewski Ulrich, won the 2015-2016 state championship.

Penn earned state runner-up status in Football (head coach Cory Yeoman), Girls Soccer (head coach Jeff Hart), and Softball (head coach Beth Zachary).

Three student-athletes from Penn earned the IHSAA’s prestigious Mental Attitude Award – Camden Bohn (Football), Kamra Solomon (Girls Soccer), and Alyssa Griman (Softball).

Remarkable highlights from the 2015-2016 school year include:

• 13 of our 22 Athletic Programs participated in the state finals as a team, individual, or support group
• 38 Student-Athletes earn college scholarships to play at the next level
• Scored 116 out of 100 on the IHSAA Sportsmanship Scorecard
• 1052 student athletes participate on teams.  More than that conditioned, participated in open facilities, and tried out for teams
• Student-Athlete average GPA 3.57 on a 4.0 scale.

• Fall 2015-16
• Winter 2015-16
• Spring 2015-16

     Penn High School’s annual Snowball Winter Dance            will be held from 7:30-11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15,              2017.

    The theme for this year’s event is

   Cirque du Soleil.

   Tickets

   Parent supervision sign-up

Three Penn High School students – Yewon Oh,  Darbie Kwan, and Chelsea Chen – have earned selection to the prestigious All-State Orchestra.

Oh, Kwan and Chen will be performing with the All-State Orchestra at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne on Jan. 14.

Oh (Associate Principal Viola) is a freshman who studies with Mr. Luis Vargas (IUSB professor and member of the Euclid String Quartet).

Kwon is a freshmen who plays the Cello. She studies with Lydia Franks.

Chen, a sophomore who plays the violin, studies with Jameson Cooper (IUSB professor and member of the Euclid String Quartet). She also earned selection to the High School Honors Performing Series at Carnegie Hall.

According to Penn High School Orchestra director Anne Tschetter, the audition process for Indiana All-State Orchestra and the Honors Performing Series requires rigorous three-octave scales, multiple music excerpts, and a solo.  An application form must be mailed to the audition board by early November, accompanied by a high-quality recording of the applicant’s prepared required music.  All applicants are contacted by early December with acceptance or denial. 

“This is a great honor for Yewon, Darbie, and Chelsea to be selected among hundreds of applicants!” Tschetter said.

The Indiana All-State Orchestra will take place from January 12-14, 2017, at the Indiana Music Educator’s Association’s Professional Conference in Fort Wayne.  The orchestra will rehearse with guest conductor,  Dr. Andrew H. Dabczynski, for two days concluding with the concert on Jan. 14.

The High School Honors Performing Series is from February 2-6 in New York City.  The Series has a full Symphony Orchestra, a String Orchestra, and a Choir.  Chen will be playing with the string orchestra and performing on Feb. 5, 2017, at Carnegie Hall.