Penn High School Principal Steve Hope announced that nine Penn students – Edward Atkinson, Jack Bao, Rohit Das, Raina DeVries, Katherine Lutz, Olivia Mercurio, Yejee Oh, Eric Pfrender, Christopher Yun – have been named National Merit Finalists.

“The National Merit Finalists from Penn represent the top one percent of all students in the United States,” Hope. “There is no higher academic honor than to be called a National Merit Finalist.

“These students have earned the respect of their teachers and peers by applying themselves and working hard to become elite scholars,” Hope continued. “We are proud of them and we are proud to have supported them on their academic journey.” 

Penn’s National Merit Finalists are in competition for an approximate 7,400 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million. About half of the Finalists win a National Merit Scholarship.

The National Merit Scholarship program, which was established in 1955, honors the nation’s scholastic champions and the pursuit of academic excellence.

Responding to adversity can define a championship team.

Penn High School’s girls basketball team faced adversity throughout the season, but their ability to counter it with character helped the Lady Kingsmen author one of the more remarkable chapters in Hoosier Hysteria.

Coach Kristi Kaniewski Ulrich’s Kingsmen outscored Columbus North 38-20 and stunned the No. 1-ranked and defending state champion Bull Dogs, 68-48, to capture the Class 4-A state championship Saturday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Penn (28-2) captured the school’s first state crown in girls basketball. Columbus North (27-2) defeated the Kingsmen 67-52 in the regular season, but Penn played that game without point guard Kaitlyn Marenyi (stress fracture).

In the rematch with the state title on the line, Marenyi scored 21 points, and Camryn Buhr scored 24, as the Kingsmen ruled the court. Lindsy Kline scored 11 points, Claire Carlton scored seven and Kamra Solomon scored five points for the Kingsmen.

Buhr and Carlton hustled for seven rebounds each, and also led Penn with three assists each. Marenyi, Buhr and Solomon led Penn’s relentless defensive effort with three steals each.

Penn torched the nets early, hitting seven of its first 11 shots on the way to a 20-9 lead after the first quarter.

Columbus North stormed back, outscoring Penn 19-10 in the second quarter and closing what at one time was a 13-point Penn lead to two points (30-28) by halftime.

Columbus North took a 31-30 lead at the 7:11 mark of the third quarter.

That’s when the Kingsmen responded in full force.

Penn went on a 24-7 run the rest of the third quarter and stormed to a 17 points lead, 54-37, entering the fourth quarter. From that point, the Kingsmen maintained the upperhand to build their 20-point margin of victory.

Buhr and Marenyi led a sizzling effort by Penn. Buhr hit 8-of-12 shots, and Marenyi hit 7-of-10 shots, as the Kingsmen connected on 23-of-44 shots for 52 percent.

Penn Girls Basketball (27-2 record) has advanced to the 4A State Championship game!  They will take on Columbus North (27-1) at 8:15 p.m. this Saturday, February 27, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. 

Penn is seeking its first ever Girls Basketball State Championship, and we are counting on many of our local boosters to join us for this exciting event!  Come on down and support Coach Kristi Kaniewski Ulrich and her squad of exceptional student-athletes as they reach for the prize.

ADVANCE TICKET SALES

STATE GEAR

By James Iapalucci and John Ohlson

Penn High School student reporters

Mike Rosenthal, a former Penn Kingsmen football player, has been generous enough to partner with the NFL and Wilson in donating a Golden Football Super Bowl 50 football to Penn High School.

The NFL created a Super Bowl High School Honor Roll, and those schools received a commemorative Golden Football produced by Wilson. Rosenthal played in a Super Bowl with the New York Giants.

Each staff member and player on a Super Bowl team was awarded with a Golden Football, to give to their high school.

Rosenthal attended Penn in the early 90’s, then continued his education at the University of Notre Dame. He then went on to get drafted in the fifth round of the 1999 draft to the New York Giants. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing in around 320 pounds, he was a great size to play offensive tackle. Rosenthal also played for the Minnesota Vikings.

Principal Hope is very excited and grateful for this donation.

Coach Cory Yeoman said he’s “very proud of Rosenthal and the man that he has become to his wife and kids.”

Rosenthal is currently coaching at a high school in Texas.

Rosenthal said, “Penn had a profound impact on his entire life,” and that Penn prepared Rosenthal for his “career and his life.”

Rosenthal stated that “the Penn coaches taught me the importance of offseason conditioning, competition, and playing with relentless effort.”

He is proud of Penn and the reputation it has earned.

Penn High School student Kennedy Parker offers an insider’s look at the spring musical, “Mary Poppins.”

Penn’s spring musical this year is “Mary Poppins”! The performances are Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m., all in the Penn Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance or $12 at the door. Pre-sale tickets are available Tuesday-Friday March 1-4 during all lunches. Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketracker.com (search for Penn High School).

Students and directors are hard at work preparing for the performances. Over the weeks leading up to the show, I will be writing about different aspects of the show to give you a sneak-preview.

Enjoy, spotlight on “Mary Poppins”!

Poppins dance: Poetry in Motion

Mrs. Wolfe is the director of dance for Mary Poppins! She is the the teacher of several dance classes at Penn, including Dance Choreography I/II, Dance Choreography III/IV, Advanced Dance I/II, as well as being the choreographer for Chamber Choir. Outside of Penn, she teaches dance at a local studio and she is the in-house choreographer for Patchwork Dance Company. She began dancing when she was just three years old, and dance has been part of her life ever since. “My true passion is in the art of choreography,” she shared. “I enjoy creating new pieces and seeing them come to life.”

The choreography is different in Mary Poppins in that each large ensemble number, the chorus members are taking on a different role, their character is constantly changing.

“Step in Time is tap. Supercalifragilistic is quirky … Anything Can Happen takes on a more lyrical feeling. Playing the Game asks the cast to step into the role of toys and Precision and Order is very precise and robotic,” Wolfe said.

Such a large variety of music and dance keeps the show engaging and is sure to have something to please any taste. ” She is most excited for Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious “…because of the speed and accuracy that is required,” as well as Step In Time, a tap number, and one that has always been one of Wolfe’s personal favorites.

    Lauren Funk, a Penn High School junior is playing Neleus, a dancing statue, in “Mary Poppins!” Like Mrs. Wolfe, Funk has also been dancing since she was age three. She takes classes at both Debbie Werbrouck’s School of Dance and Penn. She also performs with Patchwork Dance Company and Penn Theatre. Last year’s musical, “42nd Street”, was her first theatre production. This year she’s been in “The Great Gatsby”, and now, “Mary Poppins!”

“Neleus is a joyful and energetic statue who is overjoyed to be brought to life by “Mary Poppins”,” Funk said. “Neleus’ positive energy is evident through his movement. A large portion of the choreography is leaping, which, while tiring, is a lot of fun and very representative of Neleus as a character.” Funk’s personal favorite dance style is tap, so she’s excited to play a chimney sweep as well as Neleus!

With so much variety, this show is sure to entertain! Tickets can be purchased here or at the door.

Each year the Penn High School students enrolled in Childhood Development classes offer the two unique programs described below for preschoolers in our community.  

We encourage you to take advantage of PLAYSCHOOL and TODDLER TIME if you have young children in your household, and to tell your friends as well!

Toddler Time

Click here for the Toddler Time enrollment form.

For children ages 1 – 3 and a parent or caregiver. It is led by the students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education classes and is designed to help them learn about the toddlers through direct interaction and observations.  It is FREE for the toddler and caregiver!

Dates and times: 

If you sign up for a group, we plan on you attending each day listed at that time. You are welcome to sign up for more than one! For Example: if you would like to go everyday, you can sign up for both the G3 Orange group & B3 Blue Group, or G4 Yellow Group & B4 Blue Group. Parents can sign up for more than one group.

Gold Dates:  Dec. 5, Dec. 7, Dec. 11, Dec. 13
 Black Dates: Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 12, Dec. 14

G2 RED GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m.
G3 ORANGE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
G4 YELLOW GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.
B2 GREEN GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m.
B3 BLUE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
B4 PURPLE GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.

Playschool

Click here for the Playschool Enrollment form.

Child Development students are in charge of creating intellectual, social, emotional, and physical lesson plans and games to engage 3 – 4-year-old children.  It is a wonderful, hands-on experience for these eager students to incorporate all that we have discussed throughout the school year. In addition, it is a great opportunity for young children to have interaction with fellow peers.  

Enrollment is for  toddlers from ages 3-4, and they must be potty-trained. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $10 per child as we do provide snacks/supplies.

If you sign up for a group, we plan on you attending each day listed at that time. You are welcome to sign up for more than one! For Example: if you would like to go everyday, you can sign up for both the G3 Orange group & B3 Blue Group, or G4 Yellow Group & B4 Blue Group. Parents can sign up for more than one group.

Gold Dates:  April 10, April 12, April 16, April 18, April 22, April 24, April 26, April 30, May 2, May 6, May 8, May 10

Black Dates: April 11, April 15, April 17, April 19, April 23, April 25, April 29, May 1, May 3, May 7, May 9, May 13

G2 RED GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m.

G3 ORANGE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

G4 YELLOW GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.

B2 GREEN GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m. 

B3 BLUE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

B4 PURPLE GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.

Additional notes:

It is very important that children be dropped off on time for PLAYSCHOOL and picked up on time afterwards! 

A small circle drive at the southeast corner of the high school (enter off Jefferson Road) provides PLAYSCHOOL parents convenient access to the PLAYSCHOOL entrance at Door K, where high school students are stationed to assist parents. This map will help you find your way.

If you do not want your child’s picture taken and possibly posted on social media for observation and education purposes (children’s names are never listed), please note that on the enrollment form. We will make sure your privacy is respected. 

Playschool 2

Click here for the Playschool enrollment form.

For potty-trained children, ages 4-5, gearing towards kindergarten. Student-led lesson plans with stations and routines. 

Dates: First Semester September 19- December 21. Second Semester January 23- May 9. 

Times: 

Option #1 Wach’s Group: 8:30-9:45 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. $50 Per Semester

Option #2 Wetzel’s Group: 8:30-11:15 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. $100 Per Semester

Additional notes:

• It is very important that children be dropped off on time for PLAYSCHOOL and picked up on time afterwards! 
• A small circle drive at the southeast corner of the high school (enter off Jefferson Road) provides PLAYSCHOOL parents convenient access to the PLAYSCHOOL entrance at Door K, where high school students are stationed to assist parents. This map will help you find your way.
• If you do not want your child’s picture taken and possibly posted on social media for observation and education purposes (children’s names are never listed), please note that on the enrollment form. We will make sure your privacy is respected. 

Both TODDLER TIME and PLAYSCHOOL give the Child Development students at the high school an opportunity to plan intellectual, social, and physical development-based lessons, teach these lessons, and observe behaviors of young children.  

Both programs are part of Penn High School’s Health and Human Services Academy and are under the direction of certified teacher Kylee Wetzel.  Mrs. Wetzel can be reached at (574) 259-7961, extension 20788 or click here to email Kylee Wetzel.

Becky Wachs also teaches Toddler Time and Playschools. Click here to email Bechy Wachs. 

Follow Toddler Time and Playschool on Twitter @PennFACS , Facebook at @Kylee Wetzel and Instagram at @mrswetzel.phm.

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By ARIELLE KIRSCH

Student Reporter

While performers and melodies danced across the stage of Penn High School’s Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 14, Penn students Elizabeth “Liz” Carrier, Ashley Szumski, and Abigail “Abby” Callender kept very calm composures under stress and pressure.  With the responsibility of directing a 10-act talent show on their shoulders, Carrier, Szumski, and Callender were organized and mature, and ensured that each performance ran as smoothly as it could.

With tickets at $5 and 10 incredible acts performing, the talent show was a hit.  Won by DeCarla Thompson, who sang “I Know Where I’ve Been,” by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the production was well-organized and enjoyable.  The three students produced the program with poise as each act was performed to the best of the talented abilities of the students.

Due to the fantastic networking and producing skills of Callender, Carrier, and Szumski, the talent show was quite a success.  Michael Coffee, a Penn High School English teacher who played a significant role in coordinating this year’s talent show, spoke highly of the producers.

“The circumstances we faced this year was a paucity of acts (not of talent, mind you) at the only original scheduled night of auditions. The student producers then were able to tap into a network that brought us from three acts to 10 for a second round of auditions, and we managed to put on nearly an hour's worth of tremendous artistic work.”

Having never been a part of the Penn talent show in any way before this year, Carrier and Callender were surprised and excited by the experience and by their own personal gains.

“I learned that there was a much wider variety of talent at my school than I even knew of, (along with) how much work and help from so many different people it takes to put together a production like this,” Carrier said.  “The work starts weeks before auditions and isn't over until the curtain falls on the very last act.”  Callender fondly reminisced about the event by saying, “It was definitely a lovely experience … I learned that it was a lot more fun than I anticipated. We danced backstage to the singers and joked around with each other. I definitely hope to produce again next year.”

All three producers of the 2016 Penn Talent Show have been involved with acting, singing, dancing, or producing for some time now, and never have ceased to appreciate the opportunities being a performer can present.

“It definitely helps people put themselves out there when it comes to confidence. The first time I was onstage in front of everyone singing I was wonderfully terrified [but] never wanted to leave,” said Callender.  “Performing in the talent show give people the opportunity to be heard and express themselves,” Szumski agreed.  Carrier concluded by saying, “I believe the chance to participate in the talent show is a great opportunity for students of all talents and backgrounds to come together.  For a lot of students, the experience is a huge confidence boost.  I love getting to see how much their confidence grows in the short time between auditions and the show.”

Penn High School student Kennedy Parker offers an insider’s look at the spring musical, “Mary Poppins.”

Penn’s spring musical this year is “Mary Poppins”! The performances are Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m., all in the Penn Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance or $12 at the door. Pre-sale tickets are available Tuesday-Friday March 1-4 during all lunches. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketracker.com.

Students and directors are hard at work preparing for the performances. Over the weeks leading up to the show, I will be writing about different aspects of the show to give you a sneak-preview.

Enjoy, spotlight on “Mary Poppins”!

DEDICATED DIRECTORS

No musical would be possible without the leadership of dedicated directors. Mrs. Black is the head director of the show, Mr. Nemeth is the vocal director, and Mrs. Wolfe is the director of dance. I had the opportunity to talk with Mrs. Black and Mr. Nemeth about the upcoming. Mrs. Wolfe will be featured in a later Spotlight on “Mary Poppins” feature.

Mrs. Black is an English teacher at Penn. This is the third musical she’s been involved with at Penn, her second time as director. “Musicals are actually what first got me excited to be a teacher!” Black said. She loved theatre in high school and learned a lot from her director. After high school, she continued in both singing and theatre, and eventually switched her major from Broadcast Journalism to Communication Arts Education, with the hope that she could both direct and teach one day. “How wonderful now that I’m both!” she told me.

Mary Poppins was selected to be this year’s musical for several reasons. The rights were recently released, “so we knew there would be a lot of excitement surrounding it. We also loved the response we got last year from all the tap dancing involved with 42nd Street,” Black said. “While there’s not as much tap, what there is in the second act will amaze you!” She’s looking forward to seeing the look on kids’ faces in the audience when they see the actors fly, as well as the other technical and magical elements of this show that make it unique and appealing to all ages. “We’re working hard to make both of these possible, but it’s going to pay off in the end!”

Mr. Nemeth is the head director of the Penn choirs. This is the fourth musical that he has been involved with at Penn. He began directing vocals to help grow and enhance the music theatre program. “Mary Poppins was selected because we have the students and the ability to pull the show off,” he said. The show has a great story line and special magic. Mr. Nemeth is most looking forward to seeing the choreography, acting, and singing all come together in the next couple of weeks. This show is unique musically because it features more music than a typical show. Many songs featuring the ensemble will provide plenty of singing, dancing, and high energy!

Penn High School principal Steve Hope honored the Penn High School Parent Teacher Organization before the Penn boys basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, PTO for its efforts in helping make Penn an elite school.

“The Penn PTO is comprised of some incredibly dedicated parents who work not only as a liaison with the Penn administration and faculty, but also as parent leaders ready to support Penn students in all areas,” Hope said. 

The PTO serves as a liaison for all 7,000+plus Penn parents, working with the Penn administration and communicating with all Penn parents.

The Penn PTO officers for the 2015-16 year are:

Ann Moran, President

Marilyn Hammer, Vice-President

Rae Hamilton, Secretary

Laura Brandenburg, Secretary

The Penn PTO recently completed its biggest event of the year, the annual Snowball winter dance.

“This year’s Snowball set a new standard for success,” Hope stated. “The event was the best in Penn’s history thanks to the hard work of the PTO and Penn Volunteer Coordinator, Mrs. Barb Zuidema.”

Hope and Moran also acknowledged the great work done by Zuidema in securing parent volunteers from the opening of school to Snowball to AP testing at the end of the year.

Hope and Moran also acknowledged the efforts of two Penn parents, Shawn and Jessica Saros, for their extraordinary work in the success of this year’s Snowball. Shawn and Jessica Saros secured many donations from area businesses and transformed Penn High into an incredible dance hall, making a remarkable night for all Penn students.

Hope commended the outstanding work of Penn’s Parent Teacher Organization, Parent Volunteer Coordinator, and the many members of our school community who donate their time unselfishly to support all Kingsmen activities.