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.

*Adobe Acrobat Reader will be required to view the pdfs on this page. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe’s website, at this link www.get.adobe.com/reader/, to download your free version.

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.  

From mosaic masks that featured a dazzling kaleidoscope of color, to visionary photography that encased social commentary, Penn High School students took their artist creativity and expression to higher levels through the Scholastic Art competition.

Penn students claimed 57 awards at three levels (Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention) regionally. The art of Gold Key winners will be in a competition at the national level in New York City.

Click here for a gallery of some of the award-winning art.

All three levels will be displayed for a public exhibition in the Warner Gallery at the South Bend Museum of Art in the Century Center from January 30th to Feb 27th.

Principal Steve Hope appreciated the showing of Penn’s student-artists.

“It was great to see so many student-artists from Penn recognized at the regional Scholastic Arts Awards,” Hope said. “The work from these creative and talented students is varied in subject and media from realistic to abstract and from drawing to sculpture. The work displayed at The South Bend Museum of Art is a testament to the hard work put forth by these student-artists and to the great art instruction at Penn High School. We should never take for granted the benefits of living in a community which values and supports the arts.

“In this age of both teacher and student accountability, many schools have cut programming to the arts,” Hope said. “At Penn, we have continued to emphasize the development of the whole person – body, mind and soul. The arts feed our soul and help us develop a better understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Decades of research have supported that study in the arts help further develop an understanding in all academic areas.”

According to a Scholastic Art press release, the Scholastic Art competition is nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition initiative for creative teens. It has been credited with identifying the early promise of some of our nation’s most accomplished visionaries and encouraged young artists and writers to pursue a variety of creative career paths and endeavors.

Penn High School art instructor Barbara Miller said the Scholastic Art competition for high school and junior high school students is in its 92^nd year and that it involves students in all 50 states. It is sponsored by the Scholastic Book Company.

“Penn and (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation) have always been in the top 10, if not the top three-to-five 3-5 for earning awards of about 72 schools in our region,” Miller said. “That is important to help recognize our hard-working students and our outstanding visual arts program and the quality teaching that takes place in our schools.”

Miller said that the Scholastic Award winning-work by Penn students will be displayed in the Kingsmen Fine Arts Gallery March 10-April 18.

“We have three professional art exhibits and three student art exhibits in our Penn Kingsmen Fine Arts Gallery each school year,” Miller said. “We are very fortunate to have this gallery. It is something that few schools in our state, or even country have. It was originally the vision of our principal, Steve Hope, to have this and he worked for many years with the P-H-M Educational Foundation to establish it.”

Art Instructor Becky Hope also appreciated Penn’s commitment to Art, which has played a key role in the success of Penn students in the Scholastic Art competition.

“Penn has supported the Visual Arts through providing an amazingly diverse selection of teachers in specialized course art work so that student can develop master skills in drawing, graphic design and sculpture to name a few of the opportunities,” Hope said.

Penn High School Scholastic Art Awards 2015-16

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.

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”!

• Mary Poppins: “Jane and Michael Banks' new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says.”

• Played by: Reagan Stohler

• Penn Senior

• Her second Penn musical

• She has been doing theatre since 5th grade. Her first role was Ariel in the Little Mermaid.

• She started doing shows because she is always happiest when she’s performing. From a young age, she has been singing and dancing for her family.

• She is most excited to perform for her peers. “Everyone has been so supportive of me throughout this experience,” she said. “so I can’t wait to pay them back with an exciting performance.”

• Theatre has taught her confidence, made her more well-rounded, and helped her learn more about herself.

• Stohler said it’s unreal to know that this is her last Penn show, and that in almost a month, she “will be performing with my best friends for the last time.”

• She is thrilled about her opportunity to play Mary Poppins, she is working hard to prepare for this performance.

• Bert: “The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.”

• Played by: Broderick Balsley

• Penn Senior

• Fourth Penn Musical

• He has been participating in theatre productions his whole life, starting with small church productions, moving to community theatres, and even musicals that travel across the country.

• He began to do shows because the first show he saw touched him so deeply. The very first musical he went to was Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Round Barn Theatre. He experienced the magic of musical theatre, and realized the impact that performances can have on an audience.

• He’s most excited for this show’s special effects. “Gravity isn’t exactly a law in this show” he said. He’s also looking forward to the energetic dance numbers.

• Theatre has given the Penn senior purpose. He enjoys the opportunity to impact people, and change their lives “…even just for a few hours” he said. Performing removes all distractions and worries, “that’s what makes it so magical.”

• It’s hard for him to know that this is his last Penn musical. He will miss the people especially. However he is excited to move on to bigger things, and he hopes to pursue professional musical theatre after high school!

• Jane Banks: “The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.”

• Played by: Alyssa Chambers

• Penn Freshman

• First Penn musical

• She’s been doing theatre since she was in first grade, starting with school musicals, and then continued on to do Mainstage Inc. shows.

• She began doing shows because she loves the combination of singing, acting, and dancing.

• She’s most excited to fly in this show because it’s something she’s always dreamed of doing.

• She has gained confidence in herself and her abilities through theatre, and also she has become more comfortable around people and being in front of crowds. She’s thankful for these skills as she knows they will benefit her now and in the future.

• She’s enjoying the new perspective of being in a Penn show compared to the other shows she has been apart of. She’s also excited to have her first lead role! She’s working hard to balance school, swimming, and the musical, but she knows all of her effort will pay off.

• Michael Banks: “The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.”

• Played by: Eddie Bell

• Schmucker 6th grader

• First Penn musical

• Eddie has been doing theatre for 2 years.

• He did his first production in 4th grade at Prairie Vista, and he enjoyed it so much he decided to continue.

• The aspect of this show he’s looking forward to most is getting to fly!

• Theatre has helped Eddie gain confidence and improve his public speaking ability, both of which are valuable life skills that will certainly benefit him in the future.

• He’s very excited about his rare opportunity to be in a high school show as a middle schooler.

Character descriptions: http://www.mtishows.com/disney-and-cameron-mackintoshs-mary-poppins

By ARIELLE KIRSCH

Student reporter

At 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, relaxing and fun jazz music will sail through the Main Arena of Penn High School, as music lovers settle down for an exciting evening of Jazz at the Palace.  

Showcasing ensembles from Penn High School, Discovery Middle School, and Concord High School, the program will feature world-famous drummer Dana Hall, a professional musician since 1992 who has performed on six continents. Click here to watch a video of Dana Hall performing.

Included in the purchase of $7 student tickets and $10 adult tickets are free desserts for all who attend Jazz at the Palace.  The performances will feature contemporary and traditional pieces by composers including Duke Ellington and Alan Baylock.

Originally billed as “Jazz a la Mode” in the Penn High School cafeteria in 1995, Jazz at the Palace has now been moved to the Main Arena of the high school.  “As the event grew, especially over the past 7-8 years, we decided a larger scale format with the opportunity for better lighting, sound and atmosphere was the next step in making this a special event for the community,” said Bill Leather, a music instructor for the bands performing at Jazz at the Palace.

Overall, Jazz at the Palace has been very well received by the P-H-M community.

“We typically bring in anywhere from 450-500 people for this event. The community seems to enjoy the event,” said Leather.  “Both Dr. Thacker and Mr. Hope said last year's event was ‘one of the best events of any kind (they) have ever seen at Penn High School.’”

Tickets can be preordered for $5 for students and $8 for adults, by clicking here.

Penn students excelled in the recent Scholastic Art competition. Award-winning artwork will be displayed starting on Feb. 5, at the South Bend Museum of Art in the Century Center.

Here are a few of Penn’s award-winning pieces: