The P-H-M family suffered a great loss this weekend when two brothers, Nick and Jack Savage, tragically lost their lives. Nick Savage is a 2014 Penn graduate receiving his diploma just last year and Jack graduated this past May.

Many in our community are struggling to accept that news and manage the feelings of shock, grief and sorrow associated with their deaths.

Penn High School counselors are available to meet with anyone to share feelings, hear concerns, and provide support and compassion. Students, graduates, staff, parents, community members – all are welcome to drop in at the Penn Counseling Center this week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and noon to talk with a counselor. Or, you may call 258-9505 to arrange a different time.

The counselors have training and insight, but also great empathy and understanding inasmuch as this loss has affected them too.  Do not hesitate to come in or call if they can help you. 

Friday, May 29. Thousands of people have the date circled, looking forward to commencement for Penn High’s Class of 2015.  Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion will be filled with proud family members looking on as 848 students receive their diplomas.  

This graduating class boasts many accomplishments.

• More than half of these seniors will receive Academic Honors diplomas – a first for Penn High School
• Ninety-one of them will receive Technical Honors diplomas – a tribute to the strength of the district’s STEM programs
• A full third of the graduates have earned High Honors – a distinction reserved for those with a 3.5 GPA or higher
• Twelve seniors have been named National Merit Finalists
• Three seniors have earned coveted appointments to United States Military Academies

Seventeen valedictorians and two salutatorians will be recognized at the Friday evening ceremony and will take turns addressing their classmates from the dais. These young men and women have distinguished themselves in a highly competitive environment. Most of them have been involved in clubs and service activities even while taking Advanced Placement courses and maintaining stellar GPA’s.

This year's valedictorians are Daniel Solomon Alber, Christine Marie Cunningham, Morgan Mitchell Hurst, Hudson Clay Huth, Andrew Davde Ivaldi, Paul Jihoon Kwak, Peter AudleyLoughran, Emily Anne Meckstroth, Faadil Mohammed Shariff, Julianne Hendrie Smith, Rachel G. Susler, Stephanie Aijing Tapp, Katherine Jane Tornquist, Erin Pamela Vaughan, Kevin LinWang, Madison Joan Woods, and Shelley Sizhen Zhang.  

The class salutatorians are Julianna Helen Stevenson and Conrad Mast Shreiner. 

The academic strength of this year’s graduating class is remarkable. The combined value of their collegiate scholarships exceeds $8.5 million!

Superintendent Jerry Thacker often describes the “Triangle of Success” as the combined efforts of parents, teachers and students. High school commencement portrays wonderfully how that Triangle of Success produces excellent results.

Congratulations to the Penn High School Class of 2015!

A crowd of 200 watched as the limo pulled up to Penn High School, then out stepped 9-year old Grace Hildreth amid applause and cheers, flashing cameras and raised cell phones. The event was “Hand of Grace,” an evening of celebration for Grace, the recipient of a prosthetic arm built by engineering students at the high school.

In a coordinated effort, the Penn High School students and staff pictured below have worked since January to design and create the prosthetic arm for Grace. It was Aaron Leniski, principal of Madison Elementary School where Grace attends third grade, who contacted engineering teachers Josiah Parker and Jim Langfeldt and proposed the project. The high school students had some trepidation, but before long were committed to making it happen. 

The design was based on plastic parts created on a 3-D printer, but much engineering and test fitting went into the final product. Students from the Penn News Network, led by teacher Kevin McNulty, got involved producing a brief but compelling documentary film titled “Hand of Grace.”

The movie premiere was planned as the centerpiece of the evening, although the real highlight may have been the live interview as Grace and her parents, Jack and Olivia Hildreth, answered questions and shared their perspective with those in the audience. 

Grace was also fitted with a beautiful blue ball gown, custom made for her by a group of Family and Consumer Science students, which added to the evening’s “wish come true” theme. For those not able to attend, this video covers the evening’s festivities, including footage of Grace using her new hand.

Her next wish: to shake hands with lots of people and to tickle her little sister!

The emotional story was featured on the front page of the May 28th “South Bend Tribune” and covered on the late news of all four local TV stations: WNDU, WSBT, FOX 28 and ABC 57. The story has been picked up by ABC National News and is to be featured in a future “World News Tonight” story by anchor David Muir. The date and time of that broadcast will be promoted as soon as it’s known. 

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the nation from each Congressional district. A judging panel comprised of four local artists helped select a winning entry. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year in  the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski presented the 2^nd District Congressional Art Awards to finalists on Saturday morning, May 16 at a reception at the South Bend Airport. Penn senior Krista Smith, who is a third year photography student, was awarded first place in the competition for her artwork entitled, "The Sigh of a Gypsy Queen." Smith's artwork placed first out of 87 entries submitted to Walorski's office. Krista and her family will be flown to Washington, D.C. where her piece will be hung at the State Capitol. 

Penn High School had five student winners in the top 11. Yejee Oh placed third for her Drawing/Illustration project entitled "Concert Day." Megan Brown received Honorable Mention for her Drawing Project entitled "The Evil Eye." Morgan Ness received an Honorable Mention for her Drawing/Printmaking project entitled "What a Wonderful World," and Caitlin Stout received an Honorable Mention for her Drawing project entitled "Rotations." Congratulations to these outstanding student artists!

On Saturday, May 9, the Penn Symphonic Winds (the top concert band at Penn High School) was named Co-Champion with the Carmel High School Band at the 2015 ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) State Concert Band Contest. The Symphonic Winds, directed by Glenn Northern and assisted by Chris Paulson, includes 63 musicians. Penn’s program included the “Big Cage March” by Karl King, “Noisy Wheels of Joy” by Eric Whitaker, and “Fantasy Variations” by James Barnes.

Each year’s Champion Band is awarded a $1000 scholarship by the Indiana Dairy Farmers Association. Penn senior Sara Eveler, who will be attending Valparaiso University, has been selected as the recipient of this year’s scholarship.

Each year bands compete the prior weekend at one of four ‘state qualifier’ sites for a chance to be one of sixteen finalists. In the 31 years of the contest this is the first ever tie for top honors.

Mr. Northern is in his fourth year as Director of Bands and Fine Arts Academy Leader at Penn High School following ten years as Assistant Director. Earlier this year he was named “2015 Outstanding Bandmaster” by Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Paulson is in his eighth year as a Band Director in the P-H-M system.

Over the years Penn Bands have had a number of top five finishes at the state finals earning a second place in 2009.

Penn High School athletic director Ben Karasiak was honored by the Moose Krause Chapter of the College Football Hall of Fame at its April 22 banquet. Karasiak was awarded the organization's 2015 Moose Krause Contributions to Football Award. The Moose Krause Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame is one of the strongest and most prestigious in the country. The award is a fitting and well-deserved honor, made all the more special in light of Mr. Karasiak's announced retirement. 

An outstanding collegiate athlete, Ben Karasiak played both football and baseball at the University of Evansville and has since been inducted in U of E's Athletic Hall of Fame. In his career, Ben has taught and coached, and served as an administrator and athletic director, at Marian High School and Elkhart Memorial High School, before coming to Penn in 1997. His tenure at Penn as Director of Athletics and Student Activities has been marked by great success, including 11 team state championships and 13 state runner-up teams.

In addition to overseeing outstanding athletic programs throughout the district, a number of Penn facilities have been upgraded under his leadership, resulting in top-notch venues serving athletes and spectators. Thousands of students have been positively impacted by Ben Karasiak's contributions in the past 18 years. His influence, the standards he has maintained and the practices he has modeled, have benefited the larger community as well.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, its Board and administration and staff, join in congratulating Ben Karasiak on this professional achievement!

Premier Driving Institute, Inc. will offer driver's education again this summer at Penn High School. Two classes are available: June 8 – June 19 and July 6 – July 17. Both sessions are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Here's a flyer with all of the information or go to premierdrivinginstitute.com or call 574-389-7648. 

TAKEN AT IVY TECH, SOUTH BEND    3

PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology          TransferIN 3 College Credits

Prerequisites: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in ENGL 025 or ENGL 093 and ENGL 032 or ENGL 083 and MATH 015. Surveys behavior and cognitive processes as they affect the individual. The course focuses on biological foundations, learning processes, research methodologies, personality, human development and abnormal and social psychology.

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade: 11-12

Course Description: This group of advanced singers perform show, folk and swing music. The group is available for civic and community functions and makes numerous appearances during the year.

Course Objective: To provide students with positive musical and educational experiences through the process of singing fundamentals-rehearsals-performances. Students will study and develop individual dance skills in a variety of styles.

Content

1. Correct vocal techniques & singing posture.

2. Develop large motor skills.

3. Develop visual expressiveness

4. Develop physical endurance

5. Develop a well-groomed appearance in performance.

Approximate Time Table

1st. nine-week grading period.

1. Learn proper rehearsal procedures.

2. Learn proper vocal/dance techniques & performance posture.

3. Rehearse music for Parents Banquet.

4. Parents Banquet (October).

2nd nine-week grading period.

1. Reinforcement & sequential progression of correct vocal/dance

techniques.

2. Learn music for upcoming concerts.

3. Rehearsals/Concerts (December).

4. ISSMA rehearsals

5. Performances as requested.

3rd nine-week grading period.

1. Reinforcement & sequential progression of proper vocal/dance

techniques.

2. ISSMA Chamber Night (Feb.).

3. ISSMA Contest (Feb.).

4. Rehearse music for Elementary tour.

5. Elementary Tour (Feb.).

7. Fine Arts Festival (March).

8. Performances as requested.

4th nine-week grading period.

1. Reinforcement & sequential progression of proper vocal/dance

techniques.

2. Rehearse music for Spring Concert.

4. Spring Concert (May).

5. Performances as requested.

Materials Used

1. Choral music selected by the directors.

Grading System

Nine-week grades for Choir classes will be determined by the student's percentage grades in the following categories:

Tests: Singing and Written

-The average score earned on tests given during the grading

period.

-On singing tests students will, when possible, be given a

copy of their part showing where flaws occurred.

-Tests missed and not made up will result in a "0".

Performances: Concerts, Contests and other public appearance

-The average score earned by the student for participation in

performances during the grading period.

-Unexcused performances missed will result in a "0".

Classroom Participation

-The average score earned by the student during the grading period as determined by the classroom teacher.

-Consideration will include classroom rules established by the teacher.

-Consideration will include tardies and absences.

Performance Rehearsals

-The average score earned by the student for participation in performance rehearsals during the grading period.

-Unexcused performance rehearsals missed will result in a "0".

Classroom Rules

You have the responsibility of being in your seat prior to the bell. Sight reading pitch will be sounded immediately following class bell. Tardies will be assessed a one point deduction from the participation grade. Failure to check in will result in a two point deduction.

1. No gum.(Deduction of 1 participation point)

2. No talking.

3. Good posture.

4. Positive behavior.

5. Prepare and practice part

6. Attend morning rehearsals

7. Attend performances

8. Show respect and responsibility to classmates and instructors

Attendance Policy

Consistent attendance is important for successful music learning and vocal skill development. It is the responsibility of the student to request makeup assignments (available in Choir Room).

All students are expected to make up work for missed classes regardless of reason. Classes not made up will result in a two (2) point Classroom Participation grade reduction. Absences may be made up by turning in a "make-up" sheet within two (2) days of absence(s). For extended absences, this time will be extended to the number of days absent plus one day. Ultimately, the evaluation of student success will be based upon their performance in and for the class, as well as the quality of their work.

An unexcused tardy will result in a one (1) point classroom Participation grade reduction and may not be made up. Excused tardies (pass from a teacher) are exempt from classroom Participation grade reduction.

Folder Check-Out

The purchasing of sheet music for the choral organizations each year is a major budget expenditure. Care in handling music at school or at home is imperative of all participating music students.

One folder/tape will be assigned to each student. This folder may be taken home to practice voice/dance part.

2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade: 11-12

Course Description: This advanced mixed choir studies and performs choral literature selected from a variety of periods in music history. This course is designed to introduce and develop advanced singing techniques and sight-reading skills. This group performs in concert eight times a year. Attendance required at all performances.

Course Objective: To provide students with positive musical and educational experiences through the process of singing fundamentals-rehearsals-performances.

Content

I. Advanced rhythms using all types of note & rests.

II. Major & minor key signatures.

III. Advanced sight-reading exercises. (May include 4-part)

IV. Major, minor & chromatic scales.

V. Correct vocal techniques & singing posture.

VI. Latin pronunciation.

VII. Pronunciation of French and or German.

Approximate Time Table

1st nine-week grading period.

1. Introduction to 3-part sight-reading.

2. Reinforcement of proper rehearsal procedures.

3. Reinforcement of proper vocal techniques & singing

posture.

4. Book III & IV sight-reading exercises.

5. Rehearse possible contest selections.

6. Rehearse music for St. Mary's College Performance

2nd nine-week grading period.

1. Reinforcement & sequential progression of 3-part sight-

reading.

2. Book IV sight-singing exercises.

3. Reinforcement & sequential progression of correct vocal

techniques.

5. Rehearsals/Concerts (Dec.).

8. Rehearse solo/ens. music

3rd nine-week grading period.

1. Book IV & V sight-reading exercises.

2. Reinforcement & sequential progression of 3-part

sight-reading.

3. Reinforcement & sequential progression of proper vocal

techniques.

4. ISSMA Chamber Night.

5. ISSMA Contest.

6. Rehearse music for Fine Arts Festival.

7. Fine Arts Festival.

4th nine-week grading period.

1. Book V sight-reading exercises.

2. Reinforcement & sequential progression of 4-part sight-

reading.

3. Reinforcement & sequential progression of proper vocal

techniques.

4. Rehearse music for Contest & Spring Concert.

5. District contest (April).

6. Spring Concert (May).

7. Commencement (June).

Materials Used

1. The Folk Song Sight-Singing Series Books III, IV & V.

2. 4-part sight-singing exercises compiled by the directors.

3. Choral music selected by the directors.

Grading System

Nine-week grades for Choir classes will be determined by the student's percentage grades in the following categories:

Tests: Singing and Written

-The average score earned on tests given during the grading

period.

-On singing tests students will, when possible, be given a

copy of their part showing where flaws occurred.

-Tests missed and not made up will result in a "0".

Performances: Concerts, Contests and other public a ppearances

-The average score earned by the student for participation in

performances during the grading period.

-Unexcused performances missed will result in a "0".

Classroom Participation

-The average score earned by the student during the grading

period as determined by the classroom teacher.

-Consideration will include classroom rules established by

the teacher.

-Consideration will include tardies and absences.

Performance Rehearsals

-The average score earned by the student for participation in

performance rehearsals during the grading period.

-Unexcused performance rehearsals missed will result in a "0".

Classroom Rules

You have the responsibility of being in your seat prior to the bell. Sight reading pitch will be sounded immediately following class bell. Tardies will be assessed a one point deduction from the participation grade. Failure to check in will result in a two point deduction.

1. No gum.(Deduction of 1 participation point)

2. No talking.

3. Good posture.

4. Positive behavior.

5. Good attention

Attendance Policy

Consistent attendance is important for successful music learning and vocal skill development. It is the responsibility of the student to request makeup assignments (available in Choir Room).

All students are expected to make up work for missed classes regardless of reason. Classes not made up will result in a two (2) point Classroom Participation grade reduction. Absences may be made up by turning in a "make-up" sheet within two (2) days of absence(s). For extended absences, this time will be extended to the number of days absent plus one day. Ultimately, the evaluation of student success will be based upon their performance in and for the class, as well as the quality of their work.

An unexcused tardy will result in a one (1) point classroom Participation grade reduction and may not be made up. Excused tardies (pass from a teacher) are exempt from classroom participation grade reduction.

Folder Check-Out

The purchasing of sheet music for the choral organizations each year is a major budget expenditure. Care in handling music at school or at home is imperative of all participating music students.

One folder will be assigned to every two students of each choral organization. This folder may not be taken home except by special permission from the Direct