Penn High School’s Robotics Team 135 earned the Chairman’s Award at the Indiana FIRST District Event at Penn on Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10.

A total of 57 high school teams competed in the event. Click to see the photo gallery posted below.

By winning the Chairman’s Award, Penn Robotics earned a berth in the State Finals, April 12-13, in Kokomo.

“The most prestigious award in FIRST means a tremendous amount to our team and community,” Penn Robotics Instructor Jim Langfeldt said of winning the Chairman’s Award. “Winning this has qualified our team for the state championships in Kokomo on April 12-13.  We have a mission of inspiring future students to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and we do this through many meaningful community outreach events.”

Penn placed third overall in the event.

The next competition for Penn is March 23-24 in Lafayette, Ind.

“This was our first time out, so (there are) many opportunities for improvement,” Langfeldt said of the Team 135 showing in the Penn event. “We were seeded No. 2 at the end of seeding matches. Unfortunately, some software issues and penalties kept us from moving on. I expect our team to learn and improve over the next few days to have an impressive showing in Lafayette!”

To download high resolution jpg files from the photo gallery below, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function. We are happy to provide this service to you free of charge.

The Penn Boys Basketball Team defeated Chesterton, 49-42, in the opening Game of the Michigan City Regional on Saturday, March 9, 2019.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

South Dakota State lit up the scoreboard for a 40-26 victory against Duke to claim the I-Ball Championship on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

I-Ball is an intramural basketball program for Penn High School students. A total of 28 teams and nearly 150 students participated in the I-Ball program, which runs from the middle of January through the first week of March. Game are played in Penn’s Fitness Center.

“This program has been around for almost two decades,” I-Ball sponsor Eric Bowers said. “This is a chance for many students to participate in athletics here at Penn.  Some students will not remember many things from here, but they will always remember their teammates and memories made on the I-ball courts.”

This season’s Championship Team featured Nick Roberts, Cameron Koschnick, Nicholas Padrnos, Justin Schneider, Zach Johnston, Sparsh Patel.

I-Ball gives people an opportunity to enjoyed participating in basketball and showcase their court skills.

“I-Ball allows people to blow off some steam after a hard day’s work at school in a slightly competitive environment,” Penn Senior Alex Fadely said. “It’s a chance to play with your friends, compete against other teams and earn bragging rights on the Fitness Center courts.”

Bowers took over the I-Ball program from Mark Watts.

“I-Ball was passed onto me well organized by Mr Watts,” Bowers said. “He created a great atmosphere and I am trying to continue what he built.”

Penn High School’s Advanced Jazz Ensemble is one of eight bands in Indiana to qualify for the State Jazz Finals, which will be Friday, March 15, at North Central High School in Indianapolis. This is the first time in school history that Penn’s Advanced Jazz Ensemble has qualified for the State Jazz Finals.

"Becoming a State Finalist is an excellent accomplishment for these students,” Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher said. “The students and staff of the Fine Arts Academy represent Penn High School well and also understand the commitment it takes to be successful and accomplish their goals."

Penn earned a spot in the State Jazz Finals through the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) State Qualifier at Goshen Middle School, performing: Armando's Big Band,  by Allen Wittig; Whisper Not, by Benny Golson; and Happy-Go-Lucky Local, by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington.

Members of the Advanced Jazz Ensemble are:

• Santiago Retzloff – Alto and Soprano Saxophone (senior)
• Nathan Campeau – Alto Saxophone and Clarinet (senior)
• Maggie Zielinski – Tenor Saxophone (senior)
• Romey Bell – Tenor Saxophone (senior)
• Caleb Vrydaghs – Tenor and Baritone Saxophone (junior)
• Sydney Cole – Baritone Saxophone and Vocals (senior)
• Michael Forry – Trumpet (sophomore)
• D.J. Pennix – Trumpet and Flugelhorn (sophomore)
• Caden Miller – Trumpet (sophomore)
• Derek Reinhardt – Trumpet (junior)
• Brad Ziegelmaier – Trombone (junior)
• Pete Sullivan – Trombone (sophomore)
• Quin Bast – Trombone (sophomore)
• Rebecca Mattson – Bass Trombone (junior)
• Monica Hunt – Guitar (junior) Alex Richard – Guitar (junior)
• Phillip Matous – Piano (freshman)
• Andy Henry – Bass (senior)
• Peter Campeau – Bass (junior)
• Brian Oke – Drums (junior)

“This group is incredibly talented,” Penn Music Instructor Aaron Griesser said. “I am so lucky to be able to stand in front of them. Our soloists were phenomenal at the State Qualifier, which is critically important in any jazz performance. We have a veteran saxophone section with a sound that borders on professional.

“Our entire trumpet section was brand new this year, and they have stepped up in a big way,” Griesser said. “The rhythm section plays with great creativity, and the trombones have shown consistent improvement for the past three years. Most importantly, this band is resilient in the face of adversity. They are at their best when the lights are brightest.”

Griesser said that qualifying for the State Jazz Finals is a special moment in Penn’s outstanding music tradition and the Fine Arts Academy.

“I'm excited to see the culture of collaboration in the Fine Arts Academy directly benefiting the musicians in this band, which includes students from band, choir, orchestra, music theory, and music technology,” Griesser said. “It is so fulfilling to work with these students and all of the other teachers who support them in their creative journey at Penn!”

Penn High School’s DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) program enjoyed one of its best showings at the DECA state competition in Indianapolis on March 3-5, as 10 Penn students qualified for the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, April 27-30. Those students will be challenged by competitors from all over the world, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Spain.

"Preparing our students to be successful in the world of business is critical,” Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher said. “We are proud of their accomplishments and are confident that these students will make a difference in our world as future entrepreneurs or business professionals."

Penn’s International qualifiers are:

• Alex Fadely and Eric Wood – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making Event
• Jacob Eshowsky and Allison Masterson – Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making Event
• Evan Johnson and Jade Tapper – Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making Event
• Jada Edison and Abbie Clay – Independent Business Plan
• Mia Farias and Addyson Farias – Hospitality & Tourism Operations Research

An additional seven students advanced to the finals in their events:

• Thomas Rzeszutko – Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling
• Edward Null & Aidan Whitney – Innovation Plan
• Cameron Kreger & Cameron Trueblood – Sports & Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making Event
• Christian Marshall & Ioannis Samoilis – Business Law & Ethics Team Decision Making Event

DECA is a worldwide club that prepares future leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. There are two main categories that these events fall under, either a research project and written paper, or a role play scenario. The events can be completed individually or with a partner. Role-play competitors must first take part in a district competition and advance to the state competition, while papers, which require much more preparation, go directly to the state competition.

Penn’s DECA Chapter is led by Kyle Berres, an Instructor in Penn’s Management and Business Academy.

By OWEN WISEMAN/Student Reporter

Penn High School’s long and storied athletic tradition will start a new chapter in the spring of 2019. The Kingsmen will field a Unified Track and Field Team! The announcement was made by Penn Athletic Director Jeff Hart in conjunction with March being Disabilities Awareness Month.

Unified Track and Field is the newest Indiana High School Athletic Association sport in the Champions Together format. It is partnered with Special Olympics. Unified Track and Field pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities who have the opportunity to compete for a varsity sport.

"P-H-M and Penn High School works diligently to create an inclusive culture for all students,” Penn Principal Sean Galiher said. “Starting a Unified Track team is another example of providing a valued-add to the school experience for our students." 

Penn will participate in three regular-season Unified Track and Field meets. The Kingsmen will open the Unified Track and Field season on Wednesday, April 24, at Elkhart Memorial, the 2018 State Champion. That meet is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Penn will then compete at Goshen on Friday, May 3 (5:30 p.m.). The lone home meet will be on Wednesday, May 8 (5:30 p.m.) when the Kingsmen host Elkhart Central. The Kingsmen will also participate in the IHSAA State Tournament, starting with the Sectional on Saturday, May 18, at Bremen (1 p.m.).

Hart also announced that Bennett Blazo will be the head coach of Penn’s Unified Track Team. Pam Walters, Karen Tagliaferri, Noah Lipsky and Francisco Cardoza are assistant coaches.

Students interested in participating in Unified Track and Field can see Coach Bennett Blazo in Room 123 or go to the Penn Athletic Department. The team will have two practices a week.

Hart said that he is excited for Penn students to have the opportunity to be involved in Unified Track.

“It’s an excellent idea for many kids to compete in an atmosphere with very little pressure,” Hart said. “I love the inclusiveness of the idea, and it gives many kids with hardships the opportunity to compete for their school and family. It’s also a great way for other kids to be mentors.”

Blazo, a Pickerington, Ohio, native, is a graduate of Indiana-South Bend. He helped lead the Indiana-South Bend running club and was an assistant coach for Mishawaka High School Cross Country and Track and Field.

“Team sports bring people together and Unified Track and Field does just that,” Blazo said. “Students will learn quickly with Unified Track that training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

“It is exciting that Penn has made the decision to add Unified Track to its amazing athletic program,” Blazo said. “It opens the door for everyone at Penn to participate in something very special and develop meaningful relationships with other each other that would last a lifetime.”

Blazo’s background includes involvement with Special Olympics in St. Joseph County in both Basketball and Track and Field.

“I have so much passion for students who may have disabilities and students who do not have disabilities,” Blazo said. “When I heard that Penn was going to add Unified Track and Field as a sport for the school, I felt like it was a calling for me to come join this program and make it into something very special.”

Hart said that Unified Track and Field may be just the beginning of Penn’s commitment to inclusive sports.

“We are absolutely looking into the idea of having more unified sports at Penn in the future,” Hart said. “The IHSAA is expanding unified sports each year with more chances for students to compete and have fun.”

Andrew Kaboswki has done something that only 0.195% of the 1.9 million+ Class of 2018 test takers have done … scored a perfect 36 out of 36!!!

The 15-year-old Penn Junior was recently interviewed by WSBT with his parents. Watch the story about this student’s amazing academic accomplishment.

The Penn Symphonic Orchestra strings will be performing at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York City on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the National Orchestra Cup.

The prestigious competition is open to all student orchestras throughout the United States.

“The impact of the event won't hit our musicians until they are on stage performing their music,” Penn Orchestra Instructor Anne Tschetter said. “They're performing at Lincoln Center! 

“The hard work, hours of practice, extra rehearsals and sectionals, and attention to detail have moved us to the level of being able to travel to New York and perform at Lincoln Center,” Tschetter said.  “What an amazing opportunity that will live with our students forever!”

Penn students will perform IV. Rondo, from Serenade in G, K. 525, "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik", by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Adagio for Strings, by Samuel Barber; and Fugue, from Prelude and Fugue for Strings, by Vittorio Giannini.

On Friday, March 1, South Bend Symphony music director Alastair Willis, a Grammy-nominated conductor, worked with the Penn students to help them prepare for the National contest. Take a look/listen in the video below …

According to Tschetter, individual groups receive an invitation from Forte Festivals, the sponsors of the competition, when their orchestra has been recognized state-wide through participation in their state level competitions.  Beginning in 2003, Penn orchestras have participated in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Qualifier and State Finals.  Penn was approached several years ago by Forte Festivals to travel to New York and compete, but prior travel arrangements/performances prohibited Penn’s Orchestra from participating.

“We made the decision to make the National Orchestra Cup a priority for the 2018-19 school year, as our talented students are ready to take their musical skills to this national stage,” Tschetter said.  
We are so excited to take this step forward!”
 

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher and Counseling Center Director John Westra announced that eight Penn students have earned the distinction of being a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

Amy Bernard, Xi (Chelsea) Chen, Aidan Kaczanowski, Brandon King, Tingyi Lu, Corey Wang, Eric Wood, and Tianle Zhang have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists, and are eligible for National Merit Scholarships.

"We are very excited for our 2019 National Merit Scholarship Finalists,” Galiher said. “This is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects the collective efforts of each student, their teachers and family.  Penn High School and our teachers take great pride in challenging our students and preparing them through rigorous and relevant coursework."  

This year, there were approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors had an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists had to fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

More than 1.6 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2017 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 advanced to the Finalist level.

All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2019. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 230 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 180 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2019 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join some 338,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.

Penn High School Model United Nations Delegate Michelle Kwok was named the Best Delegate at the Model United Nations competition at Indiana University on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019.

Kwok’s award led a strong Penn showing at the event by Penn Sponsor Eric Bowers’ student-delegates.

Zainab Nasser and Laura Gerber earned verbal recognition awards, and Aiden Sweeney was Honorable Mention.