Olivia Neufelder, Horizon Elementary, Discovery Middle and Penn High School (Class of 2012) alumna, was featured as an “Unsung Hero” on the TODAY Show this morning (Wednesday, May 2, 2018) as part of National Nurses Week.  Olivia, a nurse at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center, loves to sing and brought joy to one of her patients before she passed away … something her family will always cherish calling Olivia their “angel nurse.”

Click the video below to watch Olivia’s heart warming story …

When Indiana’s primary election takes place Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Schmucker will house a polling center, as it has in the past.

Door L and Door M on Jefferson Road will be open to the public to access for voting. The first row of parking spaces in the staff lot between Doors L and M will be available for public parking. Voters must enter and exit through Doors L or M. Voters will not be allowed passage into the students’ area.

Other P-H-M schools that will serve as voting locations in this spring election are Mary Frank Elementary School, Meadow’s Edge Elementary School, Prairie Vista Elementary School, Walt Disney Elementary School and Schmucker Middle School. Of course registered voters may only use the polling location that serves their precinct, based on home address.  Here is a link to the precincts maps and polling location information provided by St. Joseph County. 

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that two students, Lauren Frank and David Li, have been honored with Class of 2018 Salutatorian status.

"I am very proud of the 2018 Penn High School Salutatorians,” Galiher said. “This accomplishment is a culmination of many years of hard work and persistence.  Each student is a shining example of the vision of excellence we have for our school and community. I am extremely proud of each student and know that they will continue to make a difference in the lives of others."

Penn’s Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018, at 7 p.m., at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion. Click here for graduation information.

LAUREN FRANK

Parents: Tricia Frank and Nate Frank.

Elementary School: Trinity East (Washington, Pa.).

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Butler University, majoring in Health & Sciences and Physician’s Assistant.

Career plans: Pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant in Northern Indiana.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Cross Country All-State and Academic All-State, Track State Qualifier and Academic All-State, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Freshmen Mentor, DECA State Qualifier, National Honor Society.

DAVID LI

Parents: Shuiqing Zhao and Rugang Li.

Elementary School: Devonshire.

Middle School: C.E. Williams.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, majoring in Electrical Engineering.

Career plans: Electrical Engineer specializing in control systems and mirco-electronics.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: National Merit Commended Scholar, National Honor Society, Penn Robotics Team.

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that 17 students have earned Valedictorian honors.

"I am very proud of the 2018 Penn High School Valedictorians,” Galiher said. “This accomplishment is a culmination of many years of hard work and persistence.  Each student is a shining example of the vision of excellence we have for our school and community. I am extremely proud of each student and know that they will continue to make a difference in the lives of others."

Penn’s Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018, at 7 p.m., at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion. Click here for graduation information.

NICHOLAS CASETTI

Parents: Jennifer Casetti and Alfredo Casetti.

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, studying Chemical Engineering.

Career plans: To be an Entrepreneur.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Debate, TEAMS, Tennis, National AP Scholar, Indiana Academic All-Star, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, Academic All-State.

MADELINE CULLISON

Parents: Dorothy Miller and Christopher Cullison.

Elementary School: Bittersweet.

Middle School: Schmucker.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish.

Career plans: Research.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Key Club, Dream Commission Society, Powder Puff Football, Kingsmen Court, Commended Scholar. 

MARGARET FINNESSY

Parents: Eve Finnessy and John Finnessy

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University, majoring in Biological Sciences.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Swim Team, Spell Bowl, Habitat for Humanity, Kingsmen Against Cancer, National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

KENDRA FUELLING

Parents: Dana Fuelling and Brad Fuelling.

Elementary School: Mary Frank.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Purdue University.

Career plans: To become a Veterinarian.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Marching Band (Section Leader in Pit), Orchestra.

KRISTINE HOCKER

Parents: Katherine Hocker and Kim Hocker

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend MIT to study Neuroscience and Philosophy.

Career plans: Neuroscientist.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Plays Viola in the Symphonic Orchestra, Freshmen Mentor, Kingsmen Tutor, National Merit Finalist, French Club, Key Club.

MORGAN JANKOWSKI

Parents: Juliann Jankowski and Craig Jankowski.

Elementary School: St. Pius X.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Indiana University, with a double major in Ballet and Business.

Career plans: To be a professional Ballet dancer.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Wells Scholar at Indiana University, National Merit Commended Scholar, DECA Business Club, French Club Vice-President, Dancer at Ballet in Chicago.

FEZAAN KAZI

Parents: Noreen Kazi and Amer Kazi.

Elementary School: Stanley Clark.

Middle School: Stanley Clark.

College plans: Attend Indiana University.

Career plans: To attend medical school and become a Neurosurgeon.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Science Academic Super Bowl Captain, Key Club, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Principal’s Honor Roll, Youth Leadership in South Bend.

VERONICA KIRGIOS

Parents: Claudia Polini and Hristos Kirgios.

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Mathematics, Political Science and Linguistics.

Career plans: To be a Political Science Statistical Researcher to aid in policy-making in the U.S. 

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: GSA, Kingsmen Court, Varsity Lacrosse Captain, March For Our Lives organizer, Commended National Merit Scholar, Indiana Outstanding High School Student of Spanish Award, Volunteer at LaCasa de Amistad.

SYBIL KURIAN

Parents: Shyla Kurian and Sabu Kurian.

Elementary School: St. Thomas.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Trine University, majoring in Exercise Science.

Career plans: To obtain a PhD in Physical Therapy and work at a Veterans Hospital.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Cross Country, Track, Student Council, Freshmen Mentor, Volunteer at Hospital.

KENDRA LAIDIG

Parents: Sheila Laidig and Scott Laidig.

Elementary School: Madison.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Butler University and double major in Health Care and Business, and Spanish, and Graduate in the Physician’s Assistants Program.

Career plans: Physician’s Assistant.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: DECA President, Track and Field, National Honor Society, Student-Athlete Leadership Council.

ERIN LUDWIG

Parents: Jennifer Ludwig and David Ludwig

Elementary School: Prairie Vista.

Middle School: Schmucker.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior.

Career plans: Life sciences.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Soccer (State Champions in 2016 and 2017, National Champions in 2017), Tennis, President of Handwritten Hearts, National Honor Society, Key Club, Freshmen Mentor, Kingsmen Tutor, winner of the C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Award presented by the Indiana High School Athletic Association.

BRYAN MAI

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Parents: Wendy Mai and David Mai

Elementary School: St. Pius X

Middle School: St. Pius X

College plans: Attend the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and major in Business Administration.

Career plans: Dentistry, with plans to own a practice.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: DECA Vice President, Tennis Captain, National Honor Society, Hospital Volunteer, Key Club.

CHRISTOPHER MAZUREK

Parents: Elizabeth Mazurek and Tadeusz Mazurek.

Elementary School: Elm Rd.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Band, Quiz Bowl, South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

MATTHEW RACH

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Parents: Marget Rach and Michael Rach.

Elementary School: Elm Road.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Purdue University to study Mechanical Engineering.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: National Honor Society, Swim Team, TEAMS member, Academic All-Star.

MAHEERA SIDDIQUE

Parents: Sadia Malik and Jamil Siddique.

Elementary Schools: Sunrise Academy and Mary Frank.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Indiana University, majoring in Political Science and Linguistics.

Career plans: To be a diplomat for the United States or a representative for the United Nations.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Key Club, Model United Nations, Dream Commission Society, Kingsmen Court, Freshmen Mentor.

MACKENZIE WOOD

Parents: Kiley Wood and Matt Wood.

Elementary Schools: Horizon and Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University to study Computer Engineering.

Career plans: Play professional soccer and represent our country on the U.S. National Team.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Attended U.S. Soccer Women’s National Training Camp in 2016 and 2018, attended U.S. Soccer id2 Camp in 2016, Team Captain for Penn Girls Soccer, attended All-American Game in 2017, Indiana Career Goalkeeper Shutout Record for IHSAA, National Honor Society, Soccer and Hospital Volunteer.

RENEE YASEEN

Parents: Raghda Hasna and Zuhair Yaseen.

Elementary Schools: Walt Disney and Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, studying International Economics and Arabic Language.

Career plans: To be a Lawyer.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Debate Team Captain, National Honor Society President, Model United Nations Executive, Choir, Jazz, Kingsmen Court, Natural Helpers, National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

Choir, Orchestra and Band members from Penn High School excelled in Indiana State School Music Association Group I qualifier competition at Chesterton, Indiana, on Saturday, April 28.

This contest determines which 16 Concert Choirs, eight Treble/Men’s Choirs, eight Orchestras, and 16 Bands will compete in the ISSMA State Finals on Saturday, May 5.

The Penn Concert Choir, under the direction of Andrew Nemeth, Lavon Oke and accompanist Andrew Napolitan, received a Gold Rating with Distinction for their performance on Saturday at Chesterton Middle School.

The Penn Women’s Chorale, under the Direction of Lavon Oke, Andrew Nemeth, and accompanist Andrew Napolitan, received a Gold Rating for their performance on Saturday at Chesterton Middle School.

The Penn Orchestra, under the direction of Anne Tschetter, and Zac Coudret, received Gold Rating with Distinction for their performance on Friday at Chesterton High School.

The Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Glenn Northern, D.J. Landoll, and Aaron Griesser received a Gold Rating with Distinction for their performance on Saturday at Chesterton High School.

The Penn Orchestra Qualified for the ISSMA State Finals Competition for the 13th time since 2003. They will perform at Pike High School, In Indianapolis on Saturday, at 11:15 a.m.

The Penn Symphonic Winds qualified for State Finals for the 17th consecutive year, and will perform at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

Two Penn High School students made history at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Competition in Detroit.

Juniors McKenna Hillsdon-Smith of Penn’s Robotics Team 135 and Zachary Simon of Granger Gears were named winners of the prestigious Dean’s List Award at the FIRST World Robotics Competition held in Detroit April 27-30. Only 10 students out of the more than 40,000 students worldwide who competed in FIRST Robotics this year were named to the Dean’s List.

It is the first time in the nine-year history of the Dean’s List Award that two students from the same high school have won the award in the same year! The "Dean's List Award" is named after Dean Kamen–engineer, inventor, and businessman best known for inventing the Segway & is one of FIRST's founding fathers. U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos was also on hand at the event to honor the Dean’s List winners.

“The Dean’s list represents the best of the best,” Penn Robotics Instructor James Langfeldt said. “When the director of recruitment at both MIT and Yale profess "we want you!" that says a lot about the award recipients.”

Hillsdon-Smith said that she was incredibly surprised when her name was announced as a Dean’s Award winner.

“I specifically remember Mr. Langfeldt saying, ‘Hey, that's you!’” Hillsdon-Smith said.

Hillsdon-Smith hopes the award will have an impact at Penn and with Team 135.

“I hope this encourages all the students in our program to work hard, even when things don't look bright,” Hillsdon-Smith said.

“The award is all about leadership, and we can't have enough of those in Robotics. This should be an exciting growing period for us, and I think we're all ready.” 

Langfeldt said that Hillsdon-Smith exemplifies the type of students who participate in Penn’s Team 135 Robotics program.

“McKenna is a great example of the type of student we have on Team 135 each and every year,” Langfeldt continued. “A dedication to the greater good of her team, school, and community. I am one of the luckiest people to be able to work with such quality people!”

Simon said that he was deeply honored to be named a Dean’s List Winner.

“In order to be in contention for the award, you need to be nominated by your teammates and coaches,” Simon said. “To know that the rest of my team believes in me enough to nominate me for the award meant a lot, and to be recognized by FIRST made it even more meaningful.

Simon was hit with the emotions of surprise and joy when his name was announced as a winner.

“I was already honored just to be named a Finalist for the award, but winning it and being recognized among all of those outstanding individuals was just incredible,” Simon said.

“Winning this award opens up a lot of opportunities in my future,” Simon continued. “Primarily, it will increase my chances of getting into a high level engineering school because of its significance in STEM fields.”

Granger Gears coach C. Kenneth Cole, Technical Director and Associate Professional Faculty at the University of Notre Dame, said that Simon always puts the team ahead of his personal goals and that he has been an outstanding representative and advocate for FIRST.

“Zach started in FIRST LEGO League in the fourth grade,” Cole said. “This year marks his eighth consecutive year as a member of a FIRST team. At the age of 16, he has now spent nearly half of his life in FIRST. Zach has literally grown up in FIRST. He has been a member of two state champion teams and has traveled to tournaments in California, Arkansas, and Iowa.

 
“Zach is equally proficient as a builder/designer and programmer,” Cole continued. “More importantly Zach also takes lead responsibility to ensure that the engineering notebook is up to date. His career goals include engineering/imagineering for Disney.”
 

According to FRC, the Dean’s List Award began in 2010 to celebrate outstanding student leaders whose passion for and effectiveness at attaining FIRST ideals is exemplary. It was created to recognize the leadership and dedication of the FIRST most outstanding robotics students.

Hillsdon-Smith and Simon were cited by FIRST Robotics Competition as a student leader who has played a key role in increasing awareness in both the community and Penn about FIRST and its mission.

Among the criteria in the selection of Hillsdon-Smith and Simon to the world Dean’s List Award is overall individual contribution to their teams, technical expertise and passion, entrepreneurship and creativity, the ability to motivate and lead fellow team members and effectiveness at increasing awareness of FIRST in their school and community.

The cool, damp weather on Tuesday afternoon (April 24) did not stop Biology teacher John Gensic and 24 Early College Academy students from planting nearly 85 trees!

Mr. Gensic and his students were in Lake Albert (Elkhart County) today working hand in hand with about 20 Indiana Tool Road Concession Company LLC’s employees on the ITRCC’s sustainability program called “Strengthening Our Roots.” Click here for a photo gallery.

Mr. Gensic’s idea for the project came to him while driving along the Toll Road on his way to Chicago over winter break with his family. He recounts seeing a sign about the ITRCC project, which resulted in 700 trees being planted in 2017. He wanted to do something similar on a stretch of road near Penn-Harris-Madison’s School Corporation’s school territory.

Mr. Gensic reached out to the ITR to discuss his idea and learned while the Department of Transportation doesn't let students on the Toll Road, it does owns a plot of land in Elkhart County and Lake Albert was in desperate need of some “Kingsmen T.L.C.” (tender loving care). Even better, Mr. Gensic learned that the ITR project qualifies for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to provide trees to help replenish the forests after so many Ash trees were lost due to the Emerald Ash Borer Beetles. 

And just like that Mr. Gensic had another service learning project for his students! Under the guidance of the ITR, Mr. Gensic and his Early College students were able to “strengthen the roots” of Lake Albert by planting Burr Oak and Northern Pecan trees, 85 in all!

Other project contributors included NIPSCO, who donated recycled mulch for today’s project, and Cleveland Fire Department, which sent four personnel and two vehicles to provide water. Mr. Gensic’s class gave a combined total of 52 service hours on the project (24 students + 2 staff members x 2 hours each). ITR Concession Company’s 20 volunteers invested a combined total of 100 hours.

Planting trees is not a foreign concept to Mr. Gensic. The “Giving Trees” project was the brainchild of Mr. Gensic (P-H-M’s 2016 Teacher of the Year and top 10 finalist for Indiana TOY). That project was made possible by an initial 2016 grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation. The project continued through the 2017 school year; Mr. Gensic combined his P-H-M TOY prize money from the Education Foundation with a donation from the Springhope Farm. Between 2016 and 2017, more than 60 fruit trees planted at four P-H-M elementary schools: Horizon, Elsie Rogers, Mary Frank and Elm Road schools! The idea behind Mr. Gensic’s project based learning project “Giving Trees” was for students to participate in a real world event that not only focuses on improving the local environment, but also provides food for the P-H-M school community.

It is Mr. Gensic’s hope for students involved in all of his projects to be inspired to become agents of change leading the charge for a healthy environment and community.

See the photo gallery below of today’s Lake Albert “Strengthening Our Roots” tree planting.

To download a high resolution jpg file from the photo gallery, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right hand corner of the photo wile viewing it in the Photo Gallery function.

Penn’s Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018, at 7 p.m., at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion.

PLEASE READ regarding Commencement photography:
 HR Imaging will be photographing graduates at the ceremony. HR Imaging will contact parents soon after the ceremony with viewing and purchasing options — you'll receive login information to view images securely online at http://shop.hrimaging.com. The P-H-M District Communications Office will also be taking some photographs that they will share on Penn’s website. They will be high res and free to download. NOT ALL STUDENTS WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED.

• Senior Letter regarding commencement details and Senior Recognition night
• Graduation Photo information
• Cap and Gown information
• Information Form for Seniors
• Campus map and directions for Notre Dame

The Penn Baseball Team beat Jimtown, 13-0, on Friday, April 20.

Please see the photo gallery below. To download a high resolution jpg file from the photo gallery, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function.

Community Connections Fair

Saturday, April 21, 2018

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Walt Disney Elementary School

In an effort to expand outreach to the families of all of our ENL students (grades K-12), P-H-M’s ENL Services is hosting a community resource fair to make families aware of the services not only available within the district, but also in the Mishawaka and South Bend areas. Bilingual interpreters will be on hand at the event to assist those families who need it.

Click here to download a copy of the event flier in English. Copies are also available in Spanish, Chinese and Korean.

*Adobe Acrobat Reader will be required to view pdf documents. 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.