Penn High’s Kingsmen Volleyball Team, ranked No. 12 in the state, overpowered No. 16 LaPorte, 25-14, 25-13, 25-16, to capture the Class 4-A South Bend Sectional Championship on Saturday, Oct. 14. The Sectional title was the 14^th in Program history.

“I’m so proud of these girls tonight,” Penn Head Coach Sarah Hendricks said. “They played with heart and as a team.

“Naomi Willis is 5-foot-4 and played like she is 6-foot-4.  Ally Hickey had an outstanding performance and led us in kills.”

Here is a Photo Gallery of the Sectional Championship.

Hendricks said that Penn’s defense was essential in turning back the LaPorte attack.

“Our defense was amazing,” Hendricks said. “Sophia Cruz, Rachel Hickey and Julia Beers were digging everything. LaPorte had some outstanding hitters, and our defense was shutting them down. We played with energy and executed our game plan. It was a great night.”

Ally Hickey blasted off to lead the Kingsmen with 14 kills. Italia Fields had 13 kills and Alyssa Torres had eight kills.

Naomi Willis directed the Penn offense with 36 assists.

Rachel Hickey led the Kingsmen defense with 19 digs. Sophia Cruz had 18 digs and Kylee Hixenbaugh had 10 digs.

Penn’s Volleyball Team, ranked No. 12 in the state, defeated No. 16 LaPorte, 3-0, to earn the Class 4-A South Bend Sectional Championship on Saturday, Oct. 14.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Coach Cory Yeoman’s Penn Football Team beat Mishawaka 48-7 on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, to earn the Northern Indiana Conference North Division Championship.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Penn opened the Volleyball State Tournament with a 25-7, 25-12, 25-9 victory against South Bend Adams in the Class 4-A South Bend Clay Sectional on Thursday, Oct. 12. 

Penn (29-4) advances to the Semifinal round to play at noon on Saturday, Oct. 14. 

Italia Fields and Rachel Rupert blasted 11 kills each. 

Alyssa Torres had eight kills. 

Naomi Willis dished out 33 assists. 

Rachel Hickey had 16 digs, Julia Beers 14, and Sophia Cruz 10 digs.

Penn High School Biology Teacher John Gensic was recognized today among Indiana’s finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation's highest honor math, science and computer science teachers. This is the second time Mr. Gensic has received this great honor; he was a state PAEMST finalist last year as well. 

Mr. Gensic, 2016 P-H-M Teacher of the Year and Top 10 Finalist for 2017 Indiana Teacher of the Year, is now in contention to win the national award.  His application will move on to the U.S. Department of Education for the next round of selection. 

National winners receive:

• A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
• A paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

In addition to recognizing outstanding teaching in mathematics or science, the program provides teachers with an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. Since 1983, more than 4,100 teachers have been recognized.

Need help with your science or math homework?

“Ask Rose,” Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Homework Hotline is a free service with student-tutors available Sundays – Thursdays, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Tutors are Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students who major in math, science or engineering—which means they’re more than equipped to help with virtually any math or science homework problem (grades 6-12).

You can call a tutor at 877-Ask-Rose (877-275-7673) or chat with a tutor at AskRose.org/chat.

You can also email tutors by visiting Askrose.org/email at any time and they will respond during operating hours.

Penn High School Theatre Instructor Crystal Ryan looked over an English class reading list supplied to her by English Instructor and fellow actor Michael Coffee, and immediately spotted what would be an ideal play for October.

The Penn High School Fine Arts Department will present “Jane Eyre” on Thursday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 13, in the Studio Theatre. The play is slated to start at 7 p.m. on both nights. Cost is $5 and may be purchased online at www.ticketracker.com or at the door.

“Jane Eyre is a Gothic love story!” Ryan said. “Be ready for ghosts, eerie shadows, fantastic lights and a soundscape that might make you jump in your seat a little!”

Ryan read through several adaptations of “Jane Eyre” and then chose a version by Thomas Hischak to challenge her students.

“The major reason I found this version so enticing was the 90-minute run time, combined with its intrinsically dramatic feel,” Ryan said. “The script calls for three different Janes. One as a young girl, one as a young woman, and one who is a mature woman looking back at the past. These three Janes even interact with one another.”

Ryan said that working with Penn’s students on the play has been a rewarding experience.

“One thing I am most proud of is the incredible work ethic of our students that matches some professionals I have worked with outside of Penn,” Ryan said. “The show has student technicians, designers, and performers, but some have also even done things such as design our posters and the cover for our programs.”

Cast

Jane Eyre: Kala Key

Jane: Caroline Carrier

Young Jane: Katie Byers

Mrs. Reed: Cali Katzenberger

Georgiana, Girl at Lowood, Girl at Morton: Madison Lacy

 Eliza, Girl at Lowood, Girl at Morton: Paige Mihalick

 The Ghost of Mr. Reed, Rev Wood: Easton Meyer

 Mr. Brocklehurst: Dawson Best

Miss Temple, Leah: Jessica O’Brien

 Miss Miller, Bertha Rochester: Deborah Arnett

 Helen Burns, Girl at Morton: Jasmine White

 Bessie, Lady Ingram: Sky Taylor

 Mrs. Fairfax: Sam Grocock

 Mr. Rochester: Ian Janowsky

 Grace Poole: Emmalee McConnell

Adele, Girl at Lowood: Melody Shimba

 Blanche Ingram, Girl at Morton: McKenna Yankel

 Mary Ingram, Marie Rivers: Angie Ramirez

 Richard Mason: Kenny Collymore-Williams

 St. John Rivers: Monte Teeple

 Diane Rivers, Lady Guest: Logan Pritchett
 

By GARRETT WENZEL

Defending State Champion Penn Girls Soccer started its run at a repeat by defeating South Bend Adams, 6-0, in Class 3-A Sectional action on Thursday, Oct. 5.

Allie Lankowicz and the Kingsmen struck quickly. Lankowicz scored off an assist from Maya Locognato in the fourth minute to put the Kingsmen up 1-0.

Kristina Lynch would get a hat trick in a seven-minute span to put the Kingsmen up 4-0 by the 25th minute.

Molly McLaughlin had all three assists in Lynch's scoring flurry.

Mary Kaczynski scored on an assist from Maya Locognato in the 36th minute to put the Kingsmen up 5-0.

Lauren Cernak scored of an assist from Kristina Lynch in the 47th minute to give the Kingsmen their final 6-0 margin.

Penn seniors Brandon Stahl, Micah Craig, and Daniel Gries were named First-Team All-Northern Indiana in Boys Soccer.

Seniors Sammy Atkins and Evan Mercurio were named Second Team All-NIC. Junior Dorian Clayton was named honorable mention. 

The Penn Kingsmen ended the season with an NIC record of 9-1.

By PATRICK WHITEHEAD

Penn Volleyball will open sectional play on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. against South Bend Adams in the Class 4-A Sectional at South Bend Clay.

Penn finished the regular season 28-4 and the Kingsmen are ranked No. 11 in the state.

After the Penn vs Adams match, Mishawaka will take on Riley to wrap up Session 2 on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Semifinal action is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14, at Clay. The first match starts at 11 a.m. as Plymouth will face the winner of the LaPorte-Clay match. After that, the winner of the Adams vs. Penn match and the Mishawaka-Riley match face off. 

The Championship Match is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Clay.