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P-H-M Named 2025 Best Community for Music Education

For the 12th consecutive year, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the 2025’s Best Communities for Music Education (​BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation! P-H-M has received this recognition more than any other school district in Indiana!

This year NAMM has named 935 school districts as the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education, and P-H-M is one of them! The award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment to and access to music education. 

In P-H-M elementary schools, music class is part of the regular curriculum following state standards. Students are instructed in both vocal and instrument classes. Beginning in 6th grade, P-H-M students at our three middle schools (Discovery, Schmucker and Grissom) have the opportunity to choose choir, orchestra or band as their music elective. Students at Discovery also have the option of choosing Piano Lab. Schools from elementary all the way up to Penn High School also perform musicals.

elementary students perform in Willy Wonka the Musical
Moran Elementary students perform in “Willy Wonka the Musical” (March 2025)

Penn High School offers the Fine Arts & Communication Academy as part of its unique academy structure. The seven academy design provides Penn students with relevant and meaningful coursework taught in smaller, supportive environments where each student is known well by his teacher and peers. Nearly a third of Penn’s total 3,500 students are enrolled in the Fine Arts Academy with the majority being involved with music programs, either Choir, Orchestra, Band or another music program.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, P-H-M answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music.

Middle school students play violins
Grissom Middle School students perform in the school’s Veterans Day Celebration (November 2024)

In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood. Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.

Greg Dikos Field Dedication

The baseball field at Penn High School’s Jordan Automotive Baseball Stadium was officially dedicated and renamed on Saturday, April 26 as Greg Dikos Field after Hall of Famer Kingsmen and current coach. 

The field renaming was a $10,000 gift from retiring School Superintendent Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker to the P-H-M Education Foundation Naming Rights Campaign. This makes the fifth donation Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have made as part of the Naming Rights Campaign, recognizing the contributions P-H-M employees have made to the community. Click here for more details.

The ceremony took place in the outfield between the doubleheader between the Kingsmen and Lake Central with the 12-2 Kingsmen win on the scoreboard as the backdrop. Click to see the full photo gallery below.

On hand with Coach Dikos and his wife Sally were their three children, extended family and friends, current and former Kingsmen players and coaches, Penn Hall of Famer Football Coach Chris Geesman, P-H-M School Board Members, P-H-M Education Foundation Board Members, Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher, P-H-M Administrators Dr. Heather Short and Dr. Tom Kelley, and of course Dr. and Mrs. Thacker.

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Going into the 2025 season, Dikos owned a record of 839-298 in 37 seasons.

Penn has won six State Championships during Dikos’ tenure as head coach – 1994, 1998, 2001, 2015, 2022. 2023.

Coach Dikos has also led Penn to seven Semi-State Championships, 13 Regional Champion-

ships, 21 Sectional Championships and 22 Northern Indiana Conference Championships.

A graduate of Swartz Creek High School (Mich.) and Ball State University, Coach Dikos was selected by the Atlanta Braves as a third baseman in the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft in the 31st round.

Coach Dikos was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Penn High School Hosts PHM Board of School Trustees Meeting

Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher, along with assistant principals, director of athletics and students showed off and explained how Penn is “Building Bright Futures.”

At the Penn-Harris-Board of School Trustees meeting held Monday, Feb. 10 at Penn, the high school demonstrated how they are putting this year’s theme into action in everything they do.

From highlights from the Homecoming parade in the fall to reports on Penn’s amazing 98% graduation rate and everything in between. Other reports included:

  • Building & Trades program (now in its 56th year!)
  • Engineering Design & Development program (competed against and beat college students in the TECH 120 class at Purdue) 
  • Class of 2025 students on track for an Honors Diploma
  • AP Enrollment & Success
  • SAT Performance
  • Attendance
  • Athletic & Academic Teams update
  • Teacher Professional Development update
  • … and so much more!

Click here to view Principal Dr. Galiher’s full presentation.

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Mr. Rallo to be Inducted into Indiana Sportswriters & Sportscasters Assoc. Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Mr. Curt Rallo, Penn High School Journalism teacher, Penn Sports Information Director, and member of the P-H-M District Communications Team for being named to the Class of 2025 Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame.

Mr. Rallo is a graduate of Penn High School earning his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-South Bend and a master’s degree from Bethel University.

Curt Rallo at Notre DameMr. Rallo is a working journalist in the truest sense of the word. His experience includes working for the South Bend Tribune for 38 years, covering local high school sports, Big Ten Men’s Basketball and Football, the University of Notre Dame, as well as spot coverage of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. Just some of the notable pro athletes he’s covered include: Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Skylar Diggins, Pat Connaughton, and Michael Jordan (basketball and baseball). While covering college and professional sports, Mr. Rallo reported on the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Maui Invitational, NCAA men’s basketball Final Fours (I.U. and Michigan State) and women’s basketball Final Fours (Notre Dame 6x), covering MLB, NFL and NBA playoffs.

For his work covering Indiana high school sports, Mr. Rallo was recognized by the IHSAA with the Distinguished Media Service Award  in 1996.

Curt Rallo

Mr. Rallo brought his broad depth of experience in sports reporting back to Penn High School when he began teaching in 2001 while still working at the Tribune. He’s now been with P-H-M for 24 years teaching Sports Journalism and serving as the Sports ID for the Kingsmen Athletic Department. He’s also been known to call some Kingsmen games/matches. Mr. Rallo oversees a team of student writers, photographers, videographers, graphic artists, etc. serving as Penn’s own independent sports media outlet. Mr. Rallo and his students impressively cover all of Penn’s teams giving his students real hands-on experiences of doing everything from live play by play on the Pennant YouTube Channel, feature stories on the Pennant website, and in depth conversations with student-athletes and coaches on the Pennant Podcast. Mr. Rallo and the student sports journalists also manage Pennant Facebook, Instagram, and X. Mr. Rallo teaches his students the importance of deadlines and in this age of social media covering sporting events in real time. The volume, but more importantly the quality, of content Mr. Rallo covers with his dedicated team of students makes him beyond worthy of this recognition. His students are very fortunate to learn from a true and talented professional.

It’s hard to believe with all that he does at Penn High School, but Mr. Rallo still does freelance work covering Notre Dame football and basketball for the Associated Press.

Curt Rallo (10-10-22) Curt Rallo 8-16-23

Mr. Rallo will be inducted at the annual awards banquet to be held in early April in Greenwood. Click for more details on the other inductees on the Stateline Sports Network website.

Penn High School Fieldhouse to be named after Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker

Monday, January 13, 2025 the P-H-M Board of School Trustees approved a $10,000 donation by newly elected P-H-M Board of School Trustee Gary Fox to the P-H-M Education’s Naming Rights Campaign to name Penn High School’s new fieldhouse. The contribution will name the building currently under construction the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse (click here for more details on the fieldhouse; and click here for pictures from the May 2024 groundbreaking.).

Penn High School Fieldhouse under construction

Penn High School Fieldhouse under construction
photo taken Nov. 12, 2024

The fieldhouse investment for our students will NOT raise taxes for the residents of Penn, Harris, and Madison Townships. The Administration and Board are committed to fiscal responsibility and the district is in excellent financial health. Also on January 13th , P-H-M held its Board of Finance meeting where P-H-M Executive Director of Business Services Dr. Thomas Keeley presented the Board with the district’s financial report (click here to see the Board of Finance presentation). P-H-M has one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County of $0.9275 for three straight years.

Dr. Thacker began his teaching career at Penn-Harris-Madison at Madison Elementary School. He received his doctorate from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan; a master’s in elementary education from Indiana University South Bend; and a bachelor of science in elementary education from Bethel College. He returned to P-H-M in July 2006 as Superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has become one of Indiana’s most premier school districts with the schools, students, teachers, and staff achieving countless recognitions, at the state, national and international level.

P-H-M is among Indiana’s top performing public school corporations. With the release of the Spring 2024 ILEARN results, P-H-M is in the Top 4% of Indiana’s public school districts. Out of public schools that passed both ELA and Math: Prairie Vista Elementary School is #3 and Discovery Middle School is #2. Penn High School has a 98% graduation rate. Click here for a listing of P-H-M’s most recent Points of Excellence.

Dr. Thacker at Penn High School's 2024 Commencement
Dr. Thacker at Penn High School’s 2024 Commencement

Dr. Thacker is a well-respected educator; some of his many professional recognitions include:

  • 2017 IAPSS Indiana Outstanding Educator Award
  • 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Indiana University South Bend
  • 2014 Sagamore of the Wabash, Issued by Indiana Governor Mike Pence
  • 2013 IAPSS Indiana Outstanding Educator Award
  • 2012 AASA Indiana Superintendent of the Year
  • 2012 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – Indiana University South Bend, School of Education
  • 2012 Alumnus of the Year – Bethel College
  • 2012 Indiana Senate Resolution, Congratulating Indiana Superintendent of the Year
  • 2012 Indiana House of Representatives Resolution, Congratulating Indiana Superintendent of the Year

Donna Thacker is a former educator herself, a retired public school music teacher. Mrs. Thacker has been a staple in the community and a longtime volunteer and supporter of the P-H-M Education Foundation in such events as the Silver Mile and Running is Elementary.

Both Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have generously supported the Foundation with their time, leadership, service and financial contributions over the years. Over his tenure as Superintendent, the Thackers have donated $232,500, including also contributing to PHMEF’s Naming Rights Campaign:

  1. Chris Geesman Kingsmen Athletic Center (formerly the Kingsmen Athletic Center), $25,000 donated in December 2021 ($5,000 per year over five years, for an overall period of 12 years)
  2. Al Rhodes Kingsmen Court, $10,000 donated in October 2023 
  3. Arthur M. Klinger Planetarium (formerly the  P-H-M DVT & Planetarium), $10,000 donated in January 2024
  4. Yeoman Family Plaza, $10,000 donated in March 2024 
  5. Greg Dikos Field, $10,000 donated in August 2024 
Yeoman Family Plaza dedication 8-23-24
Yeoman Family Plaza dedication, August 23, 2024

The naming of the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse is a fitting tribute to their unwavering commitment to Penn-Harris Madison and its students.

Short Circuits Celebration, 10-29-22
Short Circuits Celebration Oct. 29, 2022. Right to left: Dr. Thacker, School Board Pres. Chris Riley, PHMEF Exec. Dir. Jennifer Turnblom, Gary Fox, & Tammy Fox

Gary Fox and his wife Tammy are longtime donors of the P-H-M Education Foundation most recently supporting the Fun Zone at Penn’s 2024 Homecoming and the Short Circuits program for all P-H-M 3rd graders at all 11 elementary schools. Gary served on the P-H-M Board of School Trustees for 19 years from 2001-2020 before stepping down. He was re-elected to Harris Township, Seat 4 in the November 2024 election. Gary was sworn in at the Monday, January 13th Board Meeting (click here to read this story).

Per PHMEF’s Naming Rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent of the donation will go into the Foundation’s endowment, which will in turn provide alternative and additional funding for various co-curricular and extracurricular programs. The remaining 20 percent directly funds professional development initiatives for P-H-M teachers. Continuing the education and training of teachers is a major priority for P-H-M School District.

Penn High School Fieldhouse to be named after Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker
Gary Fox, Dr. Thacker, Tammy Fox, and Chris Riley, January 13, 2025

The mission of the Education Foundation is to develop alternative sources of income to support education initiatives in the School Corporation by strengthening partnerships between the community and the District. PHMEF supports education through awarding innovative teaching grants and other corporation-wide initiatives.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

The P-H-M Education Foundation is proud to support teachers and students by funding innovative classroom grants that enrich learning experiences beyond the school district’s budget. From small purchases under $100 to larger projects exceeding $1,000, every grant enhances classrooms in meaningful ways. Click here to read about Education Foundation Grants and to see the full list of winners, or read the recap below.

Total Grants Awarded: $59,999.96 (Total 2024-2025 Grant Budget – $60,000)

â—Ź Total EZ Grants Requested – $24,533.26
â—Ź Total EZ Grants Approved – $10,369.23
â—Ź Total Traditional Grants Requested – $87,874.09
â—Ź Total Traditional Grants Approved – $49,630.73

EZ form grant requests for $750 or less:

1. Remediation Phonics
○ Meadow’s Edge Elementary
â—‹ Ufli & Secret Stories Curriculum for 2nd grade
â—‹ Awarded $260.00

2. “One Choice” Book Study
â—‹ Schmucker Middle School
○ Purchase 60 copies of the the Jack & Nick Savage story “One Choice” books
â—‹ Awarded $600.00

3. Elsie Press back in commission
â—‹ Elsie Rogers Elementary
â—‹ Funding for the Elsie Press Newspaper
â—‹ Awarded $165.00

4. Third Grade Writing Portfolios
○ Meadow’s Edge Elementary
â—‹ Publishing and resource materials for writing
â—‹ Awarded $479.58

5. Infant CPR Training Kits
â—‹ Discovery Middle School
â—‹ Infant CPR Training kits from the American Red Cross
â—‹ Awarded $685.62

6. Star Buddies, Coffee Shop for All
â—‹ Discovery Middle School
â—‹ Materials and supplies for coffee shop for teachers run by exceptional education students
â—‹ Awarded $300.00

7. Film Photography Processing
â—‹ Penn High School
â—‹ Materials and tools for the film classes and darkroom
â—‹ Awarded $320.00

8. Let your Learning GLOW
â—‹ Elm Road Elementary
â—‹ Black lights and materials for ILearn review in 4th grade classrooms
â—‹ Awarded $661.51

9. Middle School Clay Assistant
â—‹ Grissom Middle School
â—‹ Slab roller for clay materials
â—‹ Awarded $666.62

10. Ricochet Stools for Fidgety Students
â—‹ Discovery Middle School
â—‹ Stools designed for students to rock/tip safely
â—‹ Awarded $638.20

11. Wiggle Seats for Classroom/Small Group Table
â—‹ Prairie Vista Elementary
â—‹ Wiggle seats/flexible seating for students
â—‹ Awarded $509.94

12. Enhance Comprehension through updated Classroom Libraries
â—‹ Elm Road Elementary
â—‹ New books that encourage the comprehension process
â—‹ Awarded $544.71

13. The One and Only Bob Literature Story
â—‹ Prairie Vista Elementary
○ 25 copies of The One and Only Bob” books
â—‹ Awarded $250.10

14. North Point Drama Club “The Dazzles”
â—‹ Northpoint Elementary
○ Creation of a Drama Club including “The Big Band” Musical
â—‹ Awarded $583.00

15. Scintillating Science
â—‹ Discovery Middle School
â—‹ Tabletop ice maker for the Science classes
â—‹ Awarded $371.49

16. Photography Club: Explore to Fine Art Photography
â—‹ Penn High School
â—‹ SD memory cards for cameras
â—‹ Awarded $107.88

17. Microscope for all learners
â—‹ Penn High School
â—‹ Digital microscope that can connect to a computer
â—‹ Awarded $479.00

18. “Wonder” Novel Study
â—‹ Bittersweet Elementary
○ Purchase of 30 copies of the novel “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio
â—‹ Awarded $377.70

19. Coding with Beebots for Kindergarten
â—‹ Northpoint Elementary
â—‹ STEM based coding robots for all kindergarten classes to share
â—‹ Awarded $676.00

20. Door M Picnic Table Part Deaux
â—‹ Penn High School
○ Picnic table for outdoor space for teachers’ and students’ use
â—‹ Awarded $750.00

21. Preschool Playground Revamp
â—‹ Penn High School
â—‹ Refurbish and install new equipment and play areas outside of Door K including a sandbox in partnership with Penn Construction for the Penn Preschool
â—‹ Awarded $419.38

22. Discovery Band Tuners
â—‹ Discovery Middle School
â—‹ Devices that clip to music stands helping students tune their instruments
â—‹ Awarded $523.50

Full Funding:

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

1. Learning by Induction
â—‹ Penn High School – John Gensic, John Fitch, Rachael Meyers, Brian May, Steven Sanders, Toni Boger-May
â—‹ 10-12 grade Sciences & Culinary Arts students
â—‹ Awarded $1,347.74
â—‹ A unique collaboration between STEM and FACs classes at Penn obtaining equipment to modernize space in the culinary classes to include more user-friendly and energy efficient induction cooking materials. Science students will use previously funded thermal cameras and partner with culinary students to help them see a direct connection between science, technology and the application in everyday lives in the kitchen.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants
2. Drumming Up Creativity
â—‹ Elm Road Elementary – Cynthia Berryman
â—‹ All kindergarten through 5th grade students through Music class
â—‹ Awarded $1,655.84
○ 12 new “tubano” drums that will promote bilateral coordination and facilitate complex rhythms using two hands. Students will become composers and create their own music with partners and will perform within the school community.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants
3. Schmucker Speech Room Upgrade
â—‹ Schmucker Middle School – Jenna Pacheco
â—‹ All middle school students receiving Speech Therapy
â—‹ Awarded $2,626.00
â—‹ Upgrades in interactive technology through a video smart board that allows for effective and interactive therapy sessions benefiting students with communication difficulties under the guidance of speech therapy.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants
4. Mary Frank and Northpoint Tech Upgrades Phase 2
â—‹ Mary Frank Elementary & Northpoint Elementary – Jason Poff
â—‹ All K-5th grade students
â—‹ Awarded $5,036.98
â—‹ Expansion of sounds and lighting equipment to enhance Fine Arts performances. These upgrades will help students become more effective communicators through performance experience and more technical lighting and sound engineers.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

5. You Can’t Swipe This Screen – Screen Printing Basics
â—‹ Penn High School – Alex Dunfee
â—‹ Digital Design students in grades 9-12
â—‹ Awarded $3,373.58
â—‹ Provides students the opportunity to learn the screen printing process in class (one of the most common ways to print on fabric.) Students will design and make their own ink-based screen printed shirts and have the opportunity to collaborate and produce products with other student organizations within Penn High School.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

6. Feeding You Mind One Book at a Time & Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine
â—‹ Horizon Elementary – Sue Robers & Emily Cornett
â—‹ Elsie Rogers Elementary – Hollie Truckowski
â—‹ All K-5th grade students
â—‹ Awarded up to $7,169.00 per vending machine; $14,338 total (schools to negotiate and work together on pricing/vending machine design)
â—‹ Funds to purchase a book vending machine as part of an incentive program allowing students to earn tokens to then use to purchase a book with the help of staff from the vending machine. Students will have the opportunity to keep the book encouraging the promotion of literacy as a reward with increased student engagement. Vending machines will have the PHMEF logo branding and will be displayed prominently within each school (library or school lobby.)

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

7. Grissom’s Embouchure Project
â—‹ Grissom Middle School – Camille Roper
â—‹ Band students in grades 6-8
â—‹ Awarded $1,757.50
â—‹ Purchase of embouchure (mouth shape) and ear training skill building tools for the band program allowing students to correctly and quickly improve their progress in learning music. Students will build fundamental skills in embouchure development, tone production and audiation skills.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

8. Integrating Children’s Books into Physical Education
â—‹ Walt Disney Elementary – Stephen Gouorko
â—‹ All K-5th grade students
â—‹ Awarded $300.50
â—‹ Unique collaboration with classroom teachers and librarians to implement an interdisciplinary learning program that promotes literacy and physical activity in students. Students will use books to research new ways to eat healthy and make better choices while playing games and participating in physical activities based on the books.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

9. The Prairie at Prairie Vista
â—‹ Prairie Vista Elementary – Dr. Keely Twibell
â—‹ All K-5th grade students, other PHM schools and the greater PHM Community
â—‹ Awarded $10,250.00
○ In collaboration with community volunteers, the school community and PTO organization, Prairie Vista will restore and utilize the natural prairie area on school property. The grant will create learning opportunities for all PHM students allowing them to engage directly with the natural world. Teachers can bring classes out to the natural environment to create a dynamic learning environment. Students and community members will be encouraged to take an active role in prairie conservation efforts, clean-up activities, seasonal maintenance and seeding initiatives and will be an area that other schools can visit to pursue research projects and advanced study. Restoration efforts include but aren’t limited to Wildlife identification and trail marker signs, observation station stumps, a natural obstacle course, raised garden beds, bird and bat houses, microscopes, binoculars, magnifying glasses and field guides to enhance the learning experiences.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

10. Tinker and Thrive – 3D Printing for Focused Students
â—‹ Penn High School and all 11 Elementary Schools – Kyle Marsh
â—‹ K-5th grade students and 9-12 grade Penn students
â—‹ Awarded $4,936.56
â—‹ Purchase and installation of 3D printers in all elementary students with a designated teacher lead. Students who use fidget toys as a tool for focus and accommodation in the classroom, will have the ability to design and create their own fidget toys using 3D printing technology, empowering them with the ability to customize tools that best supports their unique needs for attention and engagement.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

11. Write On!
â—‹ Walt Disney Elementary – Katie Carroll
â—‹ All K-5th grade students
â—‹ Awarded $1,884.03
○ Organization and expansion of the student Engagement Lab where students and teachers use props and visuals to illustrate/bring to life student’s written work. It will provide an opportunity for cohesive and engaging writing experience for students as they grow in Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. Materials will also be incorporated into school community events like the Math and Literacy Night and Culture Night at Walt Disney Elementary.

Partial Funding

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

1. Power Hour: Fitness & Focus for a Strong Future
â—‹ Discovery Middle School – Terry Arter, John Hedrick, Kevin McMilen & Autumn Stout
â—‹ All 6th-8th grade students
â—‹ Requested $5,000.00
â—‹ Awarded $1,795.00
○ Funds to purchase new workout equipment to start a workout club before school, enhance exercise during PE and offer opportunities for athletes before and after school. The current equipment is unsafe and damaged. These funds will be used to begin replacement of old equipment. Funds are in collaboration with the Discovery PTO and Dr. Aaron Leniski & Mrs. Elizabeth Cunha’s existing budgets.

PHMEF Awards 2024 Classroom Grants

2. Foreign Language Academy
â—‹ Horizon Elementary – Ally Schmidt
â—‹ All K-5th grade students
â—‹ Requested $1,049.00
â—‹ Awarded $329.00
â—‹ Purchase of a Spanish Language Curriculum, Calico Spanish, which is designed for kindergarten through fifth grade students. Students will be taught in six 1-hour sessions as a part of an afterschool club. There is the possibility to expand into other languages in the future. Grant is in partnership with Horizon Staff funded through the Horizon PTO and in collaboration with Penn High School Mentors as suggested volunteers for the program.

New name for Penn High School’s CPA: EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts

P-H-M’S Board of School Trustees approved the renaming of Penn High School’s Center for Performing Arts through the P-H-M Education Foundation’s Naming Rights Campaign.

P-H-M parent Tania Bengtsson of three (Penn High School and Discovery Middle School) is donating $50,000 to the Education Foundation to have Penn’s CPA renamed the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts. The naming rights will be effective May 1, 2025 and will last for 12 years. 

Per the Naming Rights Campaign, 80% of Mrs. Bengtsson’s donation will go to PHMEF’s endowment, and 20% comes back to P-H-M to pay for teacher professional development.

 

2024 Community Connections Fair

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, October 5th!
 
2024 Community Connections Fair
 
Join us for activities, arts & crafts, food, performances, and to learn about resources in our community. It is completely FREE and all P-H-M families are invited to attend. Click here to see photos on Facebook of past Fairs.
 
If you have somebody in your family that would like to perform for our event showcasing a traditional act from your family’s culture, click here to fill out a form to participate.
 
We can’t wait to see you there!

Yeoman Family Plaza Dedication Photo Gallery 2

Friday, August 23rd was the Home Opener for Kingsmen football. It was a perfect night for the dedication of the Yeoman Family Plaza at Everwise Freed Field. See the full photo gallery below.

Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. and Mrs. Thacker donated $10,000 to the P-H-M Education Foundation Naming Rights Campaign to rename the plaza after former Penn High School Head Football Coach Cory Yeoman and his family.

The Yeoman Family bleeds black and gold. Coach Cory’s father Wally Yeoman was an assistant coach with legendary Chris Geesman. Coach Cory and brothers Trent and Todd all played for Penn. Male members of the Yeoman family and those who married into the family have either played for or coached for the Long Black Line at some point. The wives of Cory, Trent, Todd, their children and grandchildren were all present for the dedication along with Dr. and Mrs. Thacker and P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom.

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Cory earned all-state honors at defensive tackle. In 1979, he led a Kingsmen defense that only allowed 33 yards rushing a game. That Kingsmen team finished 11-1, winning an NIC Championship before losing to Hobart in the second round of the playoffs. Cory graduated from Penn in 1980. 

Cory played for Miami (Ohio) University. He was a roommate and teammate of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning head coach, John Harbaugh. He joined the Kingsmen coaching staff after graduation from Miami, and has been on the Kingsmen sidelines for 40 seasons.

In his first season after replacing legendary Coach Geesman, Cory guided Penn to the 2003 State Championship Game. Yeoman also led Penn to Semi-state titles in 2017, 2015 and 2011. In addition to winning four Semi-state Championships, the Kingsmen have won nine regional crowns under Yeoman’s leadership, 13 sectional titles and 17 Northern Indiana Conference championships. 

Yeoman retired at the end of the 2023-2024 school year after 40 years with P-H-M.

Dr. Thacker has been superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation since 2006 and has supported the Education Foundation wholeheartedly. Over the course of 18 years, Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have donated $232,500 to the P-H-M Education Foundation. Most of this money has either been unrestricted donations or used as matching funds for fundraising initiatives.

Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have made five donations since 2021 totaling $65,000 as part of the Naming Rights Campaign, recognizing the contributions P-H-M employees have made to the community:

  1. Chris Geesman Kingsmen Athletic Center (formerly the Kingsmen Athletic Center), $25,000 donated in December 2021 ($5,000 per year over five years, for an overall period of 12 years)
  2. Al Rhodes Kingsmen Court, $10,000 donated in October 2023 (one lump sum)
  3. Arthur M. Klinger Planetarium (formerly the  P-H-M DVT & Planetarium), $10,000 donated in January 2024
  4. Yeoman Family Plaza, $10,000 donated in March 2024 
  5. Greg Dikos Field, $10,000 donated in August 2024 

Silver Medalist & Alum Annie Drews Visits Penn Volleyball Team

Olympic Silver (Paris 2024) and Gold (Tokyo 2020/21) medalist Annie Drews dropped by Penn Thursday, August 29th. Before the JV Volleyball game, Drews visited with the Lady Kingsmen and her former teammate, now Penn Head Coach Kaitlyn Hickey. Drews and Hickey led Penn to State Championship titles in 2010 and 2011; Drews graduated from Penn in 2012.
 
Drews of course brought her Silver Medal for all the student-athletes to see up close and hold. P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker was present and congratulated Drews on her accomplishments; he also got to try on the medal!
PHM Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker with Annie Drews
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Drews talked to the news media briefly stating she was happy to be back home and she was grateful for all the support she received from her Penn and Purdue fans back in Indiana; she could feel the love! Click here to see the clip on Sports Michiana’s Facebook page.

This is the second time that Drews has been back to visit Penn after an Olympic win. She visited the Volleyball team and other student-athletes in 2021 after she won Gold in the Tokyo Olympics. Click here to see those photos.

P-H-M Schools

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