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.

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.

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.

Penn High School will hold its 2025 Commencement Ceremony at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. (click here for details). The event will celebrate the graduation of 856 members of the Class of 2025. 

On Wednesday, May 14, the Penn Faculty, P-H-M Administrators and members of the Board of School Trustees gathered with graduating seniors and their families to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025 at the annual Senior Recognition Night. The event recognizes the academic success that members of the Senior Class have achieved recognizing them for awards, honors and scholarships that they’ve earned for graduation. Click here to see the full photo gallery.

Awards conferred at Senior Recognition included academic excellence, leadership, service to school and community, citizenship, attendance, athletic accomplishments and a whole host of other accomplishments. The majority of these awards are recognized in this web story.

A Photo Gallery by Penn student C.J. Vantine is posted below.

Many students were recognized for winning private scholarships during the program. So far, the Class of 2025 graduates have earned approximately nearly $22 million in scholarships! This number will continue to grow as notifications for private scholarships continue to come in over the summer months. We encourage students to notify the Penn Counseling Office of all your scholarships, even after you’ve graduated; it helps us measure the success of our graduates.

The 2025 graduating class is the fifth class to receive recognition through the Latin Honors System:

• A total of 49 students will graduate Summa Cum Laude, with the highest praise, by earning an Academic Honors diploma with a GPA greater than 4.25.
• A total of 97 students will graduate Magna Cum Laude, with high praise, by earning an Academic Honors diploma with a GPA greater than 4.0. 
• A total of 104 students will graduate Cum Laude, with praise, with a GPA greater than 3.75.

A total of 396 students in the Class of 2025 are graduating with an Academic Honors diploma! To be eligible for an Academic Honors Diploma, students must accumulate a minimum of 47 credits in a prescribed curriculum and have a grade point average of 3.0.

A total of 261 students in the Class of 2025 are graduating with High Honors! These students have maintained a 3.5 grade point average or above for the first seven semesters of high school study.

The Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma is awarded to students who complete professional internships and or college courses in a technical area. A total of 87 students are graduating with Technical Honors.

The Class of 2025 is the seventh cohort of the Early College Academy. An impressive 98 are graduating with an Associate’s Degree from Ivy Tech Community College!

Award winners include:

• Kingsman of the Year: Andrew Neely
• Schmucker Award: Noah Shafer

• Principal’s Citizenship and Service Awards: Joel Benavides, Adrienne DeMeyer, Jaanavi Kaushik, Janine Mbianda, Emma Rutledge, Nathaniel Temeles, Landon Graves, Aiden Deal

• Principal’s Leadership Awards: Adam Herath, Stanley Liew

• Principal’s Academic Excellence Awards: Stanton Barnes, Emily Eby, Devyn Keller, Alina Luck, Elyse Royer, Grace Swanson, Katelynn Ngo, Alex Ho

• U.S. Presidential Scholars Semi-finalist: Sarah Rooney

• National Merit Finalists: Stanton Barnes, David Guarraci, Calum Jessop, Hannah Kang, Stanley Liew, Nishorgo Proshun 

• Regional Academic All-Star: Megan Zhang

• Lilly Endowment Scholarship: Areej Arif, Matthew Deahl, David Guarraci

• Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Thacker Scholarship: Noah Shafer

• Larry Beehler Scholarship: Mia Lechlitner 

• Media Arts: Jess Barnes
• Sculpture: Breeze Garman
• Drawing: Ruby Lehtomaki
• Thespian: Andrew Lynn
• Dance: Ava Gallo 
• English: Cole Stevenson
• Painting: Lillian Davis
• Ceramics: Braden Ashe
• The Pennant: Marcus Stoutenburg
• Speech: Janaavi Kaushik
• Debate: Akul Bhambani
• Broadcast Journalism: Kevine Mahoro
• Choir: Caitlin LeVan
• Orchestra: Hannah King
• Band: Mel Shank 
• Spectrum: Katherine Kollar
• Yearbook: Olivia Houttekier
• Graphic Arts: Avery Pawlak
• Ambassador Award: Ava Lynn
• Career Excellence: Jaden Burnside
• Academic Advancement: Ashton Shirk
• Peer Leader: Emma Rutledge
• Engineering: Brice Bellman
• Science: Ginger Jursinic
• Mathematics: Shin Sakaue
• Technology: Milo Carlton
• Agriculture: Kayla Nyikos
• Social Sciences: Noah Shafer
• Economics: David Guarraci
• Government: Sophie Sharpe
• Health & Wellness: Kaitlyn Howell
• Penn Strength (Male): Cole Bennett
• Penn Strength (Female): Ava Zachary
• Accounting and Finance: Kendall Noetzel
• Marketing: Ava Derby
• General Business: Lauren Fox
• Computer Science: Mitchell Schindler
• Professional Work-Based Award: Ella Bailey
• MBA Leadership: Abigail Babcock
• American Sign Language: Janiah Webster
• Chinese Award: Yiheng Liu
• French: Ada Bidler
• German: Elizabeth Satre
• Japanese: Rachel Luebke
• Spanish: Molly Schuman
• Early College Academy Growth Award: Cory Howard
• Early College Academy Leadership Award: Leonardo Santiago
• Early College Academy Perseverance Award: Drew Clay
• Early College Overall Achievement Award: Dhruvi Patel
  
  

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Due to the weather forecast of severe storms, the Spring Jazz Concert tonight (Thursday, May 15, 2025) will be held in the EOS – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts at Penn High School, instead of at Ironworks Plaza. This is a FREE concert, with no tickets required. The concert starts at 6 p.m.

Penn High School proudly recognized members of the Class of 2025 who have committed to careers in education—an inspiring step toward shaping future classrooms. Click here to see the full photo gallery posted below.

The Teacher Signing Day, similar to a College Signing Day for student-athletes, was held in the Studio Theater on Tuesday, May 13.

Students wore shirts representing their college of choice and announced their academic decisions, field of speciality in education, and named their favorite Penn-Harris-Madison teachers.

Under Penn High School’s Family and Consumer Sciences program, students who are interested in pursuing a career in education can prepare for the profession by taking several courses, such as Early Childhood Education and Cadet Teaching.

“This event is important to highlight and celebrate those students who are pursuing a career in education,” said Penn instructor Rachael Meyers, who oversees Cadet Teaching.

Meyers said that Penn plays a key role in preparing students for careers in education.

“The education professions pathway has continued to grow and evolve  and teachers throughout the district continue to partner with the program,” Meyers said. “This opportunity allows students to explore the skills necessary to pursue a career in education.

“The world of education is constantly changing,” Meyers continued. “The needs of our students change from year-to-year. This program helps foster a vision for students who are considering at the very least to work with children of all ages.  The program also highlights the possible directions education might go.”

Students received letters of intent from Penn-Harris-Madison guaranteeing the students a job interview for a teaching position upon completion of their degree and teaching licensure.

Their decision reflects the heart of P-H-M’s “Triangle of Success,” where students, teachers, and parents work together to build a foundation of excellence.

P-H-M Director of Human Resources Robert Thompson said that P-H-M is committed to staying connected with these students.

“We will continue to reach out, offer mentorship opportunities, and support your professional growth as you prepare for a future in education,” Thompson stated. “We look forward to the day when you may return to Penn-Harris-Madison to inspire the next generation of Kingsmen—just as you were once inspired.”

Below is the list of graduating students who participated in this morning’s ceremony with their intended college/university and major, along with their inspiring teacher:

• Hannah Abad, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wachs
• Ruth Bautista, Indiana University South Bend, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wachs (not present at the ceremony, but will receive a letter of intent)
• Olivia Bennett, Indiana University South Bend, Special Education, inspiring teacher: Mr. Blazo
• Chloe Bowering, Indiana University South Bend, Special Education, inspiring teacher: Mr. Sanders
• Kate Diaz, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wetzel
• Kiley Ellis, Indiana University South Bend, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Schenkel
• Lizzy Green, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Meyers and Mrs. Wetzel
• Megan Kennedy, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Obert
• Katherine Kollar, Ball State University, Secondary English, inspiring teachers: Ms. Armstrong, Mr. Coffee and Mrs. Meyers
• Kyleigh Mason, Indiana University Bloomington, Elementary Education, inspiring teachers: Mrs. Wetzel and Mrs. Meyers
• Reagan Miller, Indiana University South Bend, Early Childhood, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wetzel
• Arianna Rice, Indiana University South Bend, Elementary Education, inspiring teachers: Mr. Keck and Mrs. Wachs

Penn High School’s Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., June 9, 2025, at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Click here for info on livestream of Commencement for friends and family not in attendance. 

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Penn High School’s Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., June 9, 2025, at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

There is no ticket requirement—meaning families are not limited on the amount of attendees. Click here for info on livestream of Commencement for friends and family not in attendance. 

On the day of Commencement the doors for students to enter Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center will be open at 4:30 p.m. Seniors are to enter at Gate 10 and report to the field house at the Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center by 4:45 p.m. Seniors arriving after 5 p.m. will not be in alphabetical order and may be required to be seated at the end of the line or may even be excluded from commencement. Click here to read the full parent/student letter with more details concerning graduation.

CLICK HERE for a map with parking/shuttle information for Notre Dame.

Penn High School’s Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., June 9, 2025, at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

There is no ticket requirement—meaning families are not limited on the amount of attendees. Click here for info on livestream of Commencement for friends and family not in attendance. 

CLICK HERE for a map with parking/shuttle information for Notre Dame.

Penn’s Fine Arts and Social Studies teams each finished as State Runner-up in the Academic Super Bowl competition at Purdue University on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

The Fine Arts team finished second in the Academic Super Bowl State competition at Purdue.

Indiana Association of School Principals recently announced that Penn assistant principal, Josiah Parker, has been named District 2 Assistant Principal of the Year!

District 2 includes the following counties: St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Fulton, Pulaski, Marshall, Starke, and LaPorte.

The winner of Assistant Principal of the Year will be announced in November.

Mr. Parker has been assistant principal of Penn High School since 2018.

Penn High School Educational Assistant Whitney Hall received a well-deserved honor this morning when Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker announced that she has been named the 2025 Classified Employee of the Year for Penn-Harris-Madison.

Dr. Thacker, PHM and Penn Administrators, a few of Whitney’s co-workers, and of course students were all in the classroom waiting to surprise Whitney when she returned after a “meeting.” She was genuinely surprised and caught off guard. Click to watch the video below, and then click here to see the full photo gallery.

Since joining the Exceptional Education Academy at Penn in September 2020, Whitney has made a significant difference in her students’ lives. One example of her dedication is her one-on-one work and patient support with a mostly non-verbal student which led to the discovery that the student could solve algebraic equations.

Her co-workers admire Whitney’s willingness to “jump right in” and help no matter the situation. Another example of her commitment to her students is when during an adaptive PE session, Whitney didn’t hesitate to dive into the pool to swim alongside her students.

Whitney also serves as the coach of Penn’s Unified Cornhole Team, a program that brings together general education and exceptional education students in inclusive, team-based competition. Under Whitney’s guidance over the past two years, the program has grown in both participation and impact—celebrating the values of equity, inclusion, and student engagement. These are just a few examples of the impact she makes daily. Every student matters to Whitney Hall.

Whether assisting students with IEPs, assisting with classroom instruction, or mentoring fellow Educational Assistants, Whitney consistently goes above and beyond to ensure students receive the individualized support they need to be successful. She is a true team player.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Whitney plays a key leadership role in building positive culture within the Ex Ed Academy and the greater Penn community. She is a founding member of Penn’s SITA Crew, a group of Educational Assistants who organize morale-boosting activities, staff events, and opportunities to build connection and community within the Exceptional Education team.

Whitney embodies what it means to serve with heart. Her work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and staff alike.

During the week of May 5^th, Dr. Thacker will also name P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in a surprise announcement. On Monday, 8th grade Schmucker math teacher L.A. High was named Secondary Teacher of the year (click here for details). All three winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 21st. Thanks to the P-H-M Education Foundation, the Employee of the Year will receive a plaque and gift certificate and the two Teachers of the Year will also receive a plaque along with grants to use in their classrooms. Both TOY winners will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2025 by the IDOE. Click here for more information on Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process.

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