Penn High School honored Class of 2026 Seniors who have committed to becoming health care professionals through their studies in Penn’s Project League the Way Biomedical Science program with a White Coat Ceremony.

A few photos from the ceremony are posted below. A complete Photo Gallery is available to download at phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2026.

Penn-Harris-Madison Supt. Dr. Heather Short, Penn Principal Rachel Fry and P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom joined PLTW instructor Kelsey Weaver at the White Coat Ceremony. 

This White Coat Ceremony is sponsored by the PHM Education Foundation, with the coats and stethoscopes being purchased by PHMEF donors/sponsors Michiana Gastroenterology.

Students had their names embroidered on their white coats for college labs. They were also gifted high-quality stethoscopes that should last through college and beyond.

Family members and Penn underclassmen PLTW Biomed Science students were in attendance for the ceremony that was held at the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts. 

Students enrolled in Penn’s PLTW classes have the opportunity to explore more than 80 different medical careers throughout the program. Courses offer a wide variety of medical conditions, from disease, disorders, to patient care. Penn’s program is designed to foster collaboration with their peers. The goal is to offer students the opportunity to gain introductory skills needed to pursue a career as a  medical professional.

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What started as a typical first block this morning in Señora Kelley Watts’ Spanish IV class quickly turned into a surprise party when Spanish teacher Kelley Watts unexpectedly learned that she was being named Penn-Harris-Madison’s 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

With some behind-the-scenes planning by Principal Rachel Fry and Associate Principal Jeanie Mitchell, Watts was called away from her classroom for what she thought was a photo opp with students in Penn’s Main Arena–on the other side of the building away from her classroom. While Watts was being kept busy, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, other P-H-M administrators, and local TV station news crews snuck into Watts’ classroom to get everything in place for the big surprise. Click to see a photo gallery below. Click here to see the full gallery on Canto.

When Watts returned, she was met with applause, cameras, and the big news that she was P-H-M’s  Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Click below to watch the video of the surprise for Señora Watts.

Throughout her career, Watts has demonstrated a deep commitment to student learning, leadership, and building meaningful connections both inside and outside the classroom. She brings 30 years of teaching experience, including 22 years at Penn High School. In addition to her classroom role, Watts has led student initiatives, including serving as the Kingsmen Against Cancer sponsor for more than eight years. 

She serves as an instructional coach and is an active leader in the P-H-M Teachers Association, where she advocates for both students and staff. As a mentor to fellow educators, she is an example of continuous growth and collaboration. She also serves alongside her husband, Mark, as co-head coach of the Boys Volleyball team, now in its second season. Click here to read a recent article in the South Bend Tribune, featuring the Watts’, about the growth and rise in popularity of boys volleyball as a new IHSAA sanctioned sport.

Teaching and coaching colleague Eric Bowers nominated Watts for the honor. Bowers understands firsthand what it takes to excel in both the classroom and in athletics. Bowers, an AP History teacher and Penn’s Boys and Girls Tennis coach was named P-H-M’s 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

“Kelley has a unique ability to connect with students not only in the classroom, but through opportunities like Spanish Club [which she led in previous years] and now through coaching as well,” Bowers said. “She reaches a wide range of students and creates meaningful relationships that extend beyond the school day.”

Known for her engaging and supportive teaching style, Watts creates learning environments where students feel confident to take risks and grow. One example is her Spanish II “Yelp Review” writing unit, where students progress from foundational language skills to composing six-paragraph essays entirely in Spanish.

“My favorite level of Spanish to teach is Level 2. When they enter my class, they have made the choice to continue learning Spanish, which already reflects a level of commitment,” Watts reflected. “Level 2 of any language is often the most challenging, and I enjoy pushing students to reach levels of learning and understanding that they initially believe are beyond their capabilities.”

Watts has created educational opportunities for her Penn Spanish students to engage in authentic conversations, build global connections, and apply their language skills in real-world settings. Through a month-long cultural exchange experience, she brought Ecuadorian students studying in the United States to Penn to spend several weeks alongside her students, immersing the international students in English instruction and American culture, while also giving her students the opportunity to learn directly from native Spanish speakers and experience authentic cultural exchange.

Principal Rachel Fry said Watts exemplifies the very best of Penn High School.

“Kelley Watts represents what it means to be an exceptional educator,” Fry said. “She builds strong relationships with students, challenges them to achieve at high levels, and creates meaningful learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. Her leadership and commitment to excellence make a lasting impact on our entire school community.”

Watts’ love for language has permeated down to benefit P-H-M’s elementary and middle school students as well. Watts was involved in the creation of P-H-M’s Summer Visual Arts Academy, a week-long summer enrichment program that integrates music, art, and culture. One of the first years the VAA included Spanish language instruction, for which Watts helped develop the curriculum. She’s also been involved with the district’s summer week-long Language Academy camps for elementary and middle school students, with a different language featured each year.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short has seen the impact Watts has on students over the years.

“Kelley’s impact is felt across our entire district,” Dr. Short said. “She is deeply committed to helping students at every level develop a love of language and culture, and she creates meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and connection in all of our learners.” 

Every Spring P-H-M honors a Secondary Teacher of the Year, Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Certified Employee of the Year. All three honorees are officially recognized at P-H-M’s annual Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner, which will be held this year on Wednesday, May 20th. The two Teachers of the Year will then go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced Fall 2026 by the Indiana Department of Education. The PHM Education Foundation awards each Teacher of the Year a $1,000 grant and gift card to the Employee of the Year.

Penn High School has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as a 2026 Best Communities for Music Education school.

Now in its 27th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation honors schools and districts across the country for their commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality music education. The program celebrates efforts by teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members who make music a meaningful part of a well-rounded education.

Penn is among more than 1,000 schools and districts nationwide to receive recognition this year. Schools are evaluated on factors such as funding, instruction time, participation, facilities, and community support for music programs.

This recognition reflects the strength of music education at Penn High School, where students have opportunities to participate in a wide range of programs, including choir, band, orchestra, and other performing arts offerings. 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.

These programs are part of a larger commitment across the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation to provide students with meaningful and accessible music education experiences from elementary through high school.

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.

This national honor highlights the continued dedication of Penn’s music educators, students, and community in building and sustaining a strong culture of music education to help support not only artistic growth, but also collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

Penn High School qualified three teams for the Academic Super Bowl State Finals.

Team photos posted below.

The English, Fine Arts and Math Academic Super Bowl teams advance to the state competition on Saturday, May 9, at Purdue University.

Penn’s Academic Super Bowl Teams qualified for State at the Mishawaka Regional.

The theme for the competitions is the American Revolution.

English Team

Coach Candice Walther

Team Members:  (State finalists)– Addison Singleton, Annabelle Neary, Logan Hubbard

Additional members — Allison Tessier, Kristin Kale, Graham Royer, Emma Laidig, Riley Miles

Fine Arts Team

Coach Ashlyn Graham

Team Members (State Finalists)–Anton Kozelichki, Joanna Lin, Mia Helm, Landen Hendricks

Additional team members — Sreeja Bhattacharjee, Riley Miles, Addison Schlundt

Math Team

Coach Paul McClelland

Team Members (State finalists)–Anthony Scott, Lilith Schommer-Pries, Eli Sanders-Fields

Additional team members–Sultaan Khan, Joshua Oh, Aidan Lee

ENGLISH TEAM

FINE ARTS TEAM

MATH TEAM

Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry announced that 20 students have been selected to represent the Class of 2026 as Valedictorians and two students have been named Salutatorians.

Penn High School’s Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, June 8, 2026, at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Doors open for parents at 5:30 p.m.

Fiona Bao, Sreeja Bhattacharjee, Mehreen Buchh, Gavin Doster, Sultaan Khan, Angie Liu, Trenton Mager, Ishita Masetty, Joseph McQueary, Kelsey Meyer, Leo Ni, Joshua Oh, Roman Ramos, Marie Roach, Henry Smoker, Grant Spadafore, Amina Spahic, Jocelyn Teeple, Zoya Turk and Brooqlin Vargas were named Valedictorians based on their academic achievements.

Diya Lahane and Aidan Lee have been named Salutatorians.

Additional information showcasing Penn’s Valedictorians and Salutatorians will be posted at a later date.

More information on Penn’s Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony can be found here.

Here is an informational video.