The Penn Kingsmen boys wrestling team placed third in the Lake Central Harvest Classic on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Kingsmen results:

106 – Nate Hadary, third

113 – Evan Light, fifth

120 – Vince Sparrow, fifth

126 – Tanner DeMien, second

132 – Logan Hill, fifth

138 – Preston Risner, third

145 – Jeffrey Harper, fourth

152 – Austin Heater, fifth

170 – Noah Brown, fourth

182 – Ben Kahl, fourth

195 – Chris Momotiuk, sixth

285 – Hezzy Devault, fifth

P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker was recognized last night (Thursday, Nov. 30) as Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) 2017 Outstanding Educator of the Year!

This is the second time Dr. Thacker has received this prestigious honor from his IAPSS peers; the first time was in 2013. He was also named Indiana Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014—Indiana’s highest award—from then Governor Mike Pence. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year from both IUSB and Bethel College.

Dr. Thacker began his career in education in Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation as a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. Having filled a variety of leadership roles at districts across Indiana and Michigan, in July 2006 he returned to the P-H-M schools to serve as superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, the Indiana Department of Education has consistently named P-H-M an “A” Rated School District. The School Corporation now ranks in the state’s top 4% of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools.

Sara Doi scored 22 points as Penn stormed past Jimtown, 78-12, in Northern Indiana Conference Girls Basketball play on Friday, Dec. 1.

Jordyn Smith scored 12 points for the Kingsmen, and Antreese Shelton contributed 10 points.

Trinity Clinton scored nine points, and Tia Chambers worked inside for eight points.

Tia Chambers powered inside to score 21 points and lead Penn to a 55-37 victory against Marian in a key Northern Indiana Conference showdown on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Sara Doi scored 11 points for the Kingsmen, followed by Trinity Clinton with eight points and Jordyn Smith with seven points.

Freshman Trinity Clinton fired in 19 points as the Penn Kingsmen beat Elkhart Central, 54-36, in girls basketball action on Saturday, Nov. 25.

The Kingsmen rallied from a 24-20 halftime deficit to overpower the Blue Blazers in the second half.

Tia Chambers scored 12 points, Sara Doi scored 11 points, and Jordyn Smith scored 10 points.

Penn won the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, to rally for a thrilling 92-91 victory against Munster on Saturday, Nov. 25.

Matt Rach, Kyle Brothers, Aaron Dies, Evan Dies won the 400 freestyle relay to give the Kingsmen the stunning victory.

Complete results are here.

It wasn’t the way the Penn High School Football Team wanted the season to end, a 63-14 loss to Indianapolis Ben Davis in the Class 6-A State Championship Game on Saturday, Nov. 25.

But the 2017 Penn Football Team carved out a lasting legacy, and embarked on a remarkable journey that will own a proud place in the Kingsmen Athletics pantheon.

A Photo Gallery of the State Championship Game is posted below.

Penn’s Football Team suffered a season opening 12-7 loss at Valparaiso, and then struggled in the second game of the season, a 7-0 victory against Merrillville.

Then, inspired by exceptional Senior Leadership and guided by the Kingsmen Coaching Staff under the direction of Head Coach Cory Yeoman, the Gold and Black turned their season around.

In Game Three, the Kingsmen traveled three hours to Berkley, Mich., to take on traditional Michigan powerhouse Brother Rice. Penn blasted to a 38-0 victory, igniting an amazing run.

Penn rolled through its next six regular-season contests, wrapping up the Northern Indiana Conference Championship with a 48-7 victory against arch-rival Mishawaka.

In the Sectional opener, the Kingsmen traveled to Valparaiso, turning the tables on the Vikings for a 13-0 victory.

Penn wrapped up the Sectional Crown with a 40-0 victory against Warsaw, and then won the Regional Championship with a 33-3 victory at Crown Point.

Penn punched its ticket to the State Championship Game by slugging defending State Champion Carmel, 34-7, eliminating the team that ousted Penn the previous season. In beating the Greyhounds on their home turf, the Kingsmen earned a berth to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, for the State Championship.

On Sunday, the community honored the Penn Football Team for overcoming adversity to make 2017 a Championship season with Northern Indiana Conference, Sectional, Regional and Semi-state trophies.

At the Community Celebration, Penn-Harris-Madison Supt. Dr. Jerry Thacker praised the Penn football team for its commitment to excellence and for embodying the Triangle of Success that has P-H-M ranked as the Gold Standard in Indiana.  Dr. Thacker also thanked the parents, staff and students for their involvement in the commitment to excellence.

Penn Principal Sean Galiher congratulated Penn Football, the parents, students and all who made a tremendous team effort that saw the Kingsmen reach the State Championship game.

Penn Athletic Director Aaron Leniski lauded Penn football for an outstanding cumulative GPA of 3.27, and for being outstanding role models for the youth of P-H-M.

Penn Football Head Coach Cory Yeoman, with Senior DB Paul Moala, thanked all involved – players, parents, students, staff & community – for the tremendous effort that took Penn to the State Championship Game.

Penn Building and Trades students had something to celebrate this Thanksgiving … completion of Phase I of their house!

For the last 49 years, Penn High School has offered students hands-on experience through the Building and Trades class.

The year-long course is offered to juniors and seniors and gives students the unique experience to build a house from the ground up. This year’s class has 17 students; and four seniors are in their second year in the course.

Students are responsible for supplying their own tools and tool belts, but the Penn High School Building Trades Corporation provides all other supplies and materials. Although students handle most aspects of the building process on their own, an outside contractor completes the drywall job. The heating, plumbing and electrical jobs are also handled by contractors, but students work alongside them to help and learn those skills.

Students work on site, Monday – Friday for about 2-3 hours at a time. Instructor Les Crooks has set three milestones for the students to meet in order to complete the house by the end of the school year:
 

• Phase I: foundation, walls, trusses/roofing, windows, doors and shingling; completed by Thanksgiving.
• Phase II: sheet rock/dry wall, heating, electrical, plumbing and flooring; goal for completion is February.
• Phase III: trim, siding, landscaping, painting and general finish work; goal for completion is June.
   

Watch the video below to see all the work the students have completed thus far during Phase I …
 

The Building and Trades course helps students become career ready, gaining valuable experience in the construction field. Many students have pursued careers in construction after graduation, and some have gone on to major in construction management in college. 

There’s quite a demand for the student house; some houses have actually sold at the blueprint stage.

Be sure to check back for video updates on Phases II (in February) and III (in June).

The Penn High School Football Team practiced at the University of Notre Dame indoor football facility, the Loftus Center, in preparation for the State Championship Game on Saturday, Nov. 25, at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. 

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Goalie Mackenzie Wood wore Penn High School's Gold and Black colors in leading the Kingsmen Girls Soccer Team to State and National Championships this Fall.

Now, Wood will wear the Red, White and Blue colors of the USA.

Wood is one of 24 players called up to the United States Under-18 Women's National Team. The U.S. Team will have a training camp at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif, from Nov. 26 to Dec. 3.

"It means a great deal to me to represent Penn High School in the U18 WNT Soccer Training Camp," Wood said. "To be called up to the WNT is an honor and has always been a goal of mine as I strive to make the roster on a regular basis. Penn High School has prepared me personally and athletically and I feel ready for the challenge."

Wood, a USA Today First-Team All-American led the state with her 0.213 goals against average and had 20 shutouts this season. She is a Northwestern University commit, and has been invited to play in the Girls Soccer All-American Game in Orlando, Fla., in December.

Wood made two amazing saves in the 2-0 victory against Guerin Catholic in the State Championship Game. She said she appreciates her development through Penn Soccer.

"Penn soccer has allowed me to make life-long friendships and learn how to be a leader," Wood said. "As a goalkeeper, I need to be able to communicate and organize my defense. Being the captain of the Penn Girls soccer team has helped me improve my communication and leadership skills I will need for college soccer."

Penn Head Coach Jeff Hart believes Wood will be a difference-maker for the U.S. Team and Northwestern.

“‘Z’ is another top-end athlete that has all the tools the great goalies have – leadership, presence, great hands and movement (feel) for the position, outstanding foot skills, quickness and a fearless attitude,” Hart said.