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 852 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.

This year there are 18 Valedictorians and 4 Salutatorians. 

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 99 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 105 students will graduate Cum Laude, with praise, with a GPA greater than 3.75.

A total of 429 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 eighth 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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Penn High School’s Exceptional Education Academy celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 with a ceremony at Penn’s Bengtsson CPA.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

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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. Doors open for parents at 5:30.

P-H-M will provide FREE candid photos of the graduates on this link, https://phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2025, by Friday June, 13.

Click here for the photos provided by Inter-State Photography. Password: PHS2025514

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

Retiring P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, incoming Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, Principal Amy Fadorsen, incoming Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, and Literacy Director Ryan Towner stopped by Horizon on Monday, June 2nd to surprise a couple of our teachers with a big honor for all their hard work with students: Corin Sailor and Meredith Courteau.

Penn 9th gr. Biology teacher Meredith Courteau danced for joy after learning she won an IMPACT award because her students had the highest percentage of students reaching proficiency in all Penn’s Biology I class. This is Ms. Courteau’s first year teaching at Penn!

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In March, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Dr. Jerry Thacker announced his retirement after 19 years. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising the graduation rate from 79% to 98%, ranking in the top 4% of the state academically, and helping students earn more than $200 million in scholarships. He also prioritized school safety, leading P-H-M to be ranked sixth in the nation for school safety initiatives. Click here to read more about P-H-M student success achieved during Dr. Thacker’s tenure.

Dr. Thacker has had a remarkable 53-year career in education working in leadership roles across Indiana and Michigan. As the school year wrapped up and in gratitude for his many contributions to the field of education, Dr. Thacker has received several honors.

These five prestigious awards were conferred upon Dr. Thacker:

• May 4, named IAPSS – District II Superintendent of the Year
  
• May 9
  
  Ivy Tech Community College presented him with an Honorary Degree in College and Community Service at their Commencement
  
• May 9, Head Start Consortium gave him the “Making a Difference” award for his loyal dedication, unwavering commitment, and his indispensable support of Head Start’s mission at Head Start’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and Board Meeting
  
• May 21
  
  Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood presented him with a Key to the City and a proclamation declaring May 21st “Dr. Jerry Thacker Day”
  
• May 30
  
  State Senator Linda Rogers presented him with the Circle of Corydon award on behalf of herself and Governor Mike Braun. The award honors Hoosiers who have made remarkable contributions that have bettered Indiana, and who have demonstrated the qualities exemplified by our state’s greatest citizens

Internally, P-H-M school principals, teachers, and students also wanted to thank Dr. Thacker for his years of service and dedication to the district. Several came up with meaningful ways to express their appreciation:

• May 1, Penn High School Bands recognized him for his “caring leadership and service” at the Spring Concert
  
• May 16
  
  Grissom Middle School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways
• May 16
  
  Penn High School Building Trades program presented him with a Golden Hammer for recognition of his Outstanding Support and Service 
• May 22
  
  Bittersweet Elementary School students and staff lined the hallways to applaud him as he walked through the school’s hallways
• May 27
  
  Walt Disney Elementary School establishes the “Dr. Jerry Thacker Achievement Award” to recognize students who exemplify persistence, good citizenship, and positive competitiveness
  
• May 30
  
  Schmucker Middle School principal presented him with an Elevation Award for 53 years of service in education to students, teachers, and parents
• June 2
  
  
  Prairie Vista Elementary students performed a “We are your Triangle of Success” presentation and gave him a planter with all the thumbprints of students (grades K-5) and staff to illustrate the impact he’s had on their lives
  
• June 3
  
  Retiring Penn Band Director Glenn Northern, leads the Symphonic Winds section of the Kingsmen Marching Band in the Penn High School Fight song outside Dr. Thacker’s office at the Educational Services Center. Click here to see the video on Facebook.

Before the end of the 2024-2025 school year came to a close, Dr. Thacker shared the video message below with P-H-M students, teachers, and families.

Students in Penn High School U.S. History classes brought the cultural sounds and sights of the 1960’s to life with the annual PennStock learning activity.

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• Benjamin Reihl- Audio/Video Production 2
• Dylan Brown- Automotive Service Tech 2
• Gracie Goss- Commercial Photography 2
• Logan Rice- Computer Aided Drafting 2
• Madison Luchowski- Cosmetology 1
• Grayce Spadafore- Cosmetology 2
• Nikolis Bradshaw- Culinary Arts 1
• Isabella Persyn- Dental Health Careers 1
• Kendra Boots- Diesel Service Tech
• Lizzy De La Cerda Cavazos- Diesel Service Tech 2
• Abella Powell- Early Childhood Education 2
• Alexis Phillips- Pre-Nursing 2
• Danielle Nicodemus- Skills USA National Qualifier- Audio/Video Production 2
• Marcus Stoutenburg- Skills USA National Qualifier- Audio/Video Production 2
• Logan Rice- Gene Haas Scholarship
• Emma Heintzelman- Mrs. Basil S. Turner Scholarship

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The countdown is on to graduation, and the Class of 2025 celebrated the tradition Senior Sunrise breakfast on Wednesday, May 28.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

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In a special meeting held Tuesday, May 27, the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees unanimously (7-0) approved the appointment of Dr. Heather Short as the district’s next superintendent effective July 1, 2025.

Nearly 50 P-H-M teachers, administrators, staff, family and friends showed up to express their overwhelming support of Dr. Short’s appointment.

Dr. Short, a lifelong educator who has dedicated her entire 31-year career to P-H-M, will succeed Dr. Jerry Thacker, who is retiring after 19 years of transformative leadership. Dr. Short has served as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction since 2017. During her tenure, P-H-M students have experienced consistent academic growth and achievement.

“I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful to Dr. Thacker for his mentorship throughout my career,” said Dr. Short. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to grow as a leader within this incredible district. I’m excited to continue working alongside our talented staff, dedicated families, and exceptional students to expand opportunities and ensure every child thrives.”

Under Dr. Short’s leadership, P-H-M ranks in the top 4% of Indiana districts based on ILEARN scores. The district also outpaces the state average by 20 percentage points in overall percent passing rates.

“There is no one better—or more qualified—to lead P-H-M’s continued path of academic excellence than Dr. Short,” said Chris Riley, President of the Board of School Trustees. “Her academic expertise and visionary leadership in developing rigorous, relevant curriculum have been key to our students’ success. Dr. Short was the Board’s clear and unanimous choice for superintendent.”

P-H-M is home to some of Indiana’s highest-performing public schools in both English/Language Arts and Math. Prairie Vista Elementary ranks #3 in the state, while Discovery Middle School ranks #2. In Spring 2024, P-H-M’s IREAD pass rate was 86.8%, surpassing the state average of 82.5%. Three P-H-M elementary schools—Prairie Vista (97.7%), Northpoint (95%), and Horizon (95.3%)—achieved pass rates above 90%.

Included in her district-wide academic strategy was a robust Response to Intervention (RtI) program and expanded summer offerings that support both enrichment and remediation.

Dr. Short’s leadership journey reflects deep roots and unwavering commitment to P-H-M. She began her career as a classroom teacher before serving as an Instructional Leader and High Ability Coordinator. Click here to learn how Dr. Short and Board Trustee Katie Bell’s paths crossed when Dr. Short was a 3rd grade teacher at Northpoint. In 2004, she became principal of Prairie Vista Elementary. Recognizing her talent for professional growth and instructional excellence, Dr. Thacker appointed her in 2007 as P-H-M’s first Director of Professional Development—a role she held for a decade before being named Assistant Superintendent.

Throughout her career, Dr. Short has been deeply committed to developing others. She co-created a nationally recognized leadership development program designed to build internal capacity among P-H-M educators and administrators. Her strategic focus on professional development has empowered teachers at every level—from new educators to veteran principals—through initiatives like the annual Literacy Summit and the New Teacher Series.

As Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Short has combined her instructional leadership with strong fiscal stewardship. She has overseen the management of multimillion-dollar budgets and successfully secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants—investments that have directly enhanced classroom instruction, expanded student programs, and strengthened districtwide operations.

“Dr. Short possesses one of the most valuable qualities a leader can have: the ability to build genuine relationships,” said Dr. Thacker. “She makes personal connections with teachers, principals, staff, families—and most importantly, students. She understands the P-H-M culture because she helped build it. There is no one more fitting to serve as the next superintendent.”

After the Board approved Dr. Short as the district’s new leader, Board members shared well wishes and comments. Trustee Katie Bell (elected in November 2024) talked about how things have come full circle for her as a former student of Dr. Short’s when she taught 3rd grade gifted and talented students at Northpoint. The two were actually featured in an article that ran in the South Bend Tribune in March 2003. The article featured Dr. Short teaching her students how to use PowerPoint for their Geography reports on Asia. Click here to read the original story.

Fast forward to 2013 to when Dr. Short was P-H-M’s Director of Professional Development, she interviewed Bell for a teaching position. Bell was hired as a kindergarten teacher in 2016 at Prairie Vista Elementary School and Dr. Short led the professional development for all new teachers. 

“Dr. Short and I are a testament that it’s never goodbye, it’s always see you later,” Bell said. “And I think that shows the true impact of a teacher, that they are in your lives forever, and that you will always remember them.”

Media Coverage

• South Bend Tribune
• ABC 57
• WSBT-TV
• WNDU-TV