Penn High School’s Kaleidoscope Concerts are on two nights, Wednesday, Nov. 16, and Thursday, Nov. 17, because there are two different features. Each concert is set to start at 7:30 p.m. in the Penn High School Center for Performing Arts.

The music from both concerts will range from Jazz Literature to serious band music. One of the songs that will be performed is a piece entitled, “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas.”

The Kaleidoscope Concert on Wednesday, November 16, will feature the combined eighth grade bands from Grissom, Schmucker, and Discovery Middle Schools. The Advanced Jazz Ensemble, the Symphonic Winds, and the Penn Marching Kingsmen will also be featured this night.

The Kaleidoscope Concert on Thursday, November 17, will feature the Intermediate Jazz Ensemble, the Advanced Jazz Ensemble, the Freshman Intermediate Band, the Freshman Advanced Band, the Concert Band, the Symphonic Band, and the Symphonic Winds.

Tickets for the concerts are $5 in advance and $6 at the door on the concert nights. Tickets may be purchased through www.ticketracker.com and tickets will also be on sale at the North end of the cafeteria during lunches on Monday, Nov. 14, and Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Penn High School’s Spell Bowl Team, coached by Pete DeKever, captured its 16th state championship, on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Purdue University.

The Kingsmen dominated the competition, scoring 89 points out of a possible 90.

Penn’s score was the highest of all the competing schools in all classes. Terre Haute South placed second with an 83.

“I am pleased for our players that their hard work and high expectations were rewarded with the team's 16th state championship,” DeKever said. “The six-point margin of victory in the state finals is the largest since at least 1993 and reflects the dominant performances we had throughout the season.

“Our players put in more effort and time than any other Spell Bowl team in Indiana, and the competition allows that investment to directly translate into words spelled correctly. I always tell my players that they should be motivated to win a state championship for each other, and it was satisfying to see that expectation fulfilled on Saturday.”

Penn High School’s Football team, ranked No. 2 in Class 6-A, will host Crown Point in Indiana High School Athletic Association Regional Championship action on Friday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Penn is 11-0 and Crown Point is 6-5.

Tickets are $8.

If Penn wins, it will play the winner of the Carmel (7-4) at Homestead (9-2) game in the Semi-State on Friday, Nov. 18. If Penn and Homestead are the Regional Champions, the Semi-State game would be at Penn. If Penn are Carmel are the Regional Champions, the Semi-State game would be at Carmel.

NCAA Signing Day featured 19 student-athletes from Penn High School.

Of the 19 student-athletes signing Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level, 11 will compete at the NCAA Division 1 level.

Sixteen of the 19 student-athletes have competed for Penn in IHSAA state championship events.

Click here for the complete release, including player bios.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m.  the P-H-M DVT will show “D-DAY: NORMANDY 1944,” narrated by Tom Brokaw.  

Tickets for Veterans are FREE! Adults $4, Senior Citizens $3, Students $2

P-H-M’s DVT& Planetarium is located within Bittersweet Elementary (55860 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545). Click here for a full list of weekly shows.
 

The documentary “D-DAY: NORMANDY 1944” is about the largest Allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France. Yet, few people know in detail exactly why and how (from the end of 1943 through August 1944) this region became the most important location in the world. Blending multiple cinematographic techniques, including animation, CGI and stunning live-action images, "D-Day" brings this monumental event to large screen of P-H-M’s DVT. Audiences of all ages, will discover from a new perspective how this landing changed the world. Exploring history, military strategy, science, technology and human values, the film will educate and appeal to all.

The significance of Veteran’s Day will be a focus in all of P-H-M’s 15 schools on this Friday, Nov. 11.  Veteran speakers have been invited to talk to students at Schmucker and Grissom Middle Schools.  Former Governor of Indiana and Purple Heart Awardee Joe Kernan will participate in Grissom’s annual program; and  Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Richard Cardossa will speak to Schmucker eighth grade students as part of their annual honor to Veterans.

By CARTER DE JONG

Student Reporter

Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly visited Penn High School for the National Honor Society Induction on October 19. Senator Donnelly spoke about how important it was for high school students to be involved in all aspects of their life from school to the community. He also praised the National Honor Society inductees for their amazing hard work.

    After Senator Donnelly spoke and the names of this years inductees were read, he was available to answer questions about the election and the issues that are affecting young people today.

“Everything that happens now is going to determine where our country is when we hand it off to you,” Donnelly said about the importance of young people getting out and voting.

A key issue for students is student loan debt.

Senator Donnelly is in favor of lowering the interests rates of student loans to that of home mortgage rates, which would make it much more affordable for our nation’s families.

One of the key points of the 2016 election has been the large amount of negative campaigning by both candidates which has largely divided the nation. Senator Donnelly believes that despite the outcome of the election the nation will come together again.

Lastly he was asked about the importance of education. His main point was the importance of pre-k education due to the fact that the majority of brain development occurs before kindergarten.

Senator Donnelly also made a point of the importance of continuing education after high school.

November 3, 2016 was epic day for competitions … and we’re just not talking about the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series after a 108 year drought! While the Cubs dynasty is just beginning, Penn’s Spell Bowl Team has been getting the “W” for years.

Last night’s Regional Win at Plymouth updated their score card with now 16 Regional Titles, 15 State Championships, 18 consecutive unbeaten seasons in invitational meets, 200 competition championship wins for Coach Pete DeKever making Penn’s Spell Bowl the most winningest spell bowl team in state history.

ABC 57 followed along with the team as they prepped for last night’s competition and was there last night when they won. Click here to watch the story.

The team has a week now to prepare for the State competition coming up Saturday, Nov. 12 at Purdue University. If the Kingsmen win, this will be their fifth consecutive Championship win and 16^th overall.

Penn High School’s Robotics team will be participating in the Barnes & Noble Makerfair on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 5-6.

Barnes & Noble is located at University Park Mall. It is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Penn students will have six teams in attendance during the weekend, teaching mini-lessons to the public, running robots, and highlighting the accomplishments of Penn’s nationally regarded Robotics program.

Penn High School will present a Viva Voce concert, “Choral Colors”,  at 7:30 p.m. on  Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Penn High School Center for Performing Arts.

The concert showcases choral music from the Renaissance to Today.

Tickets are $8 at the door and $6 in advance. Tickets can be purchased online through ticketracker.com, click here to buy now. They will also be on sale during lunches.

Before Friday night's (Oct. 29, 2016) Penn football game, two P-H-M heroes were recognized.

School Resource Officer Mike Reppert and VSS Security Supervisor Rockie Dodds were presented with a special award provided by the Indiana State Suicide Prevention Advisory Council as a result of their efforts in Suicide Prevention in our school community. 

This award is only one of three awards provided by the Indiana State Suicide Prevention Council in 2016.  Because of their actions, they made a difference in a student’s life.  

If you know of someone who needs help, please visit the P-H-M District website, www.phmschools.org/lifelines, for resources.