Early College Academy’s Class of 2021 (Cohort 4) gathered on Sunday, May 23 to celebrate students’ next steps.

There are approximately 100 students in this year’s graduating class. Click here to view what students’ future plans are.

The Penn Boys Golf Team won the 2021 Northern Indiana Conference Tournament on Saturday, May 22, at Pretty Lake Golf Course in Plymouth, Ind.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that 17 students have been named Valedictorians for the Class of 2021.

Aida Ansari, Benjamin Bedient, Jayden Bell, Benjamin Boardley, Samik Ghosh, Oliver Hu, Logan Huchko, Maya Kvaratskhelia, Shubham Lahane, Lauren Latimer, Evan Li, Ryan Ludwig, Mattheos Mattheos,  Joseph Radde, Grace Waddell, David Wang and Marissa White will represent the Class of 2021 at Penn’s Commencement Ceremony, 7 p.m., Friday, June 4, at TCU/Freed Field. 

“I am very proud of the accomplishments of our 2021 Valedictorians,” Galiher said. “Their commitment to excellence in the classroom and with their extracurricular endeavors is impressive, and I am excited to see what they will accomplish as they move forward with their future plans.”

Click here for details about Senior Recognition Night held on May 11.

AIDA ANSARI

Parents: Adeela Alizai and Asad Ansari

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Indiana University/Spanish and pre-med

Career plans: Physician

Activities/honors: Key Club, National Honor Society, Freshmen Mentoring, Tennis.

BENJAMIN BEDIENT

Parents: Stephanie Bedient and John Bedient

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: Purdue/Biomedical Engineering

Career plans: Development of Medicine and Human Technology.

Activities/honors: Wrestling (2017-2020), Football (2017-2019), TEAMS, Technology Students Association (2018-2020) National Finalist (attended National Finals in Washington, D.C., 2019), Richard Lugar Scholar, Debate (2019-2021), State Finalist for World Schools in 2019-2020.

JAYDEN BELL

Parents: Angela Bell and Jason Bell

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: University of Notre Dame

Career plans: Finance and Computer Science

Activities/honors: Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, Indiana University Kelley Scholar, National Merit Scholar Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Penn Medical Club President, DECA P.R. & Fundraising Officer, TEAMS, Research at the University of Notre Dame.

BENJAMIN BOARDLEY

Parents: Amy Boardley and Michael Boardley

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: Undecided

Activities/honors: Track and Cross Country, National Honor Society, Key Club, Freshmen Mentor.

SAMIK GHOSH

Parents: Manuka Ghosh, Sue Brew (foster parent) and Arun Ghosh

Elementary school: Reyerson

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: UCLA

Career plans: Law or economics.

Activities/honors: Soccer, Cross Country State Finalist, Track, Model U.N., TEAMS, Leukemia Lymphoma Society volunteer, Freshmen Mentoring.

OLIVER HU

Parents: Linda Hu and Bin Hu

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Purdue

Career plans: Medicine

Activities/honors: Science Bowl, TEAMS, Tennis.

LOGAN HUCHKO

Parents: Amy Huchko and John Huchko

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Indiana University/Kelley School of Business

Career plans: Dentistry

Activities/honors: Football, WHME Student-Athlete of the Week, Lacrosse, Track, Kingsmen Community Care, National Honor Society, DECA, Homecoming Court nominee, National Honor Society officer, Kelley Momentum Leader Scholarship Recipient, Indiana University Provost Academic Scholarship.

MAYA KVARATSKHELIA

Parents: Dani Edson and Gia Kvaratskhelia

Elementary school: St. Joseph

Middle school: St. Joseph

College plans: University of Notre Dame/Physics and Violin Performance

Career plans: Physics professor or lawyer.

Activities/honors: Five-time Geoffroy Award winner in the Fischoff Competition, National Merit Finalist, National AP scholar, Rising Star of Indiana, Concertmaster of Indiana All State Orchestra, Fine Arts and Science Academic Super Bowl Captain, TEAMS, Freshmen Mentoring, German-American Partnership Program, German Club, Kingsmen Court, IML, South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra, Fischoff Mentoring Academy, Around the World in 180 days

SHUBHAM LAHANE

Parents: Pravina Lahane and Sanjeev Lahane

Elementary school: Mary Frank

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Indiana University/Kelley School of Business

Career plans: Health and Sciences

Activities/honors: Tennis, National Honor Society, Model U.N., DECA.

LAUREN LATIMER

Parents: Kim Latimer-Grannan, Rob Grannan and the late Dewitt Latimer

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: University of Notre Dame/Biochemistry

Activities/honors: Freshmen Mentor, TEAMS, German-American Partnership Program, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Take a Jump Equestrian Team, Camp Counselor at Fallen Oaks Farm and Stables.

EVAN LI

Parents: Yajuan Zhang and Yongtao Li

Elementary school: Northpoint

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: Johns Hopkins University/Neuroscience

Career plans: Medicine

Activities/honors: Science Academic Super Bowl, TEAMS Competition, South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestras, Internships & Research at the University of Notre Dame, Volunteering, Academic All-Star, National Merit Finalist, National AP Scholar, and U.S. Presidential Scholars Candidate.

RYAN LUDWIG

Parents: Jennifer Ludwig and David Ludwig

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: University of Notre Dame/business analytics

Career plans: Sports analytics or law

Activities/honors: Tennis captain, National Honor Society president, Handwritten Hearts Club co-president, Piano, TEAMS, Key Club, Track, I-Ball, National Merit Finalist.

MATTHEOS MATTHEOS

Parents: Nektaria Mattheos and Pete Mattheos

Elementary school: Prairie Vista

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: University of Notre Dame

Activities/honors: Tennis, National Honor Society, Key Club, DECA.

JOSEPH RADDE

Parents: Mary Radde and Robert Radde

Elementary school: Kennedy

Middle school: LaSalle

College plans: Indiana University/Biology

Career plans: Doctor

Activities/honors: Two-time Swimming Relay State Champion, Scholastic All-American, Freshmen Mentoring, TEAMS.

GRACE WADDELL

Parents: Dr. Jennifer Waddell and Dr. Michael Waddell

Elementary school: Horizon

Middle school: Discovery

College plans: University of Notre Dame/Glynn Family Honors Program/neuroscience and mathematics

Career plans: M.D./Ph.D., scientific/medical researcher and/or professor.

Activities/honors: Lilly Endowment Scholar; National Merit Scholar Finalist; National AP Scholar; candidate for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program; Head Coach of Discovery Middle School MathCounts (2019-2021), Assistant Coach of Discovery Middle School MathCounts (2017-2019); Captain of the Math, Social Studies, and Science Academic Super Bowl Teams; member of the Interdisciplinary Academic Super Bowl team; mathematics competitions (2-time National Bronze Medalist and 2-time Honorable Mention at MathCon National Finals, Indiana Math League, American Mathematics Competition, etc.); Indiana All-State Honor Band, and Indiana All-State Band Percussionist; National Honor Society; Tri-M International Honor Society; Key Club; After-School Jazz Orchestra Vibraphonist/Drumset Player; TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science): 2-time Team Captain, 3-time National Qualifier, and second place team in Indiana; seven-time Gold Medalist at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Competitions; Free Mathematics Tutor; Tap Dancer; Lead Altar Server and Thurifer at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

DAVID WANG

Parents: BiLi Ni and David Wang

Elementary school: Walt Disney

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: Undecided

Career plans: Civil Engineering

Activities/honors: PATH, Kingsmen Court, Technology Students Association, Teams.

MARISSA WHITE

Parents: Denise White and Jeff White

Elementary school: Bittersweet

Middle school: Schmucker

College plans: University of Notre Dame

Career plans: Engineering

Activities/honors: National Honor Society Vice President, Girl Talk Vice President, Student Leader and Kingsmen Court Representative for Kingsmen Tutors, DECA, Key Club.

The Penn Girls Tennis Team played South Bend Adams in the first round of the Penn Sectional on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

The Penn High School Fine Arts Academy presents the annual Penn Dance Classic, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 20, and Friday, May 21.

A Photo Gallery of Dress Rehearsal for the event is posted below.

The performances are open to the public with a capacity of 400 in Penn’s Center for the Performing Arts. There are about 200 tickets available for the Thursday show and 100 left for the Friday show.  Tickets are $5 and are available online at www.ticketracker.com. It will be general admission seating with social distancing between family groups. Masks are required.  Shows start at 7:30 and the CPA will open at 7 p.m. for seating. 

Penn Building Trades will host Open House from 5-8 p.m., Friday, May 21, 2021.

The house, constructed by Penn students under the supervision of Penn Instructor Les Crooks, is located at 417 Champery Dr., Osceola.

Featuring a pond view, the 1550-square foot house sold for $300,000. It has three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

This is house No. 52 for the Penn Building Trades program.

A Photo Gallery of students at the house is posted below.

Penn High School celebrated National Signing Day in May as 29 Kingsmen student-athletes committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.

A downloadable Photo Gallery of the Signing Day graphics is posted below.

Click here for the Signing Day program.

Commencement will be live streamed on Friday, June 4, 7:00 p.m., on Penn-Harris-Madison's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/pennharrismadison.

The letter from Penn Principal Sean Galiher was sent to senior parents on April 14.

Dear Parents or Guardians:                                           

Congratulations on helping your senior graduate from Penn High School during these challenging times. We share your pride in your senior’s achievement and are excited to announce additional details for our in-person ceremony for Friday, June 4th outside at Penn High School on TCU Freed Field.  

The purpose of this letter is two-fold: To provide you with information about our ceremony and to solicit your assistance in helping make the graduation activities reflect the dignity, solemnity, and importance of your senior’s achievement.  This year’s graduation will definitely look different as we will need to ensure a safe environment for those who choose to participate.  All candidates for graduation and guests will be required to follow state and local health protocols, including social distancing guidelines, wearing a mask and additional safety and security measures.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and partnership with Penn High School.

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

Penn High School’s commencement will be held on Friday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m.  Should rain or inclement weather delay our plans, the ceremony will be moved to Sunday, June 6th at 7:00 p.m.  

Seniors participating should arrive at Penn by 4:00 p.m. on June 4th.  Seniors with last names starting with A-K should plan to enter through Door C, using the Bittersweet entrance to Penn High School.  Seniors with last names starting with L-Z should plan to enter through Door M, using the Jefferson entrance of the staff parking lot.  With limited parking availability, please make arrangements for seniors to be dropped off at the designated entrance.  Seniors arriving after 4:30 p.m. will not be in alphabetical order and may be required to be seated at the end of the line.  Seniors are required to wear a mask that will be provided, caps, and gowns, and to have appropriate attire under their gowns. Also, no decorations on the caps and gowns will be allowed. 

Seniors are asked to refrain from bringing valuables to commencement.  Please bring only those necessary items that you will need at graduation. Cell phones, gifts, hangers, food, or drinks will not be allowed.  Each graduate will be provided with a bottle of water by their chair. Girls may bring a small handbag/purse and may not wear stiletto heels in order to protect our field.

Parents and guests are to enter through the Larry Beehler ticket entrance on the north end of the stadium.  Gates open at 5:30 p.m.  The facility is handicap accessible.  Attendance will be limited to two (2) family members per graduate.  The names of each family member must be included on the sign-up form which is included later in this communication.  If a student has more than two parents/guardians, they must contact our main office for additional information.

YARD SIGNS

Senior yard signs were popular last year thanks to generous donations from our community members. We would like to provide this option again this year. Yard signs from Derby Photography will be available for purchase for $7.00 each. Click here to order one if you are interested.  Payment and pick-up will be at Penn High School.  Cash or check only, please.  Checks need to be made payable to Penn High School.  In order to schedule the delivery in early May, orders will only be accepted up to April 23rd.

SENIOR PARADES

In 2019, we celebrated our first senior parades where graduates visited their elementary schools.  This was a wonderful experience for our graduates and current elementary students and staff.  We are scheduling these parades again this year on June 1st and June 2nd; they will be held outdoors.  Additional details will be shared with seniors during senior commencement rehearsal meetings later this month.

PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT

Please remember that graduation participation is a privilege, not a required activity.  New this year, students will need to complete a form and indicate if they will be participating on June 4th.  We will only be reserving a chair for every student who completes the form indicating they will be attending the event.  Please click here to fill out the form of the names of your guests who are planning on attending. This form must be completed by May 24th.  

TICKETS

Admission to graduation is free-of-charge, but not open to the public. Seniors will be allowed to have two (2) guests in attendance.  These guests must be on the list from the Google Form completed by each family. This is a non-negotiable number, due to the maximum occupancy in the stadium. We understand this is not an ideal situation, but we need to do our best to follow health safety guidelines. Every person who attends as guests counts, including babies and children. We will be issuing paper tickets that will be distributed to students during senior commencement meetings. Every graduate must use the online form to enter the names of his/her two (2) guests. Students will be able to enter/alter the names of their guests up until May 28th.  If a student has more than two parents/guardians, they must contact our main office at 574-254-2878 for additional information.

LIVE STREAMING

Due to the COVID limitations, our commencement ceremony will be live-streamed so that family members and friends who are unable to attend may watch the ceremony.  A link will be provided before the date of commencement.

2021 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Parents should make prior arrangements as to where to meet their seniors after the graduation ceremonies have ended. Please do not interrupt the procession as the graduates exit the stadium.  The graduates will be released to meet with family and friends after re-entering the school.  We ask all spectators to honor the accomplishments of all of our seniors by refraining from any behavior that is a distraction from the ceremony. If an audience member’s behavior detracts from the formal environment that has been established, he/she may be asked by security to leave the ceremony.

COMMENCEMENT REHEARSAL

Information related to commencement will be given to seniors when they meet with administrators on April 28, and April 29, 2021. During these mandatory meetings, detailed instructions for commencement participation will be discussed.  The arrangement of facilities at Penn High School will allow us the opportunity to practice and go over last-minute details on the day of commencement just prior to the formal activities on June 4, 2021.  However, the information shared during the senior meetings will be extremely important for seniors participating in the commencement ceremony.

CAPS AND GOWNS

Jostens will be at Penn High School to pass out caps and gowns on April 28-29th after the senior meetings.  If students are not able to pick up their cap and gown on those dates, they can come to the Main Office to pick up these items up between 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m, Monday – Friday.  

DIPLOMAS

Students will be able to pick up their diplomas beginning Monday, June 14, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Pick up will be inside Door A.  

PHOTOS

Inter-State Studios will be positioned to take individual pictures of seniors with their diplomas.  Every student will be photographed and all photographs will be available for purchase on a protected website. Click here to access Inter-State Studios’ secure website. Password = Penn2021.   We know you want to take photos of your graduate. With social distancing guidelines in effect, we cannot allow guests to move around during the ceremony to take photos. Guests will not be allowed to move around from their seats. Any pictures taken will need to be taken from your seats. After the ceremony, you are welcome to take photos at one of the photo opp locations around the school.

PARKING

Graduating seniors should be dropped off at Penn at the arrival time.  Parents and guests should park in the student lots on the north side of the high school.  

SEATING

Seating is first-come, first-served.  All ticket holders for each graduate must sit together.  Please refrain from visiting with other families in the bleachers.  Handicap seating will be available during the ceremony.  Family members must wear a mask while attending this event.  

ENTERING AND LEAVING STADIUM

All attendees must use social distancing when arriving and leaving the stadium.  Families are expected not to congregate outside or inside the stadium at any given time.  Hand sanitizer stations will be available at all entrances and along the bottom of the stands on both sides of the stadium.  Participating students and family members are encouraged to monitor their health and should not attend if they have any symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Your assistance and cooperation in conforming to the instructions outlined in this letter are needed and appreciated. If you should have any questions about any of the activities outlined above, please do not hesitate to call.  

Again, congratulations to you and your senior!  We wish the newest members of the Penn High School Alumni the very best!  They have, indeed, been very special!

Sincerely,
Sean Galiher
Principal

Penn 2021 Prom – “A Night of Royal PROMise” was a huge success. More than 600 students, mostly seniors and juniors, attended the unique event. Due to the lingering impacts of COVID-19 the Prom was held out doors on the plaza at Penn’s TCU Freed Field on May 15, 2021. Prom was a ticketed event with a maximum attendance of 850 students, with first opportunities to buy tickets going to the Senior Class of 2021, before opening sales to juniors.

CPA Director Nich Sikorski (aka "DJ R3AM") was the DJ. Along with dancing, Tthere were games like corn hole and giant size Jenga, a photo booth, and a coffee bar at the Zolman’s Tire Concession Stand … all making for a night Penn students will not soon forget!

A big thank you to the Prom Committee, Parent Volunteers, Vendors, Principal Sean Galiher and all the Penn Administrators who decorated, worked and chaperoned the event. The students had a wonderful evening. Take a look at the video below …

We potsted an extensive photo gallery on to Penn’s Facebook page. Click to view.

In the sampling photo gallery below, you can download high-resolution JPG files. Just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function. We are happy to provide this service to you, FREE OF CHARGE! ENJOY!!!

Penn High School presented “Evening of Jazz at the Park” at Mishawaka’s Central Park on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.