A 5 a.m. alarm? In a college dorm room?

It’s one that Penn High School alum Lauren Kramer eagerly answered at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo – three time zones away from Penn Instructor Jim Langfeldt’s Black 1 Architecture Class.

Kramer, a 2020 Penn graduate, connected with Langfeldt’s Black 1 class – which started at 8:55 a.m. Eastern Time, through a Google Meet on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

“I love helping Penn High School,” Kramer said. “I wanted to meet with the students (Wednesday morning), so that I could help to guide them, and give them more ideas about architecture school.

“When I was a senior, I remember being confused and unaware of how architecture school even works, and I thought that if someone would've explained how it all worked to me I would've felt less overwhelmed.”

Kramer wanted to impart some of her passion for architecture to the students who were sitting in the same architecture lab that she sat in as a Penn student. She also shared the reality that architecture is a challenging major that is work-intensive.

“I wanted the students to first of all get excited about architecture, because it is a fantastic major and a great degree to pursue,” Kramer said. “Clearly, I am really passionate about architecture, and I hope after speaking with them they are excited about college and potentially pursuing this career. I also wanted students to understand that architecture is a challenging major. It's a lot of work, and realistically if students aren't interested in doing the work, they should consider pursuing something else. Architecture is an amazing major and career to pursue, but you have to be willing to put in the work in order to succeed.”

Penn Senior Brendan Kerr appreciated the opportunity to hear from Kramer about what to expect at the collegiate level.

“This experience has shown me what pursuing architecture after high school might really look like,” said Kerr, who is considering attending the University of Cincinnati or Ball State to study architecture.

“These types of experiences (a Google Meet with a college architecture student) make class relevant by assuring me that this is what I want to do after high school,” Kerr said. “It gives all of us in the class information that we might not have received in a regular class setting or even doing research on our own.”

Kerr said that the glimpse into the reality of an architecture major was helpful.

“One of the biggest things that I took away from Lauren's talk was that Architecture is one of the most dependent and time-consuming majors out there, and that there will be times when you're pulling all-nighters back-to-back nights to reach a deadline,” Kerr said. “But that all doesn't matter if that is what you really want to do in your life and that you are having fun doing it.”

Kramer said that she is embracing the challenge of pursuing an architecture major.

 “I love everything about architecture,” Kramer said. “Architecture is a more fluid concept than a lot of people think it is. A degree in architecture can be applied in a lot of different fields, and this openness to pursue different endeavors is something that I really value. I also love being creative and problem solving and architecture is the perfect means in order to do this.”

 Kramer said that Penn helped prepare her for an academically elite college like Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

“I feel like classes at Penn prepared me for rigorous academic coursework that I do now,” Kramer said. “In terms of architecture, Penn High School architecture classes are what really got me interesting in the field. Without those classes, I probably would be in a different major.

“Mr. Langfeldt was always super encouraging to me to pursue my dreams, and this encouragement really impacted me to continue with architecture. I hope that in the future more students at Penn will be able to go through the architecture program, and be equally inspired to pursue their dreams.” 

Kramer’s advice to high school students is to explore all college options.

“As far as choosing a college, I wish I would've known more about the difference in programs such as the difference between a bachelors and masters in architecture,” Kramer said. “In recent months, I've realized that I love to teach and I think that I am going to eventually pursue my master’s degree so that I can become a college professor.

“In retrospect, knowing more information about these different programs would've been helpful. I also think it's super important as a high school student to explore all of your college options because a school like Cal Poly seemed like an impossible dream to me, but I researched, worked hard, and made it happen.”

According to Langfeldt, the Architecture School in college is often misinterpreted as an Engineering or Construction management degree. He said that Kramer has been focused on architecture since middle school.

“Her talents in Art as well as Design suit her perfectly for success as an Architect,” Langfeldt said. “It is very impactful to have a recent Penn Graduate reach out to my students to give them valuable insight into not only the Architecture experience in college but also how to navigate the college search.  I am very proud of Lauren Kramer.”

The Penn Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams competed at the IHSAA Regional on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Ox Bow Park in Elkhart.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

The Penn High School Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams each won Sectional Championships on Saturday, Oct. 10, in South Bend.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

The Penn High School Girls Soccer Team scored a 3-0 victory against Canterbury.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Penn High School’s Football team will unveil new uniforms for Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020.

Seniors Joe Apata, Nick Favilla, Zack Messer and Ron Powlus modeled the uniforms for a Photo Gallery posted below.

For hybrid students, picture retakes and make up days will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12, throughout the duration of the school day.
 

For fully virtual students, picture retakes and make up days will take place on Monday, Nov. 9 from 12-6 p.m.
 

If you already had your picture taken but do not like it, you must come with your picture order form number to present. This is so we can file the appropriate information and remove the old pictures from our record. You are not eligible for a retake unless you have ordered pictures. You can order pictures by following this information:

Please go the the following website:
inter-state.com/order
Order Code: 50231FB
 

If you just missed the original picture days, you are able to go down at any available time to get your picture taken. You will be checked off of our physical student name list.

FAQ with answers!

Q1:"My student doesn't have a study hall, what now?"
A1:If you don't have a study hall, please ask one of your teachers to excuse you so you can get your picture taken, there should be an announcement to come over the PA at some point!

Q2:"What should they wear?"
A2: We do encourage you to dress for this portrait as you would like it to appear in the yearbook!

Q3:"Where do we go?"
A3: Pictures are being taken on the North side of the cafeteria! Fully virtual students on 11/9 will be able to access the area by going through Door A from 12-3 pm or going through Door F from 3-6 pm.

Q4:"Where can I order the school portraits?"
A4: Please go the the following website:
inter-state.com/order
Order Code: 50231FB

Q5:"If I am a hybrid student, can I still show up and take pictures on the 100% virtual day?"
A5: For tracing purposes and for safety, the virtual picture day is ONLY for 100% virtual students.

Q6:"Will there be more retake days?"
A6: Unfortunately no, these will be the last portrait days, which is why it is of highest importance to be present!

If you have further questions, please contact Mrs. Pfernere at kpeterson@phm.k12.in.us.
 

Basketball Cheer tryouts will be Monday, October 19, Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Penn High School from 4-6:30 p.m.

Cheer candidates must enter through Door D.

Sign up at registermyathlete.com in order to participate. You must be registered on registermyathlete.com before October 19 to participate.

Email Varsity Coach Rita Szweda for the tryout information at: rszweda@phm.k12.in.us.
 

All picture retakes – including senior pictures – are Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12. The photos will be taken in the hallway between the Cafeteria and the Arena.

Virtual Learner re-takes will be on Monday, Nov. 9, from noon to 6 p.m. in the hallway between the Cafeteria and the Arena.

Virtual Learners must enter at Door A and follow all COVID-19 protocols (mask/physical distance/self-monitor).

Click here for information on ordering school pictures. Use order code 50231FB

To order school pictures for Penn High School, please go the the following website:

inter-state.com/order

Order Code: 50231FB
 

Thanks to a USDA waiver, all meals served to students at P-H-M will be free until further notice.

Student accounts will be charged for any ala-carte sales.

Penn High School will offer pre-packaged breakfasts. Students will select pre-packaged meal components in the cafeteria.

Penn will also be offering take-home meals for students. The meals will cover the days when students are learning from home. Meals will be given out at the end of the day on Wednesday and Friday at Door L, Door C and the IMC. The package will contain three breakfast and three lunch meals. Items will be frozen if possible and bags will have heating and storage instructions.

We will have meals available for the 100 percent virtual learners from all schools and the community. Meals will be distributed at Penn High School Door C from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. It will be the same type of bag with only four meals on Wednesday and six on Friday. Students do not need to be present for the parent or guardian to pick up meals. Student ID’s will not be required.

Parents who do not want their student to have a free meal may donate the money to our fund for students who do not have money for meals. We are able to do the free meals due to a temporary waiver from the USDA. This will most likely last no longer than this semester. Money currently on student accounts will remain for their later use.