Have you ever noticed the large scale (12.5 feet tall by 8.5 feet wide) “People of Penn” graphic in the sunshine hallway? It was installed in 2011.

Last year, then Penn Principal Dr. Sean Galiher reached out to the graphic design program about making a second iteration. Graphic design student Morgan Kukla (now a senior) was handpicked for this project due to her outstanding talent, creativity, and artistic ability along with her level of responsibility and attention to detail.

And she absolutely nailed it.

The graphic was installed on Monday, January 19th, 2026 and it looks awesome! 

The installation was overseen by former Penn student Steven Tucker (class of ’09) who now works as a sales project manager at US Signcrafters.

About the Artist:

 Penn High School Rachel Fry and Penn-Harris-Madison Supt. Dr. Heather Short honored Penn students for their Academic Achievement at a ceremony on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at the Penn Boys & Girls Basketball doubleheader.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Penn honored 846 students with an academic letter, which is awarded to students with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher after their fourth and sixth semesters. Second-year recipients received a chevron.

“The 846 students qualifying for Penn High School Academic Recognition this year is a testament to the culture of excellence our students and faculty have built together,” Fry said. “Earning an academic letter by maintaining a 3.5 GPA through the fourth and sixth semesters is no small feat — it requires consistent discipline and a genuine passion for learning. I am especially proud to see so many students earning their second-year chevron, demonstrating a long-term commitment to their education that will undoubtedly serve them well beyond these hallways.”

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On Wednesday, January 14, members of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees, P-H-M and Penn High School administrators and coaches, P-H-M Education Foundation Board Members, community partners, student-athletes, guests and members of the media gathered to officially open the 80,000-square-foot multi-use student facility (click here to see a brochure with specs & details). It was also a time to honor retired, long-serving Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker. 

Click to see a full photo gallery of all the pictures from the event.

Built for P-H-M Students

The Fieldhouse will serve Penn High School students across athletic programs, academic, and extracurricular programs, including marching band, color guard, and robotics events (elementary, middle and high school). Academic use of the facility will include physical education classes and secure large-scale assessments, for example PSAT, SAT, and AP testing.

In addition, the Fieldhouse will support P-H-M middle school students through Future Kingsmen Athletics and Marching Band, helping students build both athletic and fine arts skills while safely preparing for the next level at Penn High School.

“The Fieldhouse is about investing in students and the experiences that help them grow,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “From academics to athletics and the arts, it will support learning and opportunity across our district for generations.”

The Fieldhouse will be open for student use beginning Tuesday, January 20th.

A Community Investment—Without Raising Tax Rate

The Fieldhouse project was identified as a priority in P-H-M’s 2022 District Master Facilities Plan and was completed without raising tax rates for residents of Penn, Harris, and Madison Townships. P-H-M continues to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County while delivering strong academic outcomes. The groundbreaking for the project was May 2024 (click here for those details). 

Click to watch the video below that includes time lapse video of the project–start to finish–and highlights from the ceremony.

The total project cost is $18 million, reflecting the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-range planning.

“This Fieldhouse is the result of years of thoughtful, long-range planning and sound fiscal stewardship by the Board,” said P-H-M Board of School Trustees President Chris Riley. “By following our District Master Facilities Plan, we were able to make a meaningful investment in students while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County and without increasing the tax burden on our community.”

Designed for Versatility and Excellence

Located just off McKinley Highway, the 80,000-square-foot Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse expands Penn’s campus and provides much-needed indoor space to support year-round student programming across academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

“The design of this Fieldhouse reflects thoughtful planning around flexibility, safety, and long-term use,” said P-H-M Chief Operating Officer Dr. Sean Galiher. “Every element, from academic and training spaces to event amenities, was intentionally designed to support students, staff, and large-scale programming.”

The multi-use facility includes indoor space for these athletic teams:

*Track and Field: six-lane, 200-meter indoor track, pole vault, long jump, high jump, and shot put areas

*Indoor Hitting: Drop-down batting nets for baseball and softball indoor hitting practices

*Wood courts: two multi-purpose courts for basketball, volleyball

“The Fieldhouse gives Penn student-athletes a first-class, year-round training environment,” said Jeff Hart, Penn Athletic Director. “From indoor track and field to court sports and speed and agility training, this facility allows our programs to practice, compete, and prepare regardless of weather—supporting performance, safety, and student development.”

Beyond athletics, the Fieldhouse will accommodate marching band rehearsals, smaller scale robotics events, school dances, and other large student gatherings, further expanding opportunities for student engagement and districtwide events.

Additional amenities include four locker rooms, two classroom/conference spaces, a student commons area, a physical trainer and rehabilitation space, equipment storage, an observation hallway serving the second floor, a concession stand, security office, event parking, and future bleacher seating for more than 800 spectators.

“This Fieldhouse is truly a space for all Penn students, expanding opportunities for connection, creativity, and school pride,” commented Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry. 

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership and Giving

The Ribbon Cutting will commemorate that the Fieldhouse has been named in honor of retired P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker, recognizing their decades of leadership, service, and philanthropic support of Penn-Harris-Madison schools and the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF).

Dr. Thacker served as P-H-M’s Superintendent from 2006 to 2025. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M became one of Indiana’s top school districts with the schools, students, teachers, and staff achieving countless recognitions, at the state, national and international level (click here for more background information on Dr. Thacker’s tenure).

“This Fieldhouse is an investment in students today and in the future of our district,” said Jennifer Turnblom, PHMEF Executive Director. “The Naming Rights Campaign directly benefits the Foundation’s endowment which in turn provides classroom grants for P-H-M teachers benefiting generations of students for years to come.”

Under the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign structure, 80 percent of naming rights donations are placed into the Foundation’s endowment to support long-term student programs, while 20 percent directly funds professional development for P-H-M teachers.

Longtime PHMEF donors and supporters Gary and Tammy Fox donated $10,000 to the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign to have the fieldhouse honor Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker. Gary Fox served on the P-H-M Board of School Trustees with Dr. Thacker as the Superintendent from 2001-2020 before stepping down. He was re-elected to Harris Township, Seat 4 in November 2024. 

“Dr. Thacker’s leadership helped shape P-H-M into one of Indiana’s premier school districts,” said Gary Fox. “Naming the Fieldhouse in honor of Jerry and Donna Thacker recognizes a legacy rooted in student success, community partnership, and long-term vision.”

During his time as Superintendent, Dr. Thacker and his wife contributed $300,000 in lifetime donations to the Foundation.

“It has been our greatest joy to watch generations of P-H-M students learn, grow, and benefit from the opportunities a quality education provides,” said Jerry Thacker and Donna Thacker. “We are deeply honored to have the Fieldhouse named in our honor, and we hope it becomes a place where students continue to discover their potential for generations to come.”

Project Partners

Construction of the Fieldhouse was completed by R. Yoder Construction Inc., with architectural design by Fanning Howey, a longtime P-H-M partner with more than 40 years of service to the district. Structural engineering was done by Magnus Engineering. Civil Engineering by Danch, Harner & Associates Inc.

Penn Theatre will be presenting “Shuddersome: Tales of Poe”, the week before taking it to State competition.

A Photo Gallery of the play is posted below.

It is a re-telling of four of Edgar Allan Poe’s thrilling and spooky stories.

Performances at Penn will be on Thursday, Jan. 15, and Friday, January 16, at 7 p.m. in the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts.

The show is approximately 45 minutes long. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults; they can be purchased at the door the night of or online ahead of time (https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/phmschools/L2VtYmVkL2FsbA%3D%3D).

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The P-H-M Education Foundation and Everwise Credit Union have renewed their naming rights agreement for Everwise Freed Field at Penn High School, extending a partnership that has supported educational innovation and community engagement for more than a decade.

Approved at the January 12, 2026, Board of School Trustees meeting, the new 10-year agreement reflects a continued commitment to advancing educational excellence and community engagement across the district. Everwise Credit Union first partnered with PHMEF in 2015, when the naming rights for Penn’s iconic football stadium were first established.

“Community partnerships like this one are essential to our mission,” said Jennifer Turnblom, Executive Director of the PHM Education Foundation. “Everwise Credit Union’s continued investment in Everwise Freed Field is about much more than a name. It represents a belief in our students, our schools, and the power of strong community relationships to support excellence in education across the P-H-M district.”

Everwise Freed Field continues to be a central gathering place for Penn students, families, and community members, hosting athletic events, celebrations, and school-wide traditions that bring people together. Through this renewed partnership, Everwise Credit Union helps ensure ongoing support for PHMEF programs, classroom grants, and district-wide initiatives that enhance learning opportunities for all students.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the PHM Education Foundation and the P-H-M School Corporation,” said Randy Lemert, School and Business Relationship Representative for Everwise Credit Union. “This renewal reflects our belief in the importance of education and our commitment to investing in the communities we serve. Supporting Everwise Freed Field allows us to be part of experiences that matter to students and families, both on and off the field.”

Under the agreement, 80% of funds generated from naming rights go directly into the PHMEF Endowment, which funds classroom innovation, creative learning projects, and strategic partnerships districtwide. The remaining 20% supports professional development opportunities for P-H-M teachers, ensuring educators continue to grow and inspire excellence in their classrooms.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of investing in both students and educators,” said Dr. Heather Short, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. “Supporting the PHM Education Foundation’s Endowment while also funding teacher professional development strengthens learning today and builds a strong foundation for the future.”

Freed Field was constructed in 1958 and was named for former Penn Twp. Trustee Vernon Freed. Starting with the 2015 season, community partner Everwise obtained naming rights to Penn’s home football field. This naming rights renewal marks one of 36 active naming rights partnerships that PHMEF maintains with local businesses and organizations, each helping to advance the foundation’s mission of enriching educational opportunities for P-H-M students.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation (P-H-M) is proud to announce that Penn High School’s graduation rate once again exceeds the state average, reaffirming the school’s commitment to preparing students who are college, career and life ready.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) recently released statewide graduation data showing Indiana’s Class of 2025 achieved a record-high 91.83% graduation rate, the highest in state history and a 1.6-point increase from the previous year.

Penn High School far surpassed this record, achieving an impressive 97.3% graduation rate.

Penn’s Class of 2025 Shines

The Class of 2025 embodies Penn’s tradition of excellence and perseverance. Nearly half of Penn graduates earned Academic High Honors, while the class collectively earned more than $22 million in scholarships.

Other standout accomplishments include:

• 429 students earned an Academic Honors Diploma

• 261 students earned High Honors

• 87 students earned a Technical Honors Diploma

• 98 students graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Ivy Tech Community College

• 6 students were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists

Academic Achievement Across the Board

Penn students also continue to excel in advanced coursework. During the 2024-25 school year, 83% of Penn students scored a 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams, demonstrating strong college readiness and academic rigor.

Indiana high school students are now required to take the SAT for graduation. According to IDOE’s latest data, Penn High School moved up 12 spots statewide in SAT pass percentage, rising from #27 to #15 among public high schools.

P-H-M also outperformed the state average by 20 percentage points on the Spring 2025 ILEARN assessment, placing the district in the top 4% of public school corporations across Indiana.

In 2024, Penn High School Robotics Coach Kyle Marsh and students came up with an idea on how to help students with ADHD, on the Autism Spectrum, or who just need help concentrating at school. Their idea was to use 3D printers to create and produce fidget tools for students. The key to making these tools more accessible and quickly available to the elementary students who needed them was to put a 3D printer at all 11 of P-H-M’s elementary schools.

Fortunately, P-H-M teachers and staff members can apply for classroom grants  through the P-H-M Education Foundation to pay for innovative ideas like this. Marsh was awarded a $5,000 grant to bring his idea to fruition. Penn High School students also benefit on this project because Marsh’s Robotics students not only install the 3D printers at the elementary schools, but they also help Marsh manage the project.

This inspiring story was recently featured on WSBT “Operation Education” highlighting the program in action at Elsie Rogers Elementary School where Marsh’s son Cooper attends third grade. Elsie Rogers was highlighted as of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools with the 3D printers. Click to watch the story below on WSBT’s YouTube channel.

Penn German Students Experience Holiday Traditions at Chicago’s Christkindlmarket

Penn High School German students took their learning beyond the classroom this month with a field trip to Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, a traditional German-style holiday market that brings European culture to life in the heart of the city.

Surrounded by twinkling lights, handcrafted ornaments, and the scent of roasted nuts and pretzels, students experienced authentic German holiday traditions firsthand. They practiced conversational German with vendors, sampled traditional foods, and explored the cultural roots behind one of Germany’s most beloved seasonal celebrations.

This immersive experience not only strengthened students’ understanding of the German language, but also deepened their appreciation for the country’s rich history and festive customs.

Thank you to Penn’s German teachers for providing students with such a memorable cultural learning opportunity, a perfect blend of education and Holiday Cheer! 

The Penn High School Rhapsody Choir filled University Park Mall with the sounds of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Performing near Barnes & Noble, the talented group of singers and dancers delighted shoppers with festive favorites and lively choreography.

Many mall visitors paused their holiday shopping to enjoy the afternoon performance.

Rhapsody, one of Penn’s premier choir ensembles, performs throughout the community several times each year. These performances give students real-world experience while connecting Penn’s music program with the broader community.

Thank you to the Rhapsody Choir for sharing the gift of music and helping make the holidays a little brighter for everyone!