This inaugural year for the P-H-M Education Foundation’s Silver Mile new format … the Bubble Bash … was a huge success! Click here to see the full photo gallery below.

Hundreds of P-H-M students, family, teachers and staff turned out Saturday, May 5 at Penn High School for the morning non-timed 5K walk/run through the neighborhoods behind Penn. More than 1,500 enjoyed the gorgeous and warm weather and bubbles!

There was lots of pre-race activities to get the runners warmed up, including a School Spirit Contest and Zumba!

After the race, runners enjoyed post-race snacks donated by Whole Foods and Hacienda Restaurants and browsed through the Health & Fitness Expo in Penn’s Cafeteria. Free health screenings were offered by presenting sponsor Saint Joseph Health System, along with numerous businesses showcasing their health-related items.  More than 100 items were up for bid at the silent auction, including Penn High School parking spaces and front-row graduation seats. And families were treated to P-H-M’s talented students participating in the Silver Mile Talent Showcase inside the Main Arena. 

Thank you to all the sponsors including St. Joseph Health System, ABC 57, Sunny 101.5, Drive & Shine, and many others.

The Silver Mile Run for Education raises funds to provide innovative grants that fall outside the P-H-M school district’s budget. It remains the Foundation’s largest fundraiser in its 13th year.  We look forward to seeing you in May 2019!

*Please see the photo gallery below. To download a high resolution jpg file from the photo gallery, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function.

Penn High School teacher Danielle Black got quite a surprise upon returning to her classroom the morning of Friday, May 4. When she returned to teach her Early College Academy English class, she found not just her students, but also Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, members of the media, student reporters from the school’s PNN network, P-H-M Cabinet members, her husband and two of her sons. That’s when Dr. Thacker informed Mrs. Black that she had been named P-H-M’s 2018 Teacher of the Year! 

Click to watch the video below of Mrs. Black’s surprise …

Mrs. Black had been “lured” to the Principal’s Office with Penn Principal Sean Galiher and Assistant Principal/Softball Coach Beth Zachary. Danielle’s husband Karl Black is a Math Teacher at Schmucker Middle School, which is across the street from Penn. He, two of the couple’s four children and Danielle’s parents Ed and Beth Lugbill were in on the surprise and were on hand for Friday morning’s surprise announcement: Braden is a sophomore at Penn and Nikolas is in 8th grade at Schmucker Middle School.

Mrs. Black was nominated for the award by fellow Academy faculty members who commend her for making sure her students have access to every opportunity possible to help them succeed, “Danielle does everything in her power to help students realize the potential that they don’t even know they have inside them!” Mrs. Black has been with P-H-M for five years. She is admired and praised for her teaching methods finding ways to connect to her students and helping them find their own successes. Mrs. Black has a magnetic personality that inspires, empowers, teaches and reaches her students.
 

As the Early College Academy Leader, Mrs. Black has worked tirelessly shepherding and guiding the first cohort of ECA students these past four years. She is praised as a “true leader who is a servant to others,” inspiring her students and fellow colleagues alike. And on May 25, like the proud parent she is, Mrs. Black will surely applaud her ECA graduates through tears of joy as she watches them walk across the stage at Commencement. It’ll be quite an accomplishment for them, not only earning a Penn High School diploma, but also earning college credits … some graduating with a full Associate’s Degree!

As Penn’s Theatre Director, Mrs. Black also devotes an immense amount of time every year to planning the spring musical. Her attention to detail is not lost. The costumes, scenery, casting and program design for this year’s performance of Shrek The Musical were outstanding. Her goal was to put on more than an enjoyable show; it was to help deliver a message as she notes in this excerpt from the Director’s Note: “We all need hope. We all need love. We all need to know we matter. I'm a believer that the more people embrace these truths, the better the world will be … for all of us.”

Mrs. Black practices what she preaches … doing her part to make the world a better place, even half way across the globe! She co-founded the charity Awake & Alive, Inc. and opened a school for the impoverished, orphaned children in the slums in Ethopia’s capital city. The school also provides medical care and general health education for the widowed mothers of the children.

Danielle and Karl Black have three biological sons and a daughter they adopted from Ethiopia.

Mrs. Black teaches from her “heart and soul” working to make sure her students, not only feel, but also believe that they matter. Her mission whether it is with the Early College Academy, Penn Theater or her charity … is to make sure everyone feels connected and valued!

Danielle will officially be recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wed., May 16th, along with the 2018 Classified Employee of the Year (Schmucker Building Tech was also surprised the morning of Friday, May 4 by Dr. Thacker with the good news of her win). Both winners will receive a plaque. As Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Black will also receive a $1,000 classroom grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation! She will also be eligible for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year award, which is announced by the IDOE in September/October 2018.

Commencement is just about three weeks away and in these final weeks leading up to Graduation 2018, we’ll be featuring a graduating senior from each of Penn’s seven Academies.

From the gridiron to the stage … meet Fine Arts and Communications Academy senior Carrington Neal, Penn’s "Renaissance Man!" Carrington will attend Ball State in the Fall and plans on majoring in Theater.

Click to watch the video below …

Click to watch the other Class of 2018 Excellence Happens Here student profiles on Penn-Harris-Madison’s YouTube channel.

The Gallery’s current Spring Exhibit is open to students during the school day and members of the general public on these two select days: 

• Silver Mile Bubble Bash, Sat., May 5, 9:00 a.m. – Noon
• Senior Art Night, Fri., May 18, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Make sure to take advantage of this hidden gem at Penn High School and see the works of our talented students on display.

Click here for more details on the exhibit, hours and Gallery guidelines.

Olivia Neufelder, Horizon Elementary, Discovery Middle and Penn High School (Class of 2012) alumna, was featured as an “Unsung Hero” on the TODAY Show this morning (Wednesday, May 2, 2018) as part of National Nurses Week.  Olivia, a nurse at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center, loves to sing and brought joy to one of her patients before she passed away … something her family will always cherish calling Olivia their “angel nurse.”

Click the video below to watch Olivia’s heart warming story …

When Indiana’s primary election takes place Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Schmucker will house a polling center, as it has in the past.

Door L and Door M on Jefferson Road will be open to the public to access for voting. The first row of parking spaces in the staff lot between Doors L and M will be available for public parking. Voters must enter and exit through Doors L or M. Voters will not be allowed passage into the students’ area.

Other P-H-M schools that will serve as voting locations in this spring election are Mary Frank Elementary School, Meadow’s Edge Elementary School, Prairie Vista Elementary School, Walt Disney Elementary School and Schmucker Middle School. Of course registered voters may only use the polling location that serves their precinct, based on home address.  Here is a link to the precincts maps and polling location information provided by St. Joseph County. 

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that two students, Lauren Frank and David Li, have been honored with Class of 2018 Salutatorian status.

"I am very proud of the 2018 Penn High School Salutatorians,” Galiher said. “This accomplishment is a culmination of many years of hard work and persistence.  Each student is a shining example of the vision of excellence we have for our school and community. I am extremely proud of each student and know that they will continue to make a difference in the lives of others."

Penn’s Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018, at 7 p.m., at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion. Click here for graduation information.

LAUREN FRANK

Parents: Tricia Frank and Nate Frank.

Elementary School: Trinity East (Washington, Pa.).

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Butler University, majoring in Health & Sciences and Physician’s Assistant.

Career plans: Pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant in Northern Indiana.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Cross Country All-State and Academic All-State, Track State Qualifier and Academic All-State, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Freshmen Mentor, DECA State Qualifier, National Honor Society.

DAVID LI

Parents: Shuiqing Zhao and Rugang Li.

Elementary School: Devonshire.

Middle School: C.E. Williams.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, majoring in Electrical Engineering.

Career plans: Electrical Engineer specializing in control systems and mirco-electronics.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: National Merit Commended Scholar, National Honor Society, Penn Robotics Team.

Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher announced that 17 students have earned Valedictorian honors.

"I am very proud of the 2018 Penn High School Valedictorians,” Galiher said. “This accomplishment is a culmination of many years of hard work and persistence.  Each student is a shining example of the vision of excellence we have for our school and community. I am extremely proud of each student and know that they will continue to make a difference in the lives of others."

Penn’s Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 25, 2018, at 7 p.m., at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion. Click here for graduation information.

NICHOLAS CASETTI

Parents: Jennifer Casetti and Alfredo Casetti.

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, studying Chemical Engineering.

Career plans: To be an Entrepreneur.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Debate, TEAMS, Tennis, National AP Scholar, Indiana Academic All-Star, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, Academic All-State.

MADELINE CULLISON

Parents: Dorothy Miller and Christopher Cullison.

Elementary School: Bittersweet.

Middle School: Schmucker.

College plans: Attend Purdue University, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish.

Career plans: Research.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Key Club, Dream Commission Society, Powder Puff Football, Kingsmen Court, Commended Scholar. 

MARGARET FINNESSY

Parents: Eve Finnessy and John Finnessy

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University, majoring in Biological Sciences.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Swim Team, Spell Bowl, Habitat for Humanity, Kingsmen Against Cancer, National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

KENDRA FUELLING

Parents: Dana Fuelling and Brad Fuelling.

Elementary School: Mary Frank.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Purdue University.

Career plans: To become a Veterinarian.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Guitar, Piano, Percussion, Marching Band (Section Leader in Pit), Orchestra.

KRISTINE HOCKER

Parents: Katherine Hocker and Kim Hocker

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend MIT to study Neuroscience and Philosophy.

Career plans: Neuroscientist.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Plays Viola in the Symphonic Orchestra, Freshmen Mentor, Kingsmen Tutor, National Merit Finalist, French Club, Key Club.

MORGAN JANKOWSKI

Parents: Juliann Jankowski and Craig Jankowski.

Elementary School: St. Pius X.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Indiana University, with a double major in Ballet and Business.

Career plans: To be a professional Ballet dancer.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Wells Scholar at Indiana University, National Merit Commended Scholar, DECA Business Club, French Club Vice-President, Dancer at Ballet in Chicago.

FEZAAN KAZI

Parents: Noreen Kazi and Amer Kazi.

Elementary School: Stanley Clark.

Middle School: Stanley Clark.

College plans: Attend Indiana University.

Career plans: To attend medical school and become a Neurosurgeon.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Science Academic Super Bowl Captain, Key Club, National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Principal’s Honor Roll, Youth Leadership in South Bend.

VERONICA KIRGIOS

Parents: Claudia Polini and Hristos Kirgios.

Elementary School: Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Mathematics, Political Science and Linguistics.

Career plans: To be a Political Science Statistical Researcher to aid in policy-making in the U.S. 

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: GSA, Kingsmen Court, Varsity Lacrosse Captain, March For Our Lives organizer, Commended National Merit Scholar, Indiana Outstanding High School Student of Spanish Award, Volunteer at LaCasa de Amistad.

SYBIL KURIAN

Parents: Shyla Kurian and Sabu Kurian.

Elementary School: St. Thomas.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Trine University, majoring in Exercise Science.

Career plans: To obtain a PhD in Physical Therapy and work at a Veterans Hospital.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Cross Country, Track, Student Council, Freshmen Mentor, Volunteer at Hospital.

KENDRA LAIDIG

Parents: Sheila Laidig and Scott Laidig.

Elementary School: Madison.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Butler University and double major in Health Care and Business, and Spanish, and Graduate in the Physician’s Assistants Program.

Career plans: Physician’s Assistant.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: DECA President, Track and Field, National Honor Society, Student-Athlete Leadership Council.

ERIN LUDWIG

Parents: Jennifer Ludwig and David Ludwig

Elementary School: Prairie Vista.

Middle School: Schmucker.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior.

Career plans: Life sciences.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Soccer (State Champions in 2016 and 2017, National Champions in 2017), Tennis, President of Handwritten Hearts, National Honor Society, Key Club, Freshmen Mentor, Kingsmen Tutor, winner of the C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Award presented by the Indiana High School Athletic Association.

BRYAN MAI

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Parents: Wendy Mai and David Mai

Elementary School: St. Pius X

Middle School: St. Pius X

College plans: Attend the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and major in Business Administration.

Career plans: Dentistry, with plans to own a practice.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: DECA Vice President, Tennis Captain, National Honor Society, Hospital Volunteer, Key Club.

CHRISTOPHER MAZUREK

Parents: Elizabeth Mazurek and Tadeusz Mazurek.

Elementary School: Elm Rd.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Band, Quiz Bowl, South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

MATTHEW RACH

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Parents: Marget Rach and Michael Rach.

Elementary School: Elm Road.

Middle School: Grissom.

College plans: Attend Purdue University to study Mechanical Engineering.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: National Honor Society, Swim Team, TEAMS member, Academic All-Star.

MAHEERA SIDDIQUE

Parents: Sadia Malik and Jamil Siddique.

Elementary Schools: Sunrise Academy and Mary Frank.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Indiana University, majoring in Political Science and Linguistics.

Career plans: To be a diplomat for the United States or a representative for the United Nations.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Key Club, Model United Nations, Dream Commission Society, Kingsmen Court, Freshmen Mentor.

MACKENZIE WOOD

Parents: Kiley Wood and Matt Wood.

Elementary Schools: Horizon and Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend Northwestern University to study Computer Engineering.

Career plans: Play professional soccer and represent our country on the U.S. National Team.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Attended U.S. Soccer Women’s National Training Camp in 2016 and 2018, attended U.S. Soccer id2 Camp in 2016, Team Captain for Penn Girls Soccer, attended All-American Game in 2017, Indiana Career Goalkeeper Shutout Record for IHSAA, National Honor Society, Soccer and Hospital Volunteer.

RENEE YASEEN

Parents: Raghda Hasna and Zuhair Yaseen.

Elementary Schools: Walt Disney and Northpoint.

Middle School: Discovery.

College plans: Attend the University of Notre Dame, studying International Economics and Arabic Language.

Career plans: To be a Lawyer.

Activities, Honors, Team Memberships: Debate Team Captain, National Honor Society President, Model United Nations Executive, Choir, Jazz, Kingsmen Court, Natural Helpers, National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

Choir, Orchestra and Band members from Penn High School excelled in Indiana State School Music Association Group I qualifier competition at Chesterton, Indiana, on Saturday, April 28.

This contest determines which 16 Concert Choirs, eight Treble/Men’s Choirs, eight Orchestras, and 16 Bands will compete in the ISSMA State Finals on Saturday, May 5.

The Penn Concert Choir, under the direction of Andrew Nemeth, Lavon Oke and accompanist Andrew Napolitan, received a Gold Rating with Distinction for their performance on Saturday at Chesterton Middle School.

The Penn Women’s Chorale, under the Direction of Lavon Oke, Andrew Nemeth, and accompanist Andrew Napolitan, received a Gold Rating for their performance on Saturday at Chesterton Middle School.

The Penn Orchestra, under the direction of Anne Tschetter, and Zac Coudret, received Gold Rating with Distinction for their performance on Friday at Chesterton High School.

The Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Glenn Northern, D.J. Landoll, and Aaron Griesser received a Gold Rating with Distinction for their performance on Saturday at Chesterton High School.

The Penn Orchestra Qualified for the ISSMA State Finals Competition for the 13th time since 2003. They will perform at Pike High School, In Indianapolis on Saturday, at 11:15 a.m.

The Penn Symphonic Winds qualified for State Finals for the 17th consecutive year, and will perform at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

Two Penn High School students made history at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Competition in Detroit.

Juniors McKenna Hillsdon-Smith of Penn’s Robotics Team 135 and Zachary Simon of Granger Gears were named winners of the prestigious Dean’s List Award at the FIRST World Robotics Competition held in Detroit April 27-30. Only 10 students out of the more than 40,000 students worldwide who competed in FIRST Robotics this year were named to the Dean’s List.

It is the first time in the nine-year history of the Dean’s List Award that two students from the same high school have won the award in the same year! The "Dean's List Award" is named after Dean Kamen–engineer, inventor, and businessman best known for inventing the Segway & is one of FIRST's founding fathers. U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos was also on hand at the event to honor the Dean’s List winners.

“The Dean’s list represents the best of the best,” Penn Robotics Instructor James Langfeldt said. “When the director of recruitment at both MIT and Yale profess "we want you!" that says a lot about the award recipients.”

Hillsdon-Smith said that she was incredibly surprised when her name was announced as a Dean’s Award winner.

“I specifically remember Mr. Langfeldt saying, ‘Hey, that's you!’” Hillsdon-Smith said.

Hillsdon-Smith hopes the award will have an impact at Penn and with Team 135.

“I hope this encourages all the students in our program to work hard, even when things don't look bright,” Hillsdon-Smith said.

“The award is all about leadership, and we can't have enough of those in Robotics. This should be an exciting growing period for us, and I think we're all ready.” 

Langfeldt said that Hillsdon-Smith exemplifies the type of students who participate in Penn’s Team 135 Robotics program.

“McKenna is a great example of the type of student we have on Team 135 each and every year,” Langfeldt continued. “A dedication to the greater good of her team, school, and community. I am one of the luckiest people to be able to work with such quality people!”

Simon said that he was deeply honored to be named a Dean’s List Winner.

“In order to be in contention for the award, you need to be nominated by your teammates and coaches,” Simon said. “To know that the rest of my team believes in me enough to nominate me for the award meant a lot, and to be recognized by FIRST made it even more meaningful.

Simon was hit with the emotions of surprise and joy when his name was announced as a winner.

“I was already honored just to be named a Finalist for the award, but winning it and being recognized among all of those outstanding individuals was just incredible,” Simon said.

“Winning this award opens up a lot of opportunities in my future,” Simon continued. “Primarily, it will increase my chances of getting into a high level engineering school because of its significance in STEM fields.”

Granger Gears coach C. Kenneth Cole, Technical Director and Associate Professional Faculty at the University of Notre Dame, said that Simon always puts the team ahead of his personal goals and that he has been an outstanding representative and advocate for FIRST.

“Zach started in FIRST LEGO League in the fourth grade,” Cole said. “This year marks his eighth consecutive year as a member of a FIRST team. At the age of 16, he has now spent nearly half of his life in FIRST. Zach has literally grown up in FIRST. He has been a member of two state champion teams and has traveled to tournaments in California, Arkansas, and Iowa.

 
“Zach is equally proficient as a builder/designer and programmer,” Cole continued. “More importantly Zach also takes lead responsibility to ensure that the engineering notebook is up to date. His career goals include engineering/imagineering for Disney.”
 

According to FRC, the Dean’s List Award began in 2010 to celebrate outstanding student leaders whose passion for and effectiveness at attaining FIRST ideals is exemplary. It was created to recognize the leadership and dedication of the FIRST most outstanding robotics students.

Hillsdon-Smith and Simon were cited by FIRST Robotics Competition as a student leader who has played a key role in increasing awareness in both the community and Penn about FIRST and its mission.

Among the criteria in the selection of Hillsdon-Smith and Simon to the world Dean’s List Award is overall individual contribution to their teams, technical expertise and passion, entrepreneurship and creativity, the ability to motivate and lead fellow team members and effectiveness at increasing awareness of FIRST in their school and community.