Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher announced that a school-record 15 Penn students have earned National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist status.

Sreeja Bhattacharjee, Mehreen Buchh, Balthasar Cammett, Madeline Dunn, Connor Geoghegan, Zachary Girton, Quinn Hayden, Wasif Javed, Sultaan Khan, Trenton Mager, Ishita Masetty, Leo Ni, Joshua Oh, Roman Ramos and Grant Spadafore  are the academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.

“We are incredibly proud of our 15 National Merit Semifinalists whose academic excellence reflects years of dedication, curiosity, and a deep commitment to learning,” Dr. Galiher said. “This milestone celebrates not only the exceptional talent of our students but also the collective effort of our teachers, families, and the Penn community that continues to foster a culture of excellence and engagement where all students can thrive.” 

More than 1.3 million juniors in about 20,000 high schools entered the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation.

Penn recently celebrated National Custodian Appreciation Day, grateful for all that our custodians do to support our students, staff and families.

Penn-Harris-Madison Supt. Dr. Heather Short said that Custodians do far more than keep our buildings clean and safe. They’re the first to arrive and often the last to leave, ensuring our schools are welcoming spaces where students can learn and staff can do their best work. Their care, dedication, and hard work often go unseen, but the impact is felt every day in every classroom and hallway.

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• “Don’t Speak” by Gwen and Eric Stefani
• “Symphony no. 10” by Dmitri Shostakovich
• “Heart-Shaped Box” by Kurt Cobain
• “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Modest Mussorgsky

Purchase Tickets Online Here

To help ensure that we have a smooth evening, we encoursge students to buy their tickets early.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation is excited to host the Penn Homecoming Dance on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 7:30 – 11:00 p.m. Please note: this is the Saturday BEFORE the Homecoming Football Game and Parade on September 26th, 2025.

Important Information for Students

• Who: Only Penn High School students may purchase tickets. Students may come from other schools IF they are the date of a Penn High School student AND they are 20 years old or younger.
• Location: Everwise Freed Field behind Penn High School
• Dance Start Time: Doors open at 7:30 p.m. – please do not arrive early.
• Wristbands Required: You must wear your wristband to be admitted.
• Wristband Pick-Up: Students must pick up their wristbands in the cafeteria during lunch September 15–19.
• Parking: Available in the main lot.
• Dress Code Reminder: Semi-formal wear is encouraged. No heels are permitted on the Penn football field.
• Refunds: No refunds will be issued.
• Food and Drink: Popcorn and 1 free drink from a coffee cart are included with ticket. Food trucks will have full meals available for purchase.

Questions?

Contact Kelsey Weaver at the P-H-M Education Foundation:
📧 Email: PHMEFHOCOrocks@gmail.com
📞 Call: 574-259-7961

Purchase Tickets Online Here

P-H-M is hosting a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of. This event is open to all Parents/Guardians of all grade levels, K-12, and all families in the community are invited and encouraged to attend.

The session will be led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

We hope that P-H-M families and adult members of the community are able to attend this very important education session.

Due to the nature of the discussion, children of any age are not permitted at the parent session the evening of Tuesday, October 21. Moore will present a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

Information on a live stream and YouTube recording will be shared soon. 

Pre-sale tickets for the Mishawaka at Penn Football game are on sale now!

🗓️Friday, Aug. 29

🏈Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

📍Penn’s Everwise/Freed Field

🍔🌭Come early (5:00 – 6:30 p.m.) and enjoy a budget, family friendly meal at the Community Tailgate. Click for more details.

Tickets can be purchased at Penn High School and Mishawaka High School.

If purchasing in person at Penn, enter Door A, which is located on the west side of the building. Upon entering, ask for the Athletic Office. Tickets can be purchased daily from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. until Thursday, Aug. 28. Tickets can be purchased on game day from 9 a.m.- Noon in the Athletic Office.

Tickets are $6 until game day. Game day tickets are $7. These are CASH ONLY transactions!

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Students and Patrons please the graphic below to be aware of the items prohibited from bringing into the Stadium.

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza.

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1. 

FREE/REDUCED LUNCHES, VENDING MACHINES AVAILABLE

A new school year means it’s time to submit a new Free/Reduced Lunch Application for your student(s). Applications can be completed quickly and easily online at SchoolCafe.com.

Already received a Direct Certification notice? 

If you’ve received an email confirming that your student has been directly certified but not all students in your household are listed, please contact Food Services immediately at 574-254- 2814. 

If you have any questions or need help with the application process, we’re here to support you! 

AVOID THE CAFETERIA LINES WITH VENDING MACHINES

Students can avoid the Cafeteria lines at Breakfast and Lunch with Vending Machines.

The Vending Machines for Breakfast are available from 5 a.m.-10:30 a.m., and from 10:30 a.m.-noon for Lunch.

Instructions are posted on the Machine, and students can use their school meal accounts for purchases.

The Vending Machines are located in the Cafeteria and at Door C.

Penn will host a Walk-Around on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. –  12 p.m.  

Students will have the opportunity to walk around the building and find their classrooms.

Students/parents/guardians can enter at Doors A, B, C, D, E, L & M. In addition, various clubs and activities will be present to share information about how to get involved. The Penn Booster Club will be selling spirit wear and PE clothing in the bookstore during the Saturday, Aug. 16, Walk-Around. 

Students should plan to bring the copy of the schedule that was mailed home or access their schedule through Skyward.

Families should double-check the District Activities calendar, the Penn High School website Google Calendar, and the ParentSquare calendar for information on Penn events and news.

Parking Passes for students go on sale starting Monday, Aug. 11

Student Parking passes will be available for eligible Juniors and Seniors from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. on Monday-through-Friday, starting on Monday, Aug. 11.

After Sept. 8, 2025, parking passes will be distributed before and after school only.

When in-person school is in session, parking passes are sold before school from 7:30-8:15 a.m. and after school from 3:17-3:30 p.m.

Students must bring the completed forms, ID, and other required items. 

Pay $40 ($20 for a pass purchased in the second semester) to Penn High School’s Bookstore.

Give the receipt from the Bookstore to Student Services.

Click here for the required parking forms and instructions.