The Penn Intermediate Jazz Ensemble, Advanced Jazz Ensemble and Kaleidoscope Jazz Combo all delivered excellent performances at the “Jazz in the Meadows” festival in Chicago. They also had the opportunity to receive feedback from a world-class panel of clinicians.

The Advanced Jazz Ensemble won the runner-up award in Class 4-A (largest schools). 

Penn’s school musical this year is “The Music Man.”

You won’t want to miss Penn’s talented student performers as they act out the play that follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef!

This year’s musical also includes the talents of a few P-H-M elementary and middle school students:

• Mary Cortes, 5th grade, Prairie Vista Elementary School
• Maxwell MacMillan, 5th grade, Mary Frank Elementary School
• Anniston Steele, 7th grade, Grissom Middle School
• Ezra Carrico, Katherine Hawkins, Benjamin Robertson and Noah Rohde, all in 8th grade, Schmucker Middle School

Click here to see the playbill.

This isn’t the first year Penn’s musicals have included students from younger grades. In 2016, younger students also participated in “Mary Poppins.” But this is the first year in recent memory to have this many!

Visit bit.ly/PennMusicMan to purchase tickets.

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The National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA) named Penn Strength and Conditioning Coach Matt Cates the 2024 National Coach of the Year!

Last February Coach Cates was named the 2023 Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year. In 2020, he became the State Director of NHSSCA for Indiana. In January 2022, Penn’s Strength and Conditioning program led by Coach Cates was awarded with a NHSSCA Program of Excellence School designation!

Coach Cates’ enthusiasm and dedication working with student-athletes has made him one of the most popular people at Penn High School. Coach Cates builds lasting relationships with students bringing out the best in them. He is a great motivator, making videos in 2021 to help students cope with the pandemic. Click to watch some of his videos on PHM’s TikTok account. At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, he was one of the teachers who spoke at the Freshman Class Meeting welcoming 9th graders to Penn. He got the biggest round of applause, even from the freshmen! Click to see the pictures.

Cates was chosen from four finalists. The award is given each year to a high school Strength Coach based on their achievements and contributions to their school community. Click here for more information on the award.

Coach Cates will be honored this summer at the national conference in Dallas as NHSSCA’s 2024 National Coach of the Year!

• Cyril Meacham – Gold
• Emma Clark – Silver Eric Rauschenberg – Gold WITH DISTINCTION
• Jackson Mead – Gold
• Justin Meacham – Gold WITH DISTINCTION 
• Lauren Brock – Gold 
• Lucas Robertson – Gold 
• Madison Raper – Gold WITH DISTINCTION 
• Mars Slavinskas – Gold 
• Robertson Barbershop Ensemble (Lucas Robertson, Locke Simpson, Justin Meacham, Carson Flynn) – Gold WITH DISTINCTION 

Penn’s Intermediate Jazz Ensemble and Advanced Jazz Ensemble excelled at the Bethel University Festival of Jazz on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.

The Penn Advanced Jazz Ensemble won the “Top Band” award for the festival. Multiple outstanding soloists were recognized, including Aidan Wise on trumpet, Colin Carter on tenor sax, Keyin Hackett on bari sax, and Mahima Vinay on vocals.

Both groups were selected to perform at the Finale Concert featuring the top four bands from throughout the day.

Penn High School principal Dr. Sean Galiher honored Seniors and Juniors who were named Academic Achievement Award winners for the 2023-2024 school year during a recognition ceremony at Penn Boys Basketball game on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.

Students earn the Academic Achievement Award for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or better over four or six semesters, without receiving a D or an F. 

A total of 641 students earned the Academic Achievement Award in 2023-2024. Not all students were present.

A Photo Gallery featuring a few of the students who received their Academic letter or chevron is posted below.

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Penn High School students excelled at recent Indiana State School Music Association District qualifying events.

Choir state qualifiers will compete at Perry Meridian High School on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Indianapolis.

State competition for Band and Orchestra is Saturday, Feb. 24. Winds are at North Central High School, Percussion is at Westfield Middle School and Strings are at Northview Middle School, all in Indianapolis.

BAND:

124 Total entries

86 Gold Ratings

37 Silver Ratings

1 Bronze Rating

67 Events Qualified for the State Solo and Ensemble Contest

State Qualifiers:

Clarinet Choir: Alexis Varney/Theresa Hunter/Jacob Clay/Maria Cesco/Anna Mroczek/Colin Carter/Zaya Graham/Yousif Ahmed/Michael Mireles.

Bassoon Trio: Joshua Buckler/Emma Bashura/Claire Woolman

Marimba Trio: Greta Lannon/Michael Cenova/Roman Ramos

Trumpet Trio: Eli Joswick/Ar’Rion Love/Ryann Smith

Misc. Brass Trio: Anthony Scott/Raichael Schachow/Flynn Glotzbach

Low Brass Quartet: Luke Yoder/Addison Dunn/Emily Eby/Madelyn Richardson

Trombone Trio: Conner Ingram/Alex Krall/Luke Yoder

Preston Miller, Trumpet Solo

Roman Ramos, Snare Drum Solo

Braedon Hoy, Trumpet Solo

Michael Cenova, Snare Drum Solo

Graham Royer, Trumpet Solo

Melissa Shank, Snare drum solo

Katie Kuzmic, French horn solo

Anna Mroczek, Bb Clarinet solo

Evelyn Shrout, Horn solo

Audrey Wise, Horn solo

Aidan Lee, Clarinet Solo

Maria Cesco, Clarinet Solo

Keighra Michele, Trumpet Solo

Jacob Winget, Trombone Solo

Jacob Clay, Clarinet Solo

Addison Clark. Trombone Solo

Anton Kozelichki, Tuba Solo

Hayden Willard, Tuba/sousaphone

Luke Yoder, Trombone solo

Lillian Szuba, Tuba Solo

Ayva Jelinski, Tuba solo

Robin Sullivan, Flute Solo

Roman Ramos, Marimba Solo

Alex Krall, Trombone solo

Kylie Fravel, Tuba Solo

Rylen Hackett, Tuba solo

Sophia Runyan, Clarinet Solo

Madilyn Richardson, Tuba solo

Keyin Hackett, Tuba Solo

Victoria Chew, Marimba Solo

Eden Hartford, Oboe Solo

Michael Mireles, Bb Clarinet Solo

Gavin Bridwell, Alto sax solo

Delia Heet, Tenor Saxophone solo

Rachel Luebke, Clarinet solo

Alexis Varney, Bass Clarinet Solo

Joshua Buckler, Bassoon Solo

Ellie Satre, Flute Solo

Emma Bashura, Bassoon Solo

Anna Murphy, Clarinet solo

Timothy Austin, Alto Saxophone Solo

Dakota Bengtsson, Bassoon Solo

Lily Meyer, Flute Solo

Emma Bashura, Contrabassoon solo

Therisa McFarland, Flute Solo

Zaya Graham, Bass Clarinet solo

Owen Jacobson, Clarinet Solo

CHOIR

A total of 213 entrants (2 Piano Solos, 38 Vocal Solos, and 13 Ensembles

State Qualifiers:

PIANO SOLO – GROUP I

Ziona Blest

VOCAL SOLO – GROUP I

Cyril Meacham

Emma Clark

Eric Rauschenberg

Jackson Mead

Justin Meacham

Lauren Brock

Lucas Robertson

Madison Raper

Mars Slavinskas

ENSEMBLES – GROUP I

Robertson Barbershop

ORCHESTRA

163 students participated in ISSMA Solo & Ensemble

State qualifiers:

Solos: 

Ella Durand

Teagon Wickey

Reah Frydrych

Joseph Putman

Rebeca Ramirez

Joshua Jong

Shin Sakaue

Fiona Kennedy

Joshua Oh

Zach Jabien

James Pennix

Ensembles:

Oh Trio

Arty Ryzhkov

Joshua Oh

Joseph Putman

Discrepancy Quintet

Bella Grove

Jonathn Iwaniec

Sam Rossow

Lillian Gregory

Jayden Wang

An Evening of Jazz 2024 will be a special night showcasing the various jazz bands at Penn High School, as well as P-H-M’s Discovery Middle School, and Concord High School.

A Photo Gallery of rehearsal is posted below.

The concert is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at St. Mark’s Church, 55900 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, Ind.

Tickets

Our guest artist this year is John Raymond, associate professor of music in jazz studies–trumpet at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. You can read his bio at https://music.indiana.edu/faculty/current/raymond-john.html.

Your $15 ticket includes a dessert and drinks (water/coffee/tea). Specialty coffee, provided by Cardinal Coffee, will be available for purchase. https://www.cardinal-coffee.com/

The Penn Band Boosters will hold a 50/50 raffle (winner announced at the event) as well as a silent raffle of various items and packages donated by community members/businesses. If you wish to donate a raffle item, please email pennbandboosters@gmail.com.

A big thanks to all those who have contributed time and effort toward the success of this event. We look forward to an amazing night of jazz!

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After 40 years with the Penn High School Football program, Hall of Famer Coach Cory Yeoman announced to Kingsmen student-athletes and assistant coaches this afternoon that he will be retiring as head coach and Penn teacher at the end of this school year.

In his address to the players and coaches, Coach Yeoman shared, “By far the best thing I have ever done as a coach or as a player is to surround myself with great people. You win with people! Thousands of people made this journey possible. Thank you to the Yeoman Family; for over 50 Years our Mom, wives and daughters have let us boys play and coach the game we love for the school we love.”

Coach Yeoman went on to say to his players, “I would like to thank the hundreds of tough Kingsmen players in the ‘long black line;’ I am so proud of you. I love you boys! It has been an honor being a member of ‘the long black line.’ It has been an honor to be one of ‘Gees’s boys.’ Go Penn Go!”

Click below to see a full photo gallery of Coach Yeoman.

Coach Yeoman spent his first 19 years as an Assistant Coach under Hall of Famer Coach Chris Geesman, and the past 21 years as Head Coach. Yeoman took over the Kingsmen program in 2003 and compiled a 208-56 record overall.

In his first season after replacing legendary Coach Geesman, Yeoman guided Penn to the 2003 State Championship Game. Yeoman also led Penn to Semi-state titles in 2017, 2015 and 2011. In addition to winning four Semi-state Championships, the Kingsmen have won nine regional crowns under Yeoman’s leadership, 13 sectional titles and 17 Northern Indiana Conference championships. 

“It’s hard to put into words what Coach Yeoman means to our school community. He’s been a staple of Penn High School for 40 years, as a student, a teacher, an assistant coach, and as our head football coach for 21 years,” said Penn Athletic Director Jeff Hart.

“More importantly, his unmatched legacy as a positive leader, mentor, and relationship-builder will be sorely missed in our building and beyond,” Hart continued.  “I’ve been fortunate to work closely with him for the last several years and I’ve seen up close his unique ability to have great success coaching with a servant’s heart while building lifelong relationships with staff and students. I’m blessed to call him a friend.”

Coach Yeoman bleeds black and gold and has always been a Kingsmen. He played for Penn, earning all-state honors at defensive tackle. In 1979, Coach Yeoman led a Kingsmen defense that only allowed 33 yards rushing a game. That Kingsmen team finished 11-1, winning an NIC Championship before losing to Hobart in the second round of the playoffs. Yeoman graduated from Penn in 1980. 

Coach Yeoman is in the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, the first Penn player nominated for the Hall.

“Coach Yeoman is a Kingsmen legend. He learned from the best [Coach Chris Geesman] and became the best,” said Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “Coach is highly respected across Indiana; and while we’ll miss him coaching on the sidelines, we know that he won’t be very far from Everwise Freed Field on Friday nights. Once a Kingsmen, always a Kingsmen!”

After his playing career at Penn, coach Yeoman played for Miami (Ohio) University. He was a roommate and teammate of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning head coach, John Harbaugh. Yeoman joined the Kingsmen coaching staff after graduation from Miami, and has been on the Kingsmen sidelines for 40 seasons.

After Penn’s 28-7 victory against the Mishawaka Cavemen on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, Yeoman was named the Indianapolis Colts Indiana High School Coach of the Week. The victory against the archrival Cavemen also gave Yeoman his 200th career victory, making him only the second Kingsmen Football coach to reach that coveted plateau. 

Penn is now the only high school in Indiana to have two coaches meet this milestone. The first was longtime Kingsmen coach Chris Geesman (309 wins), who Coach Yeoman played under and coached with at the beginning of his career at Penn.

Yeoman is beloved and admired by his players and assistant coaches. He serves as a mentor to Penn students not only as a coach, but also as a Physical Education and Sports Performance teacher. Yeoman was also an Industrial Arts Teacher. Coach loves the interactions with students. For years, he’s assisted with Penn’s Commencements, helping line students up and assisting families whose children are being honored posthumously. Yeoman once said to a colleague “My favorite time of year is graduation; this is what it’s all about!”

Coach Yeoman’s last day will come at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Coach looks forward to spending time with his grandchild, wife and family, and of course cheering for the Kingsmen on Friday nights.

Penn-Harris-Madison will begin an immediate search for a new Kingsmen Head Football Coach; the announcement is to be determined at a later date.

Coaching Profile of Cory Yeoman:

40 Years Coaching at Penn High School, 425 – 79

• 504 Games Coached at Penn High School
• 1984 – 2023 Seasons 
• 1984 – 2002 Assistant Coach, 217 – 23
• 2003 – 2023 Head Coach, 208 – 56 

Championships

• 36 X Northern Indiana Conference
• 24 X Sectional
• 17 Regionals
• 11 Semi-State
• 7 State Runners-up
• 4 State Championships

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