Penn Football Coach Cory Yeoman Named Indianapolis Colts/NFL Coach of the Week 2

Last Friday (August 25, 2023) night’s big 28-7 Kingsmen win over the Mishawaka Cavemen also gave Penn Football Coach Cory Yeoman his 200th career win (click to watch a video that captures the magic of that night)–making him Penn High School’s second football coach to receive 200 wins. Penn is now the ONLY high school in Indiana to have two coaches meet this milestone. The first was longtime legendary Kingsmen Coach Chris Geesman, who Coach Yeoman played under and coached with at the beginning of his career at Penn.

So it was only fitting that Hall of Famer Coach Geesman be on hand this morning (Wednesday, August 30) when the Indianapolis Colts presented Coach Yeoman with the award for Colts/NFL Coach of the Week for Week 2, presented by Corteva Agriscience, headquartered in Indianapolis. Click here to read the Indianapolis Colts news release. Former NFL player and current Youth Football Commissioner for the Colts, Mike Prior, presented Coach Yeoman with the award and a $2,000 check that will go to Penn Athletic Department. Prior gave Coach Yeoman his award and check in Penn High School’s Strength & Conditioning Weight Room with Penn’s senior football players applauding him.

The student-athletes got a chance to hear from Prior who talked about his commitment and dedication through challenges in high school and college football, his choice to play pro football over baseball, and how it eventually paid off. Prior played for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Colts and the Green Bay Packers. For the Packers, he was a punt returner and a defensive back. He played in Super Bowl XXXI and XXXII. Prior showed the players one of his Super Bowl Championship rings and they had a chance to ask him questions.

On an interesting note, Prior is an assistant football coach at Cathedral High School, who Penn plays this Friday, Sept. 1, in Indianapolis. Coach Yeoman joked and asked Prior if he “wishes every team good luck this week?” Prior said that “Yes, he does!” 

What Fans Need to Know Before Heading to “Backyard Brawl”

Friday Night, August 25, 2023 marks the return of the storied rivalry between the Mishawaka Cavemen and Penn High School. The “Backyard Brawl” was last played at Mishawaka on Oct. 18, 2019. This time around Penn is hosting. We’re expecting a large crowd for this big game, which is also Penn’s home opener, and we want everyone to have a good time.

Here are some things that will be helpful for all fans as they head to Everwise Freed Field.

Game Info Map

Parking:

  • Paid Parking ($2 cash) at these lots:
    • Penn High School (Front Lot & Jefferson Rd. Lot)
    • Softball/Tennis Lot
    • Bittersweet School Lot
  • Free Parking at these lots:
    • Soccer Lot (Bank Lot)
    • Pennway Lot
    • Schmucker Lot (front, Sides & in Back of School)

Gate & Ticket Info:

  • Gates open at 5:00 p.m. (Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.)
  • Tickets are available online for presale for $6 (PreK & younger are FREE; students & all other age groups same price)
  • Tickets on August 25 (at the gate or online) are $7
  • PHM Employees plus one guest get in FREE, but you must have ID badge & the guest must be with the employee
  • Please remember middle schoolers cannot be dropped off unsupervised. Once in the game, the students are free to walk around. At least one responsible adult must be onsite.
  • Tickets are sold at the North & South gates only!
  • Penn All Sports Passes and tickets (hard & online) are accepted at all gates
  • The Center Gate is reserved for Penn All Sports Passes and online ticket holders only
  • No Reentry!

Community Tailgate

  • All fans are welcome; it is a Community Tailgate!
  • You must purchase a football ticket to attend the Community Tailgate. You will not be able to enter the stadium at 5:00 unless you have a ticket to the game!
  • Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the South End Zone, near the Zolman’s Tire & Auto Care South Concession Stand.

2023 Community Tailgate

Fan Safety:

  • Extra police officers will be on hand for traffic direction & crowd control
  • There will be an extra outdoor concession stand just selling drinks and water
    • STAY HYDRATED! It will be a hot day/early evening.
  • Fire & EMS will be on site
    • Contact a medic if you or anyone near you is experiencing a heat related illness
  • Please utilize crosswalks when crossing Bittersweet Road

Rules to Remember:

  • No Reentry
  • No outside food or beverages, no insulated cups
  • No backpacks
    • Diaper bags & large women’s purses are allowed
  • Penn does not have a clear bag policy
  • No electronic noise makers
  • No Footballs or Beach Balls
  • No weapons of any kind
  • No alcohol
  • No Smoking/Vaping products of any kind. All PHM school property is smoke free.
  • No open flames at private tailgating

Penn’s Eric Bowers Named 2023 Indiana History Teacher of the Year

Penn High School AP History teacher Mr. Eric Bowers was recently named Indiana History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute. The announcement came August 1. Bowers will be among those recognized at the second annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala coming up in September. The Gala is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Education.

Bowers was named P-H-M’s 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year in the spring and is up for Indiana state Teacher of the Year. 

The History Teacher of the Year award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary school through high school. The award honors one K–12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. Territories. The award is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 

In addition to a $1,000 honorarium, each History Teacher of the Year receives a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials, and becomes one of 53 finalists for the National History Teacher of the Year award.

The winner of this year’s National History Teacher of the Year Award will be announced in fall 2023 and celebrated at a ceremony in New York City. This year’s ceremony will feature Peabody and Emmy Award-winning ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent Deborah Roberts as its presenter. Roberts, a contributing anchor for 20/20, was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in May. She is also the author of the New York Times recent bestselling book, Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life.

Past presenters of the award include the Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, First Lady Laura Bush, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Homecoming Dance set for Saturday, Sept. 30

The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation will host a Homecoming Dance Sponsored by Ashley Rene’s on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 7:30-11 p.m., at Everwise Freed Field at Penn High School.

Tickets will be available for purchase starting on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, for $25 a person.

  • Dress-to-Impress semi-formal/festive attire. Have fun with your look.
  • No heels are permitted on the field, only the dance floor.
  • Outdoor Fun, Games, and Dancing.
  • Music Mix provided by DJ CPTN Jack & DJ EVN.
  • A variety of food trucks (additional to ticket cost) will be on hand to sell food items.
  • All students must show ID.

 

Kingsmen Against Cancer

​Kingsmen Against Cancer logo​

Activity Name: Kingsmen Against Cancer
 
Description: Kingsmen Against Cancer is a club in which students get together once or twice a month to make cards and gift baskets for patients at Memorial Children’s Hospital.  These gifts are usually themed around a holiday or the season when they are being made.  
 
Eligibility Requirements: All grades and all students are welcome.  A membership fee of $10 dollars is required.  That money is used toward the gift baskets that the club puts together for the patients at Memorial and other supplies for our projects.  Students must also register in “Aktivate.”
 
Sponsor/Coach Name: Becky Wachs.
 
Meetings: Meetings are typically on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday Morning of the month at 7:45.  Notifications are sent via social media and email.
 
Where: LGI-B
 
Membership Limit:  None.
 
Procedure for Joining:  Apply in the fall.  Email the account at pennkac@gmail.com  Last opportunities for joining KAC is the end of October.  

Academic Competition

To participate in any Penn High School athletic sports team, academic competition team, or club, students must be registered online through “Aktivate.” 

Click here for basic steps to follow when registering your student for the first time.

Search the Staff Directory for Sponsor contact information.

Penn Assisting Seniors

Sponsor: Stephanie Doncilovic

The aim of the Penn High School Penn Assisting Seniors Club is to provide meaningful companionship, promote the well-being of senior citizens, collaborate with local nursing homes and senior centers, advocate for elderly care, and foster connections with residents in our community.

Penn Assisting Seniors looks to reach out to the Senior communities of Michiana and lend a helping hand, hoping to make their lives a little easier. We hope to provide companionship and minimize social isolation for senior citizens through regular visits, sending them cards/gifts, and hosting fundraising events to raise money for their necessities.

Club dues are $10.

Regularly scheduled meetings will be held the first Tuesday of every month.

Dream Commission Society

“The mission of the Penn High School DCS Club is to foster meaningful connections between our members and the adults at Hannah and Friends, building strong relationships while offering support and assistance in various ways.

Penn High School DCS Club’s purpose is to enrich the lives of adults with disabilities at Hannah and Friends by helping them enjoy activities and events, like dances, that others often take for granted. We also aim to brighten their day through thoughtful gifts made with care and compassion.

Eligibility Requirements: All Penn students are invited to join in the beginning of the school year. There is a $10 membership fee. 

Sponsor/Coach Name: Cathy Maes.

Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of every month (unless stated otherwise). All members are expected to attend at least 5 times. All members are expected to volunteer one inside hour (setting up parties, or chaperoning parties) and one outside hour (volunteering at Hannah and Friends) each semester.”



                                                                                                                                                             

Summer School

Penn High School Summer School 

Jeanie Mitchell, Summer School Principal

Fran Haughee, Summer School Secretary – fhaughee@phm.k12.in.us

Shannan Lindzy, Online Curriculum & Summer School Coordinator

SUMMER SCHOOL DATES/TIMES 

Semester 1: June 11 – July 1

Semester 2:  July 9 – July 29

In-Person Classes: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Summer School Information & Sign-up Forms

Open to Current P-H-M 8th Graders Only

2026 Summer In-Person PE & Online Health Registration Form

Open to Current Penn High School Freshmen Only

2026 Summer Online Computer Science Registration Form – Registration Closed

Open to Current Penn High School Juniors Only

2026 Summer In-Person/Online Gov & Online Econ Registration Form – Registration Closed

Summer School Routing Information

In June, each student’s primary contact in Skyward will receive summer school routing information via email.  This information will also be located in the EZRouting Parent Portal. Please check the Parent Portal prior to the start of Session 1 and throughout the first week of Summer School. Potential routing adjustments may occur.

If no routing information is received, please email one of the following individuals. Include your student’s name, summer school building, and transportation address. When you receive an email with routing information, your student can begin riding.

  • Shannon Tadevich (Routing Specialist) – stadevich@phm.k12.in.us 
  • Ann Ross (Routing Specialist) – aross1@phm.k12.in.us
  • Robin Tharp (Assistant Director) – rtharp@phm.k12.in.us
 

Clubs

Starting a Club at Penn High School

Penn High School believes clubs are a valuable way for students to explore their interests, build friendships, and develop leadership skills. All clubs are student-initiated and take place during non-instructional time in accordance with P-H-M School Board policy 5730. While the school provides space and a staff sponsor ensures that meetings are safe and orderly, these clubs are not sponsored by the School Corporation. Participation is open to all students on a voluntary basis, and no student may be excluded. A staff sponsor is present for all club meetings only in a supervisory role and does not lead or direct club activities.

Are you interested in starting a new club at Penn High School? Please reach out to Mrs. Wheeler (Assistant Principal) at (kwheeler@phm.k12.in.us). Club leaders must complete the required Club Constitution for each school year. The Constitution must be updated each year to reflect the current student leaders, meeting location, and meeting times.

In addition, any student who represents Penn High School and is involved in an athletic sport, academic competition team, or club is REQUIRED to register online with “Aktivate”  (formerly known as Register My Athlete).

Parents/guardians will need to create an account, add their student, and then follow the steps to add the club.

Please note: Clubs will not be considered active until they have completed the Constitution, registration process, and received approval from the Assistant Principal.

Click here for basic steps to follow when registering your student for the first time in Aktivate.

Need to contact the Club Sponsor? Click here for the Staff Directory for Club sponsor’s email.

Penn also offers Academic Competition teams. Interested in joining an Academic Competition group? Click here.