Penn High School proudly recognized members of the Class of 2025 who have committed to careers in education—an inspiring step toward shaping future classrooms. Click here to see the full photo gallery posted below.

The Teacher Signing Day, similar to a College Signing Day for student-athletes, was held in the Studio Theater on Tuesday, May 13.

Students wore shirts representing their college of choice and announced their academic decisions, field of speciality in education, and named their favorite Penn-Harris-Madison teachers.

Under Penn High School’s Family and Consumer Sciences program, students who are interested in pursuing a career in education can prepare for the profession by taking several courses, such as Early Childhood Education and Cadet Teaching.

“This event is important to highlight and celebrate those students who are pursuing a career in education,” said Penn instructor Rachael Meyers, who oversees Cadet Teaching.

Meyers said that Penn plays a key role in preparing students for careers in education.

“The education professions pathway has continued to grow and evolve  and teachers throughout the district continue to partner with the program,” Meyers said. “This opportunity allows students to explore the skills necessary to pursue a career in education.

“The world of education is constantly changing,” Meyers continued. “The needs of our students change from year-to-year. This program helps foster a vision for students who are considering at the very least to work with children of all ages.  The program also highlights the possible directions education might go.”

Students received letters of intent from Penn-Harris-Madison guaranteeing the students a job interview for a teaching position upon completion of their degree and teaching licensure.

Their decision reflects the heart of P-H-M’s “Triangle of Success,” where students, teachers, and parents work together to build a foundation of excellence.

P-H-M Director of Human Resources Robert Thompson said that P-H-M is committed to staying connected with these students.

“We will continue to reach out, offer mentorship opportunities, and support your professional growth as you prepare for a future in education,” Thompson stated. “We look forward to the day when you may return to Penn-Harris-Madison to inspire the next generation of Kingsmen—just as you were once inspired.”

Below is the list of graduating students who participated in this morning’s ceremony with their intended college/university and major, along with their inspiring teacher:

• Hannah Abad, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wachs
• Ruth Bautista, Indiana University South Bend, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wachs (not present at the ceremony, but will receive a letter of intent)
• Olivia Bennett, Indiana University South Bend, Special Education, inspiring teacher: Mr. Blazo
• Chloe Bowering, Indiana University South Bend, Special Education, inspiring teacher: Mr. Sanders
• Kate Diaz, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wetzel
• Kiley Ellis, Indiana University South Bend, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Schenkel
• Lizzy Green, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Meyers and Mrs. Wetzel
• Megan Kennedy, Ball State University, Elementary Education, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Obert
• Katherine Kollar, Ball State University, Secondary English, inspiring teachers: Ms. Armstrong, Mr. Coffee and Mrs. Meyers
• Kyleigh Mason, Indiana University Bloomington, Elementary Education, inspiring teachers: Mrs. Wetzel and Mrs. Meyers
• Reagan Miller, Indiana University South Bend, Early Childhood, inspiring teacher: Mrs. Wetzel
• Arianna Rice, Indiana University South Bend, Elementary Education, inspiring teachers: Mr. Keck and Mrs. Wachs

Penn High School’s Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be held at 7 p.m., June 9, 2025, at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Click here for info on livestream of Commencement for friends and family not in attendance. 

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Sponsor: Raoul Donati

The purpose of the Student Organ Donation Advocates Club is to educate our community on what life-saving organ donation is and how they can get involved. Want to make an impact in high school? SODA provides the opportunity to inform people about organ donation, which can help save lives all across the country!

There will be club dues of $10 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Penn High School Robotics Team 135 earned the Impact Award in recent competition at Lafayette, Ind.

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Impact Award is the most prestigious award in FRC, recognizing a team that best embodies the mission of FIRST by inspiring others through their community outreach, STEM advocacy, and sustained impact. It honors programs that go beyond building robots to create a lasting legacy.

“Winning the Impact Award is a testament to the dedication and passion of our students, mentors, and community,” Penn Robotics Instructor Kyle Marsh said. “Through our outreach efforts—whether it’s mentoring teams, running camps and workshops, expanding assistive technology, or launching new initiatives like our 3-D printing program—we strive to make STEM accessible to all.

“With over 1,000 volunteer hours each year, our students are committed to something bigger than themselves, using robotics as a platform to inspire and empower others,” Marsh said. “Being recognized for this work is an incredible honor and a humbling reminder of the difference we can make beyond the competition field.”

In addition, Penn High School student Grant Spadafore was named an Indiana Dean’s List Finalist.

Penn Robotics will compete in the Robotics State Finals at Greenwood on April 3-4.

Sponsor: Ms. Fielding

The aim of the Penn High School Women in Engineering Club is to educate women interested in STEM fields.

The Women in Engineering Club will bring female engineering students together to mentor other students, whether in engineering classes or not, the fundamentals of engineering, like design, manufacturing, CAD, wiring, and more. Ultimately, this would let women find and expand their STEM passions.

There are no dues required for the club.

Meetings will be held twice a month.

Sponsor: Mrs. Zerfas.

Mission Statement:

The aim of the Penn High School First Aid Club is allow students to learn about First Aid and spark an interest in the medical field.

The purpose of the First Aid Club is to make Penn a safer place with more students being able to help in a crisis and to give students an opportunity to attend interactive meetings as a part of learning and developing their First Aid knowledge and skills.

Meetings are the last Gold Wednesday of the month, 7:45-8:15 a.m. in Room 168 (Mrs. Zerfas’ room).

There are no dues for the First Aid Club.

The SpongeBob Musical is a vibrant and imaginative stage adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. With a book by Kyle Jarrow and an eclectic score featuring original songs by artists like David Bowie, Panic! at the Disco, and Cyndi Lauper, the musical brings Bikini Bottom to life in a fresh, theatrical way. The story follows SpongeBob and friends as they face the impending eruption of Mount Humongous, which threatens to destroy their underwater home. Through courage, teamwork, and optimism, SpongeBob proves that even the smallest sponge can make a big difference. Filled with humor, heart, and creative staging, The SpongeBob Musical is an energetic celebration of friendship, resilience, and the power of believing in oneself.

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Penn Key Club.pdf (1)

In an intense and highly competitive field, Penn Science Olympiad made an incredible debut at the IU Northwest Regional.

Photo Gallery posted below.

Competing for the first time, Penn’s team delivered outstanding performances across multiple events:

 5th Place: Robin Sullivan & Allie Tessier – Botany
 5th Place: Aiden Lee & Ishita Masetty – Chem Lab
 6th Place: Allie Tessier & Madison Kuzmic – Ecology 6th Place: Toby Prince & Natalia Vogt – Geological Mapping
 6th Place: Robin Sullivan & Madison Kuzmic – Microbe Mission
 7th Place: Iniya Christopher & Alishba Syeda – Disease Detectives
 7th Place: Toby Prince & Robin Sullivan – Entomology
 8th Place: Iniya Christopher, Alishba Syeda, & Allie Tessier – Experimental Design
 8th Place: Toby Prince & Natalia Vogt – Material Science

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Sponsors: Kate Beruben and Bailey Shultz

The aim of the Penn High School’s “Wellness Wave” Club is to raise awareness about mental health and provide support through education, resources, and community engagement.

The purpose of the Club: 

• Raise school awareness on mental health.
• Help support peers through their mental health battles by providing them with resources and a safe space for discussion.
• Dig deeper into safe, helpful coping strategies.
• Organize fundraisers, drives, and community service to support mental health initiatives.

There will be club dues of $10 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Regularly scheduled meetings will be held: The first Wednesday of every month at 7:45 a.m. in one of the following locations: LGI A, LGI B, or Mrs. Beruben’s classroom.