Penn Students honored by EACC
- Benjamin Reihl- Audio/Video Production 2
- Dylan Brown- Automotive Service Tech 2
- Gracie Goss- Commercial Photography 2
- Logan Rice- Computer Aided Drafting 2
- Madison Luchowski- Cosmetology 1
- Grayce Spadafore- Cosmetology 2
- Nikolis Bradshaw- Culinary Arts 1
- Isabella Persyn- Dental Health Careers 1
- Kendra Boots- Diesel Service Tech
- Lizzy De La Cerda Cavazos- Diesel Service Tech 2
- Abella Powell- Early Childhood Education 2
- Alexis Phillips- Pre-Nursing 2
- Danielle Nicodemus- Skills USA National Qualifier- Audio/Video Production 2
- Marcus Stoutenburg- Skills USA National Qualifier- Audio/Video Production 2
- Logan Rice- Gene Haas Scholarship
- Emma Heintzelman- Mrs. Basil S. Turner Scholarship
Recommendations for Asst. Superintendent and Dir. of Professional Development
Dr. Dean-Null began her educational career as a teacher at Discovery after graduating from Bethel University. Dr. Dean-Null taught at Discovery for 10 years. During that time she took a sabbatical and taught in Ansan, South Korea for a year. While at Discovery, Dr. Dean-Null became a top finalist for the Indiana Teacher of the Year award. With a master’s degree in educational leadership from Indiana University and a Ph.D. from Purdue University, she served as assistant principal of Grissom, principal of Walt Disney, followed by principal of Schmucker before becoming Director of Professional Development and Student Learning. Dr. Dean-Null has a passion for leadership development and has coordinated educational programs abroad for over a decade and presented at educational forums worldwide. She is currently enrolled in Learning Forward’s national Academy and will graduate in June of 2026. Lavon’s commitment to education extends beyond her district role; she shares her expertise at state and national conferences. She is always striving to foster communities of high-achieving learners through continuous growth initiatives, and will be the perfect fit for the next Assistant Superintendent of P-H-M.
Dr. Higginson has spent the last two years as principal of Walt Disney Elementary School and has strengthened student and staff learning through multiple avenues, including being selected to participate in the Indiana Department of Education’s noteworthy “Get Your Teach On” program. She was most recently honored as Indiana’s District II Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals and holds her Ph.D. from Purdue University in educational leadership. Before coming to Penn-Harris-Madison, she served as the District Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction and as an elementary principal at Elkhart Community Schools. She also served at both the elementary and middle school levels in the South Bend Community School Corporation. She will bring a wealth of assets to her new role at Central Office.
Senior Sunrise 2025
The countdown is on to graduation, and the Class of 2025 celebrated the tradition Senior Sunrise breakfast on Wednesday, May 28.
A Photo Gallery is posted below.
Dr. Heather Short Approved as New Superintendent
In a special meeting held Tuesday, May 27, the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees unanimously (7-0) approved the appointment of Dr. Heather Short as the district’s next superintendent effective July 1, 2025.
Nearly 50 P-H-M teachers, administrators, staff, family and friends showed up to express their overwhelming support of Dr. Short’s appointment.
Dr. Short, a lifelong educator who has dedicated her entire 31-year career to P-H-M, will succeed Dr. Jerry Thacker, who is retiring after 19 years of transformative leadership. Dr. Short has served as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction since 2017. During her tenure, P-H-M students have experienced consistent academic growth and achievement.
“I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful to Dr. Thacker for his mentorship throughout my career,” said Dr. Short. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to grow as a leader within this incredible district. I’m excited to continue working alongside our talented staff, dedicated families, and exceptional students to expand opportunities and ensure every child thrives.”
Under Dr. Short’s leadership, P-H-M ranks in the top 4% of Indiana districts based on ILEARN scores. The district also outpaces the state average by 20 percentage points in overall percent passing rates.
“There is no one better—or more qualified—to lead P-H-M’s continued path of academic excellence than Dr. Short,” said Chris Riley, President of the Board of School Trustees. “Her academic expertise and visionary leadership in developing rigorous, relevant curriculum have been key to our students’ success. Dr. Short was the Board’s clear and unanimous choice for superintendent.”
P-H-M is home to some of Indiana’s highest-performing public schools in both English/Language Arts and Math. Prairie Vista Elementary ranks #3 in the state, while Discovery Middle School ranks #2. In Spring 2024, P-H-M’s IREAD pass rate was 86.8%, surpassing the state average of 82.5%. Three P-H-M elementary schools—Prairie Vista (97.7%), Northpoint (95%), and Horizon (95.3%)—achieved pass rates above 90%.
Included in her district-wide academic strategy was a robust Response to Intervention (RtI) program and expanded summer offerings that support both enrichment and remediation.
Dr. Short’s leadership journey reflects deep roots and unwavering commitment to P-H-M. She began her career as a classroom teacher before serving as an Instructional Leader and High Ability Coordinator. Click here to learn how Dr. Short and Board Trustee Katie Bell’s paths crossed when Dr. Short was a 3rd grade teacher at Northpoint. In 2004, she became principal of Prairie Vista Elementary. Recognizing her talent for professional growth and instructional excellence, Dr. Thacker appointed her in 2007 as P-H-M’s first Director of Professional Development—a role she held for a decade before being named Assistant Superintendent.
Throughout her career, Dr. Short has been deeply committed to developing others. She co-created a nationally recognized leadership development program designed to build internal capacity among P-H-M educators and administrators. Her strategic focus on professional development has empowered teachers at every level—from new educators to veteran principals—through initiatives like the annual Literacy Summit and the New Teacher Series.
As Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Short has combined her instructional leadership with strong fiscal stewardship. She has overseen the management of multimillion-dollar budgets and successfully secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grants—investments that have directly enhanced classroom instruction, expanded student programs, and strengthened districtwide operations.
“Dr. Short possesses one of the most valuable qualities a leader can have: the ability to build genuine relationships,” said Dr. Thacker. “She makes personal connections with teachers, principals, staff, families—and most importantly, students. She understands the P-H-M culture because she helped build it. There is no one more fitting to serve as the next superintendent.”
After the Board approved Dr. Short as the district’s new leader, Board members shared well wishes and comments. Trustee Katie Bell (elected in November 2024) talked about how things have come full circle for her as a former student of Dr. Short’s when she taught 3rd grade gifted and talented students at Northpoint. The two were actually featured in an article that ran in the South Bend Tribune in March 2003. The article featured Dr. Short teaching her students how to use PowerPoint for their Geography reports on Asia. Click here to read the original story.
Fast forward to 2013 to when Dr. Short was P-H-M’s Director of Professional Development, she interviewed Bell for a teaching position. Bell was hired as a kindergarten teacher in 2016 at Prairie Vista Elementary School and Dr. Short led the professional development for all new teachers.
“Dr. Short and I are a testament that it’s never goodbye, it’s always see you later,” Bell said. “And I think that shows the true impact of a teacher, that they are in your lives forever, and that you will always remember them.”
Media Coverage
Project Lead the Way Distinguished Status
- Dan Vogelgesang
- Les Crooks
- Tara Pieters
- Evan White
- Kyle Marsh
- Scott Shelhart
- Izzy Fielding
- Lindsay Tippett
- Steve Sinish
- Kelsey Weaver
- Amy TIebout
- Eric Shipp
Jewish Culture Club
Sponsors: Carrie Morton and Cassie McNamara
The aim of the Penn High School Jewish Culture Club is to celebrate the four major Jewish holidays and share traditional Jewish foods with Penn students.
There are no club dues.
The club hopes to meet at least once a quarter.
Penn celebrates 2025 Teacher Signing Day
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.
Penn Theatre students, instructors earn WAVE nominations
Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) Club
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 Robotics earns Impact Award
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.