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Project Lead the Way Distinguished Status

Penn has been recognized once again as Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished High School. This is the 4th year in a row we have received the award, and 5th time overall!

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs, which includes Computer Science, Biomedical Science, Robotics, and Engineering courses. To be eligible for the 2024-25 designation, Penn had to meet multiple criteria in the 2023-24 school year such as number of PLTW courses available to students, percent of students enrolled in PLTW, and percent of students taking more than one PLTW course. For more information about PLTW’s Distinguished Program Recognition, click here.

Congratulations to Penn’s PLTW faculty members who work diligently to develop creative and stimulating lessons for students.

Dan Vogelgesang
Les Crooks
Tara Pieters
Evan White
Kyle Marsh
Scott Shelhart
Izzy Fielding
Lindsay Tippett
Steve Sinish
Kelsey Weaver
Amy TIebout
Eric Shipp

Penn is among a select group of high schools across the U.S. to be recognized for their commitment to inspiring and engaging their students to unlock their potential through their PLTW program. PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that creates transformative learning experiences and empowers students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills for future STEM careers.

Penn-Harris-Madison middle and elementary schools also offers Project Lead the Way classes and experiences. PLTW is a network of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a commitment to providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities.

Penn High School Hosts Annual Job Fair

Today, Penn High School hosted its annual Job Fair, providing students with a valuable opportunity to explore career pathways, internships, and employment prospects.

Sponsored by the P-H-M Education Foundation, the event connected juniors and seniors with representatives from businesses, organizations, and colleges across the area.

This event is just one of the many ways Penn High School and the P-H-M Education Foundation work to provide students with real-world learning experiences that set them up for success.

Personal Finance Session by 1st Source Bank

In addition to job opportunities, students also benefited from a Personal Finance information session provided by 1st Source Bank. This session provided an overview of financial literacy skills, helping them understand the importance of budgeting, saving, and managing money responsibly as they prepare for their future careers.

A special thank you to all of the local businesses, organizations, and colleges who participated and took the time to support our students. Your presence and guidance play a crucial role in shaping the future workforce and helping students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

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Courses and Services

Students who elect to take Applied courses are served by an exceptional education teacher in a general education setting. These courses contain a modified curriculum. These courses on their own do not meet the state proficiency requirements for a general education diploma. These students are working on vocational goals toward earning an Alternate Diploma. Student schedules and course enrollment are based on a Case Conference decision. If you would like more information for each course, please refer to the Penn Program of Studies.

Indiana Alternate Diploma Requirements

Indiana 2024 Content Connectors

Applied English 9
Applied English 10
Applied English 11
Applied English 12
Applied Algebra Lab
Applied Personal Finance
Applied Geography
Applied History
Applied Civics
Applied Health
Applied PE
Applied Biology
Applied Environmental Science
Learning Strategies
Life Skills
Employability Skills
Careers
Community Living

Dress Code

Penn Students Recognized at Elkhart Area Career Center Recognition Night

Before Penn’s Commencement on June 3, 13 seniors were recognized as a part of Elkhart Area Career Center’s Student Recognition Night, held May 14.

These are the awards and scholarships the students won:

Grayce Spadafore: Teachers Choice Award – Cosmetology
Madison Trosper: Teachers Choice Award – Culinary Arts, Culinary/Baking Scholarship
Emma Heintzelman: Teachers Choice Award – Exercise Science
Arianna Holiday – Turner Scholarship Winner – Criminal Justice

	Dylan Brown: Teachers Choice Award – Automotive Service Technology
	Christian Nelson: Teachers Choice Award – CNC Machining
	Joshua Morrow: Teachers Choice Award – Diesel Services Technology
	*Joshua Morrow (2nd from right): Gateway Mile Autofest Toolbox and Tool Scholarship Award – Diesel Service Technology* *Alex Valentiny (far right): Gateway Mile Autofest Toolbox and Tool Scholarship Award – Motorsports*
	*Gracie Goss (far right): SillsUSA State Gold Winner – Commercial Photography*
	*Reid Ohlson (far right): Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Finalist – Small Engines*
	*Isabel Botham (far right):* Turner Scholarship Winner – Computer Networking**

Night School Class of 2024 Commencement & Photo Gallery

Congratulations to the Night School Class of 2024!

Graduates had the opportunity to cross the stage during commencement exercises in front of their family and friends on Thursday, June 6th, 2024.

The Night School program provides coursework for adults toward completion of a high school diploma, not a GED, regardless of residency.

Please view the full photo gallery below!

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Penn Science Students Get “Schoolship” Experience

After months of planning, on Sunday, May 19 and Monday, May 20, Penn High School teachers Mr. Steven Sanders (Earth and Space Science, Environmental Science) and Mrs. Amy Tiebout (Project Lead the Way Biomed and AP Biology) drove 27 students to Suttons Bay, Michigan for a once in a lifetime science experience. Click to see the photo gallery below.

Through partnership with the Inland Seas Education Association, students were able to participate in a four-hour long science sailboat voyage on Suttons Bay using professional limnology equipment along with analyzing data previously collected. While on the sailboat, groups of students worked with professionals to focus on specific research topics while gaining skills in science sampling procedures. After all of the sampling and data collection, students shared their newly acquired knowledge with other groups to help reinforce their new knowledge to make this a very educational experience.

In addition to the “Schoolship” experience, students were able to visit Harbor Bay Beach at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Sunday evening to enjoy sunset in nature and explore the town of Suttons Bay on Monday morning. The work of Mr. Sanders and Mrs.Tiebout made this trip much more accessible and affordable for students and their families. Mr. Sanders spent a week of his summer during 2023 getting professional development from Inland Seas that reduced the cost to families of the program by $825 and the cost of accommodations by $840. He also wrote a PTO grant to help cover miscellaneous expenses on the trip by $500. Therefore, families were only responsible for $10 of this trip because of all Mr. Sanders did in preparation.

Students left this experience with a greater appreciation for science as a force for good in the world by directly connecting the science concepts from the classroom and research on the boat with the importance of stewardship for our shared environmental resources. All of this helps students better understand what it means to “Take Care of this Place.”

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Class of 2024 Senior Parades

Every year before Commencement our graduating seniors get to take a trip down memory by returning to their P-H-M elementary schools. It’s a special day for our students because they’re cheered on by younger students, they get to reconnect with their former elementary principals and elementary teachers, and maybe see younger siblings, neighbors, or family friends. They may even get to play some of their favorite old recess games!

Here’s a short recap video pf the excitement!

Below are just a sampling of the 11 Senior Parades we were able to capture in photos.

Commencement 2024 Parking & Other Patron Information

Commencement is Monday, June 3 at at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 for attendees.

For those wishing to watch the livestream, click here.

Students are to enter Gate 10. Doors open at 4:30. Seniors arriving after 5:00 will not be in alphabetical order and may be required to be seated at the end of the line or may even be excluded from Commencement. Click here for more student related information.

Please refer to the map below for parking locations.

Clear bags are preferred, but not required. Notre Dame reserves the right to search purses/bags. Backpacks, totes, and duffel bags are not allowed. Please see ND’s list of prohibited items include (or click here):

Alcohol
Animals (Service Dogs are permitted)
Artificial noisemakers (including whistles)
Cameras with lenses longer than six (6) inches
Cans or glass bottles (including aerosols)
Drones or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Fireworks or explosives
Food or beverage (except unopened plastic water bottles). Food is allowed as a medical necessity with proof.
GoPro or selfie sticks
Halloween-style masks
Laser or pen pointers
Signs, banners, and balloons
Stadium chairs or seat backs (unless medical reason with documentation)
Strollers
Throwing of any object at any time (including footballs)
Water vessels of any kind, including water bottles
Use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes
Use or possession of marijuana, and other illegal drugs
Weapons/Firearms. WEAPONS OF ANY KIND ARE PROHIBITED ON CAMPUS
Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate

It’s also highly recommended that families make prior arrangements as to where to meet their seniors after the graduation ceremonies have ended. Please do not interrupt the procession as the graduates exit the Joyce Center. The graduates will be released to meet with family and friends after re-entering the field house.

We wish everyone a wonderful Commencement evening!

Pete Riordan News Conference as Penn New Head FB Coach

A few hours after being introduced to his team as the Kingsmen’s new Head Football Coach, Pete Riordan was introduced to the South Bend sports media in his first news conference. News outlets in attendance were WHME-TV, WSBT, WNDU, ABC 57, and the South Bend Tribune. Students from PNN (Penn News Network) and The Pennant were also present and participated. Click here to see the full news conference. Click here to see a full photo gallery below.

Here are some highlights of the news conference. Penn High School Athletic Director Jeff Hart introduced Coach Pete, who made a few short remarks before opening up the discussion with reporter questions.

Also taking reporter questions were retiring Coach Cory Yeoman and Hall of Famer Chris Geesman.

Returning Penn players Vinny Freeman and Kellen Watson also spoke to how excited they are to have Coach Pete take over. In the clip below Freeman talks about the sense of family that Coach Pete invoked at this morning’s team meeting.

Watson is also on the Penn Track & Field Team; as a member of the 4×100 team, Watson was one of the players that broke the school record. Watson was last year’s backup quarterback!