7th Annual Hair Donation Event to be held Nov. 16, 2024

This year’s “Short Hair Because We Care” will hold a hair donation event for the Children With Hair Loss organization will be held Saturday, November 16 at Penn High School’s Studio Theater.

Short Hair Because We Care Info

Anyone in the community can donate their hair, but the minimum is 8 inches of hair. Hair that is colored and permed is accepted. Local professional hair stylists will be donating their time to cut volunteers hair for free. Because this is for hair donation, the service provided is just a simple cut, no style.

This event was started in 2019-2020 school year by a group of 7th grade Grissom Middle School students. 

“It started as something that students could give, that wouldn’t be money or something they wouldn’t have control over being young students, but everyone can donate their hair, so that’s why we started it: to give everyone an opportunity to serve even if they don’t have other resources,” Ella Smoker Class of 2024. Click to see the WNDU-TV’s story.

Last year, 33 people donated a total of 334 inches (click to see photos)! Donate this year and help beat last year’s totals!

If you’re interested in donating, click here to sign up using the Google form.

Email  with questions, and follow the group on Instagram at @shbwc_phs. 

If you can’t make it to the event or don’t have enough hair to donate, you can still help out by donating directly to Children With Hair Loss.

Children With Hair Loss is a nonprofit organization that provides hair replacements at no cost to children or young adults facing hair loss at no cost. Whatever the cause, hair loss can have effects that go deeper than cosmetics. Providing this hair is how this organization gives back to the community. You can help us give back to your community and the children facing hair loss by donating your hair or simply spreading the word about the event to everyone! 

October Bus Driver of the Month Kathy Green

Penn-Harris-Madison is thrilled to announce that Kathy Green, a dedicated P-H-M bus driver for over 22 years, has been named the Culver’s Bus Driver of the Month for October 2024!

While today’s presentation was made at Elsie Rogers, Kathy drives a bus for Bittersweet, Elsie Rogers and Schmucker Middle School and is beloved at each school.

Culver's Bus Driver of the Month

Kathy’s long-standing commitment to safety and her warm, friendly atmosphere on the bus have earned high praise from parents across the district.

We’re grateful to Culver’s and the P-H-M Education Foundation for supporting this monthly recognition, which celebrates the vital role our bus drivers play in the community. Thank you, Kathy, for exemplifying #PHMExcellence on the road every day!

You can nominate your favorite bus driver here, phmexcellence.com/PHMBusDriverNomination.

Group of people posing in front of a school bus, celebrating the driver's achievement as 'bus driver of the month'.
People gathered around a bus, one person holding a basket, all seemingly engaged in conversation.
People gathered around a bus driver receiving an award.
Group of people gathered outside a school building, receiving awards from a man in a blue shirt and cap.
Two people standing in front of a school bus, one holding a sign that reads "241030 Bus Driver of the Month".
Two people posing in front of a school bus. A woman on left holding a sign and a man on right standing behind her.
Bus driver of the month stands proudly in front of her yellow school bus, holding a basket filled with various items.
Three people standing in front of a school bus. The person on the left is holding a basket of items.
People gathered around a man handing out cards.
Group of people posing in front of school bus, including driver of the month.
The man is holding a basket of food for the bus driver.
Woman holding a basket of items in front of a yellow school bus.
Two people posing in front of a yellow school bus, one holding a gift basket.
Two people standing outside a yellow school bus, one handing something to the other.
Woman holding a card in front of yellow school buses.
A man and woman standing next to a yellow school bus, holding a basket of items.
People standing outside a school bus, one person holding a basket, posing for a picture.
This is a photograph of a man and woman standing outside a school bus. The man is holding a small yellow gift bag while the
Three people posing in front of a yellow school bus.
Bus driver posing with a basket of stuffed animals in front of school bus.
Group of people posing in front of a yellow school bus.
Bus driver of the month award. Woman holding a basket with school supplies.
Two people standing near a school bus, one holding a blue basket of items.
People gathered around a school bus, receiving awards, celebrating an achievement.

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Pizza with the Principal

Last Friday, October 18th, students got to taste their rewards from the “Pizza with the Principal” program! 

The pizza party is our way of celebrating students who have worked hard and reached their reading goals. For those who didn’t participate this time or didn’t meet the required number of books, there will be more opportunities this school year to get involved. Stay tuned for updates on when the next round of “Pizza with the Principal” kicks off!

Keep encouraging your child to read—it’s a rewarding journey, and who doesn’t love pizza as a bonus?

Girl in pink shirt laughing at camera in school cafeteria.
A group of people posing for a picture in a school cafeteria.
Three people posing in front of a pizza shaped like a slice of pizza. The person on the left is wearing a shirt that says
Woman posing with cardboard pizza cutout in school cafeteria.
Woman holding a pizza in front of her, posing for a picture with a smiling boy behind her.
Three young girls posing in front of a table with pizza, smiling at the camera.
Three children posing with a woman in a pizza costume in a classroom setting.
Woman in pink shirt holding pizza box, standing next to man in black t-shirt and jeans.
Young boy in pink shirt sitting at table in school cafeteria.
Young girl in a classroom setting, smiling at camera.
Girl holding a book in front of her face, smiling at the camera. She is standing in a room with tables and chairs, and there
Girl holding slice of pizza in school cafeteria.
Little girl holding a slice of pizza in a school cafeteria.
Woman in pink shirt holding child in front of pizza costume.
Little girl in pink shirt smiling at camera in school setting.
Person in blue hoodie holding a book, kneeling on one knee in front of a bulletin board.
Girl in glasses smiling at camera, standing next to table with books.
Young boy performing handstand in gym.

Spotlight on Bittersweet students at PHM Board Meeting

Our school hosted the Monday, October 7 P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting. It was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on some of the amazing things our students and staff are doing.

Principal Shonda Masterson kicked the meeting off by sharing with the School Trustees Bittersweet’s test data–Bittersweet students scored in the Top 5% of schools on last year’s ILEARN. Principal Masterson credited the teachers and the use of formative assessment with a focus on fostering stronger and more confident student writers. 

Principal Shonda Masterson speaking at PHM Board meeting

Creative writing exercises are being used at all levels. As an example second graders wrote about their field trip to Kercher’s Apple Orchard using their story vocabulary words. Alyssa Moles, Emmalyn Fazi, Steven Johnson, Cami Cromartie read their stories to the Board Members.

Students reading their stories Students reading their stories

Other Bittersweet highlights included:

  • pictures from 1st grade’s visit to nearby Garden at Chapel Hill Cemetery last Memorial Day to honor deceased veterans
  • the Pen Pals program for 1st and 5th graders to other P-H-M elementary schools
  • sharing the Bittersweet P.A.W.S. Pledge written by Media Aide Julie Villalba 

The spotlight on Bittersweet ended with a performance by Mrs. Cayleen Balbo-Veal’s 5th grade music students.

Sarah Hildebrandt Parade Photo Gallery (Sept. 8, 2024)

On Sunday, September 8, the Michiana community joined Penn and P-H-M in giving Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hildebrandt a Heroine’s Welcome!

Before Sarah’s “Welcome Home” kicked off, the local media got some one-on-one time with Sarah, her parents, and Penn Head Wrestling Coach Brad Harper during a news conference. Coach Harper was Sarah’s wrestling coach when she was at Penn; he became her personal coach and coached her at the Tokyo Olympics wear she won Bronze. Coach Harper planned this special homecoming for Sarah. Click to see the full photo gallery below.

Sarah Hildebrandt pre-Parade News Conference (Sept. 8, 2024)
Penn Wrestling Coach Brad Harper, Sarah Hildebrandt, Nancy and Chris Hildebrandt

The parade left from Penn High School and went down McKinley approximately two miles and ended at Zolman’s Tire.

Thank you to all the parade participants who volunteered their time on a Sunday afternoon: Mishawaka and Penn Twp. Fire Departments, St. Joseph County Police, the Marching Kingsmen, Penn Girls and Boys Wrestling Teams, Penn Cheerleaders, Penn Youth Wrestling Club, Rocket Football cheerleaders, and Dr. and Mrs. Thacker. Along with Sarah with her mom Nancy and dad Chris, Sarah’s extended family were also in the parade. Sarah and her parents were in a golden yellow convertible Mustang driven by St. Joseph County Sheriff Bill Redman. Thank you to Zolman’s Tire for supplying some trucks.

Sarah Hildebrandt Parade (Sept. 8, 2024)

After the parade was over, hundreds gathered at Urban Swirl in Granger for an Olympic Celebration emceed by Mark McGill. A representative from Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood’s office read a proclamation declaring September 8th as Sarah Hildebrandt Day! U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym read the historical entry on Sarah’s Olympic achievement that he will be submitting to the official U.S. Congressional Record.

Sarah was able to see and catch up with the coach who gave her first break, then Discovery Middle School Wrestling Coach Raoul Donati.

Sarah Hildebrandt Celebration (Sept. 8, 2024) Sarah Hildebrandt Parade Photo Gallery (Sept. 8, 2024) Sarah Hildebrandt Parade Photo Gallery (Sept. 8, 2024)

Sarah threw out free T-shirts featuring her smiley face tattoo on the front and her viral X tweet on the back.

Girl holding a red t-shirt with a white smiley face on it. She is standing outside in front of a building.
People gathered outside a restaurant, some waving, others standing in line; a woman on a stage behind the crowd, holding
Group of people celebrating at an outdoor event.
Young girl holding a red t-shirt with white writing that reads "duck".
Sarah Hildebrandt celebrating her Olympic success with a humorous meme.

Grateful for all the love and support that her hometown gave her, Sarah graciously took hundreds of pictures with all of her adoring fans. She also signed hundreds of autographs on posters, shirts, singlets, wrestling shoes and even foreheads! 

Sarah Hildebrandt Olympic Celebration (Sept. 8, 2024)

Check it all out in the photo gallery below.

This is a photograph of an outdoor event where a group of people are gathered around a man holding a flag, and another
Two young women posing together at a sports event. One is wearing a medal around her neck and they are both smiling.
Family members posing in front of a semi truck at a parade.
An elderly man speaking at an outdoor event, surrounded by a crowd of people and vehicles.
People gathered outside a building for an event, with one individual standing on a stage holding a microphone.
People at a parade holding flags, some are standing while others are sitting on a truck.
People gathered at a parade, waving flags and cheering, with a building in the background.
Two people standing on a bridge holding a sign that reads "USA" and "Olympics". They are waving at the camera.
Woman in a convertible car celebrating victory at parade.
People gathered around a table at an outdoor event, signing autographs on items displayed.
Two people posing with a trophy, one person wearing a red shirt, another in blue and white, and an American flag in
Woman in red, white, and blue jacket posing with older man wearing a medal around his neck.
This is a photograph of an antique car driving on a street during a parade. The car has a yellow sign on its side that reads
Man in red shirt standing next to another man, both smiling, wearing a hat, in front of a restaurant.
People sitting on a flatbed truck during a parade.
Man in red shirt throwing something to crowd at parade.
Parade of cars driving down a street in a small town.
Two women at a table, one signing autographs, other looking on; both are smiling and appear to be enjoying themselves.
People sitting at a table in front of a microphone. A man is holding a red shirt and a woman is holding a blue shirt. They
Two people sitting at a table with a microphone, in front of a banner that reads "PENNHILL" and has a logo for "Fighting
A group of people on a flatbed truck celebrating an event, with some waving flags and others holding signs.
People gathered outside a restaurant, some holding signs, others standing in line, all seemingly waiting for something.
People on a parade float waving to crowd; American flag in background.
Two people standing on a street corner in front of a brick building during daylight hours.

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2024 Community Connections Fair

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, October 5th!
 
2024 Community Connections Fair
 
Join us for activities, arts & crafts, food, performances, and to learn about resources in our community. It is completely FREE and all P-H-M families are invited to attend. Click here to see photos on Facebook of past Fairs.
 
If you have somebody in your family that would like to perform for our event showcasing a traditional act from your family’s culture, click here to fill out a form to participate.
 
We can’t wait to see you there!

Sarah Hildebrandt Parade

Penn High School’s “Golden Girl” is coming home! On Sunday, September 8th the community will have a celebratory parade for the Female Wrestler Olympic Gold Medalist.

The parade starts at 3:00 at the intersection of Bittersweet and McKinley Highway. The parade will proceed West down McKinley Highway and will end at Zolman’s Tire (2014 E McKinley Ave., Mishawaka).

There will be an Olympic Celebration 4:30 p.m. at Urban Swirl (Heritage Square, Granger). Congressman Rudy Yakym will present Sarah with a special gift; and Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood’s office will present a proclamation. Mark McGill will emcee the event.

There will be free posters, available on a first come, first serve basis. T-shirts will also be available for sale.

Sarah Hildebrandt parade info

Sarah Hildebrandt earned a Gold Medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in Women’s Wrestling (50kg). Hildebrandt was one of two American women to win a Gold Medal in Wrestling at the 2024 Olympics. She is also just the fourth woman to win Gold in Team USA Wrestling history.

Hildebrandt earned a Bronze Medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She is also a two-time national collegiate champion. A 2011 graduate of Penn High School, Hildebrandt became the first female to qualify for the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Wrestling Semi-State competition and led Penn High School to the IHSAA Team Championship. Her personal coach is Penn Boys Wrestling Head Coach Brad Harper.

2024 First Day Photo Gallery

We are so excited to have everyone back at school, please view the photo gallery below to see some “First Day of School Smiles!” 

Two women posing in a room decorated for someone's first day of work, one wearing a pink shirt and the other a yellow shirt,
Young girl sitting at desk in classroom, smiling at camera.
Young boy sitting at a desk in front of a laptop computer on the first day of school.
Two young boys playing a game in a gymnasium.
Little girl playing pool in a room with black and yellow furniture.

Class of 2024 Seniors Come Back to Bittersweet

Every year the graduating seniors go back to their former elementary schools for “Senior Parades.” It’s fun not only for the students to see their former teachers, but it’s also fun for the current elementary students to see the graduates, congratulate them and wish them good luck!

Bittersweet’s Senior Parade was the last day of school Friday, May 31, 2024.

Graduates in caps and gowns walking on stage, children reaching out to touch them, a group of people clapping.
Graduates in caps and gowns walking across a stage.
Graduating students walking in procession, smiling as they receive high fives from audience.
Graduates posing in front of a building, holding signs and celebrating their achievement.
A group of graduating students posing in front of a school sign, proudly displaying their academic achievements and
Children holding signs at a parade, celebrating their graduation.
Graduates in caps and gowns walking down a hallway, children reaching out to them, people clapping, signs of celebration,
Two women posing for a picture at graduation ceremony.
Graduation ceremony in progress, graduates walking across stage with caps and gowns, audience watching from stands, proud
Children sitting on the floor, holding signs and posters.
Woman in graduation gown walking through a crowd of children, some holding signs, others clapping and cheering.
Graduates in caps and gowns walking down a hallway.

Bittersweet has a New Mayor!

Over the years as a student Bittersweet, Jordy Kruger earned the nickname “The Mayor of Bittersweet” because of his commanding and outgoing personality. Just like a politician he knows how to work the room! Jordy always seems to be happy and gets along with everyone; everyone loves him!

Before Jordy’s last day as a 5th grader, we thought it would be a good idea for him to “pass the torch” onto a new “Mayor of Bittersweet;” and Elliot Fratena is just the student for the job!

So on Thursday, May 30–the second to last day of school for the 2023-24 school year–Principal Shonda Masterson presented Jordy, the first “Mayor of Bittersweet” with a key to the school pass on to Elliot as the new Mayor. A few staff members and Elliot’s Dad were present for the “ceremony.”

What advice to Jordy pass on to Elliot? “If there’s any more kids in a wheelchair, never put a speed limit on them! That’s the #1 rule!”

Jordy is going into 6th grade at Schmucker and Elliot will be going into 4th grade.

Woman in wheelchair shaking hands with two young boys in a library setting.
Three children in a classroom setting, one of whom is holding a guitar, all looking at something off-camera with expressions
This is a photograph of a woman standing in a library, smiling at a young boy seated in a wheelchair. The boy is holding a
Two boys in a library, one wearing glasses, standing next to each other, looking at something off-camera.
Two young boys proudly displaying their ribbons at a school event.
Man holding a young boy in front of a table with a red ribbon on it. The man is smiling and wearing a blue shirt.
Young boy proudly holding a red dog bone shaped key chain in front of his face.
Man in blue shirt giving a high five to a young boy. They are standing in a library with other people around them.
The group of people posing in front of a colorful display at a library event, celebrating Elliot's new role as mayor of