2026 Fourteen Under 14 Recognition Breakfast
This morning Grissom administration and special guests honored our school’s third class of ”Fourteen Under 14.” Click to visit the full photo gallery.
P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Heather Short joined Grissom Principal Jen Sinclair in recognizing the students during a special breakfast before the start of school. The award is modeled after Michiana’s Forty Under 40 (of which several P-H-M leaders have been a part of), which is sponsored by the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The students were notified earlier in the week by surprise announcements by Principal Sinclair.
The students were praised for their community involvement, student leadership, commitment to academics, entrepreneurial skills, and kindness towards others. Families of the award winners were on hand to celebrate as well. Students were given a crystal award to commemorate their achievement.
Below is a list of this year’s winners. Congratulations to these amazing students!
- Rocco DeCicco
- Harper Dhoore
- Harper Gibson
- Natalie Haab
- Bennett Harding
- Isaac Johnson-Espinoza
- Alex Kvaratskhelia
- Hadlee Mattison
- Lauren Miller
- Jackson Powell
- Hazel Schlichting
- Ellie Schwalbe
- Kate Steele
- Molly Umbaugh
Christy Zobrosky wins P-H-M Impact Award
Congratulations to Grissom Middle School Interventionist Christy Zobrosky on receiving a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award!
Zobrosky was recognized for outstanding work supporting Tier 2 math intervention students across 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Through her instruction and leadership, students demonstrated meaningful growth across multiple Checkpoint opportunities and assessments.
In addition to supporting intervention students, Zobrosky also serves as an Instructional Leader, helping support math instruction and student learning across all grade levels at Grissom.
Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and Principal Jennifer Sinclair surprised Zobrosky with the recognition, celebrating her dedication to student success and academic growth.
Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for supporting this recognition of excellence across P-H-M.
Elsie Rogers 4th Graders Team Up with Grissom 6th Graders for Hands-On Science Day
Elsie Rogers Elementary 4th graders recently teamed up with Grissom Middle School 6th graders for a day of hands-on science learning.
Grissom students set up a series of science booths featuring different experiments and concepts at the middle school. The 4th graders came to Grissom on a visit and rotated through each station, learning about the topics while getting to participate in the activities.
Each group of 4th graders was guided by 6th grade tour guides, who helped explain the experiments and kept the rotations moving. The setup gave younger students a chance to explore science in an interactive way, while also allowing Grissom students to take on a leadership role. The event also gave students an opportunity to connect across grade levels, helping make the transition to middle school feel a little more familiar for the 4th graders. 
To wrap up the day, students enjoyed a pizza party. A special thank you goes to Rossini’s Pizza for donating the pizza. The restaurant’s manager, a Grissom alum, helped make the day even more memorable for students.
Grissom Awarded More Than $4,200 in Education Foundation Grants
The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation (PHMEF) continues its mission of supporting excellence in education by awarding $73,715.48 in classroom innovation grants for the 2025-2026 school year, marking one of the largest funding years in foundation history! And Grissom was fortunate to receive $4,238.85 in grant dollars!
Each year, PHMEF’s Annual Grant Cycle provides teachers across the district with opportunities to bring creative, hands-on learning projects to life, projects that go beyond traditional classroom resources. The grants are made possible through the generosity of community donors, local businesses, and district supporters.
During the first couple of weeks of December, PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom surprised grant recipients. Click here to see the full photo gallery.
Grissom was awarded six EZ grants (under $750). The descriptions are listed below:
1. LCD Boards
Emily Shreve • $598.85
Reusable LCD writing tablets
2. PLTW Supplies (3d printing, middle school modeling)
Matthew Tunno • $750.00
Flag Football Game Equipment
3. Positive Postcards
Elizabeth Marshall • $750.00
Personalized Postcards to be Mailed to Every Student
4. Model United Nations
Brian Budd • $750.00
United Nations Kit for Social Studies Classroom Groups
5. Lights! Camera! iPad, Mini!
Kristian Verash • $700.00
iPad Mini for WGMS News Class
6. Care and Confidence
Sarah Ormsby & Hannah Marko • $690.00
Feminine Hygiene Products for Middle School Girls
“On behalf of the entire PHM Education Foundation Board I want you to know how deeply we believe in our teachers and staff,” said PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom. “Your dedication, and passion for making a positive impact are what make our schools truly exceptional. We are committed to funding your innovative ideas because you are the heart of excellence in PHM, and we are proud to support the remarkable work you do every day.”
For more on the P-H-M Education Foundation’s 2025-26 grant awards, click here.
Grissom Middle School Honors Veterans in Special Ceremony
Grissom Middle School students, staff, and families came together Friday, Nov. 14 to honor local veterans during a moving Veterans Day ceremony. The annual event, originally postponed due to this week’s snowy weather, began with a breakfast where veterans and their families gathered before proceeding to the school cafeteria for the formal ceremony.
As guests entered, Student Council and National Junior Honor Society members guided veterans to their seats, proudly carrying the American flag and the Indiana State flag. Principal Jenn Sinclair welcomed attendees and shared her gratitude for the veterans’ service and the community’s support.
The ceremony featured several student musical performances. The 8th Grade Band performed “V-E Day Concert March,” followed by the 7th and 8th Grade Choir singing “Make Them Hear You.” The 8th Grade Orchestra also performed a rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
Assistant Principal Mr. Spatt provided a historical reflection on the significance of Veterans Day, while select students shared their own original poems and letters expressing appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who have served.
The keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Dennis R. Bourdo II, USAFR, BSC, delivered an inspiring message about service, leadership, and gratitude. Following his remarks, students presented Lt. Col. Bourdo with a commemorative wreath. 8th grader Ariana Navarro concluded the ceremony with a solemn performance of “Taps.”
The event closed with student leadership officers leading veterans out of the ceremony as students and staff applauded in thanks and respect.
Grissom Middle School extends its heartfelt appreciation to all veterans for their courage, dedication, and service to our country.
Click here to view the full photo gallery from today’s event.
Get to Know Principal Jenn Sinclair
October is National Principals Month! To celebrate, we’re sharing short Q&As with each of our principals—giving you a glimpse into their leadership style, favorite parts of school life, and what drives their #PHMExcellence every day.
If you could swap places with a student for one day, what class or activity would you be most excited to participate in — and why?
Art – I am always amazed by the skills and techniques students learn during their time in art!
What’s your go-to morning routine (or must-have snack/coffee order) that helps you tackle the day?
Always coffee and usually a podcast on the way to school.
What were you like as a middle or high school student — and what’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
I was very shy and quiet, except with my friends. Advice I would give to my younger self is that the people you surround yourself with are very important — so choose wisely!
If your job as a principal had a theme song, what song would be your walk up song–the one playing when you walked into school each day?
Whatever It Takes – Imagine Dragon
What was your favorite school lunch or snack when you were a student? What is your favorite school lunch now as a principal?
I think everyone loved the rectangular pizza — it’s still great to this day!
What’s one fun fact about you that most students or staff don’t know?
I grew up on a farm in Southern Indiana
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies outside of school that might surprise people?
I have an 18 month old, so that takes up most of my time, but I love to play board games, hiking, and traveling!
What’s one thing on your bucket list you still hope to do one day?
Hike to Machu Picchu, visit all 7 continents
What’s your favorite school tradition or event?
Riley Events and 14 Under Fourteen
If you could describe your school in one word, what would it be?
Supportive
Penn Girls Flag Football Makes History with Inaugural Summer Camp
Penn High School’s newest official sport is already making history. The Penn Girls Flag Football program hosted its first-ever Prospect Camp on July 22-23, welcoming over a dozen incoming middle school athletes. The two-day camp focused on building foundational skills in flag football, while also emphasizing teamwork and leadership development.
To see the full Flag Football Prospect Camp photo gallery click here.
The camp follows the official launch of the Girls Flag Football program at Penn, approved by the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees in March. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced earlier this year that 55 schools have committed to fielding teams for the 2025 season—more than double the 27 teams that participated in 2024.
The IHSAA is one of 19 state associations currently piloting the Girls Flag Football program in partnership with the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts. As part of this initiative, Penn High School will receive $6,500 in grant funding from the NFL and Colts to support the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
While the new IHSAA-sanctioned Girls Flag Football program marks a major expansion in athletic opportunity for student-athletes, Penn’s long-running “Powder Puff” Homecoming tournament will continue as a separate tradition. The event features four teams—one per class year—and remains a popular part of Penn’s Homecoming week festivities.
Penn Flag Football’s inaugural season is set to include a seven-game regular season, culminating in a postseason that features a sectional round and a state championship. The Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) is projecting six teams for the 2025 season: Penn, Elkhart, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph and South Bend Washington.
The NIC schedule kicks off with four conference games at School Field on Saturday, Aug. 23. Regular doubleheaders will follow at rotating locations throughout the season. Penn’s first home game is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, against South Bend Riley. Game times will be announced at a later date.
The Penn team will hold practices after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, with games played on Wednesdays. Matches will be played in a 7-on-7 format, with each game lasting 60 minutes.
Leading the program is Head Coach Jerimiah Maggart, a 2007 Penn graduate and former football and wrestling standout. Maggart joined the Penn faculty for the 2024–2025 school year as a Fitness, Health, and Strength and Conditioning instructor. He previously taught and coached at Jimtown High School, where he served as head coach of the boys and girls wrestling programs. He has also coached at North Montgomery and Manchester High Schools. Maggart is a graduate of Purdue University.
Maggart aims to grow the program quickly, starting with a varsity team this fall. His long-term goals include adding a junior varsity team by the 2026 season and building out youth and middle school feeder programs.
Tryouts and official practices for the Penn Flag Football Team are scheduled to start on Monday, August 4.
Click here for a Google Form to fill out if you are interested in playing Girls Flag Football.
You can also email Coach Maggart at jmaggart1@phm.k12.in.us for more information.
Board Approves New Administrators at Dr. Short’s First Meeting
At Monday night’s P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, presented three current P-H-M administrators for promotion. This was Dr. Short’s first school board meeting as superintendent since she started in the role on July 1. The following administrative changes were approved at the meeting:
Randy Williams was approved as the new Director of Academic and Student Support. Williams previously served in several administrative roles within PHM since 2008, including Principal of Madison and Walt Disney Elementary Schools, Dean of Students at Penn and Associate Principal of Penn. In 2018 he was honored as a member of the “Forty under 40” class. In 2023 He became the Director of Secondary Education and Student Services for the Middlebury Community School system. Williams now returns to Penn-Harris-Madison with a wealth of new professional experiences and an enhanced skill set.
Maddie Schmidt was approved for the Assistant Principal position at Grissom Middle School. Schmidt is a former Kingsmen and a graduate of Judson University. She has a master’s degree in Educational and Business Administration from Bethel University. Schmidt began her career teaching language arts at Schmucker Middle School. During her time there, she also served as an Instructional Leader. She is an active member of PHM’s Excellence in Leadership initiative and has held multiple teacher leadership roles at SMS. Most recently, she served as a Dean at Schmucker.
Beth Stroven was approved for the Assistant Principal position at Schmucker Middle School. This past year, Stroven served as a math teacher at Grissom Middle School and is a member of PHM’s Excellence in Leadership initiative. Prior to joining P-H-M, she was a teacher in Elkhart Community Schools, where she was recognized as the 2019 District Elementary Teacher of the Year and received the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Grant where she earned a master’s degree in Educational and Business Administration from Indiana State University. She later served as the principal of Mary Daly Elementary School.