What’s recently happened?
On Saturday, November 25, the Penn High School Kingsmen Boys Varsity Basketball team made its debut game against Carroll High School. The Kingsmen gave Coach Barak Coolman his first win as the head coach. The game ended with a score of 72-66, and the team displayed true unity and teamwork in fighting until the end to maintain the upper hand.
“To prepare for the Carroll game, we watched films as a team and practiced possible situations we were expecting to see against Carroll. The team was very excited to finally get onto the court, especially because most of us hadn’t played real varsity minutes,” Junior Point Guard Ethan Good said.
Several key players led the team for the Kingsmen, but everyone played a crucial part in the win. Maverick Brown, a 6-foot-1 senior, led several attacks onto the hoop. He scored 15 of his 25 points in the second half. Senior Dominic Bonner scored 20 points, including 11 points in the fourth quarter. Senior Trey Miller scored 18 points including three shots from 3-point range.
The team looked strong and has started the season off well. The Kingsmen now have a record of 1-0, and host South Bend Clay High School on Friday, December 1.
“Our key to bringing home the win was our transition defense improving from the first quarter to the rest of the game. We also got the ball to the basket area which opened up more scoring opportunities,” Good said.
This is just the beginning for the Kingsmen and Coolman. They hope this positive performance will strengthen them into creating a positive season.
The Penn Girls Varsity Basketball team faced off against Northern Indiana Conference rival South Bend John Adams High School on the road on November 28. The team defeated Adams 46-27.
Senior Guard Lauren Walsh led the scoring for the Kingsmen with 14 points, and Freshman Anna McCullough contributed 11 points to the win. These and many more players on the team played a crucial role in the Kingsmen's win away from home. The game started out tough and tight, but they were able to pull away in the fourth quarter.
What’s coming up?
The Lady Kingsmen’s next game is on Friday, December 8, on the road, and the team will be facing off against its Mishawaka rivals, the Knights from Marian High School, putting the Kingsmen in an interesting situation. This is still the beginning of the season for the team, and there’s a close to equal number of underclassmen and upperclassmen.
“This group is very talented. We are trying to get them to learn how to play a little bit more disciplined and structured, but really what is holding us together right now is that we are just talented. We have a lot of talent,” Assistant Coach Hassan Abdullah said.
This is a big game for the Kingsmen and, also, for the Knights. It is the beginning of the season, and both teams are preparing physically and mentally for this game and what it will bring.
The Kingsmen are confident that, with the talent that they have and with everyone on the same page, they will be able to give their best against the Knights and secure the win.
Staff spotlight:
Music Teacher Ethan Schopp graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis Indiana and studied music education with a vocal emphasis. Schopp, aside from just studying music, was also involved in a lot of music organizations.
He sang in the university choir and the Butler Chorale, and he was also in the Jordan Jazz ensemble group. Music was always present throughout Schopp’s college years, inside and outside the classroom. Schopp is currently in his first year teaching out of college at Penn.
Schopp has been wired to do music. Everyday, he is there in the classroom ready to go with a smile on his face. Through his passionate teaching and directing, it is clear that Schopp has been called to work in the music area. He has this joy inside of him that is contagious and that spreads throughout the entire choir.
Not only does Schopp pass on his joy and love for music to his students, he also shares his knowledge of music and the important role it plays in each and every one of his students' lives. This creates a safe space and a positive environment where students are able to discuss music related topics with their director.
“Your experience as a teacher is make or break based on your relationships with the students. The students here have been nothing but welcoming and supportive; they engage with me on a very deep and focused level in class. If it weren’t for the relationships I have with all of them, this job would not be nearly as fun or as rewarding,” Schopp said.
Whenever they have a problem with their homework, students are able to bring it to Schopp. Students are even able to talk and seek guidance on life-related topics. As a teacher and director, Schopp is not only there to teach the students music; he is there, most importantly, as a guide for when the students need advice or specific help.
There are days when life gets hard, and people may lose motivation to continue moving forward. At that moment, they may feel alone. It is important in these moments to look at the positive things in life, the little things, the things that you love to do. It is important to count your blessings, and to be grateful, for that will encourage you to keep going and living on.
“It is a challenge for sure, getting up early when it’s cold, making the commute and then starting to teach at 8:25 in the morning. The thing that really keeps me going is knowing that, when I come here, no matter how I teach or no matter how the day goes, at the end of the day I am going to have students and coworkers who are happy to see me and who want to learn and want to teach and be part of this experience,” Schopp said.
For a human to be able to teach a subject he or she is passionate about and daily make an impact in the students lives, there needs to be a joy inside of them and a love not only for the people that are around them but also for themselves. That is what Schopp does for his students every day. He sacrifices his time, energy, and attention in preparation for the day's teachings and lessons.
“There is always a reason to teach. A lot of the time, you will find that the reason isn’t always the actual academic subject matter. A lot of the time, the reason to teach is that you are a mentor and a role model and a trustworthy adult for a young person who is trying to find their way,” Schopp said.
In the end, Schopp loves the students and the students love Schopp. Schopp continues to make a positive impact on his students, while his students receive the joy and return it back to him, strengthening and making a positive impact on him. The good from one person's heart is received by the other and it can either be kept and hidden, or it can be returned to show love and gratitude.
Student spotlight:
Senior Gaby Safeukui Noubissi is part of Girls Wrestling and track. Being a two-sport athlete, Safeukui Noubissi needs to be able to keep up with the fitness levels and to remain in shape.
In the offseason, Safeukui Noubissi wrestles in the mornings and lifts to keep her body ready for when season comes and it is time for competition. Besides playing sports, Safeukui Noubissi is also part of many other activities, including Key Club, volunteering, and tutoring for younger students. She tutors to offer guidance and help to students who are stuck on homework or who have a question about a certain place in school.
“One day, I will be able to help other people; school is not forever. One day, I will be able to help other people in my own way,” Safeukui Noubissi said.
Safeukui Noubissi is focused on two areas at the moment. She is working hard towards her second state title with the wrestling team and also serving students with her time and knowledge in hopes to better herself and others. Her relationship with God allows her to be ready every day for new opportunities and challenges.
“God created us to help each other, so I just want to live that out every day in the best way I can. Tutoring just happens to be one of those ways, using my talents and gifts to help others. I understand math, so I can help and tutor in math,” Safeukui Noubissi said.