Penn High School Weight Rooms Renamed as Culver's Sports Center

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Mishawaka, Ind. — In a celebration of community and generosity, Penn High School's weight rooms have been officially renamed the Culver's Sports Center. The new name reflects a generous $125,000 donation from the fast-food chain Culver's, with a dedication ceremony held early Friday.

Mark Nowak, one of the owners of Culver's and a 1997 graduate of Penn High School, played a key role in the donation. This substantial contribution aims to support and enhance the school's strength and conditioning programs, reflecting Nowak's commitment to his alma mater.

The renaming of the weight rooms comes as part of a broader initiative to honor those who have made significant contributions to the school's athletic programs. Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Jerry Thacker expressed enthusiasm for the new naming, drawing a parallel to the school's notable achievements in wrestling. Thacker highlighted Sarah Hildebrandt, a Penn alumna and world champion wrestler, as an inspiration. The school's wrestling room is named the Hildebrandt Family Wrestling Room in her honor, acknowledging her pioneering role in the program.

"Sarah Hildebrandt has been a trailblazer for our strength program," Thacker noted. "Her success exemplifies the dedication and excellence we strive for in all our athletic programs."

The Culver's Sports Center is expected to become a cornerstone of the school's athletic facilities, supporting both current students and future generations in their physical development and competitive endeavors.