Penni Fishbaine for State College School Board - State College, PA - About

Penni Fishbaine, an Altoona native, has lived in the State College area for the last 25 years. She has been an active community member, committed parent volunteer, and an advocate for community involvement.

While her children, Josh, 20 (State High class of '07), and Arielle, 18 ('09), were in the State College schools, Penni was an ardent volunteer. She was the parent who came into the class for reading stations, helped out in the library, chaired PTO committees, chaperoned field trips, and even baked muffins weekly with the split third-fourth grade class for measuring and math for a year. Penni held various positions on the Easterly Parkway PTO, including president for two years-during which time plans were made to combine Fairmount Avenue Elementary and Easterly Parkway Elementary schools. She also was a member of the State College School District PTO/PTA Council.

When she and her family moved to Houserville in 2000, Penni introduced and co-chaired the first International Fun Night at Houserville Elementary School. Since 2003, Penni has been a member of the Post-High School Planning Committee and was the Field Hockey Booster Club co-president this year. She currently is co-chairing games for the Senior All Night Party.

Penni has also been quite involved as a community volunteer, at the Jewish Community Center and synagogue, the Junior Woman's Club, Women's Welcome Club, and Easter Seals. At the Jewish Community Center, Penni has taught religious school and was vice president of programming as well an Executive Board member. She also held leadership positions within the Junior Woman's Club as the president, vice president of fundraising, and membership chair. Penni is currently working on a fundraising campaign for Easter Seals and has been an advocate for children and the community for many years.

Penni graduated from Altoona High School attending classes at Penn State Altoona during her senior year of high school. Influenced by her family's move to Ohio, she decided to attend Miami of Ohio, graduating with a bachelor's degree in speech communications with an emphasis on public relations in business. Following graduation, Penni worked for an advertising agency in Columbus, then in customer service with Murata Erie and as the Advertising and Promotions Specialist for C-Cor, both in State College. She was the Director of Development for Penn State Hillel during her children's middle school years and before joining her husband, Steve, in his dental practice.

Penni and Steve moved to State College 25 years ago so that Steve could begin his career as a dentist. In 2006, Steve opened a new state-of-the-art dental office, for which Penni oversaw all aspects of the construction, planning, and design. She continues to work at Steve's dental practice as the marketing specialist and receptionist.

Penni's son, Josh, is now a junior at Penn State in the Sapphire Program in the Smeal College of Business. Arielle is a freshman in Penn State's College of Health and Human Development. She plans to attend Penn State's Leap Program this summer and Penn State's College of Health and Human Development in the fall.

Penni enjoys yoga, exercising, reading, attending community events, and spending time with her family and friends. She has been an avid supporter of children and community programs. During the last school board election, Penni worked to advocate for accountable representation.

"I believe that the community should have a say in decisions that impact education. As a school board director, I would hope to facilitate community involvement and encourage the public to get involved."

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