News
First United Methodist Church Announces August Events
July 30 (Thursday) FREE Craft Day will be held from 1-3 p.m. in First UMC newly renovated Annex Building. This month we will have an array of supplies from past events, so come by and let your craft creative flow. Mark your calendar and bring a friend. For more information call our Craft Coordinator Cathy Lane at (765) 661-3453. The First UMC Annex is located at 702 S. Adams Street, Marion, IN 46953. August 1 (Saturday) FREE FAMILY & KIDS EXPO will be hosted by First United Methodist Church,
First UMC Free Family & Kids Expo Scheduled for August 1st
MARION, IN – The First United Methodist Church of Marion will be sponsoring a Free Family & Kids Expo on Saturday, August 1st, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This Expo is designed to help families in the community develop relationships with resources and other families, all while having great fun. First UMC pastor, Laura Marine, expressed her gratefulness to both the neighborhood and those that will be involved in the Expo, “We’re so lucky to have a congregation willing to help provide and help families
MHS Students Excel on Advanced Placement exams
88 students passed at least one exam, and in four subjects, 100 percent of test-takers passed! Dozens of Marion High School students’ hard work and dedication has earned them success on the College Board’s Advanced Placement exams. MHS students took 11 different AP exams in the 2025-26 school year, and in four subjects, 100 percent of students taking the exam passed! Overall, 87 students passed at least one exam, while 30 of those passed multiple exams — both an increase over the previous
Marion Community Schools Announces Outstanding Alumni Award Winners
Marion Community Schools is pleased to announce the 2026 inductees for the Marion High School Hall of Distinction, along with the MHS Arts Hall of Fame and the MHS Athletics Hall of Fame. All of these inductees will be honored during Homecoming Weekend, on Sept. 25. More details will be provided about our Night of Giants Alumni Awards ceremony closer to that time. Congratulations to all of these exceptional alumni! Nominations for all alumni honors are accepted year-round. For more information, check
Bailey, Chin, Coleman earn Mary Clark Hanley Teaching Excellence Award
Teachers are nominated by their peers for this annual award at MCS. Three teachers have earned special recognition as this year’s recipients of the Mary Clark Hanley Teaching Excellence Award. These honorees, nominated by their peers, are an exclusive group that personifies excellence:Rachel Bailey, Frances Slocum Elementary SchoolNancy Chin, Allen Elementary SchoolMarquita Coleman, Justice Intermediate School Marion Community Schools congratulates all of these excellent teachers and thanks them for the
MCS Names 8 Inductees to the MHS Hall of Distinction
MCS names 8 inductees to the MHS Hall of DistinctionOutstanding alumni will be celebrated in September on Homecoming weekend Marion Community Schools is pleased to announce the 2026 inductees for the Marion High School Hall of Distinction. These inductees will be honored during Homecoming Weekend, on Sept. 25 (along with the inductees to the MHS Arts Hall of Fame and Athletics Hall of Fame, which will be announced soon). More details will be provided about our Night of Giants Alumni Awards ceremony closer
Flynn Takes the Lead for HYPE Academy
JaLair Flynn is stepping into the role of principal for Marion Community Schools’ HYPE Academy alternative program. He has nearly 20 years of experience in educational leadership, and he has been part of the leadership team at MHS since 2021 as assistant principal. He has also served as interim co-principal during a transition period in the 2025-26 school year, alongside fellow interim co-principal Javon Washington, who was recently named principal. Flynn earned his Bachelor of Arts in political
Three elementary students honored in statewide art competition
Three elementary students honored in statewide art competition Three Marion elementary students were selected as regional winners in a prestigious statewide art exhibition. They join two MHS students whose awards were previously announced. Orion Coffey, Riverview Elementary 2nd-grader, Mayvani Gray, Allen Elementary 4th-grader, and Ja'Marla Hill, Allen Elementary 2nd-grader, were honored for their art works submitted to the Juried Exhibition of Student Art in conjunction with the Quadrennial
State Approves Marion School Board's New Election Districts
State approves Marion School Board’s new election districts The state has approved an amended organization plan for the Marion Community Schools Board of School Trustees that changes the way its members are elected. On October 28, 2025, the Marion School Board voted to adopt the plan. After completing all legal requirements, the plan was submitted to the Indiana State Board of Education for approval. The SBOE approved the plan on May 13, 2026. This means that candidates filing for election in fall
Marion students earn top awards at Indiana Thespians State Conference
Marion Community Schools congratulates 13 of our students who earned 15 top awards at the annual Indiana Thespians State Conference. The students, who are all also enrolled in the CSA Arts Academy, attended the conference with the International Thespian Society troupe at the Marion Community School of the Arts. Congratulations to these Marion students, who all earned Superior rankings in the prestigious International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys for short), recognizing the highest level of
Williams to take the lead for Marion Giants boys basketball
Marion High School is pleased to welcome Johnnie Williams as its next boys basketball head coach. Williams is an MHS graduate, Class of 1990, and he has 15 years of coaching experience, including nearly a dozen years at the collegiate level. Most recently he has been a club basketball head coach on the Under Armour Association Circuit in Texas. Prior to that he was assistant coach for the Prairie View A&M University men’s basketball team, defensive coordinator and assistant coach for Alabama A&M
Washington takes the lead at Marion High School
Washington takes the lead at Marion High School Javon Washington is stepping into the role of principal for Marion High School. He has been part of the leadership team at MHS since 2023, first as dean and then as assistant principal. He has also served as interim co-principal since February, alongside fellow interim co-principal JaLair Flynn. “I am excited for this new role,” Washington said. “Becoming the building principal of Marion High School at this time is a full-circle moment for me.
Larson to Take Lead for Marion High School Athletics
Marion High School’s next athletic director is a familiar face, as he has been a part of the MHS staff for many years. Nate Larson will take the reins for MHS athletics, building on his experience as a teacher and a coach. The Marion Community Schools Board of School Trustees approved his hiring as Marion High School athletic director at their regular meeting on April 28. He will start in this new position July 1. “I am truly honored to serve as the new Athletic Director at Marion High
Marion High School Alumni Association Honors Scholarship Recipients
Marion High School Alumni Association is pleased to announce 45 scholarship awards totaling more than $37,000 for 20 outstanding Marion High School graduating seniors! MHSAA is proud to note that this is another record-setting amount, and it includes two new scholarships awarded for the first time this year. MHSAA is grateful for our collaborative relationship with Marion Community Schools and the community, which enables us to help provide excellent opportunities for Marion students! The following
McCulloch Junior High Invites Community Professionals to Participate in Career Day
Marion, IN — McCulloch Junior High School is inviting community members to participate in its upcoming Career Day on May 15, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.The event will include four 20-minute sessions scheduled throughout the morning, giving students the opportunity to learn about a variety of career paths and gain insight into the education, skills, and experiences needed to achieve their goals."Our students are eager to learn about a variety of career paths and gain insight into the education, skills,
