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News for Marion High School

Zach Randolph returns home for special honor

Posted: Jul 21, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Marion’s own NBA All-Star, Zach Randolph, was honored with a special ceremony on Friday where it all started: Bill Green Arena at Marion High School.

A crowd gathered inside the famed home of the Marion Giants to celebrate Randolph. Several awards were presented, and several speakers spoke to the impact Randolph has made on the world stage and here in his hometown.

Randolph, a 2000 graduate of Marion High School, is a two-time NBA All-Star and committed philanthropist, regularly reaching out to help kids and families here in Marion and in his adopted home of Memphis, where he played for the NBA’s Grizzlies from 2009 to 2017. He is now headed to the Sacramento Kings to make an impact on a new group of young players.

Randolph and his family took the place of honor Friday on the home court of the Marion Giants, whom he led to their seventh state championship in 2000, during the ceremony, as several awards were presented.

Marion Mayor Jess Alumbaugh, also an MHS alumnus, presented Randolph with a Key to the City award, acknowledging the honor he has brought the city over the years and the pride the community has for his accomplishments and his generous spirit. Indiana State Sen. Greg Taylor, another fellow MHS Giant, presented Randolph with a Certificate of Excellence from the State of Indiana, acknowledging his tremendous record of philanthropy and service to the communities he has called home.

Randolph was also was the second honoree in a series of special honors, the Marion Minority Champion Awards; the first recipient was local civil rights pioneer Pearl Bassett, now 106 years old. The Marion Minority Champion Awards will be featured in a garden at the Clarence Faulkner Center, and they are intended not only to honor the recipients, but also to inspire the youths of Marion to dream big, and to know that they too can make an impact on our community, and beyond.

Randolph expressed thanks for the honors, and he said he was proud of his Marion roots, and proud to continue to tell people about his hometown, pledging to make sure that people in Sacramento, Calif. (his next stop in an NBA career that already spans 17 years) hear what’s great about Marion, Ind.

Other speakers included Marion High School Alumni Association President Lori Eltzroth, Randolph’s high school basketball coach, Moe Smedley, Marion Community Schools Superintendent Brad Lindsay, WBAT’s Jim Brunner, who has been the voice of the Marion Giants for decades, and the organizers of the event and the Marion Minority Champion Awards, Larry Richardson, Robin Fouce, along with the Rev. Larry Batchelor.

The Marion High School JROTC presented the colors, and The Crew, a dance group from Marion Community School of the Arts, added to the celebratory atmosphere with a special performance. In addition, a special video was played, looking back on Randolph’s growth from a youngster in Marion with big dreams, to an outstanding professional athlete and a community leader with the heart of a Giant, who has made a difference in the lives of so many.

Watch the video here:

After the ceremony, the crowd proceeded out to the street that borders the Marion High School campus on the west, led by the Marion High School Marching Giants playing the MHS school fight song. There, the new sign featuring a nearly life-size image of Randolph and the new honorary name of the street — Zach Randolph Lane — was unveiled. Similar signs have also been placed at both ends of the section of the street that carries the honorary name (from 26th Street to the south, to Valley Avenue to the north). In addition, basketball shaped signs are displayed beneath the street signs at both intersections, noting the new name of the street.

This event was a collaboration of Marion Minority Champions, the City of Marion, and Marion Community Schools. Organizers are grateful to all who helped make this event a success, which also included the Marion Fire Department, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, and many others.

Zach Randolph and Marion High School Principal Keith Burke on Friday unveil the sign declaring a new honorary name for the street that borders the Marion High School campus on the west. From 26th Street to Valley Avenue, the street will know be known as Zach Randolph Lane.

Congratulations, Class of 2017!

Posted: Jul 17, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Did you see us in the Sunday Chronicle-Tribune? Check out the amazing accomplishments of our Class of 2017:

>> Click for a larger view

YOU’RE INVITED: MHS Freshman Open House (8/7)

Posted: Jul 10, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

All members of the MHS Class of 2021 (incoming 9th-graders) are invited to attend our 2017 Freshman Open House!

>> Click for a full-size version

There will be building tours, a cookout, and other important information.

We hope to see you here!

Gosser named director of exceptional learners for Marion Community Schools

Posted: Jun 27, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Marion Community Schools is pleased to announce a new role for a longtime partner.

Lynn Gosser, who has served as executive director of the Grant County Special Education Cooperative (of which MCS is a member) for 25 years, will take on the new role of director of exceptional learners at MCS, which will encompass oversight of the Special Services Department, along with adult education, alternative education, English language learners, high ability services, and more.

“We are thankful that Lynn has chosen to join our team in a full-time leadership capacity and is committing to help us provide our mission-motivated best to our Marion students, staff, families, and community we are privileged to serve,” MCS Superintendent Brad Lindsay said.

Gosser will provide oversight and support for the programs listed above, along with leadership and guidance to MCS social support staffers and the junior high and high school teams.

“I am grateful for this giant opportunity to serve on the administrative team at Marion Community Schools,” Gosser said. “I am both honored and humbled. It is very exciting to be a part of a school district that provides so many opportunities to all students.”

Lindsay said Gosser’s experience will be invaluable.

“Lynn has excellent educational leadership experience engaging the Indiana Department of Education, state special education leaders, Grant County superintendents, local special education personnel, agencies, families, faculty, staff, administrators, and schools,” he said. “We are pleased to welcome her, and we know that her wealth of experiences will help make our Marion Community Schools team even better.”

Gosser earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Ball State University, and earned two master’s degrees from there as well, in special education and special education administration. She is currently working toward her education specialist degree and doctorate in educational leadership through Oakland City University.

She is a licensed teacher and a certified crisis prevention and intervention trainer. In addition to her duties with the Special Ed Co-op, she has also been a leader in community initiatives to provide expanded opportunities and access to local people, including the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and the Systems of Care Governance Board.

MHS JROTC cadets excel, learn during JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge

Posted: Jun 23, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Thirteen cadets from Marion High School’s JROTC program recently participated in summer camp at Camp Atterbury, a week of physical and leadership challenges designed to push them beyond what they thought they could do. Once Marion cadet was named the best cadet in his platoon, and three others were named to the Top 10.

Marion High School JROTC cadets Eric Asher, Angel Morales, Jade McKoon, Ashley White, and Paige Asher pause for a photo during the water operations at JROTC summer camp at Camp Atterbury.

Cadets were selected for recognition by their cadre/instructors for recognition from their respective platoon. Because of his superior performance and attitude, Cadet Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph O’Donnell was selected as the No. 1 cadet from his platoon of approximately 55 cadets. He was one of only four selected for this honor from the 200 cadets, representing 19 Indiana JROTC programs.

The three Marion cadets selected to be among the Top 10 Honor Graduates from their respective platoon were Adrianna Aleman, Jerit Wigner, and A’Yela Hornaday.

Cadet Aleman was also recognized for her superior performance while serving as the Cadet command sergeant major during the camp. Cadet Josue Martinez received the Commandant’s Medal for his ability to overcome fear while rappelling off the 60-foot tower.

“It is truly quite an accomplishment for our program to have so many cadets recognized by the camp cadre/instructors for these honors,” said Command Sgt. Maj. (retired) Jon Smith, Army Instructor at Marion High School. “It speaks to the strength of our program and the quality of our cadets. In my opinion, all of our cadets who attended camp are exceptional. The Marion cadets were only small percentage of the total cadet population at camp but earned multiple top cadet recognition.”

Marion High School JROTC Cadet Jerit Wigner overcomes his fears while rappelling off a 60-foot tower at JROTC Summer Camp at Camp Atterbury.

The mission of JCLC is to provide an environment conducive to practical application of good citizenship and leadership techniques taught during the school year. The cadets faced many physical challenges, including rappelling, obstacles courses, land navigation, and a leadership reaction course. Additionally, they learned water safety and survival techniques.

“Camp was a great experience,” said O’Donnell, who has attended two previous JCLCs. “I was surprised and honored to be selected as the No. 1 cadet from my company.”

The cadets rose at 6 a.m. each morning and conducted a full day of training, then ended with two hours of athletic competition each evening. Their bunks, personal area, and barracks were inspected each day to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness. They learned how to function as part of a team, completing most tasks in squad-sized elements comprised of about a dozen cadets.

Other cadets from Marion High School attending JCLC were Paige Asher, Eric Asher, Ashley White, Jade McKoon, Audrey Dickerson, Kaleb Starr, Angel Morales, Tayler Garriott, and Lucas Riley.

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