Marion Community Schools will honor exceptional alumni during Homecoming Weekend this year.
The 2024 inductees for the Marion High School Hall of Distinction, along with the MHS Athletics Hall of Fame and the MHS Arts Hall of Fame, will be honored at the Night of Giants ceremony, set for Friday, Sept. 27, at the Walton Performing Arts Center at Marion High School. The ceremony will start at 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 3:15 p.m.
Inductees will also be honored at the Giants’ homecoming football game set to start at 7 p.m. that day. Inductees will be provided a free game ticket; all others can purchase tickets for $7 each, to help support the MHS Athletic Department.
MHS Hall of Distinction
This year’s inductees are:
- Jeff Bragg, D.O., Class of 1977, Doctor in Family Practice in Marion since 1989; served as Marion Community Schools physician for 20 years; served as Medical Director of Bridges to Health community clinic.
- Shawn Swan, Class of 1982, M.D., FACOG, Obstetrician-gynecologist since 1996, delivering more than 4,000 babies; Medical Director / co-founder of The Decaid Project, helping communities around the world identify and address public health needs.
- Lori Eltzroth, Class of 1989, Chief Administrative Officer of Beacon Credit Union; past president of Marion High School Alumni Association and chair of grants committee; community champion for MCS youth in academics, athletics, and arts.
- Mark Fauser, honorary inductee, author of several movies and books; actor; Development Consultant for Marion Community Schools; formerly Executive Director of Marion Community School of the Arts and Director of Marketing for City of Marion.
The MHS Hall of Distinction gives lasting recognition to alumni who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of Marion Community Schools. It also serves to help inspire current students to aspire to similar success.
Any MHS alumnus who graduated at least five years ago and who has made substantial contributions to the achievements of Marion Community Schools or whose exemplary actions reflect honor on MCS is eligible for nomination. The Hall seeks to honor men and women who have distinguished themselves through superb accomplishment on a local, state or national level in diverse fields of endeavor. Non-MHS graduates may be afforded honorary status in the MHS Hall of Distinction.
>> Nominations can be made here
MHS Athletics Hall of Fame
- Kent Bartel, Class of 1993, holds four MHS swimming (50 free, 100 fly, 100 free, 200 free relay), and was 1992 state finalist in 200 free relay.
- Coach Darlyne Bridgeman, girls track and field head coach for 22 years and assistant for another 16, boys and girls cross country assistant coach for 26 years, assistant coach for basketball and volleyball for 8 years, coached many All-State Giants.
- Kristtini Cain, Class of 2008, All-State golfer, on state finalist team, won regional, sectional, and NCC titles, played at IU and Ball State, where she tied for lowest score for 18-holes in BSU history, 2007 Grant County Golfer of the Year.
- Steve Cunningham, Terrance Davis, Bruce Watson, David Weatherly, track and field 1982 4 x 400 relay team that was state runner-up, and still holds the Marion High School record 40 years later.
- Gina Johnson, Class of 1987, held girls basketball all-time leading scorer record for 33 years, currently 2nd on the list, basketball standout at Wichita State, shot put and discus in MHS track and field.
- Coach Gerald Jump, legendary Giants swim head coach of boys team for 31 years, girls team for 7, coached many state medalists and started Marion Aquatic Club as feeder system.
- Allen “Deuce” Miller, Class of 2002, All-NCC basketball player on 2000 state champion team, All-NCC basketball player, football player.
- Dave Ruley, Class of 1966, All-State golfer on the 1966 state champion team (individual 4th place), swam on 1963 AAU swimming national champion team.
>> Nominations can be made here
MHS Arts Hall of Fame
- Dean Young, Class of 1973, renowned contemporary poet, college professor, Poet Laureate of Texas, Pulitzer Prize finalist, inducted posthumously.
>> Nominations can be made here