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MHS JROTC Raiders make top 10 at nationals

Posted: Nov 09, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

The Marion High School JROTC Raiders competed this past weekend against the country’s best Army JROTC teams at the Raider National Championship, and both MHS teams finished in the top 10.

MHS fielded both an all-male and an all-female team, which finished 10th and 7th in their respective categories. In addition, two Marion cadets earned accolades for their placements during the Best Raider Competition: seniors Thomas Schenck and Adriana Aleman placed 15th and 25th in the nation, respectively.

Members of the Giants female Raider Team earned the MHS JROTC program their first national trophy at the Raider National Championship in Molena, Ga., Nov. 4-5, 2017. The team placed 7th overall and 5th in the physical team test.

>> click here to view more photos from the competition

During the Best Raider Competition, the cadets run nearly two miles while wearing a 35-pound backpack and negotiating various obstacles, including a 10-foot wall they must scale.

“These young people are amazing,” said Lt. Col. (Retired) David Farlow, the senior Army instructor and coach for the Raider Team. “These results are the culmination of months of hard work and dedication. Our cadets faced off against the best teams from across the country, including many private military academies. The Giants proved that a small program from Marion, Indiana, can compete and win against the best raiders from anywhere.”

Five events comprise the Raider National Championship:

5-kilometer mountain run
1-mile cross country rescue, where cadets wear 35-pound backpacks, carry a stretcher weighing up to 150 pounds, and negotiate various obstacles, including a 10-foot wall they must scale and a 30 feet long mud pit.
One-rope bridge crossing nearly 90 feet over a river
Physical team test, where cadets run and carry a variety of items while negotiating an 800-meter course with various obstacles
The Gauntlet, where the cadets wear 35-pound backpacks and run nearly 1 mile through a wooded terrain while negotiating various obstacles, including a wall they must scale (10 feet tall for the female teams, 12 feet tall for the male teams.

The MHS all-female team earned an impressive 5th place finish in the Physical Team Test, thus earning the Giants their first-ever trophy from a National Championship.

“I am very proud of how well my ladies came together and performed as a unit,” said Aleman, commander of the female Raider team. “You could see us really meld together, relying on each other while learning how to overcome the exhaustion associated with Raider competitions. These Raiders are awesome.”

The 7th-place finish is the highest finish ever for a JROTC team from Marion High School at a national competition.
Cadet Gavin Collins, a sophomore who competed for the first time at Raider Nationals, weighed in on the experience: “It made me feel good to see that all of the hard work we put in paid off. The competition was very hard, but the trip was a lot of fun.”

Many individuals and organizations donated to help the MHS Raider team travel to the championship.

“We simply could not provide the cadets with such an opportunity without the tremendous support from our community and school system,” Farlow said.

Members of the Giants male Raider Team sprint for the finish line at the Raider National Championship in Molena, Ga., Nov. 4-5, 2017. The female team placed 7th in the nation, and the male team placed 10th.

>> Click here to view more photos from the competition

The full list of cadets who competed:

All-female Raiders team:

Adriana Aleman
Paige Asher
Jillayne Bass
Audrey Dickerson
I'Yela Hornaday
Emily LeBlanc
Kayleina O'Donnell
Haley O'Neil
Kylee O'Neil
Jessica Pickell
Cheyenne Russ
Hailey Teeguarden

All-male Raiders team:

Eric Asher
Gavin Collins
Tayler Garriott
Joseph O'Donnell
Joseph Parker
Tyron Rice
Lucas Riley
Austen Robbins
Juan Rodriguez
Thomas Schenck
Troy Smith
Kaleb Starr

Data shows Marion HS as state leader in college and career readiness

Posted: Nov 07, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Marion High School is a state leader in college and career readiness, according to the Indiana Department of Education.

MHS’s CCR rate for 2015 (the latest year for which certified data is available) is 89.29 percent, reflecting the percentage of our students who earned early college credit, passed an AP exam, or earned a workplace certification. This is one of the highest rates in the state, surpassing many well-known and well-respected schools.

The purpose of PK-12 education is to prepare students for success in life beyond high school. This rate reflects in a very real way a student’s potential for such success.

“Preparing our students to be productive citizens after they leave us, ready to attend college or enter the workforce, is a main component of the mission of Marion High School,” MHS Principal Keith Burke said. “The CCR rate is one of the most important numbers to us, because it is an indicator that we are preparing our students for success not just in the halls of Marion High School, but in their life beyond high school.”

The graduating classes since 2015 at MHS have increasingly exceled, establishing new highs in the data points the CCR tracks (though those numbers are not yet certified and released by the IDOE). The CCR is one of the requirements included in accountability grades issued by the IDOE.

"There is something for every student in Marion Community Schools," MCS Superintendent Brad Lindsay said. "We provide real-world and life-ready training so every student can become the best they were created to be for the world."

We are proud of our students, and of our teachers and staff who work hard to provide these opportunities through Marion High School and Marion Regional Career Center. We are also grateful for partnerships locally with Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Taylor University, as well as partnerships statewide with colleges including Indiana University and Vincennes University, along with various industry certification organizations and area businesses who offer internship opportunities.

Here’s a look at some of the IDOE-reported CCR rates:

Marion: 89.29%
Carmel: 83.73%
Fort Wayne Carroll: 72.23%
Homestead: 71.59%
Noblesville: 69.80%
Zionsville: 69.34%
Westfield: 66.25%
Hamilton Heights: 65.61%
Hamilton Southeastern: 60.44%

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: MHS Holiday Extravaganza set! (12/6)

Posted: Nov 07, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Originally posted Nov. 2, 2017

It's that time of year again when our calendars start filling up with holiday plans! Consider adding this special event to your family's plans:

The Marion High School Music Department offers a special concert guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit! The public is invited to the Walton Performing Arts Center at MHS for the annual Holiday Extravaganza, which features choral and instrumental music by our talented young musicians. The show is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. Admission is free.

We hope to see you there!

YOU'RE INVITED: Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony (11/10)

Posted: Nov 06, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

The students, teachers, staff, and administrators of Marion High School cordially invite all current and former members of the United States Armed Services and their family members to a Veterans Day Memorial Ceremony at MHS.

This event on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, co-sponsored by MHS and the JROTC Department, is being held to honor and acknowledge the dedication, sacrifice and commitment of American veterans in their service to our nation.

The ceremony is also open to the public. It will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Bill Green Arena at MHS, 750 W. 26th St. Veterans are encouraged to come early and attend a welcoming reception in the school cafeteria, starting at 10 a.m. Parking for the ceremony is located adjacent to the gymnasium. This event is handicapped-accessible.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the JROTC Department, 765-664-9051 ext. 2455.

2 MHS musicians selected for IJEA All-District Jazz Honor Band

Posted: Nov 06, 2017 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Two Marion High School band students have been selected to perform in the Indiana Jazz Educators Association All-District Jazz Honor Band.

“This is historic, and we are so proud of our talented students for this achievement,” said MHS Director of Bands Josh Huff. “This is the first time ever that Marion High School students have been selected to perform with this band.”

The musicians selected:

Travis Metzger, junior, alto saxophone
Mayoen Bowen, senior, bass guitar

In addition, Travis was selected as the lead alto saxophone player in the band he will play with.

Each of these students was recommended by their band director, Mr. Huff, and submitted applications to be considered for the Honor Band earlier this year. Applications from students across the state were evaluated to select members of this talented group. Selected musicians were notified earlier this month, and were tasked with practicing the musical selections in preparation for the upcoming performance.

This Saturday, Nov. 11, All-District Jazz Honor Band members from around the central Indiana region will gather to rehearse together for the first time. Then, on Sunday, Nov. 12, they will perform together at Noblesville High School. (Time of performance will be released when available.)

Congratulations to these talented, hard-working students on this great accomplishment! The All-District Jazz Honor Band is a great opportunity, and will give them a chance to learn and grow as musicians.

>> These honors come on the heels of the selection of 8 students to the IBA All-District Honor Band. Click here to read more!

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