With the first nine weeks wrapped up, Marion Harding High School has plenty to celebrate and even more to look forward to. Fall sports have ended, winter teams are gearing up, and the excitement of a homecoming that brought more than 700 students together still lingers in the halls. “It’s been a really good start to the year,” says Principal Todd Schneider with a smile. His pride in the students and staff is clear, setting an upbeat tone for the rest of the year.
From the tennis team’s MOAC championship to students earning All-Conference honors, the energy across campus is contagious. Business students placed at DECA competitions, FFA members represented Harding at the National Convention, welding students toured Vaughn Industries, and seniors explored future careers at the Made in Marion Expo, proof that learning extends far beyond the classroom.
Earlier this week, Harding hosted Future Freshman Night, welcoming the Class of 2030 and their families to experience everything the school has to offer. The event served as a reminder that every student’s journey begins with opportunity and at Harding, those opportunities are endless.
A Legacy That Still Leads
Two names still echo through Harding’s halls: Ed Henning and Mike “Coach Mac” McCreery. Both longtime educators were recently honored with building dedications for their lasting impact on students. “They loved kids, they had passion, and they were just great human beings,” Schneider says. Their dedication continues to inspire the values Harding holds today — hard work, humility, and heart.
Their influence also shaped Schneider’s own path. “I’m not trying to be them,” he says. “But if I can make the difference in kids’ lives that they did, then I’ve done my job.” That commitment to caring leadership is what keeps Harding’s legacy alive.
Beyond the Classroom
Harding’s strength lies in both its people and its programs. The school offers College Credit Plus (CCP) courses, hands-on labs in welding, construction, and logistics, and pathways that help students prepare for any future. “We have kids who started here and are now working at companies like Google or performing on Broadway,” Schneider shares. Those success stories speak to the wide range of talent that begins at Harding.
The Heart of Harding
Though one of the larger schools in the region, Harding still feels like a family. “Our teachers, coaches, and staff show up every day because they believe in these kids,” Schneider says. That belief in every student’s potential is what keeps the Harding spirit strong.
From classrooms to courts, Harding is alive with pride, progress, and possibility. It’s a place built on tradition, driven by care, and filled with people who make a difference every day. That’s the heart of Harding.
With the first nine weeks wrapped up, Marion Harding High School has plenty to celebrate and even more to look forward to. Fall sports have ended, winter teams are gearing up, and the excitement of a homecoming that brought more than 700 students together still lingers in the halls. “It’s been a really good start to the year,” says Principal Todd Schneider with a smile. His pride in the students and staff is clear, setting an upbeat tone for the rest of the year.
From the tennis team’s MOAC championship to students earning All-Conference honors, the energy across campus is contagious. Business students placed at DECA competitions, FFA members represented Harding at the National Convention, welding students toured Vaughn Industries, and seniors explored future careers at the Made in Marion Expo, proof that learning extends far beyond the classroom.
Earlier this week, Harding hosted Future Freshman Night, welcoming the Class of 2030 and their families to experience everything the school has to offer. The event served as a reminder that every student’s journey begins with opportunity and at Harding, those opportunities are endless.
A Legacy That Still Leads
Two names still echo through Harding’s halls: Ed Henning and Mike “Coach Mac” McCreery. Both longtime educators were recently honored with building dedications for their lasting impact on students. “They loved kids, they had passion, and they were just great human beings,” Schneider says. Their dedication continues to inspire the values Harding holds today — hard work, humility, and heart.
Their influence also shaped Schneider’s own path. “I’m not trying to be them,” he says. “But if I can make the difference in kids’ lives that they did, then I’ve done my job.” That commitment to caring leadership is what keeps Harding’s legacy alive.
Beyond the Classroom
Harding’s strength lies in both its people and its programs. The school offers College Credit Plus (CCP) courses, hands-on labs in welding, construction, and logistics, and pathways that help students prepare for any future. “We have kids who started here and are now working at companies like Google or performing on Broadway,” Schneider shares. Those success stories speak to the wide range of talent that begins at Harding.
The Heart of Harding
Though one of the larger schools in the region, Harding still feels like a family. “Our teachers, coaches, and staff show up every day because they believe in these kids,” Schneider says. That belief in every student’s potential is what keeps the Harding spirit strong.
From classrooms to courts, Harding is alive with pride, progress, and possibility. It’s a place built on tradition, driven by care, and filled with people who make a difference every day. That’s the heart of Harding.