Marion High School is home to outstanding students and teachers. But what was the school like in the past? As students here, some see this school as a place full of support and creativity. Many pupils view their teachers as mentors, and even less experienced teachers may look up to these figures, but was it always this nice? Has it always been this way? 

Pete Messerli, a 2002 graduate, now a business teacher, said, “There are a lot of great things happening here at Marion High School now, and I look forward to seeing more of it down the road.” Since Messerli graduated, the building has added new additions, such as the Science Wing and the new Performing Arts Center. Messerli believes that it has grown tremendously. He also communicated that his favorite part of his job is seeing how kids grow after high school, and while they are in school as well. Messerli expressed that his father, Dave Messerli, inspired him to pursue the teaching profession. He taught at another school right after college, but when Marion had the open position, he took it. Messerli said the only school he would’ve left his first school for would be the one he’s currently employed by, because he grew up around here and really enjoys this environment. His mom also taught Spanish at the high school before he was born. He and his family really enjoy the community both in and outside the building. Since his father is very involved in the district as a substitute teacher and coach at the high school, Messerli said it makes it a little bit easier to know he will see him every day. He also played sports in high school and said that then the coaching program was great, and he feels that way even now.  

Rachel (Wilkey) Cannon, a 2019 graduate from the high school and current English teacher, said, “I wanted to come back because there was an open position, and I wanted to be in the community again. I really wanted to be involved in things I was involved with in high school. So it’s really cool to come back and fulfill the leadership positions that I used to be just a participant of.” As students at the high school, many never realize how much the teachers in the building support and provide for their students. The staff and teachers here have changed over the years, but many teachers are still here from when Cannon was in school. For example, Erik Trilk, English teacher, was her mentor and is now her co-worker. Cannon said Trilk was one of her favorite teachers in high school because of the confidence he instilled in her, helping her reach her goal of teaching.

Cannon mentioned how, while she was a student here at the high school, she felt all her classmates and teachers helped her build her way up to a teaching career. She said the building is very supportive, as it does not make students feel they have to go to college. This school is well-known and has grown so much over the years. It is wonderful to hear from old students and current teachers that this school has just as many opportunities, if not more, than it did when they were in high school. Even though the school’s mission only recently changed to “Own Your Future,” Messerli and Cannon are proof that it has been a legacy for a long time.