🩸Hackleburg High School Beta Club will be sponsoring a Blood Drive Wednesday, December 3rd from 8:30-2:30🩸
Happy Thanksgiving! All Marion County Schools will be closed November 24-28 for the Thanksgiving holidays.
***AHSAA Hall of Fame Spotlight***
JOHN HARDIN (ADMINISTRATOR): Born in Jackson (MS), Hardin, 69, grew up Marion County in the small town of Hackleburg, graduating in 1974 and earning his college degree four years later at the University of Mississippi. He finished his master’s at West Alabama.
He began his career as an educator at Amory (MS) where he taught and coached through 1983. He then moved back home to Hackleburg to begin a tenure that would last for the next three decades. He made his impact first as a teacher and coach – guiding the Panthers’ football team to a 118-98 record, 12 state playoff appearances and seven region championships from 1980-2008.
Hardin also served as the school’s head girls’ softball coach with even greater success compiling a 246-119 record from 1988-2000. His teams won five area titles, advanced to two Final 4 appearances, and four Elite Eight appearances. He was girls’ head basketball coach from 1992-2005 with 236 wins, 106 losses, four area crowns, two Elite 8 appearances, two Northwest Region titles and two Final Four appearances.
As impressive as his coaching success was, his remarkable rise to become one of the AHSAA’s strongest leaders as a principal was one of his shining moments. As the Hackleburg principal, he served 23 years on the District 7 Legislative Council, eight years on the AHSAA Central Board of Control with two terms as CBOC president.
His sage advice and wise counsel helped mold the AHSAA’s future. He served on the Finance Committee, Re-classification Committee, Long-Range Planning Committee, and Hall of Fame Selection Committee during his time on the board.
While his leadership statewide was important, his leadership at home after a tornado destroyed much of his town and county and the high school was his finest moment.
“The true test was in 2011,” said nominator Ann West, Superintendent of Marion County Schools. “The April 27 tornadoes that year destroyed both the elementary and high schools in Hackleburg,” she stated in her recommendation letter or Hardin. “Mr. Hardin stepped up and provided great leadership during a very trying time. Not only were the schools destroyed, but the entire town was also destroyed. For the next four years, they had school in modular units. It was a tough situation that Mr. Hardin made the best of every day – and did it with a great attitude.”
Those who watched his leadership at work certainly agreed. Hardin was named the Hackleburg Alumnus of the year in 2019 and earned the AHSAA’s coveted Class 1A Making a Difference Award in 2019. Hardin was inducted into the Marion County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
JOHN HARDIN (ADMINISTRATOR): Born in Jackson (MS), Hardin, 69, grew up Marion County in the small town of Hackleburg, graduating in 1974 and earning his college degree four years later at the University of Mississippi. He finished his master’s at West Alabama.
He began his career as an educator at Amory (MS) where he taught and coached through 1983. He then moved back home to Hackleburg to begin a tenure that would last for the next three decades. He made his impact first as a teacher and coach – guiding the Panthers’ football team to a 118-98 record, 12 state playoff appearances and seven region championships from 1980-2008.
Hardin also served as the school’s head girls’ softball coach with even greater success compiling a 246-119 record from 1988-2000. His teams won five area titles, advanced to two Final 4 appearances, and four Elite Eight appearances. He was girls’ head basketball coach from 1992-2005 with 236 wins, 106 losses, four area crowns, two Elite 8 appearances, two Northwest Region titles and two Final Four appearances.
As impressive as his coaching success was, his remarkable rise to become one of the AHSAA’s strongest leaders as a principal was one of his shining moments. As the Hackleburg principal, he served 23 years on the District 7 Legislative Council, eight years on the AHSAA Central Board of Control with two terms as CBOC president.
His sage advice and wise counsel helped mold the AHSAA’s future. He served on the Finance Committee, Re-classification Committee, Long-Range Planning Committee, and Hall of Fame Selection Committee during his time on the board.
While his leadership statewide was important, his leadership at home after a tornado destroyed much of his town and county and the high school was his finest moment.
“The true test was in 2011,” said nominator Ann West, Superintendent of Marion County Schools. “The April 27 tornadoes that year destroyed both the elementary and high schools in Hackleburg,” she stated in her recommendation letter or Hardin. “Mr. Hardin stepped up and provided great leadership during a very trying time. Not only were the schools destroyed, but the entire town was also destroyed. For the next four years, they had school in modular units. It was a tough situation that Mr. Hardin made the best of every day – and did it with a great attitude.”
Those who watched his leadership at work certainly agreed. Hardin was named the Hackleburg Alumnus of the year in 2019 and earned the AHSAA’s coveted Class 1A Making a Difference Award in 2019. Hardin was inducted into the Marion County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
All Marion County Schools will be closed tomorrow, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day. Thank you, veterans, for your service to our country!
🐾Hackleburg Seniors attended Senior Bash at Bevill State today🐾
All Marion County Schools' students will dismiss 1/2 day tomorrow, November 5, for a professional development/teacher workday. Buses will run at 11:30.
Red Ribbon Week October 27-31
Sale of Surplus Items by Sealed Bid.
The ESL Team—Ana Colburn, Charlotte Howell, Reba Hill, and Vickie Johnson—joined Hamilton Elementary Principal Mr. Gary McCarley for an in-depth professional development session on the ELLevation platform. This training focused on using ELLevation’s powerful tools to track student growth, strengthen collaboration, and enhance instruction for multilingual learners.
Their participation reflects Marion County Schools’ ongoing commitment to excellence in providing the highest quality education for every student.
Their participation reflects Marion County Schools’ ongoing commitment to excellence in providing the highest quality education for every student.
Hackleburg Seniors had a great trip to UNA yesterday for a beautiful Fall day campus tour! Thank you to HHS Class of 2025 Alumni, Ana Kathrine Whisnant, for talking to us about her experiences and current involvement at UNA 💜🦁💛 Thank you also to career coach, Lindsey Oliver, and Coach Swann for a great trip!
Statement from the Superintendent:
It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of one of our beloved teachers, Lesley McCollum. She was a valued member of our school community whose dedication, compassion, and commitment to students left a lasting impact on all who knew her.
Our hearts go out to Lesley’s family, friends, colleagues, and students during this incredibly difficult time. We recognize that this loss affects many in our community, and we are committed to providing support and resources for those in need.
Counselors will be available at Hackleburg Elementary in the coming days to support students and staff. We encourage anyone who needs to talk or seek help to reach out.
We will continue to honor Lesley’s legacy in the days ahead. Please join us in keeping her loved ones in your thoughts.
— Patrick Sutton
All Marion County Schools will be closed (for students) Monday, October 13 for Professional Development and Student Data Parent Night.
With deepest sympathy...
We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our beloved bus drivers. Our thoughts and condolences go out to their family, friends, and all students and staff who were close to them. We understand this loss may be difficult for many in our school community. Additional counselors and support staff will be available on campus today for any student or employee who would like to talk or needs support. Please keep the family and our transportation team in your thoughts during this difficult time. ❤️🚌
🐾Hackleburg Seniors visited The University of Alabama in Huntsville today. Thank you career coach, Lindsey Oliver, for all the planning and thank you to our bus driver, Coach Swann!🐾
WORKKEYS testing will be tomorrow for all 9th grade students. If you benchmark on this, you will earn your CCR for graduation. This test is VERY IMPORTANT. So, take it seriously and try your best!!! Please be at school on time!
Yellow for Lesley 💛
We fight together. We can do hard things. #FaithlikeLesley
Progress reports were sent home today along with a letter announcing our new P.A.T.H. (Prevention and Awareness for Total Health) curriculum. Many students also received test score reports from last school year.
All Marion County Schools' students will dismiss 1/2 day tomorrow, September 10, for a professional development/teacher workday.
Just a reminder for all visitors coming to today's championship ring ceremony and pep rally to please enter through the office.