The Marion School District will have three new secondary school principals for the 2024-25 school year, filling its leadership positions with three highly qualified educators.
Taking over as principal at Marion High School will be Jonathan Crymes. Crymes is currently the principal at Marion Junior High School; he will replace James Scott, who is moving into an assistant superintendent role with the district.
The role of principal at MJHS will be filled by Emily Hall. Hall has been a principal at the Marion Seventh Grade Academy.
Last, Gwen Looney will take over as principal at 7GA. A longtime veteran in local education, Looney most recently served as assistant principal at Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet.
“One of the things we are very proud of here at the Marion School District is the work we do to develop our leadership talent,” said Dr. Glen Fenter, Marion superintendent. “We know that one of the keys to having a top school district is to have great teachers, and to have great school leadership. Anytime you have the opportunity to hire talented people, and elevate those talented people to leadership positions, you have to take advantage of it. That’s what we have been able to do with Jonathan, Emily, and Gwen. All three of them have proven themselves to be tremendous educators, and wonderful leaders of educators. And the beneficiaries will be our Marion students.”
Read on for a closer look at the district’s new principals for 2025-26:
Jonathon Crymes, Marion High School
A Jacksonville, Ark., native, Crymes holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in educational leadership, both from Arkansas State University.
He has spent the last two years as principal at MJHS, having served as an assistant principal at MHS for the six years prior to that. He is also a former assistant athletic director. Before coming to Marion, Crymes served in teaching and coaching positions at Arkansas State University, Mississippi County Christian Academy, DeWitt High School, and West Memphis High School.
"I'm thrilled to take on the role of principal at Marion High School," Crymes said. "This is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with a talented team and help shape an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired. I'm eager to get started and connect with everyone who makes this school so special."
Emily Hall, Marion Junior High School
Hall is a Marion native, who attended school in the Marion School District from kindergarten to 12th grade. After high school, she attended Ouachita Baptist University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She later added master’s and specialist degrees.
She began her educational career in Lake Hamilton, where she taught for three years before coming home to Marion. She spent nine years teaching grades 6-9 before moving into the role of school improvement specialist, and then assistant principal, at Marion High School. For the past two years, she has been principal at 7GA, helping shepherd that school’s move from being a part of MJHS to becoming a separate school.
"I am deeply grateful for the chance to lead at Marion Junior High School," Hall said. "My goal at MJHS will be to nurture essential skills that empower our students to collaborate, succeed academically, and prepare for future careers. I look forward to working alongside our innovative and dedicated team next school year to strengthen the sense of community and spirit among our junior high Patriots!"
Gwen Looney, Marion Seventh Grade Academy
Looney comes into her new position with more than 40 years of experience in education. She was a first grade teacher at Maddux Elementary, and later served as principal at both Richland and Wedlock elementaries before joining MST as an assistant principal in 2023.
Looney holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, both from Arkansas State University. In 2011, she was the recipient of a National Presidential Blue Ribbon Award, and in 2012, she was also named Citizen of the Year for her involvement in the community and her role as principal.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Patriot family and look forward to making a difference with our students, staff, and community,” Looney said. “Seventh grade can be challenging, but the transition here at Marion is phenomenal because we have our Seventh Grade Academy to introduce our sixth graders to the junior high world. We are all in it together. The school will continue to be rich in academics as well as be safe and orderly, but we will have fun along the way.”
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.