Marion School District students and Patriot fans have a new home for school pride with the debut of “The M,” an all-new spirit store managed and operated by Marion High School students.
Operated through the Marion High School Business Marketing Department, The M will function as a hands-on retail learning environment designed to provide students with authentic experience in creating and designing school-branded merchandise, as well as marketing, advertising, merchandising, customer service, inventory management, and business operations. The store will be open this Friday (Sept. 11) in time for the Patriots first home football game.
“This project is about much more than selling school apparel,” said MHS business teacher Ashleigh Rakestraw, who is the advisor for the project. “It is about creating meaningful, real-world learning experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation while strengthening Patriot pride across our community.”
The store will offer a variety of Marion Patriots-themed merchandise, including:
Polos
T-shirts
Hoodies
Hats
Tumblers
Permanent jewelry
Temporary tattoos
The store will be located just inside the school’s main entrance, in the former computer lab adjacent to the MHS lobby and library, with set times for students to shop. Community members will not have access to the store during regular school hours, but students and the general public alike can shop online at The M, using this link: order form.
Items can be picked up by students after school, with additional pickup times for non-students scheduled as needed.
While The M will operate like a traditional retail endeavor, Rakestraw emphasized that it is not a fundraising effort. Revenue generated through sales will primarily be used to replenish merchandise inventory and sustain store operations. Long-term goals include using proceeds to support scholarship programs for Marion students.
Rakestraw said the project reflects Marion’s continued commitment to innovation and career-focused learning opportunities that help students develop skills directly connected to future success.
“Our goal is to continue finding creative ways to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences,” Rakestraw said. “This store gives students the opportunity to build valuable career skills while also creating something the entire Marion community can enjoy and support.”
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.