Southern Arkansas University proudly inducted the newest members into the Educational Leadership Hall of Fame on Monday, March 17, 2025. The evening honored outstanding leaders in the field of education, recognizing two building-level administrators, two district-level administrators, and two recipients of the Community Leadership Award, culminating with the prestigious Dr. Kenneth C. Booth Educational Leadership in Excellence Award.
Marilyn Marks (Hope, AR) – Building-Level Administrator Honoree
Marilyn Marks (Hope, AR) – Building-Level Administrator Honoree
Marilyn Marks is the principal of Hope Academy of Public Service in Hope, AR. Under Marks’s leadership, the campus completed the Highly Effective Schools Accreditation program in April 2024. This year, the Office of Educational Policy recognized Hope Academy of Public Service as one of the top five schools in the Southwest region for high overall high math and high ELA growth. Marks completed cohort one of Hope’s Aspiring Leaders Program. Additionally, Marks is enrolled in Leadership Hempstead County, a program geared toward innovative leadership training and community awareness. Marks holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s of Science in Education, K-12 Guidance, and Counseling, with building-level and district-level administrator licensure endorsements, all from Southern Arkansas University. Marks is married to Vincent Marks and has one son, Vincent Reese, and a stepdaughter, Shamyia. Marks is grateful for the opportunity to serve students, staff, and the community.
Curtis Black (Horatio, AR) – Building-Level Administrator Honoree
Curtis Black (Horatio, AR) – Building-Level Administrator Honoree
Curtis Black is the principal of Horatio High School in Horatio, AR. Under Black’s leadership, Horatio High School received a financial award from the Arkansas School Recognition Program for demonstrating high student performance, academic growth, and graduation rates. Black’s service to the community includes roles as a Hospital Board Member, former Horatio city councilman, Sevier County Coalition—Ready to Read by 3rd Grade participant, Chamber of Commerce member, Save the Children Federal Program 21st Century Grant coordinator, DHS liaison, and a contributing grant writer to city park improvement. Black was named the Belleville Lodge Sevier County Citizen of the Year in 2017 and received the Horatio School District Teacher of the Year award in 2015. Black holds a bachelor of science in Education from Henderson State University and a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Arkansas University. Black also completed the principal/building-level licensure program at Southern Arkansas University in 2020. Black has been married to Jennifer Black for 31 years. They have two sons, Hunter Black, who is married to Allie Black, and Reece Black, who is married to Laney Black. Black has one grandson named Fenton Black.
Javana McCall (Camden, AR) – District-Level Administrator Honoree
Javana McCall (Camden, AR) – District-Level Administrator Honoree
Javana McCall is a retired assistant superintendent from the Camden-Fairview School District. McCall has worked in Lafayette County for 22 years and the Camden-Fairview School District for nine years. This tenure included serving as an assistant principal at the middle school and working in the district’s central office. At the district level, McCall was the special programs coordinator for three years and an assistant superintendent for four years. McCall holds a bachelor of science in Education and a master’s in Education, with endorsements from Southern Arkansas University for building-level and district-level administrator licensure. McCall is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. McCall is married to Stephone McCall and has two children, TaRoya Lawson and Jerome Edwards Jr. McCall has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Zebulon Prothro (Mount Vernon, AR) – District-Level Administrator Honoree
Zebulon Prothro (Mount Vernon, AR) – District-Level Administrator Honoree
Zebulon Prothro is the superintendent of the Mount Vernon Enola School District. Under Prothro’s leadership, the district received a highly effective school accreditation rating and was recognized in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Schools in the Nation. In 2018, Prothro received the Farm Bureau New Ag Education Teacher of the Year award and was the youngest superintendent in Arkansas from 2023 to 2025. Prothro holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and a master’s degree in educational leadership in Administration and Supervision, with a district-level administrator licensure endorsement from Southern Arkansas University. Prothro is currently a doctoral student in the Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership program at Southern Arkansas University. Prothro has been married to Jessica Prothro since 2014. Together, they have built a loving family and are proud parents of two daughters, Kennedy and Korlee.
The Community Leadership Awards category includes SAU College of Education and Human Performance Graduate Program alumni who exhibit outstanding leadership and accomplishments in their field. This category was developed based on the recommendation of Dr. Kenneth Booth, who felt it was important to recognize a broader group of individuals for excellence.
Christy Canfield (Emerson, AR) – Community Leadership Award
Christy Canfield (Emerson, AR) – Community Leadership Award
Christy Canfield is the Special Education teacher at Emerson High School. Canfield has taught at Emerson for 11 years and is the cheerleader and student council sponsor. Canfield received the Teacher of the Year Award at Emerson High School for the 2018-2019 school year. Canfield earned a bachelor of business administration in Finance from SAU in 2002, a master of arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 2014, and a master of education and program administrator endorsement from Southern Arkansas University in 2020 and 2024, respectively. Canfield has been married to Chris Canfield for 24 years. They have two daughters, McKenzie and Chrissi. Canfield is dedicated to positively impacting students’ lives by helping them reach their full potential and being an advocate for them.
Kelly Ribble (Magnolia, AR) – Community Leadership Award
Kelly Ribble (Magnolia, AR) – Community Leadership Award
Kelly Ribble is the counselor at Magnolia Middle School. Ribble has served in public education for 33 years, working in Bearden Public Schools, Stamps High School, and the Mt. Holly School District. Ribble has worked in Magnolia ISD since 1999, where she received the Building Level Educator of the Month Award. In 2025, Ribble received the Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award. Ribble is actively involved in the community through organizations such as the Circle of Friends for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Magnolia Junior Charity League, First United Methodist Church, and the Magnolia Middle School food pantry. Ribble has also served as chair and board member at the First United Methodist Child Development Center. Ribble earned a bachelor of arts and master of education from Southern Arkansas University in 1991 and 1999, respectively. Ribble is married to Barry Ribble, and they have a son, Parker (who is married to Abbie). Ribble is passionate about helping young people navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges during critical stages of development.
Monty Harrington (Magnolia, AR) – Dr. Kenneth C. Booth Educational Leadership in Excellence Award
Monty Harrington (Magnolia, AR) – Dr. Kenneth C. Booth Educational Leadership in Excellence Award
Monty Harrington was born and raised in Magnolia, AR. Harrington graduated in 1993 from Southern Arkansas University with a degree in Finance. In 2006, Harrington graduated from the Barrett School of Banking in Memphis and later from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in 2009. Harrington has been with Farmers Bank & Trust since 2000, serving as a consumer, mortgage, and commercial lender before becoming the Magnolia market president.
Harrington has been actively involved in numerous community activities and organizations, including:
- 40 Under 40 Member
- Albemarle Community Advisory Chairman
- Central Baptist Church
- Columbia Christian School Board Member and Past Chair
- Leadership Magnolia
- Magnolia Blossom Festival
- Magnolia Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board Member
- Magnolia Housing Authority Chairman
- Magnolia Regional Medical Center Foundation Board Member
- Mulerider Club Board Member
- Southern Arkansas University Board of Trustees
- Relay for Life Board Member
- United Way Board Member
- Leadership Arkansas
Harrington has been married to Janet Harrington for 29 years. Together, they have a son, Thomas (married to Karigan), and a daughter, Abby.
The Educational Leadership Hall of Fame banquet celebrated the remarkable achievements of these individuals, recognizing their unwavering commitment to educational excellence and leadership. The evening was an inspiring tribute to those shaping the future of education in Arkansas and beyond.
