A Joyous Occasion

The 2023 graduating class of Marco Island Academy (MIA) started out in trailers and finished in a beautiful, state of the art campus. They also endured a pandemic, online learning, Hurricane Ian, and a full-scale construction effort that engulfed their campus. Through it all they maintained an upbeat attitude that was reflected in a graduation ceremony in front of what appeared to be a record crowd of well-wishers in the school gymnasium. 

Friday night’s graduation was a proud and joyous occasion for all - students, parents, teachers, administrators, board members, and donors. Even city manager Mike McNees and police chief Tracy Frazzano were in the audience. Principal Melissa Scott, who entertained the crowd by lip syncing to a number of tunes from her high school days during her speech, made sure the focus of graduation was on the graduates.

“This year I wanted to make graduation truly about the students,” Scott said. “The Class of 2023 was comprised of graduates that had already conquered so many personal battles to achieve this milestone, and they did it with laughter, joy, fun, and kindness. I wanted my remarks to mirror the same feeling and energy, while also sharing a little bit of myself with them."

One would be hard pressed to find a principal who connects with the student body like Scott does. There is never a doubt that the students come first. This year 60 students graduated from MIA. That number will continue to grow as the student body currently numbers just under 300 students.

Anthony Grossi got things started with a stirring salutatorian speech that focused on the struggles that are inherent in life.

"Life is anything but simple,” Grossi told his fellow graduates. "You could go from times of feeling the happiest you could ever imagine. Other times you wonder why things only feel like they happen to you. That's what life is like. But no matter how bumpy it was, you proved yourself time and time again to be able to sit here as part of the senior class. Appreciate the highs and lows like crazy because they made you who you are. Think of all the miracles you received. If there wasn't something bad first it would never happen. You had to go through that to reach better things.”

Interspersed with her lip syncing, principal Scott delivered heartfelt messages to the graduates.

"As you celebrate your success,” Scott told the graduates, "let’s please note all the people in attendance simply beaming at you when you look back at us. You most likely see aged adults who make the rules for you to live by or provide the proverbial to do list. But in you we see better versions of ourselves. We see new opportunities. Please give us an opportunity to love you even a bit more."

Scott urged the graduates to be individuals.

"Sometimes you just have to laugh,” Scott said. "Have a little fun. Take a deep breath. After tonight, you get to choose. You get to choose your own hat. You can say yes. You can say no. Surround yourself with good people. Put yourself first. Always. Period. Be honest, but not cruel. Be kind and consider people's stories. And give thanks as much as possible. I want to thank you. It may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime. Class of 2023, you will always be with me.”

Kathryn Barry was recognized as the valedictorian of the Class of 2023. Barry achieved a weighted GPA of 5.84. Barry spoke of the importance of her family and thanked her teachers, administrators and the donors that make up the MIA family.

"Let us ponder. Let us partner. And let us prevail,” Kathryn Barry told her classmates. "Exploit your differences. Your thoughts can cause meaningful change.” 

The faculty award was presented to Daniel Donaldson by fine arts instructor Shane Totten.

"I've been teaching since 1985,” Shane Totten said, "That's 38 years. Students like this don't come along once a year. Students like this come along once. Daniel Donaldson is oozing with talent and kindness and compassion. Personally, I am thrilled to have enjoyed some unforgettable moments with this individual. "

Melissa Scott then presented the Principal’s Award to Caitlyn Sadofsky.

"She is my village,” Scott said. "She is my birthday. She is my peanut butter to my apples. She is my gold. I will miss everything about her. I love her as if she is my own. We spent so much time together and talked about everything. I thank her mom for allowing me to have this relationship with her.”

The student-centered evening ended with five students sharing some of their high school memories. It was the same five students who make the morning announcements for their fellow students all year long: Daniel Donaldson, Virginia Lowe, Taylor Drott, Caitlyn Sadofsky, and Jorge Rodriquez.

MIA founder and board chairman Jane Watt was moved by the emotional graduation ceremony.

“This year’s graduation ceremony was really special,” Jane Watt said. “Our graduates have endured some very trying times. From learning in dilapidated trailers to learning online during the pandemic, to experiencing a major hurricane. These students were definitely challenged. We celebrated their successes as a true family. I especially love how personal and intimate our ceremony was. It was a night to remember. These students were very lucky to experience the new campus. Only a few classes will know what it was like to experience both campuses."