Class of 2025

Perhaps the largest crowd in Marco Island Academy history packed the school’s gymnasium/theatre on Friday, May 23, to honor the 80 members of the Class of 2025.

"It was wonderful to have so many in attendance to celebrate this amazing class,” said Melissa Scott, the school’s principal. "I believe the size of the crowd reflects the energy, spirit, love, and kindness shown and shared by the graduates. This is a group of young people that are just beginning to see all they can accomplish. I am grateful for all they have given to MIA and beyond excited for their futures.”

With several city council members and the police chief in attendance, it was truly a community celebration.

Salutatorian Sandris Nicole Mendoza-Jauregui welcomed the well wishers, then retiring humanities teacher and Key Club advisor Lori Galiana delivered a heartfelt 11-minute message filled with remembrances from her career spent working with MIA students.

“I started reflecting on how much of this had actually been planned and how much it had happened accidentally,” Galiana said, "which I now like to refer to as opportunities that were not in the plans. So as I address these bright, shiny faces in the Class of 2025, I'm telling you not to be afraid of how solid your plans are. I see that some of you are unsure and wonder if you even know what you want to be in life and where you want to be. But I believe life is a series of accidental opportunities, and through each stage of life, you may want something different and you should take those opportunities when they come."

Chelsea Saynes-Ruiz gave an inspiring valedictory address about her four years at MIA, and how the school feels like home to her.

“For many of us,” Saynes-Ruiz said, "especially for me, it isn't just graduation. It feels like leaving home. I love how a smaller school makes it feel like family. I love it when you walk these halls and people know you. Our teachers remember who we are. And we've got to remember how we laughed in these classrooms. This place isn't just a school, it's been a second home. Being shy and standing up here and giving a speech is something I never thought I could do. But I'm doing it anyway because it is important. My dad wakes up every day before dawn and works long hours.You never know what he's going through and he gave up so much for the chance to give me what I really needs. I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am. My mom reminded me every day that I was equal, I was worthy. And that means so much. To my friends, I tend to look towards the small, simple moments that allows you never forget the way high school felt like much more than four years of classes. To our teachers and staff, you’ve encouraged us and challenged us. You’ve helped us become better versions of ourselves. Every lesson, every conversation, every moment of patience.  And finally, to the class of 2025, we did it! And it’s only the beginning.

Lew Montgomery, social studies instructor and former head football coach introduced the Faculty Award to Miles Massie.

"Each of us staff members have our own criteria for voting on this,” Montgomery said. "But for the most part, it goes to a student that represents the attributes and qualities we try to instill in our students, such as integrity, respect, and responsibility. We're very proud of the class as a whole. It's full of young people that we've grown to love. They all have great character. We're excited about them going out into the world and continuing on their path. We have a lot of hope for all of them. Pope Francis is quoted as saying, 'never forget to smile even when life is hard.' He must have known our pick for the Faculty Award. I've been watching this young man smile for four years now. Smiling has been easy. When we finally won a football game, smiling was easy. When college acceptance letters came, smiling was easy. But Miles was also smiling when he showed up to helped his coach clean up the ruins of his house after the hurricane. And he was smiling through the sweat, bleed and puke for so many years, building the program he is so proud of now. He was smiling while he was trying to improve his SAT score by studying weekends. Miles looks up with a smile, attitude and grace. I've been looking at Miles as the captain of a team, a leader of the school and a third son to me, and a big brother figure to my son Sam. Miles has been a key figure in every activity he’s been involved in. He's the first to arrive, and he's the last to leave when he has a job to do. He's always willing to help and we're not sure he knows the word no. We trust you. We love you. We're proud of you. Miles is going to continue to be a great son, a great friend and big brother. This is why I present this award to you. Congratulations, Miles.”

Next principal Scott presented the Principal’s Award to Lily Tessarzik.

"There is one person in your class that is extremely important to me,” Scott said. "She is someone I can count on and she is someone who cares. She cares about the school, the people in it, its future and all of its past. She cares about her family and worries about her sisters. She cares a lot about working hard. She cares about competition and her teammates. She cares about helping others. She cares about traveling and other cultures. She cares about strawberry lemonade. She cares for the whole school. She is brave and strong. She will travel far away for college. I will miss her very much, but for her the best is yet to come. And that's all I want for her, because she sees the best in me and I love her. I want her to know that I will take good care of her family, because I love them very much.” 

Scott concluded the ceremony by sharing personal stories about health challenges she faced during the school year. She also left the Class of 2025 with some personal advice.

"Every year in this life is extremely difficult for me,” Scott said. "But that is selfish because it is a celebration on our students. Please allow me just a little bit of reflection, a little bit of love, and maybe a few tears from your high school principal. In a year with so much personal health, chaos and physical pain, I was forced to slow down, causing me to look inward. I never spent so much time in my bed just thinking and being forced to watch trash TV. So here are some of Miss Scott's mindful meanderings. When I was in the hospital, I begged to go back to work rather than home. Please don't take your daily life and your daily people for granted. If you can, reach out with empathy for others. It’s okay to rest during the storms of your life. You'll fly again when it's over. I think we beat ourselves up when we rest because we're always told to keep moving and doing. But I've really learned that it's okay to actually have a bad day. It's okay to feel sad. It's okay to take those moments. It's okay. Put yourself first. Set boundaries. You can still choose kindness, but don't be taken for granted. Please be kind. Don't be the reason someone skips a meal, dreads waking up, or feels left out.Your words and actions stay with people forever. Quit invalidating your feelings. It's not a competition. If you feel something, just feel it and share it. People are going to be critical your whole life. But what they say, it doesn't mean it's right. It doesn't mean that you don't listen to criticism. Don't put yourself on fire. Just keep others warm. Give them a blanket. Give them some socks. I want you to actually think about it. Critical thought. Someone loves everything you hate about you. Having this black eye and having skin cancer and the radiation taught me the best lessons of my life. I wish I had these lessons when I was younger because I forgot what I looked like on the outside. People were looking at me when I go to new places and I'm like, 'I look good.’ I forgot because I just remembered what was on the inside. I forgot I have a black eye. I forgot because I’m just seeing me smiling. You have to love yourself for who you are. And when making any major decisions always ask,  'Will this make me happier?' If your friends want to do it and you don't want to go? No. It will not make me happier. That's the standard rule I would like you to answer. I had forgotten who I used to be, but you all helped me remember. Thank you for bringing music back to my life. I just don't take it for granted. I can't say it enough. Sing at the top of your lungs. You should be dancing somewhere every day. I don't care if it's with people. And I don't care if it's alone. You should dance somewhere every day. You should shop til you drop. Embrace your time travel. If you can't afford flight, take your trips with no reservations because moments too quickly become memories. I will always believe that each of you has the power to change your day, your week, your month, or your year for the better because you have changed your mind. I will always believe in the I in front of I love. I will always believe in pinky promises. Best friends forever and sealed with a kiss. I will always believe the idea that actions speak louder than words. I will always believe that if you love them, tell them and show them because you don't know how long you'll have them. I will always believe that time heals. Just sometimes it takes longer. I will always believe that a good smile can brighten someone's day. I will always believe that everyone needs a song. It's good for the soul and helps us today. You know my mood by my song. I have to believe that everything happens for a reason. And I have to believe what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'm truly one of the lucky ones because it's not what I missed, it's what I still have when I return to school. I was meeting with an anxious and overwhelmed ninth grader, which caused me to reminisce about my first time meeting all of you, which for some of you was well before your senior year. You have all grown so much. Everyone's story starts somewhere, and in the end, we're not all that different. In just a few moments, everything will begin to change so much. People that you saw every day, laughed with every day, loved with every day, or fell with every day, will soon become distant memories. I want you to take a moment because this is it. Your sun now sets. Mine is beginning to rise. I will be here to continue your legacy. And you will continue in this beautiful, sometimes cruel, yet wonderful world. Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey. Now to conclude our ceremony for our 2025 graduates, please rise. Graduates, in the next few moments, you will move your tassels from the right side of your cap to the left. MIA, I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. Please turn your tassel.”