MIA Graduates 83

Marco Island Academy celebrated its largest class ever, 83 seniors, and hosted arguably the largest crowd ever in their gymnasium, as they honored the Class of 2026 with their commencement ceremony, Friday night, May 22, in the school’s gymnasium.

Salutatorian Kayleigh Anne Kemmish delivered the opening remarks then introduced chemistry and physics instructor Brandon Swope, who presented the school’s choice for the Faculty Award, Jon Juels.

"I had the pleasure of watching this young man develop his passion for science through chemistry, physics, and his dedication to the Science National Honor Society,” Swope said of Juels. "In every photo and memory I have, he has the most genuine smile, choosing to see the joy in each day of life.”

Principal Melissa Scott presented the Principal’s Award to her entire seven-student morning mentoring group instead of naming one student as she has done through the years: Bianca Fernandes, Aubrey Guidry, Meghan Donaldson, Madison Stolinas, Jon Juels, Medney Garraux, and Elizabeth Chiscavage.

Scott then introduced Aubrey Guidry as the school’s valedictorian.

“Our valedictorian is one of the most driven, honest, and sincere young women I've ever met,” Scott said of Guidry. "She has been raised with principles that she has followed, and is the definition of character. As you look at her, as you look her in the eyes, just be careful. You can see her determination and will to succeed. Her unweighted GPA never wavered from a perfect 4.0. Her final weighted GPA stands at 5.68. She earned a SAT score of 1510 and has completed over 650 hours of community service. She also received appointments to three service academies: the Air Force Academy, West Point, and the Naval Academy. She starts at Annapolis, Maryland, this summer. But please know she has also grown throughout high school through her leadership in her extracurriculars and varsity sports, where she earned 10 varsity letters. She's always present and purposeful and positive. She is as loving as she is intelligent, as hilarious as she is strong and as passionate as she is disciplined. She is truly a whole person and we couldn't be more proud of her.”

Guidry reflected on her high school career, friends, faculty, and family. She also offered a little advice to the Class of 2026.

"I wanted to go outside my comfort zone,” Guidry said. "Dressing up for Spirit Week. Making silly jokes. While we may all be going our separate ways, please remember the family you will always have here. Thank you to all the faculty and staff for taking the time to teach us something new each day. Our lives forever changed by the dedication and love you showed all of us. Thank you to all the parents and relatives out there who gladly sacrificed their own wants and needs to help their children have a better life. I would like to give a special thank you to my own father, who has been my biggest role model. He showed me what it is like to live true to yourself, and I never would have been here today without his love and care. And to my sister, who has been my biggest fan and best friend. It's a big privilege to be your sister. I urge you to be bold in life, to live life to its fullest. One of the most common regrets people have right before they die is they wish that they had lived their dream. Many people's lifelong dreams went unanswered because they were too concerned about what other people thought. It is up to us to decide the kind of life we are going to live. While one form can lead to success for some people, that same form may lead to failure for others. Right now, you have the remarkable opportunity to decide how you are going to live your life. So make the decision now to not let your past prevent you from making the most out of tomorrow. Open as many oysters as possible and hopefully find your pearl."

As she commonly does, Scott closed the ceremony by sharing personal experiences and advice.

"I really have to share my process for beginning these speeches,” Scott said. "The first word I wrote down to you all was pressure. As I watched the pressure of your senior year begin to take shape, the pressure of future decisions, college applications, scholarships, life choices in the real world all begin to take shape right in front of you. And with all those tangibles come the internal pressures of responsibility, self-worth. And living up to the expectations so many put upon you, including the person you see in the mirror every day, often your harshest critic.”

“Pressure does create diamonds,” Scott said. “And you know that I do love to sparkle just like all of you in your own way, at your own pace.”

Scott shared about losing her mother during the school year.

"Earlier this year, when my mom was hospitalized in Miami, I drove back and forth most weekends,” she said. "And while I do very much like my own company, just me and me spent copious amounts of time together, me, myself, and I, and did a lot of thinking or overthinking, especially during the drives. At one point I found myself musing over the saying, ‘If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.' Now listen, I love what I do, but it is still a lot of work to do it and to do it well, it's even more work. So instead, I believe that I work every day for who I love, doing what I love.”

“Graduates, I want you to have lives full of what brings you your definition of success,” said Scott. “Everyone's path is different and you are your only competition. Friends and enemies. You will have both. Worry about the people that build you up, not tear you down.”

“Unfortunately, this year I found myself pleading for one more day or even an hour more with mom,” Scott continued in her address. “So please, if you haven't listened to anything else tonight, please think about this. After tonight, none of us can call back time. None of us. So use the precious time you have to love on each other. Celebrate each other and focus on all the good in your life. Even if it's slim. The people in your life that you love, call them. Yes, you can text, but call them. You never know when someone needs that call. This will be the first year I can't call my mom to tell her about our graduation. I would do anything to call her tomorrow or tonight. Call them. Send mail. We all love getting packages. Send them mix tapes. Okay. You don't make those anymore. Send them personal playlists. Send them a random card, drop flowers off, go fishing with them. Spend the day at the beach or the pool or on the boat. Do it before you can't. And don't let the daily hustle and bustle of your lives get in the way of the people and the moments that matter most. I was lucky to spend a lot of time with her before I lost her in March. And when she could still communicate, she kind of constantly asked about school. Worried about me. So from me and my mama to the class of 2026, as you head into your futures, please allow us to take away at least some of your worries."