Clubs at MIA

Logan Yarnell, News Editor

October 19, 2023

Marco Island Academy offers a wide variety of clubs for students to participate in. Photo credit to Mark Melvin.

Marco Island Academy offers many ways to get involved in the school. We offer a number of clubs, each with their own focus and interests. Participating in a club is a great way to meet new people with similar interests to you, but finding the right clubs, especially ones you are interested in, can be a difficult task. For this reason, here is The Wave’s list of clubs at MIA.

Clubs at MIA

Interact

The Interact Club posing on the main stairs of MIA. (Elle Richardson)

Interact is a club that works in both the community and school. The goal of Interact is to promote a positive change by volunteering. Interact runs bake sales, decorating the school for holidays, and running themed events. This includes everything from the Fall Festival to Santa’s Arrival to a school-wide Easter egg hunt.

“I joined because I really wanted to be in the club because I really wanted to be in all the events that you guys throw… I just want to be a part of that.” - Piper Noyes, club member

Meetings for Interact are every Friday morning at 7:45. The club is led by a council of 5, a president, and the club advisor Miss Scott. You can join Interact at any time; show up to the meetings and volunteer then you’re in.

If you’re interested in joining or want more information, email [email protected] for more information.

Key Club

Key Club is a volunteer based organization that works with Kiwanis to make the community a better place. (Cassie Letendre)

Key Club is an international, student-led organization that allows its members to provide services, build character, and develop leadership skills. We have our very own segment of the club, here at MIA. The club’s sponsor is Mrs. Galiana. Mrs. G brought the club to the school 7 years ago and it is the most popular club at MIA. They have many members and are at every event on the island.

Some activities Key Club is involved in are cleaning up parks, collecting clothing, and organizing food drives. Our program is one of the best in our area, we have been nominated for numerous awards over the years.

Meetings are held during A and B lunch every Thursday. If you want to get hours or become a leader, join Key Club. Talk to Mrs. Galiana or email her at, [email protected] for details!

Student Government Association

Student Government Association helps get students more involved with student life and school spirit. (Jayden Wampler)

Student Government Association is the main planning club behind many of Marco Island Academy’s events. It helps pick out themes, games, and activities at many of Marco Island Academy’s events such as prom or homecoming. Additionally, they also plan the daily events for Spirit Week. For example, the club will plan the specific themes of each day during each of the days in Spirit Week such as Sports Day, Hawaiian Day, or Marco Island Academy gear day. If you ever have had any creative ideas for school events, the Student Government Association may be perfect for you

Every Tuesday morning they meet in Mrs. Walthers's room at 7:45. The president of the club is Kacie Swanson, who is a junior. The vice president is Collette Combs, who is a senior. Being a member of the club helps out your college resume tremendously, and being involved in the club’s leadership can help even more.

For more information contact Kacie Swanson [email protected]

National Honor Society

National Honor Society, or NHS, is a collection of honored students who work on uplifting the school, as well as the students. MIA's very own math teacher Mr. Wolfe is the representative for NHS, they meet once a month on Mondays. NHS is mostly known around the school for its charitable efforts to inspire the school by offering tutoring every Wednesday after school.

The 4 pillars of the NHS are scholarship, character, leadership, and service. The members constantly show their valiant efforts to express those 4 pillars by volunteering.

Unfortunately, if you would like to become a member of the National Honor Society, the club is invite-only. The requirement to be invited to NHS is an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or above.

If you would like to contact NHS please email Mr. Wolfe at [email protected].

Science National Honor Society

Science National Honors Society is a club to help students interested in scientific fields learn more about the subject. (Andres Rodriguez)

The Science National Honors Society is an organization that recognizes students who excel in the field of science. The club is led by seniors Dan Heekin and Emily Reisinger, and advised by Mr. Swope. The Science National Honor Society partners with Audubon of the Western Everglades in order to coordinate monthly trips for student members. During these trips students can connect with conservationists and scientists in order to learn more about their local environment.

So far this year, the Science National Honors Society has gone Kayaking at Paddle Marco, visited Tigertail Beach, and plans to go to The Bird Garden of Naples this Saturday. These trips are very fun and provide a great opportunity to explore Florida’s wildlife and ecosystems. Meetings are held in Mr. Swope’s room after school twice a month.

For more information contact [email protected].

Spanish National Honor Society

Spanish National Honors Society is a club for those who excel and have an interest in Spanish language and culture. (Mary Montgomery)

Students who have passed the higher levels of Spanish class should look into our Spanish National Honors Society. This club focuses on Spanish heritage and embracing it throughout the school and community, speaking on the importance of the culture and helping those better understand the culture itself. Meetings happen every Monday after school for members of the group. Most in the group said it provides a space to represent the Hispanic culture embracing the Hispanics and introducing the culture to non-hispanics within the club.

Activities that the club takes place in food sales(mostly of the Hispanic culture), hosting the festival of nations, and taking place in the Pulsera project, which is a project that helps give back to countries who are in need of having all the processes go back to the original countries the bracelets where made in, and the manta cup (a large game of world cup within the school)

If interested President Joshua Domingas, Vice Iran Zarate-Centeno, and advisors Senor and Miss. Walther are available to contact for further entry into the club.

Contact the emails [email protected] and [email protected] if interested in joining.

Quill and Scroll

Quill and Scroll is a journalism honors society that helps students with strong interests in writing prosper. (Helena Davis)

The Quill & Scroll is an international honorary society formed to acknowledge the exceptional work of high school journalists. Founded nearly a century ago, the organization has continued to execute its sole purpose of identifying and encouraging both individuals and groups of students who have gone above and beyond in journalism.

The society encourages members to lead, show integrity, work as a team, and take initiative through its eight guiding principles: Truth, Learning, Leadership, Loyalty, Initiative, Integrity, Judgment, and Friendship. Members are tasked with formulating specific journalistic content, participating in community service, and fundraising opportunities.

For more information about the Quill and Scroll, contact its advisor, Keith Scalia [email protected], or club president, Helena Davis [email protected].

International Thespian Society

Thespians is a performing arts club that allows students to explore their creative performing abilities. (Lola Green)

The International Thespian Society is an honor society for students who love theater. They promote the arts of theater, and recognize students for their talents and achievements in the performing arts. The club meets after school every Thursday in Mr. Dayett’s room to discuss fundraising, districts, states, and everything theater. The club president is Logan Yarnell, senior. And the vice president is Joey Kakaty, sophomore.

“I love Thespians because it provided me with a family when I needed it most.” Club President Logan Yarnell says, “ I found the people that were there were great, so I got into it so I could be around them more. I now love Thespians because I love both music and theater, but I still love all of the people in it.”

In order to be part of this international honors society, you must generate enough points to be inducted into the club. You can gain these points by participating in theater events throughout our school.

To learn more about The International Thespian Society, you can visit them on Instagram @troupe8628 or you can contact club advisor, Mr. Dayett, at [email protected].

Environmental Conservation Organization

The Environmental Conservation Organization is a club that works to encourage students to strive for a healthier environment. (Gavin Pascale)

Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) was founded just last year here at Marco Island Academy. Last year Katelin Reisinger took it upon herself to create a club that would work to better the environment around us, and involve other students in environmentalist activities. “This club focuses on helping the community, specifically the environmental aspects. We are currently putting a lot of our energy into helping the garden club, by volunteering with them to clean the parks. We also help advocate for the environment, we’ve written letters to local authorities to speak about issues we find important. The club has also raised over 100 dollars for environmental issues, through bake sales and a variety of other fundraisers,” is what Katelin Reisinger said when asked about ECO.

Elle Richardson stated, “ Eco works to promote a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.” Elle is a member of the Eco club and is very involved with anything science-related at school. The members of Eco meet every other Thursday in Mrs. Dickinson's room. They discuss ways to help the environment and brainstorm ideas on what could help them. This club is a great way to express your interest in science and the environment while helping to benefit it.

For more information on ECO club, contact Katelin Reisinger [email protected].

Girls Learn International

Girls Learn International is a club at MIA that is gaining popularity. (Emma Nash)

Interested in coming together and supporting feminism? If you said yes then come up to Mr. Scalia’s room, located in room 233, on the second floor! Wednesday mornings at 7:45 a group of lovely girls involved in MIA’s Girls Learn International discuss fundraising and promotion to help boost feminism and lift each other up.

GLI aims to help advocate human rights, universal education in the US, and equality among middle and high school students. GLI is always welcoming new members!

President Annabelle Frazer voices why GLI is so important to her, “I was very passionate in what I wanted to stand up for, so if I’m like this, I can imagine there are others that feel the same way. So I really wanted to give people a safe space where they can voice their opinions and how they feel.”

And if you come on the right day you may get to listen to Taylor Swift and enjoy some delicious donuts! So drop by and join GLI!

Follow the GLI Instagram: @miagirlslearnintl

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Fellowship of Christian Athletes helps guide students through their spiritual journey while promoting an idea of community. (Medney Garraux)

Fellowship of Christian Athletes also known as FCA, is a club of students who come together to get a better understanding of the word. The club is led by Kyle Rahtjen who is also the youth pastor worship leader at Christ Community of Naples. They meet every Thursday in Mr. Montgomery's room in the morning from 7:45 to 8:10.

“It allows everyone to start their day by hearing the word of the bible and getting encouragement from it in order to start their day,” said Rahtjen. “ I love how there’s no requirement to be able to join... you can just enter whenever you like.”

FCA is a great way to get more involved with yourself spiritually and meet similar people.

For more information about FCA, contact Kyle Rahtjen at (610) 945-0145.

Art Club

Art Club is a wonderful way to get more in touch with your creative side. (Leonardo DeMartino)

Students interested in making art might want to join Marco Island Academy’s Art Club. This club has meetings every Tuesday after school in room 237. It’s run by art teacher Robert Eder and is designed to teach students how to make sellable art. Students will make art and will attempt to sell it at the 2024 Goodland Art Fair held next spring. This club provides an incredible opportunity for students to express themselves creatively as well as learn what kind of art sells to the average person while doing it.

Mr. Eder expressed that he really enjoys not just mentoring students and their artwork, but also fostering a sense of a better appreciation for art in general. Saying, “I think there’s a need for appreciation of artwork that really just can’t be fulfilled in the classroom,” Mr. Eder wants to create an atmosphere of positivity and a general place to just chill and make art.

For more information, you can contact Mr. Eder at [email protected].

Fishing Club

Marco Island Academy has recently added a new club, the MIA Fishing Club. Fishing Club, which was created in 2021 by Mr. Randy Montgomery (Social Studies Teacher), is intended for anyone interested in learning the Marco waters and understanding how to put fishing to the test. The director of the club is Mr. Montgomery, but besides him, everyone in the club is at an equal status and has the same level of voice. Fishing Club takes place in room number 133, every Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. The club's goal is to encourage love of the sport and being in nature.

“We are all captains of our ship.” Said Mr. Montgomery. "We are about fishing not catching… maybe some catching.” Said Mr. Montgomery.

To learn more about Fishing Club please email [email protected].

Pickleball Club

MIA’s Pickleball Club is the club where students from Marco Island Academy can improve their pickleball game to become the very best. You can learn different ways of serving and hitting the ball to trick your opponents and better movements to maneuver around the courts. The club can welcome new players to the sport as well. You can learn the rules to perfection and have an idea of what pro players of pickleball are capable of. Not only is this club focused on the basics of pickleball, but is also a great way to meet new people. Socializing and having a great time is what the club looks for the most.

The club starts annually at the end of the football season. Every Friday after school, Marco Island Academy’s science teacher, Mr. Wood invites you to the Racquet Center to come and participate in this fun activity of a sport. The only thing you have to bring is a smile!

For more information on the club, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Bowling Club

The Bowling Club at Marco Island Academy is a club for students who want to have a fun place to get their aggression out on the pins in the bowling alley. It offers students a chance to be part of a club and enhance their bowling skills. When you need time to relax, come to the bowling club to get your mind off anything.

Austin Hendrick, the president of the bowling club, said - “Bowling club is a student-led club at Marco Island Academy. That gives kids the opportunity to connect and bowl for the real cost of 5 dollars”.

Everyone can meet in room Mr. Swope's, room 317, at Marco Island Academy. We are going to have an enjoyable time together. The only thing you need to bring is yourself and 5 dollars. To follow the Bowling club at Marco Island Academy, go to https://themiawave.org/ website, and the wave will post pictures and comments about it.

You can reach out to (239)-529-7003 for more information!

Culinary Club

MIA’s Culinary Club is back and better than ever, meeting every Thursday at 3:20 in Room 233. Serving students opportunities to learn, cook, and enjoy new recipes and skills, the club is advised by Mrs. Lombardi, and is open to all students of any experience level.

Culinary Club plans to host a variety of fundraisers, food exchanges, and cooking lessons to ensure that all students get a taste of students’ talents. Whether you plan to be a head chef, or simply have a love of food, Culinary Club has a menu for you.

Donate to The Wave

$495

$1200

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will help support not only the student Journalism and Yearbook clubs at Marco Island Academy, but as well as any new equipment, club improvements, and annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributor

Logan Yarnell, News Editor

Logan Yarnell is a senior at Marco Island Academy and the News Editor for The Wave. He grew up in St. Louis, where he found his love for writing, video-making, and science (especially biology). He spends most of his time outside of school reading, playing video games, and listening to music.