The annual Powderpuff game was held on Thursday, September 18th. Despite the unexpected rainfall, the athletes did not get deterred and the game went on without any issues. The pink team, which was made up of seniors and freshmen faced off the blue team, which were the sophomores and juniors. During halftime, the crowd was eager to watch a choreographed performance carried out by the cheerleaders, comprised of some of the boys from the football and soccer teams. The battle of the blue and pink was fierce and after an intense fight and an aggressive game, the pink team rose victorious 20-0 and took home the trophy. 

Starting at 6:50 a.m., students from this year’s senior class showed up bright and early, dressed in their senior jeans and crowns that they crafted themselves. This was a time for the seniors to bond and take pictures before their final year together. Games like Spikeball and cornhole were brought, which kept everyone entertained as the sun rose. As the sun climbed higher into the sky, students started to disperse, but this event was remembered as a time that brought the graduating class of 2026 together, some of them growing up alongside each other from as early as kindergarten. 

This year’s Fall Pep Rally was one of the best, according to students across the school. The energy inside of the gym felt like a burst of electricity, with this pep rally introducing new games to the gym floor. Princesses were carried to their towers, models were confidently strutting down the runway, and snakes were slithering across the hard court. This pep rally was filled with laughter that could be heard across the city and applause for MIA’s academy of rock. The week after the Pep Rally, there was still talk heard around the school how this one was the best yet. 

The Marco Island Academy Manta Rays took on the Babcock Trailblazers in an intense game on the night of September 19th. The players walked onto the field with confidence, the MIA cheerleaders being their biggest supporters, cheering them on as loudly as they could. At halftime, the Homecoming court was announced along with the Homecoming King and Queen. Spirits were high in the third quarter when the game got cut short due to an explosion from the transformer that ended the game but at the end of the day, everybody was safe. 

This year’s homecoming theme was “Enchanted Lights,” taking inspiration from Disney’s hit film “Tangled.” Throughout the week leading up to the big dance, there was a Spirit Week, based on components of the film that students participated in. On the day of the dance, the girls showed up in beautiful dresses, some of them purple resembling the theme. The boys showed up in their best formal attire. After eating from the buffet-style setup, Homecoming Court was announced and recognized, along with King and Queen and then the night was danced away, sending magic into the air for all to remember.