On Tuesday, May 19th, Marco Island Academy held its annual Senior Awards Night in the school gymnasium. This ceremony brought together students, families, faculty, and community partners to honor the achievements of the Class of 2026. The evening exemplified various scholarships funded by local organizations, departmental awards, and teacher-selected recognitions. This awards night showcased the talent, service, and character of this year’s graduating class.
Community Scholarships
Several local organizations awarded scholarships to members of the Class of 2026 during the ceremony.
The American Association of University Women, Marco Island Chapter, recognized Julia Berger and Bianca Fernandes. The Garden Club of Marco Island honored Catherine Taddei, and Champions for Learning awarded a scholarship to Abril Alvarez-Rodriguez.
Bianca Fernandes, Melanie Zarate-Centeno, Christopher Karl, and Veleon Nazarko each received the Philip O’Connell Jr. Memorial Scholarship. Cole Simmons earned the Forum Club William S. Gentry Scholarship, while Fernandes also received the Susan Holewinski Memorial Scholarship.
Tristan Roberts was awarded the Schultz College Scholarship, and John Toledo was recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Marco Island Chapter. Julia Berger also earned a scholarship from the Rotary Men’s Club of Collier County.
The Marco Island Women’s Club presented scholarships to Julia Berger, Mekyle Nazarko, Veleon Nazarko, Alina Nguyen, Leah Tschida, Tristan Roberts, Christopher Karl, Catherine Taddei, and Logan Sullivan-Terreri.
Aubrey Guidry received honors from both the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation and the Winged Foot Scholarship Foundation.
Collier County Foundation Scholarships
The Collier County Foundation distributed scholarships across several different categories.
Lola Green received the Journalism Scholarship, and Alina Nguyen earned the Naples Women’s Club Arts Scholarship. Elizabeth Chiscavage was awarded the Memorial Scholarship, and Nicole Summers received the Naples Women’s Club First Year Scholarship. Brandi Preuss received a Collier County Foundation Scholarship. The CCF Middle Scholarship was presented to both Mekyle Nazarko and Julia Berger, and Berger was also honored with the Collier County Medical Society Alliance Foundation’s Dr. Ethel Trygstad Scholarship.
Kiwanis Scholarships
The Kiwanis organization recognized several dedicated Key Club seniors with scholarships this year. Key Club Scholarships were awarded to Kai Samuel, Jonathan Juels, Melanie Zarate-Centeno, John Toledo, Amara Patel, Ellora Patel, Matthew Asbell, Nathan Olson, and Logan Sullivan-Terreri.
Catherine Taddei was awarded the Ray McChesney Community Service Memorial Scholarship. The Marco Island Kiwanis Club also presented the prestigious Male and Female Leadership Trophies to John Toledo and Alina Nguyen.
Rotary Club Scholarships
Additionally, the Marco Island Rotary Clubs recognized multiple seniors for their outstanding achievements.
The Marco Island Noontime Rotary Club presented scholarships to Elizabeth Chiscavage, Tristan Roberts, John Toledo, and Logan Sullivan-Terreri.
The Marco Island Sunrise Rotary Club honored Logan Sullivan-Terreri, John Toledo, and Elizabeth Chiscavage.
Marco Island Academy Award Presentations
Valedictorian Aubrey Guidry — GPA: 5.68
Salutatorian Kayleigh Kemmish — GPA: 5.63
Department Awards
English — Alina Nguyen
Fine Arts — Kai Samuel
Humanities — Aubrey Guidry
Mathematics — Brandi Preuss
Media — Lola Green
Performing Arts — Kai Samuel
Physical Education — Meghan Donaldson
Science — Aubrey Guidry
Manta Ray Recognitions
Butterfly — Jonathan Juels
Character — Aubrey Guidry
Leadership — Meghan Donaldson
Service — Catherine Taddei
Smile — Alina Nguyen
Sparkle — Medney Garraux
Spirit — Matthew Asbell
Cambridge AICE Diploma
AICE Diploma Candidates
Ava Ball, Caleb Berry, Julia Berger, Meghan Donaldson, Luca Garcia-Perfecto, Lola Green, Jonathan Juels, Landen Kiem, Sandra Mendez-Ramirez, Janine Nguyen Ho, Kendra Richerts, Autumn Skubin-Amendola, Logan Sullivan-Terreri, Brady White.
AICE Diploma Recipients
Everett Bullock, Elizabeth Chischavage, Aubrey Guidry, Rylee Howard, Gracie Johnson, Christopher Karl, Mekyle Nazarko, Veleon Nazarko, Alina Nguyen, Nathan Olsen, Amara Patel, Ellora Patel, Brandi Preuss, Tristan Roberts, Kai Samuel, Cole Simmons, Jaelynn Skrzynski, Jenna Snover, Catherine Tandel, Leah Tschida, Maria Vu.
