EC Students Witness History

A few of our Everglades City School students, along with several staff members, got to witness history on Friday, December 12. The National Park Service held a celebration to cut the ribbon at the new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center in Everglades City. Hundreds of people from all over the United States came to celebrate this incredibly special event.  

Back in 2017, Hurricane Irma’s powerful winds and strong storm surge destroyed nearly everything in our community. One of the many buildings that was destroyed included the Everglades National Park Gulf Coast Visitor Center. Over the course of eight years, the National Park Serviceplanned to design and construct a visitor center that would be both flood-resistant and sustainable. The site itself was also developed with the community and visitors in mind, with enhanced public access and an enlarged marina that includes a launch specifically for kayaks. One of the most incredible parts about the newly constructed visitor center is that it is named after the one and only Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Just 36 years ago, Congress approved the Everglades National Park and Expansion Act of 1989, which ensured that a visitor center in the Everglades National Park would be named after Marjory Stoneman Douglas to honor her legacy and dedication to protecting our unique environment.  

During the ceremony, the Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, Pedro Ramos, mentioned one of Marjory’s most famous quotes, “There are no other Everglades in the world,” as he stood next to a seat with her picture and a bouquet of vibrant yellow roses. He noted that they chose yellow roses because yellow was her favorite color.  

Our EVG students and staff were thrilled to be able to witness such an exciting event for our community and our Everglades City history.   

CALL OUT BOX: 

To Students and Parents: 

“It has been an amazing first half of the school year and hard to believe that 2025 has ended. We have taken field trips to the Keys and virtual Zootopia classes through the Naples Zoo, as well as built catapults and battery-operated Christmas lights! We were blessed to host the Leadership Collier class of 2026 and showcase the uniqueness of our special school. Our Middle School student, Ayden Smolinski, went all the way to the State Qualifier meet in Lakeland, Florida, for Cross Country and did amazing. We had our volleyball girls go all the way to districts, and it looks like our boys’ basketball is on the way to great things. We may be small, but our students are doing mighty things. We wish a spectacular 2026 from our little school to you! ~ Dr. Cherie Allison