Moving Day at Marco Island Academy

It was all hands on deck as teachers, administrators and even board members gathered at the old Marco Island Academy campus Saturday to start their move to the glittering new campus right next door.

"Moving day was bittersweet,” said Jane Watt. "The entire admin team and several board members helped with the move. One of our newest board members, Jim Miller, walked through the empty trailers, just to take it all in.”

“It was a very emotional and exhausting day,” said MIA principal Melissa Scott. “I cannot say enough amazing words about my leadership team and Easy Street Moving. It was a 13-hour day of hard work and teamwork. It was a Ray Day to the extreme. We laughed, cried, and danced our way through it. Although we are all finding muscles we didn’t know we had, we are glad we are were able to be together to say goodbye."

"The admin team shared joyful memories of their experience on the modular campus,” Watt said. "Mark Melvin, MIA Rays squadron president, provided snacks, lunch and drinks for everyone and also took photos of the move. I said goodbye to our old school. It is hard to believe the trailers will be part of MIA's history. To most people, the campus looks like a broken down, rickety trailer park. But I see something very different. I see a stepping stone that provided a place where our students made memories and accomplished so many successes. I never want to forget where we came from, because it led us to where we are today. We have to maintain the culture we have established as we move to the new campus.”

“Mark Melvin was there every step of the move,” Scott said. “He kept a protective eye on the new building and helped throughout the entire process. He kept us fed, hydrated, snacked and sugared.”

Watt singled out Scott’s leadership.

"Miss Melissa Scott has been instrumental in creating this culture of love and family,” Watt said. "I am confident this feeling will live on in our beautiful new home.”

“A very bittersweet and moving day for all of us,” Scott said. “Jim Miller, MIA board member, was so sweet to come and visit and help us bid goodbye and also say hello to the future."