The Next Chapter

As high school seniors approach their 2024 graduation, let’s look back to past graduates to see where they are today. One such recent graduate of the Marco Island Academy that we found in 2018 was Chelsea Casabona.

Ms. Casabona went to Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, after graduating from Marco Island Academy in 2018, where she undertook studies in International Affairs and Political Science during her four years there. She graduated with degrees in both areas of studies and a minor in film. She is now in a master’s program and will graduate in August with a master’s in journalism – New Media Journalism. 

Casabona thanked community organizations for the financial assistance provided to her, including the Rotary Club of Marco Island, the Marco Island Police Foundation, The Professional Education Association (PEO), and the Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship and Grants Programs, among many others she is eternally grateful for. “If it wasn’t for the scholarship programs offered at the local level, many well-deserving youth would not have the resources to follow their dreams,” said Casabona. and other students during her undergraduate work at Florida State University. 

Casabona complemented the Naples Council on World Affairs who sponsored her for a program called The Governor’s Institute of Vermont for Current Events and Youth Activism. Students from around the nation, as well as other countries, were there for over two weeks, immersed in an intensive discussion regarding world affairs. That experience opened her eyes to global issues during her years in high school, creating her interest in international affairs and the areas surrounding politics in general. 

It was her experience with the Naples Council on World Affairs that created a friendship with Debra Doyle, a group member who she describes as a mentor. “She is really incredible,” said Casabona in describing that relationship and the impact on her interest.

She also credits her experience with the faculty at MIA - Lori Galiana, her Social Studies Teacher, who provided her with an initial interest in political science, and English teacher Keith Scalia, who impressed upon her the need to layout and create a narrative to communicate the story you want to tell.

Today, Casabona is pursuing her master’s in journalism - documentary filmmaking. As part of that, she is doing a documentary on a young blind Filipino American woman’s journey and pursuing her dream of the Gold Medal in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France. 

This is her second Paralympics, as she aims to become the first American woman to bring home the gold in para-judo. 

The Casabona family is looking forward to Chelsea’s graduation in August and moving on to the next chapter in her life.