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Photo illustration by Shelby Rabin
ell, Class of 2018, we’re done. We’ve finished high school. We’ve made it to the end of this fantastically long race that felt like a jog, but in actuality was a sprint, and a pretty fast one too. A part of us probably believed our high school experience was terminal, and we’d never get out. But now that it’s over, we can admit that we’re sad it is, because even if we complain about this place, we’ve made memories, art, and lifelong friendships here. Soon, the house that we once called “home” will become become our parents’ place. Dreyfoos will become our “old school.” West Palm Beach will become our “hometown.” As we leave Dreyfoos, we inevitably leave The Muse, too. Throughout our past three years on the publication, the staff truly has become a family. We will miss the vibrant community that The Muse creates -- from our never-ending debate on the merit of the Oxford Comma, to knowing the janitors by name due to our tendency to stay after school so often and so late when putting final touches on the magazine. Wherever you find yourself next year, Class of 2018, don’t forget about your Dreyfoos family. The community that we have cultivated here was fostered in a colorful room in the basement of Building 1, but yours may have been found with visual artists, photographers, or debators galore. Don’t forget to say goodbye to your teachers, and thank your parents for everything they’ve done. When the sadness sets in, remember that the memories you’ve made at Dreyfoos, around CityPlace, and in West Palm Beach will be cherished forever. And that is priceless.
EDITORIALPOLICY The Muse is a student publication produced by Journalism IV, V, and VI classes at A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Opinion is limited to editorials and columns. We welcome and will print letters to the editors, which should be submitted to the Pressroom (1-102) or submitted to themusedsoa@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for grammar and space restrictions and will publish no letters that are libelous or defamatory to any staff, students, or members of the community. We also accept guest editorials, although we reserve the right to edit or to decline at our discretion. To produce parts of this issue, some sources requested anonymity. To establish journalistic integrity, these names will remain anonymous, protecting the identities of the individuals quoted.
ABOUTUS
The Muse is a national award-winning newsmagazine. The publication has won numerous awards from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) including a Pacemaker in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Muse has also won a Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) in 2011 and 2013. The Muse won a CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown award in 2015 and 2018, which recognized the best print edition and website (themuseatdreyfoos.com) in the nation. The Muse has also won The Palm Beach Post General Excellence - Newspaper Award in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017. This publication is completely funded and created by its staff, advertisers, and donors. Over 1,400 students and a multitude of subscribers receive copies of the magazine annually. All aspects of the magazine are written and designed by the students. There are 53 staffers, grades 10-12, from the communications department and some from other art areas, including cartoonists from the visual department, who make this publication possible. We would like to thank the School of the Arts Foundation for their continuous support. Your donations are greatly appreciated by this staff.
@themuseatdsoa @themuseatdsoa @themuseatdsoa
Photo by Natalie Bergeron
The Muse is generously underwritten by Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Guild, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Fessler, and Mr. & Mrs. Don Silpe.
THE STAFF 2018-2019 Opinion Editor: Tommy McCabe News Editor: Lila Goldstein Arts Editor: Sasha Monaco Sports Editor: Taryn Reagan Shelby Rabin Features Editor: Anamaria Navarrete Photo Editor: Haley Johnston Lifestyle Editor: Dani Esquenazi Photo Staff: Rachel Jeune, Sydney Webb Lifestyle Staff: Mira Rudensky Business Editor: Ally McGivney Cover Story Editors: Maddy Rubin, Heather Entertainment Editor: Rebecca Boss Cartoonist: Jill Rooney Rollins Adviser: Carly Gates
Editors-in-Chief: Jennifer Jia, Chloe Girod Multimedia Editor: Valerie Betts Managing Editor: Kate McNamara Design Editor: Joel Soto Assistant Managing Editors: ZoĂŤ Romano, Design Staff: Sofia Grosso, Lily Gumbinner, Carleigh Dickinson, Lilly Randolph
Assistant Digital Managing Editor: Sebastian Fernandez
Online Content Editor: Elizabeth White Online Content Staff: Priscila Fernandez Social Media Editor: Ali Hussain Cover photo illustration by Haley Johnston
CONTENTS OPINION
The Troubling Trend of Activism Sebastian Fernandez
NEWS
Securing Our School Lila Goldstein
ARTS
Arts Index Sasha Monaco, Jennifer Jia, and Anamaria Navarrete
COVER
Beyond The Bubble Maddy Rubin and Heather Rollins
FEATURES
Student Stylists Anamaria Navarrete
SPORTS
Amanda Addison: Unpacked Elizabeth White
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43 Grandview Public Market Review Kate McNamara, Shelby Rabin, and Lilly Randolph LGBTQ+ Films Chloe Girod
EXPOSURE
Sophia Zheng Danelle Eugene
Graphic by Joel Soto: pg. 9 Photo illustration by Shelby Rabin: pg.12, 31, 37, 43 Photo by Natalie Bergeron: pg.20 Photo illustration by Haley Johnston: pg.23 Graphic by Chloe Girod: pg.48 Photo courtesy of Sophia Zheng: pg.56
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STAFF EDITORIAL With the recent revelations about Facebook’s sharing of user data, many Americans debate whether or not better security measures are needed
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he Cloud: where all of your technological information is presumably safely stored, including your data from Snapchat, Instagram, and more recently, Facebook. Imagine seeing a picture of your dream car on social media. Knowing that this is your favorite car, you, of course, like the picture. Now, hypothetically, let’s say that this data is processed by that social media platform, and from there, sent off to that car company. A couple days later, you get an email from that car company advertising a discount on their latest car. A little bit scary, no? Now, hypothetically of course, let’s say that the same thing happened, but this time, your data was sent off to a political consulting firm. It is possible for this company to persuade and influence voters using all of their personal information. Thanks to Facebook, we no longer have to imagine this situation as being a hypothetical scenario. In 2016, the Facebook data of an estimated 87 million people was stolen and used to sway voters to President Donald Trump’s favor, according to The Guardian. Facebook released multiple messages following the scandal. These messages warned those users whose data was stolen, stating that possible leaked information includes but is not limited to the following: their public profile, liked pages, birthday, hometown, current city, and any messages or posts posted—practically everything. On top of all of the news involving scandals with the Russian
government influencing Trump’s election, it is now revealed that a company, hired by the Trump campaign, stole Facebook user data and used it to influence voters. Not only is this a complete violation of our rights to privacy, but it also leads to the question of why Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, is taking most of the heat. Zuckerberg, who claims to have not known that the hacking was occurring, stated in his Senate hearing, “We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. And, it was my mistake. And, I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.” Regardless of who should be held responsible, many are already talking about what new regulations need to be put in place in order to ensure that this never happens again, including Zuckerberg. In an interview with CNN, Zuckerberg was quoted saying, “I actually am not sure we shouldn’t be regulated. I think in general, technology is an increasingly important trend in the world and I actually think the question is more, ‘what is the right regulation?’, rather than, ‘yes or no, should it be regulated?” Our country is so focused on external security threats that we often forget about some of the issues that are happening under our very own noses. The Cambridge Analytica Facebook scandal should open up the eyes of those Americans who believe that the only issues that our country is faced with originate on the other side of our borders. After all, it’s only our security—hypothetically.
MANY ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT WHAT NEW REGULATIONS NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.
Contributor: Tommy McCabe
Graphics by Shelby Rabin and Jill Rooney
OPINION 7
#ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM #ACTIVISM
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Graphic by Joel Soto
THE TROUBLING TREND OF ACTIVISM PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE. BROADWAY. CLEMATIS STREET. ALL OF THESE BOULEVARDS HAVE ECHOED WITH CHANTS OF ACTIVISTS MARCHING FOR GUN REFORM, PROVING THAT THE MOVEMENT THAT AROSE FOLLOWING THE PARKLAND SHOOTING WAS WIDESPREAD AND FULL OF PASSION
By Sebastian Fernandez ver 800,000 people protested in our nation’s capital during the March for Our Lives, along with thousands more in sibling marches across the country. Unfortunately, the passion and desire for change felt by so many individuals is being disgracefully corrupted by a frighteningly large number of activists who are merely seeking social validation.
SOCIAL MEDIA MALICE Social media has become one of the largest factors that has made these marches successful since it plays an undeniably important role in orchestrating mass demonstrations of collective disdain. At the same time, social media has also served as a medium for people to easily look the part of an activist instead of actually fighting for change. In fact, #NeverAgain, widely used since the Parkland shooting in February, now has over one million uses on Instagram alone. The Dreyfoos chapter of the National Alliance of Students Against Gun Violence has over 600 followers on Instagram, nearly half of the student body. Concurrently, the virality of these movements poses several problems for the longevity of the cause.
Following the Dreyfoos march to City Hall, Instagram feeds were flooded with photos from the event. Too many students shared photos showing off their witty posters in an effort to show they were part of this progressive movement in place of actually reaching out to politicians to enact change.
PASSIVE PASSION It became apparent that some of the passion for change demonstrated was untruthful. It is rational to fear that many selfproclaimed activists, from Dreyfoos to D.C., are merely motivated by the desire for recognition and to fit in to the crowd. This disposition is inherent. In the current social atmosphere, there is nothing less cool than nonparticipation. The social pressure can create a desire to partake that often overcomes one’s personal opinions or thoughts in fear of being seen as labeled as socially illiterate. The fact of the matter is that having your own ideas is more important than joining a movement you may not wholeheartedly believe in. Sincerity is what will ultimately make the difference in the success of a movement, not following something that doesn’t correspond with your view of the world.
THE PASSION AND DESIRE FOR CHANGE FELT BY SO MANY INDIVIDUALS IS BEING DISGRACEFULLY CORRUPTED BY A FRIGHTENINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF ACTIVISTS.
OPINION 9
Make no mistake: this piece is not against the idea of protesting and being an activist. The power of social movements to alter the ways of our government is undeniable. What it is suggesting is that we must move away from using activism as a form of self-branding or to pad a résumé. If this movement is purely for show, it will never have a chance at making a real difference. Activism is not a glamorous party; it is not a feature film: portraying it as such would be a severe misinterpretation of its purpose. Activism is the fight for social and political change against all obstacles.
If we truly want to see a change, we need to become educated on the policies that exist regarding gun reform and create new ways to solve the problems we face. We also need to use our voice not just as protesters, but as voters. At the age of sixteen, you can register to vote. Two years later, you can bring your voice to the polls and make it heard. And, above all, we need to be activists ,not for social validation, but because we want change. From LGBTQ+ to Second Amendment rights, sincerity will always serve as the best tool to advance the legitimacy of any movement.
IF WE TRULY WANT TO SEE A CHANGE, WE NEED TO BECOME EDUCATED ON THE POLICIES THAT EXIST REGARDING GUN REFORM AND CREATE NEW WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS WE FACE.
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DREYFOOS ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING AN EFFORT TO BOTH MAINTAIN OUR SCHOOL’S IDENTITY AND IMPROVE SAFETY PROTOCOLS By Lila Goldstein ynn Berryman, who runs student services, has recently been given a new responsibility: buzzing in each person who enters the student services entrance in Building 1, making her Dreyfoos’ front line of defense. “I have a little bit more to do, but I’m willing to do it for the safety of the students, and I believe everyone feels the same way,” Ms. Berryman said. “It’s not something I can’t handle; it’s a good thing.” From locked doors to IDs, hall passes to hall monitors, the changes Dreyfoos has made in the name of security are both highly visible and highly impactful. However, there is an internal debate in the community regarding how efficient these features are at keeping the school safe, and many students and teachers are unsure of how these stringent policies may affect Dreyfoos’ culture. “For many, the new security implementations have been strikingly noticeable to Dreyfoos students, especially due to the carefree environment of the school beforehand,” visual sophomore Priscilla Lambert said. “I used to attend a private school where we had to wear uniforms and IDs, and now that I am at Dreyfoos, it’s strange coming back to those uniform-esque policies, even though we aren’t required to wear anything specific here.” Like Lambert, many students have greeted the new security policies with skepticism, despite the ultimate goal of these policies being the students’ safety. “Having the teachers out in the halls and [students] carrying around hall passes are all really beneficial, but the IDs seem pointless,” theatre freshman Jaime Brustein said. “Teachers having to give up their planning periods to sit in the hallways is just awful, too. I do like how we are taking some precautions, though.” Though the school year is nearly over, Dreyfoos administration
has opted to implement safety reforms immediately, in hopes that students will get used to the new order and react positively when they are instituted permanently. “Next year, it’s very likely that every student in Palm Beach County will be required to wear an ID badge,” Principal Dr. Susan Atherley said. “Whether or not [The School District of Palm Beach County] decides to use clear backpacks, I don’t know. I’m going to wait for the district’s directives.” The School District of Palm Beach County has also recently hired security experts who plan to analyze safety for schools in the area, thus many of the permanent changes can be expected to be made next year. The enacting of policies such as the 10-10 Rule, which states that there should be no movement in the halls in the first or last 10 minutes of class, the universally locked classroom and exterior building doors, and overall aftermath of the Parkland shooting have presented a cultural change in the way students interact with each other,” a teacher who chose to remain anonymous, said. “Some kids used to take advantage of our relaxed security, so I hope [the new protocols] will prevent that,” the anonymous teacher said. “However, I still do believe that there’s not a lot we can do to stop someone from coming on campus if they want to. If that shooter posts something beforehand on social media, though, whoever sees it has to report it to administration. If you see something, say something, otherwise [administration] can’t head it off.” Though Dr. Atherley expects the Dreyfoos community will get used to these changes, she believes that the school’s culture will have to shift in order to make room for the policies. “When making the choice between keeping our school unique and keeping our school safe, Dreyfoos administration will always choose the latter, since the students’ safety is first priority,” Dr. Atherley said.
“FOR MANY, THE NEW SECURITY IMPLEMENTATIONS HAVE BEEN STRIKINGLY NOTICEABLE TO DREYFOOS STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY DUE TO THE CAREFREE ENVIRONMENT OF THE SCHOOL BEFOREHAND,” LAMBERT SAID.
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Photo illustration by Shelby Rabin
14 NEWS
AS THE SENIOR CLASS APPROACHES GRADUATION DAY, PROJECT GRADUATION AIMS TO CREATE THE SAFEST ENVIRONMENT FOR THE STUDENTS TO CELEBRATE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS By Zoë Romano raduation night is the finish line of every high school senior’s educational career. Four years of hard work and a painstaking amount of dedication goes into ensuring that this line is crossed. But what if that night was marked by tragedy? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one in three children under 21 who died in alcohol-related accidents died during prom and graduation season. This increase in death rates is due to many different factors, the most notable of which is drinking and driving. “Don’t drink and drive” is a phrase so commonly used and repeated that for many students, the effect is lost. Due to this danger, many schools across the nation take action with an event known as Project Graduation. “Kids will drink, and they will succumb to peer pressure, and who knows what drugs they will do,” communications senior Zachary Stoloff’s mother, Stephanie Stoloff, who helps Dreyfoos’ Project Graduation said. “If they come to a party on graduation that has none of that, they won’t be in danger.” Project Graduation began nearly 40 years ago in Maine when, in 1979, 18 lives were lost because of car crashes caused by the use of drugs and alcohol during the graduation season. The city of Oxford, Maine lost seven students because of this, spurring a state initiative to start the very first Project Graduation. During the 1980 graduation season in the Oxford area no lives were lost, they had no arrests, and no injuries due to the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Just six years after the first Project Graduation, every state began to implement their own program. “As a parent, I try to educate as many other parents about
it because we didn’t grow up with [this event],” Mrs. Stoloff said. Dreyfoos has hosted its own Project Graduation for many years. On graduation night every year, students are given the opportunity to sign up for a free event at Boomers! which lasts through the night. The goal of the event is to create a fun and safe environment for students to celebrate in. Bus transportation is even provided so that they don’t have to drive a great distance. “It’s important because most people may celebrate graduation in ways that might endanger them,” visual senior Alexis Smith said. “It’s fun because you are with all of your friends.” However, some students at Dreyfoos are unaware of the of the intended purpose of the event or even that it exists at all. “I never thought of Project Graduation as a way to keep us safe,” theatre senior Sidney Rubinowicz said. “I always thought of it as just a fun school event.” This lack of knowledge is not limited to just the students. Many parents at Dreyfoos are also unaware that the event exists. “I would guarantee you half of the parents out there don’t know what Project [Graduation] is. They confuse it with Grad Bash,” Mrs. Stoloff said, “but the parents that know me and have gotten involved appreciate [the event].” Even if students believe they will be safe because they are not drinking and driving, they could still be on the roads with those who have. This factor causes the percentage of automobile fatalities that involve alcohol to jump from 33 percent to 40 percent on graduation night alone. While the dangers of graduation night still exist, Project Graduation has had great success keeping our seniors and community safe. “From what I can see, it has made a difference,” Mrs. Stoloff said.
“KIDS WILL DRINK, AND THEY WILL SUCCUMB TO PEER PRESSURE, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT DRUGS THEY WILL DO,” MRS. STOLOFF SAID.
NEWS 15
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IS FREEDOM
ARTS 17 Calligraphy by Jennifer Jia
THE ART OF
HEAL
Students turn to their art in s cope with hardships in
By Sasha Monaco ny high school student knows the feeling: stressed, strained, and starting to run out of coffee. Collectively, students are no strangers to the consistent, unwavering feeling of holding their breath. For Dreyfoos students, the feeling is different: upon procuring a paintbrush, a camera, a script, or an instrument, we exhale. As students of the arts, imaginative expression is intrinsic to our being; each harmony, paint stroke, and plié is the evocation of emotion. As a result of the integration of the arts in the education system, students have turned their artistic abilities into coping mechanisms. “Stress is the number one thing that music helps me [with],” piano senior Adrianna Sabat said. “People have their meditation; I have the piano. [By] the way you put your hands on the piano, you can hear the emotion through it, [which] helps you understand what you’re feeling by the way that you feel the chords.” Dreyfoos students are fully immersed into the world of fine arts without even having to leave the classroom. Sometimes subconsciously, artists substitute their artwork with therapeutic alleviation. In fact, a study published by the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association recorded cortisone levels in 39 subjects both prior to and following an art project. The cortisone, a hormone associated with elevated stress levels, significantly decreased in the participants as they worked on their art.
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“When I’m drawing, I’m completely absorbed in what I’m doing,” visual sophomore Michelle Serafimovich said. “My mindset is very calm, and it’s very relaxing in a way because I’m not mentally pressured. Unlike doing my [academic] homework, I don’t feel tired after doing it, so it’s a very nice way to calm myself.” Serafimovich moved to the United States from Russia when she was 5 years old. Although she has lived in the United States for around 11 years, many of her family members still live in Russia. “When a time comes where I haven’t seen my family members for a long time, I use my art to express what I remember about that place,” Serafimovich said. “This year, because we’re working on our concentrations, I tried to pick something that was very important to me; that’s the memories that I have, and the things that have changed since I’ve moved to the United States. I feel like working on those pieces helps me [to] accept the fact that I won’t get to do the things that I used to do when I was younger.” Comfort lives within each area of artistic expression. According to Time Magazine, singing releases endorphins as well as oxytocin in the brain, hormones know to pacify feelings of anxiousness. Additionally, oxytocin releases feelings of “trust and bonding,” which reduce levels of loneliness. “Being in the music department, [I’m] using [music] as an
You can locate an art therapist through the A Dance Therapy Asociation, and the A
ALING
in search of a therapeutic remedy to personal lives lives. s in their in thggeir personal outlet to kind of take my mind off of what is temporarily going on in my life,” vocal sophomore Isabella Caggaini said. “If I genuinely love a piece, and I’m performing it for the first time, or even for the hundredth time, [I’m] forgetting about everything else around me.” Students at Dreyfoos are exposed to the idea that the arts are the physical manifestation of authentic human emotion. As a result, students are conditioned to turn to their talent in times of vulnerability. “A lot of parts of communications are storytelling,” communications freshman Katherine Oung said. “In Speech and Debate, I do [an event called] Oratory, [which] has a lot to do with telling personal stories. In my Oratory, I talked about how my grandfather died, and how it changed me.” The alleviation that comes with the art of communicative skill corroborates a study published by the Association for Psychological Science, which found that subjects who wrote about their emotions experienced improved long-term well-being; this explains why students are able to use creativity as a cure. As artistic healing gains recognition, art therapy is beginning to alter the way many people approach times of trouble. “Let’s say someone was in a traumatic car accident and had [nerve] damage in their cognitive areas,” Sabat said. “You can use music to help spark different areas of the brain, and that helps it rewire to do basic abilities. Say a kid was agitated; you
Graphic by Sasha Monaco would start with [playing] music at the same level of agitation, and you would slowly bring them down to a clamer level with the choice of music that you select.” Artistic approaches such as Sabat’s rhythmical remedy have sparked debate regarding the use of creativity over traditional medication. The emerging generation of artists is being introduced to an entirely different way to approach issues such as mental health problems, trauma recovery, and revival from addiction. Rather than turning to prescriptions, many artists are starting to realize that art is the anecdote they need. “This world is so drug crazy,” Sabat said. “We need a different form of therapy, and I definitely think that [with] art therapy, you do not need to medicate someone to make them feel better. The easy way out is medicine, [but] there’s honestly something more simple.” Dreyfoos is home to a diverse spectrum of artistic talent, which, when practiced in a therapeutic form, can trigger the healing process within students. In fact, some students trace the emergence of their emotional resilience back to their art major. “Before my immersion into the arts, I was very insecure and in-tune with what everybody else thought of me. I didn’t have an outlet,” Caggiani said. “Finding that changed who I was.”
e American Art Therapy Association, the American ARTS 19 he American Music Therapy Association g jg j
ARTS INDEX By ByJennifer JenniferJia, Jia,Anamaria AnamariaNavarrete, Navarrete, Ali Hussain, and Lila Goldstein and Sasha Monaco
Tulle skirts and polka dot dresses waved in the air as the vocal department performed contemporary tunes for the Pops Concert on April 11 at 6 p.m., featuring songs traditional to the ‘60s era, as well as selections by Frank Ocean. The final chorus concert of the year took place on May 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Meyer Hall, with accompaniments from the band and piano department. Photo by Rachel Jeune
20 ARTS
Visual and digital media students made the finishing touches on their spring portfolios and pieces in anticipation of the Arts/Digital Media Spring Show on April 11 in Building 9. The seasonal theme of spring was reflected in over 100 pieces. The seniors put their time and effort into designing their final projects for the Senior Show at the Armory Arts Center on April 21 at 5 p.m, where the work was exhibited for family and friends. Photo by Rachel Jeune
The theatre department performed a series of Theatre for Young Audience shows on various dates throughout April and May. The comedy shows, performed for an audience of mostly children, featured classics such as “Hansel and Gretel” and “Sleeping Beauty.” “My favorite part is that the whole cast has so much energy,” theatre freshman Gigi Berkowitz said. “Every single practice, we give it our all. It’s just fun hanging out with everyone and seeing how they’re acting on stage.” Photo by Haley Johnston
Dance students practiced in the weeks leading up to the Spring Dance Concerts; shows took place on April 13-15 in Meyer Hall. The concert is a semi-annual presentation of the work dance students have invested into their art area throughout the year. “My favorite part of the dance concert is the fact that we get to showcase the pieces we’ve been working on this entire semester,” dance sophomore Nicolas Ouporov said. “It’s just a really nice community, and the fact that we get to show it to our whole school and to our parents is just great. It’s a wonderful opportunity.” Photo by Natalie Bergeron
To conclude the school year, the Philharmonic Orchestra will hold their last concert on May 21 in Meyer Hall. As this will be the last concert for strings seniors, strings director Wendell Simmons will dedicate a special presentation to commemorate their experience and growth as musicians. Throughout the entire school year, the strings department, consisting of the Strings and Philharmonic Orchestras, curated over 12 performances featuring new, unique music at every show. Photo by Haley Johnston
Nearing the end of the school year, many piano seniors performed their final concert, “Epilogue: a Joint Collaboration,” preceding graduation on April 20 in Meyer Hall. The performance, unlike others, featured duets as opposed to solos, and marked a bittersweet moment for both underclassmen and the graduating class. Afterward, many students, in collaboration with their peers, rehearsed their jury pieces to conclude the school year. Photo by Haley Johnston
Inspired by the bright and floral aura of spring, the band department produced the Jazz Combos Concert on March 12 in the Brandt Black Box Theater, featuring impromptu tunes and extemporaneous melodies. Following the concert, the jazz ensembles began preparation for the Jazz Concert on April 21 in the Brandt Black Box Theater. Photo by Haley Johnston
The communications department’s efforts culminated in speeches, films, and creative writing pieces at the annual showcase. “Communications: Deconstructed” also promoted the publications Seeds and The Marquee. Additionally, the Speech and Debate Team attended Novice State Champs under the Florida Forensics League on the weekend of April 13. The team continues to practice for the 2018 National Speech and Debate Association’s tournament in Fort Lauderdale this summer. Photo by Sydney Webb
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Through every step of your marital and family law matter, you will be treated with personal service, prompt responses and accessibility.
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BEYOND THE BUBBLE After graduating, the Class of 2018 will take their first steps into the world waiting beyond Dreyfoos’ gates Photo illustration by Haley Johnston, Carleigh Dickinson, and Jennifer Jia
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SENIORS DESCRIBE THE DREYFOOS BUBBLE
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By Heather Rollins alking into school, there is something more than the chain link fence dividing Dreyfoos from the world. Students with multicolored hair walk beside others wearing head coverings, all unquestioned. There were even Nicolas Cage and Dat Boi memes being taped to poles and walls around campus. Art decorates almost every building and classroom, and there are people singing as they walk to class. It is almost as if being different makes one fit in here. This is the Dreyfoos bubble, a metaphoric cocoon that envelops students at school. Having spent four years in the bubble, the graduating Class of 2018 knows the bubble best. “[The Dreyfoos bubble] gives students a safer environment, and they feel like they can be themselves here,” theatre senior Anaya Balkissoon said. “We are all different, and we all accept that. I think that’s what makes us different from other schools.” Balkissoon also applauds the designation of several gender-neutral bathrooms across campus as she feels they help to facilitate a safe environment for the LGBTQ+ community; projects like this are a main feature of the Dreyfoos bubble. However, such an accepting community is not representative of the real world. “We’ve all grown so safe and sheltered in the supposed Dreyfoos bubble because everyone here is accepting, progressive, and forward-thinking,” communications senior Christiana Boehme said. “Dreyfoos gives you a false sense of security. We are free to express ourselves through any outlet: hair, clothes, piercings, [and] mannerisms. Outside our gates, there are bullies, fights, class divisions, and injustice, and we are blinded to those things.” Dreyfoos’ unique atmosphere can be both a blessing and a curse to students, but that is not to say that a student can’t coexist within two spheres of life. Theatre senior Madison Wood recommends that students get a job so that they can receive all the benefits of the “Dreyfoos life,” but also have real-life experience when it comes time to leave the bubble. “Working is very strict and hard, and Dreyfoos doesn’t really teach you that,” Wood said. “I have a teacher that when I don’t turn in their work, they’re just like ‘bring it next class,’ and at work you can’t do that.” However, Dreyfoos has seen its academics begin to rival its arts, making them another key feature of the bubble. The pressure to succeed in both left and right brained pursuits has continued to keep Dreyfoos students competitive within school. “We’ve had a stereotype over the years of being the artsy, non-academic school,” strings senior Matthew Hakkarainen said. “But I think that’s been changing more recently as more students are excelling in their academic subjects. I think the bubble helps students by inspiring us to do our best.” It is unknown where exactly the bubble originated. Wood believes that administration is the reason behind its creation. Both Hakkarainen and Boehme see the bubble as a product of the artistic environment. “The bubble nurtures us and makes us feel comfortable,” Boehme said. “We are free to explore unpopular avenues and express ourselves in ways that we won’t ever have to feel self-conscious. We are spunky, funky, and creative, and that is what made my four years so fun here.”
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86%
of Dreyfoos seniors feel that Dreyfoos’ community is more accepting than the real world
89.1%
of Dreyfoos seniors feel that the Dreyfoos environment is more accepting as a whole
SENIORS BURST THE DREYFOOS BUBBLE
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By Maddy Rubin
y he
99% 99%
of Dreyfoos seniors feel as if Dreyfoos is in its own bubble
he walls of Dreyfoos have sheltered this year’s graduating class for the past four years; they act as the impenetrable gates to a community of abnormally accepting students and faculty, as well as artistic opportunities unique to this school. Essentially, the Dreyfoos environment is comparable to a bubble. A peaceful enclave in a world where many do not live in harmony, this bubble is soon to be popped by the Class of 2018 as they graduate and leave Dreyfoos behind. “I think [graduating] is going to be a culture shock for a lot of people,” social studies teacher and Dreyfoos alumna Kathleen O’Hara said. “Our school is small and idyllic, and I think when [the seniors] get out into a bigger world, it’s going to be scary.” While the sheltered ambience of the Dreyfoos environment could leave seniors with unrealistic expectations for the real world, being surrounded by accepting people in high school can also work in their favor. Dreyfoos fosters an uncommon atmosphere of individuality and expressiveness, in which many people feel free to be authentic, presenting students with a diverse range of peers. “I think people are just going to become more accepting [after graduating],” digital media senior Avery Graves said. “Because you’re exposed to so many different types of people here, when you leave, nothing’s really going to phase you.” At the same time, this rare environment, with its melting pot of accepting students and teachers, is very disconnected from typical high schools. Being in-touch with the Dreyfoos community also means being out-of-touch with the societal norm in schools around the nation, which could lead to difficulty after graduation. “A lot of people [at Dreyfoos] are very isolated and [at] other high schools, kids are more mature because they’re dealing with a lot more,” theatre senior Alexandra Sherman said. “That could be a struggle in college, being one step behind in that social aspect.” At its core, Dreyfoos is an arts school, where the majority of students are driven both in their academics and art areas. Yet another contributing factor to the Dreyfoos bubble, this feature of the school creates competition among the student-body and has led some alumni, like Philip Labes, former theatre major of the Class of 2011, to pursue careers in their respective arts. “If I was in a bubble in high school, I was in a bubble of being surrounded by people who were into art [and] passionate about their personal development,” Labes said. “The bubble encouraged me to find another bubble just like it, and move to Los Angeles to pursue acting, music, and writing.” No one member of the Class of 2018 can say they have had an experience at Dreyfoos identical to that of the person sitting next to them at graduation. One thing they do all have in common, however, is that their high school experiences took place inside the Dreyfoos bubble, and to leave is to pop it. Though it may be different for each person, an undeniable transition from Dreyfoos’ environment of arts and individuality, acceptance and drive, to the real world beyond the bubble will occur. “I think there’s going to be an identity crisis for a lot of people when they [graduate], because they’re going to be like, ‘What do you mean, this isn’t how the world is?’” Ms. O’Hara said, speaking from personal experience. “My advice is to find your niche; you will be able to find one.”
Graphics by Joel Soto
COVER 25
FLORIDA:
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University: Kiarra Battle James Jean Emily Johnstone Winslyn Parrish Tatiana Tuck Florida Atlantic University Shai Cohen Amare Davis Sandra Denker Isabella Derderian Andrew Dubay Andrew Gates Avery Graves Carolina Guerrero Ryan Hawks Benjamin Henderson Barbara Irizarry-Rivera Gabriela Juarez William Kennedy Judy Mo Fabricio Ochoa Giovanna Paciletti Makayla Pleasant Samuel Point Du Jour Liam Prather Steven Rahrig Daniela Rangel Carlos Rosales Carranza Zoe Shillingford Alexander Vichnis Elijah Wagmeister Florida International University Thiago Abreu Leeanne Grunow Florida State University Devyn Adler Annabelle Azoy Cody Baez Anjuli Bahadur Singh Eliza Baker Natalie Barron Ethan Blanc Tiffany Breen Skyler Buitrago Allen Cadet Civil Meghan Carter Giselle Caycho Tessa Cole Pammela Contreras Vanessa Creazzo Madison Cuellar Suzanna Dadrian Isabella Fine Francesca Gabriel Rachel Gebeloff Matthew George Gina Givens Shelby Goldring Sarah Haughn Madison Hedge Evan Kottler
Ryan Khuhnau Evan Kwon Olivia Martinez Alexis McCain Jordyn McManus Shane McVan Nia Michel Jenevieve Norton Alexander Ostaffe Emily Pacenti Savannah Quintana Ariana Richter Taylor Rosner Adrianna Sabat Joseph Schinia Vannessa Selk Kyle Tellez Christian Thompson Chloe Tordi Leah Wilson-Griffith Florida Gulf Coast University Alysha Day Autumn Payne Alex Grey Flagler College Amanda Nuckles Jacksonville University Thomas Devito Lynn University Shelsa Menardy Miami City Ballet Everton Gorbell Palm Beach Atlantic University Kindsay Bugeja Thomas Wilson Palm Beach State College Anaya Balkissoon Rocio Cartagena Lauren Clair Danielle Cuestas Rene Davis Lainey Decastro Shamarra Ellis Victoria Ives Nickenson Jacsaint Yoel Lugones John Orellana Carson Wyland Isaac Portnoy Rollins College Hannah Butcher Bridget Gross Noelle Wamsley Stetson University Bijou Aliza Jayden Jones Gamboa Tallahassee Community College Anayah Bogle Dustin Hill Kaleb Marshall Amaylia Minters Madison Wood University of Central Florida Lauren Alford
Sebastian Booth Nicco Bravata Aaron Crawford Samuel Drourr Clara Harrison Roses Ethan Izenwasser Azure Kordick Pia Kresse Anunka Louis Nava’Da Lorick Tyler Manley Isabella Manrique Selena Pesantez Kyle Ramirez Elizabeth Robins Ruby Rosenthal Kyle Virtue University of Florida Jared Amrose Kendall Aumick Samuel Baker Sofia Beira Teah Bejarano Hannah BremerSolomon Emilee Briscoe Madeleine Bruderer Nicholas Caggiani Andrew Cano Allison Cavanagh Julia Chaplin Cheyanne Cornwell Jin Deng Dina Desai Kara Farrell Alexandra Gabbert Jessica Gabbert Zoe Gibson Chloe Gonzalez Ian Gonzalez Mercedes Gonzalez Ariel Gordon Daniel Hardwick Ray Jia Gillian Kovacs Noa Kroyter Kayla Kummerlen Jennifer Kyu Maya Levkovitz Emily Maio Jordan Maurer Breana McGhee Mathilde Miroir Olivia Monaco Alicia Mrachek Garret O’Donnell Miette Ogg James O’Sullivan Mabel Palmero Madison Payne Alexandria Peacock Janelle Radcliffe Vanessa Ritota Riley Russell Reilly Sams Gabriela Sanchez Elisabeth Schreiber Grace Schwartz Chloe Shulman
TENNESSEE: University of Tennessee Mia Marquez Vanderbilt University John Degnan
S. CAROLINA: Clemson University Jordan Johnson Converse College Phyllana Alper
Alexis Smith James Ulaszek Lauren Webb Sophie White Beverley Wu University of Miami Spencer Edwards Maydeleen Guiteau Eli Jacobson Dylan Melville Nicole Lickstein Mounika Vattigunta University of North Florida Alex Del Dago Ryan Freese Molly Jourdin Morgan Scott Edwin Wenta University of South Florida Lauren Chen Victoria Giol Madison Gulli-Callaghan Kaleigh Hanley Lauren Hanley Miguel Jayne Alexa Pope
NEW YORK: Alvin Ailey Dance Company Mikalla Ashmore Paige Lewis
ALABAMA: Auburn University Kira Lipscher
MISSISSIPPI: University of Mississippi Asiah Noble
TEXAS: Rice University Linh Ton
Toni Owens Anieya Wilson Bard College Ishbel Ayala Gabrielle Foursa College of Mount Saint Vincent Karen Lindner Columbia University Rachel Reyblat Cooper Union Ava Sodergren Cornell University Devon Davis Fashion Institute of Technology Carmen Garcia The Juilliard School Sasha Prissert Alexia Pores Cameren Williams Long Island University Post Devin Butera Marymount Manhattan College Gabriella Dimartino
The New School Ashlyn Taylor New York University Jade Ahneman Zoey Burger Radley Docekal Luis Echeverria Marianna Kaimakliotis Madeleine Stillman Pace University Darah Frade-Abrams Sabrina Santana Margaret Vanwieringen Parsons School of Design Sarah Meckes Darian Ozment Alexandra Sherman Pratt Institute Ash Prather School of Visual Arts Ava Campana J.J. Johnson St. John’s University Colin Boulin Syracuse University Amanda Addison
WASHINGTON, D.C.: George Washington University Emma Baldinger Ashley Brundage Natalie Bergeron Sydney Walsh Howard University Skylar Anthony Haley Paulk
N. CAROLINA: MASSACHUSETTS: Duke University Joshua Boss Madison Burmeister Alexa Burnston Elon University Daniel Rabinowitz Hailey Kennedy Skyler Sajewski University of N. Carolina Chapel Hill Sage Albert
Suffolk University Beatriz Sampaio De Faria
Berklee College of Music Isaac Acosta Gabriela Goddard Boston Conservatory Megan Martin Emerson College Lindsay Debrosse Cameron Kugel Margaret Lusk Massachusetts College of Art and Design Onyx Raia Massachusetts Institue of Technology Bernardo Hasbach New England Conservatory of Music Anabel Tejeda Northeastern University Dillon McCormick
CALIFORNIA:
ArtCenter College of Design Victoria Rosenfield Loyola Marymount University MLE DeJaco University of Southern California Dylan Amsterdam Brianna Seaberg Jimmy Zhu
GAP YEAR: Benjamin Little Olivia Ollis
ALTERNATE PLANS:
Dancing for Royal Caribbean Emily Sweetz United States Marine Corps Samuel Culzada-Luna Cienna Camilleri
UNDECIDED: Jessica Anastase Yael Cruz Tatyana Faustin Kymora Gaines Leigh Goldberger Lisa Hooper Brandon Kainth Roanne Kopacz Abigail Lafferty Jacquez Linder-Long Keith McManus Jessie Molash
Jemima Morand Christopher Moulton Dalton Nellegar Sidney O’Gorman Jon Cameron Owens Sean Pearl Petar Pejic Sebastian Robbins Chase Rook Manuel Sanchez Emily Schutz
CONNECTICUT: University of New Haven Amari Garcia Yale University Alexander Gordon
INTERNATIONAL:
Richmond University (United Kingdom) Destiny Robinson Friedrich Alexander University (Germany) Annika Thommes
ILLINOIS:
Northwestern University Nicholas Abrahams
OHIO:
NEW JERSEY:
COLORADO:
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
WASHINGTON:
MARYLAND:
Case Western Reserve University Maximus Ross Colorado State University Madison McCue Whitman College Madison Mischler
MICHIGAN: Uiversity of Michigan Nicole White Zachary Stoloff
Drew University Sofia Carianna
Dartmouth College Destiny Hannon
Maryland Institute College of Art Wesley Bull Mya Heavener Megan Hostetler United States Naval Academy Victoria Volpe University of Maryland Adam Freedman
UTAH:
University of Utah Megan Conrad
GEORGIA:
Georgia Institute of Technology Gabriel Prescott Emory University Christiana Boehme Alexandra Slusarenko Savannah College of Art and Design Joshua Meredith Julia Norris University of Georgia Carly Schwamm Valdosta State University Jada Allen
Gracie Shillan Liam St. John Krysta Sylvestri Karen Trujillo Vincent Valega Siless Vasquez Heaven Vital Kieran Whalley Christopher Young Jingxiao Yu
IDAHO:
Brigham-Young University Idaho Jacob McDougal
ARIZONA:
University of Arizona Gia Prizzi
PENNSYLVANIA: Carnegie Mellon University Dylan Pollak Sidney Rubinowicz Curtis Institute of Music Matthew Hakkarainen Drexel University Leonie Meyaart Bethany Stinnett Pennsylvania Ballet Company Skylar Smith Point Park University Madelynn Gallo Kimberly Gilbert University of the Arts Aleah Beche Emily Betts Monti Cerabino Brennah Leone Emily Sutterfield Temple University Quinn Weis
THE ROOTS
PART FOUR By Ali Hussain
ALAN LE
usic majors have found their love for their art from the moment that they picked up an instrument and through constant practice. The music that they create keeps them wanting to play more, and strings junior Alan Le is not an exception. “It wasn’t initially out of passion,” Le said. “My mom wanted me to [play]. But, overtime, through doing multiple music camps, school orchestra, and having a teacher, my passion gradually grew toward the instrument.” The shift from being encouraged to play the violin to doing it for passion came from Dreyfoos. At first, one of the major reasons that Le came here was for the academics, but gradually, he became impassioned by his art. Being surrounded by so many other violinists showed him how he could improve. “I saw all of these motivated people getting exponentially better at their instrument purely through their passion for their instrument from just playing,” Le said. “If I became passionate about playing the violin, I could also improve.” The strive to become a better musician pushed Le forward. He tried different ways to become better at playing piano, which at first “didn’t sound very good.” “My teacher always dramatized that I would only get better through practicing,” Le said. “After years of practicing, I developed as a player of the violin.”
LACIE MICHAELIS ocal freshman Lacie Michaelis grew up in a musical family. She chose to constantly work on a singing career, and with the support of her family, was able to pursue it to become a vocal major. “My sister started singing first, and my brother and I ended up joining her,” Michaelis said. “I started doing vocal lessons in elementary school. I fell in love with it [when I was] doing recitals and things when I was younger.” Singing came naturally to her. Through the influence from her family, her time practicing, and reactions from her audience, Michaelis was able to find what she really loved. She wants to continue exploring her passion during her time at Dreyfoos and she hopes to flourish as a vocalist. “I hope I can learn more and become a better musician,” Michaelis said. “I want to grow in the arts. I realized singing was my passion. Seeing people’s reactions as I perform—I just love that.”
28 FEATURES
EMMA ARTERO he light sound of a flute fills band sophomore Emma Artero’s home as she practices. It comes quick, every tap of the keys changing the note ever so slightly and every blow to the sharp edge causing a different burst of sound. These notes echo through Artero’s home, mimicking the sounds of her brother’s saxophone that once played alongside her. Artero has always known that she wanted to play an instrument like her older brother and her mom, who played the flute as well. Her family members were her inspiration, and because of them, she was able to foster an appreciation and love for her instrument. “My brother [inspired me to play the flute] because he was older than me,” Artero said. “He had already started to play saxophone, so I was like, ‘I need to follow him.’ But, the first time that I held a flute was probably in the third grade. My mom had one at home, and I knew that I was going to play in fourth grade.” Although she eventually started to play the flute, Artero was never forced to play an instrument; rather, her parents would have supported her in anything that she chose to do. Her school offered band, though, and that was the turning point that would lead her to a musical career. “It was kind of the only thing that was available at my school, and it was part of my family anyway,” Artero said. “It felt natural to go into band. My parents were pretty free with what I wanted to do. Music was obviously what I wanted to do, and they supported me through that.”
EMILY JOHNSTONE
Photos by Sydney Webb Graphics by Jennifer Jia
rom the moment she touched a keyboard at age 5, music would become an instrumental part of piano senior Emily Johnstone’s life. “I took piano lessons, [and] my mom kept forcing me to do it,” Johnstone said. “Then, I realized that after I had learned a song, it was fun.” Becoming more mature caused Johnstone’s shift from doing it for her mother to doing it because of her own passion. She knew that she would have to play anyway, so she figured that she would have to like it at some point, whether that be for vocal, which she was also perusing, or piano, like her mother wanted her to do. “When I was really young, she was forcing me because I had no attention span whatsoever,” Johnstone said. “It grew on me [...] and then I started liking it even more because I started playing actual songs rather than ones in the children’s books.” Johnstone was surprised when she got into Dreyfoos for piano—she didn’t think that she would. But, when the results came out, she had scored higher in her piano audition than her vocal one. “I wasn’t expecting to come to Dreyfoos for [piano],” Johnstone said. “I auditioned for vocal as my first choice and piano for my second, and I hadn’t really played piano for anything before this.” To Johnstone, picking piano was the right choice. The small community and relaxed nature of the department was something that she decided she would work nicely in. “It’s been fun,” Johnstone said. “It’s nice because there are only 50 people in the department, and I literally know everybody. Everything we do is personal and informal, and I like that.”
FEATURES 29
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STUDENT STYLISTS Photo illustration by Shelby Rabin
By Anamaria Navarrete
FEATURES 31
THE ART OF CREATING CLOTHING
@reenostus Sam Mazzarino
paintbrush glides across the canvas, accentuating the shapes and colors of a student portrait. A chorus tune echoes through an auditorium full of people, voices ringing in the ears of the audience. A dance number takes the stage, with arabesques augmenting the routine. All of these are typical forms of art envisioned, but for several students at Dreyfoos, art is embodied by the clothes they wear. From creating in their bedrooms to outsourcing materials and sending prints to manufacturers, various Dreyfoos students have ventured into the realm of designing fashion in their own unique ways. While style is generally a large part of high school culture, Dreyfoos students take it a step farther by creating their own clothes. Visual sophomore Sam Mazzarino, visual junior Alison MacCloud, and theatre senior Alexandra Sherman all use their art to open entrepreneurship opportunities by creating clothing brands. By starting their own clothing lines, these students open gateways to expression and emotion. With time and effort, the possibility of illustrious careers is ahead of them. Mazzarino is currently working on his second brand of clothing, while MacCloud is designing the newest season of her brand. Sherman is in the graduating class and will continue her brand’s growth in New York at Parsons School of Design.
FACELESS*
By Anamaria Navarrete
FOR A CONTINUATION OF THIS PIECE, VISIT THEMUSEATDREYFOOS.COM
Q:To what extent is your clothing an expression of who you are?
*Mazzarino started one clothing line named Faceless, which is photographed, but is now working on a second one named Reeno, which has not produced clothing yet.
A: “The clothing that I make with my designs on it is like a glimpse of the things I see in my head and the most clear view of what I think about and where my thoughts are at. It’s a way for me to share my art, so it’s an outlet in that way.”
32 FEATURES
@maccloudy.co Alison MacCloud
MACCLOUDY.CO
Q: How did starting your own clothing line change the way you view clothing? A: “My own brand has made me view clothing as more interpretive and open. There really is such a wide variety in fashion. I realize that big brands once started small too. It just takes the right amount of dedication and creativity to become successful.”
@officialxanclothing Alexandra Sherman
XAN
Photos by Rachel Jeune
Q: What inspired you to start a clothing line? A: “I come from a family very involved with clothing. My mom was a photographer, and she used to be a buyer for a swimwear company, and my grandmother owned department stores up north as well as boutiques at the Jersey Shore, so my family was always involved in fashion and heavily influenced by it.” FEATURES 33
34
WHICH DREYFOOS COACH ARE YOU? By Taryn Reagan
BIGGEST PET PEEVE? A.WRONG PRONUNCIATION OF MY LAST NAME B. RAISINS IN ANYTHING C. LOUD CHEWING D. DISRESPECTFUL PEOPLE
WHAT SCHOOL RULE IS MOST IMPORTANT? A. TARDINESS AND ABSENCES B. I DON’T CARE, BUT SHERRY LITTLE IS A GODDESS C. HALL PASSES D. NO SKIPPING
FAVORITE SHOE BRAND?
GUILTY PLEASURE TV SHOW? A. FAMILY FEUD B. THE OFFICE UK C. LAW AND ORDER D. SCANDAL
WHAT HIGH SCHOOL SUPERLATIVE ARE YOU? A. MOST LIKELY TO ANNOTATE B. CLASS NERD WHO WAS ALSO TALL AND FUNNY C. MOST LIKELY TO BE IN THE MEDIA CENTER D. MOST ATHLETIC
CELEBRITY WANNABE? A. NICK OFFERMAN (RON SWANSON) B. MARTIN VAN BUREN C. BLAKE LIVELY D. BILL GATES
PICK A MEME. A.
C.
B.
D.
A. REEF B. ADIDAS OR VANS C. CONVERSE D. NIKE
IF YOU GOT MOSTLY A’S... MR. HESSE (SWIM) Whether annotating an essay or at swim practice, you can hear laughter wherever you go. People are drawn to your humorous personality and how approachable you are, making you the go-to person to listen to everyone else’s problems. Your high spirited voice brings out the best in other people and can change them for better.
IF YOU GOT MOSTLY C’S... MS. GARCIA (GIRLS’ SOCCER) Looking up from under people in the hallway, you use your big personality to reach everyone else. Your brilliant ideas may leave you at a loss for words when speaking with others, but your true friends can understand you perfectly. The enthusiasm you have for everyday things is a beacon of light to all the people around you and inspires others to be more optimistic. Photos by Rachel Jeune
IF YOU GOT MOSTLY B’S... MR. STOHR (BASKETBALL) The easiest way to describe you is a people pleaser. You somehow seem to make everyone smile with just a simple impersonation. The undertones of sarcasm in your voice can probably be heard from across school whenever “that kid” talks in class, yet you don’t only thrive in humor, but also smarts. Naming all the presidents. Easy. But when it comes to math you may fall a little behind.
IF YOU GOT MOSTLY D’S... COACH LONG (ATHLETIC DIRECTOR) You may have a tiny obsession with golf carts, but that’s not it. You are also a sneakerhead, collecting every sporty shoe you can find. Your caring personality is hidden beneath a fun exterior which is distinctively outgoing. The decisive way you think makes many people attracted to the advice you give.
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2 5
10 6
4
7
8
9
3
Photos by Shelby Rabin
UNPACKED
By Elizabeth White
Digging her track spikes into the ground for the smoothest takeoff possible, visual senior Amanda Addison begins to make strides at the sound of the starting pistol. She is trying not to focus on the Mayor’s Youth Council meeting she will be attending right when it’s over or tomorrow’s art assignment that she has yet to perfect. From classes to competitions, Addison chose a few objects to represent her daily life as a student, athlete, and active community member. 1 “A dog leash because
2 “I do the 4-by-4
I volunteer at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, [where I] walk dogs, clean kennels, and help around in the medical ward. I started volunteering there when I was in middle school.”
and the 100-meter and 200-meter [relays].Track and field has shaped my work ethic and determination. I love being a part of the Dreyfoos track team.”
6 1 “I have my Mayor’s
7 “I used to play travel
Youth Council tag, which is an organization with the mayor: Jeri Muoio. We are a part of her youth group and we learn about government.”
soccer and I did varsity soccer at Dreyfoos for four years. Each team I have been on has been a family. I started when I was 6 and will continue because it’s a great way to stay active and is a fast-paced sport.”
3 “I do commissions
4 “‘The Secret Life
5 “For my varsity letter,
8 “I have an art 8 piece because I do
9 “I have a National
10 “I volunteer [and]
outside of school and I try to sell my artwork, [as well as] portraits of people. I use color, design, and content to create work that expresses my ideas and culture.”
art outside of school [and] my sketch book because I work in it a lot. Some of my pieces are based on traditional foods from Haiti, Antigua, and the Philippines.”
Of Bees’ is one of my favorite books. The storyline is intriguing, and it opened my eyes to a whole new genre.”
Achievers Society shirt, which is an organization outside of school in West Palm Beach. We do a lot of community service and outreach [as well as] youth empowerment about education.”
I have pins for [some] clubs I’m in, [including] Key Club, National Honor Society, and other sports that I do here.”
intern there [at the Armory Art Center] over the summer at their camp. Working with kids and teaching them how to have fun with art reminds me of myself at that age.
SPORTS 37
38 SPORTS
Photo illustration by Shelby Rabin
&
TWINNING WINNING After three years on the Dreyfoos track and field team, the Gabbert sisters’ spirits have left a lasting impact By Lilly Randolph
he 800-meter dash is getting ready to start. Members of the Dreyfoos track team take their positions as they prepare to compete. However, there are two competitors who can only be told apart by the different colored shoes. Suddenly, the starting whistle blows and visual seniors and twins Alexandra and Jessica Gabbert are off, running side-by-side to the finish line. Starting on the track and field team together during their sophomore year, the Gabbert sisters have actively participated in track events for three years. The sisters have attended all of the same schools, including H.L. Johnson for elementary school and Bak Middle School of the Arts for middle school. Attending Dreyfoos and joining the track team was just another check off the list of things they have done together as sisters. “Jesse and Alex are not just sisters, but also best friends. Being the only girl and having four brothers, I never experienced the closeness that they share,” said Maria Gabbert, mother of Alexandra and Jessica. “When they were young, they discussed everything and made decisions together. I think what makes their relationship so special is that they experienced every milestone in their lives together and basically at the same time.” The Gabbert sisters decided to join the track team because it was a new sport that they could do together. As they made friends and tried out different events, the two still managed to show a noticeable sisterly bond and friendship unlike any other. “They are always together unless one was hurt or had tutoring, or something like that,” social studies teacher and track coach Ross Venning said. “But they don’t always run the same races because one might want to go a little bit of a longer distance than the other. They’re close, though. They’re by far the closest sisters that I have ever seen.” The bond that the Gabbert sisters possess has helped them to grow over their years on the track team as they have worked hard to help each other improve. Even in their free time, the twins try to make time to maintain the physical fitness needed for the sport. “Because we run the same events, there is always a level of sup-
port and encouragement that helps us both run faster and not give up during the races,” Alexandra Gabbert said. “We help each other train. If we’re not at practice, we will run together at home.” Like most siblings, their relationship has several different sides. It can be used for encouragement, but also for internal competition. With helping each other working to improve their physical abilities, the sisters also push each other to be more competitive. “The fact that we get to run the relays together is always nice because we can encourage each other. Having each other at practice means we always have a friend there and can have some healthy competition,” Jessica Gabbert said. “If we do individual events like the 800, then we would usually be running against each other, which helps both of us go faster, since we are just racing each other and we each want to win.” Even with the friendly competition involved in their meets, their constant support and friendship overshadows all as they radiate positivity and compassion among their teammates. Even though they started on the team their sophomore year, they have left a lasting impact with the track members as they prepare to graduate together. “[The Gabbert twins] are so friendly,” Venning said. “They bring a sense of companionship and a friendship-like atmosphere to this team. People feel like they can talk to [the sisters] and sit with them at the meets, practices, or anywhere.” Joining Dreyfoos’ track team was just another activity to complete together, but looking toward the future, the twins know that they will continue to try new things as sisters and hold on to what makes them so special. As for the next step, the twins have decided to attend the University of Miami for college together. “My fondest memories of [Alexandra and Jessica] are the care and consideration they always exhibited toward each other,” Ms. Gabbert said. “For example, if [Alexandra] was offered a treat or gift, she would ask if there was one for [Jessica] also. My hope is that they never lose that special relationship.”
SPORTS 39
THROUGH THE Long nights spent before games and shared memories at meets have helped shape Dreyfoos seniors into the people they are today. Through dedication and sacrifice, many seniors at Dreyfoos have participated on sports teams, these three athletes have not only improved their technique, but thrived in their communities By Taryn Reagan
SEBASTIAN BOOTH SOCCER
Before stepping on the field for the last time, four-year Dreyfoos soccer player and visual senior Sebastian Booth fixed the laces on his cleats as the one-minute warning whistle blew, announcing the end of his time with the Dreyfoos soccer team. Dreyfoos athletes completely fill their schedules, leaving spare time only for their arts and extracurriculars. Committing to a sport at this school takes more than just skill, but heart. “It takes hard work ethic, dedication, and most importantly loyalty,” Booth said. “There are lots of ups and downs when it comes to playing for a team for four years, so loyalty is a necessity.” Starting as freshmen, Booth met teammates that he spent the rest of high school with, playing side-by-side. Whether at practices or games, lasting memories were created from the countless hours that they were together. With a college-ready mindset, Booth eagerly stepped onto the field for the last time, his heart becoming suddenly heavy due to the realization that after four years together, his time with friends and teammates would have to fade. However, the impact they have made on each other’s lives would not. “The one thing I will carry with me for the rest of my life that I got out of Dreyfoos [soccer] would be to always give it all you got,” Booth said. “During games, my coaches and teammates helped push me to always perform at the best of my ability. That’s something I know I need to continue doing if I want to succeed in the real world.”
40 SPORTS
Photo illustrations by Shelby Rabin
TORI GIOL TRACK
As sweat slowly drips down her cheek, four-year Dreyfoos track team member and vocal senior Tori Giol pumps her arms in hopes of increasing her speed. With the finish line approaching quickly, Giol widens her strides, forcing her competition to fall behind. As the tip of her shoe crosses the freshly painted thick white line, Giol takes a deep breath as reality sets in and she slows down. The four-year track member had just completed her last meet of high school. When seniors make their way across the stage at graduation, they will not only remember the demanding hours put into studying, but also the time they have commit to sports. Giol stands out from many other graduates because of her dedication to the track and soccer team. “You have to have lots of dedication, time, and a willingness to help out others. Since Dreyfoos is not known for sports, we have to work extra hard as a whole to represent our school well and prove to others that we can be as good at sports as we are at the arts and academics,” Giol said. “With track and field, I have had so many people question me about why I am there. ‘Aren’t you an arts school?’ ‘Are Dreyfoos sports even good?’” All students at Dreyfoos go through common high school struggles whether it is school work, strict parents, or even relationships. But athletes at Dreyfoos have twice the pressure. On top of all the unnecessary drama, these student have a team relying on them to succeed in their sport, forcing them to give their all for the greater good. “Something I will carry with me from track is how to dedicate yourself and work hard for something,” Giol said. “Track requires you to be willing to push yourself to new limits and that is something I will never forget and will help me with future challenges I may face.”
RILEY RUSSELL
VOLLEYBALLL
Even through the complications of after-school theatre and an eight-month knee injury, four-year Dreyfoos volleyball player and theatre senior Riley Russell persevered, still attending as many games as possible throughout her time at Dreyfoos. “At the end of my freshman year, I tore my [left] ACL and could not play for eight months,” Russell said. “Because of my commitment to physical therapy for those eight months of recovery, my knees are stronger than ever and my vertical [jump] has improved.” Even while injured, Russell attended many games and cheered on her team. Students who have overlapping game and practice schedules, along with the demands of their major are often conflicted choosing between the two. Russell, during her senior year, persisted with volleyball. “This past year I was given the position of props master during “Kiss Me Kate,” Dreyfoos’ fall musical, which was the exact same time as volleyball season. I had to stay everyday after school until 7:30 and make props for the show,” Russell said. “[My coach and team] were so understanding of my situation and never complained when I could not play and welcomed me back with open arms when I could.” Despite the stress Russell endured, she never gave up on volleyball because teams at Dreyfoos offer a possibility for life-long friends due to the close nature of the school. “To play a sport at Dreyfoos, you have to be driven, competitive, patient, hardworking and disciplined, but definitely still have a sense of humor,” Russell said. “Being able to have fun with your team actually brings you closer and gives your team that much stronger of a bond.”
SPORTS 41
By Kate McNamara, Shelby Rabin, and Lilly Randolph striking millennial pink door opens into a modern marketplace where aromas of hot pizzas and spices linger in the air. Cement pathways guide the routes to two outdoor dining patios, each featuring hand-painted murals and ever-occupied seating areas and cozy dining rooms. Prior to Feb. 20, this space was a 14,000 square-foot warehouse. Now it is the beginning of an emerging foodie village in The Warehouse District, a downtown industrial area of West Palm Beach, less than five minutes away from Dreyfoos. Grandview Public Market (GPM), a modern food hall with a variety of edible offerings, is among the newest additions to this cuisine hub. GPM houses 11 permanent vendors, a rotating “incubator” of spaces for new talent, exercise classrooms, and a boutique. Currently, GPM serves everything from gourmet ramen noodles to maple-bacon lattes. The aesthetics of GPM’s overall atmosphere are complementary to the visual presentation of the food. At GPM, customers are not only paying for quality, gourmet dishes, but an unforgettable, multisensory experience. Whether it is for a quick snack or a sit-down meal, GPM is the place to go, as long as your wallet can handle it. Vendors within GPM tend to be on the pricier side, but if you want to linger and enjoy the surroundings, the cost can be worth it. Overall, the space can be compared to food court at the mall, albeit significantly more elegant and intimate. The Muse visited GPM and tasted the treats of five vendors within the hall including: Poke Lab Eatery, Crema, Zipitos, The Corner, and Rabbit Coffee Roasters.
LIFESTYLE 43 Logo courtesy of Grandview Public Market
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POKE LAB EATERY
The “poke bowl experience� was a new one for all three of us. Poke is a raw fish salad served as an appetizer in traditional Hawaiian cuisine and sometimes as a main course. After our experience eating a poke bowl, the best comparison we could make to describe the taste and texture is of a sushi roll unwrapped and dropped into a rice bowl. We ordered The O.G. which featured a base of white rice and ahi tuna topped with a garnish of pickled seaweed to contrast the taste of fresh cucumbers and onions.
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THE CORNER The Corner brings the taste of Detroit-style pizza to the heart of West Palm Beach. Each order comes with six square slices of thick and cheesy crust, making it the perfect plate to share with friends. We ordered The NYC, a pie smothered in red sauce and sprinkled with four cheeses. The pizza was a little greasy, but everything tasted extremely fresh, especially the rich tomato sauce and basil garnishes.
Photo illustration by Shelby Rabin
44 LIFESTYLE
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CREMA
Crema takes on the trend of Thai rolled ice cream, but with an artisan twist. In addition to their full-time menu, Crema offers patrons a chance to formulate their own ice cream creations by choosing from a wide array of organic toppings in addition to a base ice cream. We decided to try a mix of vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries, cream cookies, and graham crackers. The ice cream itself is not only Instagram-worthy, but it is smooth and light, leaving just enough room to try another one of Grandview Public Market’s many edible offerings.
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ZIPITOS
Zipitos was our favorite site for a quick bite. The vendor displayed a menu consisting mostly of tacos and pupusas— thick tortillas stuffed with a savory filling—in addition to a few other Mexican favorites such as flan and guacamole. We ordered the Tinga de Pollo, which was an order of two chicken tacos on corn tortillas, decorated with pickled onions, cotija cheese, and cilantro aioli. The tacos were mesmerizingly flavorful—a good mix of spicy and savory sensations—and they were definitely worth the price.
1401 CLARE AVE WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA PRICES
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$ $$ $$$
$0 TO $5 $6 TO $10 $11 TO $15
WALKING DISTANCE 20 MINUTES FROM DREYFOOS DRIVING DISTANCE
$$ RABBIT COFFEE ROASTERS After being offered a wide selection of delectable looking pastries, we decided to try Rabbit Coffee’s Cookie Sammie-a sandwich made of two sugar cookies coated in sprinkles and filled with a fluffy vanilla frosting. The cookies were baked perfectly, with a chewy, soft texture. Additionally, the dessert was not too sweet, even with the add-ons of sprinkles and frosting. Though the price was above what we would have expected, the dessert was very satisfying and presented beautifully.
6 MINUTES FROM DREYFOOS
VEGAN FRIENDLY
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By Danelle Eugene
AS HIGH SCHOOL COMES TO AN END, WE ARE BOUND TO WALK OUT OF DREYFOOS WITH A PLETHORA OF MEMORIES, REGRETS, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WISDOM. FROM FUNNY STORIES TO SAD TRUTHS, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE CLASS OF 2018 HAS TO SAY.
@CRAZYCATLADY
@ALEXWARNER
ONE TIME, I TOOK A WHOLE BUNCH OF SELFIES OF MY CAT AND MYSELF ON A CAMERA, BUT THEN I ACCIDENTLY LEFT THE SD CARD ON A TABLE IN STOD’S ROOM AND I NEVER GOT IT BACK.
@ZEPHYRHILLS123 I’LL NEVER FORGET ONE OF THE LTM (LATE START) DAYS WHEN MY FRIEND TRIED TO STEAL FROM H&M AND WE BOTH GOT BANNED FROM CITYPLACE FOR A YEAR.
*These confessions were submitted anonymously and pennames were given by the seniors themselves*
EVER SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR, I’VE WANTED TO WALK ON THE METAL COVERS THAT WE HAVE COVERING THE WALKWAYS. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A REALLY COOL PLACE TO WALK.
@DROPOUT
A TRADITION THAT WILL SADLY BE MISSED IS... • STODOLAK WEARING COLORS ON HALLOWEEN. • ASKING, “WHERE IS STOD? HAVE YOU SEEN STOD?” • FINDING RAZOR BLADES IN RANDOM PLACES. • SIGNING FOR A STUDIO AND PRAYING TO GOD NO ONE IS IN IT. LIFESTYLE 47
LGBTQ+ FILMS For many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, representation in modern media is hard to come by. In the past few years, however, an increasing amount of films involving this subject have been released and popularized by social media. These films highlight multiple narratives that members of the LGBTQ+ community face and provide waves of acceptance that were not previously there. By Chloe Girod
LOVE, SIMON veryone deserves a great love story, and Simon is no exception. After catching a crush for an anonymous classmate online, Simon is awkwardly trying to find the balance between new firsts and being a teenager, creating a coming-ofage story that everyone can appreciate. The story is reminiscent of movies with straight characters, which is great to see on screen as it normalizes experiences and accurately represents some of the community’s experiences.
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME he artistic appeal of “Call Me by Your Name” is what spurred the movie’s popularity as well as its numerous awards. The film feels almost like a dream, having just a vague enough location that it feels like it could be anywhere while maintaining vivid details, portraying it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The two main characters, Elio and Oliver, excellently portray the feeling of young love while the cinematography encapsulates that feeling for all to see.
48 ENTERTAINMENT
MOONLIGHT fter the “La La Land” mishap, “Moonlight” came out on top with three Oscars and numerous other awards. The story is close to home, taking place in Miami, Florida, while following the childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood of a African-American, gay man growing up in a rough neighborhood. While the film highlights an urgent social issue through a personal story, the aspects that specifically focus on the trials and tribulations of coming into one’s identity, on top of going through a troubled life, are particularly heart-wrenching to watch.
CAROL n a dramatic and prohibited romance set in New York City during the early 1950s, “Carol” tells the story of a forbidden affair. The relationship is between an aspiring female photographer, Therese (played by Rooney Mara) and an older woman, Carol (played by Cate Blanchett) who are going through a difficult divorce. Both start out in unhappy relationships, but soon develop feelings for one another that flourish into a courtship. Carol desperately tries to keep the relationship secret in order to maintain custody of her child, but despite the odds stacked against them, love prevails.
3 GENERATIONS Generations” showcases a transitioning teen and his aspirations for authenticity and normalcy amongst his family and peers. The title comes from the teen living with both his mother and grandmother, along with his grandmother’s girlfriend. Acceptance doesn’t always come easy, whether it’s from your family or from yourself, but this film truly showcases some of the struggles those transitioning have to face. Not every story is perfect, and this isn’t either by any means, but it became notable after gaining significant social media traction. Graphics by Chloe Girod Source Image by Sony Pictures Classics, 20th Century Fox, The Weinstein Company
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If you are interested in advertising in the next issue of The Muse, please contact Ms. Carly Gates at carly.gates@palmbeachschools.org or 561-805-6252 Pricing starts at $50 THE
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THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE SCIENCE FICTION GENRE ALLOWS CREATORS TO EXPLORE A VARIETY OF THEMES. AS SOCIETY MOVES TOWARD THE FUTURE, SCIENCE FICTION ALTERS ITSELF, LEADING AUDIENCES TO CONTEMPLATE THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE NEAR FUTURE By Rebecca Boss igh-speed space travel, mutated creatures, and unattainable technology. Each of these concepts once seemed to dominate the world of science fiction, all demonstrating the extreme futuristic perspectives of some of the most acclaimed films, TV series, and novels. These otherworldly plotlines were once consistent, but recently the genre has shifted from impossible to plausible. Science fiction is now reflecting our current state, containing feasible technology and diminishing the wide horizon that was once set on destinations like Mars. As a society that is consistently on the brink of technological supremacy, we have molded the content of science fiction just like anything else that evolves with our new standards of entertainment. What was desirable to us 20 to 30 years ago may not have the same attraction today. Now that we have reached the future portrayed in works like “Back to the Future,” “Star Trek,” and so many others, we have come to realize that this future depicted by science fiction in the past is unrealistic. Instead, the industry is exploring extensions of technologies we already have. An example of this is “Westworld’s” use of robots to control and generally dominate human attractions like theme parks. “For example,‘Star Wars,’ you are traveling at light speeds galaxies apart,” math teacher Craig Adams said. “Now, science fiction is more technologically advanced, but it’s within the grasping point of those technologies.” Some of the newest concepts explored in the genre have been based off of the stepping stones already paved by recent advancements. They’re just taken one step further. The possibilities of refining existing technology evokes worldwide contemplation of the near future and manipulates present day morals in a distant setting that’s all too familiar; it’s intellectual and personal all at once.
“[The genre is] expanding the content while also keeping the key content that defines sci-fi,” vocal sophomore Isabella Caggiani said. “They use altered versions of modern technology in shows and movies to display what could happen to society. They use sci-fi as a metaphor for our lives, which makes it so freaky sometimes.” The Netflix TV series, “Black Mirror”, exemplifies the approach that resonates with our apprehensions of the future. Each episode tells its own story, and each story is within the same universe of cultivated technology and growing culture. In its nature, “Black Mirror” is a mimicry of real world concepts and conflicts emphasizing the possibilities that our recent technologies can create. In the show, virtual reality becomes less pixelated and more practical. Our perceptions of war, social media, and romance are preserved all the while altered by innovation. “The best thing about ‘Black Mirror’ is that it feels just far ahead that it is interesting to try to imagine, but close enough in time to us that it’s scary,” communications sophomore Milani Gosman said. “With society’s behavior showing little to no difference from real life, it gives a reality check.” Many times, the show isn’t too far off. One of the show’s most popular episodes, “Nosedive,” explores the extent of social media and its role in the social climate. The episode creates a situation in which citizens are ranked based off of their online appearance. This principle can be compared to a similar societal ranking system in China, where only those with a respectable status can reap financial benefits. “The space-opera sci-fi we know can be mind-blowing,” Neil Burger, the director of “Divergent,” said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. “But when it’s more grounded in reality, when it speaks to our actual concerns, the audience is not left behind.”
“IT FEELS JUST FAR AHEAD THAT IT IS INTERESTING TO TRY TO IMAGINE BUT CLOSE ENOUGH IN TIME TO US THAT IT’S SCARY,” GOSMAN SAID.
Photo illustration by Haley Johnston Graphics by Joel Soto and Rebecca Boss
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SENIOR STAFF Marianna: Most Likely to Know Your Entire Personality Based Off Your Star Chart
Carly: Most Likely to be Looking for Snacks
Morgan: Most Likely to Hold More Than One (Impractical) Masters Degree
Ruby: Most Likely to Come Back and Teach The Muse Class Alex: Most Likely to Quietly Take Over the World With His Charm
Shane: Most Likely to Laugh at the Wrong Time
Dani: Most Likely to go Sneaker Shopping with Complex Magazine
Eliza: Most Likely to be Late to Graduation
Jordan: Most Likely to Become the New Clemson Mascot
jEnNa: mOsT liKeLy tO kNoW tHe mEme bEfoRe yOu dO
Cody: Least Likely to be Found
Ariana: Most Likely to Call Michelle Obama a Queen
Natalie: Most Likely to Work for National Geographic
Alex and Shane: Best Bromance Alexa: Most Likely to Spend an Hour Planning an “Effortless� Outfit
Sydney: Most Likely to Be at the Beach
Graphics by Amanda Cohen
Noa: Most Likely to Forget to Edit a Story On Time
Emma: Most Likely to Lead a Protest
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SOPHIA ZHENG By Danelle Eugene was really fun because we were able to create our own programs. As a roud parents filled the seats of the Armory Art Center, pianist, it’s always fun to play with other instruments.” children positioned their fingers on their instruments, The weeklong music camp for kids of all ages and musical skill sets ready to play the familiar tune “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little was an immense task. With the day starting at 8 a.m. and ending at Star” in an orchestra for the first time. While different 4:30 p.m., Zheng worked hard to keep the kids busy, from teaching than a traditional winter break, for strings junior Sophia Zheng, this new musical pieces to organizing recreational activities. However, she was the final moment of a project she had been working on since her couldn’t have done it all on her own, as 35 Dreyfoos music students sophomore year. ranging from pianists to cellists eagerly came to volunteer. In order to share her love for music, Zheng started her own stu“It was a really great experience [because] I loved being with the dent-led nonprofit organization: Find the Keys Bedrock. With her kids,” strings junior Jennifer Abel said.“I taught the violin, so we went hard work and dedication, she was able to set up a camp for kids through music theory, learning how to read notes, and learning differinterested in learning music. ent songs. It was really gratifying, [and] I was “The goal of the project was for chilable to have a really great relationship with dren in the local community to come to the the kids. I think it helped for them to have so “THE GOAL OF THE camp and receive free music education from many great role models as counselors so they Dreyfoos musicians,” Zheng said. “Both the PROJECT WAS FOR could feel like music is something they could kids and Dreyfoos students would benefit CHILDREN IN THE LOCAL pursue and continue.” because musicians can learn a lot through On the first day, Zheng organized the teaching our craft while also bringing our COMMUNITY TO COME TO children by their playing abilities. While the gift to the community.” CAMP AND RECEIVE FREE more advanced kids received additional muAt age 4, Zheng picked up her first viMUSIC EDUCATION FROM sic to study, the end goal was for each student olin and has been playing ever since. Her to play “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” toexperience with music inspired her to create DREYFOOS MUSICIANS,” gether for the camp showcase, which would the camp A4A (Available for All), the pilot be held at the Armory Art Center. Working ZHENG SAID. camp of Find the Keys Bedrock. with kids of different skill sets, the counsel“When I was 8, my family was expeors were able to meet and work with young riencing difficulty as a result of my mom’s breast cancer diagnosis. musicians. Focusing on music and utilizing its powers as a creative outlet, I was “A girl that was really inspiring was Keziah. She has a walking able to survive my personal crises,” Zheng said. “This experience and disability and would get really nervous when she [played] in front of immediate connection to music inspired me to found Find the Keys, the other kids,” Zheng said. “[Keziah] cried and asked to work harder a student-led nonprofit organization that brings free and accessible for the performance because she was getting nervous. When I saw her musical education to the community. I want to bring the magic of at the showcase, it was so amazing because she didn’t cry, and [she] music to our community, especially the underprivileged. I believe it is played through her pieces perfectly.” a wonderful idea to give our talents back to the community by bringZheng has learned a lot about what it means to be an entrepreneur ing free music opportunities.” and is ready to continue expanding upon her organization. With muZheng’s vision for a week full of free music education took plan- sical success on her mind, she is most excited to include her friends ning, organization, and financial support. The camp was hosted at on the journey. the Salvation Army Community Center, which provided snacks, rec“This experience has taught me that entrepreneurialism is a result of reational activities, and instruments for kids who could not afford genuine curiosity to identify an unmet need and the vigorous deterthem. To further expand her vision, Zheng constructed grants and mination and perseverance to implement the solution,” Zheng said. performed at benefit concerts with fellow musicians: piano junior “The biggest thing I’m excited about in the future is working with my Hely Lin, piano senior Jennifer Kyu, and strings juniors Kara Colvin, friends to push this forward and hopefully meeting new people at the Leonelly Guerra, and Haley Huber. same time.” We played at a benefit concert for ‘NextEra Energy’,” Lin said. “It Photo illustration by Haley Johnston
58 EXPOSURE
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A. W . DREYFOOS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 501 SOUTH SAPODILLA AVE. WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33401