The Muse Vol. 11 Issue 4

the the Volume 12

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Issue 4

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February 2015

SPIRITWEEK Annual Dreyfoos tradition fuels fun and festive competition Pages 18-23

Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

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TABLE

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CONTENTS ON THE COVER

IN PRINT

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ARTS YoungArts

Eight talented students traveled to Miami to participate in a week of learning and competition.

Cover photo by Julia Horneck

Dance seniors Ciara Selk (front to back), L:yndsey Carey, Rachel Billings and Natalia Lombardo perform in the Generation Day 80's themed dance.

13 Photo by Julia Bonavita

Visual senior Jacques Civil (front to back), and communications seniors Michael Santomaso and Matthew Feuer play in the tug-of-war match against the freshman class.

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OP ED How free is free press?

The staff discusses freedom of the press in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo incident.

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NEWS Cutting hair for cancer

Dreyfoos students take part in the St. Baldrick’s Day event by cutting and shaving their hair.

ON THE WEB

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Students spread their wings by entering the long and prestigious process of becoming an Eagle Scout.

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COVERSTORY Spirit Week

The four grades competed against each other for this week of events and dress-up days.

This column is an investigation on the outdated design of the gym.

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LIFESTYLE Eating disorders

Read about the warning signs that accompany different eating disorders.

ENTERTAINMENT The snapsterpiece situation

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Learn how The Muse created its own Snapchat geotag.

www.themuseatdreyfoos.com

ARTS Artist Spotlight: Lorenzo Romano

This is a QR code.

Scan it with your smart phone and it will take you directly to The Muse website.

FEATURES Scouting out a better future

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SPORTS A questionable court

Digital media sophomore Lorenzo Romano explores Peru through his camera lens on a National Geographic Student Expedition. See the full story and photos from Lorenzo’s trip.

FEATURES Scholastic Journalism Week Feb. 23- 27 Look forward to videos, articles and e-magazines by the staff in honor of student journalism.

Photo provided by Loreanzo Ramamno

Digital media sophomore Lorenzo Romano visited Peru and used his Dreyfoos experiences to capture beautiful moments such as this one.

Cartoon by Adrian Casanova

STAFFEDITORIAL

NOUS SOMMES CHARLIE O

WE ARE CHARLIE

n Jan. 7, Islamist terrorists attacked the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. Infamous for its leftist and strongly antireligious stance, the publication had previously attracted controversy and threats from disgruntled groups. In the aftermath of the tragic shooting, described by French President Francois Hollande as “an attack of the most extreme barbarity,” one question must be asked: what are the responsibilities of the free press, and what is the boundary between professionalism and freedom of speech?

The conspiracy was a blatant attack not only on Charlie Hebdo’s staffers, but also on the progressive values of free speech and expression. Charlie Hebdo, while undeniably fearless in their publications –often publishing wildly offensive and graphic portrayals of religious and political figures—reserves the right to publish freely without fear of consequence. Charlie Hebdo is an example of one of the prime organs of free speech and one that, despite its provocative material, functions as a heartbeat of free society.

As student journalists, we understand first and foremost the importance and necessity of free speech. As student journalists, we face obstacles of our own, though they pale in comparison to the tragic magnitude of terrorist attacks. As student journalists, we strive to create a professional product in line

with the ethics and processes of any major newspaper. And as student journalists, we, each one of us, declare “Je suis Charlie.”

American journalism was built on the same principles as our government, from John Locke’s universal rights of man to Rousseau’s “Social Contract.” Landmark Supreme Court cases such as Hazelwood School District v Kuhlmeier (which arose after a school newspaper reported a story on a pregnant student) have determined that, in a scholastic setting, freedom of the press is not so free. The availability of prior restraint to any public high school principal in Florida means that school newspapers are limited forums of expression.

The judiciary’s stance does imply that freedom of speech carries an inherent responsibility. More important than selfcensorship, however, is the responsibility to uphold freedom of speech. Dr. Susan Atherley, who has the authority to invoke prior restraint, has never done so, allowing us to operate with a high degree of autonomy.

We’ve never been kept from writing important stories on topics that affect the entire student body.

Last year, for example, The Muse published what many felt was a controversial story: a feature on an openly transgender student. In championing freedom of speech, we were able to produce an award-winning

story that was even hailed by free speech activist Mary Beth Tinker. It allowed Dreyfoos students to learn about a highly underrepresented demographic. Stories like these are what ultimately prove that student newspapers should not be limited forums of expression.

Therefore, Charlie Hebdo may produce outrageous cartoons that teeter on, if not completely exceed, the boundaries of taste.

They nevertheless stand as a bastion of free speech in an increasingly sensitive world where covering a story on a homeless student, for example, is considered controversial. Freedom of speech has its consequences—in our situation, it’s an angry email from a teacher; in Charlie Hebdo’s case, it’s something incomparably graver. But in a world where free press does not even apply to all student journalists—despite the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states otherwise—we must applaud the audacity of Charlie Hebdo, and proclaim loudly, “Nous sommes Charlie.” g

Contributors: Felipe Bomeny and Morgaan Jessell

OP ED

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CHANGINGOPINION Affirmative action remains painfully necessary L Commentary by XimenaHasbach

ast year, in issue three, The Muse ran a staff editorial about affirmative action in college admissions. It called the process “outdated” and “unnecessary,” stating that making efforts to increase diversity means discriminating against more qualified white and Asian students.

It said that “Racism still exists; there is no doubt about it, but the status quo has changed.

Schools have been fully integrated for about 50 years and women now represent the majority Ximena Hasbach of college graduates…At this point, any benefit given to students during the admission process should be based on socioeconomic status, not race.” I was one of the people who endorsed writing the article with this particular angle. I still wholeheartedly believe that socioeconomic status should be given consideration in college admissions. Now, however, having learned a lot more about the issues of diversity and institutionalized racism, I have changed my viewpoint on this subject of race-based affirmative action completely.

I’ve thought about this topic extensively since we wrote the staff editorial last year.

At the time when I contributed to the article, I was angry because I realized that people often attributed my successes (including my acceptance to a prestigious summer program at MIT and my chances of getting accepted to a top university) to my race and gender. I had experienced multiple occasions of people telling me that I would get into any college I wanted because (and mostly because) I am a Hispanic woman. They said I wouldn’t have to work as hard as my white and Asian male counterparts to be considered a quality candidate. I felt this was not true,

and I wanted a way to prove it. Speaking out against affirmative action, and maybe one day having the program removed, seemed like a way to do so.

Affirmative action, as the staff editorial stated, was established in 1961. It was meant to help black people who were openly discriminated against at that time.

Segregation and Jim Crow laws were still in place. Today, though in many ways these issues have become less visible, systemized racism and sexism are still painfully present.

In all areas of the professional world, women and racial minorities have not yet broken into top-ranked positions such as company CEO or university department head at a rate consistent with our country’s demographics. For students, this disparity exists mostly in fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Those areas are still primarily composed of white and Asian males. This divide is produced by small acts of discrimination that occur throughout a person’s life. They are rarely out in the open for everyone to see, which is why the underrepresented individuals in these fields can often be labeled as less intelligent and less capable.

A study published by Yale University in the summer of 2012 showed that physics, chemistry and biology professors at American universities tend to see a male candidate for a research position as more qualified than a female candidate with the exact same credentials. In the experiment, separate panels of professors at six major research universities were given identical applications, half of which had the name John at the top, and the other half of which had the name Jennifer. “John” was consistently given a higher rating. According to a New York Times article reporting on the Yale study, “If they did hire the woman, they set her salary, on average, nearly $4000 lower than the man’s.” The same article states that every

Student Shortlist

by XimenaHasbach

How has affirmative action affected your college application process?

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Jacqueline Chen piano senior

“I’m pressured to do well just to be at a comparable level with the rest. Asians tend to be overrepresented in colleges compared to the rest of the population.

So we’re weirdly defined as a minority, but not an underrepresented minority.”

year, an average of just 20 percent of PhDs in physics are awarded to women, only half of whom are American. Even worse, every year, an average of 13 total PhDs in physics are awarded to black people of either sex, and 20 total to Latinos of either sex. The disparity is enormous in the technology sector, as well.

According to a USA Today article published last October, an average of 2 percent of Silicon Valley workers are black, and 3 percent are Hispanic. These numbers are absolutely dismal, and they make it clear that there is still an implicit bias in hiring both women and minorities. For women who are also racial minorities, the road looks even bleaker.

Affirmative action is hoping to break the cycle of exclusion. For these reasons, programs that encourage diversity are still necessary.

A year ago, I would openly speak about my disdain for affirmative action. I wanted everyone around me to know that I didn’t need any special considerations. I now know, however, that I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. There are disadvantages that women and people of color have to face that white and Asian males do not when trying to succeed in science and engineering, and the professional world in general.

I know that when I go to job interviews at major laboratories or engineering companies, there will be times when negative assumptions will be made about my aptitude on first sight. I know that I will run the risk of getting paid less than my white male counterparts simply because they are white males. I know that I will often be one of only a couple of girls of color in higher-level science and engineering classes. I have known these things, and felt discouragement because of these things, for years. And until middle school students don’t have to decide between giving up their passion and facing a lifetime of injustices, I will stand behind affirmative action. g

“The main thing that I’ve experienced is people making really audacious assumptions that I am guaranteed acceptance into anywhere I apply, or that I am more capable of getting a scholarship than Shannon Simpson they are, because I am dance senior African American.”

DISCOVERING OUR MAJOR DIFFERENCES Why students should explore outside their major commentary by FelipeBomeny

W

hat’s the difference between a cello and a bass? Or a pirouette and a plié, or bas relief and sunken relief? As arts school students, we should be encouraged to discover these differences, whether sitting in the classroom or auditorium. Administrative changes have limited opportunities to attend concerts, while scheduling issues continue to prevent elective exploration.

On even days, I head straight to The Muse room after 4th hour orchestra rehearsal.

Writing for the school newsmagazine and performing with the Philharmonic is a privilege at an arts school, but getting to this point took plenty of maneuvering, especially around my schedule. My foray into the communications department meant having to take physical education in school and dual enrolling the equivalent of AP U.S. History as a junior.

With graduation requirements—such as gym, which is increasingly harder to take on FLVS as a second-semester senior—along with cutthroat competition to max out AP courses, taking an art class in another major

may seem unappealing. But our school’s array of arts classes, teachers and resources is what separates us from the various public schools whose art programs are slashed due to budget cuts. While taking a creative writing course or a music theory class may not boost your HPA, they may teach skills that can be especially beneficial in other academic area.

If college statistics are anything to go by (and usually, they are), teenaged students are indecisive. Considering most college students—The New York Times reported 80 percent at Penn State, for example—do not commit to their initial major, then high school students should also be given a chance to immerse themselves in another major.

The easiest way guidance and administration can encourage this without worrying about schedules and graduation requirements is through concert promotion.

While incentivizing concert attendance at an arts school may seem cynical, it nevertheless works. Last year’s Passport to the Arts campaign offered CityPlace lunch to any student whose paper passport had enough stamps from attending performances. Even

though the reward was already available to seniors, the Passport program offered an attempt at sharing all the talents of the different art areas with one another. Flaws in the execution could have been fixed over time, but its cessation has removed an important avenue for artistic diffusion.

Last year, half days were used as opportunities to preview upcoming performances, from sneak peeks of theatre productions to snippets of dance recitals.

This year’s administrative changes have been aggravated by increased standardized testing and countywide workshops designed for teaching the seemingly impractical Marzano system.

Therefore, the task of concert promotion must be taken into the hands of the department heads. Last year, the strings department implemented mandatory concert critiques for their juries. The requirements detailed two music critiques and one for an art area outside of music. Such an initiative should be adopted by the other majors in the hopes of promoting cross-major interaction.

For did the nine Muses not hold hands? n

INTERNET MAKES THE CONNECTION

Is the Internet making people even more stupider?

commentary by OscarHamilton

O

ver 3 billion people—or 40 percent of the global population—are on the internet. Some of the greatest thinkers, poets, inventors and scientists of all time spent years creating their best works and in about one hour it is possible to read and learn about them and everything they’ve ever done.

The educational opportunities are endless.

Instead of criticizing the Internet, give it a try and see if it really does make us dumber.

A large amount of the work completed for school is filled with answers gotten from Google. It’s not cheating and it definitely doesn’t lower our IQs. According to research done by Michigan State University psychologist Dr. Linda Jackson the Internet has helped improve standardized test scores.

Jackson actually believes that everyone needs the Internet to succeed, and that students who are classified as poor need the Internet the most.

“The interesting twist here is that the very children who are most likely to benefit from home Internet access are the ones least likely to have it,” Jackson said.

The Internet isn’t so much a waste of time as it is a resource that makes students more

self-directed learners. Jackson isn’t the only one to think that the internet is beneficial to the education of students.

Garry Smalls, a member of the University of California, Los Angeles research team that studied brain activity during Internet usage, said “The Internet may be a form of brain exercise.”

Smalls feels that the Internet exercises the brain while doing even basic functions on it like scrolling through web pages. If just scrolling around is considered beneficial to the brain, then the brain must benefit a lot when it goes on the actual websites and learns. The Internet is filled with many sites that focus on strengthening the brain such as Lumosity, TED, Khan Academy and even YouTube. Lumosity specifically aims towards improving the strength of the brain by challenging it with fun games that require critical thinking in order to succeed, while with the others and many more there are videos and lessons available for people to watch and learn.

There is an increase in human dependency on the Internet and it is not a problem. The use of the Internet is already being used by the school system and now

tests are taken on computers and students are required to take classes on a website.

School provides us with the websites that are reliable and filled with information. It’s easier to look something up than to read it and that’s why libraries have computers now. From looking up information for schoolwork to looking up who was in what movie, the Internet is a hub of useful places filled with all the knowledge you could need. The Internet can be a fun place to use while relaxing, but it can also be an encyclopedia of everything in the world. n

Cartoons by Jose Castillo

OP ED

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OF

IN DEFENSE DRESSCODE

commentary by KayleighRubin

D

ress code exists in a state of limbo, enforced by the stricter teachers and neglected by the majority. However, with administration now threatening disciplinary action and teachers armed with pockets of detention notices, students are championing their rights and rebelling against restrictions.

Dress code is not meant to shame and sexualize students, but to teach the difference between innovative and inappropriate.

Innovation is designing clothes and creating combinations; inappropriate is flaunting butt cheeks and boxers. Just as we are taught to wear formal clothing for weddings and bathing suits to the beach, we need to wear clothes to school that are professional and match an environment designed for learning.

Having students cover up is not offensive; rather, it’s offensive to hold school to such a low standard that it does not warrant appropriate attire. Students argue that wearing what they want and showing skin is empowering. However, students achieve empowerment when they learn to express themselves and feel confident regardless of what they wear. By bending to societal pressures to wear revealing clothing and blindly following the latest trends, we ignore the truth that empowerment comes from

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internal acceptance rather than outer reveal.

Although limiting to self-expression, dress code encourages students to express their creativity and communicate their emotions through their art rather than their clothing.

Instead of wearing snapbacks, students can express their appreciation for hiphop through music. Instead of baring midriffs, students can vocalize their yearning for independence through the written and spoken word. Focusing students on their artistic and academic endeavors rather than their dress has proven to improve performance and decrease disturbances. When South Houston Middle School instituted a dress code in the 1950s, a collective report showed that the students “were on task 90 percent of the time. By the end of that year, the student body as a whole had jumped two grades.” In a district survey by Long Beach, California after the implementation of a district-wide dress code, results showed that “violence and discipline problems decreased dramatically…. there were 32 percent fewer suspensions.” However,

regardless of statistics, the purpose of Dreyfoos is to create a space that encourages students to embrace learning and hone their talents, not perfect their fashion sense.

Unless dress code is unequally applied or overly restrictive, administration has every right to enforce it. The problem occurs when female students are sent home for showing a bra strap or are humiliated in front of class for exposing shoulders. The problem occurs when the practicality of wearing shorts during spring is turned into a violation or open-toed shoes become a safety hazard.

According to staff member Becca Mroczkowski, less than five detentions for dress code have been issued.

The problem is not inherent in the intention of dress code, which is nothing more than to require students to dress in an appropriate manner that encourages education. Instead of citing inaccurate feminist arguments and lamenting our constraints as artists, we must come to accept the confines of dress code; then it will set us free. g

Cartoons by Jose Castillo

News FOR

GOING BALD BALDRICK’S

Visual junior Jessica Kian gets her head shaved to raise awareness for children's cancer at the St. Baldrick's event as one of the only girls to shave her entire head.

by TomKapitulnik

A

s Dreyfoos students piled into the gym on Thursday Feb. 29, a massive arch over the entryway made out of green and white balloons caught their attention. Green, four leaf clovers hung on the walls and green streamers dangled from the ceiling. The gym was transformed in honor of the Dreyfoos St. Baldrick’s event. As the event continued, one more thing was added: a collection of bald heads showing support for kids suffering from cancer.

“I decided [to shave my head] the day before the event,” vocal senior Tyler Blankstein said. “When [I heard people]

IN THIS SECTION:

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Read about strings senior Paulina Scarlata and her experiences at the science fair.

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Learn how foreign language dean Linda Kass uniquely integrates different forms of art, from music to dancing, into her teaching methods.

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This issue's briefs include stories on a students' legislation going state level, issues with the kombucha drink and the academic games.

talking about going through chemo and losing friends, I realized how stupid hair is so I decided to shave it off to show my support [for St. Baldricks].”

For the first time in many years, Dreyfoos was partnering with the St. Baldricks Foundation in an event to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. Many students fundraised to help the St. Baldricks Foundation. Twenty-five teachers and students realized how important it was to show their support for children suffering from cancer and made the decision to shave their head in addition to donating.

Blankstein and a few others decided to shave their heads on the day of the event were welcomed with open arms. They joined the group of Dreyfoos students and faculty who are showing the world that bald can be beautiful. “[Everyone] was really excited when people decided to shave their heads the day of the event,” visual junior Jessica Kian said.

“The whole point of the event was to show support for kids suffering from cancer and the more people that shave, the bigger that message is.”

Kian was one of two girls who shaved their heads during the event. She raised the most out of any student, $1,400 out of the $4,500

Photo by Julia Horneck

Dreyfoos has raised. All of the money raised is going to the St. Baldricks Foundation who will use it to try and find a cure for childhood cancer.

“The St. Baldricks Foundation raises money and awareness in order to fund research to try and find better treatments or even a cure for childhood cancer,” said Garrett Lamp, the special events coordinator for St. continued on page 8 Baldricks.

Photo by Julia Horneck

Math teacher Christopher Burns sports a half-shaved head as one of the first teachers to shave his head for pediatric cancer.

NEWS

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ST. BALDRICK’S

Photo by Julia Horneck

Theatre junior Julia Stern gawks at the amount of hair she had cut off to support the St. Baldrick's event.

Photo by Julia Horneck

Vocal senior Tyler Blankstein laughs as his head is shaved after making an on-the-spot decision to shave his head for St. Baldrick's.

continued from page 7 “It’s a really great organization because it funds life-saving research for children.”

A variety of teachers and students participated in the events, some because of a personal experience with cancer in their families and some simply because it is a worthwhile cause.

“I know a lot of kids who have with__ dealt and overcome cancer and some who haven’t,” theatre teacher Bradley Barfield said. “It’s really important to support all of the kids [going through this].”

Many teachers tried to get their students more involved by providing incentives if the entire school raised enough money. By the time of the event, Dreyfoos had collectively

For before and after photos of the participants visit www.themuseatdreyfoos.com

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NEWS

raised $4,000 out of the original goal of $5,000.

“I donated because I think that [St. Baldrick’s] is a really good cause,” communications sophomore Anjelica Abraham said. “One of my friends was raising money so I really wanted to help her out.”

Regardless of meeting the goal, however, teachers like math teacher Christopher Burns and science teacher William Wood shaved their heads to show solidarity for the children suffering with cancer. Even though they didn’t reach their goal of raising $5,000 the event managed to raise awareness among Dreyfoos students and inspire them to participate events similar to the St. Baldrick’s event in the future. “[I chose to shave my head because] for most people, hair is just hair,” Mr. Burns said. “For kids with cancer, hair means so much more than that. It is really important to support the kids going through this. If that means shaving my head, I’m happy to do it.”

Dreyfoos’ event not only impacted children suffering with cancer, but also people within the school. Vocal freshman Hailey Kennedy is one of those people. A survivor of acute myeloid leukemia, Kennedy was proud to see Dreyfoos getting so involved with St. Baldrick’s.

As a survivor who lost her hair during intensive rounds of chemotherapy, Kennedy took this opportunity to share her story with students and give them a more personal connection to this cause.

“I was so excited to see people [from

Photo by Julia Horneck

Vocal freshman Hailey Kennedy sings at the beginning of the St. Baldrick's event in memory of her friend who passed away from leukemia.

Dreyfoos] get so involved,” Kennedy said.

“When I see people showing that they care [about this cause] it just means the world to me.”

Kennedy gave a speech at the St. Baldrick’s event sharing her personal struggle with cancer, and sang a song in memory of her friend who passed away from cancer. Her speech was so moving that there were people who decided to shave their head at that moment to honor Kennedy and all of the other children who have struggled with cancer.

“I decided to shave my head after Hailey gave her speech,” strings senior Felipe Bomeny said. “I thought it was so compelling and touching. It was an on-the-spot decision, but I’m happy that I got to support an organization such as St. Baldrick’s.” g

THE WOLF OF

SCIENCEFAIR

by JackYan

T

he Science Honor Society sent all four of its members to the regional science fair, where they all received awards. Strings senior Paulina Scarlata placed second in the physics category and will receive an opportunity to advance to the state science fair.

Since her sophomore year, Scarlata has focused all of her science fair projects on wolf tones, which are unpleasant noises that occur at specific frequencies in all string instruments. Wolf tones vary between individual instruments. For example, two different violins can have two different wolf tones. Factors such as temperature, humidity, type of wood and tension of the strings affect where wolf tones are.

“There exists a disturbance in the natural resonances of the instrument that causes an extremely unpleasant sound to occur when a certain note is played,” Scarlata said. “Every stringed instrument has these, some more noticeable than others, so much so that some musicians don’t even know they exist. My project sophomore year focused on studying what these wolf tones were, and what caused them.”

Scarlata continued her project into her junior year, when she qualified for the state science fair but was disqualified from attending because of paperwork issues. “[During my junior year,] I recorded

Science Honor Society member progresses to state science fair

for the state science fair with a project that continues her previous studies on wolf tones. She developed a product that works with a wolf tone eliminator, which is another pre-existing product made by several third-party companies. A wolf tone eliminator is a device that you place on the strings of string instrument to minimize wolf tones. Scarlata’s product plays a frequency of vibrations that returns tones to find the wolf tone.

“I developed an [app] that finds where the wolf is on your instrument and how you can fix them, using the wolf tone eliminator, another product,” Scarlata said. “It plays a frequency that finds where your wolf is and [my] app shows you where to place the eliminator to prevent the wolf tone.”

All of Scarlata’s science fair projects have been focused around music. She plans to continue her project in the future and develop the product further.

All of the Science Honor Society placed at the regional science fair. Visual junior Catherine Chen modeled cancer rates. She placed third in medicine health category and received the Mu Alpha Theta award, an award for the use of mathematics in her Photo provided by Paulina Scarlata project. Communications junior Delaney Strings senior Paulina Scarlata placed second in the regional Cotton studied personification and its science fair for her project on wolf tones, which is advancing to the state science fair. effects on learning. She placed third in the individual instruments and filtered out the behavioral category. Piano junior Tiffany frequencies that humans can hear, leaving Chen studied the correlation between autism only the inaudible noise, and translated that and ultraviolet radiation and received fourth down into an audible range,” Scarlata said. in the environmental category. g This year Scarlata was able to qualify

BRINGING BACK THE HONOR CODE

by TaylorHendrickson

I

n an effort to bring back the true values in education, National Honor Society (NHS) has launched Project Integrity, a weeklong event to remind students that academic honesty is important. With the insubordinate actions of students splitting up homework assignments in group chats, creating Facebook pages to share information on past test answers or punching linear equations into Wolfram Alpha under their desk during a pre-calculus test, integrity has been long forgotten along with all the U.S. History answers googled. Due to the lack of discipline or enforcement, NHS members want to remind students that integrity does not only still, in fact, exist, but is also cool.

“I hope that Project Integrity transforms the way students at Dreyfoos look at integrity,” NHS president and

communications senior Shane Meyers said. “I want them to see it as something noble worth striving for.”

Dreyfoos used to have a three-strike policy on cheating circumstances (which does include giving help) to ensure students were held accountable for their actions, but now most cases seem to be overlooked.

“I think that cheating is a pretty big issue at Dreyfoos. I see it at least once per day.

Whether it’s as blatant as using a cell phone during a test to find answers or attempting to pass off another student’s work as your own, it’s wrong and it needs to stop,” Meyers said.

Unpunished actions mean the extent of a student’s education is up to them. The fallback on cheating can negatively impact a student’s education.

“Project Integrity [shows] that we support the honor code and take it seriously,” said

Project Integrity Coordinator and visual senior Emily Gerstein.

NHS hung up nine banners specific to each major that spells out “integrity.” Like a positive form of peer pressure, students also will be wearing white Feb. 27 to showcase their support and convince others to stop the cheating.

“When a student signs the banner, they will receive a whiteout cloth bracelet in return,” Gerstein said.

Although long ago are the days where students would write “I attest that this work is my own and will accept the consequences if it is not” on the top of our tests, NHS has shown students that educational integrity should extend beyond a meaningless phrase and school procedures to be an innate value we consider in every step of our academics. g

NEWS

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TEACHINGWITH Teachers implement the arts into their teaching styles

by RileyFreese

F

rom her days in the high school choir to her years singing French songs with students, foreign language dean Linda Kass has always used the arts in her many academic settings. Her background in the arts inspires her to implement them into her own curriculum.

“I was in the choir when I was in high school,” Mrs. Kass said. “I try to incorporate songs that help reinforce the vocabulary.”

Her love of singing and appreciation for music stems from her previous music business with her husband.

“My husband was a drummer and we had a little music business out of our house and I used to go to the gigs with him,” Mrs. Kass said.

The link between being able to read music or perfect a painting technique and being able to learn a foreign language is why Mrs. Kass thinks Dreyfoos students tend to succeed in academics.

“All the notation [in reading music] is another language, so whether they speak

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Photo by Francis Landrum

Foreign language dean Linda Kass teaches band senior Hayden Lamb French reflexive verbs, comparing them to a boomerang.

English, French [or] Spanish, they also are speaking music,” Mrs. Kass said. “[Music] is expanding their mind to be more [accepting] of another language.”

Aside from music, Mrs. Kass likes to include visual elements to her curriculum by showing videos and having students demonstrate their dance skills.

“In [French] Level 1 we learn the adjectives ‘grande’ and ‘petite,’ so I have the dancers come up and they do a ‘grande’ plieu, which is all the way down, and then they [do] a ‘demi’ plieu, which is halfway down. So we relate the adjectives big and small to the plieu,” Mrs. Kass said.

Ever since she was hired at Dreyfoos, Mrs. Kass has had to show an inexplicable relation to the arts.

“When the original teachers were hired, they had to demonstrate a connection to the arts because the principal wanted the teachers to know what the kids go through to practice [and] to perfect their art,” Mrs. Kass said.

A student’s learning experience starts with a dedicated and experienced staff, but the supplement of arts is often what is needed to attain a higher level of understanding.

“Learning a foreign language increases [students’] ability to analyze and synthesize anything,” Mrs. Kass said. “The [more] practice they have using the complicated or complex thinking skills, the better it is for thinking in other subjects.”g

the

BRIEFS

KOMBUCHA

a collection of bite-size, noteworthy stories

by TaylorRich

Photo by Julia Horneck

Theatre junior Max Prissert jumps through a banner as Troy Bolton in the junior’s “High School Musical” themed teacher dress-up event. Despite the dance they did with basketballs, they came in last place for the event.

LEGISLATION GOES STATE LEVEL

by BrittanyMcKenzie

C

ommunications seniors Jessica Ralph and Madeline Dunning co-wrote a piece of legislation to help get more benefits for the government program Women Infant and Children (WIC), which ended up going to state level.

“It is a bill for WIC, which is a supplemental program that gives funds to women [in need],” Ralph said.

Although Ralph co-wrote the bill with Dunning, the bill is personally close to Ralph’s heart.

“On a more personal note my sister had a baby when she was 17,” Ralph said.

“She applied for a lot of these programs because she was low income and it was a teen pregnancy so she was able to get a lot of these grants, but they only cover certain food and don’t apply for diapers.”

The contest, hosted by Florida State Representative Kevin Rader, is called “It Ought to be a Law” and was open to all students, but Ms. Weber saw it as a

meaningful opportunity and assigned it to her debate class.

“We created an outline that had to be approved by Ms. Weber,” Ralph said. “Then, I drafted a bill and wrote a [one] page essay on the bill’s importance and who it would impact.”

Communications dean Angela Weber feels that the contest was important and believes that Ralph and Dunning’s piece of legislation was impactful in the sense of providing better benefits to the women who need WIC. “They wanted it to include things like hygiene products, and to expand WIC,” Ms. Weber said.

This was Ralph’s, Dunning’s and Ms. Weber’s first year entering the contest, and Ms. Weber is proud of Ralph and Dunning’s accomplishment.

“I thought it was great,” Ms. Weber said. “I mean, how many times does a high school student have their legislation presented at the state level?” g

After visual seniors Alex Baleno and Jose Vallejo bought a drink from the vending machine by the gym, they were taken by surprise. The drink they purchased wasn’t the average drink suited for a school vending machine: it was kombucha.

Kombucha is a fermented tea that contains several probiotics and yeasts that produce multiple health benefits. However, the tea’s claim to be a “magical health elixir” isn’t what took Baleno and Vallejo by surprise. Rather, it was the words at the bottom of the bottle’s nutrition label: “below 0.5% alcohol content.”

The company that makes the kombucha sold at Dreyfoos, Synergy, actually markets different types of the drink to both the under and over-21 years old crowd, some of the drinks regarded as alcoholic and some not.

However, after word spread across campus that the vending machine was carrying an “alcoholic drink,” the drinks were removed from the vending machine.

“After learning that the drinks had some content of alcohol, whether it’s actually legal or not, I wasn’t really surprised to find out that all of the [kombucha] was removed,” theatre junior Julia Stern said. “Administration is just trying to keep us safe, whether the drink has a legal amount of alcohol or not.”g

ACADEMIC GAMES

by MaryRasura

T

he Commissioner’s Academic Challenge, a statewide academic tournament, was held on Jan. 15. Social Studies teacher Sara Stout served as the teams coach and strings senior Felipe Bomeny was team captain, along with band junior Charles Comiter, piano senior Jacqueline Chen and communications seniors Ximena Hasbach and Taylor Hendrickson.

The team placed second in the preliminary round. They proceeded to the district finals, which were held on Jan 22. At the finals, they competed against Atlantic Community High School, Spanish River Community High School, Suncoast Community High School, Wellington High School and West Boca Raton High School. The team team placed sixth in the tournament.

“We really had to draw upon everything we’ve ever learned in and out of school,” Chen said. “The questions were really obscure, so we needed to improve our knowledge base to include interesting facts that we would not know. We bonded as a team and had a lot of fun regardless of the outcome.” g

NEWS

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STUDENTS AS

SCOUTS

Dreyfoos students spend their free time helping the community by becoming Eagle Scouts

by MaryRasura

A

s Boy Scouts climb through the ranks, they camp in the woods, start fires and learn 20 different ways to tie a knot. At the top of the mountain is the Eagle rank. At Dreyfoos, four students have either achieved this honor or are working towards it, including theatre senior Leo Bruner.

“What got me into [Boy Scouts] was the camping aspect because I really like the outdoors,” Bruner said. “My little brother was in it and he was having a lot of fun camping so I decided to join.”

Bruner earned his Eagle rank in November 2014 and believes that having Eagle Scouts in the troop serves as inspiration for younger Scouts.

“It’s important to have older Scouts in the troop that have gotten ranks and merit badges so [younger Scouts] can see the things that they’re doing. It serves as inspiration,” Bruner said. “[They] see what kind of person they are among the things they are achieving and it inspires [them] to be a better person, leader and citizen.”

Older Scouts serve as leaders for younger Scouts and practice one of the qualities that Boy Scouts teaches its participants.

“Leadership is definitely the one thing that you’re supposed to be taking away from the program,” Bruner said. “That’s helped me in my art area because I’ve been a lighting designer for certain productions and a master electrician. It teaches you a lot of different management skills and how to deal with other people and problems.”

IN THIS SECTION:

14

Check out how band junior Sarah Dolce participated in the Project Green Challenge in October in San Francisco.

15

Discover two students who work obscure after-school jobs and are getting a jump start on their future careers.

16

Read about cafeteria manager Amy Shaffer's inspirational messages and dedication to her job.

Like Bruner, communications senior Adam Kelly originally wanted to become an Eagle Scout due to family ties.

“My dad always wanted my brother to be an Eagle Scout,” Kelly said. “He reached the rank right below Eagle Scout, so I wanted to become one and fulfill his legacy.”

Kelly is proudest of the leadership skills he has Photo provided by Adam Kelly learned from Boy Scouts.

Communications senior Adam Kelly shows off the required 21 merit badges to “Leadership has always receive the prestigious title of an Eagle Scout. been a big thing. I’ve been in fact that I climbed mountains, I never thought leadership positions such as that would be something I could do.” my troop’s historian,” Kelly said.

Reiter has completed all the requirements Kelly demonstrated his leadership for achieving Eagle Scout and is in the capabilities when he completed his service process of sending his application to the Eagle project, one of the requirements for achieving Scout board. Once his application is received, his Eagle rank. he will need to present himself to review by “For my Eagle Scout project, we installed the board. mulch in a park,” Kelly said. “I had to “I’m excited. I don’t get to meet in front of coordinate with 20 people, plan prior to the board for another month so I’ve got time arriving at the site, and lead while we were on to wait,” Reiter said. “I’ve been working with site.”

In addition to leadership, Kelly has learned some of the people in my troop who used to be on the board, so they’re good in preparing survival skills as well as a merit badge. us.”

“My favorite badge is my Wilderness Reiter’s service project dealt with Survival badge,” Kelly said. “I remember our conserving a vital element of his Jewish troop leader left us in the woods and told us heritage. to build a house using what was available to “For my project, I revitalized a Holocaust us.” memorial. At my temple there was this Theatre senior Max Reiter started out as memorial and it wasn’t in the greatest shape,” a Cub Scout and progressed to Boy Scouts Reiter said. “It was a bench that said ‘Never when he was old enough. He continued in the Again’ and there were granite stones that had program because he enjoyed spending time names of the camps, so we polished those with his friends. stones, made an entry way, put mulch and “It never really stopped being fun. I kept hedges around the place, another bench and a having a good time so I kept doing it,” Reiter said.

One of the camping trips Reiter went on with his troop provided an entirely new experience for him.

“Two years ago we went to this place called Philmont in New Mexico and we got to climb all these mountains and it was the most amazing experience,” Reiter said. “Just the

sign so people know that it’s there.”

Like Reiter, vocal freshman James Jean treasures the relationships he’s created in Boy Scouts.

“Boy Scouts has been one of the best things in my life,” Jean said. “It teaches me about leadership, responsibility and how to take care of myself in the wild and the world.” continued on page 14

FEATURES

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DOLCE HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT

Band junior recognized for her dedication to the planet

by AlexisPinchuck

D

ay one: research the USDA Organic Seal. Day 15: assemble a peer group and discuss ways to make your school a greener place. Day 30: see the transformation. Over the span of 30 days, band junior Sarah Dolce transformed into a more environmentally conscious individual.

Dolce participated in the Project Green Challenge in October 2014, which required her to complete an environmental task each day. Out of 35 countries and an array Sarah Dolce of high school, college and graduate students, Dolce was chosen as one of the twelve lucky students to attend a special Project Green Challenge conference where she won 11 awards.

“At the conference, I was given awards for being a finalist,” Dolce said. “Basically, they gave us a bunch of prizes. We got certificates at the end.

Dolce was informed about this program by visual alumna (’14) Izzy Pezullo, a finalist from last year’s Project Green Challenge.

From creating a plan to get into shape on day 10 to researching factory farming on day 19, after hours of endless work every day, Dolce was able to enjoy her experience at this once in a lifetime opportunity. This accomplishment didn’t fully sink in for Dolce until she was experiencing it firsthand. “[At the conference] there were a bunch of speakers from corporations like Whole Foods,” Dolce said. “What really got me is that [the Eco-Leaders] wanted to hear our ideas

even though we are only 12 college and high school students. They noticed that we are the ones with the ideas, and it made me want to help even more.”

Dolce dreams of becoming an environmental scientist and using the lessons from this conference to help her achieve this goal.

Photo provided by Sarah Dolce “I love all I have Band junior Sarah Dolce (second row, second from left) smiles with part of learned,” Dolce said. her Project Green Competition team. These students were selected from 35 “[Project Green Challenge countries across the globe. is] an amazing organization how little changes in one life can influence and I love them so much.” one’s family and friends and it’s a giant ripple Dolce wants to pass on the information effect of change.” she learned at the conference. While she The environmental issues that captured volunteers, Dolce is sure to continue Dolce’s attention intensified after she spreading the word about environmental issues that she learned through her work. Not discovered daily products, including make-up and shampoos, contain harmful chemicals and only does Dolce want to get adults involved, toxins that not only damage the environment but she also wants children to take a more but also have long-lasting effects on an active approach in their environmental individual’s health. education. “[These] toxins can cause you to not have “I’m also working on writing children’s children or have children with deformities,” books. I want to educate people and children Dolce said, “If you test babies before they are on [environmental issues],” Dolce said. born, you will find DDT in their blood, which “I would like to get more people involved is basically pesticides.” in my initiative by helping with different This hits home for Dolce as she has corporations that will help society.” recently welcomed a 4 month old brother and This conference has helped Dolce realize worries about his health. the power she has in changing the world. This “His [risk of ] cancer will be higher than is a powerful message that she hopes to pass [that of ] today,” Dolce said. “If everybody on to children through her books. knew [the effects of ] these problems, we At this age right now, I can still do things would be more aware and would help to clean that can help the world,” Dolce said. “Change up the environment that we have made a begins with you. [The Eco Leaders] went over mess [of ].” g

EAGLE SCOUTS

Photo provided by Leo Bruner

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Theatre seniors Max Reiter (left) and Leo Bruner relax on the Philmont Ranch in New Mexico while on a camping expedition.

FEATURES

continued from page 14 Scouts.

Jean initially joined the program due to a recommendation from a friend who helped Jean receive the funds to participate.

“My friend Connor came back from a campout and told me about Boy Scouts and I wanted to join. Connor put in a good word for me and I got a scholarship for it. They wanted to keep me there so they would get donations to pay for my camp outs and buy my uniform,” Jean said.

Jean’s troop not only helped him in monetary ways, but they supported him through emotional distress as well.

“They helped me get through the time when my mom got deported back to Haiti,” Jean said. “My mom was gone for about seven years of my life and it was tough but

Boy Scouts really made that not so hard to deal with. Eventually my mom came back the day I returned from summer camp in August.”

Jean is hopeful he will receive the Eagle ranking, and hopes to make his troop members proud. Even though he’s only a freshman, he has begun preparing for the ranking.

“I want to keep going until I get Eagle because people have done a lot of stuff for me in Boy Scouts and I don’t want to let them down. When I become Eagle Scout it will mean the entire world to me. It’s like passing the finish line of a marathon,” Jean said. g

OBSCURE

JOBS

Two Dreyfoos students pursue unique jobs after school Photo by Starr Courakos

Reaching for the top shelf, communications senior Megan Searson stocks the shelves of the Children's section at the bookstore where she works.

byBrittanyMcKenzie

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ommunications senior Megan Searson travels to Boynton Beach and has a responsibility to follow through and be there for people.

Communications junior Destiny Washington helps people transform their ideas into reality and has a responsibility to be an artistic soundboard.

These two people have different student jobs with different profits and missions, but they have one common goal: to help others.

Washington got her job by searching around her community, and Searson got hers with the help of her parents.

“My parent’s friend from when I was a really small child was managing one of the Christian book stores near us,” Searson said. “[My parents] basically called in a favor, I went in, dropped off my resume and they hired me for season and kept me in.

This is not Searson’s first job. Prior to this she worked at Auntie Anne’s but did not find it fulfilling. Eventually she decided to look for another job. She took the job at the Family Christian Store to enhance her college application and further her faith.

“I had quit my job and was looking for a new retail job, because I was done working with food. Since I applied for a private Christian [University], in order to boost my application, it was good to list as many Christian activities as possible,” Searson said.

“It did help with my college application and just sort of emphasized how serious I was about my major.”

Searson’s involvement in Christian Academy extends beyond the bookstore; she is also an apprentice at Christ Fellowship Boynton Beach and gives back to the community by playing with children and helping them with their academic courses.

“I am the direct apprentice for our

student pastor, so after school I take the train to Boynton Beach and I get to church around 4:30 p.m.,” Searson said. “I also get an opportunity to go to Belle Glade; we actually have a daycare there where we teach the kids not only about [religion] but also math, reading and writing.”

Searson is currently pursuing film in her major while another communications major student’s job deals with film and editing ads for companies.

“I work with the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) and our program is tailored productions to make commercials for different companies,” communications junior Destiny Washington said. “They will come to and ask us to make something for them and we will make something for them.”

Washington has always had a passion for film since her older brother inspired her to begin pursuing it. She is no stranger to being both in front of the camera and behind it, but prefers the technical side of film.

“I really wanted to pursue something like film outside of school. I looked around the community to see if there were any programs or internships I could do, and I found this really good one,” Washington said. “It is a group of kids from middle school to high school and we all work together in this big crew. [Collaborating with other students] was fine to me, because it was not a lot of pressure.”

Washington’s favorite part about film and her job is the editing process. She loves the control and freedom of creativity she has.

“I think editing is really cool because it is more of a solo part, [because] you really don’t have to consult with anyone unless you want someone’s opinion,” Washington said. “I kind of like having control over what I am doing and just putting my all into it.”

Photo by Julia Horneck

Communications junior Destiny Washington works with audio on her latest video. Her work with YEC Includes productions for a variety of companies.

Both Searson and Washington would agree that the atmosphere an individual works in is important because it creates a positive environment.

“It has a really nice atmosphere; everybody is really respectful,” Searson said. “It is just a really pleasant and peaceful place to work.

Especially after school I have a place to go to and relax and be in a really mellow state of mind.”

Washington hopes to branch off into an individual venture but is also content with where things are at currently.

“We are trying to branch and create our own individual business Washington said.

Just as Washington’s job deals with pleasing her customers, Searson must sometimes be a guiding voice for people coming into the book store.

“We have a lot of people that come into our store that aren’t Christian and they’re just looking for help in general,” Searson said.

“They come in looking for hope a lot of the time, and that’s like the biggest part of our job.

It is to be there for our customers.”g

FEATURES

15

SHAFFER SPREADS SUPPORT

Cafeteria head writes daily inspiring quotes on menu board

by NateLeonard

T

he average Dreyfoos student has bloodshot eyes from staying up at night, high ambitions to graduate in the top of their class, and holds coffee-stained cups in their hands; a typical scene at a highfunctioning magnet school, but nonetheless disconcerting. Cafeteria head Amy Shaffer recognizes that the environment at Dreyfoos can often be stressful and decided to give back in her unique way.

“I feel like everybody Amy Shaffer is going through something and you never know what peoples’ struggles are,” Shaffer said. “I personally am going through my own stress and, in order to try and get through every single day, I think that having a positive outlook helps you remember what’s really important and stay focused.”

Shaffer recently began writing inspiring quotes and incentives on the cafeteria message board in hopes of lifting the spirits of stressed and under appreciated students and faculty, even going as far as writing them in

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FEATURES

different languages to be inclusive. The board “Work is frustrating, teachers are being started garnering attention when she added tested, observed and graded on their ability an ice cream prize to teach,” Mrs. Shaffer for the first student said. “At one of our area who could recite meetings I went to, we a few encouraging had a motivational speaker life rules that were actually come in because previously written so many people are having on the board. so much stress. You just “I love words. need to be able to take I love sayings a look around and see and quotes,” Mrs. things from a different Shaffer said. “I perspective.” didn’t see that Students around Photo by Julia Bonavita many people paid Cafeteria head Amy Shaffer posts uplifting quotes on campus can attest to the menu board in the cafeteria. Her messages ease the Shaffer’s efforts, citing attention when stressful environment at school that may be present for we wrote on the her personality as an some students. menu board, so I explanation for it all. She wanted to kind of encourage people [to look not only manages the cafeteria message at it]. There won’t always be a free ice cream board, but also can be a source of guidance available, but if nothing else, we would have too. the ability to share a positive thought or give “That’s just her personality and she likes you guys something to think about.” sharing that with people in subtle ways,” School faculty also faces pressures, digital media junior Leah Gramkow said. outside and with regards to their job. Mrs. “She’s a really open person. She’ll help you Shaffer felt it was her duty to include them as out and go out of her way to do stuff for you. well in her mission to spread positivity and For example, she made sure that I had a fee began decorating the faculty lunch lounge waiver for college apps and made sure that I with insightful quotes for viewing. got it back to her so I was eligible for it.” g

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EXPOSED: SPIRIT WEEK SCANDALS OF THE PAST

School spirit transcends the years at Dreyfoos

Photo by the 2013 Muse

Alumnus Stoan Maslev ('13) climbs the pole of Building 5 on Class Clique Day in 2013. He continued to make profane gestures to insinuate sexual acts, while his fellow classmates cheered him on.

by BrittanyMckenzie

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uring the 2010 pep rally, communications alumna Tijienene Gordon (‘13) recalls paint splattered across the school walls, various colors running down students’ bodies and car windows resembling a Crayola box.

According to communications alumna Kim Carrero (‘13), in 2013 students were dancing and relaxing on the soccer field to rap music until a “rebellious” student began to grind on and around a pole.

Last year, Suncoast alumni Chandler Kaye and Jack Warman (‘14) snuck into Dreyfoos.

They got in the back of their friends car, drove to school and entered the Dreyfoos student parking lot like fugitives on the run. Passing the school security guard unnoticed, they proceeded to the gym dressed in black and gold and participated in pep rally.

Spirit Week: a time where students embrace their quirkiness as members of Dreyfoos. Sometimes we get out of control.

“People threw paint everywhere and even vandalized peoples’ cars. One girl I think had to go to the hospital,” Gordon said.

In 2010, the senior class vandalized the school campus and social studies teacher Thomas Ruth was a victim. “[The reason Dreyfoos is] so paranoid with paint is because a few years ago [students] came with spray paint and painted around the school,” Mr. Ruth said.

“My head got spray painted, literally.”

Since then, paint has been banned at

school. Gordon thinks that the reason why seniors act out of character is because Spirit Week is the one chance for them to feel like typical high school students.

“Everyone is hyped up on class spirit and just [takes] it too far,” Gordon said. “Dreyfoos students take everything too seriously when a little competition is thrown at the kids.”

That same year, the seniors lost the scream off. In retaliation the seniors stormed out in unison and exited the gym. Fuming with rage, the senior class ran to the soccer field. One senior holding the flag ran to the fenced off area outside the cafeteria and Building 7 and began to wave the flag as an act of victory.

In 2012, a senior on Class Clique Day profanely danced around a pole and stripped.

“I remember..., one of the students in my class climbed a pole and started humping it on rebellious youth day, it was Dreyfoos theatre alumnus Stoan Maslev(’13),” Carreo said.

Maslev continued until he got reprimanded

Photo by the 2010 Muse Staff

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A student poses for a photo illustration that was taken as a possible cover page of the 2010 Issue 4 of The Muse. The picture was to portray the outof-hand nature of the 2010 Pep Rally.

Continued on page 19

Continued from page 18 by administration. After he was escorted away, the seniors took the rebellious youth act to heart and “attacked administration’s golf cart.”

“When the administrators finally came out and saw what was happening they took [Maslev] away,” Carreo said. “There were signs and they were yelling ‘Free Stoan.’”

Seniors, one after another, began to run the cart down until a few students made it on. Eventually so many students were on the golf cart it began to tip. While certain behavior may be uncalled for, Carrero regards this kind of attitude with understanding.

“I think this occurred because my class has always done horribly in pep rallies and the fact that we finally won was just worth celebrating,” Carreo said. “This happened senior year so of course we won; the seniors almost always win even [if ] they don’t deserve it.”

This was not an anomaly for Spirit Week. In 2014, two Suncoast alumni decided to sneak onto campus and attend pep rally. Kaye and Warman came on campus with the help from visual alumnus Robert Langdon (‘14) and digital media alumnus Daniel Martin (‘14).

“A lot of my good friends went there and I wanted to experience a Dreyfoos pep rally because of [the] school spirit,” Warman said. “We jokingly brought it up with Langdon and Martin and then [they] took it seriously.”

Both Warman and Kaye had heard of the excitement that comes with Spirit Week and wanted to experience it firsthand.

“All of my friends were seniors and always talked about the [Dreyfoos] pep rallies,” Kaye said.

“We didn’t have school that day. I felt like a new kid and a freshman.”

Another instance occurred that same year where a student “streaked” and ran from the cafeteria to the gym, until taken away by administration once again on a golf cart.

The last two years a sophomore has been punched by a senior after the pep rally.

“All the drama occurred because the seniors were amazing, but we beat them so that caused some issue,” dance sophomore Madison O’Connor said. “The whole point of Spirit Week and Pep Rally is to have fun, hang out with your friends and show your talents.”g

Photo by 2010 Muse Staffer

In 2010, after the seniors lost the Scream Off contest, they retaliated by hanging the “2010 we win” banner over the parking garage.

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Theatre alumna Gianna Mascaro (‘14) and visual alumnus Robert Langdon (‘14) stand between Suncoast alumni Chandler Kaye (left) and Jack Warman (right) posing for a picture as Dreyfoos students.

Photo by 2013 Muse Staffer

Administarion escorts theatre alumnus Stoan Maslev (‘13) away from the soccer field after catching him making innappropriate gestures. A group of seniors tried to tip the golf cart over in protest.

COVERSTORY 19

MONDAY MUSICAL GENRE DAY

by UmaRaja and LexiMarcellino pirit Week was meant to kick off with a game of kickball, but poor weather caused a change of plan. Students migrated to the gym to watch the teams participate in dodgeball instead.

The freshman and sophomore competitors teamed up against the juniors and seniors.

Meanwhile, bystanders ran to get their fix of Rita’s italian ice. The seniors’ and juniors’ brute strength overcame the freshmen and sophomores. The upperclassmen reigned victorious. g

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Photo by Caroline Webb

Visual sophomore Sophia Beaubien prepares to throw a dodgeball after the outdoor kickball game was rained out and canceled.

TUESDAY CLASS CLIQUE DAY

Photo by Julia Bonavita

Band sophomore Derrek Brown pulls the rope for his team in the Tug-of-War. The sophomores tied for last with the juniors.

by UmaRaja and LexiMarcellino n Tuesday, students hopped across the soccer field in sacks. All grade levels strived to win, but the seniors finished first. The crowd went wild as students cheered for their classes.

“These Spirit Week events are the one time where you can relax and have fun at lunch instead of trying to finish homework,” theatre sophomore Michael Materdomini said.

The events on Tuesday were the overunder race, the three-legged race, the 50 yard dash, the potato sack race, quadruple dutch and tug-o-war. Seniors were rebellious youth, juniors were jocks and cheerleaders, sophomores were preps and freshmen were nerds. g

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Photo by Julia Horneck

Vocal junior Joshua Johnson and communications junior Damon Weaver win first place during the three-legged race.

20 COVERSTORY

WEDNESDAY GENERATION DAY

Photo by Julia Horneck

Dance senior Alexi Zehner finshes the senior generation dance with a shower of tinsel inspired by the movie ''Flashdance''. The seniors won first place for their '80s dance.

THURSDAY

by AlanaGomez and LexiMarcellino reyfoos students gathered in the gym on Wednesday, Jan. 28 to watch their classmates compete in Generation Dances where freshmen represented the ‘50s, sophomores represented the ‘60s, juniors represented the ‘70s and seniors represented the ‘80s. First place went to the seniors, second place the freshmen, third place the sophomores and fourth place the juniors.

“It was really surprising to win second place in the generation dance,” dance freshman Maggie Vanwieringen said. “I was prepared to get fourth, so it was great.” g

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TWIN DAY

by AlanaGomez and TomKapitulnik he gym was filled again on Thursday, Jan. 29 during the LTM to watch the sophomores and seniors face the freshmen and juniors in a game of powder puff basketball, where the girls played basketball while the boys cheered them on. The freshmen and the juniors took the lead, finishing with a score of 15-4 in favor of the freshmen and juniors.

“It was a lot harder than I thought it would be,” communications senior Bari Bossis said. “[But] it was nice to hear my grade cheer me on.” g

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Photo by Julia Horneck Photo by Julia Horneck

Band senior Lucien Davis and theatre senior Andrew Borrell (L-R) cheer for the senior girls participating in powder puff basketball.

Dance senior Rachel Billings participates in the '80s dance for generation day.

COVERSTORY

21

Results: Day 1- Monday

Dodgeball Seniors- 3 points Juniors- 3 points Sophomores- 1 point Freshmen- 1 point

Day 2- Tuesday

Over-Under Race Seniors- 1 point Juniors- 4 points Sophomores- 3 points Freshmen- 2 points 3-Legged Race Seniors- 2 point Juniors- 4 points Sophomores- 3 points Freshmen- 1 point 50 Yard Dash Seniors- 4 points Juniors- 2 points Sophomores- 1 point Freshmen- 3 points Potato Sack Race Seniors- 4 points Juniors- 2 points Sophomores- 1 point Freshmen- 3 points Quadruple Dutch Seniors- 3 points Juniors- 2 points Sophomores- 1 point Freshmen- 4 points Tug-of-War Seniors- 4 points Juniors- 2 points Sophomores- 2 points Freshmen- 3 points

Photo by Julia Horneck

Two competitors from each of the four grades fight for a seat in the musical chairs competition.

Day 3- Wednesday Generation Dance Seniors- 4 points Juniors- 1 point Sophomores- 2 points Freshmen- 3 points Chalk Art Seniors- 3 points Juniors- 3 points Sophomores- 4 points Freshmen- 1 point

Day 4- Thursday

Powder Puff Basketball Seniors- 1 point Juniors- 3 points Sophomores- 1 points Freshmen- 3 points Cheerleading Seniors- 4 points Juniors- 3 points Sophomores- 2 points Freshmen- 1 point

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COVERSTORY

Photo by Julia Horneck

Photo by Julia Horneck

Photo by Julia Horneck

Photo byJulia Horneck

(Left photo) English teacher Nieves Lopez dresses as an Egyptian queen in the senior teacher dress-up. (Second from left) Communications teacher Kaleb Durocher portrays the charater of Indiana Jones in the sophomores’ teacher dress-up competition. (Third from left) Vocal senior Sarah Rodgers sings in the seniors karaoke piece. Their talent led them to second place. (Right) Theatre junior Max Prissert acts as Troy Bolton in the teacher dress-up.

Day 5- Friday

Musical Chairs Seniors- 4 points Juniors- 3 points Sophomores- 2 points Freshmen- 1 point Free Throws Seniors- 3 points Juniors- 4 points Sophomores- 1 point Freshmen- 2 points Teacher Dress Up Seniors- 3 points Juniors- 1 point Sophomores- 4 points Freshmen- 2 points

Karaoke Seniors- 3 points Juniors- 4 points Sophomores- 2 points Freshmen- 1 point Class Dance Seniors- 3 points Juniors- 2 points Sophomores- 4 points Freshmen- 1 point Scream Off Seniors- 4 points Juniors- 3 points Sophomores- 2 points Freshmen- 1 point

Event Point Total

Seniors- 56 points Juniors- 48 points Sophomores- 37 points Freshmen- 36 points

Ticket Total

Seniors- 760 points Juniors- 402 points Sophomores- 386 points Freshmen- 422 points

Photo by Julia Horneck

Dance junior Samantha Epling is carried by band junior Nicholas Zarins during the junior class dance. The juniors won second place.

Photo by Julia Horneck

Dance sophomore Miranda Caperelli performs the winning pep rally dance.

by TiffanyAbreu The gymnasium boomed with noise – the quick rapping of the freshmen, the sophomores’ roars that shifted into screams, the chanting of “wildcats” emitting from the juniors and the twangy sound of Egyptian music accompanying the entrance of the seniors. The one day of the year when the friendly atmosphere of Dreyfoos transforms into one of fierce competition, when seniors seek to assert their authority and juniors seek to advance to the throne: Pep Rally.

This year’s Pep Rally saw changes, such as the addition of the free throw competition.

Contrary to traditions of years past, the underclassmen were informed ahead of time of what was expected of them and were prepared to deliver. Even more surprising, the Pep Rally was not a battle between juniors and seniors for upperclassmen superiority. It was an equal fight between all grades as each won their own battles with overwhelming performances – sophomores stole the win for the dances and the juniors’ group acapella karaoke secured their win.

The freshmen exhibited a “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” dress up that had the entire gym rapping, and the seniors gave the flashy performances only a class with four years of experience could deliver.

The stakes were raised during the scream off. The sophomores seemed to compete with the seniors for first place, but the juniors shrieked to the seniors’ rescue with a chant of, “Seniors! Seniors!” during the seniors’ second round of screaming. This show of sportsmanship might be what landed the seniors in first place, and reminded students how to set aside their spirit week rivalries.

Even if we occasionally threaten to throw fruit at one another, or call each other out in rap performances, we are all members of the Dreyfoos family.

“What the juniors did for us during the Scream Off made me burst into tears,” communications senior and senior class council president Haley Lickstein said. “This year [the pep rally] unified two classes and made us feel like a Dreyfoos family.” g

COVERSTORY 23

Arts Theatre senior Jessica Baldinger (top left) discusses sketches with her peers during YoungArts week in Miami during January.

Dance senior Daniela O’Neil (bottom left) participates in a master class. This photograph received 604 likes on the YoungArts facebook page. (Below) Visual junior Zachary Rapaport’s awardwinning interactive artwork functions like a compass. He brought these devices with him to Miami week..

Photo provided by Jessica Baldinger

Photo provided by Daniela O’Neil

Dance senior Daniela O’Neil performs at YoungArts week in Miami. The photo received 604 likes on the Facebook page.

Photo provided by Zachary Rapaport

YOUNG ARTS

Eight finalists attend week long scholarship program in Miami

Photo provided by Zachary Rapaport

by IsaacOchoa

S

trolling through the graffiti-sprayed walls of Miami’s vibrant atmosphere, eight Dreyfoos students took part in The National YoungArts Foundation’s exclusive art program, Miami Week.

The event was held from Jan. 4-11 and featured a multitude of talented artists from across the nation.

The finalists were dance seniors Eddieomar Gonzalez and Daniela O’Neil, theatre senior Jessica Baldinger, visual sophomore Seanna

IN THIS SECTION:

25 26 27

Two Dreyfoos juniors took a semester off to experience life at the Oxbow Academy Read about what the other majors are working on in this issue's Arts Index.

Students had the opportunity to meet with college representatives who reviewed their work on Jan. 21 in the gym at this year's Portfolio Day.

24 ARTS

Harris, visual seniors Catrina Crawford, Melissa Posner and visual junior Zachary Rapaport and digital media junior Yu Hua Golnick.

Dreyfoos’ eight students were part of a group of 170 YoungArts finalists that received the opportunity to work with distinguished master teachers and mentors in their specific field on a daily basis for one week. The teachers gave lessons, discussed topics of relevance in their field and gave helpful tips to each student.

“We were very fortunate to have Sylvia Plathy, who is a legendary photographer. She sat down with each one of us to review our portfolio[s] and told us [what] the sequence of pictures should look like and how to improve it.

She gave her knowledge and experiences to us,” Golnick said.

At night, YoungArts organized performances, film screenings, art exhibitions, writer’s readings and jazz performances to expose the virtuosos to an audience. In some cases, the master teachers chose the students’ performances a few days before or on the same day of the presentation.

“We had the chance to put our work in a gallery, and a curator from a museum in Miami helped us choose and print everything,” Golnick

said. “While I was there, a YoungArts staffer came up to me and told me she wanted to buy my art. This was a very big thing for me because someone loved my work and wanted to hang it in her house.”

Most students had anxieties about the monumental competition due to the possible opportunities it could generate. Admittance into the program is highly unlikely with a 6.3 percent admissions rate, and the 700 nationwide winners are narrowed down to a select few that may receive scholarships.

“I was really nervous getting there because I didn’t know what to expect, but once I got there the other finalists [and panelists] were very supportive,” O’Neil said. “I tried to sit with [kids from] different disciplines. We talked about art to get a taste of what art is in all of its forms. It was eye-opening.”

Miami Week in January determines the students’ awards (Level 3: $1000, Level 2: $1500, Level 1: $3000, Silver: $5000, Gold: $10,000).

A student’s participation in Miami Week’s master classes, performances, exhibitions and interdisciplinary sessions and the execution of the last night act defined the outcome. continued on page 25

25

INTENSE IMMERSION AT OXBOW Visual students spend an eye-opening semester at The Oxbow School

helped in inspiring Crippen to attend. he Oxbow School is a year-round “[Visual dean Jennifer Gifford] was program that offers a wide range of inspiring students to go there,” Crippen opportunities for students with artistic said. “People from The Oxbow School came abilities. This fall, visual juniors Calil here and asked us to go there. I heard a lot Russell-Arguedas and Palmer Crippen of things about it and thought that I’d give attended the program on generous it a try. It looked very attractive to go to scholarships. since it’s very big in the arts.”

“I attended the Oxbow school Being exposed to a new type of learning program in Napa, California. It’s an artshighly affected Crippen because of the eyeintensive semester for visual students opening opportunity that he was given. and the program only lasts one semester,” “As an artist, I’ve become much more Russell-Arguedas said. “It’s a wonderful conceptual and intentional,” Crippen said. opportunity to explore art and academics “I now have the enthusiasm and ability Photo courtesy of Calil Russell-Arguedas through a very disciplinary approach. to create artwork that reflects my ideas Visual junior Calil Russell-Arguedas discusses his artwork with his While I was there I thought more critically Oxbow professors. and concerns in a strong way as opposed than I ever have before and I’m really to before Oxbow, when I would make art life-changing realization or a moment in your appreciative of the opportunities that have because I thought it looked cool. I am much life where your perception had changed,” been given to me because of this program.” more aware of my actions and influence on Russell-Arguedas said. “Once I was accepted The Oxbow program is very selective, with the world and how the world has come to I was put into a system for scholarship. The between 30 to 48 spots available yearly, half influence me and shape me into who I am tuition is $33,000 for the semester and I was given strictly to California residents. awarded a $24,250 scholarship, which was the today. Oxbow really showed the individual “You apply by sending in your selfpower I hold not just as an artist but as a maximum amount.” portrait, which could be in any medium person.” g The impressive image of The Oxbow and any size, and a 300-word essay about a School and the high praise from teachers

by KaraiMclean

T

YOUNGARTS

continued from page 24 Finalists who were graduating high school seniors also had the opportunity to be nominated by YoungArts for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Commission, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an artistically talented graduating high school senior.

Besides insight to improve their skills and opportunities for better exposure, YoungArts ensured that the future artists of America had a relaxed setting to balance the stress of performances. In this environment, students could cultivate their art area without the preoccupations of everyday nuisances such as preparing food.

“The coffee was made for us. Everything was premade for us. We were pampered there,” O’Neil said.

Renowned alumni of the foundation include actresses such as Vanessa Williams, Viola Davis and Kerry Washington, four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza, American Ballet Theater CEO Rachel Moore and recording artist Nicki Minaj. Therefore, Miami Week’s judges expected students to prove their abilities and knowledge in their art area.

“Dreyfoos prepared me to create a body of work that is cohesive, a trait that most master teachers valued and expected from us [as experienced] photographers,” Golnick said.

As arts students, the eight competitors from Dreyfoos entered the competition

knowing that Dreyfoos behaves as a small portion of the actual artistic world.

“Dreyfoosians” understood that YoungArts, a foundation for artists, would be more competitive than the usual school or state contest, but O’Neil’s mentors discouraged focusing on the competition.

“The world is so competitive in all art forms, and they really stressed that the best thing you can offer is yourself. That is the only thing that differentiates you from everyone else. Be comfortable with yourself and what you have to offer,” O’Neil said.

YoungArts transforms the mindset of today’s leading young writers, actors, cinematographers, dancers, musicians,

artists and photographers into a solidified and positive view of art in all of its forms.

According to Dreyfoos participants, the experience encourages growth and acceptance. It opens minds to new ideas, and for some, it encourages the pursuit of dreams.

“YoungArts changed my perspective as an artist. Before I went to Miami Week, I doubted if I wanted to continue to pursue art after Dreyfoos,” Golnick said. “Now, I want to be an artist and continue to study photography so I can make people wonder about my artwork.”

The next application cycle opens in Spring 2015 and with it many more Dreyfoos students will continue to impress and learn about the power of art. g

Photo courtesy of Seanna Harris

Design finalist and visual sophomore Seanna Harris' sea sponge bikini is made with coral and beach inspired elements.

This piece is among nontraditional clothing designs..

ARTS

25

Arts Index A guide to what's going on in the art area classes Photo by Jade Lenkersdorf

COMMUNICATIONS

S

Photo by Bethany Ebanks

Theatre senior Gelila Hawthorne creates a '20s inspired flapper dress in her costume design class.

THEATRE T

heatre’s family-friendly “Disney Showcase” was held on Feb. 13. The first musical of the 2015 theatre season will be “Thoroughly Modern Millie” which is set to open on Feb. 27.

“The play is about a girl who lives in the country and decides she wants to live a better life,” theatre junior Maxime Prissert said. “The play begins when she moves to New York and decides she’s never going back home. She decides that she wants to be successful and she tries to marry rich.”

As the final choreography is completed and with scene blocking underway, students have begun preparing the set and props for the performance.

“The production team is working really hard to set everything up and get the props done,” theatre junior Vanessa Santamaria said. “All [of ] the different crews are getting the play ready, the paint crew is figuring out the different colors that we need for the set and the build crew is building the set.”

Each year a group of theatre seniors takes the opportunity to travel to Chicago for the National Unified auditions. This year the trip took place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, giving the students time to explore the city while auditioning for top theatre programs. g

26 ARTS

peech and debate students will continue to participate in a unique lesson plan during the New Year. Introduced last year by communications dean Angela Weber, “A2D2” debate exercises take place once a week, while the remainder of class periods are devoted to research and preparing arguments. A2D2’s consist of the selection of a recent article, taking a side on the issue and doing research to back up claims, then presenting the completed argument to the class. The entire class participates in the debate; each student giving their individual input based on facts presented to them during class. Debaters get an opportunity to express their views on the latest issues in the United States and across the world. This exercise encourages expression of diversity through educated opinion sharing on the world’s most pressing issues.

“A2D2 is a great way to discuss current event issues and hear different opinions from each end of the political spectrum,” communication senior Brandon Cohen said.

This class lesson plan is designed to provide debate students with different opinions and viewpoints on articles in the news.

Hearing different ideas and opinions on current events encourages a global perspective. g

DANCE D

reyfoos dance majors are working tirelessly for the upcoming Spring Dance Concert. After a stellar performance at the Winter Dance Concert, featuring a wide variety of intense acts, the dancers have set high expectations for each of their performances.

“Right now we have two guest choreographers here. We had an audition for a piece for the spring dance concert choreographed by Jennifer Archibald,” dance junior Katia Lago said. “We have to be open minded to the choreographer. We have to be a sponge and absorb everything and be open to details.”

Jennifer Archibald’s style can be described as a mix of hip-hop and contemporary dance styles. Bringing the two styles together adds a pop to mix up the shows choreography.

“Jennifer was very intimidating when she first walked in.

Everythng she does is sharp and very hard-hitting,” Lago said.

Former theatre teacher Garry Q. Lewis is choreographing a piece for the spring dance concert. After choreographing a dance number to Ariana Grande’s hit song “Problem” in the Winter Dance Concert, many are looking forward to Mr. Lewis’ choreography contributions for the show.

“My group is choreographed by Mr. Lewis. We are doing a jazz number. Sassy is a good word for it,” dance junior Sierra Cooper said. g

BAND W

ind ensemble students went to Tampa to perform at the AllState President’s Concert on Jan. 14. All-State is a statewide music convention in which bands from around Florida audition for the opportunity to attend and perform at the final show after rehearsals.

“In concerts [at school] we are usually playing in front of friends and family who are going to clap no matter if we mess up or not, this concert was very important for us because we were playing for a room full of accomplished music students and educators,” band junior Megan Ricker said. Although the Dreyfoos students in attendance did not participate in the convention it was an honor to be selected to play after sending in an audition tape last school year. Rehearsals for the performance were extensive, during and after school for months. Prior to their departure on Jan. 14, the wind ensemble and symphonic bands played a concert on Jan. 13. g

STRINGS

A

s students welcome the New Year, Dreyfoos musicians have been working tirelessly in preparation for their more prestigious events in the upcoming weeks.

The strings department’s Philharmonic concert was held on Feb. 10 at Lynn University. The program showcased the works of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, including the fourth movement of Symphony No. 2, Finlandia, the Karelia Suite and the Violin Concerto in D minor. The concert featured artist-in-residence and violinist Huifeng Chen as a soloist. Preparation for the concert was rigorous as it was one of the more professional performances of the year.

“We’ve had a lot of afterschool rehearsals and we take the whole class to prepare [for the concert] also,” strings junior Michelle Balko said. g

VISUAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA

A

s deadlines for college applications begin to lure over many seniors and even eager juniors, Portfolio Day, held in the gym on Jan. 21, was a great day for digital media and visual students to get a head start on creating their cohesive collections of work and interview for their dream art schools.

“We have about 51 colleges from all around the world come to school to look at students’ work and interview students for scholarships and admission to their school,” visual dean Jennifer Gifford said.

Many students had their art critiqued by officials from the schools and got to see which colleges may best suit their interests.

“It wasn’t just art schools, places like Tulane [University] and Boston University have strong liberal arts departments and participate as well,” Ms. Gifford said.

Scholastic Art and Writing Competition results were also released to students on Jan. 15. Those who received a gold or silver key are eligible to submit their work to a show at the Armory Arts Center, where they will be presented to an audience of about 500 people. They will also have their work sent digitally to New York to be judged nationally, as well as placed in a show.

“They let all the students go to a big celebration at Carnegie Hall after the show,” Gifford said. “It’s good for students to say they participated to earn scholarship money.” g

PIANO AND VOCAL

V

ocal students are working extremely hard to prepare for their upcoming American Choral Directors Association Concert in Salt Lake City from Feb. 24 to March 1. This is a great opportunity for the vocalists as they will be able to preform for some of the most prestigious of choral directors in the nation.

The Klavier group of pianists performed in their concert, “Veloce” on Jan. 23. Students also performed in their annual duet concert called “Duets for More or Less than 2 People” on Feb. 6. There will be also be a Klavier concert entitled “Recital” on Feb. 20 featuring strings junior Laura Bomney and keyboard seniors Dante Alvarado and Rudy Viega in the Brandt Black Box Theater. g

Photo by Jade Lenkersdorf

Visual senior Maeve Headstrom paints an image during her studio art class.

Students utilize their time to work on their senior art pieces.

ARTS

27

JUDGMENT DAY AT DREYFOOS Portfolio day provides opportunity to show work

Photo by Jade Lenkersdorf

Visual senior Serena August prepares for the presentation of her work in front of college representatives on the Portfolio Review Day.

by UmaRaja

S

tudents huddle to present their artwork at colorful tables, anxiously looking at college representatives. On Wed, Jan. 21, Dreyfoos students attended Portfolio Review Day in the gym. Portfolio Review Day is an exciting time for visual and digital media students who want to attend college. It’s a chance for students to show off their work and get the opportunities of a lifetime.

“My portfolio experience was very nervewracking but fortunately all [of ] the reviewers and representatives were very nice and constructive,” strings junior Mateo Dorado said. “I showed them a lot of my commercial work and some schools thought it was very interesting, while others were interested in pure art. I’m excited to get everything together next year in order to attend a good art school.”

Students of every grade level received SRAs and gathered in the gym for a day.

College representatives examined student portfolios—collections that sported a diversity of artwork such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, digital works and animation. “[Portfolio Review Day] is a good way to know college reps,” visual dean Jenny Gifford said. “We’ve had institutions from Canada, Mexico, and the Netherlands. There’s art

28 ARTS

schools and non-arts schools like Tulane and Boston University. There are design schools, fine arts schools, craft schools and liberal art schools. There are fifty-one schools.”

Dreyfoos has been hosting schoolexclusive Portfolio Review Days for twelve years. Dreyfoos is one of three schools in the country to have a private review day. National Portfolio Review Days take place all over the country.

“Dreyfoos interviews last 20-40 minutes.

Interviews are 15 minutes at a National Portfolio Review Day campus,” Ms. Gifford said.

Students get to converse individually with college representatives, and if the student catches the attention of a representative, they can exchange emails with them and hopefully obtain scholarship opportunities.

“Really what [Portfolio Review Day] does is put you on a map for colleges,” visual junior Calil Russell-Arguedas said. “College reps remember who you are and they remember your work. They talk to other schools about you.”

The middle of the gym was full of booths manned by one or more college representatives. The students presented their portfolios to the representatives and received verbal feedback. The representatives also

wrote notes on the work and added them to a student file. They continue to add new notes every year, and during the student’s senior year the representatives will look through the files and decide if they want to offer scholarships to the student.

“Portfolio Review Day gives an opportunity for students not only to show off art but to present it verbally and talk,” Baruch College Assistant to Director of Undergraduate Admissions Larry Stickler said. “Communication skills are needed for multiple medias. Portfolio Review Day teaches students to learn how to talk to an adult and present yourself. You’re doing an interview, presenting yourself, having a resume--your portfolio. Even if you’re an artist you’re still in business. Whether you’re an artist or a musician or an actor, remember the world is show business.”

Senior art lined the side of the gym while students in other grade levels carried around large folders containing their work. Spectators and college representatives alike admired the art.

“From the work I’ve seen, it’s amazing--the amount of talent concentrated in one school,” Stickler said. “I’m very much impressed with the students I met here. It’s wonderful sitting here and looking at the artwork.” g

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Sports

A GYM FIT FOR

JAGUARS?

Although Dreyfoos school mascot is a Jaguar, the gym design fails to reflect that

Graphic by Dana Thomas

The graphic above is an illustrated representation of what the Dreyfoos gymnasiumcould look like by replacing the Vitruvian Man with the Dreyfoos logo.

Commentary by AdamNir

T

hroughout the campus, the colors gold and black can be spotted on shirts, sweaters and even sweatpants. This is because the Jaguar is Dreyfoos’ mascot, and black and gold are the school’s colors. While this seems apparent to any Dreyfoos student, our gymnasium seems oblivious to this fact.

The Dreyfoos Jaguars are relatively new in the high school athletic world, yet they have already proved their success. Dreyfoos is known for its academics and arts, but dozens of banners are on display in the gym, reminding students of the school’s athletic success. These banners hold the famed gold and black colors, which our athletes don on their uniforms with pride. However, these banners stand out in the outdated design.

The Dreyfoos gymnasium is blue. Nowhere on the court or bleachers do our colors show.

Rather, a sea of un-matching blue and grey

IN THIS SECTION:

32 33 34

Band junior Kaitlyn Svopa shows that she’s a tough athlete and can overcome her shoulder injury.

Read about how theatre senior John Hench's passion for sailing shows through his hands.

Check out a brief on what is happening in each of Dreyfoos’ sports and how their seasons are progressing.

can be seen. When our basketball players take the court they don’t walk out to a home game, rather, they must play on a court featuring a naked man in the center, nowhere near resembling an intimidating Jaguar. By featuring Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” at center court rather than our team’s logo, we support the very stereotype which we try to dispute; Dreyfoos is purely an arts school and nothing more.

In the school’s defense, the court Photo by Bari Bossis was designed back when Dreyfoos The model of Leonardo Da Vinci's ''Vitruvian Man''” decorates the lacked any athletic teams whatsoever, center of the court in the school gym. The ''Vitruvian Man''” design and at the time, the court made sense. represents the ideal athletic Renaissance body. “[Former physical education to be considered a competitive and athletic teacher]Mrs. Denise Griffo believed school. This negativity overshadows all of physical education wasn’t just about our teams’ accomplishments, which feature preparing kids to play on a team, it was constant post-season appearances and even more about health and wellness,” Assistant championships in sports such as soccer and Principal Leo Barrett said. “The idea was to basketball. show that we are not a sports school; we are Dreyfoos students are proud of the school an arts school.” they attend, and our basketball court should This notion is outdated and needs display this. Every time opposing players to be changed. Though this change will enter our gym, they need to know right away be expensive, it is possible. The school that they are at Dreyfoos. We are the school renovated the gym in 2001, modernizing it of the arts, and our court needs to show that. by installing locker rooms and bleachers.

It is only fitting that our great school has a Because the previous change was completed great and intimidating court design which successfully, there should be no problem shows off who we truly are- Jaguars, always repainting a basketball court and the on the hunt, striving to achieve greatness. g bleachers surrounding it. Dreyfoos is a school teeming with future designers and artists, would it really be so hard to redesign the court and add in a new logo?

The longer we wait the longer it will take

SPORTS 31

SVOPA, SOCCER AND SETBACKS

Band junior Kaitlyn Svopa plans her future in soccer

by DanielMontoya

S

occer has been a major factor in band junior Kaitlyn Svopa’s life. She has been playing her whole life and is hopeful to continue her soccer career in college. She has received verbal offers from various colleges including Florida Southern College, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina University and Wingate University.

“Everything is verbal right now until the summer going into my senior year,” Svopa said. “Signing [the National Letter of Intent] would be in early February 2018, but verbal commitment can happen now.”

Svopa plans on majoring in athletic training or physical therapy at whichever school she attends and has the full support of her family to continue playing. “[I have been playing] since I was 4 or 5,” Svopa said. “My parents started me off when I was little, and ever since then, I just kept wanting to play.”

Svopa plays travel soccer and currently plays with Jupiter United where she has scored 16 times and assisted eight goals. She has been playing on the Dreyfoos girls soccer team since her freshman year and has ten

32 SPORTS

goals and four assists in the 2014-2015 season.

“She’s a leader on the field for sure,” science dean and girls soccer coach Stephen Anand said. “She speaks with her actions.”

Svopa says she loves playing with her friends from school as they are, as Svopa says, one big family. However, playing for the school team does have its risks. Svopa injured her shoulder playing against Royal Palm high school and was forced to sit out the remainder of the season with an acromioclavicular joint separation.

“I had the ball and almost a breakaway, and when I cut the ball back to shoot, this girl hit me from behind and I fell. But when I fell, I landed straight on my shoulder and heard a crack,” Svopa said. “The doctor said it takes six to eight weeks to heal but I might be able to start training in three.”

Since she could not play with a sling on her arm, Svopa had to watch as her teammates played in the district tournament.

“Not being able to play is one of the worst feelings but being there on the sidelines helps,” Svopa said.g Photo by Bethany Ebanks

Band junior Kaitlyn Svopa dribbles the ball at an away game against Forest Hill High School.

CALLOUSED HANDS, ROUGH SEAS Theatre senior John Hench puts all of his energy into sailing

Photo provided by John Hench

Theatre senior John Hench uses his body weight to steer his boat during rough winds. Hench began sailing when he was 11 years old,

by JackReagan

N

othing is a stranger feeling than shaking the hands of theatre senior John Hench.

They are rough, rugged; his palms completely covered in calluses, so much so that his iPhone cannot even recognize his fingerprints.

The texture of his hands is due to the constant pulling of ropes. His hands became rough soon after he started sailing at 11 years old at the Palm Beach Sailing Club; they are a result of the hard work and dedication he shows when participating in one of the most rigorous sports across the globe.

“Sailing is a full body workout,” Hench said. “If you can walk after, you didn’t work hard enough.”

Hench’s hardened and stiff hands show the truth behind how difficult sailing is and the type of stress your body is under during the time you participate in the sport. He even has a visible difference in the strength of his quads and shoulder muscles compared to the rest of his body due to the constant work sailing puts on those muscles.

“When it’s windy, imagine holding a knee extension for 15 minutes straight while

keeping your upper body parallel to the water,” Hench said. “Not to mention also having to work the boat by throwing your weight around.”

Not only is Hench exerting all possible energy from his body, but he is also concentrated on the psychology of sailing.

“On light days, [sailing] is mentally straining because you are constantly trying to figure out your next plan of action,” Hench said.

Although sailing is difficult physically and mentally, Hench has had his own unique set of difficulties over the time he has spent sailing. From breaking and bending his mast, breaking lines and his rudder on his laser boat, to actually having instances where he has hit other competing sailors and wrecked, Hench has had a long history of difficulties that has pushed him to become a better sailor.

“I had a near miss one time when [the wind] was blowing 20 knots by the lee side of my boat and I almost rammed into the coach’s boat, but I had to quickly turn into the wind,” Hench said. “I didn’t hit his boat but I deathrolled my boat, causing it to flip over.”

During his sailing practices, Hench comes in contact with a variety of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, jellyfish and flying fish. Even after seeing these, Hench still admits that the most interesting and most dangerous thing he sees while sailing are the giant waves he encounters.

“One time, I was coming down a ten foot wave and I had to turn into the wind quickly because I would’ve been thrown off my boat,” Hench said. “Fortunately this happened at practice.”

Although he spends every weekend, and even some weekdays, practicing and sailing in sailing competitions across the east coast with the Ft. Lauderdale Yacht Club, Hench still focuses on what his future in sailing may be. He does this by preparing himself for college sailing and by attracting the eyes of college scouts.

"Sailing has given me the opportunity to spend time doing something I love,” Hench said. g

Photo provided by John Hench

Theatre senior John Hench practices his technique during a weekend practice in Ft. Lauderdale by surfing waves made by a powerboat.

SPORTS33

SPORTSGUIDE a play by play of this seasons meets, games and tournaments Girls Soccer

WINTER

by AlanaGomez

T

he girls soccer team ended their season with a 5-8-3 record. After a long season, the girls team made it to two district playoff games before losing to Suncoast Community High School on Jan. 14.

Throughout the girls soccer season, four out of 11 of the team’s starters received injuries, both on and off the field, ending their playing time. These absences have caused changes in the layout of the team’s offense and defense. “[We’ve had] to place new players [in different positions] who aren’t used to that position [and it changes the game],” visual senior Victoria Cruz said. g

Boys Soccer

by JackReagan

T

he boys soccer season came to an end as they took home two wins and a first district win in over four years this season. “[The team] had a lot of new people this year which, I think, helped us perform better than we had in previous years,” visual junior and starting goal keeper Abbott Schrotenboer said.

Although they were able defeat Inlet Grove and Blanche Ely, the jaguars’ last game was an unfortunate loss against Royal Palm High School 5-1.

Scoring late in the first half was communications senior Steffan Gawlikowski, making him the tenth highest scorer in the county. g

Tennis

by AdamNir

T

he Dreyfoos tennis team opened their season with a loss against Oxbridge Academy on Feb. 3 and are 0-1. The tennis team has suffered major setbacks due to inclement weather as subsequent matches have been cancelled and the rescheduled dates are yet to be determined. In order to prepare for the upcoming matches, the tennis team has been running practice matches to give new players some experience.

“We’ve been practicing and running several drills to help prepare for the upcoming games,” communications senior Brandon Cohen said.

Though the team is off to a slow start the members of the team are hopeful to complete a successful season.

“The best thing is that all the guys that are out there really have passion for tennis, so we take our practice matches pretty seriously,” Cohen said. g

34SPORTS

Photo by LifeTouch

[Vocal senior Matthew Mellusi goes in for a lay-up at an away game against Trinity Christian High School.

The Dreyfoos boys basketball team finished the season with a final record of 4-12..

Basketball

by ElliotHacker

On Jan. 31, the boys basketball team walked away from their last game against FAU high school with a final record of 4-12. By halftime, Dreyfoos was down by 4 points and by the third quarter, the basketball team was losing by 14 points.

With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Dreyfoos took the lead. Basketball captain and communications senior Matthew Charlton lead the team with 18 points. Dreyfoos totaled their losses to 12. g

Track and Field

by TomasCabezas

T

he track and field team is preparing for their first meet on Feb. 20.

Athletic director and track and field coach Christopher Burns and assistant coach Craig Adams split the team into two categories: distance runners and sprinters. Mr. Burns is focusing on the sprinters while Mr. Adams is focusing on the distance runners.

“We are focused right now on basic conditioning and form,” Mr. Burns said.

“We have to get the kids in shape before we can really get into details.”

Making sure the team is able to run with proper technique is the main focus of Mr. Burns and Mr. Adams before the track and field meets starts. g

Boca ATA proudly sponsors Dreyfoos School of the Arts!

Upcoming Dreyfoos Performances Winter 2015

ATA TAEKWONDO CLUB OF BOCA RATON

Come enjoy these exhilarating performances and exhibits by students at Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Tickets can be purchased online at www.awdsoa.org and clicking on “Seat Yourself ”.

Feb CLASSES FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES

19 20 25 27, 28 28

6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM

Chamber Music Recital Piano Recital

Brandt Black Box Brandt Black Box

1 3 6 7 7, 8 9 10 12 26 27 31

2:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM 11:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

Throughly Modern Millie Chamber Music Recital Throughly Modern Millie Throughly Modern Millie Throughly Modern Millie Guild Musical Luncheon* Chamber Music Concert Piano Recital Piano Recital Phillharmonic Orchestra Concert Pops Concert

Meyer Hall Brandt Black Box Meyer Hall Meyer Hall Meyer Hall Private Club Brandt Black Box Brandt Black Box Brandt Black Box Meyer Hall Meyer Hall

String Orchestra Concert Throughly Modern Millie Throughly Modern Millie

Brandt Black Box Meyer Hall Meyer Hall

NO CONTRACTS – STUDENT DISCOUNTS VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND GIVE US A CALL TODAY! MENTION THIS AD FOR ONE WEEK FREE

Where:

Mar

7600 NORTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY BOCA RATON, FLORIDA 33487

(561) 994-8748 Visit our website at: WWW.BOCAATA.COM

For more details on events, directions, or information about the Foundation, visit soafi.org or call 561-805-6298

AD 35

Lifestyle

Photo by Dana Thomas

ROAD TO REALIZATION

Time to digest that eating disorders are a growing problem

by MorgaanJessell

S

ince the beginning of time, there has been a premium placed on beauty –especially for women. When you consider the physical characteristics that warrant an attractive identity, you consider hair, eyes, clothing and size. There is a 60 million dollar industry in America alone that is devoted entirely to improving women’s looks. From makeup to hair products to diet pills, it seems like there is a price when it comes to making yourself more attractive. But what about the people who pay the ultimate price: sacrificing their health?

Eating disorders are serious, life threatening illnesses that impact millions of people every year. According to The National Eating Disorders Association, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a range of clinically significant eating disorders at some time in their life. Among the most

36 LIFESTYLE

common are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

The difficult part of treating eating disorders is the trend of not reporting them.

A lack of individuals coming forward about their illness makes providing them help nearly impossible. In the realm of mental illnesses, there is an arguable stigma that affects each, and such stigmas are what prevents proper funding. The fear is understandable.

Between the media stereotypes and common misconceptions about mental illness, it’s no wonder that no one wants to admit to it.

According to the National Health Institute, only 28 million dollars are provided in funding to mental illnesses despite them being prevalent in 30 million American citizens.

Helping people who suffer from mental illnesses can only come when we as a society recognize how prevalent they are.

Eating disorders also have detrimental effects on cognitive functions, meaning that learning is impacted by eating disorders.

According to a George Washington University study, eating disorders make students feel irritable and decrease students’ ability to concentrate. Furthermore, students are deprived of key nutrients such as iron which are critical for well-functioning memory and concentration.

Eating disorders are not about food. They are about repressed feelings that lead to an unhealthy escape. There are many stimulants that can cause someone to suffer from an eating disorder, whether it is a matter of low self-esteem or a desire to control. Regardless, there needs to be a coordinated effort that is free of stigmas so people can feel comfortable seeking the help they need. g

SEE THE

WARNING

by GerniseGregoire and DanaThomas

B

eing aware and informed of the many different types of eating disorders and their symptoms is imperative in both preventing and treating the condition. Binge eating, nighteating syndrome, bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are the most threatening and common disorders among teenagers today. g

Binge eating disorder

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SIGNS

e all tend to overeat sometimes, whether it’s having an extra serving during dinner or having dessert when you’re already full. However, for binge eaters, overeating occurs regularly and is almost uncontrollable.

Binge eating is an eating disorder that is characterized by compulsive overeating; people consume large amounts of food with the feeling of being unable to stop. Binge eating episodes usually last around two hours and result in feelings of embarrassment and regret afterwards.

Unlike other eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, binge eaters do not always experience a large weight gain or loss.

Although someone who suffers from binge eating can maintain their normal weight, binge eating is a serious disorder that can lead to many health issues.

Obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease can all occur as a result of compulsive overeating. Overcoming G ra this disorder includes methods of ph ic by managing stress and boredom, dieting and M or ga listening to your body when you feel full. g an

Bulimia nervosa

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his potentially life-threatening eating disorder is described as a series of binge and purge cycles: a behavior of consuming large amounts of food in a short amount of time then regurgitating it. This is done when one has the compulsive need to “burn off” calories that are eaten in order to prevent weight gain.

When practicing this extremely harmful eating disorder continuously, a person practicing bulimia will develop the obsession of selfimage, lifestyle schedules for the binging and purging rituals and discoloration of the teeth. Certain long term effects include swelling of hands and feet and broken blood vessels in the eyes. g

I

Anorexia nervosa

t is simply human for people to wish they could fix something about themselves. However, when a preoccupation with being thin takes over normal eating habits and disrupts daily hile night-eating seems like a harmless activity, life, it is a sign of an eating disorder. Anorexia night-eating syndrome is a serious condition, in which nervosa is an eating disorder that prompts people people eat large amounts of food during the late evening and to lose weight more than they should often by selfmiddle of the night. Night-eating syndrome is not the same as starvation, compulsive dieting and excessive exercising. binge eating disorder. Whereas binge eaters will eat large amounts With this disorder, the desire to lose weight becomes of food anytime during the day and night, night-eaters will not always more important than anything else in the world. A person’s binge. The two disorders are similar in that they both result in feeling of shame and guilt as well as health complications. Night-eating syndrome entire life and self-esteem is based entirely on how much they weigh and how thin they are. It drives one to lose the ability to see his affects approximately 1.5 percent of the population, according to the or herself as who he or she truly is. People with Anorexia nervosa National Institute of Mental Health. Treating this condition usually suffer from extreme weight loss, dry skin and slow thinking. In starts with the patient realizing the negative effects of their behavior.

Multiple techniques, including diets and nutrition assessments, are then the long run, this disorder may cause abnormal heart rhythm, nail discoloration, low blood pressure and osteoporosis. g used to alter the patients’ eating habits and routines. g Je

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Night-eating syndrome

ell

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LIFESTYLE

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THE

Entertainment

BACK TO PRESENT

What 'Back to the Future Part II' got right and wrong about 2015

Photo by Universal Pictures

"Back to the Future II" is set in 1985, where protagonist Marty McFly travels to the future, 2015, to discover all of the disastrous changes that occurred over 30 years.

by BariBossis

W

ell, it’s the New Year. The year of innovation, new beginnings and most importantly, old predictions. We are now living in the year of 2015, the year Marty McFly would have traveled to in Robert Zemeckis’ renowned trilogy “Back to the Future.” In honor of the influential ‘80s film series, I have gathered some of its most profound predictions for 2015 and juxtaposed them with our reality today.

Instant food

“Back to the Future Part II” forecasted that food could be ready to serve in an instant. This goes beyond our present “fast food” chains and, unfortunately, remains

an unfulfilled dream. In reality, no matter how many “People Dedicated to Quality” swarm the fried chicken joints of Okeechobee Boulevard, my buffalo chicken sandwich still holds a meager record of 3 minutes and 29 seconds for frying time.

Jaws 19

Just as orange is the new black, flesheating bacteria seems to be the new sea demon. While “the future” foreshadowed a “Jaws 19,” North Korean threats interrupted release past the fourth. The deadly bacteria surfacing the Atlantic Ocean today has instilled a fear among Americans perhaps equally as alarming as Spielberg’s underwater killers.

Rejuvenation Clinics

IN THIS SECTION:

39 40 41

Read about how one of our own staff members created a Snapchat geotag for Dreyfoos students to add to their photos.

Netflix is a primary source for students to watch films and television shows on demand. Read about the hidden gems of the entertainment source.

Video gaming can get very intense.

Read about how a fun way to pass time has become a recognized sport.

38 ENTERTAINMENT

Yet again, the second installment of the time-traveling trilogy got it right with the horoscope of Rejuvenation Clinics. Promoting optimum skin and hair, Rejuvenation Clinics have indeed made their way to 2015 and are highly prominent in the plastic surgery hub of South Florida: Boca Raton.

Video conferences

Yes, the forecast of video chatting came true, but is already history. Along with Club Penguin and Webkinz, our login credentials for Oovoo and Skype are so “two thousand and late.”

Compost fuel:

“Back to the Future” was not far off in predicting compost as a source of fuel.

Today’s biogas allows humans to maximize the value of their trash as a source of fuel for automobiles. The process works like this: you over-estimated your ability to eat the entire 50-count of McNuggets, so you throw your leftovers into a MicroFusion Reactor. This handy device reduces waste to sugar water and ferments it into a soup of water, alcohol and bacteria. Next, the MicroFueler processes the mixture into ethanol. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty McFly to me.

Continued on In “Back to the Future II” Marty page 39 McFly wears self-tying shoes and rides a hoverboard. Nike is now designing a new line of Nike MAGS featuring Power Laces, based on the shoes in the movie.

Photo by Universal Pictures

SNAPCHAT GETS: Snapchat allows users to make their own geotags commentary by ChloeKrammel

Graphic by Chloe Krammel

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landmarks, venues or cities you activated napchat users from all over can now it into. personalize their snapsterpieces Seasonal geofilters can also be seen on even more by creating their own the screens of all Snapchat users on some geofilters. With a simple swipe, these national holidays regardless of location. location-specific filters add a touch of Many snapped their Thanksgiving meal individuality to your selfies and sunset or a pre-dinner mirror pic and added the pics. There are thousands of geofilters “Happy Thanksgiving” filter to put on their that can be seen in certain public places story or send to friends. across the globe including Boca Raton, After a short-lived look through the Delray Beach, Miami and now Dreyfoos simplified Snapchat website and realizing and CityPlace with the new Muse it wasn’t too good to be true, I created geofilter.

The Muse geotag by first downloading the The Snapchat gurus blessed their Photoshop template and then designing. users with downloadable templates, After several hours and many layers, our a three-step instruction guide and own geofilter was made. I then selected an easy to use uploading interface all the geofence, the area in which a geotag accessible to enthusiasts who wish to can be used, and wrote a brief description create and mark their territory. There about the relevance and importance of the are restrictive guidelines that one must Photo collage of Dreyfoos students by Taylor Rich geofilter to our school to represent the follow in order for their geofilter to be Dreyfoos students and teachers use the Muse geotag, which is spirit of Dreyfoos, the creativity among our available to Snapchat users in and around Dreyfoos. put on the app, such as graphics having campus and the unity of our school. to be 100 percent original and “visually If you ever have the desire to take your Check out our “Muse-worthy” geofilter compelling.” Snapchat allowing its users, selfie game to the next level, go ahead and personalize your Snapchat in style. g artists and designers the opportunity to and make your own geofilter— as long publish their creations has added a creative as it is relevant to the neighborhoods, benefit for the company as well as its users.

BACK TO THE PRESENT

Photo by Universal Pictures

The 2015 of “''Back to the Future Part II'' has food that could be prepared and ready to eat in an instant.

continued from page 38 Flying cars\

No, there are no flying cars. Or perhaps there are. Maybe this has to do with the missing Malaysian airplane.

Smart clothing

Yoga pants seem like a smart clothing invention for almost everyone. And that’s not

Photo by Universal Pictures

Marty McFly gazes at the hologram of the shark in “Jaws 19,”which ''Back to the Future Part II''”suggested would hit theaters in 2015.

even the best part.

Nike has created a pedometer to be placed inside of their sneakers to connect with the Nike FuelBand and track calories burned along with distance. The brand even unveiled their own self-tying shoes, modeled after the ones in the movie, to accommodate their market of scoliosis victims who cannot bend down and “just do it” themselves.

What we accomplished anyway

Virtually no master of the future could predict the true and awe-inspiring discoveries of the 21st century we are presented with today. Perhaps it is these Snapchat, the trend of hashtags and even the infamous Shake Weight workout device that make “the future” worthwhile beyond our wildest foretelling. g

ENTERTAINMENT39

THE HIDDEN GEMS OF NETFLIX Netflix offers impressive lesser known movies

by BriPosner

A

s online streaming websites become the norm, the popularity of television and DVDs has decreased immensely. With sites such as Netflix and Hulu, not many people still watch Friday night movie specials anymore; any movie you desire to watch is already online. But what happens to those lesser known movies people will not have the chance to see due to more popular searches? They end up being deleted from streaming websites, with nothing more than a “Sorry, no matches found” search response.

To keep some of these films off the endangered movie list, try giving these a chance the next time you go on a Netflix binge. Be wary of mature topics in these films.

American Mary

With many students applying for college and cowering at the prospect of paying off student loans, we may need to take inspiration from in-debt medical student Mary Mason.

The allure of easy money sends Mary into the world of underground body-modification, which ends up leaving more marks on her than her freakish clients. When her professor offends her in the worst possible way, Mary quits becoming a hospital surgeon and turns her passion to body modification surgeries.

Assisting in creating a walking, talking Barbie

doll, switching identical twin body parts and getting revenge on a sexist professor are only the beginning of Mary’s adventures in freakyland. When the enraged husband of one of Mary’s clients doesn’t appreciate the artistic

The Virgin Suicides

value of her surgeries, he sets out for blood.

If you want to find out what lies in store for our beautifully deranged surgeon, watch “American Mary.”

Syrup

Based on Maxx Berry’s popular satirical novel, “Syrup” delves into the battlefield we call the corporate world and tells a humorous story about the fight over a million-dollar idea. Scat, a professional slacker, develops a marketing tactic for a not-so enticing energy drink company. When his conniving roommate, ironically named Sneaky Pete, steals his idea, Scat is forced to move out and live with the enemy: his attractive

Student Shortlist

by JuanRamirez

What do you think is the most romantic movie?

40 ENTERTAINMENT

counterpart, Six. Exploring the cutthroat world of marketing and consumerism, Scat and Six become an unlikely duo while facing their parallels: Sneaky Pete and his beautiful assistant, Three. The two teams go head-tohead in a battle over the $3 million marketing rights to the energy drink name. Will Scat and Six come out on top, or will they fizz out against their counterparts? Find out in “Syrup.”

Michael Santomaso communications senior

“My favorite romantic movie has to be ‘She’s the Man’ because it’s an emotional roller coaster and I love soccer and debutante balls.”

In this 1999 drama, based off of Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel of the same name, “The Virgin Suicides” is sure to captivate many who watch it.

Graphic by Samantha Rose Told through the perspective of four teenage boys, the story of five sisters with controlling parents is shared. After the youngest sister attempts to commit suicide, the girls are under intense scrutiny by their overly religious mother and father. Trying to suppress feelings of depression that may have caused the youngest child to harm herself, the sisters are isolated into near confinement which causes adverse effects on the daughters’ mental stability. As the lives of all involved change for the better, or for the worse, this film tells a story that hits close to the homes of the many who deal with depression and parents who don’t know how to handle it. Make it a Hallmark moment family movie night and watch “The Virgin Suicides.” g

Alex Buitrago dance junior

“ ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ is the story of two young kids who drop everything to be together which I think makes it cute and romantic.”

MORETHAN AGAME BariBOSSIS

Photo courtesy of Polygon

The 2013 League of Legends World Championship drew thousands of fans to the Staples Center in Los Angeles to watch teams face off against each other.

by RebeccaBullock

T

he gaming community has become more serious as video game tournaments grow in popularity, gaining players and participants from all around the world who compete to win prizes. Some of the most wellknown tournaments are the world championships, which most players, old and new, set their sights on.

World championship tournaments have large participant rates every year, growing larger as more players begin playing the games. A few games that have risen to the challenge and have their own world championships include “League of Legends” and “Smite.” These are online multiplayer games where one picks their character and battles other gamers.

But the game isn’t the only reason that people participate. In a few of the tournaments, the top players or teams can receive up to one million dollars in prize money.

“I think video games are becoming a legitimate sport. As such, the rewards will mirror professional sports,” band junior Triton Payne said.

The best place is to look for the championship dates is on the official websites, as the dates change each year.

The “League of Legends” tournaments have occurred in June, September and

October in the past few years. This year, the first “Smite” World Championship has already passed, as it started on Jan. 9 and ended on Jan. 11, so it is unsure when next year’s will take place. They are, however, announced early, so donations and funds can be raised for prize money that the teams can win.

“I believe [the prize money] is good for people with a passion for playing video games, but it shouldn’t have people making it their sole purpose in life,” communications sophomore Daniel Kaufman said.

Though the tournaments can be entertaining, there are always problems that arise. Cheating, racism and sexism have all shown their ugly faces over the years as the competition gets the better of participants. This results in the competitions issuing punishment, such as a prize money deduction if the player is a part of a team that made it into the final rankings, or even disqualification.

Overall, the gaming community has become fiercer over the years, especially with the rising popularity of international tournaments and the emergence of large monetary prizes. The stakes have been raised for players as world championships draw closer and closer. g

“I think ‘The Fault “In ‘The Princess In Our Stars’ is Bride,’ [the main romantic because character] does all it’s not a traditional this crazy stuff to love story and get the girl, so it’s because of the slow, a love story that I, sweet and casual as a man, am able development of to enjoy.”

Abbott Schrotenboer Joey Morfogen their relationship.” visual junior theatre sophomore

M

y one true love is money.

Scratch that. My one true love is food. But where would I be without my cash flow? My Valentine’s Day celebrated my relationship with my bank account through thick, thin, withdrawals and recessions. I blasted “Guap” by Big Sean out of the windows of my Kia

By GOOD Music Soul on my way to dinner with the love of my life. g

BriPOSNER

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hile most students prepared for Valentine’s Day by dressing in red, carrying around flowers and chocolates and organizing date night, I had a different plan in mind. Instead of going out to celebrate the commercialism of over-romanticized industries, my significant other

By Outerloop Records and I stayed in and ate gourmet macaroni and cheese while listening to my iTunes library. In the spirit of maintaining our cynicism, we blasted “The Fastest Way to a Girl’s Heart is Through her Ribcage” by Ice Nine Kills on repeat most of the night. g

ChloeKRAMMEL

V

alentine’s Day usually seems to end up on a weekday, but this time around I have been spared the sight of girls with flowers and stuffed animals given to them by their Valentines. Thankfully, it was on a weekend this year. I spent my holiday with friends, not a boy, while blasting “I Will Survive” by

By Polydor Gloria Gaynor because who really needs a significant other on a day devoted to love and chocolate? This song gives me the strength I need to get through another Valentine-less Valentine’s Day. g

JuanRAMIREZ

I

t is hard to argue that any other singer has as tight a grasp on the horrible situation of loving someone you hate than the late, great Amy Winehouse. Her one soulful jam that comes closest to being a love song, and the one which resonates most with me, is the bluesy,

By Island Records belligerent “Me & Mr. Jones.” In a tense two and half a minutes, Winehouse, tiptoeing the line between lucidity and unconsciousness, yells at her lover to stop messing around, never really knowing whether she hates or loves him. Amy reminds her lover with bourbon-soaked affirmation who he is coming home to every night, making it a terrific song for a bitter valentine. g

ENTERTAINMENT 41

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www.themuseatdreyfoos.com

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THESTAFF

EDITORIALPOLICY

Editors-In-Chief Taylor Hendrickson, Remi Lederman, Claudia Zamora Managing Editor Madeleine Fitzgerald Website Editor Maria Grosso Assistant Managing Editors Kayleigh Rubin, Samantha Rose, Ximena Hasbach Layout Editor Jessica Ralph Assistant Layout Editor Morgaan Jessell Layout Staff Carsen Jessell Cover Story Editor Bennett Morgan, Tiffany Abreu Op/Ed Editor Felipe Bomeny Op/Ed Staff Oscar Hamilton, Michael Wang, Riley O’Connor News Editor Mackenzie White News Staff Tom Kapitulnik, Jack Yan Features Editor Starr Courakos Features Staff Brittany McKenzie, Alexis Pinchuk, Nathaniel Leonard, Mary Rasura Arts Editor Michelle Birch Arts Staff Isaac Ochoa,Uma Raja, Alexa Marcellino, Karai McLean Lifestyle Editor Dana Thomas Lifestyle Staff Gernise Gregoire, Frances Landrum Sports Editor Tomas Cabezas Sports Staff Alana Gomez, Jack Reagan, Adam Nir, Daniel Montoya, Elliot Hacker Entertainment Editor Bri Posner Entertainment Staff Chloe Krammel Photo Editor Rowan Bennetti Photo Staff Jade Lenkersdorf, Julia Bonavita, Julia Horneck Bailey Van Putten Vink Business Manager Marlena Houck Business Staff Delaney Cotton, Krystal Sundar Head Copy Editor Bari Bossis Copy Editors Riley Freese, Ricky Morris, Taylor Rich Graphics Editor Bennett Morgan Blogger Erica Maltz Website Managing Editor Juan Ramirez Assistant Website Editor Erik Ridd Cartoonists Adrian Casanova, Jose Castillo Adviser Stephen Moore

The Muse is a student publication produced by Journalism IV, V and VI classes at Alexander 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 (1-305). 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.

The Muse gratefully accepts advertisements from community businesses as well as donations from interested readers. Yearly subscriptions can be purchased for $35. Please make checks payable to Dreyfoos School of the Arts and send to:

Dreyfoos School of the Arts 501 South Sapodilla Avenue West Palm Beach, FL, 33401 or call (561) 805.6252

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 a Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and was recently awarded with a 2013 Pacemaker. In 2013, The Muse placed fifth for the newsmagazine and second for the website in Best of Show at NSPA . This publication is completely funded and created by its staff, advertisers and donors.

Over 1,300 students and a multitude of subscribers receive copies of the magazine annually. All aspects of the magazine from the cover to the Exposure on the back page are written and designed by the students. There are 61 staffers, grades 10-12, from the communications department and some from other art areas, as well, including cartoonists from the visual department, who work during and after school to 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 everyone on this staff.

Please visit our website at www.themuseatdreyfoos.com. g

EDITORLETTER A

Photo provided by Claudia Zamora

Editors-in-Chief communications seniors Remi Lederman (L-R), Taylor Hendrickson and Claudia Zamora enjoy their time in Boston during their junior year. With the end of high school approaching, they reminisce on their time spent at Dreyfoos.

s we finally reach our last semester of high school, we are beginning to feel nostalgia for the memories we have created at Dreyfoos. This issue documents our final Dreyfoos Spirit Week--memories very unique to our art school.

Dreyfoos Spirit Week is a time for friendly competition. It helps us unite with our classes and come together as a school. Despite small conflicts, this Spirit Week was definitely one to remember.

Looking back, we hope all grades felt respected and had the best experience possible. Even more, we hope this

issue helps you to respect the time and effort that goes into Spirit Week, from administration, SGA and all of the class councils. Take the time to thank all those who made the week vibrant.

Regardless of your graduation year, we hope that this issue will help you to realize how sacred your time at Dreyfoos is. We anticipate that you will enjoy our extended Spirit Week cover story spreads and find a part of yourself in these documented memories, even if you are not pictured.

We wish you luck in the second semester. g

43

EXPOSURE Sophomore Chalk Art

by TaylorRich pirit Week’s generation day is generally known for its generation dances during lunch. Students flocked to the gym on Jan. 28 to watch each grade level compete against one another and cheer for their classes atop the bleachers. However, while the dancers of each grade level were sock hopping and “getting physical” to the music of their grade’s designated era, another important event was happening at the same time.

The sidewalk chalk competition in front of Freshmen Hill has been a traditional

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event in Dreyfoos’ spirit week history.

This year, the freshmen chalked an image of fresh fish to go with their “freshmeat” idea. The sophomores followed their class’ jungle pep rally theme and drew a feline at the center of their chalk art. The juniors drew the characters from the popular animated cartoon series Scooby Doo that originated in the 1970s. The seniors drew a silhouette of the famous “Flashdance” chair pose from the 1980s film.

The freshmen took fourth place, the seniors took third place, the juniors took second place and the sophomores reigned

victorious by receiving first place. The students who worked on the sophomore class’ chalk art were visual sophomores Jade Barnwell, Maya Drummond, Yoni Benjoseph and Cameron Felt.

“We felt inspired by our class’ jungle theme and wanted to do something very bright, colorful and captivating,” Barnwell said. “It felt really awesome to win first place. We got the whole team together and worked hard. It felt very accomplishing to even beat the [upperclassmen.]” g

Photo by Julia Bonavita

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