The Muse Volume 15 Issue 1 by The Muse at Dreyfoos

THE

VOLUME XV, ISSUE I, OCTOBER 2017 DREYFOOS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

CHANGE. Fighting for the future of Earth will start with student awareness, action, and activism Page 26

e are glad to return back to Dreyfoos safe and sound after our ten day hiatus due to Hurricane Irma. Despite our slightly irregular break, our staff has been hard at work, and we are excited to show you all that we have accomplished this quarter. This year, we have many changes that we have put in place. We will publish just four issues, as well as a special Spirit Week edition, allowing us to have a better, closer coverage of the events. Additionally, we have begun to expand The Museâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital presence; our staff now includes a Multimedia Editor and a Social Media Editor. This will help us become more active both on our website through podcasts and videos and on social media of various mediums. This issue, our cover story brings you a matter of increasing concern, not just in the Dreyfoos community, but around the world as well: the Sixth Extinction. Being well aware of the worrisome state of the environment, coupled with various recent natural disasters, our staff decided to take on the topic; ultimately creating an objective article covering the sensitivities of our home planet. We are eager to continue a great school year of change and innovation, continuing to work our hardest to make The Muse the best it can possibly be.

EDITORIALPOLICY 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 (1-102) or submitted to themuseatdreyfoos.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for grammar and space restrictions and will publish no letters that are libelous or defamatory to any staff, students, or members of the community. We also accept guest editorials, although we reserve the right to edit or to decline at our discretion. Dreyfoos School of the Arts 501 South Sapodilla Avenue West Palm Beach, FL, 33401

The Muse

@TheMuseAtDsoa

The Muse is a national award-winning newsmagazine. The publication has won numerous awards from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) including a Pacemaker in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Muse has also won a Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) in 2011 and 2013. The Muse won a CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown award in 2015, which recognized the best print edition and website (themuseatdreyfoos.com) in the nation. The Muse is a finalist for the Hybrid Gold Crown in 2016. The Muse has also won The Palm Beach Post General Excellence - Newspaper Award in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017. This publication is completely funded and created by its staff, advertisers, and donors. Over 1,400 students and a multitude of subscribers receive copies of the magazine annually. All aspects of the magazine from the cover to the Exposure on the back page are written and designed by the students. There are 53 staffers, grades 10-12, from the communications department and some from other art areas, including cartoonists from the visual department, who make this publication possible. We would like to thank the School of the Arts Foundation for their continuous support. Your donations are greatly

ABOUTUS

@TheMuseAtDsoa

Photo by Natalie Bergeron

THE STAFF 2017-2018 Editors-in-Chief: Marianna Kaimakliotis,

Photo Staff: Rachel Jeune, Shelby Rabin,

Ruby Rosenthal

Destiny Robinson, Sydney Walsh, Sydney Webb Business Editor: Elizabeth White Business Staff: Ally McGivney Cover Story Editors: Carleigh Dickinson, Danelle Eugene, Morgan Scott Opinion Editor: Cody Baez Opinion Staff: Tommy McCabe, Ariana Richter News Editor: Zoe Romano News Staff: Sebastian Fernandez, Lila Goldstein, Maddy Rubin Arts Editor: Jennifer Jia

Managing Editor: Alexander Gordon Assistant Managing Editors: Emma Baldinger, Noa Kroyter, Carly Schwamm Online Content Editor: Danielle Cuestas Social Media Editor: Haley Johnston Multimedia Editor: Eliza Baker Multimedia Staff: Valerie Betts, Priscila Fernandez Design Editor: Jenevieve Norton Design Staff: Sofia Grosso, Lily Gumbinner, Joel Soto Photo Editor: Natalie Bergeron

Arts Staff: Kate McNamara, Sasha Monaco Sports Editor: Shane McVan Sports Staff: Lilly Randolph, Taryn Reagan Features Editor: Jordan Johnson Features Staff: Ali Hussain, Heather Rollins Lifestyle Editor: Alexa Pope Lifestyle Staff: Dani Esquenazi, Mira Rudensky

Entertainment Editor: Chloe Girod Entertainment Staff: Rebecca Boss, Anamaria Navarrette Cartoonists: B. Amico, Jill Rooney, Kathryn Stenberg Adviser: Carly Gates

Photo by Sydney Walsh

Photo by Haley Johnston

Photo by Natalie Bergeron

Photo courtesy of Madison Hedge

4 Table of Contents

Graphic by Chloe Girod

CONTENTS OPINION Staff Editorial: Going Green | Cody Baez Page 9 Graphics by Chloe Girod, Graphic by B. Amico Marianna Kaimakliotis

NEWS A Dreamer's Worst Nightmare | Zoe Romano Page 17

ARTS Curtains Drawn, Spolights On | Kate McNamara Page 20

COVER CHANGE. | Carleigh Dickinson Page 26

FEATURES Roots: Theatre | Ali Hussain Page 32

SPORTS The Big 3 | Shane McVan Page 38

LIFESTYLE Age of Adolescence | Alexa Pope Page 42

ENTERTAINMENT Speaking into the Void | Rebecca Boss Page 49

EXPOSURE Photo by Sydney Webb

Brida Gibbons | Jennifer Jia Page 54 Table of Contents 5

Curriculum Night served as a way for parents to familiarize themselves with the instructors and to gain insight on the material that will be taught. Ninety percent of parents attended, according to administrative assistant Jacqueline Herring. Parents left campus more acquainted with their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Photo by Shelby Rabin

Donning their protective glasses, students gazed upon the partial solar eclipse on campus on Aug. 21. After preparation by administration and science dean Stephen Anand, students had the chance to view the rare celestial event. Photo by Sydney Webb Officers of 78 clubs sought new members to join their organizations during the annual Club Rush. The lunchtime event on Sept. 26 allowed students to join a variety of clubs and participate in community service both inside and outside of school. Photo by Natalie Bergeron

Recap

Math teacher Jonathan Lawson helps theatre freshman Emma Troast with her golf swing as the girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; golf team prepares for their district tournament. The girls reached a new level this year with major improvements from last year's season and a few wins under their belt. Photo by Lilly Randolph

Strings senior Thomas Devito dives into the water at the Cobra invitational at Lake Lytle.“It’s a rush of adrenaline,” Devito said. “Most of the time the water is freezing, but when you dive in, you completely forget about the pool temperature and everything around you, and you really focus in on your race.” Photo by Haley Johnston

Communications sophomore Rebecca Boss attacks the ball on Oct. 3 against Santaluces High School. Dreyfoos won the match three sets to zero. Photo by Natalie Bergeron

Vocal sophomore Aine Murray, communications senior Danielle Cuestas, and communications freshman Juliana Popiel dribble the ball during practice. Head coach and media center specialist Sarah Garcia observes and instructs the players completing the drill. Photo by Sydney Webb

QUARTER

RECAP

Visual senior Ryan Hawks concentrates on getting a strike as he competes in a match at Verdes Lanes against The Benjamin School. Photo by Natalie Bergeron

As his team cheers him on, communications senior Ryan Freese inhales sharply, sprinting ahead as he approaches the finish line. The Dreyfoos cross country team competed against many other schools in the district in their final meet on Oct. 4 at Okeeheelee Park. Photo by Taryn Reagan

Recap 7

S U W O N T TO K

Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation

(“the foundation” aka “soafi”) We awarded students a total of $175,000 in college and summer program scholarships last year.

Last school year, we gave $1.2 MILLION overall to Dreyfoos!

dreyfoos.soafi

@dreyfoossoafi

@DSOAFoundation

www.soafi.org

Through Ray of Light and Amy’s Light we provided $42,000 overall to students who qualified for financial assistance last year.

U W O L L FO

Through Campaign for the Arts and grants, we raised the funds for the school’s 20 Artists in Residence.

S VISIT U (we’re nice!) The Foundation office is located in Building 09 Rooms 110 & 111. Our hours are 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

BurgerFi Cheeseburger Coupon required at time of purchase. One coupon per person, per visit. Only valid at the BurgerFi City Place location. Cannot be combined with any other offer or special Expires 12/31/17

700 S. Rosemary Ave West Palm Beach, FL 561-557-9144

STAFFEDITORIAL

We must go green to preserve environment for future generations By The Muse Staff educe, reuse, and recycle: an old and tired mantra that seems to represent what protecting the environment means today. Yes, everyone loves to brag about how they’re environmentalists because they reuse a plastic water bottle or put paper in the proper recycling bin. In reality, the generation that is meant to be pioneering the future needs to be doing more to protect it. As our environment continues to suffer due to decades of negligence and corruption, the need for our generation to create major change has never been more important. Over the years, more and more Americans have grown concerned over the environment and the direction in which it is headed in. According to a Gallup poll conducted in March, 50 percent of Americans can be categorized as “concerned” about global warming, up from the 37 percent recorded only two years ago. Though this rise in concern is a good sign, it’s not necessarily equating into action. Pew Research Center has found that “after rising for decades,” recycling rates in America have flatlined, and have remained in the same spot for almost a decade. Pew also discovered that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), just 34.4 percent of solid waste in 2013 was recycled, and the trend since then has been nearly the same. People may not be doing more because they just aren’t educated on the issue. In a survey of 804 Dreyfoos students, only 15.5 percent of respondents said they have been well-educated on environmental issues since entering Dreyfoos, while 49 percent were either neutral or said they weren’t well-educated. “I think, first of all, what you have to do is educate people,” Principal Dr. Susan Atherley said. “I don’t think everyone is as educated as to how to help with the environment, and so the question [is], do we need to do a better job of educating everybody about what we can do here at school?”In the past few months, the world witnessed the

Infographic courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency, Colors Edited by The Muse

Graphic by Jill Rooney

devastation brought on by a series of storms in the Atlantic. Many were left wondering how an entire island of American citizens is without power and could be for months, while another island has been completely deserted because it suffered damage to 95 percent of its buildings. These storms were unprecedented, and whether it be hurricanes slamming the Caribbean or historic flooding right here in the United States, these catastrophes reveal some of the effects of our negligence. Millennials can easily set the course of environmentalism, not just by educating themselves, but by doing everything they possibly can to help. Turning off the faucet, shutting off lights, and separating trash may seem like small, irrelevant things, but they all can contribute to a future that would look more hopeful. Change will only happen through the things we do. Protecting the environment is only as important as we make it. Older generations won’t be around to see what happens to this planet, but we will. It’s time to get educated, take action, and truly become the generation that not only loves to talk about reducing, reusing, and recycling, but will actually take action and reduce, reuse, and recycle our way to a better future. Contributor: Cody Baez

Staff editorial / Opinion 9

COLLEGE CONUNDRUMS College is not necessarily the right path for everyone

It’s a firmly held belief that society should be striving to prepare all students for success in college; if not a four-year degree, then some recognized and reputable post-secondary credential.

By Ariana Richter his rationale is clear and generally compelling. But what if hyper-credentialed life experiences and ideologies are blinding us to the various other alternative pathways to the middle class? It may come as a shock to some, but not everyone needs to go to college. According to The Atlantic, today’s employers aren’t seeking degrees; they would prefer work ethic and experience over a piece of paper any day. It doesn’t matter what university someone attended; what matters is the quality of work; the degree itself isn’t necessary. Take Mark Zuckerberg, for example: Harvard dropout and creator of Facebook who became one of the richest people in the world. I can understand that he is a genius; however, this exemplified my central theme that not everyone needs to attend a traditional university to maintain success. The accumulation of student debt is at an all-time high according to America’s Debt Help Organization. This can be blamed on the pressures society has created, expecting almost every student to attend. The issue at hand is that many students aren’t given the opportunity to stop, think, and reflect on the reasons

Opinion / College Conundrums

for wanting to apply to college. Who can be blamed for this? Our politicians and schooling system. Each year, a fresh batch of seniors enter their final year of high school having one thing in mind: “What four-year university will I attend?” Many students hop between degrees, accumulate debt, and end up giving up or not settling on anything. Many don’t understand that the reason why the price of college has increased dramatically is due to the overwhelming number of applicants. What is more disappointing is the fact that experiencing “college life” has become almost a rite of passage in society. For easier entrance to the college, the majority of these applicants end up applying for a throwaway major. While the latter example may not be prevalent to many, it’s apparent that the majority of students are going to college with no clear sense of direction. Of course, on the other hand, one will find the go-getter overachiever who is out to become extremely successful. “College is not for everyone, you can make a career and living for yourself outside of the academic environment,” social studies teacher Thomas West said. “I need my AC repaired, a roof on my house, and plumbers.”

As Dreyfoos students, we are immersed in an unconventional school environment. We hear alumni preach the importance of following our passion. With conversations about the Common Application more popular than Trump’s tweets, we begin to feel bombarded with the never-ending question almost every Dreyfoos student gets, “Will you continue to pursue your art after high school?” To many, enrolling in a university will ultimately do a disservice to their art. “I don’t think college is the right path for absolutely everyone because for some people it may actually provide more of a detriment because of the debt that they might accumulate going to college, and also it is possible to get a job without going to college,” piano senior Bernardo Hasbach said. “However, most people should strive for college. The good that it does typically outweighs the bad.” For artists, education can’t take place in a classroom. The best way for an artist to thrive in their area is to go out and gain experience. With time being the worst enemy, students have to think rationally. “It’s not that I don’t want to go to college, it’s more of accepting the fact that the life of a dancer is extremely short,” dance senior Emily Sweetz said. “For me, my career should begin right after high school.” The Muse conducted a survey of 168 senior students about college, and the results showed that about 98 percent of Dreyfoos students plan to pursue a higher education, and 97 percent intend to receive their degree from a four-year university. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau, the number of high-school graduates who enrolled in college the year after graduation fell from 69 percent in 2008 to 66 percent in 2013. Dreyfoos students are well above the national average. Today, college has become a synonym for success. What educators tend to leave out is that a degree doesn’t equate to a successful life. Attending college is not always essential; however, there is nothing wrong with obtaining a degree for one’s chosen profession if that is what they see fit. What high school seniors must remember is that college is an investment, and one has to think rationally when applying to schools.

The Muse conducted a survey in September regarding whether or not attending college was the necessary path for all students. There were 168 responses from the Class of 2018. The majority thought attending a four-year university was neccesary in order to succeed in later life. Graphic by Lily Gumbinner

College Conundrums / Opinion

FEELINGS ON KNEELING Point

By Shane McVan n Aug. 14, 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat down during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Since then, protests during the national anthem have taken the National Football League by storm. The protest has evolved from the basic principles of equality to an idea that the players are a unified whole. While some NFL players have a clear objective at hand, many players seem to have lost sight of the reason they are kneeling. Regardless of what is being protested, neither stance requires players to sit or kneel. This demonstrates disrespect to our anthem, our flag, and our country; let it be clear, this is not about the act of protesting. Under the First Amendment, Americans have a right to peaceful protest and freedom of speech, but this issue centers around how the players, coaches, and owners are exercising them. What do the American flag and national anthem have to do with perceived oppression? These are symbols of valor, vigilance, and purity: attitudes that have made this country great. People who take a knee and attribute negativity to such emblems are the same ones who have lived off all of the positivity the flag provides. If an individual feels as if the flag represents negativity, inequality, and racial division, then that individual must give credit to a flag that has given the opportunity to those once forced into slavery to eventually become the president of the United States. The reason Martin Luther King, Jr. had such great success with his movements during the 1960s was due to his ability to treat people with respect. He believed that the best and most effective weapon to a racial and unjust society was to peacefully protest; leading the Montgomery bus boycott, The March on Washington, and the three marches in Selma, Alabama. Although these protests angered people, they did not show any disrespect to any individual. King did it with integrity and tangible goals that were achievable through faith, hope, and dedication: the basic principles for which the flag stands. Kneeling during the national anthem is disrespectful to military personnel protecting the country, police officers protecting the community, and citizens representing what the country’s values. What has happened since Kaepernick took the first knee? Nothing has changed. And nothing is going to change. These players make millions of dollars to play football and they are using their platform for the wrong reasons. Suit up, play the sport, and afterward, actually do something about it. Don’t blame the flag and the anthem for these issues; honor the flag and those who have fought for every citizen in the United States regardless of race, religion, creed, sex, or gender. Athletes think they are experts on these topics because they play professional football; they win, they lose, they go home, and then they play another game. In the real world with real heroes, if someone loses they don’t come back. They make tackles while actual heroes save lives. They play a game that there is always an ending to. But to the people who die for that flag for these people – it isn’t a game. As an athlete, you don’t disrespect America to play a sport.

Opinion/ Feelings on Kneeling

THEISSUE

IN RECENT WEEKS, NFL PLAYERS HAVE TAKEN A KNEE DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BEFORE FOOTBALL GAMES. IS THIS MOVE DISRESPECTFUL TO THE FLAG AND OUR MILITARY?

Counterpoint By Cody Baez

Graphic by B. Amico

n Sept. 23, 2017, President Donald Trump tweeted that he was rescinding his invitation for basketball player Steph Curry to come to the White House. In the days after, athletes expressed their disapproval of Trump’s actions by kneeling during the national anthem at sports events. Though it is obvious the players are protesting Trump’s actions and are trying to bring attention to social issues like racial inequality and police brutality, some United States citizens have tried to turn the protest into an attack on the flag and those who have served our country. Not only is this a sign of ignorance, but it contradicts the exact rights those on the battlefield are fighting for. Though NFL player Colin Kaepernick was the first to kneel during the anthem, the move has always been a controversial one. Since a flurry of players have hopped on the bandwagon in recent weeks, the issue has come into the spotlight once more. With entire teams remaining seated or staying in the locker room during the anthem, players have come together to use this platform to bring attention to the issues they care about the most. While they use their constitutional right to kneel, many claim they are disrespecting the flag and our military and should use another method of protest. This is in no way a stand against those who are fighting for our country. While the opposition tries to frame the argument around the flag and our military, the truth stands that the kneeling is about something else entirely. To many of these players, especially African Americans, the national anthem is the perfect medium to take a stand. The same country that brought them the 13th Amendment, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act, is the same country that still allows police to kill innocent people and disproportionately lock them behind bars. The flag represents different things to different people, and in no way should be treated as something to worship. These athletes are using their fame and power to give voice to those who don’t have one. Though many refer to these athletes as out-of-touch snobs who don’t contribute to our country, many have made a difference in their communities to bring about positive change. Players like Lebron James and Odell Beckham Jr. have given millions to organizations and are bringing opportunities to people in their hometowns. While videos of people burning their NFL season tickets and memorabilia have surfaced on social media, those same people seem to get far less upset any time an unarmed African American is shot and killed. These protests have been misconstrued into a stand against the flag, which only further delays any meaningful action coming from this dialogue that has started. Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our society, and it doesn’t get any more peaceful than this.

Feelings on Kneeling / Opinion

PE: PSEUDO EXERCISE Students question an outdated and unneccessary graduation requirement By Tommy McCabe merica has a pretty good reputation for being out of shape; in fact, more than one-third of U.S. adults are considered “grossly overweight” according to the Center for Disease Control. Because of this, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many high schools require Physical Education (PE) in order to graduate. However, this requirement is interfering with many students’ schedules both in and outside of school. One main issue with PE for some students is that it is weighted as a 4.0 class. For students hoping to increase their HPAs, this would take up a class period in which they could be taking a more highly-weighted class. This causes many students to try to avoid taking the class during school time. Many students look to take PE elsewhere, bringing us to the laughing matter that is PE online. To get an idea of how much of a joke this online class is, a Dreyfoos sophomore who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue said, “Basically, the course gives you the option to plan your exercise with a fitness tracker, or track [your exercises] on your own. I chose to track it on my own, basically just making up my physical activity, and passing the course.” But don’t teachers need to see some form of proof that you are actually participating in the class? How do people get away with that? “Teachers rarely checked to see what you were doing and I only had to submit one video of proof that I was exercising,” the anonymous sophomore said. “I literally only had to do one exercise with one rep.” A PE class online not only expects high school students across the nation to pass the course using the honor system, but also hires teachers who barely check-up on their students because they have double the amount of students. After all is said and done, the class ends up being a complete waste of time. If students are given the option to take the class online, at least make it worth their time. A physical education course should check up at least every week to view students’ exercise habits. This of course, brings us back to the actual fitness trackers that can be used for many of the online versions of PE. These actually record an individual’s exercises for them, with the capabilities to show them how

Photos by Sydney Webb Students in third period personal fitness participate in stretches and activities led by Athletic Director and physical education teacher Rob Long.

long, how fast, and how intense they were exercising. Nevertheless, leave it to desperate high school students to find a way to ‘run a mile’ while watching Netflix in their pajamas. The creativity in some young minds is immeasurable. Who would have thought to attach their Fit-Bit or other fitness tracker to their dog, cat, or even athletic sibling? There’s also the classic move of attaching the tracker to a ceiling fan and letting it spin for hours.

Even simply shaking the fitness tracker will trick it into thinking an individual is going on a run. While physical activity is an absolute necessity for healthy living, PE is not the way to go about it. It should be an optional course that appeals to students who are passionate about physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. It shouldn’t be forced onto other students, interfering with both their education and their lifestyle.

PE: Pseudo Excercise / Opinion 15

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A DREAMER’S NIGHTMARE

President Trump Threatens to End DACA Program By Zoe Romano

resident Donald Trump sparked controversy once again, announcing his intended repeal of President Barack Obama’s executive order, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), on Sept. 5. The DACA program protected over 800,000 individuals who came to the United States as children under the age of 16, often referred to as “Dreamers.” The decision has caused outrage, leading to several large protests. Many students in Palm Beach County schools are protected under DACA. “It is important for kids to get an education. All they know is the American way right now,” Principal Dr. Susan Atherley said. “I’m not sure that it would be fair to our current students to send them back to their respective country.” Many parents of immigrant families feared sending their children to school because of the potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that could take place. Rumors of raids in early September left 600 students missing from Palm Beach County Schools, according to the Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Robert Avossa released a statement regarding this issue on the day that the repeal was announced. “The Administration’s decision today is contrary to what many refer to as the American Dream,” Dr. Avossa said. “We will continue to advocate for the children whose voices will be silenced by this decision.” Dr. Avossa has a personal connection to this issue. He and his family immigrated to the United States from Italy when he was a young boy. This new potential political change is also relevant for many families in Palm Beach County, and across the nation. “I think the image of America should be of us standing on a beach with our arms open to welcome anybody who wants to come here, not us standing on a beach and building a wall to make sure nobody can get in,” social studies teacher Jeffrey Stohr said.

Dr. Avossa’s statement was notable because it was rare for a public official to take a stance on a political issue. The Palm Beach County School District has also taken steps in protecting the rights of their students. On Sept. 19, the school board unanimously embraced a resolution which states that school campuses won’t allow federal authorities to take confidential student information unless they come with a court order. Many concerned county residents came to the school board’s meeting to support the resolution and share their feelings on the matter. The resolution clarifies to all Palm Beach County residents, parents, and employees what protections the District can offer. While the decision to adopt this resolution is considered by many to be a political statement, the District clarified that it is not considered to be a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants. “I think the biggest thing right now is probably [students’] own trepidation and fear for the unknown of what’s going to happen in the future,” Assistant Principal Corey Ferrera said. “When a student is in fear, that is going to affect how they are doing at school, their own success, and their own potential success.” This new push from Washington D.C. to tighten up on immigration policy has directly impacted the Dreyfoos community. While it is not public information, there are students at Dreyfoos who are not United States citizens. Many students at Dreyfoos participate in the YoungArts competition, which fosters young artists’ skills in the literary, visual, design, and performing arts. However, this year, a new citizenship clause has been added as a regulation for the YoungArts competition. There are students in all majors who will no longer be able to submit their work because of this added regulation. “Although some of the changes right now are small, it’s something these kids are facing nonetheless,” Ms. Ferrera said. “Until you really walk in someone else’s shoes, you don’t really understand what they are feeling.” Graphic by Marianna Kaimakliotis

A Dreamer's nightmare / News 17

IRMA’S IMPACT

Students and faculty prepared for Florida’s first major hurricane in 12 years

By Maddy Rubin

wo hundred and ninety thousand evacuations issued, wind gusts of up to 84 miles per hour, and $27 million worth of debris collection — all in Palm Beach County alone, The Palm Beach Post reports. Although the strongest portion of Hurricane Irma did not hit southeast Florida directly, all necessary precautions were still taken, and the aftermath of the storm left schools closed for one week, thousands across the county without power, and lots of cleanup to be done. “I was in Evacuation Zone A, and our house was in danger of being flooded from the [storm] surge coming from the ocean and from the canal on the other side,” visual sophomore Michelle Serafimovich said. “[My family and I] evacuated more inland to our friend’s house about 20 minutes from the shore.” Hurricanes are often prone to drastically shifting their paths over the course of just a few days, or even hours. As of Sept. 7, Irma’s eye was projected to come in direct contact with Miami, but just two days later, the eye of the storm had shifted west, and was scheduled to reach Tampa on Sept. 11, according to the National Hurricane Center.

18 News / Irma's impact

“After driving 11.5 hours to Tampa, [my godson and I] went out to our favorite German restaurant and we had a great dinner. Then, just as we got to Ybor City, our iPhone alarms sounded again because Irma’s path had shifted west,” foreign language teacher Michael Hollis-Anand said. “Tampa was now expecting a direct hit with heavy storm surge, so we got back into the car and drove home — good thing we had lots of extra gas.” With so many people leaving the state, Florida’s roads were filled with traffic, and for many who waited too long, evacuation was not an option. Whether by choice or not, those who did not exit Florida had to prepare their homes accordingly. “[My family and I] have accordion shutters, so we put those up, and then we got some food that’s not for the fridge, and also a lot of stuff for the fridge because we were going over to my grandma’s house,” communications freshman Asher Moss said. “We weren’t really concerned about the power going out because she had a generator, so we just got some food to be ready for [the storm].” Following the storm, CNBC reported that around 6.2 million Florida homes were without power. On Sept. 11 at 8 p.m., 60.2 percent of Palm Beach County was dark. Throughout the

Photo by Natalie Bergeron Hurricane Irma cost Palm Beach County a total of $100 million in property damage, and $27 million in debris collection alone, according to The Palm Beach Post. Across the state of Florida, 17 of the 50 largest districts cancelled school due to the storm, USA Today reports.

week, Florida Power and Light (FPL) worked on the power grid incrementally and houses gradually gained their power back. By Sept. 15, the amount of people without power in Palm Beach County had dropped to 9.8 percent. “I wasn’t [at my house] for this, but I heard from my neighbors that we didn’t have power for the first day that Irma hit until the Sunday before school started again,” Serafimovich said. In addition to the many Palm Beach County homes that lost power during and after the storm, 75 percent of the county’s public schools were left in the dark, and another 20 percent faced issues with malfunctioning air conditioning systems, according to The Palm Beach Post. Principal Dr. Susan Atherley said that Dreyfoos experienced some water damage and had to repair a few broken windows, as well as a fence and the snack shack, which broke at some point during the storm. “I know that [in] Palm Beach and North Palm Beach near school there was a whole bunch of sand everywhere and that made me realize that they actually had the water [from the ocean] come in,” Serafimovich said. Comparatively, Irma caused less damage in Palm Beach County than have many past hurricanes. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, with sustained winds gusting in at 120 miles per hour. Wilma cost Florida $29.8 million in damage, and holds the title of fourth most costly U.S. hurricane ever. It put 98 percent of the state out of power, a number larger than Irma’s 60 percent. Other recent major hurricanes to have impacted Florida include Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

“I remember Wilma because I was able to go outside [during the storm] and I remember all of the damage it caused,” Serafimovich said. “Our car got all scratched up, and I think [Wilma] was basically slightly worse than the destruction we faced [after Irma].” Other recent major hurricanes to have impacted Florida include Category 5 hurricanes Andrew and Katrina in 1992 and 2005, and category 4 hurricanes Charley and Frances in 2004. “We’ve had lots of hurricanes over the years,” Hollis-Anand said. “I would say that Jeanne and Frances caused the most extensive flooding in our area, and Wilma caused the most damage.” Hurricane Irma received a substantial amount of news coverage and took up many time slots designated for other television programs. However, many felt that increased reporting was merited because it served as a warning for those in the storm’s path to take the appropriate measures of preparation. “It was necessary because it was for the people who were watching maybe from Georgia, or from the west coast of Florida,” Serafimovich said. “They also could see, and once they realized the the storm was coming west, they had at least some kind of head start and way to prepare for what they were about to experience.” One lesson people learned from Irma was to take natural disasters seriously, and that there is no such thing as overpreparing for a storm. “I think it is [always] important to prepare,” science teacher Elyce Ashbee-Hill said. “You never know for sure what direction a hurricane will go at the last minute.”

Irma's impact / News 19

(Top) Theatre senior Nicole White paints a backdrop for “Kiss Me Kate.” This particular backdrop serves to represent the showwithin-the-show, Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” (Bottom left) Theatre senior Sasha Prissert, who stars as Fred Graham/Petruchio, practices a monologue during after school rehearsals. (Bottom middle) The set design team creates a miniature stage to visualize their scenic plans before beginning the process of creating backdrops, props, and construction projects. (Bottom right) Theatre senior Skyler Sajewski, who stars a Lilli Vanessi, learns blocking movements during after school rehearsals in preparation for opening night.

Photo by Jennifer Jia Photo by Natalie Bergeron

20 Arts / Kiss Me Kate

Photo by Natalie Bergeron

CURTAINS DRAWN, SPOTLIGHTS ON Shakespeare Meets Jazz in the Fall Musical

By Kate McNamara

fter years of contemporary musicals, the theatre department has decided to take a trip back in time with its fall musical, “Kiss Me Kate.” The awardwinning show challenges the norms of theatre by intertwining the work of Shakespeare with jazzy musical numbers. The musical follows the love “Kiss Me Kate” on story of divorced Broadway actors, who agree to Broadway ran for more star in a musical adaptation of “The Taming of the than 1,000 performances. Shrew.” “I think the most interesting thing is that Shakespeare has always been largely compared to music,” theatre senior Quinn Weis said. “It’s inherently musical because it’s written in iambic pentameter, so a lot of it can be put to music.” The multi-step audition process began with students perfoming a song suitable to the genre of the musical. Afterward, students who were In 1949, “Kiss Me Kate” requested for ensemble callbacks completed won the very first Tony the dancing portion of the audition. Lastly, the Award presented for casting director and management crew decided who would be chosen for the principal callbacks. Best Musical. “It’s really fun to go back when you’ve been called for a principal role and read with someone,” theatre senior Skyler Sajewski, who plays the female lead in the show, said. “I think my favorite part was going back to read with [theatre senior Sasha Prissert] because we just had so much fun playing around with each other.” The beginning stage of the production process allowed for everyone to work on their own to The film adaptation prepare costumes, dance numbers, and sets. Later of “Kiss Me Kate” was on, each of the sections started to come together the first musical to be onstage during technical week to bring the show to life. filmed entirely in 3-D. “The hardest part is connecting everyone’s ideas. Theatre is a very connected art form, and everyone is contributing to the idea,” set designer and theatre senior Nicole White said. “[It can be hard] to stay true to my vision, while also being sort of a sponge and soaking up everyone’s ideas.” The show first premiered on Broadway in 1948, so both the set and the costumes of the Meyer Hall production will reflect that era. By the end of September, the scenic design team had planned The Meyer Hall out a miniature version of the set, which shows production of “Kiss the complex dynamic of the show while also Me Kate” will include staying true to the time period. a live orchestra of pit “This show is complicated because it’s a show musicians. within a show,” White said. “It’s originally set Graphics by Jennifer Jia

within the 1940s, but the show within the show is [set in] Renaissance Italy. The theme of the show is ‘chaotic love,’ so I’m trying to convey chaos [through the set design].” Because students have to embody characters who lived more than 70 years ago, teenage actors performing in “Kiss Me Kate” could run into some issues while attempting to accurately portray the characters. To address this potential problem, the cast and crew assigned a dramaturg, theatre senior Emily Betts. “Something funny is that she provided a list of ad-libs” theatre senior Devin Butera said. “She gave us these 1940s ad-libs that are like ‘wowza,’ ‘killer diller,’ and ‘babydoll.’” “The Taming of the Shrew,” the show within “Kiss Me Kate,” is not only one of the Bard’s most famous plays, but it is also one of the most controversial. It has been frequently accused of being misogynistic due to some lines and actions that take place during the show. “I have a line that says, ‘For am he am born to tame you, Kate, and bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate conformable as other household Kates,’” Prissert said. “[This line] basically means ‘I’m gonna tame you from a tiger to another household cat.’ [Later] there’s a scene where she doesn’t obey him, and he literally spanks her onstage.” But even with lines and scenes such as these, the cast of “Kiss Me Kate” maintains that the central theme of the story is love. “It’s all about intention, because [people] will find the classic Shakespearean actor that’s just like, ‘this is what this word means [which] must obviously be the intention,’ but no, you’ve got to go further,” Weis said. “You have to think of what the intention was at the time of the writing, not just what the definition is.” Despite hours of nonstop preparation, the cast and crew of “Kiss Me Kate” agree that it is all worth it in the end. When the show finally opens in Meyer Hall, the hard work of these students will be showcased. “The great thing about live theatre is that it can never be recreated, it’s a unique experience that will never happen again. So your work is out there, and you know you’ve done your part and now it’s out there for the rest of the world to see.”

Kiss Me Kate / Arts

DISCUSSIONS ON THE DIGITAL AGE POINT By Jennifer Jia

s the digital age of art and music disperses across the nation, many artists opt to post online through digital streaming services. While this method enables art and music to diffuse beyond a local audience, the downsides are apparent when the works sometimes lose their ingenuity as copyright infringements arise. Artwork that was once praised for its originality becomes mainstreamed in a monotone collection of online art. Music streaming services like Spotify and Pandora have gained popularity in response to the exponential growth of digital streaming industries. When audiences are given the decision between buying a physical album or resor ing to free and subscription streaming services, the choice becomes obvious. Rather than buying the music itself, audiences resort to streaming music for a lower cost. “I think streaming services are making it more affordable for the listeners to access music they wouldn’t be able to listen to without having to pay a lot of money,” strings senior Anabel Tejeda said. “As for the artists, I understand most of them are taking their music out from streaming services, like Spotify, due to the lack of profit made. I think the streaming services should compromise and find the equilibrium between what’s profitable to both the artists and the listeners.” Because artists are now more reliant on streaming services to broadcast their music, many musicians find their work declining in profit. According to a study conducted by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry in 2016, global music sales reached nearly $16 billion, of which the original artist receives less than 5 percent of these sales. To reach a concession between musicians and listeners, reforms and compromises must be implemented. “I do think the [digital age] and the internet have aided in the increase of copyright infringements,” strings senior Cameren Williams said. “With the advancement in technology, anything is obtainable with the click of a button. People have to protect their property more and more as we progress and advance technologically.” Besides music, other forms of art have also faced the downsides of the digital world. Many artists watermark their artwork in order to

Graphic by Joel Soto

1975: First Computers Came Out

22 arts / Discussions on the digital age

avoid the potential of copyright. When art is published online, large watermarks distract from the quality of the work itself. In comparison, art in its physical form faces fewer threats of copyright, which allows audiences to appreciate the entirety of the work without intrusive watermarks. “Digital designs are more obvious and lack ingenuity,” designer Zandra Rhodes wrote for Campaign, a United Kingdom-based news source. “The digital revolution has damaged creativity. It is too easy to mirror images to create repeats. Motifs today are merely repetitive.” Upholding creativity is an obstacle for artists in the digital world, as advances in technology have also caused controversy with traditional copyright principles. It is not uncommon to see people posting and redistributing copyrighted work through online services, even without malicious intent. According to research conducted by Union College in 2012, current trends show that the digital world can inhibit creativity because of the tendency to replicate rather than innovate. To artists, the rise of the internet has given a gateway for people to pirate copyrighted content. According to a study conducted by NBC Universal in 2013, copyright litigations have increased over 470 percent between 2010 and 2012. Because of the popularity in the digital world, many original artists are not given credit for their own work due to repeated online sharing and copyright. “I do think that copyright claims have risen recently because of [the internet and online sharing],” digital media junior Morgan Neiner said. “Many artists now don’t get credited for things they create. [Often], people will get ahold of the art and post [it] online without mentioning who the artist even is. Copyrights are important to an artist because it’s very easy to get an idea stolen or not credited.” The bottom line is that the repeated sharing of digitized art through online streaming services puts the work at risk of losing its originality, along with facing copyright litigations. When compared to the benefits of digitizing art online and being involved in music streaming services, the consequences of posting music and art online are evident until proper copyright reforms are created.

1986: Traces of 1st 3D Printers

THE ISSUE

DOES DIGITIZING ART POSE MORE HARM THAN BENEFIT?

COUNTERPOINT By Sasha Monaco n the span of an hour, a student translates the inner workings of their mind into a series of brushstrokes. The artist distributes their work so everyone in the world can see it, all from sitting behind a computer screen. This is the revolutionary age of digital art. Living in a world linked together by technology, artists are given creative opportunities as new digital discoveries emerge. Therefore, implementing digital technology into the art process proves to be beneficial. Producing artwork through the use of a computer instantly makes work resilient, as an artist can recover from mistakes immediately. One slip of a paintbrush no longer results in having to fetch another blank canvas. “When you work digitally, there is more room for mistakes,” visual sophomore Angel Ly said. “You can correct those mistakes easily. When you’re working in a traditional art style, you have to paint over something or erase it.” At Dreyfoos, visual arts classes are composed of the perfect combination of trial and error, guiding students to their highest level. Digital art can help facilitate the movement of artists from amateurs to experts by allowing room for mistakes. “Particularly in this day and age, the benefit of learning [in] the digital realm is that they can touch up their work if they need to,” visual dean Lacey Van Reeth said. Digital platforms offer a wider variety of tools than traditional art does. Artists are able to warp images and color correct elements they have already created. “There are things that you aren’t able to do in traditional art that you can do in digital art,” digital media senior Radley Docekal said. “Traditionally, animation uses 30 pictures per second, and it goes on a loop. Digitally, you can create images and move them in different ways instead of creating each individual picture.” Additionally, the portability of a tablet permits artists to generate artwork regardless of their location, which allows artists to follow creative bursts even when they don’t have supplies on hand. With digital tools, an artist can replace their studio with their stylus. “[Digital art is] so easy to do,” Ly said. “You don’t need to bring

around paints or art supplies. You just need a tablet or a computer.” Artwork created on digital platforms can also be formatted for convenient distribution. Work can be submitted through websites with the click of a button, and it can be transported on something as small as a flash drive. “Digital art is more portable,” communications sophomore Janelle Puckering said. “It’s easier to share your work on your flashdrive or your phone; whereas [with physical] art, you need to see it up close to appreciate it to its full extent.” The internet has enabled people to create a network of art; this has connected creative minds across the world, forming a time-space compression effect. “[Students] can benefit from putting their pieces online by gaining exposure,” Docekal said. “They can sell their art, gain credibility as artists, and get their pieces in different galleries, [which] can help them grow as artists.” The digital realm has also begun to occupy a portion of careers in the job market. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of multimedia artists is expected to grow 6 percent by the year 2024. When students market their work outside of the classroom, they are developing skill sets that will prove to be useful when they pursue occupations in this growing field. “[Students] need to learn proper etiquette with where they should be posting and what those sites’ privacy policies and terms of privileges are,” Ms. Van Reeth said. “Certain sites take ownership of your work, so students have to be educated in terms of where they’re putting their work. A lot of our students know the good avenues to take.” New technology will continue to change the way artists express the messages they wish to share with the world. Through digital technology, artwork can be shared globally. This fulfills the purpose of an artist’s work. “You can be an oil painter [or] a print maker, but learning digital technology, at least how to use it and apply your skills that you’ve learned in real life is important because it just works quicker now,” Ms. Van Reeth said. “It’s just keeping up with the speed of the 21st century, and the future.”

Ps 1987: GIF file format created by Steve Willhite

1988: Adobe receives license to distribute Photoshop Discussions on the digital age /arts

ARTS INDEX By Jennifer Jia, Kate McNamara, and Sasha Monaco

Vocal majors kicked off the school year by working together to create harmony during the Fall Chorus Concert on Oct. 3. The show took place in Meyer Hall, where friends and family applauded the hard work put in by the artists. Students sang selections, such as “Psalm 100,” a piece about giving thanks, as well as “Way Down Upon the Swanee River” and “The Moon is Distant from the Sea.” Photo by Natalie Bergeron

Dance majors rehearsed to perfect their choreography and performances for the upcoming Senior College Solo / Aspiring Artists Showcase on Oct. 20 in the Brandt Black Box Theater. This was the first opportunity of the year for senior dance students to display their talent at a recital. The dance majors have also been preparing for the Fall Dance Concert, which will take place Nov. 10-12 in Meyer Hall. Photo by Sydney Walsh

24 Arts / Arts Index

The piano department held the Impromptu Piano Concert on Oct. 12-14 in the Brandt Black Box Theater. Featuring a wide range of duets and solos, students welcomed back friends and family to their first performance of the school year. Piano students underwent auditions for Prism, and began rehearsals for the winter-themed holiday pieces showcased in the annual concert at the Kravis Center. Photo by Shelby Rabin

Band majors have been practicing their instruments for many upcoming concerts. The department held their first concert of the school year on Oct. 4 in Meyer Hall. Future performances include the Jazz Combos Concert, which will feature percussion and brass instruments on Oct. 24 at the Brandt Black Box Theater. With patriotic melodies resonating throughout Meyer Hall, the annual Veterans Day Band Concert will occur on Nov. 7. Photo by Shelby Rabin

Featuring violinists and cellists, the strings department held its first Philharmonic Concert on Sept. 28 in Meyer Hall. Playing classical movements such as “Symphony No.5 in E Minor” composed by Tchaikovsky, Philharmonic students dedicated time after school and lunch rehearsals toward perfecting their performance. The Strings Orchestra held their first concert on Oct. 5 in Meyer Hall, and have begun rehearsals for their future performance on Nov. 15. The department also conducted auditions for students to perform at the annual Prism Concert, along with All-State auditions, where students have the opportunity to represent Florida’s All-State Orchestra. Photo by Rachel Jeune The Speech and Debate Team competed at the Yale Invitational tournament from Sept. 15-17, and won eighth place in team sweepstakes. In addition, the team held its annual SpeakEasy fundraiser, in which students perform their respective events for friends and family. The event occured on Oct. 14. Both Seeds and The Muse were recently recognized by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, with multiple students receiving Gold Circle Awards. Seeds was also a finalist for NSPA’s Design of the Year Award Photo by Jennifer Jia

Digital media and visual students showcased their summer work at the Visual/Digital Arts Fall show on Sept. 27. The show took place in Building 9, where parents and students perused the variety of art created by students over the summer. Visual and digital media artists were given the opportunity to photograph and craft artwork based on the concentrations they wanted to study throughout the school year. Photo by Shelby Rabin

The theatre department continues to prepare for their two upcoming shows: “Kiss Me Kate” and “All My Sons.” A heartwarming comedy that combines musical theatre and Shakespeare, “Kiss Me Kate” will premiere in Meyer Hall on Oct. 27. “All My Sons” will have its opening night in the Brandt Black Box Theatre on Nov. 10, and the show features the dark tale of a family dealing with the consequences of wartime profiteering. Photo by Jennifer Jia

Arts Index / Arts 25

26 Cover Story / Change

CHANGE. As human activity worsens the impact of climate change, there must also be a change in the awareness, actions, and attitudes of citizens, politicians, and students regarding the environment By Carleigh Dickinson

Change / Cover Story 27

weltering heat waves, dangerous flash flooding, record-breaking hurricane season, and a changing environment. Every day more species are going extinct, as humanity continues to shrink the responsibility of stopping the sixth extinction. Dreyfoos students can prevent this deteriorating world by being active in the spread of awareness and acknowledging that this is not a world of the past or future–it is the present. Sixty-five million years ago, more than half the organisms on the planet were eradicated, marking The Fifth Mass Extinction and ending the Cretaceous period, which lasted for 79 million years. The world is currently on track for The Sixth Mass Extinction. “The Sixth Mass Extinctions refers to the current rate of extinction,” science teacher Elyce Ashbee-Hill said. “[It] is occurring at 1,000 to 10,000 times the background extinction rate, which is usually about five species a year going extinct.”

Cover Story / Change

The Sixth Mass Extinction is predicted to wipe out the majority of organisms on the planet, and humans are the leading cause of this mass extinction. Through over-consumption, pollution, and excessive emissions, humans have been contributing to this extinction on an everyday basis. Daniel Rothman, a professor of geophysics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) predicts that a Sixth Extinction will depend on the amount of carbon added to the oceans. He calculates that 500 gigatons of carbon will be added to the ocean by 2100 in the worst-case scenario, which far exceeds the critical threshold for catastrophe. “We are funneling toxins into our atmosphere, we’re dumping chemicals into the ocean, and we’re killing off the Great Barrier Reef,” former student of Pine Jog Environmental Center and vocal junior Christian Arango said. “We are pushing animals to the point of extinction, we are burning up all of our natural resources, and we are overdeveloping and overharvesting. It’s our home. This is the environment where our children will one day have to live, and if we keep creating problems like our ancestors before us did, there will be nothing left.” Refusing to take responsibility for current environmental conditions has enabled the human race to continue destroying the planet. Humans have created an environment that is almost past the point of no return, and Dreyfoos students aren’t excused. “[Students] should take care of the environment because we only have one place to live,” vocal freshman Aisha Thapaliya said. “Soon it’s not going to be a very nice place. We affect the living organisms of our planet, and events such as oil spills really contribute to the state of the planet.” Rising sea levels will pose a safety risk to Florida as the highest point of elevation is only 345 feet above sea level. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the sea level continues to rise 3.4 millimeters a year, which threatens the infrastructure in Florida as well as coastal areas around the world. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), water levels in south Florida are projected to rise over two feet by 2060. “Right now our water levels are at an all-time high due to the most recent storms and disasters. Miami is a very flood-prone area and parts are known to flood even with normal rainfall,” South Florida Water Quality Monitoring Section Administrator Linda Crean said. “In order to help prevent major flooding we are currently rebuilding our pumps to be able to pump out twice as much water and be able to run even if we don’t have access to gas.” Also affecting the environment is climate change. As reported by NASA, climate change is a

How do students h the enviro

change in the Earth’s usual temperature, as well as a change in the rain and snow patterns. The changing climates across the globe have caused melting snow and ice, rising oceans, and new planting seasons. “I think [that climate change is] a huge problem that we need to address,” Thapaliya said. “We need the government to actually get a handle on this issue, so people can be more informed and realize that climate change is really going on.” The environment is a factor in the lives of all people, and environmental awareness has become a prevalent issue in education, politics, and life. Three-fourths of students consider themselves to be environmentally aware. “Climate change is not a belief system; it is scientifically proven to be exacerbated by human activity,” Ms. Ashbee-Hill said. “Globally, people need to be made more aware of environmental issues so that steps can be taken to improve the state of the Earth.” Issues such as these have political implications. President Donald Trump made his stance on the environment clear when he pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement, an accord drafted and signed by 175 countries within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This will lessen the amounts of

help onment?

greenhouse gas emissions and cope with the inevitability of climate change. Even though The United States pulled out of the Paris Climate Accords, 300 mayors pledged to follow the commitments former President Barack Obama made, including the mayor of West Palm Beach, Jeri Muoio. Initiatives such as these, need to be implemented on a global scale to inspire movements and create awareness about environmental issues. Andrew Gillum, the current Mayor of Tallahassee and one of the mayors who is following the Climate Accords, is running to be the next Governor of Florida. Gillum believes that The Florida Everglades and water sources should be taken care of, and states on his website that “climate change is a real and urgent threat [...] and politicians have failed [to] take climate change action.”

MIAMI IS SAID TO BE UNDERWATER IN THE NEXT 5O YEARS According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Change / Cover Story

YES Is climate change a result of human activity?

YES Do you feel personally responsible for the state of the planet?

NO 75 out of 100 students consider themselves environmentally aware

The amount of energy that is wasted every day is also producing negative effects on the environment. One of Gillum’s projects as mayor was to reduce carbon emissions and Tallahassee’s ecological footprint. Under his leadership, the carbon footprint of electricity users was reduced by 20 percent. He also worked on a 120 acre solar farm, aiming to increase the city’s solar energy capacity. According to a schoolwide survey conducted by The Muse, out of 804 students, 92.7 percent believe that climate change is a result of human activity. However, only 43.9 percent of students feel personally responsible for the current environmental state of the planet. Over half of students do not consider themselves individually culpable for the environment, deferring blame to the government, as 86.2 percent of students believe that the government is not taking necessary measures to handle the environment. “[I don’t think I am personally responsible for the environment] because I constantly recycle and keep the earth clean,” digital media freshman Maya Voorhees said. “Other people can start to make the world a better place, and do things like clean and recycle. I constantly go to cleanups through my community, and I think those little things can make a change.” Only 44.1 percent of students said that they felt they have been welleducated on environmental issues since entering Dreyfoos, but this varied by grade level. Of freshmen, 36.5 percent agreed with the statement that they had been well-educated on the environment since entering Dreyfoos, while that number was at 52.6 percent for seniors. Education is a crucial component to ensuring the next generation protects the environment, and spreading awareness of these issues through courses taught in school could potentially help improve the condition of the planet. “The environment is affected by us, [by] how we live and in effect change the nature around us. It is the living space for all creatures,” communications senior Leeanne Grunow said. “Education about the environment helps people make thoughtful decisions about how to treat it so that we don’t destroy our homes and the homes of the animals. A lot of people don’t take the environment seriously because they don’t feel a part of it, but it is essential to every aspect of life.” Even if Dreyfoos can’t immediately transition to something as big as clean energy, students can work on transitioning themselves to clean energy, which is any renewable energy source, and treating the environment with respect. “Dreyfoos has some good environmentally-friendly habits, as we do recycle paper, plastics, and glass,” Ms. Ashbee-Hill said. “A couple possibilities for improvement are creating an awareness of things like the importance of shutting off lights and all the electronics at the end of the day, since these small things add up to large energy savings. Students and teachers could be encouraged to use reusable water bottles daily to reduce plastic water bottle waste.” Eighty-five percent of Dreyfoos students say that they recycle at home, while only half of Americans say they recycle at home, according to the American Chemistry Council and consulting firm Kelton Global. Six out of 10 students use a reusable water bottle, and eight out of 10 turn the lights off when they leave a room, but there is always more that can be done. Simple actions that save energy and reduce water are the small steps that need to be utilized in order to save the planet. Scientists and environmentalists tell us that now is the time to focus on educating, creating change, taking action, holding onto hope, and creating a world that is not ravaged by the effects of a decaying environment. “[Students] will hold power for voting, buying choice, possibly entering environmental careers and pushing for change in the right direction,” Ms. Ashbee-Hill said. “Our young people such as all the Dreyfoos students who will be going out into the world, pursuing careers and establishing their own lives are a great hope for the future.”

Photos by Natalie Bergeron Graphics by Jenevieve Norton Contributors: Morgan Scott, Danelle Eugene

30 Cover Story / Change

Change / Cover Story

THE ROOTS PART ONE OF A FOUR-PART SERIES

Photo Courtesy of Jade Huber Theatre sophomore Jade Huber plays Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” She performed at Jupiter Middle School of Technology, and played the lead role in seventh grade. She is practicing the kissing scene in the play before her upcoming performance. Photo Courtesy of Jade Huber Theatre sophomore Jade Huber plays Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” She performed at Jupiter Middle School of Technology, and played the lead role in 7th grade. She is practicing the kiss scene in “The Little Mermaid” before her upcoming performance.

32 Features / The Roots

TRACING THE ROOTS OF THEATRE STUDENTS AND HOW THEY DISCOVERED THEIR PASSION By Ali Hussain

heatre sophomore Jade Huber still remembers her first Broadway show. At the age of three, her parents had taken her to go see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” She remembers seeing the actors on stage, and wanting to be one of them, specifically one of the background “Whos.” However, her 3-year-old dream didn’t pan out until her first year at Jupiter Middle School of Technology. Before attending, she had auditioned for Bak Middle School of the Arts for vocal, but did not get accepted. Instead she went to Jupiter Middle, and one day, she decided to audition for the school’s play. Just like Huber, theatre students have built the foundations for their futures in a variety of different places. Some have parents who have studied the arts, and others have discovered their paths on their own. The roots of theatre are widespread and lead to many branches. Theatre majors all have roots in which they have branches in have ignited their passion. For theatre sophomore Sawyer Hyatt, discovering a love for theatre was not difficult, as Hyatt comes from a family that has professions relating to theatrical arts. Huber also has family who have professions in the arts, and like Hyatt, they developed their passion through these people. “I was actually super lucky,” Hyatt said “My mother has her B.F.A. and M.F.A. in acting. She was an actor before she became a creative arts teacher. She has kind of fostered that [love] of theatre in me, and that love for theatrical arts.” While Hyatt has always been around acting, his passion for theatre really began in sixth grade. “I had auditioned for Bak [...] because it was a good school, [and] it was one of the best middle schools that I could go to without it being a private school. I got offered a part in my first professional theatre gig at the Palm Beach Opera showing of ‘MacBeth,.” Hyatt said. “It was just a small role, an extra, I was Fleance.” To this day, five years later, he remembers what the crowd felt like, which still influences his performances today. “It was in front of millions of people,” Hyatt said. “It probably wasn’t that, but it was just incredible and awe-inspiring [how the] unity of people could really affect an audience, because we had people crying, people laughing, and getting an emotional reaction, and I thought that was really beautiful.” The roots that extend down to connect Hyatt’s and many others’ passions for theatre can be traced back to a summer camp. For theatre sophomore McGwire Fisher, summer

camp was the first time that he experienced “real theatre.” Although Fisher never had any professional training, he decided to continue being involved in theatre. He later moved on to a playhouse called Standing Ovation after his eighth grade year. “People took it more seriously than a standard middle school,” Fisher said. “My first theatre job that I had there was as a junior counselor, so I set up tables and snack time, but I really liked that environment.” Even if Fisher was not getting cast to be on stage, he knew he always wanted to do crew, where he could help behind the scenes. His roots led him there, and they will continue to branch out and grow. Theatre senior Andrew Gates never had formal theatre experience before auditioning for Dreyfoos, so his roots are still growing through educational experiences and classes. “I was in eighth grade, and it was a year before going to high school, but I did a lot of construction work with my dad because he rents out apartments,” Gates said. “I heard about a technical program here at Dreyfoos, and that’s when my mom and dad recommended I try out and do technical stuff because I like engineering.” With Gates, theatre never really felt like a career path. He had wanted to come to Dreyfoos because it was a good school. “I’ve come a long way for someone who has really nothing but blank knowledge of woodwork,” Gates said. “I’ve done acting for the past four years as a class just for the fun of it. [Coming to Dreyfoos] really enlightened us as artists, and really showed us [what] the industry [was like] and how it could possibly be a career option for me in the future.” The roots of artistic passion and where they began truly have no stopping point. They grow, whether that be naturally through the ground, or as evolving artists. Whether, like Huber and Hyatt, it’s from having theatre in your blood, or like Fisher and Gates, it’s from being involved in theatre through school; theatre changes the lives of the individuals who partake in it. Places like Standing Ovation, Kravis Center Programs, and middle schools only help shape the performers seen today. A tree is nothing without its roots. The roots provide nourishment and supplement the living being, just as theatre did for these individuals.

The Roots / Features 33

Photo courtesy of Madison Hedge Dance senior Madison Hedge dissects a cow eye during the National Student Leadership Conference’s program in Psychology and Neuroscience in Boston. Hedge said, “I was very focused because we had to get all the fat cut off to get to the eyeball itself. Once we got all the fat removed, we could open up the eyeball and look at the tapetum, which was a pretty blue-green color because it reflects light.”

Photos by Natalie Bergeron

Communications senior Teah Bejarano hopes to pursue a career in the medical field. She attended a program at the University of California at Berkeley as part of the National Student Leadership Conference this past summer, where she studied medicine and health care. Bejarano said, “I really enjoyed that the program focused on hands-on training rather han just lecturing because I got to experience real life medical situations and learn how to handle them properly.”

34 Features / Dreyfoos in Scrubs

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DREYFOOS IN SCRUBS

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Many students spend their summers working in medical programs By Jordan Johnson pair of surgical scissors guides the suture to create a loop, and then a knot. Attended by the hand of communications senior Teah Bejarano, the simulation had been accomplished. Pursuing a career in medicine begins with the interest of a precise field of study, commitment to service, and the dedication to practice and perform. For both Bejarano and dance senior Madison Hedge, their devotion to a path in medicine began at two extremely challenging and competitive schools while participating in medical programs. “I have done the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) twice. The first summer [I participated] was the summer before my junior year, and I did the nine-day Psychology and Neuroscience program at Harvard University,” Bejarano said. “This past summer, I did the nine-day Medicine and Health Care program at the University of California at Berkeley.” While present at the University of California at Berkeley, each student in the Medicine and Health Care program of NSLC was given the opportunity to study numerous techniques and methods used in medical evaluations and surgeries, practice suturing with a professional surgeon, diagnose and treat “patients,” and acquire knowledge about today’s issues in the medical field. “I did a lot of labs, got to dissect a sheep’s eye and a cow’s heart, had lectures from professional doctors about different aspects of the medical field, had hands-on training where I learned [Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation] (CPR), how to insert an [Intravenous] (IV), and how to intubate,” Bejarano said. Akin to the medical programs that Bejarano was a part of, Hedge also participated in the Psychology and Neuroscience program led by NSLC this past summer in Boston, MA while staying in the dorms of Emmanuel College and taking classes and lectures at Harvard Medical School. “The program entailed nine days packed full of lectures, labs, learning simulations, and leadership conferences. I learned handson what it would be like to pursue a career in Psychology or Neuroscience whether that is through research or clinical practice,” Hedge said. “[It] also exposed me to new techniques on how to become a better leader and apply leadership skills to the field of medicine.” During the intensive training, each day consisted of Hedge having to wake up at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast, with small breaks for both lunch and dinner. The students were introduced to state-of-the-art Psychology workshops, Neuroscience lectures, and labs each day. “At the program, we listened to lectures from Harvard graduates

as well as doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital,” Hedge said. “Through these beneficial lectures, I was exposed to the many career possibilities in the field of medicine.” After a substantial amount of promotion of the summer programs through the mail, both Bejarano and Hedge conveyed interest once they received an invitation with instructions on how to enroll. “Once I received the information through the mail, I researched the specific program I was interested in attending and sent in some general information to receive admittance,” Hedge said. “To be invited to NSLC, you can receive a school nomination, alumni nomination, or be selected through talent identification programs. Once I decided the program track I wanted to take, I had to enroll and wait for approval.” Without knowing what to expect from the program, Hedge initially felt anxious and apprehensive before attending. However, after reviewing a handful of information on topics she previously studied, the city of Boston welcomed her and her vast interest in medicine. “When I got there, everyone was friendly and we all had the same open mind to learning about new topics,” Hedge said. I was surrounded by individuals that were passionate about my same interests and that motivated me to get the most out of the conference,” These programs Bejarano and Hedge participated in helped them solidify their career goals for a future in the field of medicine. With roughly 160 AAMC-participating allopathic medical schools in the United States, according to U.S. News, the career that best suits an individual’s needs begins with which school of study and program they plan to attend. “I hope to attend [the] University of Miami because they have a great medical program, access to amazing hospitals, and I love Miami as a city.” Bejarano said. Attaining the role and responsibility of a doctor entails perseverance that is vital to those wishing to be treated and to those supplying the treatment. For Hedge, her enthusiasm in aiding patients of younger ages has endowed her with the idea of the career she wishes to pursue. “Becoming a child neurologist would provide me with a rewarding life full of fulfillment in providing help to children with debilitating disorders such as strokes, migraines, epilepsy, and evaluating children with neurobehavioral disorders such as Tourette syndrome and autism spectrum disorder,” Hedge said. “This career would be extremely impactful in my life as I have a passion for helping people, and the lives of the children I help would surely impact my own.”

Dreyfoos in Scrubs / Features 35

TEACHERS WITH PART-TIME JOBS By Heather Rollins

From baking to tutoring, Dreyfoos teachers are employed in a broad spectrum of part-time jobs. Not only do the artists-in-residence have additional careers, but teachers in core subjects do as well. According to the US News, at least 10 percent of teachers in each state have a job in addition to teaching. Whether it be during weekends or summer, some teachers work outside of school in order to bring in an additional salary.

Craig Adams: Baking to the Bank ath teacher Craig Adams can never get away from fractions, not even during the summer. Ever since he started his job at The Flour Pot Bakery in Gainesville, Mr. Adams has been sharpening his baking skills over summer breaks. “It’s fun because it’s something I’d never done before,” Mr. Adams said. “I’ve never thought of myself as a cook or anything like that, and then all of a sudden I started learning. Now, I can bake all kinds of crazy things.” While in college, Mr. Adams quit his job at Publix to deliver baked goods for The Flour Pot, which was owned by a friend of his. Due to changes about a year or two later, he was able to quickly move up in the company. “[My friend] sold the business and that’s why a lot of people left really quickly,” Mr. Adams said. “So I ended up moving up.”

36 Features / Teachers

As a baker, Mr. Adams is able to learn and make recipes for breads, pies, and cakes found at the bakery. The company also does mass orders for other companies. “We had to do hamburger buns for a local restaurant called The Swamp,” Mr. Adams said. “We had to make 2000 of them, and I was the only one on, so that means I had to roll out 2000 of these buns. I burnt every single one of them. It was terrible; they were very mad at us.” Now that Mr. Adams lives in Palm Beach County, it is difficult for him to go to Gainesville for work every summer, but he has made potential plans to take up baking locally instead. “I think this summer will be my last summer there,” Mr. Adams said. “It’s been a tot of traveling back and forth, and it’s too much. I’m hoping that maybe next summer, I’ll see if I can do something at the Napoleon Bakery on Dixie [Highway].”

Photo courtesy of Georgia Mounce At her job at Lilly Pulitzer at the Gardens Mall, school counselor Georgia Mounce models colored prints from head to toe. This second job brings her joy and excitement, and she can always be caught sporting Lilly Pulitzer around school in addition to her part time job.

Georgia Mounce: Surrounded by Florals ust one look in school counselor Georgia Mounce’s office reveals a plethora of vibrant floral prints. From her pillows to her bags, Ms. Mounce is buried in the stuff. Mounce’s style embodies her part time job at Lilly Pulitzer in The Gardens Mall. “I grew up loving the brand,” Ms. Mounce said. “I love prints, I love color, and I love fashion. Everything I own is Lilly [Pulitzer].” Ms. Mounce enjoys working at Lilly Pulitzer and likes using a different side of her brain when on the job at the store. “I love the environment,” Ms. Mounce said. “It’s a different speed as opposed to [Dreyfoos. I get to work with print designers, fashion merchandisers, visual merchants, while learning the business.”

Along with working in her optimal environment, Ms. Mounce has participated in multiple events for charity that the company puts together. “We do a lot of philanthropy events with our team,” Ms. Mounce said. “They do the Beach Bash, which used to be for Red Cross; this year it’s for Loggerhead Wildlife and Marina.” Ms. Mounce said she did not want to give up her job at Lilly Pulitzer because she loved doing it so much. In fact, Ms. Mounce has been at Lilly Pulitzer longer than she has been at Dreyfoos. “I’ve been doing that job for the past seven years,” Ms. Mounce said. “Initially I was a manager there to get me through graduate school. When I got a job [at Dreyfoos], I needed to maintain that job so I could pay off my student loans.”

Kathleen O’Hara: Yoga Pants All Day n weekends and a couple afternoons a week, social studies teacher Kathleen O’Hara goes to the mall. But she isn’t planning on shopping. “I work at a store called Athleta,” Ms. O’Hara said. “[They sell] athleisure wear, [like] yoga pants that you can wear in the office.” Ms. O’Hara enjoyed her job there because it took her mind away from her teaching life. “I needed a second job that was kind of mindless and not all work related,” Ms. O’Hara said. “If I can just sit there, fold clothes, and talk to people about how their pants fit, it’s almost kind of meditative when you don’t really have to think.”

Not only was Athleta a getaway from Ms. O’Hara’s teaching life, but the location of the store in the mall provides for free entertainment as well. “You can see the center court of the mall,” Ms. O’Hara said. “A local dance company called Paris Ballet was just there and it was just neat to watch these kids doing little ballet routines. It’s a good location and I can see whatever’s going on.” All in all, Ms O’Hara thinks of her job at Athleta as a sort of escape. “The clothes are comfortable and the people are very, very nice,” Ms. O’Hara said. “And it’s a nice get away; it’s like hanging out with my girlfriends, but getting paid for it.”

Teachers / Features 37

BIG 3 BALLERS

38 Sports / Big 3

3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament to be hosted by new campus organization

Photo illustration by Natalie Bergeron

By Shane McVan n inspiration to the nationally renowned “Big 3 League,” communications senior Evan Kottler and visual senior Matthew George decided to bring the excitement to Dreyfoos. The “Big 3 League,” created by rapper Ice Cube, was a way for fans to enjoy basketball during the summer with different aspects of the NBA such as a four point shot, no foul outs, and former retired all-stars. They plan on bringing together young individuals of all sizes and skill sets to play with each other and meet new people, all while playing their favorite sport. “The inspiration for Top 3 was the increased amount of people within the Dreyfoos community that enjoy playing the sport of basketball, but due to the the small roster of the basketball team, a lot of good players are left unable to play the sport they love,” George said. “The club brings an opportunity for those kids to play, honing their skills, and developing a sense of comfort within a large social group [that is] filled with people who love the sport as much as they do.” The members of the club create their own teams of three players. All matches will be half-court games, ending once one team scores 15 points. As for scoring, any shot made within the boundaries of the three point line is worth one point, outside is worth two, and there will be three circles further outside the three point line that, if shot and made from, will award a team three points. Players call their own fouls; however, there will be a referee to confirm any calls made. Once one team scores, possession will be awarded to the team who scored. “I think the student body will react well to the club,” visual senior and vice president Thiago Abreu said. “We’ve already had a pretty good number of sign-ups, and I think that a little bit of competition will be good for the student body. I decided to get involved because I saw this as a great opportunity to be part of a club that involves something I really enjoy: basketball.” The Top 3 Club not only gives an opportunity for students to engage in a sport that they love, but it also allows for girls to finally participate on a basketball team. Dreyfoos only has a boys’ basketball team, so the addition of Top 3 is what some girls have been waiting for. “I decided to join Top 3 to learn more about playing basketball, gain experience, and be able to play with my friends,” dance senior Kendall Aumick said. “It’s a great club, and I have a feeling more girls will join as it becomes more widely known.” George and Kottler have plans for their club for beyond this year, as they hope to continue it for years to come. So far, the club has generated over 65 sign-ups, and they hope that Top 3 will gain even more exposure as the year continues. “My inspiration for this club was when I was watching Ice Cube’s Big 3 Basketball League featuring past legends and other former NBA players in a 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament,” Kottler said. “I immediately thought to myself that this could be done at our school, knowing that a lot of students would be interested. My hope for the Top 3 basketball club is for students to be able to say that high school was a little easier and less stressful because they were able to have fun, meet new students, and be active by being in our club.” Big 3 / Sports 39

BREAKING RECORDS, BREAKING SPIRITS Criticism leads to mixed responses from athletes By Lilly Randolph eb. 5, 2012: The New England Patriots lost their chances of winning the Super Bowl once again after a tough game against the New York Giants. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady trudged off the field and headed toward a press conference with the rest of his teammates, knowing the negative comments the team would receive shortly would be tremendous. Criticism directed toward an athlete’s ability is something that most athletes know all too well. Whether it is coming from parents, coaches, peers, or spectators, how athletes deal with criticism is an important aspect of sports and how they decide to react could end up making or breaking their performances. Visual senior Jin Deng joined the Dreyfoos basketball team last year after a series of unsuccessful attempts. With practice, he was able to become one of the most valued players on the team, but getting there meant facing a lot of negative critiques directed toward his experience and abilities. “No athlete lives without criticism,” Deng said. “I’ve often been criticized for [what I cannot do] and lack of exposure to the game of basketball. Though I became self-conscious about these flaws, I knew what needed to be done to overcome them and to augment my set as an athlete.” It starts as soon as an athlete steps onto the field, court, tee box, pool, or respective athletic platform. Criticism comes in all forms and doesn’t favor any age group; whether an athlete is a child playing soccer at a recreation center or an experienced professional football player, becoming involved in sports means having to face criticism. Harsh words intended to better an athlete’s abilities can be perceived in many ways and have different effects on athletes. “I think we’ve all been criticized whether at home, on the playing field, or even in a classroom [and] we all get criticized even when we don’t know it,” Athletic

40 Sports / breaking records, breaking spirits

Director and physical education teacher Rob Long said. “I’m sure I will get criticized today from someone who wishes I would do something a little bit different. The truth is, we all can do something different so it’s just a matter of how we decide to take it that determines who we are as a person.” The reactions that athletes have regarding criticism can be what sets a great athlete apart from an average one. Like any other skill, reacting to negative commentary and learning to use it to one’s benefit is something that takes practice and can ultimately shape them into better athletes. Taking criticism negatively, however, can hurt players' abilities, and be detrimental to their mental states when on the playing field. Visual sophomore Julianna Booth has been playing soccer for nine years. Her experience in the sport has shown her how criticism can affect athletes. “Criticism can affect each player differently, and it all depends on how you take it and if you are willing to work on yourself to better your skill,” Booth said. “Usually, athletes who take criticism as a bad thing don’t have an open mind and don’t put much effort into bettering themselves as a player.” One way some athletes react to criticism is to take it negatively, thus allowing it to diminish the quality of their game. For many, this can lead them away from sports and into other interests where they do not have to deal with the constant critical feedback that comes with its participation. “I used to participate in karate when I was younger and what led me to stop was not the fact that it was too difficult," communications junior Ariane Dixon said. "Rather, it was because my sensei pushed me too hard to the point where I was pushing myself so much that I was injured. After that, I just didn’t want to go back. I think coaches, in general, tend to push their athletes as hard as they can with criticism, but there is a certain time where there’s a breaking point and once

Graphic by Kathryn Stenberg

that’s hit, it can discourage athletes from continuing in their practice.” On the other hand, many athletes use judgments to their benefit, allowing it to motivate them to practice harder and work on improving their abilities which eventually lead to a better performance. Many professional athletes have used those types of comments to prove their criticizers wrong. In 2015, Jupiter resident and Professional Golfers Association (PGA) player Rickie Fowler was voted most overrated athlete on the tour anonymously by his peers. Well-liked among fans and rarely the target of criticism, Fowler only laughed at the poll, according to the PGA Tour. Later that week, he went on to receive his biggest career victory yet: first place in “The Player’s Championship.” “I think that criticism can really help an athlete’s game and abilities, especially in golf,” Dreyfoos golf team member and band freshman Aidan Taylor said. “One small tip can completely change the way you play for the better. Someone could change their shots from 100 to 200 yards if they take criticism positively and use it for their benefit.”

Whether an athlete is playing as an individual or is on a team sport, players have to expect criticism when they begin to play. How an individual incites criticism and how they react to it are reflected in how they develop a presence as an athlete. “When you are out there playing your sport, whether it’s tennis or soccer, everything is on you. If you make a mistake, it’s on you,” communications senior Brianna Seaberg said. “You can have harsh criticism as a consequence if something happens or you do something wrong. That’s just part of playing sports.” No matter how athletes decide to take criticism, nobody is immune to the inevitable. Criticism affects all athletes and can have a different impact on anyone’s playing abilities. “Most of the time, I just ignore criticism,” visual junior Njari Anderson said. “Other times, I just use it to make myself better and as a form of motivation. Criticism can be both good and bad, but the best way for an athlete to spin it is to work it into a positive thing. I don’t try to cling on to criticism too much because I don’t want it holding me back.”

breaking records, breaking spirits / Sports

THE ESSENCE OF ADOLESCENCE By Alexa Pope

FRONTAL LOBE

AS GRAY MATTER THICKENS MORE CONNECTIONS ARE MADE

42 Lifestyle / the ESSENCE OF ADOLESCENCE

h puberty. What a time for adjustment and change. From raging acne to unusual amounts of toe knuckle hair, puberty has got it covered. This process has its amusing and humorous moments, but it is also a time of feeling included one day, feeling ostracized another, and misunderstood the next. A time of imperfections of all sorts. A time of building an identity. No matter how cringe-worthy that stage of life is, it is an immense period of crucial physical and mental growth. During the phase of adolescence, one’s brain is like a flower. Gray matter, or the part of the brain that processes thinking, continues to thicken throughout adolescence, as the brain cells make more connections, similar to growing a stem, petals, and roots. Eventually the stem matures, symbolizing cells and connections that survive elimination, and help to ready the flower for its long life to come. Jay Giedd, a neuroscientist at the National Institute of Mental Health, discussed in an interview for the PBS series “Inside the Teenage Brain” how the brain prepares people for the future. “The frontal lobe is often called the CEO, or the executive of the brain. It’s involved in things like planning and strategizing and organizing, initiating attention and stopping and starting and shifting attention,” Giedd said. “It prepares the adolescent brain for the challenges of entering the next stage of life, the adult years.” By giving teens the capability to think at that critical capacity, they tend to overthink. With this development, they begin to dwell on what other people are thinking, and they start to worry about how their peers perceive them. Whether it be tripping up the stairs, spilling water on themselves and wondering if it looks like pee, continuously messing up on a word during a reading in class, or simply having to face the world on a really bad hair day, teens care way too much about how they are being recognized by their peers. “In psychology, there’s a concept we call the Spotlight Effect, which makes the young adolescent generally believe that they are under a microscope, or that they’re in a fishbowl, in the sense that everyone is paying attention to them, so they become extremely concerned with how their looks, appearances, and actions are perceived by others,” social studies teacher Danielle Edwards said.

Graphics by Daniela Esquenazi and Jenevieve Norton

Puberty plays a major role in the development of the prepubescent brain and perception While everyone is concerned about what people are thinking of them, others are most likely too concerned with themselves to notice. Consequently, teens begin to spend all this time worrying about how other people perceive them, when in all actuality, the others are doing the exact same. This would be the result of egocentrism, everyone is at the center of their own planet. This is not to say they are vain, or value themselves more than others, but rather, that their entire existence is based on their experiences and perspective. An individual’s personal planet is a place of exploration and development for their thoughts and feelings that they are experiencing for the first time. When teens become aware of the concept of their own planets, they begin to accept their inner change. “I absolutely believe that I’ve learned [growth of mentality] through personal experiences,” digital media senior Sofia Beira said. “I think from the early ages of puberty to the later period, I learned that life isn’t just about fitting in, or being perceived as a ‘cool’ person, but it’s about being the best you that you can possibly be; we should focus on bettering ourselves for us and not for someone else. I think my idea of self-concept and worth matured as I matured. It started to depend less on what others thought of me and began to depend on how I saw myself.” One’s planet encompasses what people choose to create, how they sculpt their life, and how they shape themselves. Everyone's journey of getting to that point of control is very different. As the brain matures, teenagers can reason better, develop more control over impulses, and make better judgments. Their perceptions, attitudes, and ideas all evolve and continue to make them more unique. “I’d say that in my head, I’m still a loud, annoying 11-year-old who thinks he’s funny,” band junior Simon Shugar said. “Although, I’ve been able to fully understand what’s going on in the world, and can now fit in at the 'adult table' at barbecues.” As time goes on, one can appreciate their own self awareness more than they did before going through puberty. Being self-aware allows an individual to push past previous boundaries and flourish into something incredible.

the ESSENCE OF ADOLESCENCE / Lifestyle

TREATING YOUR SKIN A breakdown of skincare for different skin types By Mira Rudensky he downtrodden, acne-ridden teenager: a common sight in high school. Acne is difficult, appearing out of nowhere and leaving in its path scars and a bruised self-esteem. Even worse, many students may be using skincare products without truly knowing their skin type, which may be hurting them rather than helping them. With Twitter threads spreading skincare tips that will only work for a select few, those skin types who aren’t included will only encounter more skin problems. The best way to find your skin type, and products that will work for you, is by going to professionals and asking to be tested. You can get tested at places like Sephora, Clearlyderm, and Kiehl’s. Traditionally a good skincare routine follows three basic steps: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. You can add more steps to make the regimen more personalized, like applying serums, oils, and even masks. But for effective results, these three steps are at the core of every skincare routine. The best way to find products that work is just by experimentation and research, but getting advice from people with a shared skin type is also a great place to start. Every skin type comes with its own set of challenges and advantages, so rarely is a skin product completely universal. Luckily, many Dreyfoos students have had their own personal battles with skincare, so finding a product that works may be as simple as asking a friend.

44 Lifestyle / treating your skin

Photo illustration by Sydney Webb

OILY ily skin is usually the most acne prone of the skin types, but people with combo and dry skin can still struggle with acne. The most important thing for someone with oily skin to do is to moisturize after cleansing. “[If ] you don’t moisturize after you wash your face, your face will dry out and you’ll start producing more oils, and that will create more acne,” visual sophomore Olivia Steiner said. As for a cleanser, Steiner recommended African Black Soap. “As long as you moisturize after, African Black Soap can do a lot for your skin,” Steiner said. “I saw those little Twitter threads and I really wanted glowy skin,” Steiner said, “ so I tried using coconut oil, but it started making me break out after a couple days.” Steiner believes that skincare routines are what works personally for you and to find the best regimen for your skin, you have to be willing to experiment.

Photo illustration by Rachel Jeune

Photo illustration by Sydney Webb

DRY

COMBINATION

ry skin is characterized by tightness, general lack of moisture, and even flaking. Many people with dry skin have dull skin, and may even suffer from dry spots. Communications senior Reilly Sams believes the best products for dry skin are various forms of SPF and other moisturizing products. “I’m pretty low maintenance,” Sams said. “Usually, when I take a shower, I wash my face and put on some lotion with SPF 15 in the morning. I don’t wear foundation, so I don’t have to worry about taking it off at the end of the day or anything. I leave my skin natural and let it do it’s thing.” Sams urges those with dry skin to stay hydrated and keep their skin hydrated, avoiding flaky skin in the long run. “It’s especially important for people like me to make sure to moisterize, in order to compensate for their dry skin," Sams said.

ombination skin is tricky because products for oily skin may be too drying and dry skin products may be too moisturizing. This skin-type tends to have the characteristics of oily skin around the T- zone (chin, nose, and forehead), and characteristics of dryer skin along the cheeks. Communications sophomore Sophia Pregadio believes that 'witch hazel' is the best product for a combination newbie. “It’s really drying so you’ll have to combine a toner or moisturizer,” Pregadio said. Otherwise, she thinks it’s “really helpful.” Pregadio discovered her skin type at Sephora when buying foundation, a great place to get your skin type tested. As for Twitter threads, Pregadio finds them really helpful. “I was looking through [Twitter], and they were using the same products I use,” Pregadio said.

treating your skin / Lifestyle 45

MAKING DO WITHOUT

DAD

The Taboo of "Daddy Issues" When the topic of parents comes up with my friends, someone tells a story about something funny or frustrating their dad has done. Then each takes a turn reliving their memory, until their expectant eyes turn to me, awaiting an answer. I can only shrug with a smile. “I can’t relate,” I tell them. “I don’t have a dad.”

By Dani Esquenazi hat’s not exactly true. I do have a dad, but he is divorced from my mom and has been living in Mexico ever since I moved to the United States when I was 6 years old. Growing up without a dad was a bit weird, but it wasn’t unbearable; it just made my situation different from most. Usually, when kids go through this traumatic experience, they hold some type of pain or resentment toward their father, others, like in my case, feel indifference toward them. There are instances where a child has to alternate between the homes of their separated parents; sometimes they even have to deal with a new step-family. Such situations are not only confusing to a child who doesn’t understand why they now have two families, but frustrating for an adolescent, who might feel that they have to choose sides between their parents and get used to their new family. In other instances, the father isn’t even present at all, and if the other parent doesn’t remarry, the responsibility to help out more around the house is intensified. According to Kids Count, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation to track the well-being of children in the United States, the total number of single-parent households in 2015 was over 24 million. In Florida, the percentage of households led by a singleparent with no spouse present in 2016 was 9.29 percent. If there are multiple people to take care of, sometimes one job doesn’t suffice

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and sacrifices in the financial plan must be made. Teenagers may feel pressured to take up a job to help out, but with so much stress already present in school and other factors like caring for siblings, maintaining a job is even harder. The stereotypical image of a happy family includes mom, dad, and a child who may have siblings. However, living without a dad is something a lot of teenagers can relate to. There isn’t that extra support around the house that comes with having two parents, so things like paying the bills and buying groceries can be difficult. Not only that, but it can be uncomfortable when friends talk about all the little annoying things that their own fathers do, like nitpicking their clothes, stubbornly refusing to let them do something, or embarrassing them in public. It’s also uncomfortable when in the presence of someone else’s dad, because it’s unclear how we are supposed to act around them. Their attempts to be friendly might come off as threatening, in some cases. There are countless jokes about kids who ask their mom if they can do something, only to be told to “ask Dad.” When they do, their dad tells them to “ask Mom.” For those without a dad, Mom’s word is the final word. If there are siblings, mom has the stress of not making it seem like she’s favoring one over the other. One sibling can’t get something fancy because that means the other sibling has to get something, too, and sometimes there just isn’t enough money

for both, so neither get anything. That, or, in some situations, the mom buys everything for her children and neglects to take care of herself. Seldom do cartoons and programs show a family where only one parent is present. The lack of representation makes those kids who only have a mom feel like they’re missing a big part of their lives, or that their family isn’t normal. Either that, or they (mostly) present characters who have turmoil with their fathers, and the complications in their personality is a direct result of having issues with their father. Raven, from the popular show 'Teen Titans," is showcased as having a strained relationship with her demon father, Trigon, and that’s the reason why she has to remain stoic and closed off. Of course, there are more reasons why she is that way, but the fact that her father is portrayed as the villain is awkward for those kids without one, who can’t really distinguish if they should compare Trigon to their own fathers. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any programs with representation, though. Disney’s "The Princess and the Frog" demonstrates how Tiana had to grow up without her father, who died at an early age of her life. Though the point of the movie isn’t revolved around her trying to overcome a life without her dad, it’s clear that she didn’t have the advantage others with a dad had, and it is shown from how hard she

had to work at her job to make a living and pursue her dream. "Raven’s Home," a show on Disney Channel that takes place years after the cast of "That’s So Raven" have grown up and now have kids, shows how Raven and Chelsea raise their kids together while being divorced from their husbands. There is an episode dedicated respectively to each woman having to respond to their children’s expressions of frustration with not having their dad present. When I’m asked about my father, I instead talk about my mother, since she basically doubles as both. I talk about how she gives me the emotional support I need, while at the same making sure that our household is running the way it should. Sure, having the extra support would be nice, but the reality of the situation is that my mom is all I have, and I’m okay with that. For a lot of kids, their fathers are just shadows in their life: not present, non-participating, or not reliable. That doesn’t make them any different from the kids with a complete family. While we may make fun of those kids with ‘daddy issues,’ these are children going through real struggles. Instead of turning this serious issue into a joke, we must understand that these situations aren’t here for our own personal amusement.

Graphic by Chloe Girod

Making do Without Dad / Lifestyle 47

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SPEAKING INTO THE VOID

Late night hosts offer only one viewpoint: the one of the viewer

By Rebecca Boss Trump administration with caution; some are concerned with his ability ith the political climate of our society in a fragile state, to represent the United States. most Americans want something to identify with. “I find it comedic because both of them seem to poke fun at the lack Individuals want somewhere to express their morals of common sense that sometimes happens especially within politics and and personal beliefs without the fear of being rained current events and pull it out and make it seem ridiculous,” English on by the constant downpour of heated political discussion. Late night teacher Peggy Mellon said. television is a source of refuge in times when Those concerned with Trump’s ability to tensions run high. Many turn to their favorite TV represent the U.S. can often times be relieved by hosts to ease their concerns and find humor in late night shows such as these. The hosts somehow “[If the shows’ political situations that genuinely worry them. find a way to take social, economic, and political viewpoints were] more With a new party in power, liberals across the issues and reshape them to hold comedic value independent, [it] would nation have found their place to comfortably poke based on their personal vantage points. While fun at the current system. It is no secret that one unify some, as cracking these shows are relatable for liberals nationwide, party tends to dominate the industry of late night jokes at both sides makes right wing humor is rarely included. TV, attracting the same group of people. Hosts “To me, especially with the new administration, it so both can laugh and like Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, it’s hard not to get good content from the right,” therefore have a good and Trevor Noah use political humor to gain a communications sophomore Marco Muñoz said. time together,” Muñoz said. strong following, but much of their content is The stronger a following the shows gain, the only applicable to people who share the same more their opinions are solidified, and the less opinions. Those people generally happen to fall likely they are to be open to opposing ideas. If on the left side of our society. the basis of humor on late night was universalized and distributed more According to YouGov, only 12 percent of Colbert’s viewers identify evenly, it could act as a bandage in our current state of broken political with the conservative party. Fifty-three percent are strongly liberal and coexistence. It could help those on opposite parties relate to each other the other 31 percent do not identify with either. This is no surprise, in times when we are divided by our political differences. considering the direction his political satire has been aimed recently. “[If the shows’ political viewpoints were] more independent, [it] The drastic change in The White House has contributed to recent would unify some, as cracking jokes at both sides makes it so both can political tensions. Ever since the Obama administration was replaced in laugh and therefore have a good time together,” Muñoz said. the White House , citizens across the country have been watching the Late night is speaking to the void. While democrats across the world appreciate the content’s comedic values, others are turned off, and our troubled political climate is not healing. “Unfortunately some shows are forced to assert a certain agenda,” Muñoz said. “As much as I love Colbert, he’s restricted because he’s on CBS. People like Oliver are a lot more inclusive, but even he has a strong liberal bias. I would like for someone to come along that cracks jokes on both sides regularly. That would be a more content-enriched experience.”

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Comedy Central

Speaking into the void / Entertainment 49

WHITEWASHED Throughout history, movies have consistently been whitewashed, contributing to the erasure of minorites throughout Hollywood “As a black female, I think I have a responsibility to represent people of my community. Race matters in film because it’s a big part of the media we consume every day...Not everyone is white. Not everyone is straight. Not everyone is able bodied,” communications senior Lindsay Debrosse said. By Chloe Girod e consume vast amounts of entertainment every day. With this constant consumption, we view different kinds of people on every medium. It is not uncommon to look outward for validation, acceptance, and representation so you can feel like you belong. Entertainment is often our source for this, but it is heavily lacking in representing all people. Oftentimes, we only see white actors cast for roles in movies and TV shows. For someone who is a person of color (PoC), you might feel like you don’t belong because there is no one who portrays your race. Therefore, it makes society seem like there isn’t a place for you. The phenomena of white actors being cast in roles originally for people of color has a legitimate term: whitewashing. This contributes to the erasure of representation for minorities and often goes unnoticed. “I wasn’t aware of [whitewashing] before it became a more prominent issue,” dance freshman Grace Handel said. “I never recognized it myself, but now I realize it is an occurring problem. I believe that this is one of the many examples of racism still existing in this country.” While small children might not recognize the issue while watching predominantly white shows, it can have effects on them later in life. According to a study done by Kai Nelson at Johnson and Wales University, it can be incredibly difficult to grow and thrive in a world that views your body and skin as undesirable, and whitewashing contributes to this. Issues with self-esteem and confidence can be affected from lack of representation because it can make white seem as the default race. “I would watch ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Snow White,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and they were all petite, white female leads,” communications senior Lindsay Debrosse said. “I didn’t recognize it was an issue until I watched ‘Princess and the Frog.’ That was the first time I realized, ‘Oh wait, she actually looks like me.’ I think that was the first time I can remember seeing someone who looked like me and I felt I could identify with her. Now, eight years later, I’m seeing a difference in representation.” There has been a difference in representation because of shows like “Black-ish,” “Atlanta,” “Empire,” “Master of None,” “Jane the Virgin,” and a handful of others because they are casting people of color as the leading roles. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go. This practice has gone on for ages, occurring in award-winning

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movies and fan favorites. Movies such as “West Side Story,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and “A Mighty Heart” are prime examples. It’s not like there are a lack of PoC actors and actresses; there are plenty of people who are aspiring to become famous, and giving these actors and actresses the opportunity to have leading roles will truly represent society as a whole. Often, there is an argument of casting white people based off the fact that their name draws in more money, making the movie more popular. Plenty of movies have still been whitewashed by people who have little to no notoriety, such as the “Gods of Egypt.” In fact, many new movies coming out with whitewashed roles are flopping in the box office because more people do not want to support it. “Ghost in the Shell,” while achieving many articles discussing the whitewashing of the main role Major, played by Scarlett Johansson, only reached a inferior box office value of $40.5 million. In contrast, Michael Peele’s movie “Get Out” featuring Daniel Kaluuya had a domestic total gross skyrocket to what is currently $175.5 million. Now, more than ever, the call for diversity is increasing. To say that putting a person of color as a lead will decrease box office value is not only wrong, but horribly offensive. “I think whitewashing would definitely play a role in the box office because there’s a clear target audience that cares about accuracy in racial casting and the storyline,” visual junior Sarah Inderbitzen said. “I think more people would have supported it and the movie would have done better if they had cast the role correctly.” Other ways the issue of whitewashing can be addressed is through social media and spreading awareness. If more people know that this is wrong, it is less likely people will support these movies, and in turn, making Hollywood lessen the numbers of production for these movies. Awareness also means fewer actors will take whitewashed roles if they know that it is wrong to do so. This shift has already began to occur. Ed Skrein, originally casted to play an Asian role for the upcoming remake of “Hellboy,” denied the role after finding out that it would be whitewashing if he accepted it. Skrein is a leading example for what other actors in Hollywood should be doing. “I think a great place to start would be focusing on stories of people of color by people of color,” Inderbitzen said. “That’s the representation I can get behind. We should normalize people of color by telling their own stories the right way, instead of somehow casting white actors to do it better than them.”

Natalie Wood plays Maria, a Puerto Rican woman, in “West Side Story.”

Emma Stone plays Allison, a Hawaiian woman, in “Aloha.”

Jake Gyllenhaal plays Dastan, a Persian man, in “Prince of Persoa.”

Hugo Weaving plays Mephi, an Asian man, in “Cloud Atlas.”

Angelina Jolie plays Mariane, a biracial woman, in “A Mighty Heart.”

Ben Affleck plays Tony, a Mexican man, in “Argo.”

Gerard Butler plays Set, an Egyptian man, in “Gods of Egypt.”

Tilda Swinton plays The Ancient One, an Asian Woman, in “Doctor Strange.”

Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Disney Enterprises, Columbia Pictures, and Jay Maidment.

Scarlett Johansson plays The Major, an Asian woman, in “Ghost in the Shell.”

Whitewashed / Entertainment 51

52 Entertainment / Mindful Music

To Listen to the Spotify Playlist: Username: themuseatdreyfoos "Music With Meaning" Graphics by Chloe Girod and Marianna Kaimakliotis

mindful music

Modern Musicians Use Their Platform to Speak Out On Public Issues By Anamaria Navarrete he socially adept members of society have shifted in the new generation. They are now the artists with a platform to influence, the people who have access to a pair of earbuds and any means of listening, the active music creators and listeners—and in the age of streaming services and downloads, the audiences are getting larger and the messages are getting louder. As entertainment becomes a more prominent part of our society’s cultural identity, controversial topics present in political and social conflict, such as alcoholism, mental health, and police brutality, have been addressed by several musical artists spanning a variety of genres, most notably hip hop and rhythm & blues (R&B). “I think because of [music’s] overall reach and use as a storytelling platform, it’s easy to paint a lot of these pictures of societal issues and affect people on an emotional level,” digital media senior Ethan Blanc said. Throughout the existence of this medium, sparking social commentary has been a strong-suit within the industry. From the 1980s to late ‘90s, hip-hop artists such as Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur spoke out about the realities that they faced as street hustlers growing up in “The Hood.” In the same way their music was successful at opening the public’s eyes, it was commercially recognized. Fast forward a few decades, and a recurring theme begins to appear. While spreading awareness lies on different artists, hiphop holds listeners true to the aspect of struggle, with artists such as Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. In 2012, when Kendrick released “Swimming Pools (Drank),” it quickly became a party anthem to teenagers across the social stratosphere, and unknowingly, they were being exposed to a message stronger than just one to party hard. In an interview with Complex, Kendrick reveals the true meaning behind the song is one of his struggles with alcoholism after being subject to a house full of drinkers during childhood. Though this is just one example, songs such as this one are often desensitized by the mainstream media through all of the different interpretations provided. “Music has been a powerful way for lots of artists to spread their message,” communications freshman Nirmit Chandan said.

“When someone hears a song with a powerful message, they really take it to heart." However, some artists have used the media to their advantage in this sense, by taking their platform and connecting it to the change they want to see in the real world. Last year, contemporary R&B pop singer Beyoncé took direct action toward police brutality and black violence in a performance of one of her songs titled “Freedom” at a concert in Glasgow, paying tribute to those killed by police brutality. In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Beyoncé also took action on her website, where she encouraged people to take a stand and contact local politicians to make a difference in the political problem arising. Another artist tackling his platform to promote awareness and take action against social issues is Logic. The song “1-800-2738255” is titled for the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In the song, Logic discusses mental health and suicide, ultimately ending with a message of hope. “We live in a time where it’s hard for anything to not get claimed politically, but the effect is going to be small with music because a lot of people definitely listen directly for the sound and won’t pick up on smaller messages and intentions,” Blanc said. “However, they can notice in songs like ‘1-800-273-8255,’ where the entire song is dedicated to a social issue.” Problems arise for artists in creating a distinction between the meaning they intend for their music and the way they can make such specific topics universal. In making music approachable, artists may sacrifice their message. “Art can easily be underestimated,” social studies teacher Javier Mora said. “You can look at a painting and like the colors, but miss the meaning. In the same way, you can listen to a song and like the beat, but miss what is being said. Sometimes it’s rough, because the artist has to balance what they’re trying to say.” Music has always held a stance in social and political change among the social stratosphere for generations. Without being aware of it, in a current state of both political and social turmoil, the hands of the musicians and their audience hold the power to make change. Within those seemingly simple earbuds, each lyric becomes more empathetic, and each song becomes more fervidly charged than the last.

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exposure

BRIDA GIBBONS Through attending the Boston Ballet Summer Intensive for two years, along with taking competitive classes at her dance studio, dance junior Brida Gibbons’ appreciation and tenacity for dance allows her to stand out among a crowd of dancers. By Jennifer Jia ver the summer, Gibbons attended one of the most prestigious dance summer intensives with the Boston Ballet. Because of the program’s selectivity, dancers must commit to rounds of auditions in order to qualify for the program. Although she was unable to audition in person for the judges, Gibbons was determined to overcome this conflict. “The audition process for any ballet summer intensive is usually the same; [representatives of Boston Ballet] go to a [dance] studio to hold auditions,” Gibbons said. “For the past two years, however, I was not able to make the audition dates for Boston Ballet, so I recorded a ballet class at my studio and sent it to them. For both years, I was accepted.” The audition process began with students of various age groups auditioning in front of a panel of representatives from the Boston Ballet, which lasted for about an hour. Following the physical audition, dancers must wait a few weeks to receive either an acceptance or rejection into the program. The Boston Ballet Summer Intensive Program requires its dancers to be fully dedicated to improve. In the program, dancers take a variety of classes ranging between different genres of dance that lasted throughout the entirety of the day. “A typical day at Boston Ballet for me would be a ballet technique class and pointe class from 9 a.m. to noon,” Gibbons said. “We would have lunch for an hour, then afternoon classes that sometimes ended as late as 7 p.m. We also had extra classes like pas de deux, character, modern, and pilates.” Although the program involved an abundance of diligence from its dancers, Gibbons made lasting memories throughout the summer. Because Gibbons was a returning dancer to this residential program, she was able to reconnect with her friends. “My favorite memory this summer [at the Boston Ballet Summer Intensive] was probably just seeing all of my old friends again,” Gibbons said. “The dance world is pretty small, and I know a lot of people from past summer programs. It was fun to see them again

54 Exposure / Brida Gibbons

and see how far they’ve come [from the previous year].” After returning home from the program, Gibbons aspired to push her dancing abilities further. Gibbons applied what she had learned at the summer program into her own dance. “This past summer was definitely an eye-opener into the dance world. It’s really competitive, and there are a lot of talented people,” Gibbons said. “I realized that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but I still love to dance. This summer inspired me to keep working. There were also incredible teachers from all over [the nation] that had a lot to offer which kept me focused and motivated.” When Gibbons first started dancing, she was primarily exposed to ballet; however, Gibbons came to Dreyfoos with an open mind in regards to learning other genres and forms of dance. Since the technicalities of ballet differ from other styles, Gibbons was determined to widen her range and knowledge of dance. “I started dancing when I was 3 years old at Boca Ballet Theatre, where I still am today,” Gibbons said. “I had mainly only studied ballet until I came to Dreyfoos, so the modern and contemporary that we often do [in school] is still new to me. I’m really glad that I went to Dreyfoos because I was exposed to a lot of other important kinds of dance. [Through] learning modern and contemporary [styles of dance], my ballet dancing improved because I learned how to move and express myself beyond only ballet.” Although she initially faced challenges in broadening her abilities beyond ballet, Gibbons overcame these setbacks with her perseverance and dedication to dance. By attending prestigious summer programs and taking classes several times per week, Gibbons has been able to surpass her own expectations. “Other dancers inspire me to dance, [such as] my friends, peers, and the professional dancers that I look up to,” Gibbons said. “Dreyfoos also inspires me to be open with my dancing and push my artistic abilities farther. I just love what I do, and I want to continue dancing until I reach my goals.”

Photo by Sydney Walsh

Exposure / Brida Gibbons 55 Brida Gibbons / Exposure 55