Happening Now
  • October 3Jazz Concert Oct. 6 at 6:00 p.m.
  • October 3Dance Senior Showcase Oct. 6 at 6:00 p.m.
  • October 2Vocal Concert Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
  • October 2Band Concert on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts | 501 S. Sapodilla Ave, WPB, FL 33401

THE MUSE

Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts | 501 S. Sapodilla Ave, WPB, FL 33401

THE MUSE

Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts | 501 S. Sapodilla Ave, WPB, FL 33401

THE MUSE

Dressed as Professor McGonagall, AP Precalculus teacher Monica Russell goes over answers to problems that students assigned to the different Harry Potter houses solved. Each correct answer gave that house a point. “I hope that I can make (math) a little bit more interesting,” Mrs. Russell said.
Bring in the Teachers, Bring in the Magic
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Welcoming Mrs. Richardson
Welcoming Mrs. Richardson
September 26, 2023
Residing at 525 Clematis Street stands Petezpop Palm Beach, an international snack shop. Donning a neon green and fuschia logo, Petezpop houses unique treats and chips from all over the world, as well as rare finds from the United States.
For Petez's Sake
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An audience member sits on another patron’s shoulders watching Jack Johnsen perform his song “Banana Pancakes” at the 2023 Sunfest Music Festival. Johnsen performed on May 6, the second day of the event.
Song to Soul
September 24, 2023

The Beauty of Unity

Students gather on Freshman Hill to celebrate “Black joy” on the first day of the BSU Spirit Week
Theatre+freshman+Alina+Wester+and+dance+junior+Trinity+Smoot+Ford+sit+back+to+back+on+Freshman+Hill+during+Black+Student+Union%E2%80%99s+%28BSU%29+Unity+Day+picnic.+Unity+Day+kicks+off+BSU%E2%80%99s+Spirit+Week+for+Black+History+Month%2C+which+consists+of+a+new+event+for+each+day+until+Friday%2C+Feb.+10.%0A
Alice Mackenzie
Theatre freshman Alina Wester and dance junior Trinity Smoot Ford sit back to back on Freshman Hill during Black Student Union’s (BSU) Unity Day picnic. Unity Day kicks off BSU’s Spirit Week for Black History Month, which consists of a new event for each day until Friday, Feb. 10.

A correction was made to this story on 2/9/2023.

The story stated that Amanda Gorman is the United States’ National Youth Poet Laureate. She is the former United States’ National Youth Poet Laureate. Her title has been rewritten as the correct one. 

The story below has been corrected with the noted revisions. 

Chalk drawings of suns, students, and famous figures illuminate a formerly gray sidewalk. Booming speakers blast Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” along with R&B classics to overpower the normal lunch chatter. But when it all quiets down, BSU co-historian and communications junior Faustina Duvigneaud recites Amanda Gorman’s poem, “New Day’s Lyric,” calling for hope, remembrance, and unity of Black culture.

The Black Student Union (BSU) began their annual Spirit Week on Feb. 6 with Unity Day, a picnic and social event held on Freshman Hill, originally in honor of school integration. From drawing chalk art, playing games, sharing a meal, or even just hanging out with friends, students took the opportunity to socialize and celebrate Black History Month.

Communications junior and BSU co-historian Eduardo Culmer doodles with chalk.
(Alice Mackenzie)

“I think it’s really easy to lose perspective of how recent the Civil Rights Movement was, and I thought it would be a really good opportunity to express that gratitude and feel that change we have now that we’re all together,” co-president of BSU and communications junior Jasmine Mullings said.

On the first day of Black History Month, BSU put on a student showcase framed around the “Black on Broadway” theme, which included singing, dancing, and instrumentals performed by various students. From this, they transitioned into a wide range of events and activities throughout the month, with most of them during “BSU Spirit/History Week” an annual tradition since at least 2019.

“The main goal of Black History Week was to immerse the Dreyfoos community in Black culture,” former BSU treasurer and visual junior Charlene Mbaeri said in 2019. “(We wanted to) encourage the celebration of Black history and create a week where the Black students at Dreyfoos felt safe to express themselves and learn more about our history.”

This year’s organizers chose to focus Unity Day on inclusivity and making everyone feel welcome.

Students listen to Duvigneaud deliver the poem “A New Day’s Lyrics” by Amanda Gorman, the former United States’ National Youth Poet Laureate. The poem is meant to inspire both BSU members and non-members and share a message of perseverance.

“The purpose of Unity Day was to basically make people aware of Black culture and to help them understand it can encompass everyone to make (them) feel welcome and inclusive,” Ms. Nicholas, school counselor and BSU co-sponsor, said. “This event is an opportunity for the students to be able to express themselves and to find a place to belong where they feel comfortable and safe.”

Unlike last year’s Unity Day, which featured guest pianists and musicians, this year’s was mostly a student-organized and focused event. This week, a new speaker will share an original piece or excerpt from Black literature each day, with Unity Day organizer Duvigneaud being the first of five speakers.

“The process was a little hard getting to where we finally agreed to do a picnic and just make it more about inclusivity because that’s what we really want, and our theme is Black joy, so what’s more joyful than getting together with your friends and being happy?” Duvigneaud said.

BSU co-historian and communications junior Faustina Duvigneaud speaks into a megaphone to deliver her speech at the BSU Unity Day picnic.
(Alice Mackenzie)

With students of all races attending, Unity Day provided a chance to get together on the hill to speak and spark conversation with each other while reflecting on Black history. Atop picnic blankets laid across the shade, students expressed feeling a sense of belonging and community. 

“(Unity Day) means unifying under the single word ‘Black,’” band sophomore Amy Maloon said. “Although we all have different experiences, we all come together as a community. No matter our skin color, or gender, or our sexuality, we all fall under one community.”

Blowing bubbles, theatre junior Mahogany Prichard celebrates during the BSU Unity Day picnic.
(Alice Mackenzie)




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Jeremiah Alondra, Copy Staffer
Jeremiah Alondra is a first-year staffer and copy staffer on The Muse. A fervent debater, an aspiring cultural anthropologist, and a self-proclaimed "foodie," he is excited to begin a new school year working for The Muse by editing and writing impactful stories. He is currently saving for a trip back to the Philippines this summer.
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Gavin Leser is a first-year staffer and coverage staffer on The Muse. He loves volunteering with animals and searching for the elusive Bigfoot. He hopes to be a filmmaker some day when he grows up.
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