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

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Under the spotlight, theatre junior Von Markarian sits at his desk onstage while trying to figure out what to write in his play. “This show has been not the most prop heavy, but we had to make a lot of paper. Its about Shakespeare. Everybodys writing and reading the whole time,” theatre junior Lucas Green said. “We didnt want everybody to just be reading off of like bleached white paper. So we had to dye sheets of paper. We dyed them all brown with coffee.”
The World is a Stage
Handing out medals, communications juniors Callum Curran and Josiah Manners congratulate the winners in Original Oratory, an original 10-minute memorized speech. “The most humbling experience was being able to present medallions to students, some of whom were my own fellow debate team members,” Manners said. “To see the excitement in their eyes and to feel the gratitude in their hearts was what really made my job even more special.”
[BRIEF] Speech and Debate Team Hosts First Tournament Since the Pandemic
[BRIEF] Lightning Strikes Campus Wildlife
[BRIEF] Lightning Strikes Campus Wildlife
Carefully tracing the letters of her poster, co-president of the Colleen Hoover Book Club, and communications sophomore Kendall Smith, prepares for Club Rush. “We felt like there’s a huge community of people, especially in highschool, that really enjoy Colleen Hoovers books and all the different layers behind them,” said Smith. “We wanted to create a fun and safe space to talk about them.”
Twilight Polls, Rockets, and QR Codes
Handing out medals, communications juniors Callum Curran and Josiah Manners congratulate the winners in Original Oratory, an original 10-minute memorized speech. “The most humbling experience was being able to present medallions to students, some of whom were my own fellow debate team members,” Manners said. “To see the excitement in their eyes and to feel the gratitude in their hearts was what really made my job even more special.”
[BRIEF] Speech and Debate Team Hosts First Tournament Since the Pandemic
[BRIEF] Lightning Strikes Campus Wildlife
[BRIEF] Lightning Strikes Campus Wildlife
After announcing their names and roles, vocal department officers ran to the front row, and the vocal students gathered for a group photo.
[BRIEF] Vocal Potluck Offers Cuisine and Community
Members of the School Advisory Council (SAC) listen in as SGA Co-Historian and dance senior Jonelle Brinkley explains the progress the athletic department has made for the 2022-23 school year. She shared a list of the recent varsity sports activities, including team tryouts and upcoming schedules for the cross-country and swim teams.
[BRIEF] First SAC Meeting of the 2022-2023 School Year
[BRIEF] Pulling the Strings
[BRIEF] Pulling the Strings
In a World After COVID- 19
In a World After COVID- 19
Auditioning during COVID-19: Pre-recorded auditions are the new norm
Auditioning during COVID-19: Pre-recorded auditions are the new norm
My COVID-19 Story
My COVID-19 Story
Back to School in a Pandemic: Five Tips For Supporting Your Mental Health This Fall
Back to School in a Pandemic: Five Tips For Supporting Your Mental Health This Fall
SHIFTING EDUCATION: HOW THE SWITCH FROM IN-CLASSROOM TO DISTANCE LEARNING HAS AFFECTED US
SHIFTING EDUCATION: HOW THE SWITCH FROM IN-CLASSROOM TO DISTANCE LEARNING HAS AFFECTED US
Strings sophomores Mia Hakkarainen, Andrew Zhu, and Jeffrey Bai sit in a semicircle as they practice for their small ensemble performance for this year’s annual Prism show. The group gathered in the band room for a quiet space to play. “It took a little bit for us to get it together,” Hakkarainen said. “We met every few weeks at Josetta’s (a pianist in the ensemble) house, and we just rehearsed and put our parts together slowly, and eventually, we were able to play it.”
The Sound of Small Ensembles
Under the spotlight, theatre junior Von Markarian sits at his desk onstage while trying to figure out what to write in his play. “This show has been not the most prop heavy, but we had to make a lot of paper. Its about Shakespeare. Everybodys writing and reading the whole time,” theatre junior Lucas Green said. “We didnt want everybody to just be reading off of like bleached white paper. So we had to dye sheets of paper. We dyed them all brown with coffee.”
The World is a Stage
Urging the audience to snap along, piano seniors Joshua Lumaban and Arthur Schofield play a song inspired by the movie “Monsters Inc.” During their piece, they drew the audience in as they switched spots and ran around each other throughout the song. “I havent played a duet with AJ since last year,” Lumaban said. “We chose the piece because we watched a YouTube video and actually really liked what the YouTube video showed us.”
Playing At An Impromptu Ianpromptu
Marking through an arabesque promenade, dance senior Kylie Peitz practices the adagio combination as dance dean Heather Lescaille demonstrates in front of the class. “It’s always important to have ballet as a foundation,” dance senior Paulina Salas said. “Since we’re going to have it so often, I hope it will improve my versatility and strength as a dancer.”
Twirling Their Way to Higher HPAs
The Speech and Debate and Creative Writing programs came together to showcase their work at Figure of Speech in the Black Box Theater on March 24.
Telling Their Truths
Mr. Clark points to his great-great-grandmother’s whistle that she used when she was a P.E. teacher and his great great, great grandmother’s notebook that she taught out of. “I think that (the whistle and notebook) is something that’s really special that my parents actually gifted to me when I took this job.”
Welcoming the Welcomer
New math teacher Traci De León describes limits in relation to vertical asymptotes to her second period class. Mrs. De León decided to teach at Dreyfoos to be closer to her husband, jazz director Christopher De León, and to experience the school’s art areas. “We worked together at the beginning of our careers 12 years ago in Orlando,” De León said. “The biggest reason I enjoyed working with him was because I can cheer them (the students) on because … both my husband and I knew the students personally.”
From Teaching Suncoast Chargers to Dreyfoos Jaguars
Assistant Principal Ron Lewis spins Principal Blake Bennett as part of a secretly-planned faculty dance during the Pep Rally.
New Year, Her Rules
AP Government and Politics and Macroeconomics teacher Micheal Esopakis discusses supply and demand concepts with students as they complete a Venn diagram illustration.
Introducing Mr. Esopakis
New math teacher Timothy Freeman helps band sophomore Gianna “Gigi” Mendelson with homework problems at the end of his fifth period precalculus class. Her classmate, band sophomore Ryan Brown, believes Mr. Freeman’s spontaneous style of teaching better “accommodates the needs of the class” by going at the pace of the class. “If you have a more rigid system, you can’t be that flexible,” Brown said. “You can’t be that adaptable.”
New Vests and New Faces
Looking out into the crowd, communications senior Manha Chowdhury performs her opening speech. Asian Cultural Society’s (ACS) Open Mic Night was not only for the Asian community but also for students to come out and express themselves. Caption by Haiden Kenney
“Now Brewing”: Culture and Coffee
Black Student Union (BSU) members dance together in the cafeteria during the block party on Oct. 17. This event celebrated their heritage with music, dances, and ‘70s attire.
BSU Block Party Spreads Culture and ‘70s Spirit
I Survived the First Quarter at Dreyfoos: Photos in Review
I Survived the First Quarter at Dreyfoos: Photos in Review
Slowly coming to a stop, the Yellow Line trolley arrives at its 200 Rosemary Ave. stop. The trolley runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday.
Downtown Drives
Laying on the newly renovated fountain in front of Building 9, digital media junior Mckenna Dickinson uses Quizlet to help her study.
Study Tips for Exam Season
Taylor Swift holds a flame for her new album cover.
‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ Been Better
More Than Just a Quarter-Life Crisis
More Than Just a Quarter-Life Crisis
Wooden pilings stand at the corner of Hercules Drive and Estero Boulevard in Fort Myers Beach, Florida (caption edited for clarity).
1 Storm, 2 Experiences
We’re in Need of a Trip to the Polls
We’re in Need of a Trip to the Polls
The Road to Representation
The Road to Representation
After giving her junior to senior speech, theatre junior Adaleigh Wagner hugs visual senior Zofia Killeen. This annual tradition allows a junior to write a speech for a senior they are close to. “(Wagner) and I have been playing together for two years, and we have become such good friends,” Killeen said. “It meant so much that she made my speech, and it made my eyes water a little bit.”
Senior Night Lights
Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS
Super Bowl Opinions
Communications senior Penelope Ryan gets a hold of the ball during a 10 point lead in the Jan. 10 game against Inlet Grove High School.
A Homecoming on the Hardwood
Soccer and Sashes: Girls and Boys Soccer Team Celebrate the Season
Soccer and Sashes: Girls and Boys Soccer Team Celebrate the Season
“We fought through it”
“We fought through it”
From left, Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Brandon Perea in Nope. Kaluuya and Palmer play a sibling duo who wrangle horses for Hollywood productions in “Nope” before many of their horses begin to mysteriously disappear. (Universal Pictures/TNS)
Top 2022 Horror Movies Ranked so You Know What to Watch — Even After Halloween
Taylor Swift holds a flame for her new album cover.
‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ Been Better
There’s Nothing Wrong with Red Pandas
There’s Nothing Wrong with Red Pandas
It’s Not Perfect, But That’s the Point
It’s Not Perfect, But That’s the Point
Photo by Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures.
The Band of Misfits Take the Road
The Salty Donut Review
The Salty Donut Review
Latin Hispanic Heritage Club Fiesta Recap
Latin Hispanic Heritage Club Fiesta Recap
On the Double: His Class is like a Movie
Spirit Week 2022 | Day 4: Holiday Day
Spirit Week 2022 | Day 4: Holiday Day
Spirit Week 2022 | Day 3: Generation Day
Spirit Week 2022 | Day 3: Generation Day
The strings orchestra watches orchestra director Jeffrey Adkins conduct students as they perform “Little Suite for String Orchestra” by Carl Nielson. This was the second time they took stage this school year.
Photo of the Week- 11/28
Junior dance majors twirl on pointe as they perform “Evergreen,” a piece in “Unity,” the fall dance show that opened on Friday, Nov. 11. The group has been preparing since September for opening night.
Photo of the Week- 11/14
As students clap and cheer around her, theatre sophomore Satya Hamilton dances to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire. BSU’s “Soul Train” themed block party on Oct. 9 brought the ‘70s and ‘80s to the cafeteria through disco music and patterned outfits.
Photo of the Week- 11/7
Theater junior Von Markarian looks off of the balcony on the set of “Shakespeare In Love” during rehearsals on Monday, Oct. 24. Students began designing and creating the elements of this set at the end of last year. “We had a professional painter, Sydney, come in and help us with the wood grating. I think it looks really good with the set, and I think it serves the show really well,” theatre junior Kylie Glassgold said.
Photo of the Week- 10/31
After placing their bags against the front gate of the school, seniors wait in line to get their IDs checked before they exit campus. During lunch, seniors are allowed to leave campus, known as senior privilege.
Photo of the Week- 10/24
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
Anna Jones

Anna Jones, Photo Staffer

Anna Jones is a third-year staffer and photo staffer on The Muse. She can either be found overworking herself, binge-watching "Criminal Minds," reading a book all night long, or listening to vinyl from her growing collection!

All content by Anna Jones
The performers come together for a standing ovation from the audience at the end of the show.

[Photo] Telling Their Truths

March 29, 2022
Smiling for the camera, vocal junior Jacqueline Alvarado (top) and visual junior Julian Leyva (bottom) pose for pictures on the field after the Generation Dances.

[Photo] Spirit Week: In A Time Machine

March 9, 2022
Band juniors Ava DeGaetano and Jake Dudley pose on the field dressed as nerds for Class Clique Day during the 2020 Spirit Week. Through bowties, plaid skirts, glasses, suspenders, and collared shirts, freshmen can design a nerd-themed outfit.

[Photo] Spirit Week In Review

March 9, 2022
Vocal junior Amelia Williams wrote about her personal disconnection from her heritage and her grandfather’s struggles while assimilating from Korean to American culture. Williams will be performing her poem titled “할아버지,” which translates to “Grandpa,” in the Multicultural Show. In Korea, red often represents creation and love, two central themes of her poem.

[Photo] All One People

March 6, 2022
As president of Mural Painting Society, visual senior Jackie Cohen poses in front of the club’s first on-campus mural, which was created in collaboration with the Good Thyme Gardening Club. Cohen can often be spotted around campus sporting a headband or hat with frog eyes because she “just like(s) frogs.”

[Photo] A Face to the Frog: The Girl Under the Frog Hat

February 4, 2022
Both halves of Bandana Diptych are framed in Building 9 for the Fall Vigital Showcase that opened on Oct. 7 and is open for students to visit during lunch in Buildings 2 and 9.

[Photo] Bandana Diptych: Deconstructed

October 25, 2021
Jazz director Christopher De Leon conducts the Jazz Ensemble 1 band in preparation for their first concert of the year. De Leon began teaching the jazz band last school year, and has since noticed many differences between this school year and last. “Its been great to establish something steady, and be able to see all of them and start to get that energy [and] bonding that a band usually has together,” De Leon said.

[Photo] The Energy and Connectivity of Jazz

September 29, 2021
Vocal senior Shweta Pandit participates in early voting on Nov. 1 at the Mandel Public Library. Pandit was part of 62 percent of Florida’s voters that participated in early voting before Election Day on Nov. 3. She believes “it’s important to vote to have your wants to be heard by the government, but it is especially important now to vote early since you most likely won’t have to wait in longer lines with a bunch of people around you during the pandemic.” 

The Importance of Young, Early Voters

November 12, 2020
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[Photo] QUARANTINE NECESSITIES

May 12, 2020
Strings senior Justin Toterella runs to scoop up the dodgeballs sitting in the center of the gym. Dressed completely in black, Toterella fit right in with the rest of his team members, who also wore black for the seniors’ goth theme.

[Photo] CLASS CLIQUE DAY RECAP

January 30, 2020
Band freshman Ava DeGaetano receives the ball from a teammate in preparation for their game. They focused on pass accuracy during the warmup, a strength the soccer team has been working on. “We connect very well with each other,” DeGaetano said, “on and off the soccer field.”

[Photo] JAGUARS VS. CRUSADERS GIRLS SOCCER GAME RECAP

December 12, 2019
Playing left back, theatre sophomore Grace Trainor juggles the soccer ball during warm-ups in preparation for their game against Santaluces High School. “It was a good season opener,” Trainor said in reference to their tie. “We have a lot to work on.”

[Photo] KICKING OFF THE SEASON WITH GIRLS SOCCER JAMBOREE

November 5, 2019
TOPSoccer volunteers help their buddies participate in a drill before the end of the session scrimmage. “They all get so happy and excited when kicking the ball,” communications freshman Cameron Wilson said. “It’s the little things that make their day and mine.”

[Photo] STUDENTS SHARE PASSION FOR SOCCER WITH SPECIAL NEEDS PLAYERS AT TOPSOCCER

November 4, 2019
Band freshman Ava DeGaetano trains at Gardens District Park three times a week after school. She balances her busy schedule to fit in her two-hour practices. “Practices are my favorite part of the day,” DeGaetano said. “I love playing with my teammates.”

[Photo] JUGGLING PRIORITIES: AVA DEGAETANO’S

November 4, 2019
Band sophomore Samuel Schwartz practices the vibraphone to prepare for his audition. “I was playing with a four-mallet technique called Stevens Grip,” Schwartz said.

[Photo] MUSIC STUDENTS PREPARE FOR PRISM

October 28, 2019
Vocal sophomore Kira Winston plays up on the ball at practice. “Practice goes into everything we do,” Winston said. “In order to be ready for [the showcase in] Texas, we need to practice as much as we can.” (Anna Jones)

[Photo] TAKING ON TEXAS

October 27, 2019

[Photo] JOINING THE FAMILY: 11 NEW STAFFERS ADDED TO DREYFOOS ROSTER FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR

September 13, 2019
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