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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
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
Digital senior Emma Shukla spreads out her AP Statistics notes to study, monitoring her time for work and breaks in accordance with the Pomodoro Technique. This method incorporates five steps to break workloads into 25 minute intervals.
Real Student Study Methods
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
Makena Senzon

Makena Senzon, Coverage Editor

Makena Senzon is a second-year staffer and coverage editor on The Muse. When she is not writing, sharing, or reading stories, she may be found volunteering for various causes or obsessing over her plants. Using journalism, Makena hopes to branch out to better feature the unique aspects of her community.

All content by Makena Senzon
Alternative rapper De’Wayne, dressed head to toe in denim, kicks his leg out during his performance at the LaBovick Law Group Stage on Saturday, April 30. This was his first show of the year, and he made a point to interact with the audience whenever possible, responding to fan comments and remarking on the energy.

Rain or Shine, Let the SunFest In

May 1, 2022
“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury serves as commentary to warn against censorship; the title itself corresponds to the degree at which a book burns. It is being censored by parents who clearly missed the point of Bradbury’s dystopian novel, raising the question if people who challenged it even finished the book.

The War on Books

April 5, 2022
Running across the field, juniors sport their jock and cheerleader looks. Students dressed up in clothing representing the cliques of nerds, preps, cheerleaders/jocks, and goths. “You guys have a really strong culture here of tradition,” Assistant Principal Jennifer Napuli said. “Some of these events have been going on for a long time, and the students are really invested, which makes them extra fun and special.”

Sweater Vests and Letterman Jackets: A Deep Dive Into Class Cliques

March 9, 2022
Vocal freshman Maria Clara Da Fonseca and strings senior Natalia Sanchez wear their Generations Day outfits for Spirit Week. Each day of Spirit Week gives students the opportunity to experiment with distinct styles. “I was inspired by the seniors before me,” communications sophomore Emily Singer said. “I think its all about finding what inspires you about the theme and then taking it to another level.”

Figuring out their ‘Fits

March 3, 2022
Adding on to the presentation about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), communications senior and Black Student Union (BSU) vice president Se’Maj Griffin explains the diverse opportunities and communities at HBCUs. “I started (in BSU) as a freshman and it’s very much like a family. Its more than a club,” Griffin said. “It’s a big part of my life, and its also very fun, and Ive learned different things about my culture along with teaching different things about my culture.”

It’s Time to Learn About HBCUs

February 22, 2022
Carrying a stack of freshly wrapped presents, digital media sophomore Giada Robinson goes to place her gifts in a collection bag. Students in Artists Reaching Out to Society (A.R.T.S.) Club worked together to wrap presents for the annual Jefferson Jubilee. “Im so enthused to be a part of this environment and this cause,” Robinson said. “Im really just looking forward to helping out and making a holiday special.”

The Jolly Behind the Jubilee

December 9, 2021
The Daily Dose of Wisdom

The Daily Dose of Wisdom

November 19, 2021
Increases in school violence and concerns about security have prompted the implementation of new safety policies. Now IDs are required on campus to ensure the wellbeing of students. Photo by Sofia Hennessey-Correa. Photo illustration by Angelyna Rodriguez.

The Cameras are Watching

November 7, 2021
Circling the cafeteria, communications senior Christian Chantayan leads the conga line as music blasts through speakers. One by one students and teachers joined the line during the Fiesta. “Ive always wanted to lead a conga line. I was presented with the opportunity spontaneously, and I took it, and I led an entire cafeteria of people,” Chantayan said.

Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana

October 19, 2021
Draped in white silks, dance senior Tori Gilbert performs her ballet solo, “La Bayadere Variation,” pirouetting across the Brandt Black Box Theater for the first time since her sophomore year. “Were all just really excited to see them out there and showcasing their love, passion, and talent for dance,” Department Dean Heather Lescaille said. “This is a nice way for them to just decompress.”

The 2022 Tutus

September 23, 2021
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