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

THE MUSE
Talking to a student in her office, counseling director Olga Middleton offers advice about college preparation with a smile. “As school counselors, we have to do everything, including college counseling,” Mrs. Middleton said. “Put that on top of all of our other responsibilities, and it’s safe to say that we wear a lot of our hats. Because we don’t have specific college counselors like private schools, we have to go above and beyond to offer additional services to students.”
Guidance For A Price
Labubus, Hydro Flasks, fidget spinners, and Lululemon apparel have many variations in color, type, and size. This variety makes the items subject to being purchased in bulk or collected.
The Weight Of Our Wants
Getting their vitals checked and setting up a food stand, students participate in the first blood drive of the year. This event provides a life-saving resource for those in need, while fostering community connections.
[BRIEF] The National Honor Society Hosted its First Blood Drive of the Year
New Lunch Policy Limits Student Access to Buildings
New Lunch Policy Limits Student Access to Buildings
Holding up their copies of "The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi," senior Student Government Association officers pose with author Wright Thompson. Each officer received a personalized message inside their book as a thank-you for attending. Photo Courtesy of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches.
[BRIEF] Guest Speaker Wright Thompson Spoke to Senior Student Government Association (SGA) Officers at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches
Speech and Debate Students “Sweep” at first local tournament of the season
Speech and Debate Students “Sweep” at first local tournament of the season
Speaking out to the audience, band director Evan Rogovin talks about the importance of Veteran’s Day and thanks all who have served.
Valuing Veterans Day
Holding their wands in the air, theatre seniors Graham Gilbert (Ron Weasley) and Maria Costa Scheid (Hermione Granger) fight dementors by “casting” spells on them with their wands. Dementors are fictional creatures who suck out the souls of humans, leaving them in a lifeless state.
Wizards, Witches, and Wands: ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ comes to the stage
Performing a lift, dance sophomore Brandon Ross and dance senior Arielle Montpeirous are partnered together for a duet performance. “The most challenging part is putting it all together,” Montpeirous said. “With all the quick changes, it makes it difficult to navigate from piece to piece, but it eventually all comes together.”
Better When I’m Dancin’
Playing his trumpet, fourth year member of the student jazz band The Brothers Five and band senior Matthew Harper performs a riff on the saxophone during the group’s first “Jazz by the Shack” performance outside the cafeteria this school year.
Jazz at the Shack
Presenting a deliberation over a bill concerning tuition costs for public universities, communications sophomore Grayson Murray responds to examination refuting his argument. “Speakeasy gives us (debate students) a great platform to showcase to our parents how Congress can be light-hearted and how our team is a community,” Murray said.
Speakeasy Brings Debate and Performance On the Stage
Reaching out, digital arts and photography junior Taeler Robinson interacts with an art piece.
Visual Classes Extend to the Norton Museum of Art
Speaking out to the audience, band director Evan Rogovin talks about the importance of Veteran’s Day and thanks all who have served.
Valuing Veterans Day
Sorting through baked goods to hand out to their customers, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket employees showcase a food area near the waterfront with bakery items, beverages, and meals that represent many cultures.
The Market on the Marina
A decorated display featuring a senior memory box, a memory book, and a throwback backpack.
Sealed and Signed Off
Wrapping the stair railings, theatre junior Janiyah Carries decorates the class of 2027 section of the bleachers in their class colors: black and red.
Fall Festival Setup: Photo Gallery
Listening for the pie-eating contest results, theatre junior Richard Moore and French teacher Mr. Ruth look towards the judging table.
Fall Festivities Fill The Gym
Hoisted up in the air by his friends, band sophomore Janssen Domingo drinks a Coke on the dance floor.
The Haunted Carnival Hits New Heights
Driving Me Crazy
Driving Me Crazy
The Cost of Cutting College Credit
Turning up the Heat
Turning up the Heat
Politics is BRAT
Politics is BRAT
Located at the back of the beach, the lifeguard tower at Ocean Reef Park oversees visitors both on land and in the water. Lifeguards on this beach work for the Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue division, which is USLA (United States Lifesaving Association) certified. USLA’s website reports that the “chance of drowning while at a beach protected by USLA-affiliated lifeguards is 1 in 18 million.”
Finding the Perfect Palm Beach
Holding up “Ws,” the class of ’25 cheers and celebrates after winning the Mario Kart game.
Terrifically Themed Teams
Politics is BRAT
Politics is BRAT
We Have No Shock Left
We Have No Shock Left
[Editorial] The Art of Funding
[Editorial] The Art of Funding
"I hope [my image] evokes reliability and/or understanding. Teens, AKA test takers, [will] hopefully relate to at least one of the figures shown," visual junior Giovanna Romano said about the cartoon above. "I thought it would be a good idea to illustrate how different people handle hard tests, and different emotional reactions to not knowing the answer."
Why Pass/Fail is Necessary
Beginning the race, visual junior Max Cannon, alongside other teammates and runners, starts the Jupiter XC Invite #2 hosted by Jupiter Community High School, an almost three-mile course located in Okeeheelee Park. Cannon’s sisters, Maria, a visual sophomore, and visual junior Amelie Cannon, cheer him on from the sidelines. “It’s really nice to have Maria and Amelie giving the support I need to be successful, even in the stands and after, for the celebrations,” Max Cannon said.
It Runs in the Family
Posed photo of the varsity girls volleyball team.
The Lady Jags Reach the Sweet 16
Putting their hands together, the boys and girls bowling teams discuss their plans for the Florida District 13 match. “This year’s team has a special bond,” bowling coach and science teacher Stephan Anand said. "We've built a really supportive atmosphere where everyone pushes each other to be better.”
Bowling Team Strikes at Districts
Pins, Practice, and Precision: An Inside Look into the bowling team
Pins, Practice, and Precision: An Inside Look into the bowling team
Huddling up, digital media senior Joshua Molnar communicates game plans and strategies with the boys volleyball team. “The most challenging part this year was finding ways to stay connected and motivated when we hit a slow patch mid-season or end season," Molnar said. "We weren’t clicking as a team for a while…I tried to help by setting the tone in practices, bringing the energy even on the off days and making sure no one felt alone in the struggle.”
Serving Up for Senior Night
Tennis Team's Senior Night
Tennis Team’s Senior Night
Getting makeup applied by stage crew members, theatre junior Emily Riggs prepares to perform her scenes during rehearsals of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”
Against The Tide
Smiling while on duty, security monitor Mihail Chira patrols the campus, upholding the safety of the school.
Patrolling With Purpose
Smiling with her arms crossed, 4-H reporter and strings senior Musiq Williams poses for a photo. Williams was elected as the Florida 4-H State Council reporter for the Palm Beach chapter. 4-H is a national organization focused on educating students about various environmental and agricultural sectors.
Cultivating Leadership
Posed headshot of Summer Wadleigh.
A New Season of Support
Hosting a lunch study session, math teacher Joshua Millstein explains how to calculate equations to his students. Outside of class time, Millstein hosts study sessions for students during lunch, in which he targets their shortcomings.
Where the Classroom Meets the Court
Between School and Sky
Between School and Sky
Muse Talks: Live at Dreyfoos!
Muse Talks: Live at Dreyfoos!
Muse Talks: Football Fantasies
Muse Talks: Football Fantasies
Turning up the Heat
Turning up the Heat
Tennis Team's Senior Night
Tennis Team’s Senior Night
Clenching his hand into a fist at the beat drop of a song, piano junior Matthew Reyes gets lifted into the air by vocal junior Jason Robins.
Prom at Gatsby’s Mansion
Seniors Reflect on Spirit Week
Seniors Reflect on Spirit Week
Turning up the Heat
Turning up the Heat
Tennis Team's Senior Night
Tennis Team’s Senior Night
Artist Market Recap
Artist Market Recap
WHEN RECYCLING DOESN'T WORK
WHEN RECYCLING DOESN’T WORK
PEP RALLY DAY 2019 RECAP
PEP RALLY DAY 2019 RECAP
ST. BALDRICK'S 2019 RECAP
ST. BALDRICK’S 2019 RECAP
Muse Talks: Live at Dreyfoos!
Muse Talks: Live at Dreyfoos!
Muse Talks: Football Fantasies
Muse Talks: Football Fantasies
Muse Talks: Backstage Access
Muse Talks: Backstage Access
Muse Talks: Love Through the Lens of Culture
Muse Talks: Love Through the Lens of Culture
Muse Talks: The Ivy Illusion
Muse Talks: The Ivy Illusion
Muse Talks: Lovesick or Sick of Love
Muse Talks: Lovesick or Sick of Love
Musele: 11/17/2025
Musele: 11/17/2025
Musele: 11/10/2025
Musele: 11/10/2025
Musele: 11/3/2025
Musele: 11/3/2025
Muse Connections: 10/31/25
Muse Connections: 10/31/25
Musele: 10/27/2025
Musele: 10/27/2025
Musele: 10/20/2025
Musele: 10/20/2025
Putting the Fear Back in Frankenstein
Putting the Fear Back in Frankenstein
Football - NFL - Super Bowl LVIII - Kansas City Chiefs v San Francisco 49ers - Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - February 11, 2024 Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce celebrates with partner Taylor Swift after Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII REUTERS/Mike Blake
Get Ready for It (Football Season)
Photo courtesy of islandrecords.com
The Summer 2025 Soundtrack
Turning up the Heat
Turning up the Heat
Photo courtesy of Tribune
Why Some Movies Last Forever
Photo courtesy of Pix4free
All I Want for Christmas: A Holiday Gift Guide
Watching in the audience, theatre sophomore Ella Sauerberg rises in support of a family member who served in the military, a tradition at the annual Veterans Day Concert.
Photo of the Week 11/11
Reaching out for his Hogwarts acceptance letter, theatre senior Kevontay Oliver performs as the lead role of Albus Potter, Harry Potter’s son, in the theatre preview night of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The play focuses on how Albus struggles with being in his father’s shadow and having to fulfill his legacy.
Photo of The Week 10/13
Making their way through the Fall Dance’s ‘Zombie Maze,’ theatre seniors Danielle Yodowitz, Hanna Lichtenthal, and Sher Wiedrich and Wiedrich’s extra guest encounter one of the many scare actors, consisting of Student Government Association (SGA) and student council members positioned across inflatable attractions. Featuring carnival games, obstacle courses and a dance floor to entertain attendees, the fall dance had an array of activities to entertain students and outside guests.
Photo Of The Week 10/16
Dancing together, hand in hand, strings junior Matthew Stewart and visual junior Amelie Cannon rehearse to the song “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” by Celia Cruz for the Multicultural Show. With the Multicultural Show being held in January rather than its typical March date, heritage clubs have already begun practice in preparation for upcoming auditions.
Photo Of The Week 10/3
Laughing together, visual junior Willow Schar talks about her weekend plans with Principal Blake Bennett. “We were talking about celebrating the birthday of someone we both happened to know,” Schar said. “What a small world we’re in. I’m ready for the weekend!”
Photo of the Week 9/26
Standing in third position, theatre sophomore Sophia Caputo smiles toward the audience in the theater. From April 9-12, the musical’s showings took place in the Kravis Center Helen K. Persson Hall theater. “My favorite part of being in ‘A Chorus Line’ was all the rehearsals and learning all the choreography,” Caputo said. “It was so fun being able to put on this amazing show, with an amazing story, with all of my friends. And I just love doing it so much, especially in theatre performance.”
Photo of the Week 4/10
  • Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 15-Nov. 30
  • Club Photos (Gym, all-day): Nov. 21
  • Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) General Body Meeting (Zoom, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.): Nov. 18
  • November Jazz Night (Meyer Hall, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.): Nov. 18
  • Driver's Ed Class (Media Center, 3:45 p.m.-6:30 p.m.): Nov. 20
  • Cap and Gown/Class Ring Orders (Cafeteria, Lunch): Nov. 13
  • Muse Issue 1 Distribution (Cafeteria, Lunch): Nov. 21
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
Valentina Saenz-Daza

Valentina Saenz-Daza, Content Team Editor

Valentina Saenz-Daza is a second-year staffer and a content team editor on The Muse. She enjoys participating in speech and debate, listening to pop music, and trying new foods. Aside from this, Valentina is excited to see what this upcoming year holds for the publication.

All content by Valentina Saenz-Daza
Participating in icebreakers, rising communications freshmen play a game of bingo as a way to get to know each other. Bingo questions varied from finding someone who has “starred in a short film” to "proficiently plays an instrument.” “You get to see what Dreyfoos is about and it's so far been really fun,” said communications freshman Arjun Kuturu.

[Photo] First Steps into Something New

Natalie Vidal and Liliana Kirby
August 13, 2025
Jumping into the air and kicking his legs out, theatre freshman Devin Jackson, playing the character Mike, explains his backstory.

‘One Singular Sensation’

Keegan McLendon and Valentina Saenz-Daza
April 24, 2025
Looking down, theatre sophomore Sophia Caputo and theatre senior Adam Picariello-Heighes dance to “At the Ballet.” Caputo and Picariello were one out of three partnering duos for the ballet performance, although the production dance styles ranged from jazz to tap. “‘A Chorus Line’ was a really fun experience because I've been doing ballet my whole life, and it just felt really fun and natural to me, like I was going back to my roots,” Caputo said. (Valentina Saenz-Daza)

[Photo] Chorus Line

April 24, 2025
Standing in third position, theatre sophomore Sophia Caputo smiles toward the audience in the theater. From April 9-12, the musical’s showings took place in the Kravis Center Helen K. Persson Hall theater. “My favorite part of being in ‘A Chorus Line’ was all the rehearsals and learning all the choreography,” Caputo said. “It was so fun being able to put on this amazing show, with an amazing story, with all of my friends. And I just love doing it so much, especially in theatre performance.”

Photo of the Week 4/10

Valentina Saenz-Daza, Photographer
April 20, 2025
Reaching for a graduation cap, dance senior Lilly Foster and strings senior Vincenzo Serra hold their pointe shoes and violin, respectively. According to Foster, getting to graduation has been “a challenge” because of her extracurricular commitments. “After school, I go to the dance studio, and I'm also (part of my studio’s) dance company,” Foster said. “It's both of those things together, attending (dance) classes at school every day and going to the dance studio (right away) from (4 p.m.) to (9 p.m.) most nights, (that) is really difficult.”

[Photo] Brushstrokes, Burnout, and Balance

Giselle Fernandez-Perez, Writer
April 10, 2025
Smiling at the crowd, vocal junior Gabriela Loveland sings in the junior class’ Battle of the Bands performance. Loveland was a backup singer for the songs in the medley with songs including “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” by Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu and “Amber” by 311. “It was a little scary, but it was really fun to be up there,” Loveland said. “The energy from the crowd, the energy from the junior class, everyone knowing the songs and singing along, and having my friends with me made it a lot less nerve-wracking.”

[Photo] Spirit Week Goes Full Volume

London Franklin, Writer
March 19, 2025
Dancing to the song “Flex” by Cupid, digital media freshman Sophie Jones and other students participate in the Black Student Union (BSU) field day on Feb. 10. BSU Spirit Week is an annual event that allows students to celebrate Black History Month through music, dance, and other activities. “Music unites everybody in the club because we all know a bunch of songs from growing up, so once we hear a song that we recognize, (we) all come together,” Jones said.

Photo of the Week 2/10

Valentina Saenz-Daza, Photographer
February 17, 2025
Visual senior Thomas Diaz shows Principal Blake Bennett around the art gallery where his pieces are being displayed. Principal Bennett visited the gallery Jan. 10 during lunch along with other guests, including his friends, teachers, and administration. “I went on Monday after school when his whole family came to the exhibit and I got to meet his grandmother, who is pictured in many of the paintings, and that was really special,” Principal Bennett said. “To see her next to the paintings, he is so spot on, and I am so proud of that.”

[Photo] ‘A Romanticism of the Mundane’

Giselle Fernandez-Perez, Writer
January 23, 2025
Speaking with Principal Blake Bennett, visual senior Thomas Diaz explains the meaning behind his artwork. On Jan. 10 during lunch, Diaz had his art pieces exhibited in a solo show in the Building 9 gallery in recognition of his creations throughout the year. “It makes me feel very proud of myself because I work really hard, long hours after school,” Diaz said. “It also makes me inspired and hopeful that other people would do the same and want to show their own work. I think there's a lot of very amazing artists in the department that would really benefit from doing a show like this. It really just makes me feel connected to the community.”

Photo of the Week 1/10

Valentina Saenz-Daza, Photographer
January 14, 2025
Bringing Christmas to South Florida: On Nov 2. The Ben Marriott Autograph Collection opened South Florida's first outdoor skating rink. From the hotel's top floor, there is a view of the hundreds of people who visit throughout the day to participate in this winter activity.

[Photo] West Palm’s Winter Wonderland

Milo Stamp, Writer
December 8, 2024
Smiling at her students, English teacher Carmen Gallardo hosts a class discussion about the AP exam. It is one part of the routine that Ms. Gallardo has to ensure that students learn and understand the subject matter. “She gives us a schedule at the beginning of every quarter that breaks down what we're going to do each class.” strings junior Kayci Estelle said. “I think her sticking to such a regimen not only reflects her navy training but who she is as a person.”

[Photo] A Salute to Veterans

Milo Stamp, Writer
November 13, 2024
Looking at the phlebotomist, dance junior Finleigh Townsend gets blood drawn for her first time. On Oct. 16, National Honor Society (NHS) held its blood drive in the school parking lot. Oneblood Donation and its Big Red Bus visited the school campus to find volunteers for blood and plasma donations. Their mission is to replenish and maintain a healthy blood supply in the community. “It makes you feel really good to have had an impact on so many people by doing something that didn't take much time and didn't hurt me at all,” said Townsend.

Photo of the Week 10/16

Valentina Saenz-Daza, Photographer
October 19, 2024
Dancing together in the Brandt Black Box Theater, the “Drowsy Chaperone” cast members practice their routines. This production incorporates numerous dance numbers with the entire cast. “There are so many of us in the cast, (so) it's important for all the dancing to look very specific and sharp,” ensemble member and theatre senior Erin Duran said.

[Photo] Bringing a Show to Life

Milo Stamp, Writer
October 17, 2024
Adjusting her poster of the theater department from Boca Raton High School, musical theatre teacher Stephanie Nixdorf wants to approach her new position at Dreyfoos by embracing what she already knows. With previous theatre teaching experience from LeMoyne College, Suncoast Community High School, and Boca Raton High School, Ms. Nixdorf has had a life dedicated to supporting and coaching the arts. “I just think that having these classes and being able to work with these kids (...) is really enjoyable because the work we do in the classroom, the work we do on these smaller pieces of repertoire, will really help them grow.”

[Photo] Theatre Department Gets a Fresh Face

Milo Stamp, Writer
September 12, 2024
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