Over the past nine weeks, classes were halted due to bee swarms, interrupted by malfunctioning fire alarms, and canceled for a hurricane. Still, sports games, music concerts, and dance parties in the cafeteria left no shortage of stories.
Throughout the quarter, these moments across campus showed the spirit of students.
Photo by Sofia Hennessey-Correa
Latin Hispanic Heritage Club co-president and theatre senior Mary Keith and recording secretary and communications junior Ana Valdarrama Lemus applaud as students play instruments to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Students from the Latin Hispanic Heritage Club celebrated during third period classes on Oct. 10 and 11 for those who purchased mariachi grams. “I’m not someone who likes to perform in front of people, so it was a little bit embarrassing walking in with the band and clapping, but it spreads joy across the classrooms,” Valdarrama Lemus said. “I think they expose a predominantly American school to a piece of a culture in Latin America.”
Photo by Lexi Critchett
During an unplanned dance party before the Class of 2023’s meeting on Sept. 9, band senior Makens Joseph and theatre senior Samantha Peitz dance along to Rednex’s “Cotton Eye Joe” in the cafeteria. Although they were supposed to take the senior panoramic photo, it was postponed due to stormy weather. Instead, students played music and danced to pass the time.
Photo by Sofia Hennessey-Correa
Strumming along to his groupmates, piano junior Andre Bencosme nods to “Movin’ Out” by Billy Joel during Impromptu. The concert took place on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 and showcased pieces from various music departments, primarily piano. While the show on Sept. 29 was canceled due to Hurricane Ian, students continued to practice their performances in anticipation of a rescheduled opening night. “I felt prepared, but of course nervous,” Bencosme said. “There were lots of rehearsals during lunch, after school, and even at my house. Some lasted seven hours.”
Photo by Sofia Hennessey-Correa
With her legs extended for a grand jeté, dance senior Lindsey Ryerson performs her solo, “Life,” during the annual Dance Senior Solo Showcase. The Senior Solo Showcase on Sept. 23 allowed students to include the skills they have learned during their time at Dreyfoos. “Being in the black box was definitely different because during the performance, since the black box is so small, I was able to see every single person,” Ryerson said. “I was excited and a little bit nervous because I didn’t want to mess up on stage.”
Photo by Lexi Critchett
With a fist in the air and a foot on the desk, theatre junior Von Markarian experiments with different blocking methods for the upcoming theatre production “Shakespeare in Love.” Centered around the personal life of William Shakespeare (played by Markarian), the play required months of rehearsals including trying variations for each scene to determine how to best convey the character’s thoughts and emotions. “There are maybe four people in the room (during rehearsal) and there’s no fear of judgment or time constraints, so there’s a lot of room to (...) make discoveries about my character and my relationship with my scene partner that I otherwise would’ve been apprehensive to make,” Markarian said. “I’ve let the depiction of the character inform all of my odd, instinctual choices that fit the bill of this young, cocky, insecure nobody.”
Photo by Lexi Critchett
Digital junior Rocco Troise competes in the men’s 100-yard butterfly event at the swim team’s meet against Seminole Ridge Community High School and Royal Palm Beach Community High School on Oct. 10, the final meet before advancing to Districts. Troise began swimming competitively at seven years old and joined the Dreyfoos Swim and Dive team this year as a way to meet more people and improve his athleticism. “My favorite memory so far would probably be the last meet we were at because you could tell just how much closer the team is getting,” Troise said. “This season, my endurance has also definitely gone up, and I’ve been getting better at pacing myself.”
Photo by Haiden Kenney
Students line up to get on their buses after being held in their fifth period on Sept. 21. An infestation of bees on campus caused parents to pick up their children in the bus loop while buses had to park along Iris Street.
Photo by Lexi Critchett
As a crowd gathers around her, visual junior Cherise Hightower dances along to “Hotel Room Service” by Pitbull at the Fall Dance on Oct. 13. An annual tradition allowing students to dress in their costumes and celebrate Halloween early, this year’s circus-themed dance included a haunted house, escape rooms, carnival games, and a DJ.
