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

THE MUSE
Waving her hand, digital media junior Camila Obando prepares to throw a ball to dunk math teacher Craig Adams. Adams was one of 7 teachers that got dunked during field day.
[BRIEF] Students Dunk Teachers During Field Day
[BRIEF] The Muse recognized as NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist
[BRIEF] The Muse recognized as NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist
Construction and scaffolding stand where the 99-year-old Harriet Himmel Theater once was. No definite statement has been made about what will replace the theater, but according to WPTV, Related Companies confirmed they are preparing the inside of the theater for renovations while preserving the historic aspects of it.
New Towers, New Stores, and New Priorities for CityPlace
Watching the films showcased at Streaming Canvas, an event hosted by the Film Association, audience members sit in rows of seats. Friends, families, and other viewers came to see the original films created by film students and Film Association members on Friday night.
Lights, Camera, Celebration
Dressed as a character from the movie “Men in Black,” Black Student Union (BSU) vice president and theatre senior Adon Mckinnon oversees the temporary art display. Taking place during BSU Spirit Week on Thursday, Feb. 13, members put their paintings for show in the media center. The idea for the exhibit was to honor impactful African-American people. “In terms of the theme, we wanted our members to come in as black characters that they look up to,” Mckinnon said. “Whether it be like children’s shows, or whether it be artists such as Janet Jackson, or myself dressed up as ‘Men in Black.’”
A Compilation of Culture
BSU co-president and visual senior Taniyah Aris dances with strings senior Jaynald Obilas and theatre senior Sanai McCray while dancing at the block party.
Florida Vs. Flawda
Playing on stage, Maximum Friction band member Jaden Garcia strums his guitar. Garcia started learning the guitar at the age of 9, and joined Jasmine Marchi’s band Maximum Friction in February of 2021. “I have played a wide variety of instruments, from bass to keyboard,” Garcia said. “I am able to play basic stuff on those other instruments, but my main (instruments I play) are guitar and drums.”
[BRIEF] Stars in the Spotlight: Student Runs Metal and Mayhem Concert Event
Applauding the other actors dancing around her, Oliver sits in the middle of the Black Box Theater during the musical piece “Gaston” from the musical “Beauty and the Beast.”
[BRIEF] Broadway Backwards: Ballads for a Cause
Closing her eyes as she performs, communications sophomore Carly Cantor sings the song “Climbing Up the Walls” by Radiohead.
[BRIEF] Coffee and Creations
This piece, titled “Transience,” features two separate paintings with strings of beads connecting the two into a singular piece.
[BRIEF] “Threads of Time” Gallery Opened for Display
Chemistry teacher Anushka Larkin was educationally affected by Hurricane Milton. Several of her students grades fell during the break.
Missed Days of School Impact Teachers’ Lesson Plans
Photo courtesy of communications senior David Sanchez taken in Wellington, FL.
Students and Their Communities Impacted by Hurricane Milton
Band junior Anderson Spellman poses with his tenor saxophone.
Spellbound by Jazz
Watching the films showcased at Streaming Canvas, an event hosted by the Film Association, audience members sit in rows of seats. Friends, families, and other viewers came to see the original films created by film students and Film Association members on Friday night.
Lights, Camera, Celebration
Bowing down together, performers of the Figure of Speech event close out the show.
A Play on Words
The first note of the first piece played by piano freshman Joanne Choi at the “Da Capo” recital.
The Key to Klavier
“Metamorphoses”: Bringing the Gods, Mortals, and Myths to the Stage
“Metamorphoses”: Bringing the Gods, Mortals, and Myths to the Stage
Playing on stage, Maximum Friction band member Jaden Garcia strums his guitar. Garcia started learning the guitar at the age of 9, and joined Jasmine Marchi’s band Maximum Friction in February of 2021. “I have played a wide variety of instruments, from bass to keyboard,” Garcia said. “I am able to play basic stuff on those other instruments, but my main (instruments I play) are guitar and drums.”
[BRIEF] Stars in the Spotlight: Student Runs Metal and Mayhem Concert Event
Band junior Anderson Spellman poses with his tenor saxophone.
Spellbound by Jazz
Sitting in his art classroom, visual teacher Ryan Toth explains his ideas and process for creating his new Spirit Week costumes. According to Mr. Toth, some costumes are planned days in advance, and others are made the night before each dress-up day, utilizing items like taxidermied skunks and “old wigs found in (his) house.”
Lesson Plans and Lookbooks
Bowing down together, performers of the Figure of Speech event close out the show.
A Play on Words
Surrounded by players, tennis coach and Spanish teacher Marina Ratchford talks about pre-practice plans, upcoming games, and match-ups between students in determining game-day lineups for both the boys and girls teams.
‘Keep Your Head in the Game’
The science fair participants stand together in a posed photo. From left to right: vocal sophomore Raina Caballero, piano freshman Joanne Choi, strings senior Jeffrey Bai, piano sophomore Rishi Iyer, and communications sophomore Reya Chennath. Photo courtesy of Joanne Choi
It’s Not Rocket Science
Visual senior Edluckens Augusme models his clothing brand, Rockout Studios.
A Pattern of Perseverance
Multimedia staffer Mabruk Alam demonstrates the usage of “Starface” brand pimple patches
Pimple Patches: The Spotty Truth
Sitting in his art classroom, visual teacher Ryan Toth explains his ideas and process for creating his new Spirit Week costumes. According to Mr. Toth, some costumes are planned days in advance, and others are made the night before each dress-up day, utilizing items like taxidermied skunks and “old wigs found in (his) house.”
Lesson Plans and Lookbooks
Construction and scaffolding stand where the 99-year-old Harriet Himmel Theater once was. No definite statement has been made about what will replace the theater, but according to WPTV, Related Companies confirmed they are preparing the inside of the theater for renovations while preserving the historic aspects of it.
New Towers, New Stores, and New Priorities for CityPlace
A freshman asking a senior about Spirit Week.
A Guide to Surviving Spirit Week
The first note of the first piece played by piano freshman Joanne Choi at the “Da Capo” recital.
The Key to Klavier
Dressed as a character from the movie “Men in Black,” Black Student Union (BSU) vice president and theatre senior Adon Mckinnon oversees the temporary art display. Taking place during BSU Spirit Week on Thursday, Feb. 13, members put their paintings for show in the media center. The idea for the exhibit was to honor impactful African-American people. “In terms of the theme, we wanted our members to come in as black characters that they look up to,” Mckinnon said. “Whether it be like children’s shows, or whether it be artists such as Janet Jackson, or myself dressed up as ‘Men in Black.’”
A Compilation of Culture
Holding up “Ws,” the class of ’25 cheers and celebrates after winning the Mario Kart game.
Terrifically Themed Teams
Illustration of Liliana Kirby surrounded by book pages.
We’ve Lost the Plot
We Have No Shock Left
We Have No Shock Left
Two girls record themselves using TikTok, a social media platform. Under House Bill Three (HB3), children younger than 14 are outlawed from using TikTok and 14 and 15-year-olds need parental consent to use it. Photo courtesy of Reuters (Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles, Nandita Bose on Air Force One, Kanishka Singh and Jeff Mason in Washington; additional reporting by Milana Vinn; Editing by Matthew Lewis, Chizu Nomiyama, Kenneth Li and Christian Schmollinger)
[EDITORIAL] We Need Access to Social Media — It’s No Surprise the Florida Government Wants to Take It Away
Photo courtesy of Tribune
Why Some Movies Last Forever
A photo illustration of Griffin Petti surrounded by parental consent forms.
The Wrongs of Parental Rights
Surrounded by players, tennis coach and Spanish teacher Marina Ratchford talks about pre-practice plans, upcoming games, and match-ups between students in determining game-day lineups for both the boys and girls teams.
‘Keep Your Head in the Game’
Strings senior William Tong and other boys basketball team members cheer on the girls basketball team after a three-point shot was made during the second quarter. The boys team played their first home game against SLAM! Palm Beach (Sports Leadership and Management) following the girls game.
Welcome to the Jungle
Anticipating the ball, visual junior Tora Cooper stands on the court in front of a crowd of students and parents. “My favorite part of being on the team is having a community that is always supportive of one another,” Cooper said. (Photo courtesy of Lotta Cooper)
‘Setting’ Up For Success
Preparing to enter the field, number 15 and communications senior John Markee watches his teammates from the sidelines. On Friday, Sept. 20, the Forest Hill High School varsity football team played in their fourth game of the season, ending in a loss despite winning their first three games.
Jaguars on Forest Hill Boulevard
Dreyfoos on Ice
Dreyfoos on Ice
Watching the boys soccer team prep, French Teacher Mr. Ruth prepares the team for their upcoming games.
The Faces Behind The Teams
Photo courtesy of Tribune
Why Some Movies Last Forever
Photo courtesy of Pix4free
All I Want for Christmas: A Holiday Gift Guide
Nestled behind trees, the storefront of Maman in the Square, located at 473 S Rosemary Ave.
Not Your Maman’s Coffee
Yelling into his microphone, country musician Noah Hunton performs at SunFest as part of his mini south-Floridian tour, across venues from West Palm Beach to Key West.
Tuning Up SunFest
Nelly performs at SunFest 2024.
The Appeal of SunFest
Image courtesy of Taylor Swift
Give ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ Another Listen
Musele: 3/17/25
Musele: 3/17/25
Students Share Tri-Rail Experiences
Students Share Tri-Rail Experiences
Musele: 3/10/25
Musele: 3/10/25
Muse Connections: 3/5/2025
Muse Connections: 3/5/2025
The Muse Predicts Oscars Winners
The Muse Predicts Oscars Winners
Musele: 3/3/2025
Musele: 3/3/2025
Musele: 3/17/25
Musele: 3/17/25
Musele: 3/10/25
Musele: 3/10/25
Muse Connections: 3/5/2025
Muse Connections: 3/5/2025
Musele: 3/3/2025
Musele: 3/3/2025
Muse Connections: 2/26/2025
Muse Connections: 2/26/2025
Musele: 2/25/2025
Musele: 2/25/2025
Attending the communications department film event Streaming Canvas, visual sophomore Marcalix Lemene watches a silent film titled “Return of Silence” created by communications senior Isabella Ward and starring communications seniors Daniela Peñafiel, Jason Monaco, and communications junior Carter Dytko. The event took place Friday, March 14 with students, staff, and family in attendance to watch student-made films on the big screen in Meyer Hall. “It was really cool to see this kind of work from the communications department,” Lemene said. “The event brought light to their hard work and dedication.”
Photo of the Week 3/14
Yelling into the microphones, communications freshmen BellaDonna Petersen and Monica Chirolde perform their speech “Playground” at the Figure of Speech showcase on March 6. In this speech event, called Duo Interpretation, participants base their performance on a previously written piece of work of their choosing.
Photo of the Week 3/6
The rock band "The Interlude" — featuring communications sophomore Carly Cantor as the vocalist, visual freshman Emmy Harkin as the bassist, visual sophomore Christina O'Grady as the guitarist, theatre freshman Callahan Fernandez as the drummer, and founder of the band and vocal senior Isabella Besin as the keyboardist — practices the Arctic Monkeys’ song "505" in Principal Blake Bennett’s office. Besin had established the band as a club this year. “I’ve always had a love for performing and listening to live music,” Besin said. “So I wanted to give students at Dreyfoos the opportunity to perform (in a band). (Principal) Bennett loved the idea of putting a group together and offered us the front office to practice whenever we needed (it).”
Photo of the Week 2/28
Being held in the air by ensemble members, theatre seniors Melanie Simmons and Shane Rainsburg look at each other while performing the Greek tale of Ceyx and Alcyone in the spring play “Metamorphoses.” Opening night took place Feb. 21 in Meyer Hall, and the show portrayed Greek myths and legends such as those about King Midas and Erysichthon and his Mother. “I love it (the show) so much,” ensemble member and theatre junior Kylie Mraz said. “Portraying (the) magic of Greek gods and goddesses into lights and sound was so difficult but so worth the effort.”
Photo of the Week 2/21
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
Holding an en pointe position, dance juniors (from left to right) Arielle Montpeirous, Lexi Gibson, Bianca Vasilescu, and Mackenna Bernard perform a ballet routine for the Black Student Union (BSU) showcase, which took place Feb. 4 in Meyer Hall. The dance was accompanied by band freshman Xachary Charles, who played the snare drum during the performance. “I loved getting to watch all my friends perform their art areas and seeing all the talent from different majors,” said Gibson. “I think it connects back to a lot of history and has helped pave the way for us now.”
Photo of the Week 2/4
  • Track Meet at 4:00p.m.: March 14
  • Tennis Match at 4:00p.m.: March 13
  • Streaming Canvas Film Festival at 6:00p.m. in Myer Hall: March 14
  • Track Meet at 4:00p.m.: March 12
  • Hairy Details During Lunch in the Black Box: March 14
  • Vocal Concert at 6:30 p.m. in Myer Hall: March 12
  • Piano Recital at 6:00p.m. in the Black Box: March 11
  • Tennis Match at 4:00p.m.: March 11
  • Track Meet at 3:00p.m.: March 11
  • Boys Volleyball Home at 6:00 p.m.: March 10
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

[BRIEF] The Muse recognized as NSPA Online Pacemaker Finalist

Byline photo of Gavin Murray
Gavin Murray, Content Team Editor
March 18, 2025
Categories:

The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) recognized The Muse as one of the nation’s top scholastic news sites March 13, 2025. NSPA announced 34 finalists in its annual Pacemaker competition, in which online magazines were selected after judges evaluated approximately 125 sites submitted from 27 states and three countries. 

Pacemaker finalists will be honored and receive plaques during a special recognition ceremony April 25 at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle. Pacemaker winners will be announced April 26 at the convention’s awards ceremony.

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About the Contributor
Gavin Murray
Gavin Murray, Content Team Editor
Gavin Murray is a second-year staffer and content team editor on The Muse. Outside of writing for the newspaper, Gavin spends his time hanging out with his friends, taking bike rides to the beach, riling up his dog Charlie, and spending time with his amazing girlfriend Bethany. Gavin is always curious about what is happening in the busy world and recognizes how important honest journalism is in this polarizing world. Gavin can’t wait to continue and share his passion for journalism with his team and other staffers on The Muse.
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