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

THE MUSE
Performing for the senior class in Battle of the Bands, an event hosted during lunch on Tuesday of Spirit Week, communications senior Emma Yela Bueno and vocal senior Giuliana Siqueira sing a medley of songs which fall into the Y2K music genre.
Spirit Week Goes Full Volume
Holding up “Ws,” the class of ’25 cheers and celebrates after winning the Mario Kart game.
Terrifically Themed Teams
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
A freshman asking a senior about Spirit Week.
A Guide to Surviving Spirit Week
Hola, Nihao, Hello, Shalom
Hola, Nihao, Hello, Shalom
Band junior Roodley Blaise pushes junior class council co-president and communications junior Raiqa Rayhan during the Mario Kart game. Participants had to race around a course taped out on the gym floor.
Game Over for Spirit Week 2024
Circling the singular chair during the last round of musical chairs, strings junior Lily Mcdow and theatre senior Kenneth Quinter wait in anticipation for the song “Mo Chicken” by BossMan Dlow and French Montana to stop. The senior class won this game with the juniors in second place, sophomores in third, and freshmen in last.
Photo Gallery: Pep Rally 2025
Performing for the senior class in Battle of the Bands, an event hosted during lunch on Tuesday of Spirit Week, communications senior Emma Yela Bueno and vocal senior Giuliana Siqueira sing a medley of songs which fall into the Y2K music genre.
Spirit Week Goes Full Volume
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
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
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
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.”
‘A Romanticism of the Mundane’
While participating in a lunch practice for Powderpuff, juniors put their hands up as a part of their choreographed dance.
Powderpuff: A Different Rhythm
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
Performing for the senior class in Battle of the Bands, an event hosted during lunch on Tuesday of Spirit Week, communications senior Emma Yela Bueno and vocal senior Giuliana Siqueira sing a medley of songs which fall into the Y2K music genre.
Spirit Week Goes Full Volume
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
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
Jumping toward the net, girl's basketball coach and math teacher Joshua Millstein attempts to dunk the ball.
King of the Court
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
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
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Musele: 3/17/25
Musele: 3/17/25
Students Share Tri-Rail Experiences
Students Share Tri-Rail Experiences
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Muse Connections: 3/12/2025
Musele: 3/10/25
Musele: 3/10/25
Muse Connections: 3/5/2025
Muse Connections: 3/5/2025
Muse Connections: 3/19/2025
Muse Connections: 3/19/2025
Musele: 3/17/25
Musele: 3/17/25
Muse Connections: 3/12/2025
Muse Connections: 3/12/2025
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
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
  • Enjoy Spring Break!
  • Pep Rally: March 21
  • Lip Dub at 9:00 a.m: March 21
  • Multicultural Show After Lunch: March 20
  • Student vs. Teacher Basketball Game: March 20
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
Ellie Symons

Ellie Symons, Editor In Chief

Ellie Symons is a third-year staffer and co-editor in chief on The Muse. She enjoys journalism of all forms and hopes to pursue it as a career. When not working on The Muse, you can find Ellie reading, cooking, or rewatching a sitcom for the 100th time to wind down. She is fueled by rap music, caffeine, protein, and a love for the people around her. She is so excited to work with an amazing staff this year.

All content by Ellie Symons
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

Ellie Symons and Editorial board
February 26, 2025
A visual representation of digital senior Logan Dowling's analogy of what experiencing the alt-right pipeline felt like.

Down the Digital ‘Rabbit Hole’

Ellie Symons, Coverage Editor
March 6, 2024
Micah Drum performs as the lead vocalist and guitarist for his band, Drum & Co., at the Ford Stage on Sunday, May 7. Based in West Palm Beach, Drum & Co. is a six person band that was able to use SunFest as an opportunity to gain more exposure as a small local artist.

The Community Beyond the Fest

Ellie Symons, Writer
May 10, 2023
Communications junior Sanjana Gupta, strings junior Raveena Cherry, and band junior Nihar Bhavsar perform a Bollywood dance in the Multicultural Show. “I felt really excited. It was really nice for us to perform together.” Gupta said. “It was really fun to just have the band back together and perform our little routine for everybody. I feel like it put smiles on everybody's faces and we were just so happy to perform.”

A World of Talent

Ellie Symons, Coverage Staffer
April 6, 2023
At the blow of the whistle, vocal junior Zidane Guerrier and athletic director Matthew Vaughan jump into the air, reaching for the ball during the teacher versus student basketball game.

2 Sides of the Court

Ellie Symons, Writer
March 13, 2023
Dressed in pink, communications freshmen Vivian Jiang, Sienna Sossi, and Aiza Khan recite their poem, “How to Become the Ideal Girl,” a poem discussing feminism and beauty standards.

When Speech Meets Rhythm

Ellie Symons, Writer
March 10, 2023
Band senior Grant Conley flicks his wrist in the air as the senior Powderpuff boys line up and perform the choreography created by theatre senior Keiona Nesbitt (Rachel Jeune, The Muse, February 1st, 2019)

In Defense of Powderpuff

Ellie Symons, Writer
March 9, 2023
Crouching under the pole, visual sophomore Taniyah Aris participates in a game of Limbo in the media center during lunch on Feb. 8. Black Student Union (BSU) held a Game Day for the third day of BSU Spirit Week; it was meant to promote unity and allow students to play games that are iconic within the Black community. “It’s really enjoyable because I get to play games, listen to music, and talk to my friends that I don’t even have the time to talk to at school,” Aris said.

Game Day Introduces Friendly Competition to BSU Spirit Week

Ellie Symons, Writer
February 8, 2023
Period Poverty

Period Poverty

Ellie Symons, Writer
January 24, 2023
During a slam poetry team practice, communications senior Phoenix Medley listens to the critiques of her poem from a fellow slam poetry member. The team holds regular practices after school, working together to prepare pieces for competition.

Slam Poetry Team Fosters Creativity Among Students

Ellie Symons, Writer
December 21, 2022
Music students play “Over the River and through the Wood” during the annual Prism performance. The students performed for students and teachers across Palm Beach County.

A Performance for Peers

Ellie Symons, Writer
December 7, 2022
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

Ellie Symons, Writer
November 18, 2022
Taylor Swift holds a flame for her new album cover.

‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ Been Better

Charlotte Handel and Ellie Symons
November 15, 2022
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

Ellie Symons, Writer
October 23, 2022
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

Ellie Symons, Writer
September 24, 2022
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 Hoover's 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

Priya Gowda and Ellie Symons
September 11, 2022
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

Ellie Symons, Writer
August 31, 2022
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

Ellie Symons, Writer
August 18, 2022
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