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

THE MUSE
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
Photo illustration of a piggy bank sitting on top of a stack of books and money.
The Cost of Success
Substances Gone Social
Substances Gone Social
Celebrating a win at the Pep Rally after the relay race, the class of ‘25 abrupts into cheers.
A ‘Wicked’ New Take on Pep Rally
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.
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
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
Performing an 80’s style dance routine, dance senior Parker Sheehan participates alongside other senior dancers during Generations Day.
A Step Back In Time
Visual senior Angelina Gustafson reflects on her journey in the visual arts department and the impact of drawing on her social life. “I've always had a love for illustrations and everything like that,” Gustafson said. “It's always just been something that I cared about and liked doing. Being surrounded by so many people who are also my friends, it's hard to even think of them as competition. I always find myself rooting for them and hoping for their success.”
4 Years in the Making
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
Patel, Pacheco, and Burgess pose for a photo. While they all discovered basketball at a young age, Patel and Pacheco began their journey playing recreational basketball throughout elementary and middle school. Burgess started playing her freshman year on the team but grew her skills over the years with the help of her teammates.
Dribbling Through Time
Band junior Anderson Spellman poses with his tenor saxophone.
Spellbound by Jazz
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’
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.”
Brushstrokes, Burnout, and Balance
Leaning towards the microphone, cultural club presidents finish the annual show with a closing speech.
One World, Many Stories
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
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
Crossing the ball between his legs, dance junior Zackary Chodor plays basketball as one of the members of the recreational sports club. The club, led by band senior Drew Arfa and theatre senior Kenneth Quinter, meets monthly to play sports.
Lunch League Of Their Own
Patel, Pacheco, and Burgess pose for a photo. While they all discovered basketball at a young age, Patel and Pacheco began their journey playing recreational basketball throughout elementary and middle school. Burgess started playing her freshman year on the team but grew her skills over the years with the help of her teammates.
Dribbling Through Time
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
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
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
Muse Connections: 3/19/2025
Muse Connections: 3/19/2025
Musele: 3/17/25
Musele: 3/17/25
Students Share Tri-Rail Experiences
Students Share Tri-Rail Experiences
Muse Connections: 3/12/2025
Muse Connections: 3/12/2025
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
Holding each other’s hands, theatre senior Guilbrhea Pacheco and communications junior Micaela Suage dance together at Prom. Hosted by the junior class council, the 2025 Prom was held at the Palm Beach Convention Center. The theme for the dance was “A Party at Gatsby’s” based on the novel “The Great Gatsby.”
Photo of the Week 4/5
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
  • Tennis Match: 4:00pm: April 10
  • Spring Dance Show: 6:30p.m: April 10
  • A Chorus Line: 6:30p.m: April 10
  • Track Meet: 4:00p.m: April 11
  • Boys Volleyball: 6:00p.m: April 11
  • Spring Dance Show Dress Rehearsal: 6:00p.m: April 11
  • A Chorus Line: 7:30p.m: April 11
  • Spring Dance Show: 12:30: April 10
  • A Chorus Line at 6:30p.m. in Persson Hall in the Kravis Center: April 9
  • Boys Volleyball Home at 6:00p.m.: April 9
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
Trisha Babji Rao

Trisha Babji Rao, Photo Staffer

Trisha Babji Rao is a first-year staffer and photo staffer on The Muse. Apart from taking photos for The Muse, Trisha is the secretary for the Slam Poetry Team and competes in congressional speech and debate. Outside of school, Trisha enjoys doing mixed martial arts (MMA), watching Formula 1 racing, and listening to music.
All content by Trisha Babji Rao
Jumping toward the net, girl's basketball coach and math teacher Joshua Millstein attempts to dunk the ball.

[Photo] King of the Court

Charlotte Handel, Writer
March 21, 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

Trisha Babji Rao, Photographer
March 18, 2025
A photograph of senior class council co-president and digital media senior Olivia Le. “Whenever the Spirit Week dress-up days, signing up for games, signing up for Pep Rally dances, and Spirit Week dances come out, definitely try and get ahead of it and start rehearsing,” Le said. “Start buying your outfits so you're prepared for the week of (so) you're not scrambling last-minute to get everything done.”

[Photo] A Guide to Surviving Spirit Week

Alexa Manganiotis, Writer
March 15, 2025
Playing a duet, piano seniors Hannah and Jeffrey Zimmerman perform the piece “Grand Galop Chromatique S. 219” together. “We feel like it was just easier to work the logistics of practicing (the piece),” Hannah Zimmerman said. “Being able to practice with my brother, it's like practicing with a friend.”

[Photo] The Key to Klavier

Alexa Manganiotis, Coverage Staffer
March 10, 2025
“Metamorphoses”: Bringing the Gods, Mortals, and Myths to the Stage

“Metamorphoses”: Bringing the Gods, Mortals, and Myths to the Stage

Trisha Babji Rao and Keegan McLendon
February 28, 2025
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

Trisha Babji Rao, Photographer
February 25, 2025
Hiding her cards, digital media junior Camilla Obando plays “UNO Show ‘Em No Mercy” with other students during BSU’s Game Day. “Participating in this event was amazing,” Obando said. “It (the event) was well put together and a fun experience.”

[Photo] It’s Their Turn: BSU Hosts Game Day

Alexa Manganiotis, Writer
February 12, 2025
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

Trisha Babji Rao and Alexa Manganiotis
February 7, 2025
Piano sophomore Rishi Iyer poses with his board for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Iyer took his project through the engineering route of the science fair and built an original prototype. “So (in) my project, I developed a biodegradable and sustainable battery alternative to amyloid batteries and alkaline batteries,” Iyer said. “(The most difficult part) probably for me was the presentation because I typically present in a way that shows how important this project is and how it can really change the world.”

[Photo] It’s Not Rocket Science

Alexa Manganiotis, Writer
February 6, 2025
Tracing around glass singing bowls, a volunteer for the second annual Mental Health Expo attempts to calm the students lying on yoga mats surrounding her.

More than a Mindset

Trisha Babji Rao and Sadie Kanter
February 4, 2025
Closing her eyes as she performs, communications sophomore Carly Cantor sings the song “Climbing Up the Walls” by Radiohead.

[BRIEF] Coffee and Creations

Trisha Babji Rao
February 2, 2025
Talking to the children, teachers, and volunteers, ARTS Club co-president and communications senior Jason Monaco gives closing remarks about the annual Jefferson Jubilee celebration. The event is dedicated to helping underprivileged kids celebrate the holiday season.

[Photo] Helping for the Holidays

Griffin Petti, Coverage Staffer
December 10, 2024
This piece, titled “Transience,” features two separate paintings with strings of beads connecting the two into a singular piece.

[Photo] [BRIEF] “Threads of Time” Gallery Opened for Display

Belen Rivera, Content Team Editor
December 9, 2024
Ten schools, including Dreyfoos, implemented Lightspeed in the first week of the 2024-2025 school year.

[Photo] District Pilots AI Student Surveillance Program

Alexa Manganiotis and Ella Jensen
December 6, 2024
Presenting his artwork, visual sophomore Marcalix Lemene pitches his products to customers. “The Artist Market was a great experience. It was my first time this year, and I was very nervous that people were gonna be very competitive, but everyone was so sweet and generous,” Lemene said. “Next year, I will definitely be doing it again, and I’m very excited to see what my classmates, upperclassmen, and underclassmen will come up with next year!”

Artist Market Recap

Visal Ly and Trisha Babji Rao
November 18, 2024
Waving his baton to the rhythm of the music, band teacher Evan Rogovin leads the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble musicians as they focus on their parts during the Fall Band Concert. On Oct. 1, the music department held its first band performance of the year in Meyer Hall. “After not getting to play in front of people all summer, it was refreshing to be back on a stage with an audience and with my band family,” band sophomore Luna Schneider said.

Photo of the Week 10/7

Trisha Babji Rao, Photo Staffer
October 9, 2024
Mrs. Waugh watches her students as they work on graphing data from the lab that took place during class. Prior to becoming a teacher, Waugh worked as a fire protection engineer. ”I thought it would be most impactful if I could teach science here [at Dreyfoos].” Mrs. Waugh said. “And I had loved my physics teacher. He was part of why I became an engineer,”

[Photo] Breaking the Surface Tension

Alexa Manganiotis, Writer
September 19, 2024
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