Mariana Pesquera

Although Dreyfoos is not very well known for our success in sports, there are a few students who dedicate their time to improving the school through both their art areas and their athletic teams. Communications junior Mariana Pesquera has dedicated her time to both in and out-of-school sports, and has found a new sense of community in Dreyfoos because of this.

“I was expecting sports to not be as big of a deal when I came to Dreyfoos,” Pesquera said. “It’s kind of stereotypical that kids who are involved in the arts are not active and I actually wasn’t going to try out because I didn’t think that anyone was gonna take it seriously, but my mom encouraged me to go out and I did, and I was completely surprised that a lot of people who play sports here also play for club teams, and are extremely dedicated.”

Pesquera plays for Dreyfoos and the Palm Beach Juniors volleyball club. In Dreyfoos she has accomplished many feats including being co-captain of the girls volleyball team during her freshman and sophomore years.

“The Dreyfoos team is really great. My teammates are all extremely hard working,” Pesquera said. “It’s nice to know that if anything ever happens, we all support each other and we all genuinely care about the well-being of the team.”

Pesquera plans to continue her sports career throughout the rest of high school, and hopes to learn more to incorporate her work ethic into the athletics she is involved in.

“I have always been into sports, and I’ll continue to play volleyball for as long as I can,” Pesquera said. “It’s been a huge part of my life since I was in seventh grade, and I can’t really imagine my life without it.”

Clara Savardi
New students are rare to Dreyfoos as the audition process gets more and more selective each year. Despite this, theatre junior Clara Savardi not only got into Dreyfoos going into her sophomore year, but she also moved to Florida from Italy just two years beforehand.
“I lived in Italy until the summer before my ninth grade year,” Savardi said. “My siblings actually moved to Florida and went to University of Florida and Florida State, and we spent our summers in Florida anyway so we wanted to be closer to them.”
Savardi has been involved in the arts from a young age. Dreyfoos seemed like a natural choice to continue her love for theatre, and she has expanded her horizons through the school.
“I originally auditioned because my family had friends who tipped us off and said it was a really good school,” Savardi said. “Since I was little, I was always in performance theatre, but I figured that while I was at Dreyfoos I’d try costume because I’ve always loved to sew.”
Savardi worked on costumes and sets for shows such as “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and this year’s production of “Shrek The Musical”. Her love for the craft has fueled her passion and appreciation for all aspects of theatre.
“I think that costume is generally underrated, Savardi said. “A lot of hard work really goes into it, I think it’s one of the most important aspects of theatre because a character’s costume really brings their personality together.”
After nearly two years at Dreyfoos, Savardi has grown to love the environment that it fosters.
“Dreyfoos is special to me because everyone here is extremely hardworking, and kind. It’s a really great opportunity and I’m so thankful to all of my teachers and friends who have made my experience what it is”

Cross Ayala
It is a memory every Dreyfoos student will never forget. The feeling of holding an acceptance letter after months of preparation is invigorating. Potential theatre major Cross Ayala, an eighth grader at Duncan Middle School, hopes to receive a letter of his own.
“I found out about Dreyfoos a while ago, a lot of my friends went there, along with my cousin and step-sister [theatre junior Hannah Thompson,]” Ayala said. “Everyone was talking about what a great school it was and how it would be a great school to pursue a career in the arts.”
To achieve his goal of being a theatre major who specializes in the technical theatre track, Ayala had to give a three-minute presentation of an original technical design project, such as costume or prop. Then the student is asked to justify the artistic choices of their project and also participates in an interview. Ayala created a prop modeled after the magic carpet from “Aladdin” out of pine, plywood, and mixed fabrics. He ran flexible metal straps under the carpet to make the prop look like it was flying, and included golden tassels and pillows to add a flair of royalty to the design.
When I prepared for my audition, I did a variety of things to prepare myself,” Ayala said. “First, I discussed with my dad and step-dad the specific vocabulary to use when building. I learned easier and faster ways to build stuff, along with ways that [are] more precise. Along with these, I kept detailed lists and pictures of my prop, so I could look back and see my progress.”
Ayala spent nine months preparing for his interview. It is clear that this hard work paid off, as Ayala faced his fears and overall thinks he had a successful audition.
“Going into my audition, I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous. The moment I got in there though, all my anxiety went away. Everyone was so kind and I feel that my audition went very well,” Ayala said.
Ayala hopes he will be joining the incoming freshmen class this fall. Yet no matter what, his passion for theatre will keep him involved in the art.
“I have always loved backstage work and would love to pursue a career in it,” Ayala said. “I absolutely love this school and the track it sets its students up on. I hope that I get in, because I would absolutely love to spend my high school years here and pursue a career in what I love.”