The Muse Volume 14 Issue 4

the USE [

Volume 14wIssue 4wFebruary 2017

]

Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

A daily recap of Dreyfoos’

Spirit Week PGs. 16 - 23

Volume 14 // Issue 4 // February 2017

O

nly three years ago in the dance pep rally competition, our sophomore class won first place, dethroning the 2015 seniors.

In 2017, the phenomenon repeated itself. We, the seniors, placed in third, and the sophomores placed in first. This is the cyclical nature of Dreyfoos Spirit Week. Year after year, with some exceptions, seniors win the spirit stick. It is also part of this cycle, or tradition, for The Muse to cover the eccentricities of its readers — its students. There is no better moment in the year for coverage of our school’s character than Spirit Week.

Because of the special opportunity Spirit Week provides, we have chosen to cover it more in depth.

Six pages are devoted to its coverage in print alongside articles online at themuseatdreyfoos.com.

As we covered Spirit Week for the last time, we realized the particularity of Dreyfoos, an environment that fosters diversity and spirit among its students. We hope you enjoy this thorough coverage of Spirit Week, which truly highlights the uniqueness of the student body.

&

(Top left) Photo by Destiny Robinson, (Top middle) Photo courtesy of School of the Arts Foundation, (Top right) Cartoon by Alia Payne, (Bottom right) Photo by Sydney Walsh, (Bottom left) Photo by Natalie Bergeron, (Center top left) Photo courtesy of Alina Garcia, (Center bottom left) Graphic by Marianna Kaimakliotis, (Center right) Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Films

2 themuseatdreyfoos.com

Contents

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16 34 ABOUTUS

The Muse is a national award-winning newsmagazine. The publication has won numerous awards from the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) including a Pacemaker in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Muse has also won a Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) in 2011 and 2013. The Muse won a CSPA Hybrid Gold Crown award in 2015, which recognized the best print edition and website (themuseatdreyfoos.com) in the nation. The Muse is a finalist for the Hybrid Gold Crown in 2016. The Muse has also won The Palm Beach Post General Excellence - Newspaper Award in 2012, 2014, and 2016. This publication is completely funded and created by its staff, advertisers, and donors. Over 1,400 students and a multitude of subscribers receive copies of the magazine annually. All aspects of the magazine from the cover to the Exposure on the back page are written and designed by the students. There are 53 staffers, grades 10-12, from the communications department and some from other art areas, including cartoonists from the visual department, who make this publication possible. We would like to thank the School of the Arts Foundation for their continuous support. Your donations are greatly appreciated by this staff.

28 EDITORIALPOLICY

The Muse is a student publication produced by Journalism IV, V, and VI classes at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Opinion is limited to editorials and columns. We welcome and will print letters to the editors, which should be submitted to the Pressroom (1-102) or submitted to themuseatdreyfoos.com. We reserve the right to edit letters for grammar and space restrictions and will publish no letters that are libelous or defamatory to any staff, students, or members of the community. We also accept guest editorials, although we reserve the right to edit or to decline at our discretion.

Dreyfoos School of the Arts 501 South Sapodilla Avenue West Palm Beach, FL, 33401 themuseatdreyfoos.com 3

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4 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Opinion

STAFFEDITORIAL T

The mentally ill in America are systematically ignored

he mentally ill in this country are among our most vulnerable citizens.

They struggle every day with oftentimes unseeable afflictions that trouble their quality of life. Some are tossed to the corner of society and looked at with contempt.

Many are hidden among us under a guise of normality. They have no voice, no representation, and no leaders to guide them.

For nearly one in five Americans, this is their fate.

Ignorance in society only exacerbates the plight of the mentally ill. Far too many people think depression is something you can “just get over.” “Smile a little.” “Be happy.”

“Others have it worse.”

All of these statements severely ignore the reality of depression—it’s a chemical imbalance that can’t be broken with simple willpower. There’s always going to be someone in the world worse off, but to invalidate the feelings of those struggling is wrong. Every feeling is valid. Just because an individual is financially stable and comes from a loving

background does not mean they are required to be happy. Depression transcends those pleasures, and that is what makes it so awful.

Illnesses like anxiety, bipolarism, and anorexia are also misunderstood. If a student were to come to class and claim he was unable to complete his homework because of an anxiety attack, he would be looked at with skepticism. However, if the excuse for his incomplete homework included a broken bone, he would be fine.

The vast misconceptions and ignorance that shroud mental illnesses only make it harder for those afflicted to seek help. When seen as overly emotional or abnormal for simply being one’s self, it is easy to see how seeking help could be troublesome. Nobody wants to be judged as an outcast, yet societal norms label these individuals as the “weird” people in society.

In many cases, teenagers feel pressured to avoid speaking to their own family about depression. They don’t want to be seen as a burdensome “drama queen” in the eyes of

their parents.

Professional help is the best way to make change. Therapy sessions, drug treatment plans, and simply having an understanding person to talk to can all provide strong results. There are programs in place to remedy this very problem. However, this stigma is buried deep within the soul of America, leaving sufferers to go without treatment.

Helpful programs need to be encouraged and promoted from an early age. Every individual should be able to find comfort in the fact that there is help, and that they are not alone.

These mental illnesses run rampant in our society and can’t be pushed under the rug anymore. They need to be brought to light so that positive change can be made. The more knowledgeable we are for our fellow citizens, the more likely they will be able to fight stigmas and get the assistance that they rightfully deserve.

By The Muse Staff Contributor: Riley O’Connor Opinion / themuseatdreyfoos.com 5

THANKS, OBAMA

TWITTER’S RECORD OF HYPOCRISY

Saying goodbye to the one president we actually knew

What was once a bastion of free speech has now become the leading actor in political censorship

W

elcome to the information era.

This is a time where the distinction between the depths of the internet and the appeal of popular culture have eroded away and given rise to social media. At the heart of this expanding sphere of communication lies Twitter.

Begun as a small project between four college students, Twitter soon developed into a source of differing opinions, world news, and independent journalism. It championed the rights of free speech, and became an enabler of pro-democracy ideologies.

However, as Twitter’s popularity grew, its reliability on these terms have not. Twitter has undergone a complete overhaul. What was once a place for the diffusion of diverse ideas and opinions became the center for media censorship and political favoritism. Instead of relying upon a neutral approach towards users of the platform, Twitter’s CEO, Jack Dorsey, has taken authori-

tative measures to control accounts accused of inciting controversy.

Instances of these measures have recently begun to surface due to the increased criticism regarding censorship in mainstream media. On Jan. 8, self-proclaimed “Pharma Bro,” Martin Shkreli, was suspended in an effort to resolve accusations of “targeted harassment” by freelance journalist Lauren Duca.

The controversy first came into question when Shkreli jokingly invited Duca to President Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20; he tweeted at 11:07 a.m on Jan. 5. Duca declineda minute later, saying she “would rather eat [her] own organs.”

Over the course of two days, Shkreli continued to tweet about Duca. He confessed his undying love to her, retweeted a series of doctored images sent to him by fans, and replaced his Twitter banner with a collage of her image between 11 and 12 a.m. on Jan. 8; all in the name of satire and irony.

However, Shkreli’s form of unconventional humor (re-

gardless of its evident worth, entertainment value, and comedic genius) was subject to the whims of Twitter’s head honcho, Jack Dorsey.

Within hours of Lauren Duca’s public complaint, Shkreli’s account was suspended.

In his efforts to entertain his audience with a few jokes at the expense of another, the Pharma Bro was found guilty of harassment.

Cases such as these aren’t uncommon.

This past summer, Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos was held responsible for the targeted harassment of actress Leslie Jones.

In reality, he had no control over the actions of his followers, going so far as to condemn the racist tweets pouring in.

The idea of Twitter having a strict set of terms that outlines what targeted harassment entails is completely ludicrous. It has come to the point where the platform relies on reactionary instances to justify suspensions, often resulting in a “pick and choose” set of definitions.

Duca’s Twitter is arguably more provocative than Shkreli’s humor or Milo’s presence.

You don’t have to be a genius to pick up on her conveniently overlooked tweets calling straight, white men “trash” on May 27, 2016, at 9:20 p.m. and justifying her right to criticize her victims because “[she’s] slept with several of them.” She tweeted on Sept.

14, 2015, at 2:12 p.m.

Twitter’s decision to ignore serious issues regarding free speech implicate the entirety of the United States. This is a company that prides itself as a platform for entertainment, news, and opinions. Yet the moment they go back on their words, the moment they decide to silence one side in favor of another, that’s when you eliminate the diverse opinions that make up any political environment.

This is a country that values the right to free speech, and any infringement on that right, whether it be by the governmental body or a private entity, should be treated as a threat toward our nation.

By Trace Podder

Cartoon by Kathryn Stenberg 6 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Opinion

T

he first memory I have of Barack Obama is from 2007. I was eight.

Strapped into the backseat of my dad’s car, I listened to NPR commentators discussing the Democratic primaries. I had misheard, and thought that Osama, as in Osama Bin Laden, was running for president.

The second memory I have of Obama was the day before the 2008 election. My fourth grade teacher had asked us who we supported, and I raised my hand high for the junior Illinois senator. When she asked why, I shrugged; it was only because my dad planned to vote for him.

Since I started caring about things other than Harry Potter or the Miami Heat, Barack Obama has been my President—and now, he is gone.

The biggest discussion lately has been regarding his legacy. From the current debate over the future of the Affordable Care Act to his often controversial foreign policy actions, President Obama left a trail of decisions still being analyzed today. But to me, he was always more than a president; he was a role model.

I empathized with his journey, starting with his name. We both had surnames that

people would laugh at. Wang and Obama were just as jarring to a pool filled with Smiths, Johnsons, and Williams; and as I struggled with my identity, he showed me how to embrace it.

There’s a moment during the funeral of South Carolina State Senator Clementa Pinckney, a victim in the Charleston Church shooting, when Obama bows his head down and closes his eyes. After a few seconds, he begins to sing the first words to “Amazing Grace.” Soon the entire crowd, a crowd of predominantly African Americans, joins in with smiles blossoming on their faces. Obama, from his love of basketball to his love of singing, was always unapologetic about his background. Despite blistering attacks hinged on his race, he was never afraid of who he was.

He was the embodiment of the American Dream: the ascension of that “skinny kid with a funny name” from the child of a single mother to resident of the White House.

He was living proof that anyone in America could succeed. He gave me the audacity to hope, and the ability to dream.

Even though the very legitimacy of his presidency was challenged by birthers and conspiracy theorists, he kept his head held

Cartoon by Kathryn Stenberg high even when others went low. Although one may disagree with his policies, the character and morals that he displayed day and night are something all sides of the aisle can admire. If Obama can effortlessly ooze grace while in the hardest job on Earth, I realized I could try to do the same.

After Obama was elected president in 2008, my dad bought me his memoir, “Dreams from My Father.” The pages are yellowed now, and as evidenced by the dog ears, I never quite finished it. As I read through it now, I can find myself in the words, with his stories of identity confusion and struggle.

Back in 2012, my family went to an Obama rally. We were all the way in the back, so my dad hoisted me onto his shoulders so I could get a glimpse of our president. Above the roaring crowd, I could just make out the top of his head. For me, that was enough to feel a connection with my hero.

Obama rose to the challenges he faced and spoke with conviction and clarity. He was someone I could always look up to. Barack Obama may no longer be my president, but he will always remain my inspiration.

By Michael Wang Opinion / themuseatdreyfoos.com 7

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t Dreyfoos it is common knowledge that in order to graduate, every student must complete an online course. Most students take Florida Virtual School (FLVS) courses with the specific goal to fulfill this requirement. Whether it is for credit recovery, academic competition, or even enjoyment, most students at Dreyfoos find themselves taking FLVS courses at one point or another.

“Many people use FLVS just to get that one credit that they need to graduate, and they never really go back and take another course,” school counselor Mark Carson said. “Other students use it for courses that they can’t fit into their schedule, if they need credit recovery, or even if they just want to take them for fun.”

Most students at Dreyfoos take about four to five FLVS courses throughout high school.

Two of the most popular FLVS courses among Dreyfoos students are Fitness Lifestyle and Design and Personal Fitness.

Students often take these courses online because physical education is a required graduation credit and can be obtained in school or online. Taking the course online allows for students to have an extra elective course at school, such as a language class or an extra art area class.

“It was more convenient for me to take personal fitness online,” theatre senior Suzanne Litwinka said. “I think physical education is very important, but I get to have my own form of it when I am in class dancing at school. So for me, taking it online was the best choice.”

Foreign language courses are also popular on FLVS among Dreyfoos students for the variety of classes it has to offer. Some students take Chinese and Latin because they

Florida Virtual School provides alternative learning opportunities for students, but the online education platform comes with controversy

are not offered at school. Others take Spanish and French classes because it allows for more room in their schedule for other courses, or they are trying to get in their language credits before graduation. Before the 2016-17 school year, Spanish 1 and French 1 were not offered for freshmen. This pushed more freshmen to take their first year of foreign language online.

“I think that [foreign language courses] are more popular on FLVS because most colleges want at least two or three years of foreign languages,” Mr. Carson said. “A lot

of our students take it online rather than here in school. They want to either add a third art area class or they want to take something else, whether it is an additional AP class, or something additional to throw into their schedule.”

FLVS can have some negative impacts due to its lack of face-to-face class time. Though there is some flexibility, FLVS courses can be very demanding and add to the work that students already have to do in school. Often, there is very little interaction with the teacher on FLVS courses, making it harder for some students to comprehend and review the material. Additionally, taking too many online courses can be seen negatively by colleges.

“One negative impact that FLVS has on students is that those who take too many courses online can be frowned upon by colleges. Colleges may take it as either you are avoiding certain classes in school or that you are doing them to get the easy way out,” Mr. Carson said. “Colleges know that online curriculum is easier than in school curriculum and they don’t really like to see that necessarily.”

Apart from its negatives, FLVS can provide a positive impact on students when it comes to academic competition and their GPA. They also are beneficial because they give the opportunities to students to try more courses and to interact with different teachers. The largest positive of FLVS that Dreyfoos students seem to enjoy the most, is the fact that they can have more room in their schedules for other courses they are interested in taking.

“FLVS has impacted me positively because it has enabled me to take French and other courses at school,” digital media sophomore Shelby Rabin said. “I wouldn’t be able to take [them] otherwise.”

By Lilly Randolph

News / themuseatdreyfoos.com 9

school at the time dictates where the funds go,” Ms. Kochanski said.

Each year SOAFI gives out scholarships to students. Last year almost $200,000 worth of scholarships were given out in 89 categories. This money goes to summer programs as well as college scholarships.The applications for these scholarships usually come out every February.

In addition to scholarships, Dreyfoos has SOAFI to thank for its multitude of opportunities the organization provides for the art and academic areas. Over the years SOAFI has played an instrumental role in finding the funds to pay for all of the unique opportunities Dreyfoos has to offer.

“I don’t think we would be the school we are today without the Foundation,” communications dean Angela Anyzeski said.

By Zoe Romano

Top Left: Mauricio Busa (L-R), Gail Galli, and Barry Hayes set up their tablescape at Dreyfoos in White in 2016.

L

aptop computers, Steinway grand pianos, and $200,000 sound systems are just a few of the expensive pieces of equipment Dreyfoos has on its campus.

When Dreyfoos was first developed, the original faculty members and administrators realized that in order to achieve many of their future goals, they would require costly materials. They were going to need help from the community, which is why they started the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation (SOAFI). SOAFI was created in March 1993, and ever since then, it has helped to subsidize multiple projects at Dreyfoos.

“Our sole mission is to raise money for the school,” SOAFI director of development Stefani Kochanski said.

SOAFI achieves this feat through a base of five full-time staff members who work in Building 9 on Dreyfoos’ campus. On top of its core staff, SOAFI also has 30 board members. These board members come from all over the country and range from parents to community members to snowbirds. Even though the board is made up of a diverse group of people, they all share a similar goal: wishing to see Dreyfoos achieve its full potential.

SOAFI also receives support from hundreds of thousands of people through donations every year. In order to obtain these 10 themuseatdreyfoos.com / News

Top right: Dr. Catherine Drourr (right) hosts a table of friends at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts 25th Anniversary Gala on Feb. 26, 2016.

funds, SOAFI writes grants and applies to large foundations such as the Hearst Foundation, a national philanthropic resource, and the MacArthur Foundation. Their mission is to write about different projects Dreyfoos needs support with in the hopes that the different foundations will provide funding help.

“The money we raise goes to many different purposes such as fixing broken stage lights in the theatre department to distributing funds for new computer carts,” Ms. Kochanski said.

SOAFI also plays a large role with artists-in-residence, a program composed of professional artists who share the knowledge of their field with students on a day-to-day basis by teaching classes at Dreyfoos. In order to support this program, SOAFI writes to the Florida Cultural Affairs Department. The department then sends Dreyfoos a grant to help fund the artists-in-residence.

In addition, SOAFI gives some of its funds to individual students. Dreyfoos has a diverse community of students who all have different financial situations. These students are able to receive money through SOAFI which goes toward paying for artistic projects such as debate tournaments or music lessons, helping each student take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

“Being in a financially tough situation

shouldn’t prevent you from being able to [participate in art opportunities],” Ms. Kochanski said.

All of these funds go through SOAFI’s Ray of Light program or Amy’s Light program. The Ray of Light program was made to bridge the gap for families in need. The Amy’s Light program is new to the school this year and was created in Amy Winehouse’s name.

This program is specifically geared toward Dreyfoos’ music programs.

Starting in November of 2016 and ending in April 2017, SOAFI will have put on ten large fundraising events. Some of these events are well-known, such as the Prism Concert and Dreyfoos in White, while others include smaller events like musical luncheons.

“All of these events serve as tools to help the Foundation raise more money for the school,” Ms. Kochanski said.

There are two types of donations that people can make to SOAFI, restricted and unrestricted. A restricted donation is money raised for something specific, such as the Dreyfoos Campaign for the Arts, which raises money specifically for the artists-in-residence program. An unrestricted donation is money that has no specific ties to how it is used and distributed. The distribution of these funds is overseen by the board of directors.

“Depending on what the needs are of the

Middle right: Dreyfoos dance students perform the dance “I Think,” choreographed by Christopher Hugins, at the 25th Anniversary Gala.

Bottom: Liz Peters (L-R), Jessica Fontaine, Alison Haag, Taylor Materio, and Camilla Helander at Dreyfoos in White on Nov. 12, 2016.

Photos courtesy of School of the Arts Foundation

News / themuseatdreyfoos.com 11

BRIEFS

DREYFOOS

FINDS

ATLANTIS artford University

H

Left: Dance junior Shelsa Menardy leads the “African in the Americas” dance at the 2017 Multicultural Show hosted by the Latin-Hispanic Heritage Club in Meyer Hall. Photo by Julia Bonavita Top right: In front of hundreds of students, Hartford University professor Dr. Richard Freund discusses his work in archaelogy in discovering the city of Atlantis. Photo by Julia Bonavita Bottom right: Visual senior Marlena Fleck poses with Magnet Coordinator Patrick Marshall and officials from the Florida State Fair as she receives a $1000 scholarship. Photo by Carleigh Dickinson

HOMECOMING

professor Dr. Richard Freund, who was featured on National Geographic’s documentary “Finding Atlantis,” gave a presentation to hundreds of Dreyfoos students on Feb. 7. During his presentation, which was hosted by the National History Honor Society, Dr. Freund discussed his use of geoscience technology to assist his archaeological team. According to Dr. Freund, his team discovered the ancient city of Atlantis off the southern coast of Spain. Dr. Freund contends that because Plato wrote Atlantis is near the Straits of Gibraltar, the city of Atlantis is buried in wetlands of Southern Spain.

Atlantis has received a global interest, according to Dr. Freund, because the city was devastated by natural disasters and parallels current natural phenomena.

By Jack Yan

FLECK WINS IN LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP

“MAKES THE CUT” E

A

s dusk set on the end of Spirit Week on Jan. 27, Dreyfoos students gathered in the gymnasium from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for the 2017 Dreyfoos Homecoming. Hosted by the Dreyfoos SGA, Homecoming sold 153 tickets and featured “Director’s Cut” as the theme.

Decorations and amenities included a red carpet, a popcorn machine, two black and white movies projected on screens, and movie placards.

Homecoming royalty voting took place over the two weeks prior to Homecoming in two separate phases. The first phase selected at least six nominees from each class for Homecoming royalty. The second

12 themuseatdreyfoos.com

phase selected two from each class’ nominees to represent the class on Homecoming court. Homecoming royalty were: theatre senior Logan Russell, communications senior Uma Raja, theatre junior Emily Betts, band junior John Degnan, communications sophomore Jake Kaywell, theatre sophomore Jaden Martinez, theatre freshman Cross Ayala, and theatre freshman Abigail Garcia.

“Few words can effectively elaborate my emotions on winning homecoming royalty.” Russell said. “Getting the nomination was an honor by itself, but actually winning was an incredibly gratifying experience.”

By Jack Yan

very year, the Florida State Fair holds a competition for high school seniors, giving students the chance to submit an art portfolio and win $1000 to the college of their choice. This year, visiaul senior Marlena Fleck submitted a portfolio of 10 interior designs of her home and won the portfolio competition.

“I’m very grateful to have won this scholarship,” Fleck said. “[I want to attend the] Rhode Island School of Design for architecture next fall. I’ve always been fascinated with old homes, and my father is a landscaper, so architecture always felt natural to me.”

Fleck herself was unaware of the award until Monday, Jan. 30, when members of the Florida Lottery came into her first period AP European History class, holding balloons and a check.

By Ruby Rosenthal News / themuseatdreyfoos.com 13

(Right) Strings sophomore Leah Winters practices the violin. Select members of the strings department also attended All State from Jan. 11-13. Strings majors also prepared for their strings concert which will be held on Feb. 17. Photo by Eliza Baker

FEB.17 (Left) band junior Gabriel Prescott practices his trumpet. Select philharmonic students competed at All State from Jan. 11-13 in Tampa, Florida. Band students also prepared for their orchestra concert, which was held on Feb. 1.

Photo by Eliza Baker

FEB.1

FEB.10

14 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Arts

Digital media junior Ashley Prather sells her work at the art sale on Feb. 10. Photo by Ruby Rosenthal

(L-R) Vocal seniors Noah Gunn, Juan Zayas, Michael Martin and junior Sidney O’Gorman practice for the Chorus Valentine’s Day Concert held in Meyer Hall on Feb. 9.Vocal students have also begun rehearsing for the upcoming Musical Performance Assessments (MPA) District Chorus on March 3 to 4. Photo by Ruby Rosenthal

FEB.9

(Right) piano senior Tiffany Hart and junior Jennifer Kyu practice piano. The first piano concert to kick off recital season was Klavier 1, held Jan. 26. Piano students are still preparing for their end of the year recitals, which will be throughout the last few months of the school year. Photo by Ruby Rosenthal

JAN.26

FEB.15

(L-R) Communications sophomores Rebecca Nir and Louis DiRienzo. TV Production students are continuing to hold shows every Friday. The Speech and Debate team competed at the Barkley Forum held at Emory University from Jan. 27-29. Seeds hosted their second Open Mic Night of the year on Feb. 15. Photo by Ruby Rosenthal

Twenty dance juniors left for the annual New York City trip on Tuesday, Jan. 17, and returned Saturday, Jan. 20. To prepare for Spirit Week, dance majors in all grades helped their individual classes with the dance routines performed throughout the week. Photo courtesy of Michael Bole

JAN.17-20 JAN.13 On Jan. 13, the theatre department held the annual theatre showcase, Short Attention Span Theatre, in Meyer Hall.

Select theatre students auditioned on Jan. 25 for the annual English-Speaking Union (ESU) National Shakespeare Competition. Photo by Natalie Bergeron

Arts / themuseatdreyfoos.com 15

SPIRIT WEEK Photo by Natalie Bergeron

From controversy to conquest, Dreyfoos Spirit Week was filled with costumed students and stiff grade competition. In a fight to the finish, each class competed in events ranging from tugof-war to powderpuff cheerleading. Spirit Week was packed with moments to remember.

16

17

MOON OVER

BUFFALO MONDAY TAKES THE STAGE

Holiday day

Before the show premieres on Feb. 24, students audition, build sets, and design costumes

F M

Musical Genre Day

usical Genre Day headlined the beginning of the 2017 Spirit Week on Monday, Jan. 23. Cowboy boots and flannels made it easy to pick out the freshmen who represented country music, while the sophomores adorned themselves with neon clothes for techno pop music. Juniors arrived ready for an indie music festival, and seniors embodied rap music with sagging pants, gold chains, and backward hats.

To kick off the week’s events, representatives from each class competed in a game of dodgeball, with two classes on each team. Sophomores and juniors defeated the freshmen and seniors in dodgeball, winning three straight matches.

Band junior Kyle Tellez came back from a four-against-one situation

Photo courtesy of Ava Campana

in the second round of dodgeball to seal the victory for the sophomorejunior team.

“I was pretty nervous to be honest. It’s like everyone is depending on you to win when you’re obviously outnumbered, but I knew I was pretty good at dodgeball. I was confident and just tried to play as best as I could,” Tellez said. “When I won for our team, I was really hyped and relieved I didn’t let our team down. It made the celebration even better. It’s nice to hear people cheering for you sometimes.”

After the sophomore-junior team beat the freshmen-senior team, spectators and competitors played a no-rules “just for fun” game.

By Alex Gordon

our holidays were all celebrated at once on Jan. 24, the second day of Spirit Week. On Holiday Day, freshmen dressed for the Fourth of July, sophomores for St. Patrick’s Day, juniors for Valentine’s Day, and seniors for Mardi Gras.

“I think it’s really interesting and a great way to show our creativity in how we represent the different holidays,” vocal sophomore Diana Parra said. “It’s fun to see the people who really go all out.”

Holiday Day was a new day added to Spirit Week.

“We wanted to change the Spirit Week day from Celebrity Day to something new, and I think it was successful and is easy to dress up for,” SGA recording secretary and dance junior Kendall Aumick said.

During lunch, the festivities continued on the field. Students Photo by Natalie Bergeron

TUESDAY

Left: Theatre freshman Olivia D’Addio sews a costume for the production. Photo by Sydney Walsh Top right: Theatre junior Kaleigh Hanley slices wood for set design using a saw. Photo by Eliza Baker Middle right: Theatre junior Edwin Wenta (left) and senior Logan Russell construct the backdrop by sanding wood. Photo by Eliza Baker Bottom right: Theatre junior Luis Echeverria (L-R), theatre sophomore Olivia Troast, theatre seniors Donald O’Connor, and Alexandra Chicco rehearse for the show backstage. Photo by Julia Horneck 18 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Arts 24

Photo by Carly Schwamm

Photo by Natalie Bergeron

participated in tug-of-war, a frozen t-shirt contest, a gumball on a spoon race, and a hula hoop chain competition. The winning grade in each event received 4 points for Spirit Week, second place got 3 points, third place got 2 points, and the last place grade got only 1 point for the event. Tug-of-war was held tournament-style; in the first round, the freshmen opposed the juniors, and the sophomores faced the seniors. The juniors and seniors each won the first round.

In the consolation match, the sophomores beat the freshmen, and in a hard-fought championship match, the juniors beat out the seniors.

“The frozen t-shirt contest was a big struggle for me because I am weak and there was a lot of ice,” communications sophomore Kavyasree Chigurupati said.

By Carly Schwamm Photo by Natalie Bergeron

Photo by Natalie Bergeron

WEDNESDAY

generation day D

uring lunchtime on Generation Day, students gathered to watch their classmates represent their respective decades with moves ranging from disco to Jazzercise. Twirling their poodle skirts to “Grease Lightning,” the freshmen kicked off the generation dance competition with a ‘50s-inspired routine.

“It was really fun because [the dance] was pretty improvised, since we made it up 20 minutes before [performing],” dance freshman Alexa Olivier said. “We knew about it, but nobody really took the lead on it until the day of.”

Despite their limited preparation time, the freshmen dance won second place in the competition. The seniors upheld the tradition of impressing the audience with energetic moves to eighties’ classics, taking first place in the competition. The crowd went wild for the seemingly effortless, yet breathtaking, iconic “Dirty Dancing” lift.

“These were some of the best generation dances I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been at this school for 10 years,” English teacher and generation dance judge Brittany Rigdon said. Identifying as a “child of the eighties,” Ms. Rigdon enjoyed the seniors’ dance the most.

“I think the ‘Dirty Dancing’ part was my favorite,” Ms. Rigdon said. “[The lift] seems really difficult, but they did a great job.”

By Emma Baldinger

Photo by Julia Bonavita Photo by Julia Bonavita

Photo by Sydney Walsh

Photo by Sydney Walsh

Photo by Sydney Walsh

FriDAY

Photo by Haley Johnston

Photo courtesy of Ava Campana

Class Clique day C

rammed into crowded bleachers and dressed in their most stereotypical outfits, students gathered in the gym on Jan. 26 for powderpuff cheerleading and basketball. Students assumed stereotypes on Class Clique Day; freshmen were nerds, sophomores were preps, juniors were jocks and cheerleaders, and seniors were punks and goths.

“I think that Class Clique Day is really fun because it brings out the funny side of our school,” theatre junior Madison Wood said. “We don’t have a lot of real stereotypes, so it’s funny to bring that side out, especially with the jocks and cheerleaders.”

During lunch, there was a powderpuff basketball game in which the freshmen and junior team faced off against the sophomore and senior team. The freshmen and juniors won with a final score of 8-2.

“I think the girls are playing like NBA All-Stars, and watching the game was really exhilarating,” communications freshman Quinn Jacobs said. “I love when we all come together to cheer on our team; we are united.”

At halftime, each grade had a squad of male cheerleaders perform a dance. The freshmen came in fourth place, the juniors came in third place, the sophomores came in second place, and the seniors won first place.

“Performing in the cheerleader dance was kind of nerve-racking at first, especially in the outfits,” strings freshman Quinn Stolberg said. “But it felt good to let loose and have fun with it.”

By Carly Schwamm

Photo courtesy of Brianna Steidle

Photo courtesy of Ava Campana

Pep rally

T H U R S D A Y

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ith the exception of AP exams, the Dreyfoos gym rarely sees as much excitement as it does on Pep Rally, the pinnacle of Spirit Week.

After four days of elaborate costumes that ranged from cowboy hats to thong leotards, on Friday morning, students showed their spirit with color and fierce competition.

The rivalry of the Pep Rally began with Musical Chairs and continued with human Hungry Hungry Hippos, a basketball

free-throw contest, karaoke, and the part of Spirit Week most likely to go viral, the dance competition.

“Of course it was really fun to [perform],” dance senior Eliana Schreier said. “But it was also very stressful to get everyone together for rehearsals.”

While talent and intense preparation was present in every performance, the sophomores won the judges over and were awarded first place for their dance. In a break

from tradition, seniors received third place for this competition. Nevertheless, the seniors were victorious in winning the Spirit Stick at the end of the Pep Rally, beating out the juniors by 3 Spirit Week points, 58-55.

“The most memorable part was honestly just being able to dance with all my friends,” Schreier said. “It was exciting to dance in front of the whole school.”

By Emma Baldinger Photo by Lorenzo Romano

Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors 58 TOTAL: 29 44 55

Photo by Julia Bonavita Graphic by Marianna Kaimakliotis

MOON OVER

BUFFALO TAKES THE STAGE

Before the show premieres on Feb. 24, students audition, build sets, and design costumes

Holiday day A

“Moon Over Buffalo” FAST FACTS

fter thorough auditions, rehearsing As auditions were happening, crew memlines, and building stage props, the bers of the production began preparation for theatre department brings their up- the show. Whether it be makeup management coming production “Moon Over Buffalo” to crew, sound crew, stage design, or producing, life. “Moon Over Buffalo” premieres in Meyer students aimed to perfect the flow of the proHall on Feb. 24. duction. exercise The play depicts the story of two fading ac“In my eyes, the set is as important as the In preparation for the show, tors who attempt to revive their careers. George performance aspect of a show,” theatre junior cast members must run laps and complete other forms of Hay, a traveling actor, collaborates with Char- Chloe Gonzalez said. “Without it, the setting exercise to keep up with the uplotte, his wife and an aspiring actress, in hopes and mood would be hard to establish. The goal beat choreography of the show. of becoming famous. With unexpected prob- of a set design is to support the action of the lems arising, the characters bring their unique show without [being] distracting; accomplishand fierce personalities onstage. ing that is our goal. The set and other techcast of eight “It’s really cool that we’re doing a [comedic nical aspects are what draw the audience in, The production only consists of eight characters: four female drama] because the last one we did was during and then it’s up to the performers to hold their andcontest, four male. my our freshmen senior atMatthew attention.” holidaysyear,” were theatre all celebrated once on Jan. 24, the second participated in tug-of-war, a frozen t-shirt a gumball on a Siperstein reallyOn brings my time here Meanwhile, the set design manday of said.

Spirit“It Week.

Holiday Day, freshmen dressed for the spoon race,and andstage a hula hoop chain competition. The winning grade in the theatre full circle, andPatrick’s I’m agement crewfor worked to portray a realistic Fourth of department July, sophomores for St. Day, juniors in each event received 4 points for SpiritOriginally Week, second place got 3 “RuMOrs” excited to Day, be onand stage this time around.

Add- backdrop that signifies 20ththird century Valentine’s seniors for Mardi Gras. points, placeaccents: got 2 points, and theThe lasttheatre place grade got only 1 department was ing to that, reallyinteresting admire Ken as ato show quirky and muted originally showcasing in “Rupointfurniture, for the event.

Tug-of-war was held tournament-style; the “I think it’s Ireally and Ludwig a great way ourpatterns, creativityvintage mors” asand their play, so I’m always happy to performvocal his sophomore walls. The design the set is considered to beopposed the juniors, round, the freshmen thespring sophomores inplaywright. how we represent the different holidays,” Diana of first buteach switched to “Moon Over work.” as important as the performers.

Parra said. “It’s fun to see the people who really gojust all out.” faced the seniors. The juniors and seniors won the first round.

Buffalo” due to the presence Auditions in December, andSpirit the-Week.“The show is set In in the Buffalo, New York in the sophomores beat the freshmen, and in Holiday Daybegan was a new day added to consolation match, of profanity and copyright atre Barfieldtheconducted various 1953,” WhiteDay said. “While the structure of the match, the policies. a hard-fought championship juniors beat out the seniors.

“Weteacher wantedBrad to change Spirit Week day from Celebrity of auditions, later callbacks, to de- and setisiseasy ‘20stotodress ‘30s style,“The the decor a blendcontest of frozenis t-shirt was a big struggle for me because I torounds something new, andand I think it was successful termine whorecording the best student wasand for dance each role.

‘20s to ‘50s. Theam walls [are] witha lot of ice,” communications sophomore weak andcovered there was up for,” SGA secretary juniorthe Kendall Aumick Despite rigorous auditions, theatre students ‘50s show posters [and] headshots of actors Kavyasree Chigurupati said. said.

Researching the set welcomed the challenge as an opportunity to thewho performed [the original Broadway] Carly Schwamm During lunch, the festivities continued on field.

Students on By Theatre students spend more receive a starring role in the production. stage.” time researching and planning Photo by Natalie Bergeron Photo by Natalie Bergeron crew were inspired to create the design compared to actually “I was cast as the understudy for Howard,” The costume constructing the backdrops and Siperstein said. “Auditions are always fun be- costumes that exemplified each character’s perprops. cause we get to see each other’s work, but my sonality. The costume design team researched favorite part of the process is callbacks because and sewed in order to bring an artistic and inwe actually get to play off of each other. While novative approach to the play.

Memorizing we each want the parts for ourselves, there’s a “The era of ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ in particuThe cast memorized their lines sense of family that keeps us rooting for every- lar is going to be quite simple to dress,” theatre over winter break, despite one else at the callback.” senior Arielle Sanchez said. “The cast is only opening night being showcased Originally, the theatre department planned made up of four females and four males, and several months later in February. to showcase “Rumors” by Neil Simon instead we happen to already own a plethora of clothof “Moon Over Buffalo.” However, because of ing from this era, so a majority of our dressings copyright issues and the use of profanity, the will be pulled from storage. This show is going Understudy theatre department switched to their current to be a blast to construct costume-wise due to For the first time, the theatre production. Despite the unexpected conflict, its hilarious touches.” department will be showcasing theatre students were determined to overcome A classic production, “Moon Over Buffalo” an understudy performance on March 2. This performance the issue. marked the return of playwright Ken Ludwig offers a chance for understudy “I was chosen to be the scenic designer,” after a thirty year absence from Broadway. actors to display their talents theatre junior Nicole White said. “Over the With this, theatre students hope to revive and onstage. summer, I began research and spent all sum- alter this production to bring family, friends, mer planning the design on ‘Rumors.’ Right and peers together for a time of laughter and before Thanksgiving break, I was informed euphoria.

Originality that we were no longer producing ‘Rumors.’

“I’m always excited to see the productions To maintain authenticity of the performance, actual headshots I was shocked that months of work would be- from [the] beginning—when there’s just big of actors who performed on the come trash, but I told myself that this is what piles of lumber—to the finished product,” original stage, Erlanger Theatre, I signed up for. I had only one month to finish Gonzalez said. “It’s a great moment when you will be incorporated in the an entire scenic design along with [balancing can sit down and look at the completed set production. academics]. Now I begin to watch my design and feel accomplished.” come to life and I couldn’t be more excited.”

By Jennifer Jia

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TUESDAY Left: Theatre freshman Olivia D’Addio sews a costume for the production. Photo by Sydney Walsh Top right: Theatre junior Kaleigh Hanley slices wood for set design using a saw. Photo by Eliza Baker Middle right: Theatre junior Edwin Wenta (left) and senior Logan Russell construct the backdrop by sanding wood. Photo by Eliza Baker Bottom right: Theatre junior Luis Echeverria (L-R), theatre sophomore Olivia Troast, theatre seniors Donald O’Connor, and Alexandra Chicco rehearse for the show backstage. Photo by Julia Horneck 24 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Arts

Photo by Carly Schwamm

Arts / themuseatdreyfoos.com 25

Photo by Natalie Bergeron

ODDCONCENTRATIONS

jake perl 26 themuseatdreyfoos.com

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earning to play an instrument without instruction is difficult; however, some take on the challenge to widen the range of music they are able to play. Strings junior Ishbel Ayala has chosen to work primarily alone to teach herself to play the mandolin: an instrument which was very popular in the mid 1800s.

“The mandolin’s history is really interesting.

It evolved from the Italian lute family, so that’s why the current Neapolitan mandolin bowlback resembles a lute,” Ayala said. “I love it because it fits my musical style. It’s just really cool to see how much the instrument has changed to appeal to different cultures and styles of music.”

Ayala’s interest in playing the mandolin developed after listening to music she was not traditionally used to. She found that she appreciat-

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Marlena Fleck

ishbel ayala

Throughout three different art majors, students focus on ideas outside of the norm

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elding together two different skills, writing and performing, is a challenging feat for anyone to master. Communications senior Jake Perl has accomplished this through comedy for the majority of his life and developed his craft significantly during that time.

“Growing up I always had an affinity for making people laugh,” Perl said. “[In sixth grade], my teacher was desperately trying to get people to perform at the talent show, so I said I’d perform, though I didn’t know what I’d be doing. I ended up doing stand-up, and I loved it.”

At Dreyfoos, joining the Speech and Debate Team has allowed Perl to become more com-

he skills that visual majors learn at Dreyfoos can be used in a plethora of ways.

Visual senior Marlena Fleck has used her acquired artistry to create something personally close to her which differentiates her work from that of others.

“My grandmother taught me how to make quilts when I was little. She’s an amazing quilter and has just started making her own clothes,” Fleck said. “I started making quilts at the end of my junior year. I wanted to experiment with 3-D work after doing traditional 2-D and digital work. I knew that a fabric medium would translate well to the themes that I wanted to explore.”

Fleck has incorporated many elements into

ed the different components which came together in these ballads, and as a result she gained an interest in broadening her horizons with string instruments.

“I first became interested in the mandolin when I began to listen to more Latin folk music; as the mandolin’s tone sounded different from others,” Ayala said. “When people delve into overlooked genres and styles of playing, it leads to obtaining personal growth as musicians. I feel like [teaching myself the mandolin] really has helped me in that way.”

Photos by Destiny Robinson

fortable in front of an audience performing his original work, and he hopes to continue to do so in the future.

“In speech and debate, I compete in Original Oratory where I have to write, memorize, and perform a 10-minute speech about anything,” Perl said. “In college, I definitely plan to do regular stand-up and find some way to get paid for it along the way. I know that I want to major or focus in screenwriting. [Hopefully], I’ll end up as a comedic screenwriter or staff writer someday and stand-up will fall into place.”

her quilts that go beyond even the visual elements. Much of her focus also lies in more detail-oriented areas, such as the titles and photos of her handiwork.

“I like to think of the titles as extensions of the pieces. There are some abstract concepts behind the pieces involving domesticity, comfort, and gender expectations,” Fleck said. “For example, ‘Over + Done With’ is a reference to a song

by The Proclaimers that I was listening to at the time, and ‘New Rochelle’ references suburban areas in New York and ‘stereotypical’ gender roles.”

By Lexi Marcellino

JOEL SOTO STARS IN VARSITY

Communications freshman Joel Soto watches the ball during warmups at an away disctrict tournament game against Wellington High School on Jan. 23. Photo by Sydney Walsh

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hen the soccer season began, communications freshman Joel Soto was cut from the boys soccer team. Three weeks later, after putting in hard work and continuing to play, Soto could be seen starting on the field. “[Not making the team] was annoying. The coach talked to the other players who would talk to me about it, and they would say it was because I’m small,” Soto said. “That’s always been sort of a problem. On travel, I was really small compared to other players. I think if you have the skill, your size doesn’t matter.”

After a few players left the team, boys soccer coach Tony Villatoro was looking to fill the gap they left behind. Villatoro reached out to Soto to offer him the position.

“One of the players [asked if ] Coach had talked to me [through the group message],” Soto said. “I texted Coach and he said, ‘We might have a spot on the team for you, so come to the game tomorrow to watch and start coming to practices.’ The next day I went to the game, and he let me know that I made the team.”

Soto has since secured himself a starting position as a part of the defense and is one of two freshmen to make the team this year.

“I brought him on because I knew he had the skills and he gets the job done,” Mr. Villatoro said. “Soto has added a very defensive mind to our team. He is a really good, talented defender, and he has a lot to go as far as improving and adding to the team.”

Soto has since learned many skills crucial to playing soccer at a varsity level. As he progressed, he was able to show his teammates what he was capable of throughout the season.

“Soto is really good as a freshman. He surprised us at the first game when he handled his own weight,” visual senior Jean-Pierre Cuestas said. “I didn’t expect much of him because he got cut, but when some of the players left, he came back and covered a lot of ground.”

Soto learned to love the sport after watching soccer games with his dad. He started playing recreationally when he was only four years old, and has constantly worked on developing his skills since then.

“I wanted to be a part of [the soccer team], because I know with high school soccer it’s a whole different experience than travel soccer,” Soto said. “I thought, ‘Why not do it?’ I love the sport.”

In the next few years, Soto hopes to continue his career in high school soccer under the guidance of his teammates.

“The team is a lot of fun, and all the guys are funny, good, and helpful,” Soto said. “Whenever we’re playing, [team captain and visual junior] Carlos Rosales always gives me tips. He helps me out because he knows I’m a freshman, and that I’m a bit smaller than everyone else. It’s cool because everyone has the same love of the sport. They all like playing it like I do.”

By Carleigh Dickinson

IN A LEAGUE

OF HIS OWN One Dreyfoos student pursues his passion for football by joining the Palm Springs flag football league

Band senior Benjamin Sullivan (right) runs the ball after a catch in a flag football game in Palm Springs. Sullivan has hopes to pursue a career in professional football after being influenced by his father, Kurt Sohn, who played for the New York Jets from 1981-1989. Photo courtesy of Olivia Martinez

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and senior Benjamin Sullivan has played football for over eight years and has aspirations of walking on a National Football League (NFL) roster. His father, Kurt Sohn, played for the New York Jets from 1981-1989 as a wide receiver and punt returner. Sullivan decided to take this dream to the next level when a few coaches on the flag football field in Palm Springs asked him if he planned to pursue football in college.

“Playing flag helps in the respect that it helps me read the different defenses and it enables me to expose their weaknesses based on what coverages they are running on our offense,” Sullivan said. “I decided to play flag this season to see how my body would hold up playing many hours of football and some back-to-back games. Playing all these hours and training hard in my off-field time has given me a better perspective of what my body can handle.”

Sullivan started off in tackle football. This was his first year back playing flag, and he brought the sport to the Dreyfoos field with various students, such as band senior Camden LaParche. The two became friends with a mutual love for football and can often be seen playing during lunch, a tradition that began freshmen year. This eventually escalat-

ed to them playing on the same flag football team. “[Sullivan] is the kind of player that you can get the ball to, and he’s always gonna make that big catch in the game,” LaParche said. “He puts in 100 percent effort at all times and makes his teammates around him better through actions and words. He shows the younger players things to improve [on] and keeps our morale up during games that might not be going our way. He’s got that quiet leadership quality in that he leads by example, rather than being the boss.”

This mentality of perseverance is one that Mr. Sohn has tried to teach to his son. He has worked with him on his style of play and basic fundamentals to mold him into the player he is today. In 1980, Mr. Sohn played for the St. Louis Rams until eventually being cut in the final pre-season game. This is not where Mr. Sohn would end his career, as he joined the New York Jets the following season and continued to play there for eight seasons.

“When he was young, we used to throw the ball around and I taught him how to catch,” Mr. Sohn said. “He asks me questions about training or different things that a receiver does, and we go out into the yard and work on a couple of things. I give little tips that I know. I can relate to him. He’s fast and

can catch. If he has a desire and a passion for it, I’m sure he can be very successful in any way he wants to be.”

Just like his father did, Sullivan spends many hours on the field working on his mechanics, such as catching and running routes.

“I never really made a decision that I wanted to follow his footsteps, but I realized he had taught me the stuff I needed to be successful on the football field against other players,” Sullivan said. “Having coaches come up to me and ask me if I’m going to play in college made me realize I could potentially have a career in this if I work hard enough.”

While it may seem to be a long shot to make it to such a high level of play, band junior Kyle Tellez believes that Sullivan’s dream can become a reality.

“In all honesty, most people that want to walk on the NFL do not even have a chance to make it. With Ben’s mentality, I feel he has a chance to make it, especially with the encouragement of his dad,” Tellez said. “He’s a hardworking player who doesn’t give up and is hungry for success. With his drive, there’s not much that can stop him from reaching his goal.”

By Shane McVan Sports / themuseatdreyfoos.com 29

HIGHLIGHTS SOCCER

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espite having new coaches, the boys and girls soccer teams both faced early elimination in their respective district tournaments. The boys played Wellington High School and lost 3-0 while the girls faced Seminole Ridge High School also losing 3-0.

“I feel this season was really great. Our team was very close this year, and we got along really well,” vocal sophomore Lilly Heran said. “We had a new coach this year, but she made a great fit for the players and really brought the team together in a great way.” By Daniel Montoya

Band freshman Juan Azanza and piano junior Joshua Boss try to steal the ball in a district playoff match against Wellington High School on Jan 23. The boys lost 3-0.

Photo by Sydney Walsh

TRACK&FIELD BASKETBALL TENNIS

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prints, burpees, air squats, and endless running welcomed the track and field team back as preseason conditioning started on Jan. 23. Social studies teacher Ross Vening returns to coach the team along with math teacher Craig Adams, who coaches cross country. Mr. Vening will primarily focus on coaching short-distance runners and those participating in field events, while Mr. Adams will coach long-distance runners.

“A lot of kids are out there [so] it’s hard to see what’s going on, but I’ll have a good idea [of the roster] at the end of conditioning,” Mr. Vening said.

By Daniel Montoya

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he boys basketball team ended their district tournament and season with a win against Morningside Academy on Feb. 4. With a score of 4946, the team was able to secure thirdplace in the East Coast Conference. Visual junior Matthew George hit the game winning buzzer-beater three pointer to win the game. The team finished the regular season with a record of 12-10.

“It was exhilarating,” George said.

[Team captain and communications senior] Elliot Hacker was supposed to take the shot, but he set me up with a great pass. Luckily, the shot went in. All the credit goes to my teammates and coach.”

By Daniel Montoya

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he boys and girls tennis teams season started with the same dedication and drive that brought the team to districts last season and saw two players reach the finals. They also welcomed a new head coach, math teacher Matthew Vaughan.

“We have a strong and competitive team,” visual senior Mitchell Del Mastro said. “We also have a new coach, Mr. Vaughan, who is dedicated and invested in the success of our team. It should be a good year [for the team].”

The team started their regular season with a home match against King’s Academy on Feb. 13.

By Daniel Montoya

VIRTUOSOANDVOLUNTEER C Communications junior Dylan Pollak commits her freetime to promoting foundations and helping those in need lose to 800 community service hours, seven clubs, three AP classes, and two dual enrollment classes. These are all aspects of communications junior Dylan Pollak’s daily life. Between helping out the community and attending schools outside of Dreyfoos, she also finds time to participate in clubs and AP classes.

“The clubs I am involved [in] at Dreyfoos are the Dreyfoos Music Therapy club, Make-A-Wish Foundation club, Na-

tional Honor Society, National English Honor Society, DSOA Today, Communications Honor Society, Film Association club, and A.R.T.S. club,” Pollak said. “I decided to join these clubs because I really loved the message they had, which was to simply help the community.”

Among these many organizations, Pollak is especially dedicated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation club. She has proven her commitment by becoming this club’s co-vice president. Under her guidance, this chapter has spent the year preparing for Valentine’s Day specials, hospital visits, and raising awareness for children’s cancer through various fundraisers.

“I joined the club because all of the officers are so passionate about raising awareness for children with cancer,” Pollak said. “[They] genuinely care about what we are doing.”

Her success in helping others does not go unnoticed. Communications teacher Ancil Deluz recognizes and appreciates Pollak’s involvement in these activities. He constantly encourages her to keep moving forward. “[Pollak’s] enthusiasm and commitment to the communications Arts department makes her stand out amongst her peers,” Dr. Deluz said. “Her contributions are invaluable; she is always willing to share her experiences with her cohorts as well as underclass students.”

Between all of her responsibilities, Pollak still finds the time to mentor individuals at one of her favorite community outreach programs: The Anthony Robbins Foundation Global Youth Leadership Summit.

This is a one-week summer event where she devotes her time to helping others realize their self worth is stronger than they think.

Communications junior Dylan Pollak (right) and her friend, Senghoarng from the Phillipines, say goodbye before leaving The Global Youth Leadership Summit. “We both taught each other how to appreciate the world around us,” Pollak said.

Photo courtesy of Dylan Pollak

“The whole purpose of the summit is [to] make teenagers aware of their self worth and teach them the skills to learn how to love and appreciate themselves,” Pollak said. “I’ve learned confidence, leadership, trusting and goal-building skills.”

Through her service, Pollak has been able to participate in many events that benefit different people. Her work in the community is highly regarded, and she maintains a sense of happiness through all of the difficult work she accomplishes. Pollak’s only reward is the gratitude she is shown and the knowledge that she was able to contribute toward helping others.

“I am incredibly grateful for what life has given me and what others have done for me.

I want to become the best version of myself, and the way I see that being accomplished is to surround myself with many new people with different perspectives than [the ones] I have,” Pollak said. “The more people you meet, the more ideas you begin to create.

Volunteering in these programs does just that; it creates a ripple of happiness to everyone you are surrounded by.”

By Elizabeth White Features / themuseatdreyfoos.com 31

CHRYSTIE TYLER Visual senior Chrystie Tyler has more than 400 hours of community service, after volunteering her time to help others in her school and her community

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n individual’s success is dependent on the support of a community. Visual senior Chrystie Tyler understands that the community is a way for her to achieve her goals as a devoted volunteer. The community has given her a platform to help others, specifically, the disabled. She does so by creating opportunities for special needs students through forming clubs.

“Baking is used as a bridge to bring Dreyfoos students, business owners, and local chefs together with those in the community who have special needs,” Tyler said.

With a dedication for participating in activities and organizations at school, Tyler founded and became president of the Dreyfoos Baking Club. Her purpose for creating the club was to promote appreciation of baking skills, along with the idea of public service.

“I thought that the Baking Club would help others, such as the students at Seagull Academy,” Tyler said.

“These students taught me that learning is meant for sharing, and without it, there would be no growth.”

Tyler’s involvement with the Seagull Academy for Independent Living (SAIL) has allowed her to create friendships with SAIL students, who generally would not participate in much activity outside of their learning. By forming the Dreyfoos Baking Club, Tyler enabled SAIL students to engage with others outside of the academy.

This engagement opportunity helps the students become more independent by doing something that they enjoy.

“The Dreyfoos Baking Club’s goal has always been to teach [SAIL] students life skills when it comes to cooking or baking. It also breaks social barriers to learn more about these students’ lives one-on-one,” Tyler said. “This allows the Seagull students to build more confidence in talking with others and engaging in social conversations.”

Apart from the Dreyfoos Baking Club, Tyler also par-

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ticipated in forming a teen committee known as the Teen Leadership Committee, which further aids the students of SAIL. “The Teen Leadership Committee was created to bring local teens together from area high schools with the common goal of planning events that benefit the students at SAIL,” Tyler said.

Each year, the committee holds The Art & Science of Cooking event, which attracts over 200 people within the community and raises money for a prom night for the SAIL students. “[It’s] an interactive evening of cooking, dining, and art that brings local high school students, business owners, and chefs together with the students from Seagull Academy and their families,” Tyler said. “The Teen Leadership Committee helps to create an annual theme, seeks food donations from area restaurants, and sets up and operates a photo-booth to provide keepsake memories.”

Besides the numerous hours spent working with the students of SAIL and the Dreyfoos students in the Baking Club, Tyler is also a part of Dreyfoos’ chapter of Best Buddies where she serves as the event coordinator.

“I am responsible for the planning and implementation of all group activities and art projects. I also serve as a one-on-one peer buddy and mentor to students with developmental disabilities,” Tyler said.

The community gives Tyler the opportunity to understand people’s feelings, overcome difficult situations, and much more. The community has also given Tyler the chance to strive in helping and aiding others, while coming across new opportunities full of experience and learning.

By Jordan Johnson Photo by Destiny Robinson

Features / themuseatdreyfoos.com 33

STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON

THE “N-WORD”

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Students are surveyed on the everyday use of the n-word and their personal opinion on its usage

he n-word is unique in the English language. On one hand, it is the ultimate insult: a word that has tormented generations of African-Americans.

Yet over time, it has become a popular term of endearment by the descendants of the very people who once had to endure it.

Words often have multiple meanings and evolve, like symbols do. Remember the swastika represented “good fortune” and was a symbol of peace and harmony for centuries—until Adolf Hitler adopted it while murdering 11 million people. Among many young people today—black and white—the n-word’s definition has changed entirely, but many questions regarding the word still remain.

In the early 19th century, the word was

used in front of a common American name in order to be able to distinguish slaves from whites with the same name. The word has gained more acceptance in recent years in youth culture through song lyrics and stand-up comedy. Some claim that the word can be defused through reclaiming it. Overall, giving it new meaning.

“I think it’s a reclaimed slur. When you take something back, it doesn’t have the power that it had before,” theatre junior Skylar Anthony said. “Like okay, yeah, call me the n-word, is that all you got? I feel like it’s okay that it’s in music, but only in the sense that a black person is saying it in the song [...] You shouldn’t mess with something that you don’t have a part of.”

Rap music has a huge impact on our

vocabulary, whether it be Kanye with “Cray”(2011) or Drake with “Woes”(2015); when people hear these words, they add it to their everyday vernacular. The people hearing these words aren’t only black people anymore. Rap has evolved as a genre and the listeners are just as diverse as the rappers themselves. It is a causal occurrence in rap music that the n-word is used as a stand in for every type of person, in every type of situation. Kendrick Lamar is among many rappers who have tried to reclaim the n-word by using it in a positive way, but others don’t entirely take history and select individual’s feelings into account in utilizing the term in their music. In a survey of 144 Dreyfoos students, 27.8 percent of them think that the word should be used,

while 34.7 percent think it shouldn’t, and 37.5 percent of students think it depends on the scenario.

“I don’t think it’s a word that should be thrown around,” communications senior Hannah Dunn said. “I’m not the type to say vulgar terms such as that very often, but I, personally, feel that it shouldn’t be used on the day-to-day basis as a placeholder for something as simple as friend.”

Nine percent of students don’t care who can say the n-word and who can’t. Considering the word’s upbringing, their choice in using the word as they please is seen as a key indicator as to whether you are “woke” or not. Many individuals today even wonder why African-Americans would ever

use the term, many being the 37.5 percent of students that think we shouldn’t be saying it at all.

“I stopped using that word three years ago,” theatre senior Regine Joseph said. “It’s just not necessary. That word was given to the black community as an insult and people still use it as a normal word. Black people say it all the time, and it means nothing to them.

When a white person says it, they get offended, which means that they know that word is offensive and wrong,” The problem has never been whether white people can use the word—they do.

But should they, and if so, when and how?

Quentin Tarantino, a world renowned director known for using the n-word in his films, argues that the power of the word can drive a scene alone according to The Toronto Star.

“The way women talk about men when there are no men around is different from the way women talk about men when there are men around. It’s like, when you say a n***** joke, you gotta use the word or it’s not funny.

It’s only the dirtiness of it, the nastiness of it, that makes it funny,” Tarantino said to The Toronto Star.

Regardless of our opinions, students not only of Dreyfoos but all around need to be aware. Language, from each word to each syllable, and our ownership, as well as our understanding of it, must change in order for us to survive. But, we must also address it and remember its history. To hide and ignore is to sweep the very real everyday experiences of many individuals under the rug without care or concern.

By Alexa Pope

WOKE

adjective, slang. (often used in the phrase stay woke) “actively aware of systemic injustices and prejudices, especially those related to civil and human rights” (Dictionary.com): In light of recent incidents of police brutality, it’s important to stay woke.

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ith the slight chance that you have not seen the term “woke” being utilized in the form of an adjective, this concept may be a new thing for you. The rise in popularity of “woke” has been tied to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which initially surfaced in 2013, following the death of Trayvon Martin. #StayWoke often accompanied social media posts about police brutality, systematic racism, and the industrial prison complex. #StayWoke reminds readers to look past the provided narrative, to examine their own privilege (or lack thereof ). #StayWoke reminds readers that there is more than one reality to life in the United States. The phrases impact has made a mark on social media and music as well.

Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” is a good example.

Graphic by Marianna Kaimakliotis and Jenevieve Norton 34 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Lifestyle

Lifestyle / themuseatdreyfoos.com 35

APPROPRIATION VS. APPRECIATION

There is a stark difference between appreciating different cultures and displaying them in a harmful way

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n this day and age, sharing cultures has become a thing that is “the norm,” thanks to the internet. Like most of the content on this bittersweet medium, oftentimes even the most innocent of things turn vile, and ignorance is replaced by insensitivity. When deciding whether partaking in another country’s culture is offensive or not, people are more confused than ever as to what they should do.

Cultural appropriation, as defined by “Oxford Reference,” is “a term used to describe the taking over of creative or artistic forms, themes, or practices by one cultural group from another.” This could go anywhere from taking a hairstyle to an actual ritual.

Cultural appreciation is learning about the said culture respectively and participating in it in a way that is not offensive. The line between the two has become so blurred that most are not really sure what counts as one or the other. Sometimes what can define an act as one or the other is up to the person themselves.

An obvious example of appropriation would be Halloween costumes: saris, kimonos, box braids, turbans, sombreros, and many more are used to impersonate people of that culture. When someone puts on those kinds of masks, they often act in a stereotypical way that mocks the people of that culture without thinking about how the culture wants to be perceived. For those in costume, at the end of the day they can just take off their outfit and resume their normal identities, but for the people of that culture, they can’t take off that

part of who they are. Unless you have deeply connected roots with that culture, (and not because you’re 1/16 Cherokee) it’s best to play it safe and go as a ghost for Halloween.

Another example is when the shoe brand TOMS released a line of shoes that looked very similar, if not identical, to the traditional Mexican shoe ‘el huarache.’ Latinos were outraged because for hundreds of years, Mexicans have worn the huarache, and often were ridiculed and called “dirty” or “poor.”

Now that it’s suddenly a fashion trend, everyone wants to have a pair for an outrageous price. Instead of supporting a local craftsmen by buying their shoes for as cheap as $25, people would rather buy them from TOMS for as high as $129.

Henna is also debated. Henna is traditionally used in Hindu wedding ceremonies, as well as for other special occasions. The intricate designs hold a lot of meaning about love and strength for that marriage, so when someone wears it just because it looks cool, it robs henna from its importance. According to The Huffington Post, henna and its many uses have also been referred to many times in the Muslim’s Hadith literature, as well as in some Jewish celebrations. Not only was henna used for medicine but also for pre-wedding ceremonies. Without knowing where the henna came from or why it is used, ignorance, instead of “empowerment” or “beauty,” spreads.

Some things that would count as appreciation and not appropriation would be participating in cultural activities without turning them into a joke. Activities like yoga and belly dancing are fun and nice ways to indulge in these cultures. Food and music are also ways to appreciate a culture, as well as buying crafts from locals. Even listening when people from these cultures talk about and identify real problems that pertain to them.

So what should you do if you’re not sure? It’s always good to check up if what you are planning on doing is culturally insensitive, but don’t let that deter you from wanting to participate in that culture.

We live in a society that is very ready to jump on anyone who does even the slightest thing wrong. As long as you are respectful, and wellinformed about what you’re doing, you should have no problem at all in enlightening yourself and others about another culture.

By Daniela Esquenazi

HOW REAL IS REALITY TV? Reality TV shows are not always everything they claim to be

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hy is it that we live in a world where reality television is really the exact opposite of what it’s supposed to be? Rather than taking place in reality, as their category title wildly suggests, these shows are often scripted, fictionalizing family life or ridiculous drama in the hopes of drawing in more viewers. Viewers may envy the energetic life of the Kardashians, while assuming that anyone living in the South acts like Honey Boo Boo and her family. But not everything on the screen is always as it seems, and while anyone can have a reality show, not everyone can put up the act for the cameras.

Reality TV was not prominent until the late ‘90s and early 2000s when, according to Fox News, shows like “Survivor,” “American Idol,” and “Big Brother” achieved critical and commercial success. These competition programs set records in terms of viewership and opened the floodgates for shows based on reality. But the most prominent of reality shows that began to pop up were based on the premise of following

a family or group of people and filming the things that happen in their daily lives. “The Osbournes” and “The Simple Life” are early examples, garnering audiences that wanted to get a raw, behind-the-scenes look at some of their favorite celebrities.

Since then, things have dramatically changed. Reality television has grown to a level never seen before, as all forms of these shows can be found on most networks. But with this growth, the reputation of these shows has fallen far from where it began.

Theories have sprung up that a number of shows are scripted and rarely impromptu, mainly due to contestants or celebrities coming forward and revealing hidden secrets.

The popular A&E series “Storage Wars” caught heat after a former cast member left, claiming that many items found in these abandoned storage units were placed there for the show. According to the International Business Times, “Dance Moms,” a show about the drama behind the lives of moms of young dancers, has received criticism from some for its apparently staged fights.

Young dancer Maddie Ziegler, who frequently appears on the show, has admitted that much of the fights and conversations are scripted.

Even competition shows have been accused of being fake. A former contestant of the cooking competition program “Masterchef ” claimed the entire show was completely “rigged,” purely for entertainment purposes, according to Daily Mail.

Whether one thinks watching the Kardashians live glamorous lifestyles is a waste of time or not is another conversation, but the evidence shows that reality, according to TV, isn’t actually reality. Maybe audiences wouldn’t be as entertained if there weren’t scripted scenes, but that defeats the whole purpose of the show. It’s about viewers getting a look at the real life truth, and everything they see appears to be the opposite.

By Cody Baez

Graphics by Chloe Girod

Graphic by Daniela Esquenazi 36 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Lifestyle

Entertainment / themuseatdreyfoos.com 37

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Musicals are taking over the entertainment industry, bringing song and dance to the silver screen

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Photo courtesy of Lionsgate Films

hile TV shows and movies continue to pour out through this past decade, the entertainment industry lacked some endearing musicality.

However, within recent years, Hollywood and Broadway have crossed paths; musicals are now coming back to both the public eye and the big screen.

Most recently, in 2015, the musical “Hamilton” was the first production to turn heads. The musical took a new take on American history; it was a rap/R&B show about the Founding Fathers, specifically the rather dramatic life of Alexander Hamilton.

According to the New York Times, “Hamilton” is “a theatrical rarity: a critically acclaimed work, written by a young composer, that’s making a cultural impact far beyond Broadway’s 40 theaters.” Because “Hamilton” has been able to connect with the younger generations of the United States, other productions throughout Hollywood and Broadway have been creating new musicals with a twist.

The CW show “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” has been met with skyrocketing success, with a 98 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, only at two seasons. According to EP Guides, the show is usually on every Friday night. Season 2 ended on Feb. 3, but Season 3 is scheduled to return in fall of 2017. However, you can also watch previous seasons on Hulu.

The storyline for “Crazy Ex Girlfriend” follows a girl named Rebecca Bunch who restarts her life in a Los Angeles suburb because she feels like something is missing in her old home in Manhattan. It is a comedy musical TV series that features its own songs. The show is successful; the lead ac-

tress Rachel Bloom won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, with the show itself winning five other awards regarding its comedy and choreography aspects.

“Pitch Perfect,” released in 2012, is a comedic musical that features the story of a new college student who finds she fits best in her college’s all-female acapella group, “The Barden Bellas.” Although all of the girls in the group are very different—which causes quite a few problems—their love for sing-

HOLLYWOOD AND BROADWAY HAVE CROSSED PATHS; MUSICALS ARE NOW COMING BACK TO BOTH THE PUBLIC EYE AND THE BIG SCREEN. ing brings them together as they dominate the acapella competitions throughout the country.

In regards to “Pitch Perfect,” S. Jhoanna Robledo, a journalist for Common Sense Media, said, “It’s a joy to watch a comedy like this, which wraps you up in belly laughs and catchy songs and makes whatever ails you seem far, far away.” After a successful first film, the sequel, “Pitch Perfect 2” was made and released in the spring of 2015. Although it was not quite as profitable, the sequel was still popular. According to Rotten Tomatoes, “[Pitch Perfect 2] sings in sweet comedic harmony, even if it doesn’t hit quite

as many high notes as its predecessor,” and a third movie is in the making. “Pitch Perfect 3” is scheduled to be released on Dec. 2017.

Another production linking the Hollywood and Broadway spheres of entertainment is the recent romantic musical drama, “La La Land,” featuring a couple played by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone who experience the trials and tribulations of falling in love. The movie is still in theaters, but the music can be purchased on iTunes.

The film has been met with astounding reactions from its audience. It recently won seven Golden Globe Awards and was nominated for 14 Oscars in regards to best musical, best score, best song, and best acting.

According to Ian Freer, a journalist from Empire, “[The movie is] audacious, retro, funny and heartfelt. ‘La La Land’ is the latest great musical for people who don’t like musicals – and will slap a mile-wide smile across the most miserable of faces.”

As we move into 2017, there are many more musicals to keep our eyes on. A remake of “Beauty and the Beast” in live action is coming to theatres on March 17, a musical adaptation of the film “Amelie” is hitting the stage April 3, as well as a musical adaptation of a film favorite of the ‘90s, Bill Murray’s “Groundhog Day” on April 17. It seems that while many quintessential movies and stories of the past are being remade into exciting music-filled productions, the classic scores of Broadway have moved onto the silver screen and into our Netflix binge-watching shows.

By Noa Kroyter

Entertainment / themuseatdreyfoos.com 39

on the Web

Watch a video recap of the many elaborate outfits, competitive activities, and energized dances that comprised Spirit Week 2017.

This year’s St. Baldrick’s Day featured live music, poetry readings, and viewing of haircuts and shavings for the audience. Check out The Muse’s coverage of the lively event.

Recording artist and record producer J. Cole uses his voice to speak out against racial issues and inequality

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ap and protests have had a close relationship ever since “NWA’s” “F*** tha Police,” earned a letter from the FBI. At the time of the track’s release, rap was beginning to reflect the atmosphere of the inner city that previously lacked a voice.

This new style, known technically as political hip hop, was a sub genre derived from the personal lives of rappers and their perspective on the world. For J. Cole, whose career began almost twenty years later, this medium has allowed him to relieve racial tensions decades in the making.

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IT’S A COLE WORLD

Despite progress made in recent years, Hollywood is still sorely deficient in gender, racial, and ethnic diversity. Read The Muse’s take on this controversial social issue.

Read up on the string department’s second orchestra concert of the year, which will feature a wide array of music.

“J Cole 3” by HD Photoshoots is licsensed under CC by 2.0 40 themuseatdreyfoos.com

It was on Aug. 9, 2014. Michael Brown, a black teen, was gunned down by a police officer in Ferguson, Miss. As the city erupted in a series of riots, social media captured it all in the phrase: “Black Lives Matter.” The music industry was not silent either, six days later, rapper J. Cole released the song “Be Free,” a poignant protest song over sorrowful keyboard chords. It became the most-talked about track on Twitter in the United States hours after being posted. J. Cole’s lyrics were especially evocative coming from the perspective of a black man seeing himself in the death of Brown. “All we want to do is break the chains off,” Cole sings. “All we want to do is be free.”

On his blog, “Dreamvillain,” he expanded on his motives for releasing the track. “We become distracted.

We become numb. I became numb. But not anymore. That coulda been me, easily. It could have been my best friend. I’m tired of being desensitized to the murder of black men. I don’t [care] if it’s by police or peers. This [...] is not normal.”

Two years later, the temperature of the Black Lives Matter movement has only risen. In April 2016, along with other hip hop stars like Chance the Rapper, Nicki Minaj, and DJ Khaled, J.Cole was invited to the White House to attend the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative. The initiative was introduced in 2015 to help people of color fight back against racial injustice. In J. Cole’s latest single released

on MLK day, “High for Hours,” J.Cole talks about how he brought his concerns to president Obama. “Raised my hand and asked a man a question/ Does he see the struggle of his brother in oppression?/ And if so, if you got all the power and the clout/ As the President, what’s keepin’ you from helpin’ [black people] out?”

These tensions between J. Cole’s personal life and racial injustice climaxed in March of 2016. As helicopters circled over his house in North Carolina, a SWAT team broke open the door to find an empty recording studio.

A neighbor had reported that the property had been used to produce illegal drugs, instead only mics and stereos were found. In the song “Neighbors,” J. Cole references the incident. “I can’t sleep ‘cause I’m paranoid/ Black in a white man’s territory/ Cops bust in with army guns/ No evidence of the harm we done/ Just a couple neighbors that assume we slang/ Only time they see us we be on the news in chains.”

J. Cole’s producer Elite explains that the predominantly white neighborhood had been wary of the young African American musicians frequenting the house.

“Because of obvious racism from the neighbors, the police were called and a raid took place,” Elite said to Complex.

Whether racism be in the world around him or in his personal life, J. Cole’s ability to put the beliefs of an entire movement into music has placed him as a reputable artist in 2017.

By Ariane Dixon

DID YOU KNOW In 2015, J. Cole bought his childhood home in Fayetteville, NC. He turned it into a rent-free safe haven for single mothers.

Entertainment / themuseatdreyfoos.com 41

Why did you switch majors from dance to theatre?

The part I like most about dance is telling a story through movements.

A lot of times, as a part of the dance department, I felt that it was [more of a competition of ] what you could do or how good you were instead of how well you could tell a story. That’s what I like more about the theatre aspect of dance and that pulled me into singing and acting as well. Later, I realized that [to combine my passions], I wanted to dance on Broadway, and that I enjoy that form of dance more.

How did you get into doing makeup?

In sixth grade, my cousin who was very into makeup slept over at my house and taught me how to apply it. From then on, I just started experimenting with [makeup]. After I got through the stages of learning what works with my skin type, I just experimented until I started liking what I saw. At the beginning of this year, I learned [I] could compete in makeup and realized I could do makeup that [wasn’t] normal and be expressive with it.

How did it feel to win the Critic’s Choice Award?

The ratings [at ITS States] are good, excellent, and superior, and I went in thinking I was going to get an “excellent.” [But when I actually went inside], I was so scared, and I presented [the makeup], having self doubt, thinking “Oh, it’s over, [the makeup] isn’t even good,” but when the judges chose me as the Critic’s Choice winner, I couldn’t believe it. I said to myself, “What the heck?” It felt really, really good, because I wasn’t expecting it at all. [I felt] better about the way that I did makeup.

Which of your makeup arragements won at ITS? I did the makeup for a show called “Midas,” and on [theatre junior] Alexia Pores [who played Midas’ daughter]. I put gold flakes all over

her face and neck, as if it was strangling her. The lipstick had golden glitter in it, and I put some gold in her eyebrows as well. My favorite part, however, was the fact that the gold was all over her, as if she was turning into gold. I also did a blue highlight on Poseidon, [played by theatre junior Devin Butera], and [applied makeup on] Aphrodite.For Aphrodite, I did a glowing base with lots of highlights and shimmers, [and] a really pretty pink and red crease as well as a pink lip and a rose gold eyelid.

Who are your makeup inspirations?

I’m very into the YouTube [makeup] industry, [especially] Jaclyn Hill. I really like her style of makeup, and she’s a very confident and powerful woman. I also like Manny Gutierrez (MannyMua on YouTube). I love that he is able to express himself, especially in the beauty world.

I am attracted to the beauty world because it is so open to loving everyone. There’s so much you can do with makeup; it’s [limitless]. If you’re a boy, you’re fine; if you like doing green lips, that’s really cool. I just really like how accepting people are. I think [Manny] embodies that.

Q&A

EXPOSURE Kimberly Gilbert

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heatre majors yearly attend International Thespian Society (ITS) States, a competition in which students bring sets and prepare monologues and songs. Theatre junior Kimberly Gilbert presented photos of makeup done for past shows.

Gilbert was awarded a Critic’s Choice Award for makeup she had done for a show titled “Midas.”

How do you want to merge musical theatre and makeup into both your career at Dreyfoos and outside of Dreyfoos as well?

I really want to go to college for musical theatre and start auditioning for things, because there’s not one set path on how to get to Broadway. If I can’t get a job as a performer, I could get a job as a makeup artist. With makeup though, I’m trying to become a freelance makeup artist, and I want to get an [aesthetician certificate] so I can start doing it more.

When you’re on Broadway, you’re never guaranteed a job, it’s not a 9 [a.m.] to 5 [p.m.]. As a survival job, many actors and actresses waitress, but I really want to do makeup.

By Ruby Rosenthal Photo by Destiny Robinson