The Muse Volume 14 Issue 1

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Volume 14w Issue 1w October 2016 Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

DREYFOOS

UNDRESSED Dress code enforcement creates controversy.

Pg. 19 - 22

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Volume 14 // Issue 1 // October 2016

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his year has brought many changes to Dreyfoos and The Muse. We have a new adviser, communications teacher Carly Gates, and relocated our publication room to the Building 1 basement, also known as the dungeon. Although we now spend most of our time underground, we continue to bring you fresh stories and new ideas. We hope you enjoy our new fonts and layouts, such as Q&As, which have been added to this first issue.

Most importantly, The Muse brings you a sensitive and objective story about our dress code, showing how this multifaceted subject is affecting the Dreyfoos population. As we planned “Dreyfoos Undressed,� we saw the subject of dress code grow. Throughout the research process, we unmasked rumors and preconceived notions about the changes and their purpose. A story must be seen from both sides for the real story to become visible. This article will foster positive discussion and help both faculty and students gain a better understanding of our dress code.

We look forward to another year of writing interesting stories, taking captivating pictures, and designing innovative layouts that reflect the creativity and uniqueness of Dreyfoos.

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Contents

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(Top left) Photo by Lorenzo Romano, (Top middle) Photo by Julia Bonavita, (Top right) Cartoon by Katheryn Stenberg, (Bottom right) Photo courtesy of Michael Bole, (Bottom left) Photo courtesy of Nikki Licktein, (Center top left) Photo by Julia Horneck, (Center bottom left) Graphic by Alia Payne, (Center right) Photo by Julia Bonavita 2 themuseatdreyfoos.com

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32 16 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.

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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Cartoon by Alia Payne

STAFFEDITORIAL

It’s time to bring the cap back to the cap and gown ceremony

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raduates draped in black robes mill around the gates. Among the colorful ropes that festoon the 2016 graduates’ necks, a bright purple and yellow cord stands out. An honor society didn’t give it out though, the Women’s Empowerment Club did.

“The week of Senior Sign Out, I commented on a post on the senior class [Facebook] page that I believed in women’s rights and got a cord,” Dreyfoos alumna (‘16) Riley Freese said.

As honor cords continue to be handed out like candy, they have become less a representation of academic achievement, and more of a representation of how much a student wants to boost their résumé. The honor cord has become a measuring stick for one’s success during high school. Pressure to look like a high-achiever on paper and in graduations causes students to join groups they

have no interest in, wear older siblings’ cords, or even buy them online.

In order to look distinguished on graduation day, students scramble to join honor societies. But the pounds of rope that cover graduates’ necks now weren’t always there.

“Dreyfoos used to cap the amount of honor cords a graduate could wear,” Assistant Principal Leo Barrett said. “The principal before Dr. Susan Atherley allowed only three cords to be worn at graduation.”

It’s time to bring the cap back to the cap and gown ceremony. Dreyfoos needs to limit the amount of honor cords one can wear to graduation. It’s nice to wear honor cords to represent achievement, but if a student is joining a club because of the honor cord, it wastes the honor society’s and the student’s time.

Dreyfoos can stop this cold war of

cords by limiting the amount of cords that can be worn. This would not only stop the stockpiling, but also help honor societies too. These societies are over bloated with members who join for the cord, and as a result, spend more time keeping members in line instead of carrying out events.

“It’s not fair to the honor society if people are half-heartedly participating,” piano senior and National Honor Society President Natalie Shteiman said.

By placing a limit on honor cords, Dreyfoos can bring order and balance to something that seems so physically insignificant, but so psychologically important to graduates. By Muse Staff

Contributor: Michael Wang

Opinion / themuseatdreyfoos.com 5

THIRD I POINT

n November, it will be time to elect the next president of the United States of America.

This year’s presidential race has been a historic one. The major party candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, have been bringing a lot of heat with their campaigns.

However, many people forget to consider the passionate third-party candidates who are ready and willing to make a positive impact on our nation.

People who are more conservative might side with Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate. The Libertarian Party is, generally, socially liberal, but conservative in all other aspects. The Libertarian platform’s slogan, “minimum government, maximum freedom,” is similar to the ideas put forth by the Republican Party. As American society continues to be shaped by younger generations coming of age, the American population is becoming increasingly socially liberal. It’s safe to say that Republicans who are slightly more progressive, as well as right-wing independents, will find Johnson to be the most ideal candidate in this race.

Upon losing the nomination, Bernie Sanders endorsed Clinton for president. However, many of Sanders’ supporters ignored this and decided to follow the mantra of “Bernie or Bust,” meaning that if Sanders cannot get the nomination, then nobody should. These Sanders supporters are turning to Jill Stein of the Green Party in this year’s election. “Bernie or Bust” members can find appeal in the Green Party’s liberal stances, as well as see the benefits of the party’s large focus on preserving the environment. If Stein is elected, there could be a significant improvement in the amount of attention that the U.S. puts into environmental issues. Stein is most certainly a viable option for left-leaning voters.

The citizens of this country have the power to make a difference in the government. Instead of settling for an unfavorable president, voters have to realize that there are other options. It’s never too late to try to push for a different candidate. If Americans are truly seeking change, a new breed of politician needs to be given the opportunity to impact society on a presidential scale. By Noa Kroyter

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PARTY VOTING

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MANY ARE UPSET OVER THE CHOICES FOR PRESIDENT. ARE THIRD PARTIES LEGITIMATE OPTIONS FOR DISCONTENTED DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS?

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COUNTERPOINT

he 2016 presidential candidates have made history as the most unpopular since 1980. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump are the most hated candidates in recent memory. But it is exactly because they are so hated that voting for a third-party candidate would be irresponsible.

Regardless of where someone falls on the political spectrum, the other side is so antithetical that voting third party is dangerous.

For liberals and progressives, Trump represents the bigotry that they are determined to avoid. For conservatives, Clinton is the embodiment of the politician that they fear most. Both Republicans and Democrats who vote third party are breaking their responsibility from their party and from the country as a whole.

Main party voters’ greatest responsibility is to stop the candidate who is contradictory to their ideology. This is a fundamental job of all voters in democracy. As the election stands right now, that is the most important job of all voters, even if they disagree with the candidate at the top of the ticket. Essentially, both of the presidential candidates represent a blend of politics that is fundamentally dangerous to the other side of the aisle.

In this election, voting matters. Even in states that are historically uncompetitive, the race for electoral votes is tight, such states include Texas, Georgia, and Missouri. This tension can be felt even stronger in swing states.

This makes voting more essential as the value of each vote increases in contested elections.

Both moderates and inner-party dissidents are the most valuable voters. When an individual votes third party, they have no impact on the final outcome of the election. Not voting or voting third party is essentially a wasted vote.

Third parties are important to American democracy. However, in the 2016 presidential election, the risks are too great of selecting the wrong president. In this election, it is irresponsible to not vote for either of the two main party candidates. The 2016 election is historic; not being a part of deciding history by voting third party breaks the core fundamentals of being a voter. By Jack Yan

Cartoon by Kathryn Stenberg

Opinion / themuseatdreyfoos.com 7

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TAKING A STAND

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Sitting for the national anthem has resulted in a political uproar of ignorance and animosity

olin Kaepernick, NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, has taken a stand. Except he hasn’t stood at all. On Aug. 26, before a preseason game, Kaepernick decided to protest racial inequality by sitting during the national anthem.

Kaepernick is not alone; the advent of social media into everyday life has triggered massive responses to political movements and protests. Awareness is always key to a movement’s initial success, but hashtags are not enough to make change, and neither is sitting for the anthem. These actions only take away from the movement.

Given the media’s influence with images of violent riots, naïve social media posts, and radical supporters, it is no surprise that Black Lives Matters reputation is so poor. Videos of people stomping on police cars and bashing windows in cities like Charlotte and Milwaukee are commonplace. This display of violence is only a mere sliver of a cause that, in actuality, is filled with peaceful protests and intellectual thought.

While Kaepernick’s decision does raise

awareness for the cause, it hardly solves anything. Many Americans seem to find his action to be disrespectful and ignorant toward what the flag represents.

Despite creating increasing conflict, Kaepernick has done a noble thing for his cause.

In one week, as a mediocre backup quarterback, Kaepernick has topped the NFL online store jersey sales and decided to donate over $1 million to organizations recognizing racial inequality. I’m willing to recognize that success, but I can’t help but shake the thought that it is not his actions but the response to his actions that has caused more harm than good.

Most people haven’t heard of his extensive effort to make change. The headline will always be about sitting or standing instead of the actual problems that are facing this country today. The problem lies in the vocal majority of both sides to any conflict. Those against the movement attack an individual or generalize a whole movement by the actions of few instead of educating themselves on the topic and working toward a real resolu-

tion. Supporters should lay off the tweets and meaningless hashtags and actually contact senators and local representatives to take real action. Making real change takes real work.

All great political revolutions have come from winning over the people.

Martin Luther King Jr. set a model for this with his fight for civil rights. His marches and speeches, all in the name of peace, swayed the country into progress. Rosa Parks made her point against racial injustice without harming anyone; Kaepernick as well.

Times have changed, and support for these movements is no longer what it was. Black Lives Matter has swayed from its original success. Aggressive keyboard warriors and Kaepernick’s supposed attack against America are now how many perceive the movement. It’s clear that it is not Black Lives Matter that is flawed, but by the way society reacts. Despite his entirely peaceful protest, Black Lives Matter’s legitimacy as a serious cause is only deteriorating in the eyes of those who know no better. By Riley O’Connor The Muse encourages students to continue this discussion. Read the Editorial Policy for information on submitting a letter to the editor.

Cartoon by Kathryn Stenberg

Opinion / themuseatdreyfoos.com 9

Social studies teacher Katie Sheridan helps students in AICE International History. Ms. Sheridan is part of the first group of AICE teachers at Dreyfoos.

Photo by Julia Bonavita

MAKE SPACE FOR AICE

Dreyfoos adds AICE Diploma to the curriculum, boosting the number of college-level courses available

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ince its start in 1997, The Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma, created by the University of Cambridge, has become a popular form of advanced education in countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Egypt.

The University of Cambridge defines its AICE General Paper course as the following: “[AICE] encourages learners to develop a maturity of critical thought and argument, and a mastery of expression in the English language.”

Starting this year, Dreyfoos offers freshmen an AICE General Paper course as well as an AICE history course for sophomores. The AICE General Paper course is an English program that revolves around essay-based writing. The course encompasses both topics from the designated subject, in this case General Paper and history, and outside knowledge. The addition of the AICE program 10 themuseatdreyfoos.com / News

to Dreyfoos was prompted by a joint effort of the administration.

“The [AICE] program will potentially increase the number of Bright Futures Scholarships,” school counselor Georgia Mounce said.

I LIKE THE [AICE] CURRICULUM BECAUSE IT CHALLENGES ME TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. -COMMUNICATIONS FRESHMAN REBECCA BOSS One of the largest AICE programs in Palm Beach County belongs to Boca Raton High School. Implemented in 2009 as the county’s first permanent AICE program, the school reports that 1,322 students have earned an AICE diploma.

All of the students who accomplish this, regardless of SAT scores, are eligible for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarships.

Dreyfoos brought these AICE programs into the school this year to broaden students’ critical thinking skills.

“The AICE General Paper program is a writing course that involves current events,” English and AICE General Paper teacher Heather Rose said. “It helps get kids to think about their community and the world around them and apply that to writing.”

The AICE General Paper course not only teaches students to read current events, but shows them how to apply their newfound knowledge to their writing.

“The AICE program is a great way to learn how to write,” Ms. Rose said. “Since most English classes are writing-based, it provides a great foundation [later on].”

English teacher Peggy Mellon, also an AICE General Paper teacher at Drey-

foos, has been teaching the curriculum for four years. Her teaching career started at Seminole Ridge High School where she began teaching pre-AP courses. Ms. Mellon came to Dreyfoos to teach the new AICE General Paper program. She immediately gravitated to the AICE program’s style of teaching.

“Students are able to learn about all different kinds of issues and how they interconnect with one another,” Ms. Mellon said.

Ms. Rose and Ms. Mellon both give their students homework that involves reading and prep work, mostly consisting of annotating articles from Upfront Magazine, an informative magazine for students created by the New York Times.

In their annotations, the students are able to write down questions or try to determine the main idea of the piece. In class, students are shown how to incorporate what they have learned from these articles into their essays.

Ms. Rose has her students practice their writing in class in order to make sure that she can help them through the essay writing process.

DID YOU KNOW To receive an AICE Diploma, one must get seven credits from three subject groups: mathematics and science, languages, and arts and humanities.

“This course provides a great writing foundation for higher level English

classes that the student will either take in high school or college,” Ms. Rose said.

Overall, freshmen taking the AICE General Paper program seem to be taking to it well. Communications freshman Rebecca Boss has found that even though the course is more rigorous, it is worth it because the course is structured in a way that keeps her attention.

“I like the [AICE] curriculum because it challenges me to think outside the box,” Boss said.

The future of the AICE program at Dreyfoos is uncertain. This year will serve as a trial period in order to see if one day, the curriculum and the arts at Dreyfoos can be intertwined. Mrs. Ferrera’s goal is to incorporate the AICE curriculum into the arts program at Dreyfoos. This new form of teaching and learning will help broaden all students’ minds and perspectives on the world.

By Zoe Romano and Trace Podder

News / themuseatdreyfoos.com 11

BRIEFS

MORE TEACHERS JOIN DREYFOOS COMMUNITY

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Communications senior Yadira Rosales talks to science teacher Julie Owen. Ms. Owen taught at Suncoast last year; she is one of the 16 new teachers at Dreyfoos. Photo by Julia Bonavita

NEW LEVEL 3 AND 4 OFFENSE SYSTEM IMPLEMENTED

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reyfoos administration has communicated a zero tolerance approach to disciplinary issues this school year.

“A school district recommendation came through in the summer for magnet schools to adhere to a firmer discipline policy,” Assistant Principal Leo Barrett said.

Level 3 incidents, which make up the majority of offenses, include fighting, robbery, verbal assault, and drug possession.

Level 4 incidents are far more severe and include intent to sell drugs, aggravated assault, and homicide. “[Administration] decided collectively not to tolerate drugs, alcohol, and bullying,” Assistant Principal Corey Ferrera said.

Students who commit a level 3 or 4 incident will be asked to leave Dreyfoos and return to their home schools with no 12 themuseatdreyfoos.com / News

option of probation. This ensures that students in violation are not taking up spots that could be filled by other qualified students.

“Parents may think it’s unfair if their child is put on a waitlist while someone who commits a level 3 or 4 incident is put on probation,” school counselor Georgia Mounce said. “I have had students come to me crying because they were put on a wait list.”

Administration agrees that level 3 and 4 discipline reforms will improve Dreyfoos in the long term.

“It’s too early to tell, but it’s better for the school that these tougher policies are in place,” Mr. Barrett said. “I would say I do believe they’re working.” By Zachary DeCastro

tudents welcomed 16 new teachers this school year. Every teacher brings a unique past and new learning experience. “[My first day teaching] was overwhelming, in a good kind of way,” social studies teacher Javier Mora said. “I used to be a student here, and I was really excited to be on the other side of that student-teacher relationship. This is my first full time teaching career.”

There are new teachers in the English, dance, math, physical education, science, social studies, theatre, and vocal departments.

“All the other English teachers have been super helpful,” English teacher Heather Hilend said. “My favorite part about class is to hear how elevated student’s thoughts are.”

By Carleigh Dickinson

NEW SGA REPRESENTATIVES ANNOUNCED

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n a new initiative, the Dreyfoos Student Government Association (SGA) selected one representative from each grade level. This effort was intended to incorporate students from each grade level.

The freshman SGA representative is communications freshman Quinn Jacobs, the sophomore representative is piano sophomore Karen Copeland, the junior representative is theatre junior Riley Russell, and the senior representative is communications senior Lorenzo Romano.

“I saw this as a chance to be involved and help represent my class for a great year,” Copeland said.

By Carleigh Dickinson

ESE Coordinator Julie Craver donates blood on Sept. 23 at the NHS hosted blood drive.

(L-R) Strings senior Sarah King and band senior Anna Kevelson provide Zika testing forms to prospective blood donors. Photos by Julia Bonavita

Dance junior Vanessa Selk prepares to donate blood at the school blood drive. Free food was given out to all donors.

ZIKA FEVER W

ith concerns of the Zika virus surfacing in Florida, The Food and Drug Administration now requires that all blood banks and donation centers test blood for the virus. When it comes to Dreyfoos’ National Honor Society blood drive, there is no exception.

“This year, because of the Zika outbreak, along with consent forms, every single participant had to get the Zika form signed by a parent, [even if they were old enough to donate without it],” blood drive coordinator and dance senior Jordan Wohl said.

This year NHS collaborated with OneBlood to hold their first blood drive event of the year on Sept. 23.

Though the event ran smoothly, threat of the Zika virus hung heavily in the air.

According to the website of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention

Concerns of Zika prompt OneBlood to conduct mandatory disease testing at National Honor Society blood drives for the first time.

(CDCP), there have been 43 locally acquired, laboratory-confirmed cases of Zika in the state of Florida. Zika can likely spread through blood transfusions, but this has not been confirmed by the CDCP. “We do have to fill out more forms now [as a precaution for Zika,] but I think overall it’s a really good thing,” band senior Catherine Hurley said. “It shows that OneBlood is really being careful about the blood they take and the blood they are going to use to help people.”

Many people show mild to no symptoms if they have Zika, but it presents a danger to pregnant women. The CDCP details that a pregnant woman infected with Zika puts her child at risk of Microcephaly, a condition where a baby’s head is significantly smaller than normal.Microcephaly causes brain abnor-

malities, eye defects, hearing loss, and impaired growth.

“I had no worries about Zika,” blood drive coordinator and dance senior Kylee Swenson said. “The only way Zika has affected the school blood drives is [that] now all students must bring in the signed consent forms regarding Zika.”

Students at Dreyfoos were able to overlook concerns about the Zika virus in order to help their community and those around them. Overall, there were 102 whole blood donations and nine platelet donations.

“I didn’t mind that they took the Zika precautions. I’m glad they checked,” strings junior Emily Maio said. “It’s a great cause to donate to, and you never know how your blood can help save someone’s life. I felt really accomplished after.” By Carleigh Dickinson News / themuseatdreyfoos.com 13

CULTIVATING AN ARTIST MINDSET Once again, Dreyfoos students, surrounded by greenery in California, expand their philosophies, arts, and academics at The Oxbow School

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rees scatter the landscape; birds students with a break on Tuesday and sing tantalizing tunes; vines filled Thursday mornings to engage in orgawith plump grapes scale a build- nized exercise activities including biking, ing adjacent to a pristine lake. Nestled yoga, hiking, kayaking, and recreational in the sloping hillsides of Napa Valley, sports. Fridays are reserved for immersive California, The Oxbow School aims to experiences to art galleries, museums, or strengthen students’ expertise in both even nearby popular cities such as Berkecreative and critical areas by combining ley and San Francisco. intensive studio art practice with innova“The academics were really different,” tive academics.

Gerber said. “I wrote a seven “[Oxbow] inspires students to open page paper while I was there their eyes and focus on fields of occu- about psychology and human pation that art can be combined with,” connections, which not only visual dean Lacey Van Reeth said. “The helped me understand the hufuture is creativity; as the world changes man brain, but also impacted my and new cultures are created.” artwork and provided a source of Many past and present Dreyfoos stu- inspiration.” dents have strode into this school includFurthermore, Oxbow educates ing visual juniors Mya Heavener and students on current issues in reSean Pearl, visual senior Celia Gerber, gional, national, and global levand digital junior Destiny Robinson. els, and teaches them to utilize “The visual dethe subject manner in partment showed THE ENVIRONMENT, their artistic works. us a presentation “Students are exTHE ACADEMICS, THE posed to parts of the about Oxbow in FOCUS ON ART. world that’s not like 9th grade, and I EVERYTHING WAS their normal surwas super excited about it already,” ATTRACTIVE TO ME. roundings,” Ms. Van Heavener said.

Reeth said. “It’s not “The environment, on a normal basis - VISUAL JUNIOR MYA that students go on a the academics, the HEAVENER walk to an awesome focus on art. Everything was atnature trail or a natractive to me.” tional park. Students look much Split into semester-long sessions in the deeper in themselves.” spring and fall, students are pushed to Pearl is delving into the acleave the solace of home and pursue an ademics and art classes offered at the untrodden path of personal growth.

Napa school.

In many ways, Oxbow is structured “A lot of things Oxbow’s taught me so not like a traditional high school but a far are just the basics because school just college. It’s crafted to allow for classroom started, but [the concepts] have already learning and studio art sessions, yet pro- opened my eyes to videography,” Pearl vides students with ample time and a said. great degree of freedom to complete inOxbow has a Visiting Artist program, dividual work on assignments and per- in which twice each semester nationalsonal art projects. ly-recognized figures in the artistic comOxbow prioritizes exercise and recog- munity join the faculty in residence. Past nizes the importance of connecting the artists-in-residence have included the Art mind with the body. The school provides Guys, Paul Kos, Christopher Brown, and 14 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Arts

Hung Liu. “Students come back more mature, they essentially push themselves harder,” Ms. Van Reeth said. “[The style of teaching at Oxbow] is very systematic.

Students have to work from [smaller projects] and make their way up to larger projects.”

Dreyfoos students will return from Oxbow next semester, adding once again more perspectives on art and living to campus. By Ashley Brundage and

Jennifer Jia

During studio hours, (top four photos) Oxbow students work on individual projects and homework assignments.

In painting class, (bottom right) students were tasked with creating a painting that represented a tangible memory. The artwork is displayed on the school’s walls. Photos

by Destiny Robinson

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Theatre

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ontinuing a trend of new teachers, the theatre department saw the departure of former dean Bruce Linser and the institution of a new department head: Bradley Barfield, as well as a new musical theatre teacher Michael Lerson. The theatre department is rehearsing for the upcoming Addams Family play to premiere on Oct. 28. Auditions were held the first week of school, and the cast was announced on Aug. 26.

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Music

hilharmonic students held a concert on Sept. 27, performing “Beethoven Symphony 3” and “Firebird” by Igor Stravinsky. The Dreyfoos band department hosted their first concert of the year on Sept. 28. On Sept. 29 and 30, piano students showcased their talents at their inaugural concert, Impromptu.

The strings orchestra is rehearsing for its first concert of the year on Oct. 14. Jazz musicians will be holding their Jazz Combos concert on Oct. 25.

Vocal

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he vocal department has a new dean: Kent Taylor, a longtime vocal teacher at Bak Middle School. Singer Ruth B. visited the vocal department on Aug. 31 with radio station Wild 95.5. From Sept. 22 to 24, chorus students visited the University of North Florida to sing in a choir directed by Eric Whitacre. They’ve been rehearsing for the Fall Concert on Oct. 5, their first event of the year. Vocal students have been auditioning for the annual All-State chorus in January, as well as American Choral Directors Association choirs in November and March, respectively.

(Top) Theatre senior Paul Payne measures a slab of wood in his tech workshop class. Photo by Sydney Walsh (Middle) Strings teacher Wendell Simmons conducts the orchestra during a practice for the first Philharmonic concert. Photo by Natalie Bergeron (Bottom) Pop singer Ruth B. speaks to a vocal class at Dreyfoos. She talked about her experience in the music industry and answered questions. Photo by Julia Bonavita 16 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Arts

ARTSINDEX Dance

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hings are heating up in the dance department as students are preparing their auditions for the Fall Dance Concert. Students who make it in will get the opportunity to work with prestigious dance choreographers like Jennifer and Carlos Guerra from Miami City Ballet and the famous contemporary choreographer Levi Marsman, who worked with one of the department’s previous guest choreographers, Christopher Huggins.

Students are also preparing for the Aspiring Artists concert set for Oct. 6 and 7.

Communications

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he Speech and Debate team competed at Yale Invitational from Sept. 16 to 18 in New Haven, Connecticut. Students also competed at the 2016 Bulldog Invitational on Sept. 10 and at Palm Beach Gardens High School on Sept. 24. Students are anticipating their second local tournament held at Palm Beach Central High School on Oct. 15.

The Communications Honor Society induction was held Sept. 29. “Seeds,” the literary and arts magazine, has begun to collect submissions for its annual magazine.

Visual

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he visual and digital department hosted the Annual Summer Showcase on Sept. 7, in which students had the opportunity to display a piece created during summer break. The show consisted of a multitude of diverse works, including paintings, sculptures, mosaics, animation, figure drawing, photography, and even poems. Visual and digital media students are preparing their portfolios to submit to the nationwide YoungArts Competition by Oct. 14.

(Top) Dance sophomore Gabriella Angel performs a sequence in a modern dance class. Photo courtesy of Michael Bole (Middle) Communications freshman Nikolas Zimmerman presents a speech in front of his communications class. Photo by Haley Johnston (Bottom) Communications junior Gina Givens looks at a piece of artwork that was on display at the Annual Summer Showcase. Photo by Natalie Bergeron Arts / themuseatdreyfoos.com 17

DARIUS HICKMAN

Dance academies have scouted Hickman multiples times. “My sophomore year I went to a summer program called Orlando Ballet school, and they asked me to stay,” Hickman said. Photo by Sydney Walsh 18 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Arts

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erformers strive to engage their audience to the point that the outside world doesn’t matter, and dance senior Darius Hickman is living proof that he can create that through self-confidence.

“He’s a hard worker,” dance teacher Ronda Johnson said. “I think that anyone who sees Darius will be able to [witness] his pure talent and passion about the work that he’s doing.”

Hickman’s open-mindedness to different styles, willingness to work hard, and sharp instincts made him the ideal student to have in class.

“Darius is definitely a fast learner,” dance dean Heather Lescaille said. “He’ll remember choreography that he did in seventh grade; he’ll watch his peers dance and he’ll be in the hallway doing the choreography without having been in the classroom learning it.

[That talent] truly is a gift.”

Over the years, natural talent and practice have allowed Hickman to master dance and choreography, landing him first place at the Youth American Grand Prix Competition (YGAP). YGAP is the world’s largest international student dance competition, which donates over $300,000 in scholarships every year.

“I was overwhelmed because I never thought I could achieve something like that,” Hickman said. “While [choreographing the routine] was difficult, I knew how to incorporated techniques into [the routine] that I can perform well.”

Hickman is determined to succeed in the dance world. This determination is a quality that has kept him on a steady path to success.

“Ballet is very stereotypical,” Hickman said. “There’s very few gentlemen in the ballet field. I’ve gotten over the fact that I can’t be what [society] calls the ideal ballet dancer, I feel like I can be whatever I want to be.” By Danelle

Eugene

DREYFOOS UNDRESSED Dreyfoos’ new dress code enforcement sparks controversy and fosters conversation between students and staff.

19 Photo by Julia Horneck

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ressed in a black, long-sleeved shirt and high-waisted shorts, theatre freshman Olivia D’Addio was sitting and eating her lunch when she received her first detention for violating dress code. D’Addio did not feel this violation was justified.

“When I bent down and leaned over to get something, and the back of my shirt came up a little bit, a [school counselor] came over and said she could see my entire back,” D’Addio said. “I was kind of shocked because she said my entire back was showing, but it was only the bottom part of my shirt [that had been raised].”

County School District, which means detention is one of the possible disciplinary actions. The district mandates certain steps be taken before assigning a detention, including contacting the parent or guardian and a conference with the student.

“For a first offense a student receives an

This year the dress code policy, which has been widely disregarded by students in the past, is now being enforced by administration. Following the introductory assemblies during the first week of school, administrators began handing out detentions for dress code violations.

“The warnings were given at the assemblies, but honestly students are more likely to respond to the detentions, not the warnings,” Principal Dr. Susan Atherley said. “We have to enforce what we said we were going to do.”

After five weeks of the dress code enforcement, 92 detentions had been given to students violating dress code, a significant increase compared to past years.

“Obviously the number of students in detention has increased with the new enforcement of dress code,” English dean and detention superviser Mr. Ehrlich said.

Dress code violations are considered a Level 1 incident by the Palm Beach

-SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER DANIELLE EDWARDS

Enforcement

STUDENTS WERE NOT ANGRY ABOUT HAVING A DRESS CODE, BUT ABOUT HAVING THIS DRESS CODE IN PARTICULAR.

after school detention. We call the parent and have a conversation on the second offense,” Dr. Atherley said. “The detention slip is the contact with the parent and the conversation is happening with the student when the detention is given.

We expect that [students] are responsible enough to bring these detention slips home and give them to their parents.”

Dress Code Justification

Although the dress code has not changed, the enforcement has shifted.

Each school in the district has an Employee Building Council (EBC), a collection of teachers who meet to address the school’s issues. The Dreyfoos EBC has been working to improve the way students dress.

“The EBC’s number one concern is

always dress code,” Dr. Atherley said.

“They are tired of seeing your underwear, and they view it as a distraction to teach.”

Some faculty members also advocate for dress code enforcement because it fosters a professional environment in which students will be prepared for the future. Dr. Atherley supports “dressing for success,” which she defines as being appropriately covered at school.

“When you come to school, how you dress relates to taking your opportunity for education in our school seriously,” science teacher Sherry Little said. “I think people should wear clothes. No one will hire you in the future if you don’t wear clothes.”

Following a survey of 1150 students, or 80 percent of the Dreyfoos student population, 44 percent of students believe fostering a professional atmosphere is a valid reason for dress code, and 32 percent believe promoting self-respect is a valid reason. However, only 11 percent of students agree that preventing distraction justifies dress code.

Effects on Gender

Dr. Atherley raised concern that students out of dress code could be especially distracting to male teachers and students.

“It puts boys and male teachers in an uncomfortable position,” Dr. Atherley said.

Of the 29 percent of Dreyfoos students who identify as male, only four percent say that they have been distracted by students out of dress code.

Continued on page 22

Cover / themuseatdreyfoos.com 21

Continued from page 21 However, in a survey of Dreyfoos teachers, 55 percent reported having been distracted by a student out of dress code.

One male student, who has chosen to remain anonymous, created an online petition in response to the new dress code enforcement, receiving 179 signatures. The petition addresses the gender issues in dress code. “[The dress code] is targeting the female population in our school. Anything a girl is wearing could be deemed distasteful,” the petition creator said. “Administration is taking minors and their bodies and saying that their bodies are wrong. I don’t think that is something we should be teaching our youth. It is putting the blame on the student who had the infraction rather than the people who will be ‘distracted,’ which can perpetuate rape culture that revolves around blaming the victim.”

The American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls has investigated some of the inherent problems with dress codes in schools, such as the sexualization of female students. The APA Task Force published a report in 2007 detailing the effect of dress code on female students. The APA’s research found that compromised school performance, lowered self-esteem, anxiety, and eating disorders were some of the results of enforcing dress codes in schools.

“Sexualization occurs when a person’s value comes only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior,” the report stated. “Focusing so much attention on a young woman’s sexuality, including the visibility of her legs, her bra straps, or midriff, teaches her that these things are important to others; therefore, they should be of major importance to her.

Girls may be learning to prioritize certain rewards (male attention) over other rewards (academic accomplishment), thus limiting their future educational and occupational opportunities.”

22 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Cover

The issue of sexism in dress code has been addressed in social studies teacher Danielle Edwards’ AP Psychology class.

Since the institution of the new dress code enforcement, students have shown passion for the issue in class discussions.

“Throughout our discussion about sexism, students were not angry about having a dress code, but about having this dress code in particular,” Ms. Edwards said. “I think the dress code disproportionately affects female students.”

SEXUALIZATION OCCURS WHEN A PERSON’S VALUE COMES ONLY FROM HIS OR HER SEXUAL APPEAL OR BEHAVIOR. -PETITION CREATOR Of the students surveyed, 86 percent feel dress code targets a certain gender, from what many interpret as unfair enforcement. Since its implementation, dress code has had a large effect on female students in particular. This is because the Dreyfoos population has a female majority. Additionally, certain fashion trends, such as bralettes, have now become gender-specific dress code violations.

Making Change

The petition did not advocate for complete removal of the dress code, but proposed reevaluation of the enforcement. It suggested that students should not receive a detention for a first offense, but rather a second or third.

Although the dress codes at other area high schools are more restrictive, such as mandated polo shirts or requiring students to cover their shoulders, the enforcement of the policy is often more relaxed. Spanish River Community High School students are required to change their clothes when they violate dress code. Students receive a warning after

the first offense, parent contact after the second, lunch detention after the third, and after the fourth offense, students must serve an after-school detention.

At Seminole Ridge Community High School, the administration gives students two warnings followed by a lunch detention.

“We do warnings because people are going to make mistakes, and we don’t want to [punish] them on their very first time,” Seminole Ridge principal James Campbell said. “We also reset the warnings every quarter, so really, a student could have eight dress code violations during the year and never get a detention.”

The school also sends an automated phone call to the parents the night before a student’s detention and conducts conferences with the students after their second offense. Other than one small petition with about 50 signatures, Mr. Campbell does not recall much protest or negative reaction to the school’s dress code policy.

“I think it’s because we take the time to have a conversation with students instead of just automatically saying, ‘You’re out of dress code, you need to fix it, and you have a detention,’” Mr. Campbell said. “I think if you talk to students in the right way, then a lot of times they’re going to be understanding.”

Mr. Campbell feels that the warnings and conversations are significant to the students having more positive reactions, as well as the objectiveness of the dress code. Through positive discussion between students, parents, and administration, Dreyfoos can also continue to improve its environment and policies.

“When you ask us these questions, it forces us to have these conversations and look at [dress code] through your perspectives,” Assistant Principal Corey Ferrera said. “We would never want you guys to feel like you’re under a system of subjectivity.” By Emma Baldinger and Carly Schwamm

Contributor: Alex Gordon

WHO IS

ROB

LONG? A look at Dreyfoos’ new athletic director and the experience he brings to the table.

Continued on page 24

Photo courtesy of Preston Gornick 23

Continued from page 23 n previous years, gym classes at Dreyfoos haven’t followed the routine curriculum. Students had the opportunity to choose what they wanted to spend the period working on and didn’t have to participate in physical activity. Most students studied, played sports, or focused on their phones. In his first year, Athletic Director and P.E. teacher Rob Long has already made an impact on how these classes are run.

“He gets down to the point, and really cares about the students,” band sophomore Chloe Wilkins said. “I’m really bad at sports, but he has helped me feel comfortable and complimented me even when I do minor things Athletic Director and P.E. coach Rob Long leads his class in stretches before allowing his students to do as like catching a ball in kickball.” they please. Photo by Julia Bonavita his students. So far this year, he has fo“After I received my graduate degree at When class begins, students are cused on volleyball and kickball, but as Indiana University, I started right away required to be dressed in black athletic the year progresses, he plans to incorpoat the University of Findlay as an assisshorts and a gray shirt, in addition to rate new sports. tant coach for a year,” Mr. Long said. closed-toe shoes. Following roll call, stu“Before this year I was nervous to take “Following that, I went for five years to dents warm up with lunges, high-knees gym class,” Wilkins said. “[Mr. Long] coach at the University of Cumberlands running, different forms of skipping, and has made gym fun for me and made me in Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky Universtretching. Later, the entire class particithink I may have an interest in sports sity for two years, and then I got offered pates in a game of volleyball or kickball. that I [didn’t have] before.” a job at Kentucky Westland.

I was only When the game ends, students are given Mr. Long looks to bring his past exthere for one year.” the option to do other activities.

After his career of coaching at colleges, Mr. Long also prioritizes the students’ perience from numerous athletic departments at other schools to Dreyfoos’ Mr. Long pursued a career as a head choice to enjoy whatever sport they like sports program. coach instead of assistant. This is when during free time. Students can go any“I want to make sure athletics has a he transitioned to a high school coach where in the gym, with the exception of role at Dreyfoos,” Mr. Long said.

“I unand came to Florida. the weight room, to practice any activity. derstand that arts and academics come “I really wanted to be a head coach. first here, but at the same time it’s im- Thanks to recruitment at the colleges I portant to have kids feel special. I want was an assistant at, I had heard of Sunto increase fan turnout and make sure we coast and managed to get a job there,” have all the proper equipment we need.” Mr. Long said. “I was at Suncoast for five Mr. Long found his desire to coach years, Jupiter High School for ten years, Athletic Director through his childhood experiences. He Boca High for four years, and then I grew up without a father, and through went to Royal Palm.” and P.E. teacher sports, he was able to find father figures Although he isn’t here to coach a speRob Long has from coaches who influenced him. cific sport, Mr. Long is finding other coached at “I really gained my passion to coach ways to change sports at Dreyfoos. He five schools through the ones I have had in the past,” has made a Dreyfoos Athletics Instagram Mr. Long said. “I have maintained rela- and Twitter account, where he plans to in Palm Beach tionships with all my previous coaches, spread news and updates regarding athCounty, including even to this day, and they have played a letics at Dreyfoos Dreyfoos. big role in shaping my life and helping “I am not going to be coaching any me along the way.” teams this year,” Mr. Long said. “I may “I like his knowledge about basketMr. Long spent most of his early peak my head in on a few practices here ball,” visual sophomore Thomas Haynes coaching years at multiple high schools and there, but really I am going to do said. “I can play basketball with my and colleges.

He has focused his coachthe best I can to support the coaches and friends during gym and also receive tips ing specifically on basketball, but was students.”

By Elliot Hacker and advice from him.” also an athletic director at a variety of Mr. Long is using his expertise from previous coaching experiences to benefit schools across the country.

I

DID YOU KNOW

24 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Sports

COACH ANAND LEAVES A LEGACY Science dean Stephen Anand puts his soccer coaching career on hold to focus on his family

A

fter 15 years in the athletic department, science dean and teacher Stephen Anand retired as coach of the girls soccer team.

The team has seen many successes under his leadership including a 14-2 record which led to a runner up performance at districts in 2014. He decided to move on from girls soccer to spend more time with his family and mentor his own children in soccer. Though many view his departure from the Dreyfoos sports program as an ending, Mr. Anand sees it as a new beginning.

“I hope it’s not forever,” Mr. Anand said. “I hope it’s not the last time I’ll be the soccer coach for [Dreyfoos].

We’ve had some awesome seasons.

Our last season was a challenging season, but they rose to the occasion. I hope they don’t look at [this] as an end, but as a time where [they] will wait until I can come back.”

Though the players will be moving on without their coach, they will not forget the memories they’ve made and advice they’ve received from Mr. Anand.

“It will be really weird to start off the season without him,” communications junior Annika Thommes said.

“He really grew with [the team] and has truly seen us through the worst times and the best times. I personally grew as a soccer player due to the energy he brought to the team every practice and game.”

Mr. Anand feeds off the energy and determination of his players who come into each practice and game with the mindset to perform to the best of their capabilities.

“Most of my real excitement lies in watching a team come together,” Mr. Anand said. “[I enjoy] watching that team dynamic be fostered and developed. then seeing the change from placid students in the classroom or in their art area to the very tenacious and hard-fighting squad that I see on the pitch.”

In Mr. Anand’s absence, a former Dreyfoos player’s sister, Claire Lawson, has agreed to handle the workload of being the girls soccer coach.

For the first time in 20 years, a female will head the soccer team.

“I think it will be interesting, and I hope that [the players] will be okay with her and that they’ll be kind to her,” Mr. Anand said. “I am excited because it will be something new for them to develop while I’m gone. I’ll still be here and check [on them] as much as I can.”

Even though the girls soccer team will take on this season without Mr. Anand, they won’t forget the lessons and life skills they learned these past years as his players. Their experiences from the team will carry on with them for the rest of their lives.

“Anand always made us work our hardest,” visual senior Gleinys Martinez said. “He was always there day after day teaching us and preparing us for game. The most important thing I took with me each year that I was on the team is that no matter what you do, leave your heart out on the field. Play all in [even] if you lose trying. That lesson pertains to not only soccer, but to life in general. I’ll never forget it.”By Shane McVan Photos courtesy of Stephen Anand

Sports / themuseatdreyfoos.com 25

HIGHLIGHTS Golf or the first time

Volleyball he girls volleyball

F

T

since 2008, Dreyfoos was able to form a girls golf team.

The girls team is currently 0-2 with losses coming from Wellington High School on Sept. 1 and Park Vista High School on Sept. 6.

The boys team started off the season 5-1 with wins against Santaluces High School on Aug. 30, Lake Worth High School on Sept.

1, Boynton Beach High School on Sept.

8, and Palm Beach Central High School on Sept. 14. The team lost in a match against John I Leonard High School on Sept 6.

Cross Country

W

ith the success of last season, which included making regionals, the Dreyfoos cross country team is now in preparation to capitalize on last season’s accomplishments.

The cross country team’s first meet was on Saturday, Sept.

3 at South County Park. The boys team placed 22, while the girls placed 14 in the county.

team rebounded from their first loss to Suncoast Community High School with back-to-back victories against Pahokee Middle-Senior High School both in Pahokee and at home.

With a current record of 6-1, the team has high hopes for the season with many new players and returning senior leadership.

(Left) Communications junior Zachary Stoloff practices his swing during a golf practice.

Photo courtesy of Christina Harbaugh.

(Right) Visual senior Courtney Root serves the ball during a volleyball game. Photo by Julia Bonavita.

Bowling

T

he boys and girls bowling teams opened up their season with losses against The Benjamin School on Sept. 7.

Both the boys team and girls team are currently in eighth place in the northern bowling conference out of ten total teams. “[The season] has been going pretty well,” visual junior Ryan Hawks and boys team captain said. “We got he Dreyfoos swim and dive team kicked off anoth- Piano junior er season on Aug. 26 with a win at Lake Lytal Park Jacob McDougal some good players, but against Park Vista High School, Palm Beach Central swims the freestyle it’s mostly just learning and having fun.”

High School, John I. Leonard High School, and Olympic stroke during a Heights High School. The current record is 5-1 for both swim practice.

Photo by Emily the girls and boys teams.

Sweetz

Swimming

T

26 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Sports

B

eing raised behind the camera is rare. Theatre senior Logan Russell has learned the art of directing with the mentorship of his father, Chuck Russell, who is a well-known film producer, director, and writer in Hollywood.

“A child’s curiosity in his dad’s work; that was really how it started,” Russell said. “I got interested in the scripts [my dad] was reading. He would let me take a look. He didn’t expect any critiques from me.

I surprised him.”

Mr. Russell has worked on major Hollywood films, Among these blockbuster films, Mr. Russell has directed “The Mask” with Cameron Diaz, “The Scorpion King” with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.” He is credited with discovering Cameron Diaz and attended her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.

“Because I grew up watching my dad [work], I learned to appreciate it,” Russell said. “So much so I wanted to pursue it, and I figured that working with him would not only be the best learning experience for me, but a way in which I can get my hands dirty.”

During past summers, Russell has accompanied his dad on set. There, Russell concluded that directing a film can be consuming as he watched his dad solve problems, rewrite scenes on the fly, deal with actors, and work with his entire crew. Russell didn’t just watch the hectic rush of filmmaking, Russell jumped into the rush himself.

“I was in Columbus, Ohio and my dad was directing a movie with John Travolta,” Russell said.

“We were in a crowded house one day on set and John Travolta introduced himself. [Travolta] said he’s heard a lot of good things about me.”

This praise is what gave Russell the confidence he needed to delve into his father’s career. Not only was Russell ready to reinvest himself in film, but he also able to realize what drew him to it.

“I always felt like there was a sense of nepotism,” Russell said. “But once I heard [others] praise my work, I felt like I had finally done my job.”

By Ariane Dixon and Elizabeth White

C

HILD’S URIOSITY

From a young age, theatre senior Logan Russell accompanied his father to famous movie sets across the United States

Logan Russell stands next to his dad, Chuck Russell, on the set of “I Am Wrath,” starring John Travolta. Russell has been visiting sets with his dad since he was young. Photo courtesy of Logan Rusell

HOW DID YOU SPEND YOUR SUMMER?

Photo courtesy of Dylan Priday

I WENT TO AMSTERDAM, PARIS, AND BARCELONA. THERE TRULY IS SO MUCH MORE TO EXPERIENCE IN THIS WORLD OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

THIS IS THE VIEW FROM MY AUNT’S APARTMENT IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA. I VISITED FAMILY AND EXPLORED THE CITY FOR TWO WEEKS.

-COMMUNICATIONS SOPHOMORE DYLAN PRIDAY

-VISUAL FRESHMAN ANA GABRIELLA THOMIDS

Photo courtesy of Ana Gabriella Thomids

Features / themuseatdreyfoos.com 27

Strings junior Nicole Lickstein smiles while recording for her album “Six-Twenty-Six” at Music Crowns. Photo courtesy of Nicole Lickstein

N

ot many people will have the chance to pursue their love for their major all the way to the red carpet. However, strings junior Nicole Lickstein is one of the few teenagers who has accomplished these goals. From creating her own album, performing at several different venues, walking the red carpet at the Latin Billboard Music Awards, and having her original song featured on Europe’s top charts, Lickstein has turned herself into her own brand.

“I think the start of my career can be traced back to my sleep away camp, my home away from home,” Lickstein said.

“When I was 14, the summer going into 28 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Features

my sophomore year, I performed my original song, ‘Ex Crush,’ for the first time, at the camp talent show. The positive feedback I got was incredible. I heard people singing my song in the shower, and that’s when I thought I could really do this and [that] what I write matters.”

After Lickstein realized a career in music may be possible, she turned to a new outlet to help her get started. Social media is currently one of the most effective ways to share music to make an artists’ name known. With this in mind, she created her own YouTube channel in hopes of reaching a larger audience.

“I posted a video of me singing my

single, “Ex Crush,” on my YouTube channel. Within 24 hours or so it had around 1000 views and quickly grew from there. My mom encouraged me to apply to a promotion company [called] Music Crowns. Reluctantly I did, thinking I stood no chance,” Lickstein said.

“The next week, I found out I had been accepted and was now being represented by [the company].”

The head independent of the radio station worked for XRP in the UK. When he contacted Lickstein about playing her song on the air, many other opportunities started to appear. As she started to make more connections in the industry,

LIVING THE DREAM Strings junior Nikki Lickstein pursues her passion of music on a professional level outside of Dreyfoos her career started to take off.

“My single went on to spend two months at #1 on XRP Radio’s Top 40 and has appeared on this radio’s top chart for three months. ‘Ex Crush’ was recently voted 17th in XRP Radio’s Top 100 Tracks of 2015,” Lickstein said. “This was an incredible achievement since there had been over 15,000 entries across the year and ‘Ex Crush’ was first played in October 2015.”

After Lickstein’s first song, “Ex Crush,” blew up in Europe, she recorded her first album. Producing an album full of original songs, however, has not been easy.

Lickstein had to miss several weeks of school during the 2015-16 school year to create her album. On top of her musical assignments, Lickstein had to maintain her homework assignments as well.

“It has been challenging trying to balance school and music. There were times

last year when I missed two to three weeks of school. My parents’ rule is that if I have anything less than a B, music plans stop until further notice,” Lickstein said. “My teachers [at Dreyfoos] are so incredibly helpful. Sometimes I would come straight from the airport to school, after performing several nights in a row in Nashville, and they’d make sure I didn’t leave the class anxious.”

To celebrate her first album being released and her 16th birthday, Lickstein held a concert at the Don and Brown Theater in West Palm Beach on Aug. 20 where she performed her entire album for the first time. The theater’s 250 seats sold out. A waiting list started for the concert and on the night of the performance, people lined the entrance trying to get in.

“Performing my first album felt incredible. Having a vision and see it come

to life [is] surreal. Although [I was] nervous at first, the audience made me so overjoyed,” Lickstein said. “It honestly felt like a dream; all my hard work began to pay off in that moment. I decided to donate the money from ticket sales to Impact the Palm Beaches. I was able to raise $2500 with this benefit concert and it was the best Sweet 16 I could’ve asked for.”

Despite the challenges that come with being a student and a beginning artist, Lickstein’s experiences continue to motivate her as she looks forward to the future. She plans to attend the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas, perform at more venues, and release new content for her social media pages.

“It’s so crazy this all happened in just a year, but I’m so excited to see where everything goes from here,” Lickstein said.

By Morgan Scott

LICKSTEIN’S PATH TO SUCCESS July 2015

“Ex Crush” is performed for the first time for an audience at summer camp

“Ex Crush” airs on the radio for the first time in Europe

Oct. 2015

Nov. 2015

“Ex Crush” reaches over 100,000 views on YouTube

Lickstein is an American Songwriting Award nominee in the teen category

Nov. 2015

April 2016

Lickstein walks down red carpet at Latin Billboard Music Awards

Lickstein releases her first album “SixTwenty-Six”

Aug. 2016

Features / themuseatdreyfoos.com 29

MUSIC TO REMEMBER Digital media junior Julia Chaplin and band junior Kyle Tellez create club to help Alzheimer’s disease patients bring back their memories through music recovery

F

or those afflicted with Alzheimer’s, losing memories and experiences is like an artist erasing a portrait piece by piece. To bring these patients back to life, digital media junior Julia Chaplin and band junior Kyle Tellez have created a program that uses music therapy to return cognitive functions to Alzheimer’s patients.

“I was close with my grandpa, so when he passed away [from a ten year battle with Alzheimer’s], it affected my entire family,” Chaplin said. “[His passing] made me want to make a difference.”

Chaplin is working to raise the same awareness, support, and funding for Alzheimer’s that cancer receives.

“Awareness of the disease [is the goal],” Chaplin said. “It’s less about our personal goals and more about world goals and how it could affect everyone with this disease.”

Music therapy helps to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s. Associated rhythms and beats can bring back past memories and decrease agitation, helping patients become more social. Chaplin and Tellez

decided to help.

“Kyle and I thought, why don’t we take it to another level and do a teen program?” Chaplin said. “We wanted to start the club during school and give people a chance to take part in it.”

Chaplin’s mother works for the Alzheimer’s Care Resource Center and was able to grant the club access to the Allegro Senior Living Center in Boynton Beach and New Day Adult Care Center in North Palm Beach. Working with only downloaded music and the knowledge of the patient’s family members, the clubfound results.

“There was one patient [who] wasn’t too outgoing,” Tellez said. “[But when] we played Frank Sinatra for her, she started dancing and singing. Her husband was on the verge of crying.”

The isolation Alzheimer’s patients experience is also combated through music therapy. Music connects the patients and makes them more comfortable with each other.

“These people go from sitting in chairs, alone, not really being able to start con-

versations, to becoming proactive [in their] interactions,” Chaplin said.

At the same center in Boynton Beach, Chaplin and Tellez worked with an isolated man who had trouble socializing with others.

“We talked to his son,” Tellez said. “He told us [his father] was very sheltered and didn’t like going outside [or] talking to anybody. ” Despite this, Chaplin and Tellez convinced the man to try music therapy, hoping that his demeanor would change once he listened to music.

“As soon as we turned on the music, his entire mood changed,” Tellez said.

“He became brighter. [Chaplin and I] asked him questions and he remembered a couple of things from his past that he usually didn’t.”

With the knowledge that music therapy can, in some ways, return loved ones to their original mental state comes a sense of hope for patients and their family members. By Ariane Dixon

An Alzheimer’s patient smiles while listening to music. Mistaken for a disease of old age and forgetfulness, Alzheimer’s may be more severe. Photo courtesy of Julia Chaplin

30

PUMPKIN SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE The origins of the pumpkin spice latte explained

By Alexa Pope

Ten years ago, Starbucks created the pumpkin spice latte as a concept drink and put it against 19 other drinks in a market test.

The pumpkin spice latte didn’t perform well, but it wasn’t the worst performer.

Most pumpkin spice lattes contain 10 percent of a natural blend of pumpkin-pie spices. The other 90 percent of flavors come from synthetic chemicals that trick the brain into thinking it’s the real thing.

After a shortage of the pumpkin spice latte around the nation in 2012, due to high demand, Starbucks asked their upset customers to . indulge in some poetry to calm their nerves.

It wasn’t always called the pumpkin spice latte. One of the original name ideas for the latte was Fall Harvest Latte. It became the PSL because baristas would write that on the cups.

To kick off the holiday season, pumpkin spice flavored products have started to fill the aisles of grocery stores. Pumpkin-enhanced yogurts and Oreos emerged in early August, well ahead of the start of fall. Then there’s the return of the drink that started it all: the pumpkin spice latte.

What is pumpkin spice? It’s a traditional spice mix usually containing cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. Historical cookbooks show that those flavors have been combined with pumpkin in pie recipes since at least the 1790s, and by 1934 a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice was being marketed as pumpkin spice by herb and spice sellers McCormick and Co. While the particular mixture has a long history, “pumpkin spice” has only become an international phenomenon over the last couple of years.

For that, Starbucks can take responsibility.

The coffee chain invented the pumpkin spice latte back in 2003. Having noticed the success of other seasonal drinks, Starbucks wanted a specialty drink to launch in early autumn. Several brainstorming sessions and lots of experimental taste tests later, the pumpkin spice latte was born.

Information Courtesty of: CNBC, Huffington Post, and PopSugar Graphic by Jenevieve Norton

Lifestyle/ themuseatdreyfoos.com 31

TEENS AND HALLOWEEN T

eenagers typically spend their Halloween in one of three ways: either by going to a party, trickor-treating, or staying at home. Often, a majority of people want to go to a party, but end up without an invite. Others crave the full experience of dressing up in a costume and getting candy. Many people end up feeling an awkward pressure to have a perfect night with the best costume and the most candy. When it comes to Halloween, some students go for a more mild approach, while others take their plans to the extremes.

Though there is often a pressure associated with going to a party on Halloween, others aren’t worried about the stress and are looking forward to having a good time.

“This year I’m going to my friend’s party. I’m really excited,” vocal junior Alexa Burnston said. “I’d say my favorite part of a party would be the overall spirit of Halloween. I love being super festive.”

A look at how different teenagers spend Oct. 31

On the contrary, other students may find it better to stay home.

“I stopped trick or treating in 6th grade, and from then on, I would go to Halloween parties,” communications junior Christiana Boehme said. “This year, I’m basically planning on staying home with some friends and watching scary movies like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Staying in for the night can be just as fun as going out, but for

those who want the full experience of costumes, and candy, trick or treating tends to suit their needs.

“I mainly trick or treat for the costume,” band senior Megan Rennebaum said. “Weeks before [Halloween] I thrift at Goodwill, looking for good ideas.”

Whether a teenager decides to spend their Halloween partying all night long, staying at home, or collecting candy, they should celebrate the way they truly want to. Many teens struggle with what to do every year. If seeking a thrilling party experience, a binge watching session on Netflix, or a giant Hershey’s bar, teens should not let friends pressure them in deciding how to spend their holiday. By Chloe Girod and Dylan

Priday

Graphic by Alia Payne 32 themuseatdreyfoos.com / Lifestyle 32

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Theatre sophomore Alex Shaw (L-R), theatre junior Brennah Leone, and theatre senior David Mendelsohn pose with their instruments. This past summer, Leone, Shaw, Mendelsohn, and other members of their School of Rock houseband toured the United States and Canada. Photo by Sydney Walsh

SUMMER OF ROCK T

hey rehearse inside the practice rooms of South Palm’s School of Rock, play in venues across Palm Beach County, scream lyrics in their cars, and listen to Queen’s “A Night at the Opera” over and over again on Spotify to get it down.

They eat, sleep, and breathe music. For them, School of Rock is a homebase, and

their houseband is their heart and soul.

It is more than an extracurricular activity to be listed on a college application; it is a dedication to an art form outside of school. It is a reason for artistic rejuvenation, helping them pursue what they love most: music.

This past summer, theatre sophomore Alex Shaw, theatre junior Brennah

36 Entertainment / themuseatdreyfoos.com

Leone, and theatre senior David Mendelsohn toured the country as houseband members of South Palm Beach School of Rock. Performing with other groups from all over, the tour spanned ten days, four states, and two countries. By Ruby

Rosenthal and Emily Sweetz

Photo by Julia Bonavita

ALEX SHAW Bassist

Q: So how exactly does School

Photo by Sydney Walsh

BRENNAH LEONE Vocalist

DAVID MENDELSOHN Bassist

Q:

Q:What was it like to live on a bus

A:

A: Your legs get very cramped, and you

of Rock work?

What were the preparations before going on tour?

It’s an after school performance group where we have seasonal shows every three to four months. The houseband is comprised of kids the school feels can represent them in the best way possible.

We play for different venues around Florida [during the year]. In the summer, we put together a tour and take the houseband around the country.

We have to make a list of all the equipment we need. We prepared an album to perform on tour, South Palm Beach did “A Night at the Opera” by Queen. A week before we leave for tour we do bootcamp, where for two days straight from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We just constantly rehearse with only a 30-minute break for lunch.

A:

Q:

Q:

What was your favorite moment on tour?

What were your highs and lows of the tour?

For three days, we stayed at the Full Moon Resort in New York, and we had rehearsals with kids we didn’t know. It was pretty cool getting to play and be in a band with these other kids around the country. Everybody’s there for the same reason and loves playing music as a group. It’s great meeting new people.

My highest was honestly just performing every night with my best friends, [who have become] my family. The lowest part was just how we kept on going and going; it would get really tiresome at some points.

A:

Q:What about your biggest

challenge?

A:

I couldn’t really say from the music aspect that there was a bad moment on tour. Every moment that I’ve gotten to spend with the [house] band, these guys who I’ve grown to love over the past four years, is a great moment.

Photo by Sydney Walsh

A:

for 10 days?

definitely get to know people around you a lot more, because they’re your only real entertainment.

Q:What were the crowds like?

A: It’s interesting to perform in front

of people you have never seen before in your life and will never see again. Each city is known to like different songs, and we played a lot of songs specific to the cities. When we were in Detroit, we played Motown; when we were in Toronto, we played some Rush and [songs from] local bands in that area. It was very interesting to see how people responded similarly to music but had different tastes in different places.

Q:

Q:What was the craziest thing that

A:

A:

What was the overall experience like for you on tour?

I’ve been on two tours now, and [each] time I come back with such a different perspective on life and how to handle stress and sticky situations. You definitely learn how to be independent.

Q: What do you think your biggest crowd was?

A: In Cleveland, we played an outside

gig and there were just so many people that were everywhere, probably about 100 in all. It was crazy, meeting so many people. I made a lot of friendships that will continue on forever.

happened to you on tour?

I made an offensive joke about Hillary Clinton that made some people want to leave the show. We were playing “Super Freak” by Rick James in Detroit.

I’m singing, so I decide to open with, “this song is dedicated to a very special presidential candidate.” The first line of the song is “she’s a very kinky girl,” so it became obvious who I was talking about, [and from that point on], I got barred from telling jokes the rest of the trip.

Entertainment/ themuseatdreyfoos.com 37

AFTER ALL THIS TIME,

Since the release of the first book in 1997, the series has marked twenty-first century pop culture

E

ager fans wait outside in long lines for hours in front of bookstores and theaters to receive a copy or to gain entrance to see Harry Potter.

Dressed up as their favorite characters, discussing house sortings amongst each other, and exchanging theories are some of the many ways the Harry Potter fandom came together almost two decades ago.

It all started in 1997, when author J.K. Rowling released the first iteration in what would become known as the Harry Potter book series. Little did the world know that this was the start of a cultural phenomenon that would define a generation over the next 20 years. The books would go on to be adapted into an eight-part movie series that would make Harry Potter a household name.

With even more novels being released and a prequel film titled “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” hitting theaters this November, the series might

be making a resurgence.

The way our generation views Harry Potter has drastically changed over time.

It has gone from a fantasy brand for kids to something that is now ingrained in our culture. People of all ages have come to enjoy it as much as the generation before.

Not only was each and every film groundbreaking and high in quality, but each subsequent film built on the last, maturing the series to the point where the first and final films seem like they’re of totally different genres. By the time of the release of the final film in 2011, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,” the success of the series allowed for the entry to become, according to Box Office Mojo, the eighth highest grossing film of all time.

The hype didn’t stop there. The universe within the series came to life in the form of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a themed “land” dedicated to the

universe built at Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando and Universal Studios in Hollywood. Fans not only get a chance to see the Hogwarts castle in real life, but they can also customize their own wands, walk through the village of Hogsmeade, and taste the famous Butterbeer, which has become a staple of the park. In 2014, a second ‘land’ dedicated to the shopping area depicted in the novels, Diagon Alley, opened up in the original Universal Studios park right next door to Islands of Adventure.

When it comes to the fame and lore behind the series, it’s not very hard to tell what drives the love for Harry Potter. The series offers a form of escapism from reality, giving us a magical universe that we all wish was actually real.

With the internet, the hysteria over these characters have only grown, allowing the movies and

August 4, 2009 Pottermore, a digital publishing, news and entertainment company launches, allowing fans to take quizzes, brew potions, practice spells, and further explore the novels in a new dimension.

June 26, 1997 “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” is released in England.

November 1, 2001 After Warner Bros. bought the rights for the first four novels in 1999, the first movie is released in 2001.

38 Entertainment / themuseatdreyfoos.com

Graphics by Danielle Cuestas

THE BOY LIVES ON in a variety of ways, through amusement parks, movies, spin-offs, and paraphernalia its relevant fan base to reach many more people. An interactive website called Pottermore, Sorting Hat

quizzes, and many collectibles have brought the fans together further, which has led to the strengthening of the fan base.

Those who missed out on waiting for the book and movie releases has good news: Harry Potter is coming back, but not personally. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” will open the door for countless sequels and spinoffs in the future. The West End play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, had its script published recently as well.

Some may believe that since the original book and movie series have ended, the impact Harry Potter has on our culture has died down.

However, the world has seen the opposite happen. Since the end of the series, we’ve witnessed

the seeping of this culture into our everyday lives. Daily references to the movies, quizzes on Reddit and Buzzfeed to see which house one belongs to, and the growing desire for a revival of the series are just examples of the impact it has continued to have on society.

It’s safe to say the love for this series is widespread. From the music, to the characters to the universe within it, there’s so much that encapsulates why this series is not only one of the best, but one that will live on for generations.

The biggest change seen is the way things have gone from anticipation of what’s to come next for Harry Potter himself, to new stories this series will offer. No matter where this universe goes from here, Harry Potter will always be The Boy Who Lived.

Commentary by Cody Baez and Daniela Esquenazi

July 15, 2011: The final movie in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” comes out. It later became the highest-grossing film in the series, earning $91.1 million on opening night.

June 18, 2010 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens in Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Image by Warner Bros. Studios

November 18, 2016 The movie for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” based off of J.K. Rowling’s 2001 novel about creatures in the Harry Potter universe, is released.

Entertainment/ themuseatdreyfoos.com 39

What process went into writing the script and planning the cinematic elements that comprised your most recent short film, “Jake and Kate”?

When I start conceiving films, I come at them from two different angles: the plot and the visual elements I wanted to include. When I started writing, I knew I wanted to tell a story relevant to people my own age, which translated into “Jake and Kate” in how it’s a story of an angsty teenage breakup. I was sure to maintain a sense of humor within the story [because] the whole goal is to entertain people.

What have you turned to for inspiration in your filmmaking?

The films that I made freshman and sophomore year were always referential to the movies that inspired me. I think that every young filmmaker is initially inspired by people like Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese. I definitely made a couple homages to them at first, but then I started to want to do things that were more age appropriate. It can seem sort of silly for a 14-year-old student to be playing a 40-year-old mobster. I started writing things that were more appropriate to the actors who were my age. As of late, I’ve been working on a film that’s a coming-of-age story about applying to college. Visually and thematically, I get a lot of inspiration from people like Paul Thomas Anderson and the Cohen brothers.

Would you say the style of your work strives to resonate with your age group and its obstacles during adolescence?

I think the art of every generation needs to be conscious of what came before it. I wouldn’t say that my films are necessarily about any huge issues of the 21st century, but I definitely try to address the things that people of this time can 40

identify with. I would really describe my work as documentations of everyday things.

How long have you been doing film?

I’ve always kind of wanted to be a filmmaker. As a little kid, I loved writing and telling stories. When in elementary school, I would go to visit my cousins in Massachusetts, and we loved playing around with our parent’s cameras and stuff. I came to Dreyfoos wanting to do film, and I ended up having to take photography classes as part of my Digital Media requirement, which was really helpful in the end. A lot of my cinematography is inspired by photography.

At this point, could you see yourself pursuing a career in film?

Media is exploding right now.

There are opportunities for websites, and even big studios are losing ground to entities like Netflix, so I do think that there’s potential for becoming a filmmaker in the future.

I know you decided to initiate your own club called Film Association. What do you hope for the future of this organization?

When I was a freshman filmmaker, I wasn’t required even for my film classes to make films at the length at which I was doing.

It was something I was interested in, yet I didn’t really have a venue to do that. I was learning a lot from it, but there was no way for me to share this work with other people. I’m really proud of starting this film club, which hopefully will provide people like me with a venue to screen work in the future.

We’re going to be doing a couple screenings this year and laying the groundwork for the same thing to be able to happen next year.

By Julia Horneck Photo courtesy of Alina Garcia

Q&A

EXPOSURE

Joseph DiRienzo