Derby of Dreams: Racing for Arts & Academics | | |
The Derby of Dreams, held on May 3rd at the USPA National Polo Center in Wellington, was an unforgettable evening of style, celebration, and support for public arts education. Guests enjoyed a live Kentucky Derby broadcast, gourmet dining, handcrafted cocktails, and lively competitions like the Derby Hat and Bowtie Contest.
The event featured outstanding performances from Grammy and Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young, Grammy-winning trumpeter Charlie Porter, a 1996 Palm Beach County School of the Arts alumnus, Broadway artist Tara Simon, a 2002 DSOA alumna, and rising talent Govanny Brown, a 2021 DSOA alumnus.
The Foundation proudly honored J. Michael Prince of USPA Global and philanthropist Kimberly Bluhm for their leadership and contributions. Thanks to our generous sponsors and event chairs Nancy Hart, Karen Swanson, Alix Troast, and Francine Walker, the evening raised critical funds to support Dreyfoos students in grades 9 - 12 with critical academic and arts programming, scholarships, instruments, college prep, and more.
| | Derby of Dreams Honoree
J. Michael Prince and Amanda Prince | | Derby of Dreams Honoree
Kimberly Bluhm and Martin Stein | | CEO of Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation, Dr. Chris Snyder and Danielle Snyder | | Top photo: Dreyfoos School of the Arts Students, Kentrell Taylor, Tristan Dominguez, Kayla Leger, John Lloyd Young, Devin Jackson, Sofia Carbone, Kayla Brown, and Dreyfoos School of the Arts Principal Blake Bennett. All photo by CAPEHART. | | |
Dreyfoos Students Step Into the Lab
Congratulations to juniors Nicholas Stan (Music) and Willa Kanter (Visual) on being selected as 2025 Kenan Fellows at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute! This summer, they’ll join 13 other top students from Palm Beach and Martin counties for eight weeks of immersive biomedical research in Dr. Thomas Kodadek’s lab.
The program wraps up July 31 with a symposium showcasing their findings. Special thanks to the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust and the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation for supporting this opportunity. We're proud to see Nicholas and Willa bring their creativity and passion for science to the lab!
Learn More
| |  | |
Pathfinders 2025
We’re proud to announce that several outstanding Dreyfoos students earned top honors at the 2025 Pathfinder Scholarship Awards:
- Josetta Wang – 1st Place, Academic Excellence
- Aime Pierre – 1st Place, Music/Vocal
- Aidan Gardner – 1st Place, Music/Instrumental
- Mia Hakkarainen – 3rd Place, Mathematics
- Luca Weisman – 1st Place, Business
Their dedication and excellence are an inspiration to our entire community.
Learn More
| | | Story by Communications major Lila Goldin | |
Mrs. Varnadore
Crystal Varnadore Named PBCCTM Teacher of the Year
Longtime Dreyfoos math teacher Crystal Varnadore has been named the 2025 PBCCTM Teacher of the Year. Known for her creative, student-centered approach to geometry and her deep commitment to building confidence in her students, Mrs. Varnadore brings passion, humor, and heart to the classroom.
Learn More
| | |
SOAFI Scholarships
At its annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on April 17, the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation awarded more than 180 scholarships totaling over $830,000 to exceptional DSOA students. Thanks to generous donors, these awards support students' continued academic and artistic pursuits at top institutions across the country.
Learn More
| | | |
| Dreyfoos Jazz Band Selected for Essentially Ellington Festival in NYC | |
Dreyfoos School of the Arts Jazz Band was selected to compete in the prestigious 30th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival, hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
From May 7–11, the band participated in workshops, jam sessions, and performed in a culminating concert at the Metropolitan Opera House. Dreyfoos was one of only 30 schools chosen from 127 worldwide, an incredible honor that reflects the students’ talent and dedication.
Band Director Christopher M. De León, now a five-time finalist, credits the group’s unity and drive as key to their success.
Learn More
| | |
| DSOA Journalism Makes History | |
We’re proud to announce that The Muse and The Marquee have both received Sunshine Standout Awards, the highest distinction from the Florida Scholastic Press Association. This recognition celebrates the dedication of adviser Carly Gates and her student teams, who consistently showcase the best of #DreyfoosMagic.
In addition, The Muse made history by winning its first-ever Online Pacemaker Award from the National Scholastic Press Association. Out of hundreds of entries, it was one of only 13 winners nationwide and the only website in Florida to receive this prestigious honor.
Special congratulations to Ava Fiala, named Designer of the Year, and Ellie Symons, who placed third for Student Journalist of the Year.
Learn More
| | |
| DSOA Communications took 1st Place at STN! | |
We’re #1 in the Nation!
We’re thrilled to announce that our amazing students took First Place in the Nation at the Student Television Network (STN) Spring Conference, winning the High School Daily Prerecorded Show category as part of STN’s prestigious Broadcast Excellence Award!
This award recognizes outstanding overall excellence in broadcast production, and we couldn’t be prouder of our talented team for this incredible achievement!
Check out the winning show by clicking here (scroll toward the bottom).
| |
Student Spotlight: Karmiah Smith’s Powerful TEDx Performance
Spotlight written by Communications major Bailey Arnone
| |
Communications junior Karmiah Smith took the stage as the youngest speaker at TEDx Delray’s “Point BREAK” event, delivering a moving original spoken word poem titled Dear America. Her performance, rooted in personal and family history, explored themes of immigration, identity, and social justice, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.
“I write based on my emotions, and that’s where my emotions have been recently,” Smith said.
Click Here to Read More
| | | |
JJ Korkin Makes it to Top 8 in National Jimmy Awards
Congratulations to JJ Korkin, Class of 2025 Theatre major at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, for making it into the Top 8 at the National Jimmy Awards in NYC. Selected for the elite character medley, JJ performed a powerful solo from The Drowsy Chaperone on a Broadway stage, a once-in-a-lifetime moment that showcased her extraordinary talent. She’s bringing #DreyfoosMagic to Broadway.
| | | | |
