Vol. 12 Issue 1 by Geneva Quarterly

GENEVA QUARTERLY

MISSION STATEMENT:

Geneva Quarterly, a student-led publication of Rhetoric School, serves to provide Geneva and the surrounding community with relevant and accurate news, opinions and entertainment centered around our student culture. Our staff strives to instill boldness, creativity and excellence through our published work. We aim to discover truth laced into our community with integrity and to write all pieces from a biblical worldview to the glory of Jesus Christ.

CONCEPT:

Executive Editor of Graphics, Jacob Goodman, artistically expresses the essence of the Big Apple for our New York issue cover–Geneva Quarterly’s first graphic cover to date. From the studio-room view of Lady Liberty, to fresh perspectives of the New York skyline, to a fully mobilized suitcase bound life, Jacob doesn’t simply illustrate the New York atmosphere, he creates a thoroughly New York narrative.

THIS PUBLICATION IS FOR:

Geneva School of Boerne 113 Cascade Caverns Road

Boerne, Texas 78015

830.755.6101 genevaschooltx.org

SCHOOL INFO:

The Geneva School of Boerne exists to provide a classical education from a biblical worldview, to equip students for a lifetime of learning, service and leadership to the glory of Jesus Christ. Rhetoric School Population: 182 Rhetoric School Staff: 32

COLOPHON:

All verbal and visual content is solicited and selected by the Quarterly staff. Approval is garnered from our adviser, Emily Rawls, and from our headmaster, Matt Donnowitz. All bylined writers are held accountable for their work.

CONTACT:

To purchase an advertisement, contact: erawls@genevaschooltx.org

For questions or comments, contact: erawls@genevaschooltx.org

AFFILIATIONS:

We are proud to announce our nine-year membership with the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, where we have won a silver Crown Award and seven gold Crown Awards and received a Gold Medalist Rating. We are also members of the Texas Interscholastic Press Association, where we have received the highest rating of Distinguished Merit. In addition, we have been members of the National Scholastic Press Association the past several years and have been named a Pacemaker Award finalist. This is our sixth year to be members of the Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honor Society.

MAGAZINE SPECS:

Created in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and printed by Bright Promotions in Warrior, Alabama

Families: Gantari, Tan-Gardenia, Biko, and Arno Pro.

DEAR READER,

First things first, welcome, and thank you for picking up a copy of this “Geneva Quarterly” publication. This happens to be the premier issue in our 12th volume, and we couldn’t be more excited to share what we have crafted with you. But before we let you “have at” it, allow us to impart our creative vision. To do so, let’s play a little game: we give you some key-words and features, and you try to extract the theme for the issue. Your clues are: The Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden, Empire State Building, Times Square, Bagels, and Taxi Cabs. What’s that you say–New York City? You brilliant mind, you: New York City is correct! Each issue, we will draw inspiration from various cities of the world, this issue being an homage to New York. With that, dear reader, I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we do, and thank you again for engaging with these carefully tailored pages.

FROM OUR HANDS TO YOURS,

Ella Dillinger, Emma Malkowski, Jacob Goodman and Abigail Bussey

TA BLE OF

NTE NTS

Photo Harper Deimund

COSM OPOL ITAN

“We

are not citizens of just our hometowns or nations, but of the world.” –Seneca

Nacho Average Tunnels

Gals Going for Gold

NACHO AVERAGE TUNNELS NACHO AVERAGE TUNNELS

A deep dive into America’s underground cheese network

Words Jacob Goodman

“The Government is storing billions of pounds of cheese in hidden caves across the United States and selling it off by manipulating our advertising and educational systems to our detriment in order to turn a profit.”

The Cheese Tunnels Conspiracy is grounded in a real-life event connected to the actions of the U.S. government in the 1980s. In that period, dairy farmers supplied a large quantity of milk, creating an issue of excess dairy and causing economic issues in the market. In order to support the dairy market, the government bought up large amounts of milk and processed it into cheese, butter and powdered milk.

Since billions of pounds of cheese were produced in this effort, the government had to find a way to store it. As per the theory, they did not use conventional warehouses, but instead had built and adapted a hidden network of underground tunnels for long-term storage. These tunnels were exceptionally large–large enough to store an unbelievable amount of “government cheese.” Some of the tunnels were thought to be deserted salt mines; others were likely old military complexes or new underground constructions intended to conceal cheese from the public eye.

“The Cheese Tunnels Conspiracy is grounded in a real-life event connected to the actions of the U.S. government in the 1980s.”

Eventually, the cheese pile accumulated to the extent that it was difficult to sell–or even use–it. Although some of this cheese was given to low income families through the government, there still remained an excess. According to speculation, most of the cheese was left to mature underground or go to waste because it could not be eaten.

Some have claimed that this hidden cheese has become chemically unstable. After years of maturing in unhygienic environments, the cheese could become poisonous or dangerous to human beings and the ecosystem. According to such concerns, gasses produced from the decaying cheese may pose environmental hazards, so the tunnels are still under government surveillance and located far from the public’s reach.

It doesn’t stop there. Remember the “Got Milk?” ad program? It was to be a part of a larger governmental effort to promote the consumption of dairy products as a whole. According to the theory, the campaign aimed to decrease the portions of milk used for cheese and instead store it underground. In order to reduce the demand for secret storage of cheese, the government encouraged people to drink more milk.

The cheese tunnels remain an object of interest as most of the original surplus dispersed, and supposedly there are still countless stores of cheese in these covert, subterranean caches. Others think that the government still conceals this cheese for unknown reasons: including for secret stock, experiments, or to mask the extent of

For the majority of the public, the location of these mysterious, cheesy tunnels is still unbeknownst. They could be buried somewhere under cities, rural areas or close to old military bases; only a handful of government affiliates know their whereabouts. Some even assume these cheese-filled tunnels are connected to other secret, underground facilities used for government activities.

The cheese stored in these tunnels stands for much more than forgotten agricultural excess – it is the embodiment of the government’s willingness to go to any length to hush up the inconvenient truths. Although most of the cheese from the initial stockpile has been distributed, the Cheese Tunnels Theory claims that the last of this cheese is still secreted in a number of underground bunkers scattered throughout the United States.

Design

Ella Owens Graphics Jacob Goodman

A quick look into jean styles past and present

Words Macie Egli

Jeans have been worn throughout many decades, so naturally their style trends come and go. Each decade had its own design that made it unique. Some styles were good and some were so bad they still haunt our memories. I don’t know about you, but I love our Jeaneva Wednesdays and I’m all about keeping up with the trends! I’m here to rate and describe past jean trends from the 70’s to today. Let’s get going!

1970: It’s the time of the flower power where jeans were flared with bell bottoms and sometimes embroidered with flowers. The flared jeans have definitely made a comeback . Who wouldn’t want decorative flowers on their jeans to add some flair ?? So creative! 100/10.

1980: Acid washed jeans are introduced. I think we could totally pull those off today. Jeans are to be as high rise as possible and no longer flared. I think they are cool but too simple. We should have kept the flared look. 8/10.

1990: By this time, everyone is wearing jeans. The loose, high rise ‘mom’ jeans are in. Pretty similar style to the 80’s. They lack creativity and originality. 6/10.

2000: This is the time most people cringe about. Low rise jeans have just become popular and everyone is obsessed. I, personally, am glad I was not a part of this trend. These jeans are quite weird, and I hope they never come back. -10/10.

2010: Skinny jeans are the style. I cannot count how many pairs of skinny jeans I used to have. These are so uncomfortable. They were a good idea at the time, but it’s better that we don’t relive it. 4/10.

2020: Flared jeans are back,–as they should be. Now we have boot cut, cargo, cropped, wide-legged and even patched with different colors. Wow, so many options! I think this is the best it’s gonna get! 10/10.

Jeans will never go out of style, at least not for me. I hope you put thought into what type of jeans you’re wearing next Wednesday. Long live the flared jeans!!!!

Design

Ella Owens

Photo

Nico Nelson

BIG APPLE BITES

The Empire State Building. The Statue of Liberty. Times Square.

New York City is known around the world for many things. But however majestic and awe-inspiring these timeless attractions may be, they all pale in comparison to an exquisite, masterfully crafted bite of a New York cheesecake.

The origin and evolution of a New York delicacy

Words Sofia Ramirez

…Well, maybe not quite. But still, the classic dessert is a favorite indulgence of many across the globe. The pairing of a cold, silky sweet center and a crumbly crust leaves all who try it coming back for more.

“The classic dessert is a favorite indulgence of many.”

Design Ella Owens

Photo Nico Nelson

The very first cheesecake recipe originates from Ancient Greece in the first century. It was called ‘libum’ and was drastically different from its modern-day counterpart. This recipe only involved crushed cheese, flour, a single egg and in some variations, honey.

Libum was served to the first Olympic athletes and was actually the base of their wedding cakes. When the Romans took over Greece, they adapted this recipe by putting the cheese filling into a pastry.

The first cookbook, printed in 1545, introduced the cheesecake as a “flour-based sweet treat”. Over the next two centuries, cheesecake began to evolve into what we know it as today.

RECIPE:

FOR THE FILLING

32 oz (four 8-oz blocks) cream cheese, at room temperature

2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon packed lemon zest, from 1 lemon

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, from 1 lemon

¼ teaspoon salt

6 large eggs

½ cup sour cream

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Wrap the outside of a spring-form pan in foil (they are notorious for leakage), then spray the inside of the pan with cooking spray.

FOR THE CRUST

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, from 12 whole crackers

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

*Special equipment: 9- or 10-inch spring-form pan; 18-inch heavy-duty aluminum foil*

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until well combined. In the bottom of the pan, press the mixture into a flat, even layer–this should be done with something with a flat bottom, like a

In the 1700s, Europeans began using beaten yeast flavor, making cheesecake taste more like a dessert.

Across the globe, and much later in 1872, a dairy farmer from New York attempted to recreate a French cheese called Neufchâtel. He failed, but ended up creating cream cheese. This revolutionized both the texture and taste of the cheesecake delicacy as a whole.

But it would ultimately be Arnold Reuben, also known for his legendary sandwich, who would finalize the recipe for the classic dessert we all know and love. Thanks to him, we can enjoy this timeless indulgence by following our very own recipe below.

measuring cup. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside.

Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Set a kettle of water to boil.

In an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and flour together for one minute on medium speed.

Add vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt; beat on low speed until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Mix in the sour cream. DO NOT OVER-MIX!!

Set the pan in a large roasting pan, then pour the batter on the crust. Pour the boiling water into the roasting pan until it comes up to one inch on the side of the pan. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until the cake has just set.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Let the cheesecake cool in the water bath for about 45 minutes.

Remove the spring-form pan from the water and discard the foil. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight.

AN URBAN OUTLOOK

Downtown San Antonio captured in an original light

Design

Ella Dillinger

Photos

Abigail Bussey

GALS GOING FOR GOLD GALS GOING FOR GOLD

For the first time in history (2024), the number of women competing in the Olympics equaled the number of men. The first Olympic games were held in 1896, but the women were not permitted to compete until the 1900’s in Paris, France. Out of all the competitors present, only 2.2% were women. To add insult to injury, they were only permitted to compete in ladylike sports— including tennis, crockett, sailing, equestrianism and golf. But women are changing the narrative in the Olympics today.

she swam with lots of teams. At the age of 15, she won her first gold medal for the 800m freestyle. Katie is considered the greatest swimmer of this decade. Now, she gives back to her community and others in need.

These female Olympians are raising the bar

Brooke De Vries

Words

Simone Biles, an Olympic phenom, overcame frequent struggles and obstacles to be where she is today. Simone battled a rough childhood, marked by foster care, ADHD, starting gymnastics late, trust issues, and mental health issues. Yet, none of this stopped her from becoming one of the best gymnasts of all time.

Another Olympian, Rayssa Leal, started skateboarding at the age of six when a family-friend gifted her a skateboard. Her parents immediately witnessed her raw talent. By the time she turned seven, she entered her first competition, securing 1st place. Leal went on to be one of the youngest Olympic medalists in history at the ripe age of 13, taking home a silver medal.

Katie Ledecky began swimming at the age of six , influenced by her older brother. From that point,

Simone struggled with starting gymnastics late, but that didn’t stop her. She, along with these other Olympians, are the blueprint of success. Take Rayssa–she was very young when she won a silver medal; if you are young, you can still make an impact and accomplish something truly special. Katie’s story teaches us to prioritize other’s needs over ours. Serena Williams, a former world-class tennis player and Olympian, articulated it excellently when she said:

“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re the strongest when we cheer each other on. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong; be extremely kind, and above all, be humble.” Though these women battled difficulties, they managed to

persevere and forge a path for themselves and other female athletes. All of these women should inspire us to take on challenges no matter the difficulties.

“We’re the strongest when we cheer each other on...”

Design Ella Owens Graphic Nathan Player

ISN'TITGRAND?

ExploringthehistoryofGrandCentralTerminal

Words WillCrews

“But this is no

ordinary map: the entire ceiling is painted in reverse.”

Amere one block away from the iconic Chrysler building, Grand Central Station (more accurately known as Grand Central Terminal) sits in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. In its short 111-year history, it has quickly become one of New York’s most popular tourist attractions. First, let’s take a look at its past.

Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Elon Musk of railroads, built Grand Central Depot in the same area of Manhattan, and this first version of the terminal opened back in 1871. In 1899, the building was destroyed and replaced with the larger Grand Central Station. Just three years later, a commuter train crashed into another train in the noxious, smoky tunnels under New York City, leading to the deaths of fifteen people. Reportedly, the conductor of the train was blinded by the fumes in the tunnels. So in 1903, the Vanderbilt family began construction on a new station that would serve electric trains. Grand Central Terminal was finally completed in 1913.

One iconic feature of the building is its ceiling: a large map with the twelve zodiac constellations and about 2,500 stars. But this is no ordinary map: the entire ceiling is painted in reverse. Whether this was an accident or not is unclear, but one theory is that it was painted this way to exhibit God’s perspective when looking at the stars. The ceiling underwent a restoration project in the 1990s, in which all of the grime that had collected on the mural from New York’s air pollution was cleaned off. Interestingly, one brick, next to the constellation of Cancer (the crab), was left to stay as it is.

Then there is the Whispering Gallery on the lower level of the building in the Dining Concourse. The arched entryway is a true architectural masterpiece. If you whisper into one corner of the square room, anyone who stands in the opposite corner can hear you clearly. The Spaniard Rafael Gustavion harnessed the acoustics of sound to design the arches and the tiled ceiling to carry sound from one corner to the other. Impressive!

Grand Central Terminal also contains some hidden gems. The terminal is filled with engraved acorns and oak leaves–symbols of the Vanderbilt family. According to legend, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt traveled along the abandoned Track 61 to move between Grand Central and a nearby hotel, so that he could travel to and from New York City in secret during World War II. It even contains a miniature model of the entire city!

Having never been to New York myself, I never thought there was anything notable about it other than the skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty. But Grand Central has really piqued my interest. Now, having heard about locations like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Grand Central Terminal, maybe I ought to take a visit in the near future.

Design

Ella Owens

Graphic

Nathan Player

Graphic

Jacob Goodman

METR OPOL ITAN

“We

have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.” –Dorothy Day

30 Fish Out of Water Batter Up, Boerne

PIT STOP OR FLOP?

Two seniors rate Boerne public bathrooms

We’re back! Last time we ranked candles, this time we’re ranking Boerne’s public bathrooms. Enjoy!

Boerne City Park: First impressions–just no. Toilet paper litters the ground; flies infest every square inch. No mirrors–I guess I’ll have to assume the worst. Terrible two ply toilet paper (it will simply not suffice). Water spews out of the faucet like the splash zone at Sea World: it will soak your shirt. Smells like a big fish too :) 2/10.

Cibolo Pavilion bathroom: There’s a rusty cabinet–nice and homey! But no mirror again, that’s 2/2. Nicer toilet paper and the blow dryer has a germ light! Technology–wow. This toilet has an added tank: good for goldfish. Broom in the corner for additional decor. It’s depressing how much you have to depress the “PUSH” button (on the faucet) to get a solid stream. 5/10

Cibolo Nature Center Building: *SPARKLE EYE EMOJI* There. Are. Mirrors! And they have placed a garland of flowers along the frame: we are speechless. It’s like relieving yourself in an idealistic, air conditioned wildflower field. Could be a tiny house actually. Potential for a loft perhaps? Architectural digest, hit us up. Original soap!

Words Ella Dillinger and Emma Malkowski

Smells like my grandma; how cozy! The faucet-flow reminds us of running our heads under one of those pool waterfalls as a kid. Had real paper towels and convenient trash can placement–right by the door, very thoughtful. Would lick the toilet bowl. 9/10

River Road: You can relieve yourself while you throw bread at ducks (not really). Also, the ground is yellow...hmm. Reminds us of, you know…*awkward face emoji*. Roomy stalls but nasty vents. Lots of bugs have gathered here to die, very sobering. Same off-putting fruity soap as the city park. Nice stream when washing hands. Wait! What’s this? AN OUTLET! Right next to the water!! Not safe, but risk makes us feel alive. 6/10

One by Boerne Bookshop: Same as River Road, plus a mirror and a trash can. Anddd GERM LIGHT!! 7/10.

One by Peggy’s: Suspicious leakage on the ground at the base of the toilet. A sad two ply toilet paper. This bathroom has something for everyone: no two toilets are the same and there are mirrors for all heights!! Spontaneous flush (spooky). Aggressive spray action, like Boerne city park. Worst dryer by far, just breathe on your hands. 4/10

Outdoor Library Bathrooms: Very industrial and a little creepy. Clean toilets with a pearly sheen. Ooooo. Ahhhh. High pressure hand dryer that actually does its job. 7/10

Boerne Baseball Fields: Nostalgia from our ballpark days doesn’t quite mask the horror of this one. Cramped stalls–your nose will touch the door as you heed the call of nature.

Yellow toilet seats and stuffy bathroom air make for an experience we’d rather forget. Short doors don’t offer enough privacy for anyone taller than Ella (who is a respectable 5’1). Only one fully functional sink and, as the kids say, “sus” doors. Would rather hold it for life. 1/10

Feel free to keep this list handy for your next potty pit-stop.

“Water spews out of the faucet like the splash zone at Sea World...”

Design

Sofia Ramirez

Graphic

Jacob Goodman

FISH OUT OF WATER

The eyewitness tale of a local captive bass

Words William Pickle

Dark. Cramped. Suffocating. A little chilly. I had been seized from my home. This morning had been the worst one yet since one of those human things had fallen into our creek last Spring. Little did I know, my life from that point on would never be the same. Let me take you back, to the day I was forcefully kidnapped, the day when my life was truly changed for the better.

My name is Geoffrey the Bass. I know, I know, a mind-boggling name. Please save your applause for later. Anyway, on the morning of August 1, I was showboating my new swim move, (I call it the “back-flip”) to impress the local lady-folk. I was halfway through my third turn when I spotted a delicious worm, and of course, who would say no to an extra bite to eat? Not me. I pride myself on my physique but I can’t refuse a slimy worm when I see one. I darted to the delicacy and chomped down, only to feel a sharp pain in my mouth and my mighty bod being dragged to the surface. I tried not to fight as it would make sense if I was being dramatically called up to Heaven (as I am a Saint compared to my meager inferiors), but as I broke the water’s surface, I realized this was not Heaven in the slightest. I was seized by a dark-haired human creature with glasses, and stuffed into a taut Ziploc bag. The bag was then thrown into a backpack and I was plunged into darkness. I was transported 11 miles that day.

“I was seized by a darkhaired human creature with glasses, and stuffed into a taut Ziploc bag.”

When I came to, I was in a bucket and soon dumped into a large glass container. I wasn’t surprised, as if I really had been kidnapped, who wouldn’t want to gaze upon my beautiful fins? Other than constant tapping on the glass by one of those savages with glasses, life was good. My days consisted of staring at the glass that contained my built body and chowing down on helpless minnows. Soon, however, I would be seized from my new home and placed in Bass Enemy Number One: The Bucket. Due to the stress of those meddling humans grabbing me and forcing me into the bucket, I lost my lunch.

There were two dead minnows in the bucket with me that day. Momentarily, I would sense a change in altitude and realize my tank was being moved downstairs. Now, I reside in the very same tank and am blessed and honored to be telling you this story today, inferior reader. My manager and I have made a business decision and kicked up an Instagram page, and I urge you to follow the story of Geoffrey the Great on it. Also, my manager told me to fit @geoffrey_the_ bass somewhere in here. Don’t know what it means. Probably something important. Geoffrey out.

Bookworms, Geoffrey’s Manager here. I wanted to discuss the future of our son and what it actually takes to keep one such as himself. Firstly, the maintenance. Geoffrey’s tank gets repugnant quickly, so the water needs to be changed out of it every week. Secondly, Geoffrey is particularly a snob, and refuses to eat anything but live food. A separate tank housing only Geoffrey’s dinner, minnows, also needs to be maintained. Undoubtedly, not

everyone keeps a bass, but these are the simple processes of fish-keeping.

Saint Jeff is suspected to be under a year old, as he is about 4 inches long. Basses can grow up to 16 inches, and live about three years. However, after speaking with other bass in the pond about Geoffrey, they expect him to live to be 10+.

While my team and I do not advise keeping a bass, we have truly been gratified by our little boy. This is a factual story that involves some of our very own students, and we would be thrilled to discuss Jeff’s livelihood with you anytime. Thank you. Geoffrey and his manager, out.

Manager- William Pickle

Kidnapper- Sammy Tapia

Tapped on the Glass and Instagrammer- Ben Lee

Fish Expert- Josh Patteson

Geoffrey’s Beloved- Nathan Tapia

Design

Madison DeLaune

Graphic

Jacob Goodman

ADVERTISING OUR ACTIVITIES

Geneva’s clubs are back, and better than ever!

Words Emrey Taylor

There are so many amazing opportunities that you can participate in here on Geneva campus. I interviewed our Rhetoric school clubs to give you a taste of what you can be a part of.

TFMEA:

Founder: Senior Kayla Strizu

Sponsor: Mrs. Gachupin Meetings: Lunch twice a semester, TMEA convention in February: The biggest music convention in the world. Must be in a musical fine art+ $15 Fee + a T-shirt

Fantasy

Football:

Building a community around sports lovers

Founder: Junior Jackson Riddle

Sponsor: Mr. Ward Meetings: Every other Wednesday

Jesus Club:

Founder: Senior Ella Dillinger

Sponsor: Mr. Ward Meetings: Fridays once a month during lunch Everyone is welcome!

Spirit Club:

Makes themes, signs, chants and cheers to support Eagle sports

Founders: Juniors Siena Svendsen and Mary Simpson

Sponsor: Mrs. Davis Meetings: Study halls when home games are coming up. Upperclassmen only.

Instagram: @ eagles_spiritclub

Building Club:

Help make sets for plays and other school events

Founder: Senior Samuel Siller

Sponsor: Mr. Vis Meetings: Weekends, contact Sam Siller for specific dates, times, and locations. All are welcome and power tools will be supervised.

FCA:

President: Senior Jake Roberson

Vice-President: Senior Kate Friesenhahn

Sponsor: Coach Gaston Meetings: Come and listen to a quick message at lunch every other Monday Chick-fil-a provided

Finer Things Club:

Founders: Seniors Ella Dillinger and Emma Malkowski

Sponsor: Mrs. Greenlees Meetings: Every other Tuesday during lunch

Bring your favorite charcuterie item

18:20 Prayer Group

Founders: Senior Grace Detterick and Junior Elle Chalmers

Sponsor: Grace Segina Meetings: Tuesday at 8:15am near the cross Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Girls only

Prayer box for any prayer requests

These clubs are just one of many ways to be a part of the Geneva community. I encourage all of you to be all in while you are here and make the best of your experience.

Design Ella Dillinger Graphics Jacob Goodman

SHE'S A REAL

After nine years, Mrs. Moeller returns to Geneva

Words Nico Nelson

Well-known within the Geneva community, a familiar figure makes her return to lead our school once again. After nine years of guiding numerous campuses, Mrs. Leslie Moeller has returned as a visionary leader bringing extensive experience and a deep-rooted passion for classical education. We sat down to dive into her insights, inspiration, and innovation.

“Don’t

let disappointment overshadow the moments you have...”

What were your chosen majors, and what motivated your decision?

“I was an undergraduate at the University of Virginia,” Moeller said.

She explored French and Biomedical Engineering during her first two semesters but ultimately chose English Literature and Economics because they appealed to her most. After her time at UVA, she went on to earn her JD at Boston College.

What prompted your return to Geneva?

“The opportunity to be head of school again brought me back,” Moeller said. After leaving Geneva in 2015, where her sons Jack and

Grey graduated in 2013 and 2015 respectively, she worked as a consultant for the school’s deans, keeping her connected to Geneva’s developments. In 2022, when the head of school position opened up, she hesitated due to her daughter starting her junior year. However, by 2024, the timing felt right for her return.

What has changed significantly since you were last here?

The most significant change for Moeller is the new permanent Grammar School buildings. When she left in 2015, the school had just begun its capital campaign for these facilities. Since then, Geneva has acquired more land and launched several new programs.

“I was part of the capital campaign that raised money for the gym and Lyceum,” Moeller said.

The school has grown from around 600 students to 684 in terms of enrollment. While some long-time teachers feel school spirit has shifted, Moeller believes the essence of Geneva remains unchanged.

“Moeller believes the essence of Geneva remains unchanged.”

CLASSIC

What is your message to the seniors?

“Don’t buy into everything your senior year is supposed to be, or you’ll end up critiquing your experiences,”Moeller said.

In reality, senior year comes with a heavy workload and can be overwhelming. As spring approaches, emotions arise because the seniors are on the brink of college and leaving their friends behind.

“Relax,enjoy it, and don’t measure it against your romanticized expectations… Don’t let disappointment overshadow the moments you have,” Moeller said.

What do you envision for Geneva moving forward?

Moeller aims to invest in teacher training and professional development, increase teacher salaries and establish permanent Logic and Rhetoric buildings with a library. In the long term, she dreams of establishing more classical Christian schools throughout the area. Having been deeply invested in Geneva for 13 years, she has always loved the community.

“Geneva really is unique. It offers students an enjoyable experience while remaining truly classical,” Moeller said.

In an ever-changing culture, Mrs. Moeller is ready to embark on Geneva’s next chapter. With her vision and leadership, the community can look forward to continued growth and inspiration in the years ahead.

Design

Sofia Ramirez

Photo

Molly Donovan

BATTER UP, BOERNE

Interviewing Boerne’s wildly successful Little League baseball team

Words Kadence Hastings and Molly Donovan

The Little League World Series is an iconic event that invites 20 teams around the world to compete for the title of Little League World Series Champion. Our small town team consisted of 12 players and advanced further than any Boerne team in history by finishing fourth in the world.

We interviewed players Ben Burkhart (Geneva seventh grader) and Cooper Hastings (Kadence Hastings’ younger brother), to discover what it was like on their little league adventure.

As soon as they won the southwest region final in Waco, Texas, the team immediately shifted their focus to their trip to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Team started their journey by waking up at 4 a.m., immediately after which they followed a police escort to the airport.

“It was my first time having a police escort and it was amazing!” Burkhart said.

Once they arrived, the first thing they saw was the field.

“It was astounding seeing such a massive

field with such a professional look to it,” Burkhart said.

In the midst of multiple practices,the team enjoyed down time between when they arrived and their first game. Ben and Cooper played video games and ping pong while bonding with their teammates.

Soon, it was game time for the team. Stepping onto this field was a little different from the Boerne ballpark experience, to say the least.

“It was fun being in a stadium with 15,000 people watching me,” Hastings said.

During the game determining the best U.S. little league team, we asked Cooper what he decided his strategy would be to face Florida.

“We knew we were gonna face a big pitcher, so we had to prepare the day before. That gave us lots of drive, but it was hard because they saw our pitcher and knew what he was gonna throw. The loss was sad because all of the fans had come to watch us and saw us lose and we felt like we disappointed the fans,” Hastings said.

“Our small town team consisted of 12 players and advanced further than any Boerne team in history...”

“It was unreal being able to hang out with them!” Burkhart said.

After that, they were on a roll, winning two more games. After winning every game over the course of the summer, Boerne made it to the U.S. Final. In preparation for this game, their schedule was packed with practices, working day in and day out to get better. The U.S. Final was a roller coaster of emotions where despite multiple injuries to their best pitchers, they fought valiantly right up until the end, ultimately suffering a devastating loss. Even though they were upset, they felt encouraged by their coaches’ pep talk after the game.

The coaches told the players how proud they were and to go into the next game content and ready to have fun. The hardworking players tried their best at third, but in the end, they lost, making local history by placing fourth overall.

We talked to the entire team, and one thing they can all agree on is that the food was not their favorite (other than the ice cream of course). They mainly ate chicken strips, hot dogs, hamburgers, vanilla and chocolate ice cream and french fries. The least favorite food was the hot dog, which apparently tasted like some kind of “mystery meat.” No thanks!!

Through being a part of the most successful team in Boerne Little League history, our players gained a lot.

“I learned it takes a whole team to win and it can’t just be a few good people because everyone contributes,” Burkhart said.

The Boerne Little League team experienced this once in a lifetime journey together and Ben and Cooper are grateful to have been a part of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Design

Madison DeLaune

Photos Submission

“They fought valiantly right up until the end...”

BOOM, ROASTED.

Teachers make fun of students in good humor

Words William Pickle and Will Crews

WILLIAM PICKLE

ROASTED BY BRIAN ODOM

What better way to display campus life than a lighthearted roasting of students by teachers? Or is it actually lighthearted? Nobody knows.

Oh, where do I even begin? When I think about roasting Will, making fun of him is almost as easy as discussing my personal favorite Pauline Letter. Pleb, get ready to catch some strays. Firstly, he looks like a 1x5 Lego Piece. Straight skin and bone. I’m surprised he even tore his ACL, didn’t know his frame could fit those. Plus, I know he pronounces Adidas as A-Die-Dahs in secret. No doubt about it. In fact, he perfectly resembles someone who takes out the Cane’s Sauce when ordering his puny one-piece meal. I bet he even asks for extra ketchup with his tenders. Gross. Who does that? Everybody knows Canes is frightful without the sauce. I digress. It was his dog’s birthday recently. Happy birthday Duke. Blessings to putting up with a dreadful owner for one more year. More blessings to myself who has two more years of dealing with this fool. Readers, thank you for listening and I pray this negatively impacted Will’s image in some way. If not, read this paragraph again. And again. You catch my drift.

MACIE

EGLI

ROASTED BY PAUL JOHNSON

My roast of Macie Egli will be one for the ages. Take some notes, people. Macie, you’re a pretty good student, I guess. One could even say a sigma, but let’s not cross our wires. Her L Rizz negates her sigma status every day of the week. Yes, youngsters, I use these terms. Frequently. Get used to it. Anyways, Macie is truly a pupil straight from Ohio. And I mean STRAIGHT from it. Blud probably doesn’t even know how to mew, and yes, Macie, I mean that one. My mustache may be skibidi, but I can’t say the same for her, regretfully. Whopper whopper. To anyone who made it this far, I am truly sorry for the mind-boggling vocabulary used in this roast, as I know most of you peasants don’t have the facilities to comprehend it. (Especially you, Macie.)

KAYLA STRIZU

ROASTED BY SARAH GACHUPIN

Kayla is an amazing violinist! (Just ask her.) If you are looking for Kayla, she is most likely in the orchestra room or blending in with a white wall. White walls are like camouflage for Kayla. Also, did you know that Kayla is Romanian? If you didn’t, that is shocking! Romanian might be her favorite subject besides how great she is at the violin. I wonder if that’s where she gets her angry resting face from. Don’t worry, she gives me mean looks too. Kayla is quick to answer questions, even if she is wrong. “Oh! You right” might be my favorite thing I hear from her. Kayla Strizu: most likely to be Mrs. Gachupin’s best friend when she graduates. She keeps telling me that, at least.

MICAH BRIGGS

ROASTED BY RAY BRADSHAW

Wow, roasting Micah “DUG” Briggs is such an easy task because the amount of material is almost limitless and as deep as the Mariana Trench. Micah is one of the smartest dumb people alive. SQUIRREL. There has been a new adjective created just for him in AP Chemistry: “The Micah.” There is no doubting his math abilities and memory, SQUIRREL, which are totally top notch, but the dude just will go off the rails at any time, with that bright smile of his and be so lost because he had a “MICAH” episode, like the lovable dog Dug in the movie “Up.” I will be working a problem or discussing a concept and every student except Dug is intently engaged, focused on every word emanating from my mouth and the glow of the work projected on the Smart-board, but SQUIRREL Micah will be lost due to his most recent “MICAH” moment. The wind completely taken from our sails, we stop to pull Micah back into the HMS AP Chemistry so we can continue our journey exploring God’s universe from a chemist’s perspective. I am so proud of the remainder of the class SQUIRREL because they just roll their eyes, help get Micah back on track, and press on like the awesome soldiers they are. So, whenever you see someone on campus who is completely lost due to their lack of attention, let us collectively call it a “MICAH” moment and make this a new and permanent part of the culture of this beautiful place called SQUIRREL the Geneva School of Boerne.

Design

Sofia Ramirez

FURRY

The tragic death stories of students’ hamsters

Words Ella Owens

Nearly everyone has had a hamster at some point in their childhood, and the stories of how they died are too funny not to share. Three students on the Rhetoric School campus share the haunting deaths their hamsters experienced.

Freshman Madison DeLaune shares her hamster’s story. Madison explains she and her twin brother got a hamster for Christmas: every 2nd grader’s dream, right? Nearly five months later, Katie (the hamster) began to grow in size, rapidly. The DeLaune twins simply thought their hamster was pregnant and were beyond thrilled. They took Katie to the vet only

to be saddened by the news that she had cancer.

As they walked with Katie through her cancer journey, she grew four times in size. Katie became so disabled by cancer that when she fell off the wheel, she simply couldn’t get up and stayed there, lying on her back until she was assisted by one of the twins. As the DeLaune family watched their hamster suffer, unable to aid her in any way, they decided it would be better to put her down. Madison says that Katie had a peaceful death, as she was fed M&M’s while being put to sleep forever.

The next disastrous story comes from Sophomore Catalina Lozada. Catalina had a hamster named Mini Muffin Fluff. She was black, white, and orange and nearly two years old when she passed. Catalina originally thought Mini was stuck behind the washing machine, but was proven wrong when she discovered that Mini’s life ended in a smashing horror. Mini was lost for a few days until she made a great escape to freedom from behind the washing machine and found safety under the couch. Mini’s life ended when the Lozada family gathered in their living room and one of the family members smashed her by accident while sitting down.

The last hamster story from the Rhetoric School students comes from Junior Gray Bruner. Gray had two hamsters that lived together named Snowball and Chocolate.

“Being partially starved, he began nibbling on his friend...”

FATALITIES

He isn’t sure how old they were when they died, but he remains scarred with the story. Snowball was a white hamster and Chocolate was a brown hamster. Gray says that Snowball became sick out of nowhere and eventually died. While Snowball was dead, nobody having noticed yet, Chocolate took things into his own hands (being partially starved) and began nibbling on his friend. Chocolate eventually died of the same mysterious illness as his friend Snowball. Unfortunately, we will never know if his death was from being in Snowball’s presence while sick, or cannibalism.

It is an ongoing debate for hamsters: is survival hard? Or are they hardly surviving?

“Mini’s life ended in a smashing horror...”

Design

Sofia Ramirez

Graphics

Jacob Goodman

E C S R E T THE LIVES OF

How teachers spend their time after 3:35 p.m.

Words Nathan Player

TEACHERS

Teachers. Such a common sight around a school campus, yet so shrouded in mystery. Where can they be found when school isn’t in session? What thoughts come to their heads once the final tolling of that bell reaches their ears? And, most importantly, what goes on in their lives when their presence at school isn’t required? These pressing questions can be answered simply by way of a little deduction:

Mr. Poole:

It’s not unknown that our sophomore humanities teacher spends much of his time in the literary works of Tolkien and Lewis, surrounded by hobbits and talking lions. However, there is more to his story than classical literature. To a resident of Boerne, Mr. Poole might seem like an ordinary man who enjoys riding his bicycle up Boerne Stage Road. What most people don’t know is that once the sun sets and darkness falls over the city, he dons his cape and slips into the night to fight crime, presumably with the various weapons he has scattered across his classroom. Mr. Poole confesses that to those who meet him, he is called the Iguana, a man of secrecy and of legend. When asked to speak more on the matter, Mr. Poole said, “I cannot elaborate, for fear that my arch-nemesis might hear of who I am… his name is the Chameleon.” Well, at the very least, we now know why he has so many swords in his classroom. Mystery solved.

Mr. Johnson:

The mustachioed, shrimpy humanities instructor, as we all know, is a part of the “ramshackle trio of thrift- store… dads” in the band The Anapests, but there is more to be told about Mr. Johnson than meets the eye. Or, more accurately, more than meets the mustache. When interviewed, Mr. Johnson claimed that his only life outside of school is that of a humble bartender, but reports from his wife prove that he has, in fact, a split personality. Every day when he gets home from work, he drives his beige Honda Civic to his secret lair, where he then slips into his purple unitard and transforms into his true self: the Chameleon. His wife tells us that he has made his life goal to destroy his mortal enemy, the Iguana. ‘He’s always complaining,’ his wife tells us. ‘I hate that stupid Iguana’, he’s always ranting. ‘He knows more about Tolkien than I ever could’”. While we know the identity of his caped combatant, Mr Johnson, aka the Chameleon, certainly doesn’t. It’s probably better if it stays that way.

Design

Sofia Ramirez Graphics

Jacob Goodman

Photo By: Abigail Bussey

REA SON

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” –Plutarch

Set Your Faith on Fire

Deep Thoughts with Emma

SET YOUR FAITH ON FIRE

Romans 12:2 states, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Most of us understand the ideas behind this passage and what it asks of our lives. Why, then, is it so difficult to pursue God without hesitation? Why is it that most of us still act like the rest of the world?

We have all heard of the “Boerne Bubble”. Because Christianity is the norm in Boerne, it is very easy to live a half-hearted faith. There is no need to be bold and stand firm in your beliefs, because no one is challenging them. All you have to do is attend church and act the part. No pressure, no persecution, no problem.

To answer the first question, it is so difficult to pursue God without hesitation because it is so easy not to.

Cultural Christianity is rampant in Boerne, and I have, as I’m sure you also have, experienced this apathetic faith. It is easy to fall into the lukewarm lie of appearance-based faith. Revelation 3:15 asserts, “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” It would be better for us to be fully dedicated to Christ or not at all, rather than live a halfdedicated faith. The lukewarm lie that we are fed says “All I have to do to be a Christian is look the part.” But if so, do you actually believe you’re saved?

Overcoming Lukewarm Christianity

Words Ella Dillinger

If that question caught you off guard, I have some good news for you. Romans 10:9 proclaims, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” That’s it. That is all you need for salvation: to boldly share your faith and truly believe in Jesus’ sacrifice.

If lukewarm Christianity leads to rejection and if we are called to be bold in our faith, we should live out our faith in every moment, right? As a sinner, I know that it is easier said than done. It can be very tempting to just go through the motions until those motions become habits. Then, one day you realize you haven’t prayed by yourself or read your Bible in far too long and you no longer feel close to God. Trust me, I am no stranger to this apathy. It is the thing I struggle with most in my faith, so if that is you too, I promise you are not alone.

Even if you feel distant from God, the truth is that He is always right by your side, waiting for you to invite him in. That is the beauty of the second half of Romans 10:9–Jesus sacrificed himself and was risen from the dead because of how much He loves you. He wants a relationship with you; all you have to do is ask.

The cure for apathy is intentionality. If you are intentional, if you invite God into your life again and ask for his help breaking free of a lukewarm faith, He will provide.

“Even if you feel distant from God, the truth is that He is always right by your side...”

There are also some practical steps you can take to combat apathetic faith. These spiritual disciplines are ways to renew your mind, as Romans 2:12 states, “...and I have seen them transform others’ faith as well as my own.” First, implement daily time in the Word. I know we all have busy schedules, but I promise if you give fifteen minutes to God at night to read the Bible, He will replenish that lost sleep. Second, pray throughout the day. Here’s the thing, God knows your every thought. Next time you have a doubt, just share it with Him, and ask for reassurance. Finally, find a community who will keep you accountable. It is hard to stay disciplined every day, but if you have other people calling you out in your apathy, you can stay true to an intentional faith.

Design Emrey Taylor

Photo

Abigail Bussey

WHAT IN THE WORDLE?

The New York Times’ most famous word game

Words Abigail Bussey

Many of us are familiar with the game Wordle. It either leads us to tears of defeat or tears of absolute joy. This quick and simple word game can often puzzle us in the worst way possible. Most of the time it takes us quite a few tries before five green letters pop up on the screen. I have done some research and hope to give you the best strategies on how to dominate this mind warping game.

This might be a little obvious, but pick a word with lots of vowels to start off with. You can use some like “adieu”, “canoe”, or “audio”. This trick helps because every word has at least one vowel in it. So, you are almost guaranteed to get one letter right if you choose a word with several vowels. This is by far the most important tip that you can implement that will likely improve your Wordle skills.

Now, there are two types of players when it comes to Wordle. You either resort to the same word for your first try every game or you choose a different word on your first try. Personally, I think the people who use a different word every time are psychopaths. So, let me ask you this question: are you a psychopath or a normal human being?

This one might be controversial, but it has been proven that choosing two completely different words for your first two attempts betters your chances of selecting the correct word. Essentially, this provides you with a greater understanding of which letters you should avoid using.

Now, when playing this game you have to be aware of letters that might show up more than once. Just because a green square flipped on to your device doesn’t mean it won’t appear again in another space. Therefore, don’t be too scared to guess the same letter in a different box.

Also, just to leave you with a helpful tip,the letters E,A,R,O,T,L,I,S,and N are most common in five letter words.

With all this information, I hope that you can show this puzzle what you can do.

Design Emrey Taylor

Graphic

Macie Egli

The surprising benefits of practicing thankfulness

Words Katie Gray

From a warm sweater on a cold day to the very air in our lungs, we all have an abundance of things to be grateful for. But when our day-to-day lives get hectic and stressful, we tend to lose sight of how good we have it. Having a mindset of gratitude is not usually something that comes naturally, and this means we can forget to do it. Maybe if we knew the benefits of giving thanks, we would put it further up on our to-do lists.

“Counting your blessings can positively impact your mental and physical health.”

Counting your blessings can positively impact your mental and physical health. Medical research reveals that those who practice gratitude daily have lower levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. But how, might you ask, does that work?

One study showed that those who spend more time being thankful spend less

time being stressed. Cortisol, the stress hormone, was reduced to a lower level in the participants of this clinical trial. When something negatively impacted them, their emotions seemed to stay further on the positive side than another person’s might.

Gratitude not only reduces stress but also symptoms of anxiety and depression. The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls the gloomy emotions, produces less negativity in a person when they have positive thoughts. They feel less shame and are not as prone to anger.

Another benefit of giving thanks is the reduction of pain. Participants of a medical study kept a gratitude journal, and many of them began to have fewer symptoms of hurting. They also showed an increase in their willingness to exercise. These results are due to the regulation of dopamine, which gives us more liveliness,energy, and lowers negative feelings.

Counting our blessings can seem like an afterthought, but it actually affects us in more ways than we realize. It rewires the brain to have a naturally occurring mindset of positivity and gratitude, so that even negative situations can be handled with joy. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that instead of worrying, we should pray, with thanksgiving, to God, and His peace will guard our hearts and minds.

Design Emrey Taylor

Photo Abigail Bussey

DEEP THOU GHTS WITH EMMA

Tell me: what is beauty?

Words Emma Malkowski

The way you light up my world like nobody else, The way that you flip your hair leaves me overwhelmed, But when you smile at the ground, it ain’t hard to tell: you don’t kno-(o-ow)--

You don’t know you’re beautifu(uh-ul),

That’s what makes you beautiful.

Is that what makes you beautiful?

Somewhere at some time, a little girl with proportionately little self awareness blends sloppy pirouette into sloppier pirouette while her karaoke machine blasts a certain One Direction song. She doesn’t think about the plainness of her brown eyes, the unrefined etching of her soft, young face, or the bent shape of her nose. She twirls and flips her hair without pausing to qualify or quantify her “beauty.”

The little girl grows up. The selfawareness she so conveniently lacked makes a dramatic entrance in the way of pre-teen insecurity.

Her “enlightened” self sees it all so clearly: she’s nothing like the “beautiful” runway women living “beautiful” lives with all the other “beautiful” people. What good is beauty to those who only live in its shadow? It all prompts the larger question: what is beauty?

On the surface–and according to my early adolescent brain–beauty conforms to one’s conception of the aesthetic. But if beauty is deeper than skin–if beauty is virtuous somehow–is it really “in the eye of the beholder?”

Before we go any deeper, let’s get a little cliche: enter my old pal, Merriam Webster. Webster’s dictionary defines beauty as “the quality or group of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or the mind,” or “the quality of being physically attractive.” Or, it describes something excellent or appealing in some capacity. Lots of nuance, not much clarity. Thanks anyway, Merriam.

Is beauty an attribute? Is it physical or non-physical–or maybe both? Is it rather a sensation–an experience? Is it simply goodness made manifest? Holy semantics, time to digress.

I think there’s more to be said of the concept of beauty. Within the shades of meaning lies something valuable we all seem to crave–to require–but where do we find such…whatever it is?

Centuries of great minds have aimed to cut through the cloudy haze of ambiguity. Aristotle holds that beauty is symmetry: formulaic and measured perfection. It is not subjective; it is regarded principally in material realities. Romantic poet John Keats argues beauty is truth: the expression of the real and lasting. It is not subjective and is not necessarily material. Victorian author Oscar Wilde says beauty is the expression of the genius–radiant in originality and design. It is wrought of the creative, but needs no rhyme nor reason. It is not objective; it is not consummate in the material. James Joyce, modern author of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, suggests beauty is that which does not excite the mind or body, but “arrests” it. It may be objective; it may be material.

And One Direction says it has something to do with swinging your hair and grinning at dirt; make of that what you will. (It’s still a good song)

I find it interesting–humanity’s multifaceted unveiling of beauty–but the ambiguity remains. So, I turn to the map and origin of depth and meaning: the one, the only–the Word of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Let not yours (behavior, or perhaps expressions of various concepts of beauty) be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of robes, but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” The emphasis lies in the disposition of the heart and a lack of consideration for one’s apparent greatness. Beauty seems also

an attribute of the Kingdom of God, that being the full revelation of truth founded and fulfilled in the person, life, sacrifice and Spirit of Christ. As I dwell on this, I can’t help but think, “What a beautiful thing.”

“Beauty

seems also an attribute of the Kingdom of God...”

I don’t know exactly how our historical speculation fits into this future image–or into our pilgrimage here–but I am exceedingly satisfied with the great loveliness of the love of God. And with that, I leave you to abide in the beauty of God’s love for you (yes you), and to enjoy the distinctly catchy, equally meaningless One Direction banger, “That’s What Makes You Beautiful.”

(-uh-ul. That’s what makes you beau-ti-ful)

Good riddance. Now it’s stuck in my head.

Design

Emrey Taylor

Photo

Abigail Bussey

MINDLESS MANNERISMS

Students share their subconscious tendencies

Words Maebry Caulfield

What are habits? Habits can be defined as a tendency or a practice that is hard to give up or that we do subconsciously. We all do crafty things when no one is watching;or who knows–maybe people do notice. Here are some funny and sometimes harmful habits we are guilty of.

1. The Phone Checker: Have you ever found yourself in an awkward or stressful situation? In response, some people grab their phones to look busy.

“Sometimes when I walk into an awkward social situation, I pull out my phone and act like I’m on a call to avoid uncomfortable conversations,” Freshman Madison DeLaune said.

In reality, we are hiding from eye contact, conversation, and we even have our heads down to avoid notice.

2. The Snoozer: Waking up in the morning, whether it’s for work or school, is always quite the challenge. Sleeping helps our bodies and minds gain energy for upcoming events. Sometimes we have a tendency to want to continue our slumber and hit the snooze button.

”Frequently, I snooze my alarm so many times that it can defeat the whole purpose,” Sophomore Kennedy Jauer says.

3. The Violent Laugher: Do you ever hear such a funny joke that you end up smacking your friends? I interviewed Sophomore Bella McClure about this phenomenon

“Many times when something funny really gets me, I will take it out on my friends,” McClure said.

Oh Bella. I don’t know how relatable this one is, but it’s all in love of course! !

In conclusion, we all perform habits that can affect our lives, or just give us a good laugh. Even noticing a funny or annoying reoccurrence a friend or family member does can bring a smile to anyone’s face. After all, sneakiness and cleverness are a part of being human, so it is best to embrace our silly and annoying tendencies.

Design

Graphic: Nathan Player

ARTI SAN

“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.”

–Albert Einstein

More than a Melody

Masterpiece or Disasterpiece?

MORE THAN A MELODY

The importance of listening to Christian music outside of church

Words Sopris Oglesby

Design Caroline Pickle

Photo Maebry Caulfield

You’ve just had one of the worst school days of the year. You took two tests you didn’t have time to study for, an essay to write before the end of the week, you dropped your lunch all over the boardwalk and got a demerit for tardies. All you want is to drive home and take a nap, so you jump in the car and turn up the radio as you rush out of the parking lot. You’re ticked off as it is, but when “Dance Monkeys” by Tones and I starts playing you absolutely lose it. It does not match the vibe whatsoever and sends your awful day over the edge. Instead, you decide to play “Let the Light in” by Lana Del Ray. It calms you down and perfectly expresses how you’re feeling.

This is an example of how music influences current emotional state, but it also holds the power to direct emotional destination. We can feel music more than any other type of creative expression. It touches our soul at a deeper level than most media can, since it is an expression of the author’s emotions that invites us to reciprocate their feelings or have an alternate response. I believe that by listening to Christian music outside of a church setting, we can both grow our relationship with Christ and help monitor our emotions in times of stress, anger, or sadness. We all have a deep emotional connection to music, so instead of filling our minds with secular music in times of distress, why don’t we turn our minds on our God who wants to help and draw near to us? In my experience, I feel so much more at peace and close to God than I ever have after intentionally listening to worship music rather than my regular, favorite songs.

In modern culture, music is prevalent in almost all aspects of an individual’s life. That is why the type of music we lend our ears to holds much more gravity than we might realize.

Not only does listening to worship music generate a positive emotional response, it also edifies the Lord. Psalms 92:2 says, “Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim his salvation day after day.”

“The type of music we lend our ears to holds much more gravity than we might realize.”

I know that when I choose to listen to worship music on my drive to school in the morning, I find my mind turning back to one of the songs I heard. This reminds me of God and gives me an opportunity to talk to him more throughout the day.

However, It can be hard to find Christian music that you can listen to on a regular basis; that’s where I can help! If you like a more country or folk song vibe, I would listen to Luke Bower or Josiah Queen. Forrest Frank is also a great option if pop music is more your style. Lastly, Circuit Rider, Hillsong Worship, and Elevation Worship are bands that have all the classic worship music, but never disappoint.

I encourage you to grow your faith through music and never forget that God is on your side no matter what!

I'VE BEEN THINKING...

Giving voice to our various “shower thoughts”

Words Caroline Pickle

“They can be something stupid with zero relevance, or deep and captivating.”

You know the random or profound thoughts that enter your mind during the most mundane tasks such as taking a shower, brushing your teeth, driving your car, or trying to fall asleep at night? Those are known as “shower thoughts,” and we all have them–some more than others. What makes these thoughts hard to wrap our heads around is that most, if not all of the time, don’t have straightforward answers. They can be something stupid with zero relevance, or deep and captivating. I have had many of these, and I thought it would be interesting to hear from other people around campus about their own. So, that’s exactly what I did! Here is a collection of the shower thoughts I received.

First up, our very own Senior, Jacob Goodman. When asked if he had any shower thoughts to share, he did not hesitate. I gave him a piece of paper to write down his thoughts and 15 minutes later, the page was completely filled. His most recent meditation is, “Are humans naturally good and born into an evil world or are humans naturally evil and born into a good world? This raises the question: which is better–to be born good or to overcome your evil nature through great efforts?

Next up, Junior Reid Wilson. Reid always has such good questions and perspective, so I knew he would contribute some great thoughts.

Here’s what’s been on his mind:

1. Are you just a side character in someone else’s story?

2. The brain named itself and named everything we’ve ever done…

3. What will geologists think when they dig up fidget spinners?

4. If fossil fuels are made of dead plants and animals, will we become someone’s fossil fuel one day?

5. What will future generations think of Taylor Swift?

Up next, our very own Sophomore, Nico Nelson. Here are a few thoughts Nico has wrestled with:

1. Can you make dark chocolate milk?

2. Do bald people have foreheads?

3. Is water flammable?

He also shared how he and his dad started a collection of “shower thoughts” and will add to them whenever another one pops into their heads!

Last, but certainly not least, Sophomore Landry Smith. Here’s some clever thoughts she came up with:

1. In the movie cars, there are sidewalks. But everyone is a car, so then why are there sidewalks?

2. The population of people older than you will never increase, only decrease

I hope after reading this article, you walk away with something new to think about you would never consider on your own. Take these students’ imagination and let it inspire you to think more deeply about things even those seemingly random and unimportant “shower thoughts.”

Design

Caroline Pickle

Graphic Kadence Hastings

Words

Acurated, issue-centric playlist for your queue

1. Empire State of Mind (part II) Broken Down - Alicia Keys

2. Boom Clap - Charli xcx

3. Young Folks - Peter Bjorn and John

4. Welcome To New York - Taylor Swift

5. The Love Club - Lorde

6. New Light - John Mayer

7. Feels Like - Gracie Abrams

8. Latch - Disclosure, Sam Smith

9. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel

10. About You - The 1975

11. Supercut - Lorde

12. Hey There Delilah - Plain White Tees

13. Ever Since New York - Harry Styles

Design

Ella Dillinger

Harper Deimund, Caroline Pickle+ Macie Egli

QUARTERLY COMIC

A graphic illustration inspired by the city that never sleeps

Design

Ella Dillinger

Graphic

Jacob Goodman

MASTERPIECE OR DISASTERPIECE?

Here at the Geneva quarterly, we were struggling to find the answer to a seemingly easy question. So, we interviewed Mrs. Patteson, the Geneva Logic and Rhetoric art teacher, to find some answers.

That’s tricky, because true art is not what the world sees it as. Art is made to honor God and bless others. When we think of art in that way, with skill and balance, it creates the most beautiful things. However, in modern art you wouldn’t see those things. Modern art feels as if it’s almost just made to shock and impress its viewers,” Patteson said.

After the interview with Patteson, we needed some more insight from Geneva students.

We interviewed freshmen Jace Clark, sophomore Caleb Sehlke, Junior Siena Svendsen and Chloe Caulfield by asking if they considered various works of modern art masterpieces or quite the opposite. We showed each two art pieces. The first is named “Comedy:” it consists of a banana duct taped to a white wall and was sold for $120,000 in 2019. The other piece, “Zip,” included two, large blue rectangles with a white line through the center; it sold for $43.8 million back in 2013.

When asked about “Comedy,” our artists were hesitant (to say the least).

“No, I don’t think of this as art because it took minimal effort in piecing it together. The artist didn’t create the banana or duck tape so it almost takes away the originalism,” Clark said.

“I don’t think this is considered art at all. It looks like it was made by a 5 year old,” Sehlke said.

Next, we gathered their thoughts on “Zip.”

“I don’t think that it can be called art because I think the main point of art is to capture God’s beauty. When we create, we are imitating our creator and so our art needs to be a reflection of him, so I think not all things we create can be considered art,” Svendsen said.

“Yes I would consider this art, because it uses lines, contrast, and emphasis which are all types of elemental or principal designs of art,” Caulfield said.

Throughout all of this, we conclude that art is not made to impress and shock, but to show God’s glory. When we create something, it should exemplify Him and His power. Our world is broken, and sometimes we feel as if we have to

impress others, but God created each one of us in His image. We are His beautiful masterpiece. God was the first artist, painting the mountains, oceans, animals, plants and most importantly us! His paintings are all around us, and we are his design.

“Art is made to honor God and bless others.”

Design Caroline

Pickle Photos Maebry Caulfield

THE BARE NECESSITIES

Students’ backpack essentials

Words Harper Deimund

The contents of someone’s bag can say a lot about a person. So, I asked Geneva students about their backpack essentials and what they cannot live without at school. It was very interesting to see what people’s essentials are, because it shares a lot about a person and their interests and gives a deeper dive into who they are.

Elle

Chalmers (junior)

Wimberly Hochart (senior)

Landry Smith (sophomore)

The

Established in 2007

Greetings from the future… I have much to tell you, but due to my current circumstances (and the Magazine Editors’ scant word limit), I must be brief. I have arrived in the year 2037, While I could tell you about the national and global events between 2024 and 2037, I thought it more necessary to tell you about the future of the school since this article is, after all, in The Talon. I’m a quieter man in the year 2037, mainly due to losing my hearing from years of ringing the Rhetoric School bells. My doctor told me I was going deaf; honestly, that news was hard to hear. While it’s too late for my hearing, I wanted to share some encouragement and warnings from the future for you all in the year 2024.

First, in the year 2037, the House of Milton will have just won its fifth straight House of the Year award. The House of Sayers, on the other hand, will not be around in the year 2037. They were renamed Dante after Dorothy Sayers was found out to have used generative AI on her famous 1947 essay The Lost Tools of Learning, and they have won multiple House of the Year awards since.

In 2029, we added a second locker barn after the great trampling of 2028. Dr. Odom (he earned his PhD) and Dr. Covington wrote a book titled Ask The Bible Doctors Anything that became a top 10 bestseller on christianbook. com. Dr. Covington decided to stay at Geneva

after Mr. Johnson and Mr. Higdon became international sensations on America’s Got Talent, and are now known by their new name, “Suspended Youth.” In 2033, Mr. Bradshaw received a Guinness World Record for having set sail on 492 commercial cruises, after which he became known as Columbushaw.

In 2027, Grace Detterick ran twice around the world, the first human being in history to accomplish the impossible feat. In 2029, Maegan Riebel ended Caitlin Clark’s career after a televised one-on-one left Clark with two broken ankles. And Jace Hulett won his first PGA Tour Championship in 2031.

Although there are more noteworthy accomplishments, I have run out of time and space, although coming from someone who has been transported to the future, I’m not sure what that means.