Geneva Quarterly Volume 8 Issue 3 by Geneva Quarterly

GENEVA QUARTERLY perspective and culture

volume 8 issue 3

CONCEPT

To illuminate the concepts of perspective and culture, junior Gwyn Lewellyn found the perfect spot in her very own home to create these dreamy and dazzling scenes. In front of a blank wall, Lewellyn skillfully and imaginatively photographed junior Emmy Hamilton from different perspectives sitting in yards of pink tulle and wearing gold earrings.

MISSION STATEMENT

The 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.

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: 225 Rhetoric Faculty: 31

COLOPHON: All verbal and visual content is solicited and selected by the Quarterly staff. Approval is garnered from our adviser, Christina Hammock, and from our headmaster, Rob Shelton. All bylined writers are held accountable for their work.

CONTACT: To purchase a subscription or advertisement, contact: chammock@genevaschooltx.org For questions or comments, contact: chammock@genevaschooltx.org

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

MAGAZINE SPECS: Created in Adobe InDesign and printed by Bright Printing, School Division. Font Families: Acumin Pro Condensed, Quattrocento Sans and Mauritius.

dear reader,

For the last time, we executives welcome you to the latest issue of the Geneva Quarterly. For this issue, we selected the themes of perspective and culture. Many of the stories contained in this issue take on a fresh perspective of today’s culture. Our staff investigated the critical conditions of ocean reefs, questioned the influence of beloved celebrities and examined the benefits of record labels for musicians even in a social media driven world. Further, our staff illuminated the rich campus culture found in the creative talents of teachers and students, the hard work of unseen heroes and the perseverance of athletes. There’s no doubt that this past year changed people’s outlook on the world. Our staff, however, never lost sight of the fact that what we do is a reflection of our perspectives and this magazine is a vessel to enrich the culture. As our time as the “head honchos” of the Journalism Room comes to an end, we want to thank our readers for their support, commend our staff for their fantabulous work and wish the next executives the best of luck. Our staff is proud to present the Geneva Quarterly Issue Three, full of stories, graphics and photos that we hope will inspire you long after you’ve set it down. Always remember that your story matters–it’s only our job to tell it.

from our hands to yours, ALEXA GEORGELOS PAULINE RAHAL SYDNEY DENNIS JACKSON YOUNG

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

Trust the Process

Heroes Go Unseen

Dreams Really Do Come True

Stop and Smell the Roses

Is Our Justice Blind?

Home is Where the Reef Is

Creative 44

Story

Feature

Opinion

Feature

FLIPSIDE

COURTSIDE

We’re Hooked on Classics

Seeing the San Antonio Sites

Get Lost in the Sauce

It’s Not Their First Rodeo

Skateboarding Carves the Path

Speak Your Piece

Opinion

Feature

Review

Feature

Story

out side

Shedding light on the big ideas that influence our realities

Photo Kate Travis

Home is Where the Reef Is

Is Our Justice Blind?

Stop and Smell the Roses

WE ARE BANKING ON IT HOW WE CAN HELP OUR LOCAL FOOD BANKS AND MINISTRIES GIVE BACK TO PEOPLE IN NEED Words Claire Coultress

Let’s talk about the issue of hunger in our community. There have always been people in the greater San Antonio area in need of food, but since COVID-19 hit, those numbers have continued to rise. A lot of “non-essential workers” lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and others had their salaries cut. So many people are unable to provide for themselves. Thankfully, there are organizations that provide meals for people in need. According to the San Antonio Food Bank’s Facebook page, they are now feeding 120,000 people every week. Before COVID-19, they were serving around 58,000 individuals weekly. Unfortunately, all these provided meals don’t just appear magically. These charity organizations like the San Antonio Food Bank and Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries (HCDBM) rely on donations. Every $1 donated to the SA Food Bank can provide seven meals to those in need. Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries accepts

food, clothing, diapers and financial donations. HCDBM has partnerships with places such as H-E-B and Walmart, allowing them to stretch a dollar further.

“As Christians, we are called to give and serve others through love.” As Christians, we are called to give and serve others through love. These ministries are great places to follow Jesus’ example by donating money or nonperishable food items and/ or volunteering. There is just as great a need for volunteers as

there is for donations. You can donate or sign up to volunteer at hillcountrydailybread.com and safoodbank.org. Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries has a special program where you mentor a household by bringing them their box of provisions from HCDBM and growing a relationship with them. Bonnie Finley, a former Geneva parent and representative from the ministry, wants to impress upon all readers that HCDBM is more than just a food bank. Its mission is to provide for the daily needs of those in poverty, but more importantly, to build relationships with them and help them become selfsufficient in the future.

If you have more than you need, I urge you to give to the less fortunate. But also, don’t forget to pray. Pray for our community, our country and our world. Times are tough right now and sometimes there is nothing we can do but pray.

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Layout Sophia Baldwin Graphic Sophia Baldwin Photos Kate Travis

HOME IS WHERE THE REEF IS CORAL REEFS ARE DYING ALL OVER THE WORLD Words Sophia Baldwin

The year is 2041. It is just an ordinary, brisk Saturday morning. You and your family are all in the living room eating breakfast. Your kids turn on the television and flip through the channels until one catches their eye. They see the bright colors and shapes of coral and sea anemones. Intrigued, they set down the remote and start to ask you questions pertaining to this new found underwater world. Little do they know, their new “underwater world” discovery is a key part of our childhood, coral reefs. At the rate that reefs are dying in 2021, it is predicted that 90% of all reefs will be gone in 20 years. Even more devastating, the Great Barrier Reef itself will be gone in ten, rapidly turning this scenario into reality.

Known as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Great Barrier Reef is so large it can be seen from space with the naked eye. It is home to over 3,000 individual coral reefs as well as 1,625 known species of fish (10% of the world’s fish species). About a fourth of all known marine species inhabit this colossal collection of reefs. This natural wonder stretches for 1,429 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles. To put this in perspective, 70 million football fields could fit in the Great Barrier Reef alone. It is single handedly bigger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Holland combined. Approximately the same size as Germany or Japan, the Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly a magnificent sight.

Coral bleaching, pollution, climate change and overfishing are the main contributors to this critical damage. About 25% of the ocean’s fish depend on healthy coral reefs, but according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “Many drugs are now being developed from coral reef animals and plants as possible cures for cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, viruses and other diseases.” Coral bleaching occurs when the coral’s food source, algae, is exposed to unnaturally warm ocean water, causing it to suffocate and die. With no food source, the coral dies and without coral, so do many other inhabitants of the reef. The potential death of the Great Barrier Reef and reefs in general affect humans more than you would think. While coral reefs only occupy 0.0025% of the oceanic floor, their job is anything but little. Marine plants produce 70% of the oxygen in Earth’s

“It’s estimated that half of Earth’s oxygen is produced by reefs alone.” atmosphere and it’s estimated that half of Earth’s oxygen is produced by reefs alone. They also absorb nearly onethird of the carbon dioxide generated from burning fossil fuels. Overfishing and fishing practices such as dynamite and cyanide fishing can lead to the loss of important economical and ecological marine life. “Such losses often have a ripple effect not just on the coral reef ecosystems

“The likelihood of disease increases from 4% to 89% when corals are in contact with plastic.” themselves, but also on the local economies that depend on them,” NOAA states. While climate change may not be 100% caused by humans, scientists agree that we are the primary source. Climate change is greatly caused by humans putting too much carbon in the atmosphere, like when we choose to extract and burn coal, oil and gas, or cut down and burn forests. The increase in carbon affects everything on land and in the sea. Pollution comes in all shapes and forms, but the most notable include toxins and plastics. A study was conducted in which scientists observed 159 different reefs over the span of four years. In these reefs, the plastic contaminants would cling to coral and cause diseases.“The likelihood of disease increases from 4% to 89% when corals are in contact with plastic,” researchers in the Journal of Science report.

Plastics cause abrasions in which harmful bacterial growth and infection can occur. Plastics also block sunlight, causing a domino effect. When the sunlight is absent, the algae cannot grow and the coral cannot photosynthesize.

Without these two major events, it is only a matter of time before coral bleaching and extinction of whole ecosystems becomes a reality. It is estimated that over 11 billion plastic items are entangled in coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to over half of all reefs in the world. “Bleached coral is more susceptible to disease,” Drew Harvell of Cornell University said. “The bleached coral is stressed. Plastic would make things that much worse.” Although this may sound disheartening, little, everyday steps can help save the coral reefs. Even as high school students, we still have a part to play in saving our ocean. The first step

is becoming aware of the issue and spreading awareness. It’s also important to conserve water and use biodegradable sunscreen when going into the ocean to prevent pollution. Recycling is also a great and easy way to reduce ocean plastics, not to mention plastic pollution in general. Finally, if you are ever lucky enough to experience the beauty of a coral reef in person, make sure not to touch it. A diver’s rule of thumb is to look and not to touch. Even though they may look like rocks, they are fragile living organisms, and it is part of our job to protect them.

Layout Sophia Baldwin Graphics Sophia Baldwin

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL STREAMING HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD OF MUSIC Words Nicolas Siller

Music has provided people with entertainment for centuries. Today, it gives energy to a workout, relieves boredom while driving, adds relaxation to studying and even serves as a good background to making toast on the weekend. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow put it, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” What some people may not realize, however, is that the music industry has changed tremendously over the past couple of decades because of digital soundtracks. Even more recently, social media has completely revolutionized the way people enjoy music today and the way record labels find artists in which to invest.

Anson Eggerss, Geneva Class of 2020, is now studying Audio Engineering at Belmont University and independently producing music for himself and his peers. “Labels are still relevant because they basically fund your career,” Eggerss said. From promoting the artist’s music to getting them into playlists to securing concert venues, a record label’s investment into an artist’s musical career can really set them up for more success while independent artists have to put in the work to get their music to an audience. Despite the disadvantages when it comes to investment, independent artists have one very large trick up their sleeves: social media.

Ryan Travis, Geneva Class of 2012, worked in the music industry with his wife Emily for many years in Nashville. He was a songwriter and touring act while she was a publicist and manager. While still a student at Belmont University, Travis witnessed the rapid rise of digitally-streamed music first-hand. “Halfway through every semester of Publishing or Copyright Law, the professor would scrap everything we learned because new laws were being passed on distribution rights or payout rates—most related to streaming services becoming the dominant distribution medium,” Travis said.

“Labels are still relevant because they fund your career.”

As digital-streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify took hold, many popular artists such as Taylor Swift and Jay-Z protested against the free streaming of their music. “Artists and music companies suffered the elimination of what was previously a crucial source of income: physical or digital sales of music,” Travis said. While streaming platforms claim that a large portion of their revenue goes back to the artists and recording labels, the question becomes whether or not the profit of online streaming surpasses the profit that could be had through album sales. Nonetheless, free digital streaming is here to stay. With free online streaming, just about anyone can record music and publish it for minimal cost on online platforms like Soundcloud, Apple Music and Spotify. These independent artists are also paid per listen of their online music. So, if both independent and signed artists can earn money through the same streaming services, then are record labels still beneficial to a musician? The answer is yes, they still are.“Large music companies in Nashville now have liaisons that work directly with the streaming services to secure playlist placements,” Travis said. This helps to explain part of why popular signed musicians such as Jason Derulo, Cardi B and Post Malone always find their way into our playlists.

Social media has evolved right alongside online music streaming platforms. It serves as the independent artists’ platform for promoting their music and though the odds may seem low, their music is still heard. Eggerss explained that he has met people at Belmont University that were discovered over social media and proceeded to sign with a large label or get a million monthly listeners on Spotify. “The job of A&Rs (music talent scouts) has changed from going to music venues, to scrolling through TikTok to find new artists,” Eggerss said. Even through COVID-19 and the cancellation of many artists’ tours, many musicians have been able to get larger audiences through their social media accounts on Instagram, TikTok, etc. “There is so much anticipation to go and see these new artists in concert,” Eggerss said. Yung Gravy, a well-known American rapper, was recently quoted as saying, “I would like to thank TikTok for bringing up young talents.” Though there is much to hope for as an independent artist going viral with a music video or trying to get lucky with the algorithm built into these music streaming platforms, these changes have made the industry that much more competitive. Contracts with larger labels are harder to get because of thousands of competing artists who have independently produced their music. On the flip side, listeners enjoy a variety of music in their playlists that was unheard of 10 years ago. Layout Sophia Dacy Photo Kate Travis

IS OUR JUSTICE BLIND? FAME IS THE NEW GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD Words Guy Kohler

In today’s world, celebrities have a huge influence on many—especially kids. They are looked up to and seen as role models. Lately, however, celebrities have been speaking out and doing things not worthy of praise. America is slowly becoming more and more divided, and celebrities have become a major factor in this. An example of this is professional basketball player LeBron James who has recently pushed his political views. James has spoken out against those who support political figures he doesn’t support and openly calls them uneducated. Because James is a famous basketball player, he has a major influence and a lot of people have accepted his words. This push has also encouraged other celebrities to speak out about their own views, creating a divided political atmosphere in what used to be solely focused on sports. Some celebrities have even gone as far as to openly wish harm on others on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For example, posts were made openly wishing that former President Donald Trump would die from COVID-19 after his

“It’s become obvious that we as a nation have begun to stray away from the message in our Pledge of Allegiance, “One Nation under God.”

brother’s death. A hashtag was even started that said #wrongtrump. The children on these social media platforms see this, think it’s okay and don’t question it because it was said by someone they revere. Today, we put so much emphasis on fame that we lose sight of the important things in life. Kids are growing up in a divided society that focuses on fame, politics and social media. Even if they aren’t the best influence, we still admire celebrities and are influenced by their actions and thoughts. Mike Tyson, one of the most famous boxers of all time, made around $400 million during the first 18 years of his boxing career. He retired from boxing in 2005 but had already gone bankrupt by 2003 because he spent all of his money on expensive items and ran into trouble with the law. Despite this, we still glorify Tyson as a great boxer and forget the mistakes he made. His debts and problems are overlooked because he was great at his sport and received attention. It’s become too easy to look up to someone just because they’re rich or famous. Celebrities shouldn’t be exempt from the law, and we shouldn’t be the ones who blindly follow them. It’s become obvious that we as a nation have begun to stray away from the message in our Pledge of Allegiance, “One Nation under God.” As Americans, we should remember to stop glorifying celebrities and to be thankful for the privilege and fortune we have now.

Layout Sophia Dacy Graphics Sophia Baldwin

LOVE IS IN THE AIR DIFFERENT EMOTIONS PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT VALENTINE’S DAY Pro Hannah Pratt Con Sophia Dacy

PRO Waking up on February 14 commonly sparks two polar opposite emotions. Some wake up feeling eager and excited while others wake up dreading the day before them. Despite these very different emotions, there are many significant perks that come with this love-filled holiday. Over time, Valentine’s Day has evolved into a holiday for more than just individuals in romantic relationships. Families may spend the night by going out to dinner, friends may exchange gifts and classmates may have parties. Valentine’s Day is a holiday full of love and because love is the core of many different relationships, everyone is able to celebrate. One of the most delicious parts of this lovey-dovey day is the amount of candy exchanged. With FunDip, Hershey Kisses and the infamous one-pound Reese’s—everyone is bound to end the day on a sugar high or with sweets to last them the whole week. And if the candy handed out on Valentine’s Day wasn’t enough, all candy goes on sale February 15. Most people view Valentine’s Day as a holiday to spread love. The feeling of both giving and receiving love is one of the best feelings in the world and when love is in the air, it is hard to feel down. More smiles, hugs and happiness is shared on Valentine’s Day which almost guarantees that warm fuzzy feeling inside. Overall serotonin is on a high on this holiday of love. All in all, Valentine’s Day is not a holiday for the exclusive “taken club.” Instead, it’s a holiday for everyone to express their appreciation and love for the closest people in their lives. This February 14, don’t forget to hug, gift chocolates and flowers and simply spend time with your loved ones. Happy Valentine’s Day!

“The feeling of both giving and receiving love is one of the best feelings in the world and when love is in the air, it is hard to feel down.”

CON It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air…but is love really in the air for everyone? Even though it’s called the most romantic day of the year and is celebrated around the world, does it actually leave everyone feeling loved? Despite all the chocolate, candied hearts, roses, and all things pink, there are some major downs to the holiday of love. On Valentine’s Day, many people typically give others candy or chocolate. Not that candy is a bad thing, but a lot of candy can result in a sugar crash. When you realize you are single on a day meant to be spent with a boyfriend/girlfriend, indulging yourself in candy sounds like the way to go. As a result, a sugar crash is very likely to happen. Another major downside of Valentine’s Day is having to celebrate alone. Too many people are left sitting on the couch eating ice cream and watching cheesy Rom-Coms. Not having a Valentine or someone special to spend the day with is never a fun thing, and seeing all the cute couples on Instagram only makes it worse. Valentine’s Day seems only to serve in making someone realize how single they actually are. It’s okay though, you may meet your special person one day.

It’s also really difficult to come up with gift ideas for Valentine’s Day. Of course, there are always Ring Pops, Fun Dip and Gummy Bears, but what about that special person? Do you really want to give them a teddy bear that is just gonna sit somewhere in their room until they don’t want it anymore? No, you probably don’t. Thinking on the creative side can be a challenge and not everyone has time to make cute handmade cards. Being single on a day all about love and relationships can be rough, but it’ll be okay. Just turn on some good music, eat some good chocolate and hope for a better Valentine’s Day next year!

“It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air…but is love really in the air for everyone?” Graphics Sophia Baldwin Layout Sophia Dacy

STOP AND

SMELL THE ROSES IT’S OKAY TO SLOW DOWN, BREATHE AND NOT FILL UP OUR SCHEDULES Words Lauren Abell

In the world we live in today, it’s easy to get lost in all of the different things that keep us busy. Constantly striving towards the next big thing we have planned for ourselves, we tend to leave little free time in our schedules. Activities and people take up much of our time, and it’s easy to forget to simply breathe. While it’s alright to surround ourselves with those special to us and to be involved in different environments we enjoy, it’s also just as necessary for us to intentionally allow time to process all the things that go on around us and be still.

After the year 2020, many have dealt with more pain, triumph and emotion than they have in the majority of their lifetimes. All of these come with a great need for thought, processing and prayer. However, if we are all so wrapped up in the fleeting ways in which we spend our time, when are we supposed to devote ourselves to healthy mental habits and deepen our relationship with God?

As a society, we’ve begun to allot less and less time to a simple life, and are instead quick to pack our days full of constant events and mindless activities. But do we really want or need all the activities we plan for ourselves? Or is it that we just don’t know what to do with ourselves when we’re bored?

In the Bible, God addresses this very question in Psalm 37:7. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently before him.” Sometimes in our silence and by being still, God is able to communicate to us the loudest. As Christians, we desperately need time with God to remain strong in faith and strong of mind. Through this past year, there have been opportunities for anxiety, depression and many other disheartening afflictions.

“Is it that we just don’t know what to do with ourselves when we’re bored?”

With these burdens, it is so important to pray continuously and allow for God in his sovereignty to intervene and act according to His will. If we do not set aside the time to ask God for help or comfort, we should not rightfully expect a change in our circumstances.

In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus says, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to

“Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” If we are to believe this, we should in turn act accordingly and give our worries and desires alike into the hands of God. We were never meant to face alone all the trials that come with life, but we seem to do just that when we choose temporal things of this world rather than God and his instructions.

God tells us to be still and have times of silence in our lives because he knows and wants what is best for us. While these moments can be unappealing and feel like boredom, they can also be times of comfort, thoughtfulness and prayer. Letting ourselves have a break from the constant busyness we face day-to-day can be a relief and a blessing. We owe it to ourselves to take God’s directions seriously and take the time to be quiet, still and patiently await the peace God intends for us as his children.

After all of the vast changes we have faced lately, especially in this past year, it might be worth taking a pause from all that has happened and give consideration to both the good and the bad. Being able to reflect on the changes we’ve recently experienced can allow for growth and help shape the kind of person we become. Maybe instead of seeing boredom as a lack of events to fill up your calendar, we can view it as an opportunity to be intentional in our relationship with ourselves and with God, and grow in our faith through the stillness and silence of the little moments.

Photos Kate Travis Graphics Sophia Baldwin Layout Sophia Baldwin

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT THE ONGOING FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 CHANGES WITH NEW VACCINE Words Spencer Yarbrough

“These are huge steps our country has taken to recover from this tragic pandemic that has affected the world.”

We, as a community and nation, have been fighting against the virus we now know as COVID-19. This tragic virus struck the U.S. last spring with nationwide school closures and a large majority of our country temporarily being shut down. As our country got back on its feet, the government slowly started to re-open companies and stores. We have been blessed with a relatively small community which has allowed us to have an in-person school with very few cases of the virus on our campus. In December 2020, the government released a vaccine. The first round of this vaccine was only approved for the elderly in nursing homes and front line healthcare workers. The current trajectory for the entire country to receive the vaccine will be sometime between spring or summer. These are huge steps our country has taken to recover from this tragic pandemic that has affected the world, our beloved country and more specifically, our community. Approximately 93.3 million COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed worldwide, with a whopping 23.3 million in the U.S. alone. As of February 17, 2021, there have been 486,466 deaths from this pandemic in America. Worldwide reports estimate 2.42 million deaths with the U.S. leading in both deaths and cases I was interested to hear people’s perspective on this relatively new vaccine. I decided to ask one of Geneva’s nurses, Mrs. Brittany Styles, her thoughts on the vaccine. “I am absolutely a proponent of being vaccinated. I signed up for a shot the very first day it was available for nurses” Styles said.

“After I walked out of the clinic I felt that a huge burden had lifted from my shoulders. COVID-19 affects everyone around you. I was tired of the weight of knowing if I ever tested positive, it would quarantine me and more importantly my husband and kids,” Styles said. Getting the virus has a much bigger ripple effect on those around us than we realize. By receiving the vaccine, our community can begin to go back to the lifestyle we once had. The world is waiting for all the chaos from this catastrophic pandemic to end. We are all tired of having to wear masks everyday, not seeing our friends facial expressions at school and not living our normal lives. In times like these, it is important to stay together, help protect each other and do our part in keeping the community we love safe from this virus. Until things go back to normal, wash your hands, wear your mask and social distance.

Layout Sophia Dacy Photo Kate Travis Graphic Alexa Georgelos

Uncovering the various details of our common ground

in side

Graphic Kate Evans

Dreams Really Do Come True

Heroes Go Unseen

Trust the Process

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE GENEVA STUDENTS PURSUE THEIR MUSICAL DREAMS Words Sarah Coultress

Everyone has heard the threatening rumor that junior year is the hardest year of high school. If you ask any junior they would confirm that speculation. On top of everything that comes along with being a junior, some students still find time to do the things they love. For some, their passion lies within sports, hanging out with friends, volunteering, sewing, rock climbing, running or reading. For these juniors, their pastime passion is creating and playing music.

NICO & JACOB NICOLAS SILLER & JACOB DISHONGH

Juniors Nicolas Siller and Jacob Dishongh have been creating their own music for almost three years and call themselves “Nico and Jacob.” Within the past couple of years, they started to produce their own music and put it on Spotify. They released their first album, “Dreams,” in February 2019 followed by another in May 2020, “Runaway.” Recently, they wrote and produced two singles at the end of 2020 and just released a new one, “Broken Telephone” in January 2021. Their favorite covers to play are “Malibu 92” by Coin and “Ophelia” by The Lumineers. In between their creative hours, they play gigs. They play once a month at Z’s Pizza in Boerne on Saturday nights and are available for personal bookings. Taking the advice from their manager, Julianna Goodman and classmate, Lindsie Baggs, Siller and Dishongh created a TikTok account. They made a video and posted it, not expecting anything to happen. Later that night, however, it began to blow up. Within only a few hours they reached seven million views on their video, only continuing to grow with every passing hour by millions. Their fun remix of Yung Gravy’s remix of “Mr. Sandman” has now reached 16.4 million views and 4.4 million likes. Yung Gravy himself commented and debuted their video. Soon they became “TikTok famous” and gained 200,000 followers on TikTok and almost 2,000

Juniors Nicolas Siller and Jacob Dishongh

followers on Instagram. “We used to be haters of TikTok but then once our manager suggested we post, we blew up” Siller said. Siller and Dishongh are happy that their music is being discovered. People are starting to listen to their music and are begging for more. They have their plates full as they continue to write new songs for an album and create more content and remixes for TikTok. They had been working on a new single called “Broken Telephone,” around the same time as their discovery on TikTok. They wrote, produced and made a music video with the help of Goodman, a producer in Cinematography. When asked about the inspiration behind their new single they replied with: “a certain female.” Check them out here: TikTok: nicoandjacob, Instagram: nicoandjacob, YouTube: Nico and Jacob, Spotify: Nico & Jacob, Booking Info: nicoandjacobbusiness@gmail.com or 210.672.0011

“When asked about the inspiration behind their new single they replied with: ‘a certain female.’” 29

Juniors Lauren, Jack and Chris McDaniel

THE IF & WHEN BAND LAUREN, CHRIS & JACK McDANIEL

Juniors Lauren, Chris and Jack McDaniel are triplets who have their own band called “The If and When Band.” They started to get into music for the fun of it and soon became good enough to start playing gigs. They have big plans this summer to play at several venues and restaurants in and around Boerne and make music a full-time job. While they only play covers for now, they hope to expand into their own music in the future. They mostly play covers from the 80s to 90s rock genre and their all-time favorite covers to play are “Hotel California” by The Eagles, and “Come Together” by The Beatles. Each of them share a specific role in their band: Jack plays the drums, Chris plays the bass guitar and Lauren is lead vocalist and lead guitarist. Lauren is also learning how to write her own songs in Mr. Arizpe’s songwriting class. And if anyone was wondering, yes, Lauren also plays worship songs at assemblies, often accompanied by her brother Jack. Scheduling time to practice is not a problem for the siblings, but it often gets interrupted by sibling drama. “It is nice because we know each other so well that we work well together to strengthen our weaknesses while playing individually and together. Also, practice is easy because we can practice whenever we

want. I am not saying we get along all the time; we sometimes argue more than we play,” Chris said. The triplets are available for bookings at: lmcd1304@gmail.com.

“Scheduling time to practice is not a problem for the siblings, but it often gets interrupted by sibling drama.”

CASSIDY EGLI Junior Cassidy Egli has many musical talents, playing numerous instruments such as the guitar, piano, ukulele and the drums. Her favorite cover to play is “T-Shirt” by Birdy and her favorite original is called “Waiting.” She wrote “Waiting” when quarantine first started back in March, and the song is about how everything was “weird and awful.” Egli has many plans for her future in music. Her goal is to work in the music production industry after college.

sit for hours in my room writing until I have a melody for a song and then I just put it all together.” Egli performs at Singing Water Vineyards in Comfort on Sundays and will sometimes play at Z’s Pizza in Boerne. She is available for bookings at: 210.287.2193.

When it comes to composing songs, Egli said, “Literally anytime I have an idea of some sort, I just write it in the notes on my phone and I’ll sometimes

“Literally anytime I have an idea of some sort, I just write it in the notes on my phone.”

Junior Cassidy Egli Photos Nicolas Siller Layout Sarah Coultress

HEROES GO UNSEEN SHEDDING LIGHT INTO THE LITTLE KNOWN CREW THAT KEEPS GENEVA SHINING Words Kate Travis

Cloaked in secrecy, invisible in the shadows, always doing good and forgotten by many. Who are these mysterious heroes, you may ask? None other than Geneva’s wonderful janitorial staff. What would our campus be if not for these amazing people, working so hard to keep it looking top notch. After one week without their hard work, our campus would be in complete chaos. Yet, no one seems to talk about them or even talk to them. Everyone says that our community is what makes Geneva so special. It seems that this whole group of people are a huge part of our community and are not known or recognized. When was the last time you said “hi” to them? It’s true, they work after school hours but those who have grown up at Geneva have seen them all our lives after games, and at late practices. We need to strive to know our heroes better. They all have amazing stories, especially Erasmo Arellano. Erasmo is the owner of the company that cleans our campus. He and his staff work Monday through Friday, and even sometimes on the weekends. They get to school at 5:00pm and clean until 10 or 10:30 depending on school activities. Erasmo started working at Geneva in 2004 and has been here ever since. He has watched years and years of little Grammar School kids grow up to become high schoolers. His cleaning staff is from many countries such as Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. With a little bit of pride, he said the hardest workers are from Mexico. Most of Erasmo’s cleaning staff are his family. His wife Olivia, his brother Seasar, his daughter Brizaida, and his cousins Lourdes and Felipa, along with his very close friends Rene, Nancy, Vivianna and Elia. Everyone on this list has a day job in addition to working at Geneva.

“Cloaked in secrecy, invisible in the shadows, always doing good and forgotten by many. Who are these mysterious heroes, you may ask? None other than Geneva’s wonderful janitorial staff.”

“After one week without their hard work, our campus would be in chaos. Yet, no one seems to talk about them or even talk to them.”

Erasmo came to America in 1985 when he was 22 years old. He moved from Durango, Mexico to Comfort, Texas. He left his parents and newly-wed wife behind. Everyone was scheduled to eventually move to Comfort but he came first. Erasmo’s family was allowed to move here legally because his brother had married an American citizen.

“When you are new to a country and don’t speak the language very well, and someone says give me money and I'll make you a citizen, you don’t think to be cautious. These attorneys take advantage of their clients and draw out the process as long as they can to milk money out of it,” Arellano said. Just becoming a citizen cost him $15,000.

In Mexico, Erasmo grew up on his family farm working the crops and milking cows with his 16 brothers and sisters. He was able to attend school all the way through high school. But, when asked why his family wanted to leave Mexico he said that there were no jobs and no opportunities to make money. It was almost impossible.

Towards the end of our interview the phrase “The American Dream” came up and Erasmo’s face lit up and he smiled. Through hard work, he went from being a poor, young boy in Mexico to becoming a business owner in America. If that isn’t the American dream, what is?

Even though his brother was now a citizen it took many years and a strenuous process for Erasmo and his family to become citizens themselves. The first step to becoming a citizen is attaining your green card, which is a permanent resident certificate. Green cards are extremely hard to get and you must have one for five years prior to applying for citizenship. However, because Erasmo’s brother was already a citizen, their parents could get green cards. Then because of Erasmo’s parents, he and his wife could get theirs, then their three daughters and so on until the whole family was able to receive their green cards. Erasmo called it “the chain,” and said it was the only way to get a green card. But, getting your green card is a long way from becoming a U.S. citizen. It took Erasmo 35 years to get his citizenship in the States. It was only in 2020 that Erasmo, after years of living here and paying taxes, finally became a U.S. citizen. When asked why the process took so long Erasmo replied that it is because of corrupt attorneys.

Erasmo was asked if anyone ever says thank you to him, and his face broke into a huge grin and he told us that the Grammar students leave notes for him and his staff. Let’s strive to build on that and continue to show them how much they mean to us. When you see them on the boardwalk, say “hi” and ask how they are doing. Geneva puts a lot of emphasis on community, and Erasmo, his family and friends are a vital part of it. They sweep the floors where we walk, they clean the windows so we can see and they dust the round tables where we have our discussions. They play a part in everything we do. The joy and thankfulness that radiates from Erasmo is overwhelming. We should in turn radiate thankfulness towards him. They should no longer be invisible in the shadows.

Graphic Kate Evans Photo Kate Travis Layout Mattie Sue Arnold

EXPLORING NEW HEIGHTS TAKING A LOOK AT THE TALLEST AND SHORTEST STUDENTS ON CAMPUS Words Pauline Rahal

SHORTEST: LILY SHRODE Rahal: What’s your name and what grade are you in? Shrode: Lily Shrode and I’m a senior. Rahal: How tall are you? Shrode: I am 4’11.5”. Rahal: Have you always been the shortest in your grade? Shrode: I think for a while in Grammar School I wasn’t, but that didn’t last too long. Rahal: What is it like being the shortest person in Rhetoric School? Shrode: It is definitely the cause of a lot of jokes. Matthew Renfroe and I always make fun of each other’s heights. It’s also pretty useful being short. I am able slip in between people on the boardwalk when it’s crowded. Rahal: Has being the shortest been a blessing or a curse? Or both? Shrode: I think it’s a bit of both. Rahal: Has being short affected your everyday life? If so, how? Shrode: It definitely makes buying clothes difficult since everything is always way too long. It also means I frequently have to climb onto the kitchen counters in order to grab things. Rahal: What opportunities has being short given you? Shrode: I can buy kids’-sized shoes which are cheaper. Rahal: What opportunities have you missed because of your height? Shrode: I played basketball in Grammar School but it quickly became clear that it would not be something I could continue when everyone else kept getting taller and I stayed the same. Rahal: What challenges have you faced with being short? Shrode: It makes it more difficult to play a physical sport like soccer. I just can’t bulldoze people like some of my teammates, and I am definitely easier to knock over.

Rahal: What are some of your interests/hobbies? Shrode: I love to play soccer, read, act, watercolor and figure skate. Rahal: What’s your favorite thing in the whole world? Shrode: Probably either Colorado or “The Lord of the Rings” series. Rahal: If you could be any celebrity who would you be and why? Shrode: Helena Bonham Carter, because I love a lot of the roles she has played in movies, or Elizabeth Cady Stanton because I think it would be interesting to experience leading the women’s suffrage movement. Rahal: If you could say one word for the rest of your life what would it be? Shrode: Fair.

TALLEST: JUDAH DILLER Rahal: What’s your name and what grade are you in? Diller: My name is Judah Diller, and I’m a senior. Rahal: How tall are you? Diller: I’m 6’5”.

Rahal: What opportunities has being tall given you? Diller: Being tall has given me the opportunity to play basketball and have advantages in the sport. For instance, I am able to get easy blocks, rebounds and layups, just from being tall.

Rahal: Do you have any funny stories related to your height? Rahal: Have you always been the tallest in your grade? Diller: Whenever I go to my grandparent’s house in Diller: No, I haven’t always been the tallest in my upstate New York, I have to do a lot of maneuvering grade. All throughout elementary and middle school, through the house because it was built in the 1700s. I was above average height, but not the tallest. Specifically, whenever I go to the shower, I have to Once I became a freshman, however, I was the bend my head all the way down because I can’t tallest in my grade. fit in it. Rahal: What is it like being the tallest person in Rhetoric School? Diller: It’s cool. People just look up to you and notice you more for no reason at all except for being tall. Rahal: Has being the tallest been a blessing or a curse? Or both? Diller: Being tall has been both a blessing and a curse for me. When I really started growing in ninth grade, I fractured the growth plate of my tibia on my left leg and the growth plate of my right ankle in the same year from jumping in basketball practice. The doctor said I was just growing so fast that my bones were still soft and prone to injury. Since then, I have always had knee problems and growing pains in basketball practice. Along with those major downsides of being tall, there are also little things that get annoying by being tall. The first is that you don’t have that much legroom in certain cars. Similarly, my feet touch the end of the bed frame of my bed whenever I sleep. Also, I have to go to Billy’s Western Wear to get my jeans because they don’t have my size in ordinary clothing stores like Old Navy, Academy or Walmart. One of the good things about being tall is that I can eat a lot of food and not get fat because it all goes into my hollow leg. I can dunk a basketball and also help out Mr. Shelton change the clock on the boardwalk, and help Mr. Russell turn on the projector without having to use a ladder.

Rahal: If you could be any celebrity who would you be and why? Diller: I would probably be Kristaps Porzingus because he’s a 7’3” basketball player who is really good at basketball. It would be fun to be in his shoes for a day.

Layout Mattie Sue Arnold Photo Hayle Heinen

FIND YOUR TYPE THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING YOUR LEARNING STYLE Words Sydney Dennis

As a student at Geneva, the way you study is very important. Geneva offers its students the type of education that challenges their thinking and learning ability, and without the right tools, it can be difficult to soak up this information. Studying is one of the most crucial habits a student can have, but what if it doesn’t work? In this modern age, studying harder has become synonymous with doing better in school. But how is someone supposed to study if they didn’t learn the lesson for that day? In every person, the mind processes information differently and that means that not everyone is going to learn information in the same way. It’s important to remember, both as a student and a teacher, that not everyone will have the same learning style as their peers. By learning about the different learning styles, one can incorporate different study habits that can improve understanding and make studying more efficient. An important thing to remember is that learning is more than just memorizing terms for a test and then forgetting about them the next day. Learning is being able to soak up the information and use it in everyday life. Discovering what helps a student stay focused and excited to learn will help them avoid feeling unmotivated or disengaged in class.

“Not everyone is going to learn information in the same way.”

AUDITORY Auditory learners may have to read this section out loud because as they grasp information better when it is spoken. This means auditory learners typically prefer lectures and discussions over reading and writing on their own. Auditory learners are very keen on picking up messages orally, which means listening to podcasts, watching movies and reading things out loud helps them remember what they learned during the lecture.

How can they study? It can be helpful for auditory learners to talk through the information, pretend they are the ones giving the lecture and recite the lesson out loud. Even listening to a recording of themselves saying the terms could be helpful.

READING AND WRITING Reading and writing learners prefer reading and writing information rather than just hearing it. This means that it’s important that they take notes during lessons and write comments in the books they’re reading for class. By practicing these methods, their brain is able to train itself into remembering the information, which is why it is very important they make it a habit!

How can they study? Reading over the chapters or rewriting their notes can be a lifesaver for reading and writing learners. It may also help to make lists, note cards or even a Quizlet.

KINESTHETIC It is important for kinesthetic learners to recreate and practice lessons in order to really absorb the information. They may also feel the need to fidget around with something in order to stay tuned into the lesson. The most important trait of a kinesthetic learner is that they need to be using their body or moving in some sort of way to process what they are being taught.

How can they study? Studying may include doing something with their hands or using an object to practice the lesson, like fidgeting with a pencil or pen. Remember, it’s important for kinesthetic learners to engage body movement in order to truly grasp the information.

VISUAL Visual learners process information better with the aid of images and concepts. This means seeing graphics or charts is more beneficial than simply hearing words spoken. This may make some classes more difficult than others. In class, they should try asking the teacher for his PowerPoint lesson or use highlighters to mark the important information on note sheets. Assigning certain colors to certain terms might also help with memory.

How can they study? Since visual learners retain details better by seeing the information, creating flash cards or PowerPoint lessons will strengthen their memory. Also, it may help to add symbols or drawings to terms will help them to recall the information better.

Graphics Sydney Dennis Layout Sydney Dennis

THE KNITTY GRITTY YOU KNIT WHAT YOU KNIT AND YOU DON’T THROW A FIT Words Hayle Heinen

Science Teacher Mrs. Christina Jeffcoat

Most kids think that knitting is only for older people, but Mrs. Christina Jeffcoat, the freshman biology teacher and earth and space elective teacher proves us wrong! Mrs. Jeffcoat is young and she finds great enjoyment knitting. Most of us want to start hobbies but don't know how. Here are some tips on how to start knitting and an interview with a woman who is enjoying it. Heinen: How did you get into knitting? Jeffcoat: Well, one day, I saw one of our alumni, Coggin Galbreath (Class of 2017), walking around on the boardwalk knitting with all his supplies in his arms. I think it was for theatre. He was knitting a scarf or something. Anyway I saw him and thought, “Hey, if he can knit then maybe I could, too.” I really like it as a hobby. It is very satisfying to complete a project and very interesting. Most people do not realize how easy it is. I would actually be really interested in forming a knitting club. I didn't even realize how much people are actually interested in knitting. Most think it is an old person thing.

HOW TO KNIT: Supplies: Yarn, bamboo needles Casting on (in knitting, casting on is a family of techniques for adding new stitches that do not depend on earlier stitches): 1. Leave a generous yarn tail and pinch yarn with both hands. 2. Hold the yarn and bring the hands together to make a loop. 3. Hold the loop that you have made in one hand. 4. Grab the yarn that’s unattached to the ball and bring it behind the loop. 5. Pull the strand of yarn through the loop. This little loop is called a slipknot. You’re ready to cast on with it! 6. Place a slipknot on the needle and pull yarn tails to tighten.

Heinen: How did you learn to knit?

7. Grab the short yarn tail and give a thumbs up.

Jeffcoat: I learned by watching a ton of YouTube videos. I just find things that I’m interested in making. There is also this amazing website I use called ravelry.com which gives some free knitting patterns and is very helpful. All knitting really takes to get started is a trip to Walmart. I also love this website because it is a forum of a community of people who love to knit. And not just local people but people from all around the world, which I think is pretty cool.

8. Swing the thumb behind the yarn.

Heinen: What have you made so far?

12. Wrap the yarn around the needle, from the back to the front.

Jeffcoat: Well, I started knitting in 2016, so I have been knitting for five years now. I have created six shawls, a cute little cardigan for my daughter and I am working on a cardigan for my husband. And now I have socks in the making!

9. Hook the yarn onto your thumb. Keep a firm grip! 10. Touch the needle to the front of the thumb…and slide the loop onto your thumb. 11. Hold the needle and grab the yarn attached to the ball with right hand needle into the loop on your thumb.

13. Pull down the yarn so it meets the loop on the thumb. 14. Pull the loop on your thumb over the needle. 15. Place the loop on the needle.

“All knitting really takes to get started is a trip to Walmart.”

16. Pull down the yarn tail to tighten the new stitch. 17. Repeat steps 2-12. 18. Or you can just watch a YouTube video! Layout Mattie Sue Arnold Graphic Kate Evans Photo Hayle Heinen

TRUST TH E PROCESS BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE MAGAZINE Words Pauline Rahal

Writing a magazine story a story for magazine isn’t really that hard difficult. First, you writers (no second person) must come up with an exordium or intro introduction that will suck your the reader in. In any story, the first sentence is the very most important. It catches the attention of the reader*. It also helps to leave an impact on the reader after they’ve read it*. Finally, it can be used again in the conclusion to tye tie your the story together*. *Combine these three sentences. The exordium introduces the topic, and the first sentence determines whether or not it was is a worthy read. After the exordium, writers include the information their they’re trying to show present. One of the most important* parts aspects of journalism is interviewing and finding sources. *Repetitive cliché phrase. Maybe use another opening. Usually, the sources we they use in magazine come from teachers and students, and but sometimes once in a while they come from people outside of school and the internet. When you writers quote a source, there is a very right specific way of doing writing it. It should look like this, “I am saying a quote,” senior Pauline Rahal said. Notice how they the writer used the commas to format quote. It’s also important to remember that from this point on, every time they quote someone, the writer will only use they’re their last name. It’s not uncommon for this structure* to be repeated a few times until the information the author wanted to cover is covered covered the information they wanted. *Add sentence

explaining a little better what structure this is. In longer storys stories this might also be the point where the journalist presents a source contrary that contradicts to their claim. By presenting the view of the enemy opposition, you the author is acknowledging their points while, also, (remove commas) showing how their point still stands even with the points of the other side (worded weird, might need to rearrange or explain better).

structure, word choice, tenses (a list, not a complete sentence, combine with next sentence). Every little thing matters. And don’t even get me started on layouts, graphics, and photos… (Horrible ending! Maybe think of another way to tie everything together again and come up with a last sentence that will make your reader think—not have more questions than when they arrived!)

Finally, my favorite part of writing a story, (not an opinion piece and no first person) there is the conclusion. Usually, the author tries to end by expanding on my their exordium, bringing it back in to end everything with a pretty red bow. They also try to add in my their impactful first sentence (expand on this. Why do you add it in again?). As you one (no second person) can see, writing a magazine story story for magazine isn’t really that hard difficult. If an author follows these steps, their they’re more than likely (cliché phrase) to end up writing a story that’s not only legible, (add coma) but leaves a lasting impression on your their reader. However, The hard part, however, comes is in editing the story. Commas, sentence

Graphics Alexa Georgelos Photo Alexa Georgelos Layout Alexa Georgelos

court side

Revealing the footwork that makes up our competition

Photo Nicolas Siller

Speak Your Piece

Skateboarding Carves the Path

It’s Not Their First Rodeo

SPEAK YOUR PIECE WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES OF SPEECH AND DEBATE Words Mattie Sue Arnold

For most people, yelling is sometimes more prevalent in arguments than actual facts and persuasion. This isn’t the case for the Geneva debate students who have to use logic and reasoning to win a debate. On a normal day, students research with their partners about a topic to get ready for tournaments which are held on weekends once a month and usually last an entire day. Students compete against many large schools including nearby public high schools like Boerne High School and Samuel V. Champion High School. “I love getting a new crop of freshmen that are still working on public speaking. Getting to see the most introverted and awkward students gain confidence in their own speaking and reasoning ability makes it all worth it,” Scott Milam, Geneva’s speech and debate coach said. “Debate is very competitive and challenging, and I like learning how to persuade other people and think about both sides of an issue,” sophomore Elle Nicholson said. Elle and fellow sophomore Sloane Burkholder compete together at tournaments and have a strong record. Last year, the girls won 60% of their rounds.

Freshman Alex Doran has just begun her debate journey. Her role is to “always be prepared and ready to do practice rounds.” Together Doran and freshman Suzi Nilsson won a novice debate tournament. Similar to the debate class, speech is where Geneva students memorize and perform speeches. In this class, the students recite monologues lasting about ten minutes. On a normal day the students rehearse their speeches and critique their peers. Each student is given one speech to work on which they ultimately perform at a speech tournament. Before COVID-19, the students would even travel to different states to perform their pieces. Sophomore Mia Wilson was top 12 in the country for her dramatic interpretation titled “My Last Ride” by Kristy Thomas. Wilson also received a qualification bid to go to Nationals. Sadly, due to COVID-19, speech has looked different this year. “It’s a little different performing in front of a camera this year, but it touches me to make people feel something even if it’s sad. The hardest part is definitely maintaining and improving your piece. It’s a lot of trial and error to see what works and what doesn’t,” Wilson said.

leader who was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Wilson and senior Alex Iyer have traveled to Yale and Harvard Universities to compete in speech tournaments. Sophomore Parker Moffet also just completed his speech about “Whether the National Security Should Stop Surveillance on U.S. Citizens.” Moffett also debates and said his favorite part was making his opponent cry. “I pressed my opponent on a topic and they weren’t well-versed. They became extremely stressed and I repeatedly pressed so they would give up. Then, the opponent broke down crying,” Moffett said.

“It’s a little different performing in front of a camera.”

Wilson is currently (at time of publishing) working on a speech about Viola Liouzzo, a white civil rights

Sophomore Mia Wilson

Photos Abby Bower Layout Hannah Pratt

JILL GIVES GYM TIPS ADVICE FOR GOING TO THE GYM FROM COACH JILL DANIELS Words Pauline Rahal

If you are looking to maximize your time in the weight room and seek results it is important to do a full-body workout. Here are Coach Jill Daniels’ top five picks for a full-body workout.

SQUAT: Squatting is an explosive lift that works many muscles in the body. It is a great one to start with to rev up the body for other lifts. MUSCLES ENGAGED: Glutes, quads, hamstrings, erector spinae (runs along the spine on both sides–works to stabilize the spine and pelvis), abs, abductors and adductors of the hips and finally your lower leg (gastrocnemius or calf muscle, soleus which is found just under your calf muscle and runs the length of your lower leg), so basically your core and all of your hip to ankle. *Wear a weight belt to protect your back! *If you are unable to do squats because of a lower back or knee injury, try using a leg press machine. If you do this, you will need to add toe rises to this exercise to gain the benefits that a squat gives the lower leg.

BENCH PRESS: Although not as explosive as squats, it is an excellent upperbody workout. MUSCLES ENGAGED: Pecs, deltoids, shoulder muscles (to include rotator cuff muscles), upper arm (brachialis and triceps), serratus anterior (muscles located under your armpit, originate on the shoulder blade and attach to the first eight ribs), trapezius and core. An alternative to a bench press workout is doing push-ups.

HOW MUCH AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU LIFT FOR SQUAT AND BENCH PRESS? In lifting, it is ideal if you know your one rep max (1RM) on each lift to gauge your workout and progress. There are several different schools of thought on how many reps and sets to perform. If you are looking to gain power and strength use higher weight with lower reps, but if your goal is to tone, then reduce the load to 40-50% of your 1RM and increase reps to 12-14. The following is one suggestion on how to work out. If you know your 1RM, use 70-75% of your 1RM and lift 8-10 reps for 3 sets. Breaking in between for at least one minute, but to increase power it is best to rest at least two minutes in between sets. If you do not know your 1RM, use a weight that you can lift, where the last rep is challenging to you. Every four to six weeks reevaluate your max to adjust your working load.

PULL-UPS: A great exercise to test not only your strength but endurance. Pull-ups are one of those must-dos in the weight room. MUSCLES ENGAGED: Biceps, triceps, pecs, lats and several back muscles including the rhomboids. The great thing about a pull-up is that you can change your grip; wide grip, hands facing in or out, etc. Each position works the muscles in a different way, so change it up when doing pull-ups. HOW OFTEN SHOULD ONE DO PULL-UPS? This is more of self-paced exercise; try doing three sets of 8-10, but you may need to work up to that. If you are in a gym and use the pull-up machine that reduces your weight load. Find a weight that helps you perform the workout. For example, if you are 150 pounds and you want to lift 70% of your body weight, set the pull-up machine to 45 pounds. This will counterbalance your weight. The more weight you add, the easier the exercise.

BACK EXTENSIONS: Technically this exercise would be called hyper-extension of the back. Many times the lower back muscles get overlooked in a workout routine. Taking care of your lower back and strengthening your core is key to performance in all sports, but particularly explosive events like sprinting. MUSCLES ENGAGED: Lower back and glute muscles HOW TO PERFORM BACK HYPER-EXTENSION MACHINE: When using the back extension machine, use controlled slow motion. Start with just your own body weight, but you can add weight by holding plates with crossed-arms close to your chest. Do three sets of 10-15 resting for one to two minutes between sets. Bonus: add a twist on your lift to work your obliques.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS: A great all over body workout. It challenges your endurance, balance and improves your agility. MUSCLES ENGAGED: Leg muscles (quads, hamstring and glutes), core and shoulder muscles. Mountain climbers are great at reducing that stubborn belly fat! HOW OFTEN CAN ONE DO MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS? Since this exercise is great at increasing your heart rate, start with just 30 seconds and work to 60 seconds, the goal is to do one rep/sec. Again complete three sets. Resting one to two minutes between sets.

*Alternative is the Superman exercise.

Layout Sydney Griffey Graphics Hailey Kirchner

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

SNACK AND BREAKFAST RECIPES TO KICK OFF YOUR DAY IN A HEALTHY WAY Words Hailey Kirchner

Sometimes, we need a snack throughout the day. Although it may seem easier to grab a convenient, unhealthy food for on-the-go, it is far more rewarding to take time to think about what you eat. Anyone can make a healthy, energizing snack without compromising a yummy taste. Here are some ideas to start your journey of creating healthier snacking habits.

GREEK YOGURT BARK Made by spreading Greek yogurt onto a pan, drizzling with peanut butter and raspberries, and freezing; excellent for when you are craving something sweet

GRANOLA Comes in a variety of mixes and flavors, and is perfect for getting your daily portion of fruits and nuts

SPARKLING WATER Instead of soda, try turning to sparkling water for a refreshing, fizzy drink that comes in a wide variety of flavors

HOMEMADE SWEET POTATO CHIPS With just a few spices and some olive oil, you can create a healthier alternative to greasy, store-bought chips, while still satisfying your craving for a savory snack that has crunch and flavor

CHOCOLATE OATMEAL A fun spin on the classic breakfast food that tastes as good as it sounds; garnish your bowl of oatmeal with drizzled peanut butter, banana slices or coconut flakes Graphics Hailey Kirchner Layout Hannah Pratt

THE START OF SOMETHING NEW SPRING SEASON BRINGS WITH IT NEW COACHES Words Garrett Loflin

“I want to develop pride in the program and teach sound fundamentals so that we can compete at any level.” Loflin: What made you want to coach the baseball team full-time? Rippee: I initially came to Geneva to coach Logic and Rhetoric football and Logic baseball. I was offered the head coaching position for Rhetoric baseball and I accepted the offer. Loflin: Have you ever coached baseball before? Rippee: Yes, this will be my 36th year to coach baseball in public and private school, and 28 years as a head coach. Loflin: Did you play baseball when you were younger? Rippee: Yes, I played both high school and college baseball. Loflin: What are you going to try to accomplish with the baseball program? Rippee: I want to develop pride in the program and teach sound fundamentals so that we can compete at any level. I want the players to be selfless and play for their teammates. If we work hard and make the commitment to this program, everything else will take care of itself. I want us to represent Geneva and this community in a positive way and honor Christ in all that we do both on and off the field.

COACH STEVE RIPPEE

Loflin: What brought you to Geneva and why? Rippee: I retired from working in an independent school district after 33 years. I found that I missed working with the kids and wanted to have a positive influence in their lives again. When the position came open at Geneva, I wanted the position because of the excellent reputation the school and its students have. Loflin: How long have you been coaching and playing tennis? Rippee: I have been playing tennis since I was in middle school and coaching tennis off and on throughout my 34 years of coaching. Loflin: What do you hope to accomplish with the tennis program? Rippee: My goal as the tennis coach at Geneva is to continue the tradition of developing excellent tennis players with leadership.

“My goal as the tennis coach at Geneva is to continue the tradition of developing excellent tennis players with leadership.”

COACH TROY BOLTON

Layout Sydney Griffey Photos Pam Akin Graphics Hailey Kirchner

LET’S HIT IT

GETTING EXCITED ABOUT SPRING SPORTS AFTER THEY WERE CANCELED LAST YEAR Words Sydney Griffey

Sports are a vital piece of the culture of America and of the world as a whole. The teams and rivalries unite people in such a special way that cannot be found anywhere else. This connection was missing over many months of the spring and early summer of 2020. Seasons were canceled, team interaction was put on pause. This was an opportunity for athletes to take it upon themselves to continue to work hard and practice in hopes of another season. Sports in the spring season more naturally allow for social distancing. Luckily, many Texas athletes in sports such as tennis, golf, track, baseball and softball were all able to practice safely over the summer and the start of the

school year. Tennis player and junior Ainsley McLoy was able to keep her skills sharp by practicing on weekends. “Yes, I have been able to practice throughout the year with a group in Cordillera Ranch with the Geneva tennis coach. It’s really beneficial for me to get outside and keep practicing,” McLoy said. Spring season is here and so far the spring sports are starting back up in almost full force. Coming into this season, this is the first year for the current sophomores to join their high school teams in spring sports after what would have been their freshman season was canceled.

“Focus on racing at every meet like it could be our last because it might just be.” “We have been about the same varsity golf team since we were freshmen, so it will be cool to play together now that we are seniors,” Cade Barone said. “It was sad though to not have our final season with Gage Kohler (Class of 2020),” Barone said when asked whether the dynamic of the team will change having new teammates. This time off allowed for the teams to come back fresh and with an even stronger desire to play to the best of their abilities to glorify God. “I think it’s important to remember that we’re playing together as a team and should be there for each other, and to also remember that we’re playing to

Layout Sydney Griffey Graphic Garrett Loflin

glorify God,” junior softball player Cassidy Egli said. After a canceled season with no warning, reality kicked in and athletes were forced to remember that we are never promised another season or even practice. The time we were able to spend practicing was special and should never be taken for granted. “Focus on racing at every meet like it could be our last because it might just be if things ever get shut down again,” junior track athlete Sophia Mixon said. Go out there and leave everything you have on the court, track, green or field with no regrets.

SKATEBOARDING CARVES A PATH SKATEBOARDING HAS RECENTLY BEEN ADDED AS AN OLYMPIC SPORT Words Kate Evans

Skateboarding. Whether it’s the difficulty of the sport or the stigma of a typical skater that comes to your mind, it is no secret that this sport has become very popular within the last few years. It’s trending on social media, and is now an official Olympic sport. Interested in knowing more about the rising popularity of skateboarding, I sought out our own local expert, senior Austin Turgon, to get the scoop. Austin started skating at age six when he bought his first board from Walmart. Those days consisted of simple rides up and down his neighborhood street and riding in his neighbor’s driveways. He didn’t officially start “skating” until age seven. “With the new addition of the skate park just down the road, I went once, and then kept going and going and going, and from then on I never stopped,” Turgon said. Now at age 17, Austin has competed in and won dozens of competitions and is even sponsored by Dickies, a popular skateboarding apparel brand. Skateboarding isn’t just about practicing for competitions or getting in some exercise. “I love how it gives me a drive to be successful,” Turgon said. And for many, skating is the same–a sport that makes them work hard and strive to be better, or an outlet to relieve stress. “Another thing that I enjoy is meeting friends, and getting to skate with them.” Turgon said.

“The dedication it takes to become skilled at the sport is incredible. It is arguably one of the most challenging sports out there.” From what I’ve gathered, it is evident that the skateboarding community is very tight. It’s a group where one can find people who participate in the same sport with whom to and form lifelong friendships. As with most sports, there is a connection that forms among the participants. Not to mention how wide the age range of skaters is worldwide. The world’s youngest professional is only 10 years old, and the oldest professional is 97! There are most likely people of all ages at your local skate park. Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to the sport. Many of you reading this may have an image of a rebellious, disobedient kid who does drugs when you hear the word skateboarder. “The stereotype about being thugs and engaging in drug use is completely wrong. For pro-skateboarders, it’s exactly the opposite; they need to stay healthy,” Turgon said. Austin’s senior thesis further expands more on this subject. But why have we accepted these false perceptions and falsely labeled those involved in the sport? I for one, think it is only fair to skaters everywhere that we wipe away our preconceived notions, and instead honor the skill and precision these athletes practice. The dedication it takes to become skilled at the sport is incredible. It is arguably one of the most challenging sports out there, and it is unfair to stereotype people just because they practice skating.

Senior Austin Turgon

“I will continue to skate for the rest of my life.”

Many teen skaters aspire to go pro, and with the new addition of skateboarding to the Olympic Games, I am sure that globally many children and teens are working harder than ever to try to compete as they aspire to be part of the Games. “The goal is to become pro but, even if that doesn’t happen, I will continue to skate for the rest of my life.” Turgon said. But what exactly does it take to “go pro?” To become a pro-skater, not only must one attend (and hopefully win) a multitude of competitions, but it also important to build a public following, and of course have drive and passion. Although the Olympics, at which we would see the best skating talent from around the world, was postponed to summer of 2021, it is still a relevant and exciting event for skaters. “It’s about time that skating was introduced to the Olympics, since it’s been a sport for a long time,” Turgon said. Before the Olympics, the most popular competitions to showcase skating were the X Games, World Cup of Skateboarding and the Vans Triple Crown. After hearing from an avid, globally-ranked, amazing skater, we should all take a moment to recognize not only the extreme difficulty of skateboarding, but how beneficial it is to those who practice it. It brings together a community of people and provides a safe space for many to be themselves. To try out this sport, head on down to 524 Adler Road in Boerne and start practicing now. Take some tips from those at the skate park who may just become very important people in your life.

Photos Abby Bower Layout Hannah Pratt

IT’S NOT THEIR FIRST RODEO GENEVA ARTISTS HAVE WON AWARDS IN THE SAN ANTONIO RODEO WESTERN ART CONTEST Words Alexa Georgelos

The San Antonio Rodeo provides excitement for many in the city and the countryside. Long before February when the bull riders and barrel racers come to San Antonio to compete in the arena, there are other competitors hard at work—artists. Each year the San Antonio Rodeo holds its Western Art Contest in December for high school students. This competition recognizes and awards scholarships to talented high school artists who capture western heritage in paintings, drawings and sculptures. Over the years, Geneva art students have entered this annual competition with much success. Emily Shelton Jiang, Class of 2016, competed in the annual contest three times. In her senior year, she won Best of Show Grand Champion with her colored pencil drawing entitled “Stir Up Trouble.” Jiang began her piece early in the school year and it took almost four months to complete. She recalls all of the help

her friends gave her throughout the process. Caitlyn Lowry, who won fourth place in 2015, helped Jiang compose and take pictures for her reference photo. When most people think about colored pencils, they think of boxes of Crayola pencils and little elementary kids drawing stick figures and square houses under squiggly green trees and a canary yellow sun. In the art world, however, this is not the case. Artists use colored pencils from professional brands like Prismacolor, Staedtler Ergosoft and Faber Castell Polychromos. They can use these in a range of techniques to achieve different looks and styles. For Jiang, working with colored pencils comes naturally. “I love how much control I have and how much detail I can get,” she said. After months of working hard, the art students look forward to one thing … a call. “The most exciting part in the competition was when I got the phone

Sophomore Sophia Baldwin won Colored Drawing Grand Champion and Best of Show at the 2020 San Antonio Rodeo Western Art Contest for her pastel artwork entitled “Nolan.”

call from the rodeo telling me that I had won. It was so nice to hear that after working for so long on the piece,” Jiang said.

“It is always more fun to draw a picture of someone you know because you can show them your artwork afterward,” she said.

Four years ago, Jiang was getting ready to graduate high school. Now she is married, graduating college and continues to make art in her spare time. “I try to do at least one drawing per week. I have done commissioned work as well as designing a book cover,” she said.

Walter began her piece early in the school year. She began by drawing a grid then adding in her figures proportionally. She then went in with shading lights and darks. Lastly, she slowly and carefully added details to bring her piece to life. Along with determination, Walter found that patience is of utmost importance. “Good things take time,” Walter said. It took Walter three months to complete her artwork.

This year, junior Elizabeth Walter won Grand Champion in the Monochromatic category for her pencil drawing entitled “Not Her First Rodeo.” This was Walter’s second year competing in the Western Art Contest and she plans to do it again next year. Her piece depicts junior Sam Doran performing a western-style equestrian move called cutting. From the beginning, Walter knew she wanted to draw someone she knew.

“I was not expecting to win. I thought it would be nice to get in the top 50, so it was a really nice surprise to find out I won Grand Champion,” Walter said. “I remember when I got the phone call, I was in the car. I answered it and the person on the phone told me I had won Grand Champion for the Monochromatic

category. I started screaming. My heart was racing,” Walter said. Also this year, sophomore Sophia Baldwin swept the competition winning Best of Show Grand Champion for her pastel painting entitled “Nolan.” Even though this was her first year to compete in the Western Rodeo Art Contest, it was two years ago when Baldwin saw the photo from a ranch in Colorado on Instagram that would later inspire her winning piece. The person in the photo is now a wrangler for that ranch. Baldwin was able to get in contact with him and obtain the photographer’s permission to use the photo as a reference for her piece. Baldwin began work in the fall and found that using pastel came naturally. “I love working with pastel. I also love working

with charcoal, so I think of pastel as colored charcoal as a way to get the lights and darks right,” Baldwin said. From start to finish, music is something that helps her along the way. “I noticed that I listen to faster and upbeat songs while I’m doing the main part of the piece, then for the last weeks when I’m working on the more detailed parts I listen to slower, quieter music,” Baldwin said. Baldwin signed her name in the corner of her artwork, matted it and sent it off to the competition. Later, in mid-December, she received a call she was not expecting. “When I got the phone call, I was crying because I was so excited. The person on the phone said he was from the San Antonio Rodeo Art competition. Even at that point,

Junior Elizabeth Walter won Monochromatic Grand Champion with her pencil drawing entitled “Not Her First Rodeo.”

Emily Shelton Jiang, Class of 2016, won the 2016 Best of Show Grand Champion for her colored pencil drawing entitled “Stir Up Trouble.”

it didn’t register with me what he was going to tell me. He asked me if I had plans for tomorrow. I said, ‘No, not that I know of.’ Then he said, ‘Well you have plans now because you are the Colored Drawing Grand Champion.’ I started crying,” Baldwin said. Along with the other champion artists, Baldwin showed up the next day at the rodeo grounds in anticipation to find out who Best of Show would be. When it was time to announce the winner of Best of Show, Baldwin remembers standing up on the stage with the four other Grand Champions from the other categories, including Walter. One of the judges stood behind them, moving her hand over their heads until she stopped above Baldwin. Cheers and applause erupted

from the crowd. Baldwin looked to her mom who was mouthing the words “It’s you.”

GENEVA RODEO ART WINNERS:

2013 2nd Place: Abigail Schmidt Baldwin had just won Best of Show 2015 4th Place: Grand Champion. Along with her scholarship of $10,000, Baldwin will be Caitlyn Lowry 2016 Best of Show: awarded a custom belt buckle. Emily Shelton After the Rodeo in February, Baldwin’s artwork will be auctioned off for 2017 Top 25: Nathan additional scholarship money. Zuniga and Alyssa Salter Top 50: Adison Cate, Ruth Baldwin saw her artwork hung up in Wacker, Jordan Wheeler The Briscoe Western Art Museum and Claire Williams in San Antonio alongside Walter’s 2018 Top 17: artwork. She looks forward to the next Jayne Goodman and two years of creating meaningful art Nathan Zuniga that she and others can enjoy. “Put your 2019 Top 17: Kaitlyn Cates heart and emotions into your artwork and Cody Lane George because that can take something from a picture to a work of art,” Baldwin said. 2020 Best of Show and Colored Drawing Grand Champion: Sophia Baldwin; Monochromatic Grand Champion: Elizabeth Walter; Top 50: Cody Lane George and Annie Ramsey Photos Submissions Layout Alexa Georgelos

LOOKING GOOD, PLAYING HARD VINTAGE SPORT FASHION IS COMING BACK IN STYLE Photo Story Gwyn Lewellyn

Layout Sydney Griffey Photos Gwyn Lewellyn

flip side

Illustrating the whimsy and creativity of our imaginations

Graphic Ainsley Plesko

Get Lost in the Sauce

Seeing the Sites in San Antonio

We’re Hooked on Classics

A LOOK AT THE LITTLE THINGS GENEVA STUDENTS ARE KNOWN FOR Words Jackson Young

Sophomore Jayden McCammon

During the course of the school year, students spend countless hours in the classroom with their specific section and tend to get to know each other pretty well. While some may take electives or fine arts, for the most part, we are with the same group of people and pick up on certain people’s habits: good and bad. Some habits may be funny and others distracting, but regardless, there are some people who always come to mind when talking about them. Not only do the students notice them, but so do the teachers! If you are on the wanted list, and would like to know who posted your warrant, I will narrow it down for you, it was one of the teachers or students at Geneva. You’re welcome. Without further adieu, here is Geneva’s “Most Wanted.” WANTED: Cade Barone (senior) FOR: Constantly stretching in class which inevitably lead Mr. Russell to call on him thinking his hand is raised WANTED: Jack Swanson & Parker Akin (seniors) FOR: Never showing up to first period Humanities on time WANTED: Avery Myrick (sophomore) FOR: Going around the room and stealing food WANTED: Grant Roberson (freshman) FOR: Biting Luke Valdez WANTED: Tanner Bruss (senior) FOR: Constantly eating Cheerios and then bribing Mrs. Jeffcoat with them so he could keep eating in class (yes, this is from freshmen year) WANTED: Aubrey Webb & Avery Ochoa (juniors) FOR: Bringing Starbucks almost every day to math class from their freshman through junior year WANTED: Spencer Yarbrough (sophomore) FOR: Regularly burping very loudly WANTED: Rider Egbert (sophomore) FOR: Squirting hand sanitizer on everyone WANTED: Seby Boynton (freshman) FOR: Wearing a sweatshirt with his grandma’s picture on it every day

Photo Abby Bower Graphic Sophia Baldwin Layout Sarah Coultress

PAINTING WITH WORDS CREATIVE WRITING STUDENTS PORTRAY THEIR FAVORITE ART PIECE THROUGH WORDS Words From student writings from Mr. Southwick’s Creative Writing class

Basin at Argenteuil by Claude Monet

You, by the trees Did you come to unwind? Leaving your stress And family behind yall, on the shore Did you come here to rest? Free from school By skipping a test Boys, on the boats Why are you here? Did you come here to work Or is that what you fear? So, everyone, What are you fleeing? Or did you really just come To enjoy the spring scene? The lush green is appealing The easy wakes alluring Was this pleasant place chosen Or did your worries push you here?

CHOSEN SCENE Abby Bower

SCREAMING SPRING Abby Bower

The serene water does not bother With the town it left behind, tall trees offer The ground a simple shade. Smiled with a stranger, water lopes Up on the side of scattered boats Young women lounge ashore with hopes Of remaining there all afternoon The subtle breeze hums a whistle’s tune While soft, billowing clouds collide With fresh, clear light Parasails shield porcelain faces The various moods move at separate paces A perfect day for a long boat ride Or a simple chat before the tide As lovely laughter floods the scene Spring screams back with an easy green.

WHO IS MY SALVATION? Ellie Ledoux The light of the World hangs in the midst of arms. Knowing that He shall return. For days upon days He shall take rest. Covered in a bright white. His two most loyal men at his side. Hidden behind is the crucifix age died upon. Two men do not know what is coming. Two men do not know what will come. Grieving for the Father Figure they once had. The stories He once told, The lives He once saved, The stomachs He fed. And the hearts he once took hold of.

THE GRIEVING TOMB Ellie Ledoux

I walk past paintings upon paintings upon paintings. None seem to catch my eye. Except when I see the grieving that I am facing. Each man sitting by His side. Who is this covered in white? What does He symbolize? Will He help me with my sins? Or just lie there to die? All of these questions phase my mind. Who or what religion do I take hold of? Why do they come to this painting at this time? Maybe it is chance or destiny from the universe, but I ask Who is my salvation?

The Burial of Atala by Anne-Louis Girodet Layout Ainsley Plesko Graphic Ainsley Plesko

GET LOST IN THE SAUCE REVIEWING THE SAUCES THAT FUEL FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS Words Abby Bower

The overlooked staple of cuisine: sauce. Without sauce, a dish lacks flavor, spark and excitement. It lacks pizzazz. A plate devoid of sauce will leave you staring at a lifeless protein, and if you’re lucky, soggy vegetables. This element plays an especially crucial role in the fastfood dining experience. Pre-frozen fries with obscene amounts of salt and a unique shape are nothing if not paired with a signature sauce. Here are reviews of a few fast-food restaurant sauces:

Freddy’s Fry Sauce As soon as we cracked the lid on this bad boy, we were greeted by an acidic aroma that, if you’re not too careful, may actually burn your nasal passages. This was an interesting discovery considering this was one of the creamier sauces we encountered. The flavors, on the other hand, had a more subtle approach. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers was the only sauce where the presence of ketchup was very noticeable, allowing for a unique taste. However, while the base flavors that make up the sauce were on point, we found it to be harshly underseasoned. There was sweetness and tang, but it still came up short in the sense that it was bland. Freddy’s Fry Sauce has a pleasurable taste but also a one dimensional flavor palette that earned it a 7/10.

“As soon as we cracked the lid on this bad boy, we were greeted by an acidic aroma.”

Raising Cane’s Sauce This one’s a fan favorite. We decided to give Raising Cane’s automatic points for the creative rhymes performed in the drive thru—truly a bucket list experience. While Freddy’s Fry Sauce was seemingly passive, the Raising Cane’s Sauce created an eruption on the taste buds. It was bursting with bold flavors and fearless seasonings. Black pepper and paprika created a merriment when met with the sweet and smoky undertones coming from what I can only guess to be barbecue sauce.

Chick-Fil-A Sauce Chick-Fil-A Sauce stayed consistent with the pattern of sweet paired with tangy, and they almost pulled it off. Unfortunately, after some serious evaluation of the sauce’s primary flavors, we decided that the sweetness was just too overpowering. While it remains enjoyable and tasty, it won’t take long before you’ll either have to tap out or surrender to a sugar coma.

However, Chick-Fil-A Sauce is certainly not a lost cause. They set themselves apart by introducing Raising Cane’s Sauce is seasoned to perfection, which mustard into the mix. The gentle bitterness may mislead you to think heat is a concern. But I compliments the vinegar to, very nicely, be added assure you, the only threat here is tang. Be careful to to a wide range of foods. “It’s excellent as far as I’m heed my warning because unbeknownst to many, the concerned,” Kate Evans said. I could not have said vinegar components may occasionally get caught in it better myself. But alas, excellent doesn’t dismiss the back of your throat and cause a minuscule burning the room for improvement that still remains. Overall, sensation. Other than that, I truly have nothing bad to Chick-Fil-A Sauce deemed itself worthy of an 8/10. say about this sauce. After some pondering, followed by a brief powwow, Kate Evans and I think we may have just cracked the code on Raising Cane’s secret ingredient: Worcestershire. Do with this information what you may, keeping in mind it may be completely incorrect. Cane’s managed to blow it out of the park by receiving a 9/10.

Wendy’s Sawesome Sauce The first impression left us skeptical after we observed a congealed and custard like consistency. Texture had never been an issue until we encountered Sawesome Sauce. Moving on to the flavors, which were literally anything but “sawesome,” you can attempt this sauce at home with Miracle Whip and Barbecue Sauce. You will most likely come out with a better product. We personally could not have disliked it more and confidently rated it 1/10; the 1 mainly being for effort. I strongly discourage anyone from ordering Sawesome Sauce under any circumstances.

“The first impression left us skeptical after we observed a congealed and custard-like consistency.” Sadly, this flavorful journey must come to an end. If you’re looking for a signature sauce to complete your spread, I would highly recommend you head straight to Raising Cane’s, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers or Chick-Fil-A. Their sauces are never bad options and look like liquid gold next to Wendy’s abomination of a signature sauce. Finally, I leave you with this encouragement: if all else fails, at least you are not the taster who approved the Sawesome Sauce.

Graphics Hailey Kirchner Layout Ava Ayers

Graphic Ainsley Plesko Layout Ainsley Plesko

SEEING THE SITES IN SAN ANTONIO AN EXPLORER’S GUIDE TO THE SEVENTH LARGEST CITY IN THE U.S. Words Ainsley Plesko

01 PRESS COFFEE Located in a greehouse-esque building, PRESS Coffee is the perfect study environment. This two-story coffee shop has a cabin-like feel, with lots of natural light and high ceilings. In addition to offering any coffee drink you can imagine, a multitude of baked treats are also on display. Their croissants are remarkably delicious (pictured below). Located on 4035 Broadway Street, PRESS Coffee is open everyday from 8:00AM–5:00PM.

JAPANESE TEA GARDEN

Standing above the gardens, one sees a series of mossy stone bridges overlooking koi-filled ponds. At the edge of the gardens, a waterfall showers the bamboo forest. Once a rock quarry, the space has been converted into a multi-level garden. Located within walking distance of the San Antonio Zoo, admission is free, making this a great destination for a scenic walk. Whether getting boba at the Jingu House, counting the number of different colored koi fish or taking photos with a bamboo backdrop, the Japanese Tea Garden is a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors and is just minutes away from downtown. The garden is open 365 days a year from 7:00AM–5:00PM.

03 THE PEARL DISTRICT In the center of the city, The Pearl District is always bustling with energy. Whether it’s the Sunday’s Farmers Market or yoga classes on the lawn, there is always something unique to do or see in The Pearl. Nestled between historic buildings, this area is home to many great restaurants and stores. In the courtyard of Hotel Emma, once a 19th century brew house, stands the hotel’s restaurant, Supper. Backing up to the river, Supper offers indoor and outdoor dining. Inside, leather booths, dark wood accents and French touches give this restaurant an elegant feel. It could be considered a brunch destination, boasting some of the best avocado toast one could imagine. Supper specializes in a farm-to-table dining experience, with a menu featuring spinach and beet salads, smoked quail and French omelets. The eaterie is open 7:00AM-3:00PM and 5:00PM-10:00PM. Around the corner is Mon Chou Chou, a new restaurant featuring French comfort food. After opening the golden doors, fresh bread carts can be seen near and far. Against the light pink walls, customers can be seen enjoying anything from braised rabbit to charcuterie boards. Mon Chou Chou is open everyday from 11:00AM-10:00PM.

Photos Gwyn Lewellyn Layout Ainsley Plesko

GENEVA JAMS MUSIC TO INSPIRE SPRING RENEWAL Words Gwyn Lewellyn

Spring is such a refreshing season! Everything renews during spring. The flowers are blooming, the hills are green, the breeze is fresh and the weather is warm. Music in the spring should reflect the season with its upbeat vibrance. This playlist will provide the perfect happy and floral background tunes to your spring season.

GROOVIN

TALKING BACKWARDS

BITTER

GRAND NEW SPIN

Palace

Gold Celeste

OUT GETTING RIBS

TO CONNECT

King Krule

Floating Action

WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME NOW

SWING LYNN

Jeff Mangum

Harmless

BLUE COUPE

MOTION SICKNESS

Twin Peak

Phoebe Bridgers

FOOL

ERASE YOURSELF AND GLIDE

Frankie Cosmos

Parsley Sound

TREEHOUSE

QUARTER PAST THE HOUR

SARAH

CHRONIC SUNSHINE

The Young Rascals

Alex G feat. Emily Yancia

Alex G

GIVING UP Whitney

I ROOT-TRIO VERSION Micheal Nau

Real Estate

Jack and Eliza Cosmo Pyke

BLACK MEMORIES The Growlers

COOKING UP SOMETHING GOOD Mac Demarco

MAN IN THE SIXTIES Balue

Graphics Ainsley Plesko & Sydney Dennis Layout Sarah Coultress

WE’RE HOOKED ON CLASSICS REMOVING THE STIGMA AROUND READING CLASSICS Words Ava Ayers

When many hear the word “classic” they may think of bland books filled with densely-worded pages, old styles of music that murmur the same monotonous piano stroke, or even just thoughts of tediousness. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Even though we were fed classical books at a young age and may have not been able to comprehend their benefits at the time, that does not mean that we should now shove them aside altogether. These books have rightfully gained their titles as “classics,” not because they were found to be extremely uninteresting, but rather because they were found to be enlightening. I invite you to experience a few glimpses of the past as you grow to truly appreciate the renowned classical pieces of literature.

FAHRENHEIT 451 Ray Bradbury

As soon as I dove into the first pages of this novel, I quickly discovered that the author’s style of writing was like none I had ever read before. It felt to me as if everything in the book was described through a series of illustrative riddles, which allowed me to feel like I was experiencing life through the characters’ eyes. I appreciated the way the novel acted as if it was my tour guide through its pages, filling me in on the missing pieces I needed, but never giving too much away. This novel follows the life and occupation of a weary and weathered man by the name of Guy Montag, who finds himself struggling to reconcile the measures taken during his work as one of the town’s firemen. But rather than preventing fires, Montag helps create them, using books as the fuel. Set in a futuristic America, this dystopian novel impresses upon the importance of connections and the values attached to thinking for oneself. Though it was written over 65 years ago, its vivid descriptions and powerful use of questions have kept me analyzing the force behind actions.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Jane Austen

Published in 1813, this novel remains one of the most loved and well-known novels from this time period. From the moment I finished the first few chapters, I felt as though I had known the characters my entire life. Austen captivates readers with her flowery telling of a search for love that is filled with unexpected tosses and turns. The bulk of this novel contains dazzling dialogue which makes the story riveting from start to finish. I especially loved the raw beauty that can be found tucked away within almost every line as the novel allows us to share a glimpse into the fashion, speech and culture during that time. Stories that chase after love can often be contrived or predictable, but this book branches from these usual stereotypes to deliver us a timeless and witty tale that brilliantly displays the importance of emotions.

LITTLE WOMEN

Louisa May Alcott Though this title is one that many have heard before, few have ever read this touching novel from start to finish. Hidden between the rows of words is an appreciation for the mundane joys in life. Alcott manages to bathe normal acquaintances and even the smallest interactions between family members in a pleasing and desirable light, making us all wish we could step right into the story. That being said, this novel also doesn’t shy away from the pains that accompany the March sisters hand-in-hand through life. Though they are four distinct characters, Alcott presents their separate personalities in a heartening way that encourages those reading to picture themselves in each of the sister’s shoes. Alcott also conceals many symbolic elements throughout her novel which allow for things that some might brush aside as trivial details, to hold much deeper meanings. For example, fire is poetically hinted at through the entirety of the book. The idea of burning or being passionate about something actually begins and ends the novel. Though many are very familiar with this book, I believe the morals it elevates and the expressive style of writing it portrays make it a classic beyond comparison.

Graphics Hailey Kirchner Layout Ava Ayers

THE

Gazette Words Sophia Baldwin

Chick-Fil-A Poll: Do high schoolers prefer Chick-Fil-A’s Chicken Sandwich or Nuggets?

CHICKEN SANDWICH: 49%

NUGGETS: 51% Most Complicated Starbucks Order: Kaitlyn Cates (junior)- Iced Blonde Latte with almond milk, cinnamon dolce, caramel and sweet foam Julian Claire Treusdell (senior)- Venti Iced Starbucks Acai Refresher, double-blended, three scoops strawberry inclusions, three scoops berry inclusions (can be substituted with three more scoops of strawberry inclusions if you don’t like all the seeds), add vanilla syrup (unless you don’t like super sweet drinks), topped with whipped cream and caramel brûlée sprinkles (seasonal), or a blended lemonade strawberry acai refresher with milk (for creaminess) in the summertime.

Favorite Music Poll What are Geneva high school students’ favorite genres?

Jazz & Christian

Hip-Hop

Rock

22% Country

Alternative 8%

10% R&B

18%

Pop Rap 13%

14%

Graphics Sophia Baldwin Layout Sarah Coultress

Indie

The Talon A LITTLE HUMOR TO CALM THE MIND Words Rob Shelton

Dr. Rosheger’s Obscure Latin Phrase of the Quarter “Tibi gratias agimus quod nihil fumas.” “Thank you for not smoking.” Surgeon General’s Warning: For best results, The Talon should not be on fire while reading. Equally important, readers of The Talon should not be on fire while reading. If you do happen to be on fire, we kindly thank you for not smoking: Tibi gratias agimus quod nihil fumas. Second-hand smoke from flaming Talon readers is a leading cause of blemishes among high school students.

STRESS REDUCTION KIT

Stress Reduction We know that some of you have been stressed with trying to balance homework loads, and schedules, and extracurricular activities, and college prep pressures, and church life, and work, and family, and hunting for food, and finding shelter, and avoiding government persecution, not to mention finding time for social media, so we at The Talon have spent the money to offer you, free of charge, this Stress Reliever. DIRECTIONS 1 Place Stress Reduction Kit on a firm surface. 2

BANG HEAD HERE

Follow the directions written inside the circle. 3 Repeat step two as necessary, or until unconscious. 4 If unconscious, cease stress reduction activity.

Graphics Alexa Georgelos Layout Alexa Georgelos

INDESIGN

QUARTERLY STAFF Sarah Coultress

Sophia Dacy

Hannah Pratt

GRAPHICS

Sydney Griffey Editor Mattie Sue Arnold

Sophia Baldwin

Kate Evans

Hailey Kirchner

Garrett Loflin

Lauren Abel Editor

Ava Ayers

Claire Coultress

Guy Kohler

Spencer Yarbrough

Nicolas Siller Editor

Abby Bower

Hayle Heinen

Gwyn Lewellyn

Kate Travis

Alexa Georgelos

Pauline Rahal

Jackson Young

Sydney Dennis

EXECUTIVES

PHOTOGRAPHY

EDITORIAL

Ainsley Plesko Editor

Christina Hammock Adviser

Exec. Editor of Design Exec. Editor of Content

Exec. Managing Editor Exec. Marketing Editor

Spring 2021 — Geneva School of Boerne

@genevaquarterly