HONORING OUR SENIORS AS THEY LEAVE THE HIVE
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BEHIND THE COVER Not unlike Geneva’s class of 2018 seniors, bees will leave the hive to travel to the unknown to pollinate. As we send off our seniors from the hive they have grown up in, the new executive editors—Aisling Ayers, Jacqueline Knox, Anna Riedlinger and Nathan Young—chose to capture a honeycomb from the local hive of a Geneva family, the Goodmans. The shot was photographed by Jacqueline Knox and combs of color were added in Photoshop by Anna Riedlinger. Symbolizing the home Geneva will always be to these students, we present to you the cover for the Geneva Quarterly’s fourth issue of Volume V.
SUBSCRIBE: To buy a subscription, contact: rryden@genevaschooltx.org TO ADVERTISE, CONTACT: rryden@genevaschooltx.org FOR OTHER INQUIRIES, CONTACT: rryden@genevaschooltx.org
This is a publication for: Geneva School of Boerne 113 Cascade Caverns Road Boerne, TX 78015
SCHOOL INFO:
The Geneva School of Boerne exists to provide a classical education from a Biblical worldview, to equip students with a lifetime of learning, service and leadership to the glory of Jesus Christ. RHETORIC SCHOOL POPULATION: 212 RHETORIC FACULTY: 32 MAGAZINE SPECIFICATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Created in InDesign and printed by SchoolPrinting.com. Font families: Pier Sans and Plantagenet Cherokee.
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ABOUT US: All verbal and visual content is solicited and selected by the Quarterly Staff. Approval is garnered from the adviser and Headmaster, Rob Shelton. All writing is subject to byline approval for accuracy and integrity. If you have any complaints or see any errors, please contact rryden@genevaschooltx.org. We are proud to announce our four-year membership to the Columbia Association of Scholastic Press, where we have won the Crown Award the last two years and received a Gold Medalist rating for the last four years. We are also members of Texas Interscholastic Press Association where we have been awarded the highest rating of Award of Distinguished Merit for the last four years and have been members of the National Scholastic Press Association in the last year and received an All American rating, and have had students enter and win the Pacemaker award.
EDITOR THOUGHTS Dear reader, As our time with the class of 2018 comes to a close, we take a reminiscent look at some of their highlights from years past. This retrospection, however, cannot fully capture the value of this senior class—no matter our efforts. Most everyone, we would venture to say, would agree that this class in particular has been exceptional. Their collective leadership, school spirit, and friendships with underclassmen make theirs a very tough act to follow. In this senior issue, we attempt to explore the idea of the home that the seniors have in Geneva and deal with topics that they will face in their life after high school. Yes, they all must move on to run their own races, but Geneva will always be their starting blocks. Nostalgia is a powerful sentiment, and we hope to evoke this in our readers through these pages. It hurts to think about, but our fellowship with these fantastic people will soon dwindle, and in some cases be completely cut off. So, after you read the product of our work, be sure you make time for the people you have made a home with. Sincerely, Jacqueline Knox, Editor-in-Chief Nathan Young, Chief Editor of Content Aisling Ayers, Cheif Editor of Design Anna Riedlinger, Chief Managing Editor
STAFF MISSION The Geneva Quarterly, a student-led Rhetoric School publication serves to provide Geneva and surrounding communities 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 in our community and to write all pieces from a Biblical worldview to the glory of Jesus Christ.
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SENIOR EDITION 2018
BOARDWALK TALK 8 | SENDING VALEDICTION 12 | WHO DUNNIT 18 | BUILT TO LAST
GAME FACE 24 | CROWNING THE KING OF SPRING 30 | THE WRIGHT WAY TO SAY GOODBYE 32 | EASY, WHEEZY, BEAUTIFUL | SATIRE
BIG PICTURE
SENIOR
36 | CROSSING BORDERS
52 | SENIOR PROFILES
42 | A GIFT OF VITALITY | FEATURE
66 | FIRE BURNING
48 | TRAVERSING TRIALS
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69 | GUNDIES 72 | PAST, PRESENT, PAUL 74 | THE ULTIMATE GLOWUP
ISSUES 80 | NUMBED TO THE NOISE | OPINION EXECUTIVES
84 | FASTING FOR RESULTS | OPINION
Editor-in-Chief, Jacqueline Knox Chief Managing Editor, Anna Riedlinger Chief Editor of Content, Nathan Young Chief Editor of Design, Aisling Ayers
88 | MAKING A BOSS YEAR LIT
EDITORS
Photoshop Editor, Nathan Zuniga Indesign Editor, Jayne Goodman Photography Editor, Braden Hall Editorial Editor, Matthew Schroder
INDESIGN STAFF
Lauren Jarvis Carissa Georgelos Alexa Georgelos Ryanne Fitzgerald
PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF
Taylor Tippitt Luke Bower Ashton Landis
PHOTOSHOP STAFF
Anson Eggerss Audrey Ryden Sydney Dennis Ruth Wacker
OUT OF THE BOX
EDITORIAL STAFF
92 | LET’S PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999 96 | ANYWAY YOU SLICE IT | REVIEW 98 | THE TALON | SATIRE
Emme Owens Gabi Griffey Jackson Young Gracyn Freiling
101 | KIDD SUGGESTS THE BEST | REVIEW
Daniel Grover
MARKETING
ADVISER
Becky Ryden
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COME WALK A MILE IN A GENEVA STUDENT’S SHOES PHOTO BY BRADEN HALL
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BOA R DW ALK TA L K
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AUSTIN Being given the task of writing the school a letter, I only saw a slight problem: I had no idea what to say. What could I write that a teacher could not tell you more eloquently, and good Lord, how can I compete with the wisdom of Mr. Shelton. However, there are many types of letters. Many petition, others encourage and some even inform. There is yet another type of letter and perhaps the one I am most familiar with— the thank-you note. While Anna and I could try and impart wisdom we learned from our time at Geneva, the best we can offer is our gratitude. Here is our thanks to our classmates and fellow seniors. Who you are makes Geneva better!
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SENDING VALEDICTION
A new for Geneva, we have a tie. This year there are two Valedictorians instead of having a Salutatorian. The top two come together one last time to send goodbyes and love to all of their classmates. BY AUSTIN SALTER & ANNA PALERMO
Layout by Lauren Jarvis Photos by Braden Hall Graphics by Sydney Dennis
ANNA While writing my thanks to my classmates, I had the idea of “what if we got the whole grade to do this?� Thus, Austin and I asked our classmates to write what they are grateful for about each other. Here are some of the thanks from all the seniors.
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THANK YOU FOR..... ZACH AKIN Being very funny and bringing life to the classroom Being very friendly and having a great sense of humor
SCOTT JANSE
Being intellectual and personable Your understanding demeanor and kind spirit
LAUREN JARVIS ELIZABETH BEAUCHAMP
Your wit and artistic whim Being my girlfriend in third grade
BEN CARRAWAY
Your whip-smart mind and tireless pursuit of others Adding magic in more ways than one
ALLISON CROSS
Being so accepting of everyone Being a model Christian who truly loves God and others
MADDIE CUPIT
Being down to earth and friendly to everyone Your optimism, warm sense of humor and compassion
BRENDAN FESSLER Being a good Christian role model Your musical talent and creativity
CARISSA GEORGELOS
Always being there for me Your infectious enthusiasm and strong opinions
KENNY KIDD
Adding spice and everything nice Very few philosophers climb trees before madness, but in you I have found both a wise goofy friend and a sound voice of reason.
ROSS KIRCHNER
Falling through the roof and almost taking me with you Persevering through your injuries
WILL LANGENBAHN
Your natural leadership, and the way you have of improving others Being a great leader with a good sense of humor
OLIVIA LIPE
Kind-hearted and good-natured Being friendly and for your love of adventure
BRENNA MCBROOM
Your intelligence and devotion to others Your sarcasm and being my foreign friend
Always being there for me Laughing at all my jokes…even if they were terrible
ABBEY GIDDENS
SHELBY MILLER
Making sure there is never a dull moment Making all the classes lively and putting so much emotion into the things you do
WRIGHT GORDON
Your servant’s heart Being the most others-focused person I’ve ever met
Kind but strict, a good tough love person Always being responsible and not letting me do stupid stuff
SAVANNAH MIXON
Your confidence and never walking on eggshells around us Always having good advice for my problems
EMME OWENS
RILEY SMITH
Making me a better person daily Being such a hard worker
Sharing your love of Cane’s with me Your warm and compassionate heart
NICK PATTI
SARA BETH STOLLE
Your tireless strength and commitment to what’s right Being my friend since third grade and giving me a second chance after I ruined what we had.
HARRISON REDD Your service to others, warmth, and spirit Having good arguments about God
KILLIAN RICHARDSON Your sparkle Your hidden, soft, gooey heart
JAX ROBERTS
Being the jelly to my peanut butter Playing football and not starting your falconry career
JOSH RUSSELL
Always being that guy Always looking past me not being popular and being friends with me
AUDREY RYDEN
Deeply caring about your friends, your smile lights up everyone’s day Genuinely being my crutch during the worst period of my life
Your bold spirit that can definitely take over the world Your quirkiness and dancing, thank you for bring me out of my “shell”
HANNAH STYLES
Always striving to learn and be better Your warm heart
ETHAN TAHA
Being one of my oldest and dearest friends, you mean the world to me. Being the most loyal person I know
KENDALL TAHA
Living your ministry at school Thanks for your spontaneity and trust, I will always respect that.
CONNOR TYRA
Your goofiness and wacky sense of humor Splitting your pants and making us laugh
HENRY VIÑA
Opening your home to us Your love of truth and passion for learning! I have never seen someone that is so educated in what he loves.
RUTH WACKER
ZACH SCOTT
Making me look forward to each day Being a peacekeeper and unifying our grade
Being the first to take me to a dance and being my crazy everything Being a strong leader
CHRIS WILSON
MARSHALL SHULTS Being my oldest friend and always being there for me Never being right but being confident that you are
Your infectious silliness and kindness to everyone For being my hunting buddy even if we never got a kill
GRACE ZARA Your chill and beautiful vibes Being a friend to everyone
WHO DUNNIT Throughout their time at Geneva, the seniors have been caught and punished, for a myriad of bad deeds. While some have confessed, others got away free and have now decided to clear their conscience. Layout by Jayne Goodman Graphic by Jayne Goodman
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LAUREN JARVIS: I got my clip moved because I looked into the boys bathroom. Nick Patti told on me. RIP KENNY KIDD: For climgin on the roof, I had to clean bird feces off of all the benches and railings on the Rhetoric School campus with wet wipes. ROSS KIRCHNER: I got a demerit for squeaking a chair in Logic School math. WILL LANGENBAHN: I played my trumpet for Clayton Orm’s smart music assignment in seventh grade. EMME OWENS: In second grade, I moved my clip because I stuck my tongue out at Chris Wilson. ANNA PALERMO: I got a pink slip because Savannah Atkins and I argued in kindergarten.
WHAT THEY GOT CAUGHT FOR
MARSHALL SHULTS: Summer of sophomore year, a bunch of football guys were playing kickball in our boxers on the field. I let a few guys throw my javelin and Mr. Graham comes out and gets mad at me for having my javelin out…not because we were in our underwear playing kickball!!! SARA BETH STOLLE: I spit in a cupcake I made for Savannah Atkins. I also got in trouble for licking someone’s eyeball in Europe. RUTH WACKER: I was sent to Mr. Shelton’s office for getting in a grass fight with some people. Mr. Shelton just laughed.
CARISSA GEORGELOS: I fell down marble stairs in Europe and broke a plate. WRIGHT GORDON: I let Mr. Harrild see a secret Chaucer message because he authoritatively forced me too. KENNY KIDD: I ordered a pizza to be delivered on campus once. OLIVIA LIPE: I wore my PE uniform everyday eighth grade year. Nobody ever noticed.
WHAT THEY GOT AWAY WITH
SAVANNAH MIXON: In eighth grade I was in love with Coach Hueber. EMME OWENS: I didn’t read “The Iliad” and still got a 100 on my essay. KILLIAN RICHARDSON: There was not a single AP chemistry class I didn’t sleep through. AUSTIN SALTER: I have Mr. Tye’s lost hall pass. ZACH SCOTT: Christopher Mays Wilson did the pen thing. MARSHALL SHULTS: One time I drove to a track meet so I could leave early and I almost hit the bus waving at Coach Brock. BRENNA MCBROOM: I never wore my blazer all year…I just carried it.
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BY LAUREN JARVIS
Layout by Lauren Jarvis Photos by Braden Hall & from Ms. Jacobson
With her everylasting smile, Chelsie Jacobson recounts her time as kindergarten teacher to the senior class.
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WATCH THEM
GROW
She was their first teacher. Chelsie Jacobson has watched the class of ‘18 grow through the years since she taught them in kindergarten. She recounts her 13 years at Geneva. I DON’T REMEMBER much about kindergarten, but what I do remember was the prize box. I don’t even really recall why we would get to pick out something but it was literally the highest honor. I felt like I had won the Oscars or something even more important when I walked in front of my whole class to get a prize. They weren’t even super important prizes. but I think it was the bragging factor to be completely honest with you. I just remember feeling on top of the world
and incredibly important. The woman responsible for making so many kindergarteners feel welcome was Ms. Chelsie Jacobson. She started off the guild’s journey at Geneva in such a positive and fun way, and she has been able to witness us all grow up since kindergarten. She has impacted us all in such a prominent way and has guided us through our Geneva career. My hope is that everyone else at Geneva will appreciate Ms. Jacobson as much as our class does.
JARVIS: How long have you been at Geneva? JACOBSON: Would you believe 13 years? Three years in Kindergarten and 10 years in the office with Mr. Shelton.
specialization in reading and minored in Spanish (and I stayed in the marching and concert bands and added flute choir too). I taught Kinder at a school on the west side of San Antonio for four years before I came to Geneva.
JARVIS: Where did you go to high school? JACOBSON: I went to Marshall High School in San Antonio. JARVIS: What kind of activities did you do in high school? JACOBSON: I was in the marching and concert bands and very active in the Youth for Christ/Campus Life club at school and my church youth group. JARVIS: How big was your senior class? JACOBSON: It was around 630 students. I sat next to a girl at graduation that I had never ever seen! JARVIS: What Geneva student is most similar to how you were as a high school student? JACOBSON: Whoever wouldn’t want to answer this because they wouldn’t want to leave anyone out. JARVIS: How was your high school different than Geneva? JACOBSON: Well, it was a huge public school! I took mostly honors and AP classes, so I’ve read a lot of the same books that y’all do, but I didn’t have close relationships with any of my teachers. I knew that some of them were Christians, but they weren’t allowed to teach from a Christian Worldview, so I never had any of the cool discussions that y’all get to have. JARVIS: What did you do after you graduated? JACOBSON: I went to Angelo State University and majored in Elementary Education with a
JARVIS: When did you start teaching at Geneva? JACOBSON: My first year was 2005…when y’all were in Kinder! JARVIS: What were some of your first impressions of Geneva? JACOBSON: Compared to where I came from, I was amazed to see that parents truly cared for their children and wanted the best for them. They actually loved Jesus and wanted their children to love Jesus too. JARVIS: What were some of your first impressions of this senior class? JACOBSON: I thought everyone was so sweet! JARVIS: Who was the most talkative, troublesome or sweetest from our class? JACOBSON: Everyone was so very special, I can’t think of just one that sticks out… JARVIS: What is your favorite memory from our class? JACOBSON: Oh, there are so many! From all the little field trips around Boerne, to the 100th day of school, to Book Character Week, to Texas Day, from half day to full day…I loved every minute with y’all! JARVIS: What was your favorite part of being a kindergarten teacher? JACOBSON: I just love little people. Especially the
pictures and little love notes (that I still have!), but even the sticky fingers and buttons in the wrong button holes and silly jokes. JARVIS: What made you stop being a kindergarten teacher? JACOBSON: I was also coaching Cheer so I spent a lot of time in the office with the Athletic Director and Mr. Shelton, and I love big kids as much as little ones, so it just seemed like a natural transition. JARVIS: How is your position now different than being a kindergarten teacher? JACOBSON: When I taught, I was in charge of 14 students at a time and I only interacted with their parents. Now, I know all 212 Rhetoric students and all 176 Logic students and I know many of their families, and I get to be involved with all kinds of things…from the everyday simple things to the big picture. From lunch orders to Quidditch matches to schedules to dances to… JARVIS: What has been your favorite memory from your time at Geneva? JACOBSON: All of the years seem to run together, so all of it is my favorite! JARVIS: How has this year’s senior class changed since? JACOBSON: It’s obviously gotten a LOT bigger, but it’s also a LOT better! JARVIS: Based off of how we were as a kindergarten class what has surprised you about this class of seniors? JACOBSON: Maybe not surprised, but it makes me
sad that so many have moved away. JARVIS: What hasn’t surprised you? JACOBSON: That y’all ended up as amazing as you are! JARVIS: If you had one piece of advice to the senior class what would it be? JACOBSON: Love Jesus and don’t worry about what others think. JARVIS: If you had any advice to a new kindergarten teacher at Geneva what would it be? JACOBSON: Have so much fun with your little people! JARVIS: How does it make you feel that we are graduating? JACOBSON: I think a combination of old (me) and proud (of you). JARVIS: If you were to describe your time at Geneva in one word what would it be? JACOBSON: So-much-work-but-totally-worth-it-tosee-God’s-hand-in-all-of-it. That counts as one word, right?! JARVIS: If you were to describe the senior class in one word what would it be? JACOBSON: Unrepeatable…because I’ll never have another first Kindergarten class! JARVIS: What impact has this Senior Class had on you? JACOBSON: To see that you have almost finished all 13 years at Geneva, it is so great to learn perseverance from my little Kindergarteners!
See if you can spot this years’ seniors in this kindergarten picture from the fire department field trip.
STAT IT UPSENIORS Think about the graduating class from a statistical point of view: seniors by the numbers.
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BY BRADEN HALL
1
set of twins
National Merit Commended Scholars
5 (Scott Janse and Kenny Kidd)
QUATRO seniors took
years with Mr.Tye as a teacher
2
Layout Braden Hall
AP SPANISH
seniors broke a sports record
8 11 12 10 seniors have had the same backpack for four years
BOYS IN FOOTBALL Academic All-State
9
IN BAND
6
7
RAN CROSS COUNTRY
going to a private college
DRIVE TRUCKS G | 17
BUILT TO LAST
These Geneva Seniors have pushed their way from the first day of Kindergarten, Eighth Grade oratories and all the way through the senior thesis, while many others couldn’t last the whole 13 years. BY EMME OWENS
Layout by Emme Owens Graphic by Audrey Ryden
WHAT AN AMAZING 13 years it has been! I can honestly say I have been extremely blessed to spend and share the past 13 years with so many awesome classmates. While we started with 26 kids split between half-day and whole-day kindergarten (whole-day was way better!!) with Mrs. Wilkes and Ms. Jacobson, 14 have made the complete journey from kindergarten to senior year. Being one of the 14, I have watched this class grow up and experience so many wonderful memories that I will never forget. My favorite being when Tucker Hartis had a crush on me in 5th grade so he thought it would be a compliment if he called my hair mozzarella cheese, because that was his favorite. I got so upset, and he ended up moving his clip. Many of the original 26 have left (Tucker being one of them), but we will never forget them and the impact they had on us as a class. I have compiled one memory from each student who is a part of “the guild” (students who have completed all 13 years at Geneva) to share our experiences over the years. G | 18
KINDERGARTEN FIRST GRADE
Kenny Kidd: “Olivia Lipe threw up all over the rug we sat on in Ms. Jacobson’s class.”
Olivia Lipe: “Summer Focke- Peter and I chased people around on the playground with a live snake and we got in trouble.”
SECOND GRADE
Riley Smith: “Mrs. Figari made me move my clip because I was fixing my pencil while she was talking. I started crying and tried to explain what I was doing, and then she felt bad and started crying too. She called me “Riley make me cryly” for the rest of the year.”
THIRD GRADE FOURTH GRADE Will Langenbahn: “Tucker Hartis peed in the sink.”
Anna Palermo: “Alaina Zanardi ran in to Kellen Francis face to face during P.E. and he told everyone she kissed him.”
FIFTH GRADE
Carissa Georgelos: “Scott Janse got stuck in his angel wings at the Christmas program.”
SIXTH GRADE
Brenna McBroom: “Alaina Zanardi broke ten pencils because Chris Wilson took Japan for the World Expert’s Project in Mr. Troyer’s class.”
SEVENTH GRADE
Ross Kirchner: “Every Texas History class Mr. Troyer would tell us about ninjas and end up making a plan to throw his podium at anyone who intruded in on his class.”
EIGHTH GRADE
Savannah Mixon: “On the DC, trip my room decided to make a “trust circle” where we said anything to anyone in the room and it went very wrong. It ended in a fight but we made up and became even better friends.”
NINTH GRADE
Marshall Shults: “Will Langenbahn chugged a gallon of water in three minutes and 25 seconds and then threw up everywhere.”
TENTH GRADE
Henry Viña: “Our entire class usually sat on the boardwalk by Mrs. Jeffcoat’s room during lunch and one day it collapsed.”
ELEVENTH GRADE
Grace Zara: “When we were in Greece on the Europe trip, a group went down to the Aegean Sea at night and we all jumped in together. It was so cold but so worth it. That trip brought back so many good memories and friendships.”
TWELFTH GRADE
Lauren Jarvis: “Connor Tyra ripped his pants five minutes into our hike up Enchanted Rock on Senior Skip Day.”
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A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
Those cute pictures that are gathered from Grammar School seem to be from a long time ago. Geneva Seniors recreate the pictures of old memories taken during their time in Grammar and Logic School. Photos by Braden Hall Old photos courtesy of theBoardwalk Layout by Braden Hall
KINDERGARTEN
HENRY VIÑA AND KENNY KIDD
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CHRIS WILSON LAUREN JARVIS MARSHALL SHULTS WILL LANGENBAHN
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AUDREY RYDEN OLIVIA LIPE ROSS KIRCHNER ANNA PALERMO SCOTT JANSE SAVANNAH MIXON
GRAMMAR BOOK PARADE
SAVANNAH MIXON GRACE ZARA SHELBY MILLER OLIVIA LIPE
LOGIC LOGIC
KINDER TEXAS DAY
GA ME FA CE
CATCH A GLANCE OF GENEVA’S SPRING SPORTS PHOTO BY JACQUELINE KNOX
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CROWNING THE KING OF SPRING Which spring sport deserves to be a spring sport and which is better than the rest? This article aims to answer just that.
BY MATTHEW SCHRODER Layout by Jacqueline Knox Graphic by Sydney Dennis
AH SPRING. WHERE April showers bring May flowers and pollen is getting insane. Along with this comes the second semester, the Senior Thesis and of course, spring sports. Along with the spring sports, however, also comes a never-ending debate; the debate concerning which spring sport is best. Accordingly, with this dilemma constantly rattling in my mind without an answer, I have taken it upon myself to bring together all four sports to explain why their sport is best (I chose four because those are the ones that Geneva offers) and hopefully put this tiring debate to an end. Although this can be a heated topic and one with many points of view (around four), I implore you to put aside any bitter feelings and approach this with an open mind. And so, without further adieu, I give to you a fight for the ages. Four enter but only one will make it out alive. Who. Will. It. Be...
TENNIS VS BASEBALL VS TRACK VS GOLF WHAT CONSTITUTES A SPORT TO YOU?
GRANT WILLIAMS, (TENNIS): A sport has to be fun, but also competitive and not boring to watch. CONNOR TYRA, (GOLF): A sport is an event that involves physical and mental skill while competing against other players or a team. GRACE ZARA, (TRACK): Something that requires more physical activity than standing and hitting a ball that’s on the ground with a stick. CHRIS WILSON, (BASEBALL): All I know is that golf doesn’t count. Football and baseball are at least sports though. But not golf. Golf is a hobby.
WHY IS GOLF A SPORT?
TYRA: Contrary to some people’s thinking, golf is a sport because it fits the (my) aforementioned definition perfectly. Golf involves physical prowess and mental clarity at the same time while demanding you do it for 18 holes (usually about four hours in tournament play). They don’t think it takes effort, but Tiger Woods can bench over 405 pounds and can hit the ball a country mile. Every PGA player, no matter the age, is in great shape for their age and it is a necessity for the sport.
IS TENNIS EVEN A PHYSICAL SPORT OR IS IT MORE ALONG THE LINES OF BACKGAMMON?
WILLIAMS: It’s not physical at all… unless you fight someone. G | 24
WHAT MAKES BASEBALL COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE MOST BORING SPORT OF ALL TIME?
WILSON: It’s pretty much because it’s super slow paced and you can’t hit people unless you’re pitching. The games can also take a long time.
WHAT’S WITH ALL THE GRACEFUL JUMPING IN TRACK?
ZARA: It’s really not graceful at all. Triple jump is fun cuz’ you can mess with people and say you jumped 30 feet (even though there are two extra jumps in the whole jump that you don’t need to tell them about so they think you’re good).
WHICH IS INHERENTLY BETTER, TENNIS OR BASEBALL?
WILLIAMS: Tennis is so much better than baseball. Tennis (unlike baseball) requires finesse and skill. WILSON: Baseball no doubt. Where else can you sit in a dugout with your friends while watching a sport. Basically all the fun stuff.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A CONSPIRACY THAT ONLY THE WORST SPORTS HAPPEN IN THE SPRING?
WILLIAMS: No! All the best sports happen in spring like track and tennis. Those teams have the most fun.
TYRA: That’s a real conspiracy? Well to be completely honest, I wouldn’t call them the worst sports. But yes, I could agree with that. I think fall and winter are a tad better simply because they are more team-oriented than spring sports. ZARA: Nah, cross country is the worst sport ever and that’s in the fall. Track is easy compared to that, you stand around in golf, run every once in a while in baseball and tennis is pretty chill. WILSON: Well football is obviously the best, I know that for sure. But spring can’t be the worst because the winter season has soccer. So, based on that note, no, there is not a conspiracy.
take a nap in the middle of the competition? WILSON: Having fun in the dugout with Ross. Also, how can you go wrong with getting a good hit and winning?
DO YOU SOMETIMES TAKE OUT THE MONOTONY OF BASEBALL BY TAKING A NAP?
WILSON: I’ve never taken a nap but I should really try it. I know the best time to take a nap at least—when (Ethan) Houser is pitching, cuz’ there’s no way anyone is hitting off him.
WHAT MAKES TRACK BETTER THAN GOLF IN LIKE EVERY WAY? OR WHAT MAKES GOLF BETTER THAN TRACK IN LIKE EVERY WAY?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR SPORT?
WILLIAMS: My favorite part is the State Meet when we all get to leave school for a couple of days to hang out and play tennis. Also Mrs. Taylor is a great temporary mom and Coach Mike is a G. TYRA: My favorite thing about golf is definitely the pride I take in it. It is the ultimate test of your mental focus as well as very physically demanding. I enjoy being able to play a round of golf and be focused the whole time and see I played well and hit long drives too! It’s also a sport I play with my dad and have since I was a kid and will until I’m an old man. ZARA: Taking naps at track meets. In how many sports can you
TYRA: Coach Herbort told me he should’ve picked up golf in high school because of how badly he wants to play it now. Oh and isn’t he the TRACK coach? Hmm… interesting. ZARA: I can’t answer this question because golf isn’t better in any way.
WHICH SPRING SPORT HAS THE BEST HATS?
WILLIAMS: Definitely tennis. Those hats are dope. That is, unless you’re boring and wear an everyday athletic hat.
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TYRA: Unbiased, golf hats are the best. There’s more variety in terms of style and color options, and I get a hat whenever I go play a new exotic course. I have hats from all over the country and hopefully soon, internationally... ZARA: Does track even have hats? WILSON: I’d say baseball. Does track even have hats? Actually, if track has bucket hats like Coach Brock they would easily win.
ARE YOUR CURRENT SPORT’S TRIPS (BUS AND MEET/GAME/ MATCH) MORE OR LESS FUN THAN OTHER SPORTS YOU’VE BEEN IN?
WILLIAMS: The tennis trips are way more fun than the others I’ve been in. There’s a lot of time to kill at matches so we get creative. ZARA: It depends. The bus is usually kinda dead because everyone is sleeping, but it’s easy to get hyped at the meet with these people; especially when you’re about to race, because the competition is usually really fun. We usually just talk about how terrible the 300m hurdles are, how every other race is way easier and just roast the other events. It’s usually a good time. WILSON: Baseball has the best trips by far. I don’t mean to diss football trips, but nothing can compare to going to Ryne Hutton’s ranch freshman year when we stayed there before a game…and then the game got canceled. We shot off fireworks and had the time of our lives. Oh and who could forget the chief ranch-hand and chef Eloisa.
IF YOU COULD JOIN ANOTHER SPRING SPORT THAT ISN’T CURRENTLY YOUR OWN, WHICH
WOULD IT BE?
WILLIAMS: If I had to join another sport, it would have to be track. I’d kill it in the long jump. TYRA: Probably baseball. I used to play a little when I was a kid and it kind of runs in my family because my cousin is very good at baseball. Track does seem fun; my dad was quite the pole vault star, so I think it’d be a challenge to try to fill his shoes in a sense, but I’m not sure how good I’d be. ZARA: Can curling be a spring sport? WILSON: I’m technically already in track but if I had to choose another one it’d be tennis. You know, cuz’ golf isn’t a sport.
WHY IS YOUR SPORT, IN YOUR OPINION, THE GREATEST SPRING SPORT?
WILLIAMS: It is by far the most enjoyable sport. All the players have fun together and we all just gel, ya’ know. TYRA: Golf is the greatest spring sport because more than any other sport, YOU are the ONLY one that matters. In football, if someone doesn’t do their job, the whole play gets messed up. If someone drops the pop fly in baseball, it could cost the game. In golf, it’s just you. Your mental focus, your swing and physical effort, it all falls on you. I think a lot of people underestimate golf as the most challenging sport they’ve ever done. Just ask any NFL or NBA player that plays golf. ZARA: Track! Because it pushes you, there are always times to break, it’s chill and everyone is so nice. The other spring sports are weird and track is chill. WILSON: It’s the reasons I’m sure anyone else would come up with: Houser hitting dingers, our dugout sports drink bar and most of all, we all know how to have a good time.|
Well there you have it folks. I believe that together we have done the impossible. We have chosen one winner and all agree on which sport is better than the rest…or have we? I sincerely believe that there is no way to come to a conclusion. There is no definite way to choose which is better; they all have their strengths! So, while we didn’t actually decide which is better, we all at least learned things right? I know I did. For instance, now I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t totally agree with golf ’s legitimacy as a ‘sport’, tennis and track seem to team up when pitted against the other sports and baseball can get a little bit wild.|
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DANCING QUEEN
Three seniors are taking their sport with them to college. Sara Beth Stolle takes her dancing feet to California.
SARA BETH STOLLE has been around dance her entire life. With her mother owning a dance studio, she basically grew up crawling around the dance floor in a tutu. “Some of my first memories are watching my mom dance. There are videos of me watching her dance from before I can even remember,“ Stolle. said. She knew from a young age that this would be her life and has nothing to complain about now that all her hard work has paid off. This however comes as no shock to her, “I always knew I was going to dance in college and it hopefully is just the next step in my dancing career.” She hopes to end up on Broadway or touring, but for now college is a leap in the right direction. Taking her career to the next level was no easy move though. “I dance every day of the week, and teach some classes as well,” said Stolle. For her, it isn’t work at all though. It is work, yes, and sometimes it hurts; but it’s the pain that makes it worth it. She notes, “A lot of people hear me say, ‘I can’t… I have dance,’ and sometimes that makes me sad because I miss out on things at school, but it’s totally worth it in the end because I am getting better at doing what I love.” She is most excited about this school because they are all about spreading love through the arts. “I think that’s the best reason to do anything,” she said. Stolle will attend the Young American School for the Performing Arts in Corona, California this fall.|
BY DANIEL GROVER
Layout by Alexa Georgelos Photo from Sara Beth Stolle
Sara Beth Stolle aims to prove herself in the competitive world of dance.
SOARIN’ FLYIN’ Marshall Shults launches himself and his javelin all the way to the Air Force Academy.
THE SPORT OF javelin has been around for ages. It has evolved from ancient warfare and hunting to the popular field event it is today. This ability to hurl an object through the air is amazing. The longest throw ever recorded even exceedes 100 meters! This is the endeavor that senior Marshall Shults takes on every time he competes in a track meet. “My favorite part about it is watching it fly…it’s pretty awesome,” said Shults about his sport. During his freshman year, Shults began to compete in the javelin event due to some encouragement from his mom. Ever since, he has been excelling at it at any track he steps on to. While he does compete in other events such as sprints and discus, Shults will be attending The Air Force Academy this fall where he will train and compete as a javelin thrower. Practicing on a weekly basis, Shults has amped-up his training recently as he prepares to enter a higher level of competition. Shults is thrilled to be attending the service academy, as he has aspired to do so for quite some time. The highly exclusive college has a beautiful campus of 18,500 acres: plenty of distance for Shults to throw his javelin. Shults says that the academy’s track and field program has lots of excellent equipment and he is exited to begin training with it. And as his days at Geneva come to a close, Shults prepares to test his mettle at The Air Force Academy. Looking back on his high school track and field career, one of the funny moments that sticks out to Shults is when he was competing at Texas Relays: the second largest track meet in the nation. He had just thrown his javelin, and the crowd suddenly erupted in applause and cheering. Shults remembers thinking for a moment that they were cheering for him—heart soaring. Then, he realized that the enthusiasm was directed towards one of A&M’s relay teams who had just broken a record. Through all the good and bad moments, Shults has continued on a steady route of improvement in track and field. He has left his mark on this program and the school as a whole, and he will be missed when he heads off to college in the fall. | G | 28
BY NATHAN YOUNG Photo by Pam Akin
Marshall Shults has broken numerous records while at Geneva and remains its only javelin thrower.
HORSING AROUND Savannah Mixon rides off into the sunset chasing her Olympic dreams in dressage.
EVER SINCE SHE was little, Savannah Mixon has always been around horses. She was first introduced to riding when she was about five, and later started taking lessons when she was seven. Mixon recalls going to dressage competition when she was younger, just to watch. She was inspired by the horses and the riders and wanted to go ahead and try it herself. “I could have followed the typical Texas path and been a cowgirl, but after watching Dressage, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Mixon. By her eighth-grade year, she and her family decided to move to forty acres of land. There, Mixon could have her own barn and arena. In her sophomore year, she and her parents wanted to take her Dressage career to the next step. She and her mother took a trip to Germany to hopefully find a horse that Mixon could compete with nationally and maybe internationally. Mixon said, “the horse I compete with now has been one of the most amazing blessings in my life.” Mixon loves horses and continues to compete in Dressage for multiple reasons. Mixon explained, “To me, the horse is more that just a horse. It’s my teammate and we rely on each other.” She loves the elegance of dressage and the connection the rider has with the horse. Dressage has also taught Mixon how to have a good work ethic and to be committed to her work. “Because of the sacrifices my parents have made for me, I make sure to work hard, harder than I have for anything else in my life,” Mixon said. She wakes up early every morning to feed her horses and clean the stalls before she leaves for school. And when she returns, she trains, cleans stalls and feeds horses again. Mixon has been training since eighth grade and hopes to get all the way to the top. She will be competing in the Regional Championship this year in the fall. At the end of the year, she also plans on returning to the US Finals. The highest level for Dressage is Grand Prix and by next year, Mixon wants to be at that tier. She also hopes to go around the world to international competitions for as long as she can.
BY ALEXA GEORGELOS
Photo from Savannah Mixon
Savannah Mixon has risked the life of a normal kid to chase her dreams..
Mixon will continue her training in Dressage while she attends Northwest Vista Community College this fall. She decided to go there because it is the best way for her to continue training at home and still go to school. Mixon has a dream to one day compete on the US Olympic Dressage Team. In order to do so, she will train and go to competitions like the Pan American Games. Mixon has trained hard and will continue to train hard to achieve her goals and make her childhood dreams a reality.|
THE WRIGHT WAY TO SAY GOODBYE
Coach Wright bids farewell to Geneva as she moves back to Alabama for her husband’s job.
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Coach Wright and her family have helped Geneva thrive the last few years—from being the Logic School Athletic Director, a football coach, a strength and conditioning coach and just being an overall amazing and contagiously happy influence. However, since she has to leave, she wants to leave on a note of JOY.
BY COACH WRIGHT
Layout by Alexa Georgelos Photo by Pam Akin
DEAR GENEVA FAMILY, For the past 21 years, my life verse has been Proverbs 19:21 which states, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” I believe this with all my heart and our move here proves just that. I was set to stay where we lived before. If God would have opened the door of one of the 15 jobs I applied for there, we would have never arrived here. When Mr. Coach Wright informed me that we were moving back to San Antonio, I was not too thrilled, as we had already lived here once 14 years earlier. I
The Lord knew! He knew I needed a place to coach again. He knew that you all would buy into what I was selling. He knew that without you I would miss out on so much joy. Joy is defined as, “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” This! This is what you all have given me. Joy every time I walk somewhere on campus and I hear a big ol’ “HI COACH WRIGHT!” Every time you shout this to me my whole heart bursts. Joy watching you accomplish your dreams. It may be a grade in a class, a part in the play, acceptance into your dream school or a new max in the weight room. Joy sharing in your treasured lives. To watch you all over the past two years thriving, struggling, working, competing, playing and living is a gift that I will keep with me always. Joy learning from you. I learned quickly that I was out of my league in the academic arena and I so enjoy listening to you all debate, question, outsmart me, push me and lead me to become wiser. Joy soaking in all the hours we have spent together. I lost track long ago how many hours I have spent with you all, but I remember each moment and the significance of our time well spent. Joy in your trust. From the staff, to parents, to coaches, to the athletes, you have all put your trust in a stranger that had some crazy ideas and did things a little bit out of the ordinary. Thank you for trusting me! Joy in the blessing of allowing me to love you and you all loving me right back. I shed tears as I write this because I do love you in the fullest sense of the word love. Thank you for the precious gift of love. Joy in the knowledge that God has wonderful things in store for you. I believe in you. I thank you. I will always be here for you. I take great joy in calling you my family!
I LOST TRACK LONG AGO HOW MANY HOURS I HAVE SPENT WITH YOU ALL, BUT I REMEMBER EACH MOMENT AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR TIME WELL SPENT. questioned him, “Why in the world would the Lord bring us back here?” Probably within a month of being here I had my answer. It was you all!
IN HIS MIGHTY GRIP, COACH WRIGHT
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EASY, WHEEZY, BEAUTIFUL As junior Nathan Zuniga completes his sports journey with the track team, he shares the struggles he endured before finally crossing the finish line.
BY NATHAN ZUNIGA
Layout by Alexa Georgelos Photos by Ashton Landis THIS IS IT: the last stop of my asthma-inducing journey through the world of sports. I’m not quite sure how I got through each practice in one piece, or at least without crying or throwing up. But hey, that’s better than I ever did while playing football. I think I threw up at least three times and I cried before every game so I’m pretty sure I deserve some kind of award…or food. Yeah, I like that idea better, give me food! Just make sure it’s gluten free or I’ll be running for the bathroom and be there for quite a while. I swear I’m not on my phone, it’s the gluten. Speaking of running, guess what sport I’ll be struggling in this time! Let me give you a hint: *running sounds*…um…*maybe like footsteps or something*…I don’t really know what sounds correlate with track, but you get the gist. Oh, I got one: *large thud of Nathan’s body hitting the track after passing out from heat exhaustion and dehydration*. Yeah, that sounds about right. You might be thinking: “Ok, if Nathan barely got through the other practices, there is no way he made it through a track practice.” Well Brenda, not only did I make it through the practice with flying colors, but I also jumped hurdles! Go home Brenda.
So, yeah, I went to track practice for a day and I can say with much confidence that I 100% would have rather laid in bed at home and eaten a whole family-size bag of Cheetos. But I’ve got to get that ‘prom bod’, so I forced myself to actually try. To be honest, I didn’t mind the track practice one bit. After all, it was the only sport I used to do that didn’t end with me softly weeping into my pillow; I actually enjoyed being on the track team in the past. My track experience was pretty great, and revisiting it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Oh, who am I kidding, this wouldn’t be a rant if I didn’t complain. So, on second thought, it was actually terrible. We started the practice by doing a really pathetic workout in the weight room. Now wait, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, I love a pathetic workout. This one in particular consisted of some really extraneous exercises like: sitting up and down on a bench, stepping up on a stool, etc. In all seriousness, it actually had me wheezing so I need to shut up. After the workout, we headed over to the track at Boerne High School. A few minutes after stepping on the track, everyone got ready to run a lap. I was so ready to
Even though Zuniga has done track before, this year he had sound ground to make up. G | 32
AND FOR A SECOND I THOUGHT MAYBE…JUST MAYBE, I COULD FINALLY BE THE TRACK STAR I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE.
Zuniga gets set to shoot off into athletic stardom...or another asthma attack.
have my Lightning McQueen moment, and in my head I was saying to myself, “Speed…I am speed!” And the second I started running I looked over to the left and saw a group of judgmental teens looking at me. At that moment, my face said, “Kachow!” but my heart said, “End me now.” I apologize in advance for that one. All this is to say, I gave up on running the lap. Darn you teens, I’ll get ‘em next time! At last, it was time for me to reunite with the hurdles. Now, it might sound like a joke, but I used to run 100-meter hurdles when I was in middle school. The last time I ever competed in that race I tripped over a hurdle and face planted into the track because my shoe slipped off as I started running. The expression on Coach Arrufat’s face just read, “I’m not surprised.” So, coming back to them now 50 pounds later made me want to run the opposite direction. Surprisingly, I didn’t do that bad. Scott Janse said something along the lines of, “Wow, his form isn’t completely terrible.” I actually felt like a majestic gazelle while jumping over the hurdles, and for a second I thought maybe…just maybe, I could finally be the track star I always wanted to be. Then I watched the video back, and what I had thought to be majestic gazelle was actually a charging bull with a giant sack of cold sausage strapped to its stomach that jiggled up and down as it ran. No, Amy Ambelang is the gazelle; I’m the bull that trampled over her.
As the practice came to an end, I started to look back on all the sports I participated in and considered how many puffs of my precious inhaler I wasted. I estimated it, and I used around 90 puffs that I will never get back. This is truly problematic. Through this experience, I have had so much fun visiting these sports and participating with the teams. That doesn’t mean I don’t have nightmares about it, but it was still an eye-opening experience. Yeah, it really opened my eyes to realize that sports are not for me and inhalers are too expensive. Honestly, I have way too much emotional trauma from playing sports in the past, so I’m happy to say that I’m getting as far away from them as possible from now on. Look, I know running away from your problems doesn’t make you skinny, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize. I’m truly going to miss writing about my embarrassing experiences while playing in these sports. I mean, what other guy at Geneva would willingly go to a cheer practice and publish it in a magazine for everyone to see? With all of this considered, it’s always good to take a step back and laugh at yourself sometimes. You really aren’t that great Brenda, get over yourself. Well, I hope you learned what not to do when competing in a sport and I’m so glad I got to spread my wisdom to all of the un-athletic kids out there. It ain’t easy being wheezy, but this asthmatic is going to keep running until he drops dead.|
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BIG PICT U RE FINDING HOME WHEREVER YOU ARE PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE WALKER
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CROSSING BORDERS WITH A TEXAS STATE OF MIND
BY JACKSON YOUNG
Layout Ryanne FitzGerald Art by Audrey Ryden
As Seniors decide where they want to attend college, they have to choose between staying instate and adventuring out-of-state.
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AS THIS SCHOOL year comes to a close, every grade level is doing something new. Freshmen are getting ready to become sophomores so they can make fun of the new freshmen. Sophomores are stepping into the role of upperclassmen and are starting to learn what responsibility is. Juniors are preparing for the excitement of senior year, and the seniors are deciding where they want to attend college. Choosing a college is a huge decision and an immense amount of thought is put into it. One of the first decisions you make regarding this decision is whether you want to stay in state or go out of state. Most seniors stay in state and sometimes do not even consider leaving. While one is not innately better than the other, both options have their benefits. One of the main reason people stay in state is to remain close to family and friends. Geneva graduate Savannah Cone said “I love being able to see my family and visit home whenever I want. Also, I really love being able to visit all my friends’ homes. Most of my close friends are from Texas and it’s really special to be able to spend time in the places they love!” It’s easy and convenient to be able to come home on the weekends or visit a friend at college just a couple of hours away. If you move farther away, you might have to buy a plane ticket or drive several hours. Both of these can cost a good amount if you plan on coming home for the holidays. Another reason you might want to stay in state is because you are a true Texan at heart. Some people just love this state too much to leave it. The people, the unique cities, the Mexican food and especially the beautiful year-round 90 degree weather are all so hard to leave behind. Although there are plenty of good reasons to stay in state there are also plenty to leave Texas for college. Going out of state can be a real adventure and an opportunity to discover a new city, new state and a new way of life. It can expose you to lots of new things too. You get to experience a different culture and different people, and believe it or not, there are some people out there that are not fans of the scorching Texas heat and would rather it be cold and rainy.
Geneva graduate Delaney Young said, “Living out of state has been such an essential part of my education. I love classroom learning, but have also learned so much from living in Chicago and being immersed in Midwest culture. It has grown in me an appreciation for diversity (political, racial, cultural and religious) and a deep love for things that are new and different. I don’t think I would have learned that kind of love if I hadn’t gone to school out of state.” Although there is not one right answer, both options are appealing in their own way and it is really up to you and what you prefer. Just keep in mind that there is more than one option out there.|
24%
OF ALL GENEVA GRADUATES HAVE GONE OUT OF STATE FOR COLLEGE
PERCENTAGE BY YEAR ‘11 11%
‘12
54%
‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ‘16 ‘17 ‘18
32% 20% 17% 29% 23% 22% G | 37
WALKER WORLD AROUND THE
Sophomore Charlotte Walker wraps up her trip across the world with a new appreciation of home. BY CHARLOTTE WALKER
Layout by Carissa Goergelos Photos by Charlotte Walker
Finishing up a year of travel, Walker discovers home is where you make it.
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GOD HAS CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON WHAT HOME REALLY IS: FINDING A HOME IN MY FAMILY,
BEFORE WE LEFT, my mom and I decided that if we were going to live across the ocean for seven months, we had to be all there. We couldn’t have one foot in America and another in Europe; instead we needed to be completely present where we were in order to take full advantage of it, without constantly wishing we were home. As I have continued to fall in love with England and Europe and Oxford in particular, I have by no means fallen out of love with the U.S. and the great state of Texas. I still daydream about home every time a country song comes on and have a running list of things I want to do when I return home. Yes, I miss certain things about home and America, but I miss the people more often. Being away from Reynolds and my Dad has been especially difficult. I miss my family, my grandparents and friends; my heart hurts when they are sick or hurting and I am not able to be there to be with them. But this year, God has changed my outlook on what home really is: finding a home in my family, finding a home in Oxford, finding a home in Christ. Not finding a home here on this earth, because it’s not my home, but truly finding a home in God. Over Christmas, I learned that my family is really “home” to me. Because we three Walker girls were already in Europe, the two Walker boys came over for the Christmas holidays. We spent Christmas
Eve waiting for my Dad in an airport hotel and most of Christmas Day on a train. Definitely different from any other Christmas! I learned that traditions are going to change from year to year, depending on each family member’s commitments or where we are, but we felt like we were “home” when we were all back together again, even in a foreign country. And it’s been incredible spending this extended period of time with both my sister and mom in another country, getting to know them more and growing closer to them. While this blitz around Europe has been more than I could have dreamed and quite honestly the best year of my life, it didn’t come on a cake platter with a fork. Traveling is hard. I am not saying this to complain, but simply to give some insight. It is physically and mentally taxing, not being in one place for more than a few days or a week and determining where you’re going next, how you’re getting there, where you’re staying and what you will do once there. Yeah, trying to figure out where we are going next in Europe is a first world problem, right? Yes, but that doesn’t lessen the difficulty or strain it can simultaneously produce. Just because people are on different walks of life doesn’t mean we need to feel bad or apologize for the life and experiences God has given each of us. Before we
FINDING A HOME IN OXFORD, FINDING A HOME IN CHRIST.
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left, after finding out that my mom and I were going on a seven-month trip, people would often ask if it was a mission trip. At first, we felt a pang of guilt that it wasn’t a mission trip, but then realized that it didn’t have to be a mission trip for God to use us in the way He planned. We knew this trip was what He was calling us to do and we didn’t know how He would use us, but only that He would. It’s been incredible seeing God work these past several months. After realizing our mental and physical limits of traveling, we were able to take a step back from the hustle and bustle and really focus on what God was telling us. We began focusing more on people and relationships, rather than checking off our bucket list or visiting the top 10 things in each city. We’ve done a lot of things, but have also realized we aren’t able to do everything that’s here and that’s okay. Coming into this trip, I definitely had big expectations. My goal was to post pictures on Instagram weekly, if not several times a week, and to post on my blog at least once a month, if not several times a month. Well, that didn’t happen. I was struggling with what I was trying to accomplish with my blog and Instagram during this trip. I wanted to update people on what was going on and about the incredible people we were meeting and adventures we were having, but I became stuck when I tried to do so. My perfectionism, comparison, indecisiveness and fear of being vulnerable and judged got the best of me. After constantly seeing photoshopped “Living Europe” Instagram posts and posed, photoshopped and unrealistic blogger photographs, my desire for authenticity, truth and purpose was sparked. While I have always loved fashion and traveling and what they have to offer, my craving for substance and finding my unique, God-given niche emerged more than ever. As of right now, I know I still have a passion for creating, whether that’s in fashion, photography, writing, design or something else. But I don’t want to create for myself, I want to create for my Creator, to show others who He is, who they are in Him and what all they have in Him. Oxford has become my new home away from home and a respite from the craziness of constant movement these past several months. When we were weary of our lack of community, and Christian community in particular, after three months in Europe, we landed in Oxford. We became a part of Callie’s church, St. Aldates, and I was able to join their youth group. The community and friendship I have encountered in G | 40
Clockwise from Top left: Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Charlotte with a friend at a local hockey game, mother, Janna, and daughter in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, Tuilip fields in Amsterdam, and father, Rex, and daugher in Santorini, Greece
PHOTO CAPTION !!!
Oxford has been truly authentic and life-giving. Especially with Callie’s friends, each time we hang out I leave feeling refreshed. Not because I’m an extrovert (I’m not) but because we had genuine fun and stimulating conversations. I also acquired an Oxford “mum” named Celia who has been our Airbnb hostess for the past several months. And as God’s hand has become very evident in various situations over the course of our trip, particularly in Oxford, our staying at Celia’s was by no means a mistake. The different pace and space in Oxford also allowed more time for reflection. One of the overarching things I’ve learned this year is to trust God. To trust in who He is, what He can do and what He says. Early on in the trip, we developed the mantra of “no expectations” because when you have expectations they are usually not met, which leads to unhappiness and discontentment. As I often have expectations, this has been an important concept for me. Romans 12: 2-3 in particular has helped me in the developing of freedom from the expectations of myself and others. By not conforming to the pattern of the world and its expectations but being transformed by the daily renewal of my mind, I will be able to fill my head and heart with the truth of His word over the lies of the world and may be able to discern His will for my life. I must realize that we are called to be radically different and live outside of our comfort zone in order for Him to use us for His purpose and be reminded not to live for the acceptance of others because I am accepted by Him. My dependency on Christ has definitely grown as I have gotten to know myself better as well as my downfalls and flaws. As this year draws to close I have to increasingly rely and depend on God for my strength, joy, peace and perseverance. Leaving Oxford and Europe to go home will truly be bittersweet. My heart hurts knowing I have to leave all the incredible people I have come to know and love, but my heart jumps with joy at the fact that I will get to see and hug my family and friends once again as opposed to being separated by the Atlantic Ocean and a computer screen. On Easter, the vicar noted that Dr. Billy Graham entitled his last book “Nearly Home.” As my time to return to Texas nears, I realize that my earthly home will always be in New Braunfels, and my second in Boerne. My acrossthe-world homes will be in Oxford and Florence. My traveling home will be in my family (until it becomes my spouse), but my one true neverchanging home is in Christ. And, like Dr. Graham proclaimed, “I will not fully be home until I am with Him.”| G | 41
Darren Brehmer and Josh Flora, friends from high school, meet again after several years and end up bonded in a way they never expected.
BY GABI GRIFFEY
Layout by Carissa Georgelos Graphic by Nathan Zuniga Photos by Luke Bower and provided by families
WHEN DARREN BREHMER walked into the training room, he never would have imagined that he would meet a lifelong friend that he would one day give a great sacrifice. Fourteen-year-old Brehmer was stoked for football season to begin. But before the season even started, he was told he couldn’t play because of stomach ulcers. Disheartened, he was sent to train with the other boys who weren’t able to play on the field. Brehmer met fifteen-year-old Josh Flora who had just been diagnosed with a rare kidney disease that would affect him for the rest of his life. Flora too was dismayed because he was told his disease would have lasting effects. He wasn’t ever supposed to participate in football or any other sport. But, just like Brehmer, Flora pushed his body past what doctors imagined and he went on to play varsity football. After high school, Brehmer went to work in the family business while Flora went on to college, moved out of state to become a commercial scuba diver and then joined the Army. At the urging of an old high school friend, Tara Benton, Flora ended up back in Texas for his ten-year high school reunion. Coincidentally, after spending time with each other at the reunion, both Josh and Tara quickly came to realize that they were meant to be together and began making plans for marriage. Josh and Tara would start their life together in San Antonio with Josh transitioning from soldier to Insurance Adjuster. He would travel for the next six years before the family moved back to Boerne, where they found Geneva and soon enrolled their children.
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Brehmer and Flora are connected through high school football, business, Geneva and now through a kidney.
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Coincidentally, Brehmer, who never left Boerne, met his wife at St John Lutheran Church. Shannon was the youth director the same time Geneva School was just starting and shared a wall with one of the classrooms and knew this was where their kids would go to school. Having stayed close to the Boerne area after high school, Tara was still active with a lot of the people she grew up with, “When we moved back to Texas, Josh didn’t know many people. I already had my community of friends. Josh spent over 15 years out of state so I really prayed for him to make some local friends. Then along came Darren. He truly was an answered prayer.” Both Josh and Darren were again reunited through mutual friends, who also happened to be another Geneva family, at a fantasy football draft. Their friendship picked up right where it left off. Both men recounted their days of high school football and overcoming their health concerns. Remembering that Flora had a disease that would affect him for the rest of his life, Brehmer asked him how he was doing. At that point, Flora seemed healthy and his kidneys were really not a huge concern. Two years had passed and both Brehmer and Flora had kept in touch. The gentlemen had often talked of starting some sort of business together and eventually the opportunity presented itself. Since Flora had come back to Texas he had worked in various positions in the insurance claims industry, from adjuster to trainer to manager. Darren had spent the better part of 20 years in a sales and advertisement roll in his family’s business. Josh had already started a small training firm and after discussing their options, the two agreed to start an Independent Adjusting Firm called J&D Claim Services. “I handle the business and sales while he handles the claims and the adjusters,” Brehmer said. Since then their business has taken off. After five years of running their business together, Flora’s kidneys began to alter his physical health dramatically. He contracted renal related gout and it settled in his feet; so much so that he could barely stand.
“October of 2016 is when my health really started to affect me physically. At that point, I went to the doctor and was told that my kidney function was at only about 37%,” Flora said. And for the next year, Josh would spend at least one day a month going to doctors who would monitor his downward progression. In the beginning of 2017 Josh’s kidney function fell below 25%, the doctors began testing to see if he would be an acceptable candidate for the transplant list. The final test the doctors need to perform before he would be approved for the transplant list was a cardiac catheterization. This test would determine if Josh’s heart would be strong enough to withstand the surgery. By injecting a dye into his heart, the doctors could get a clear picture of his heart health. Unfortunately, the different chemicals they use in testing were harsh on his kidneys and as Flora said, they “practically finished my kidneys off. I went from about 25% down to 17% function almost immediately.” The doctors had to test every function in his kidneys to see if he would even accept a new kidney and that it would not create more health problems. His wife Tara said, “Once they started testing I knew a transplant was actually going to have to happen.” In November of 2017, Flora was approved to be put on the transplant list. However, these lists don’t guarantee a kidney right away. They are waiting for the organs of a deceased person. So, it could take upward of seven to eight years to have a kidney ready, fit for a transplant However, there were other options. The Flora family was told that if they found their own donor, it would speed up the process. They could also have a friend or family member donate a kidney to the organ pool. If it wasn’t a match for Flora, it would place him high on the match list. Having heard this, there were people who came forward to donate. Flora’s sister was one, but she was rejected due to health concerns. Josh’s wife, Tara, also considered donating to the pool, but knowing this would have put both parents of the Flora family in surgery and recovery without someone left for the long recovery process, they decided against it. It seemed like too much of a risk. Confiding to his friend about the situation, Brehmer offered to donate one of his kidneys without even being asked. Brehmer did not even know his blood type at the time. He just knew that his friend was in need and he was in a position to help. If his business partner was really a match, it seemed he would be the best option. But it also felt like a lot to ask of a friend. Tara would later state, “The thing that really made me ok with it was how confident Darren was with the entire process. Never once did he question doing this. Prayer is what got me through this! God continued to open every door along the way and brought me to a peaceful acceptance with Darren’s gift.” The testing for donors is extensive. Hospitals look for just about any reason to say that your kidney would not be a good match, because they do not want to have the risk of failure. “I knew he was a match even before they started testing him,” Flora said. “Tara and I had previously follow a diet that was related to your blood type and knowing Darren and I liked the same types of food and that we are both meat eaters as well as eat almost the exact same things every day. In my heart, I knew he would be a match.” “To be quite honest, I never thought we would be a match. If anything, when I found out, I was excited that I would be able to do this for him,” Brehmer said. The testing began with matching blood types and the check marks just continued from there. Flora knew God had blessed their friendship from the very beginning. From high school to now, God had brought
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them together for this moment. Once testing for Brehmer was done, the families were told that he was a 99% match. As the reality began to set in, the Flora’s struggled to accept this sacrificial gift, “I always told him that this was something he should not feel obligated to do,” said Flora. However, the Brehmer’s were at peace with their decision. Shannon remained calm despite the situation: “When God puts something on your heart for you to do, He gives you peace.” She never questioned her husband’s choice because his faith never wavered. Tara struggled the most with the decision. “It was really hard for me to inconvenience the Brehmer family and just say ‘hey will you do this for us?’ Eventually I gave in to what God had already planned.” It was a daunting obstacle that both families had to go through with their kids. Seeing your dad go through this and not knowing exactly what is going on seemed terrifying. But both families communicated every step of this journey with each other. Even the hard questions were answered. “We were on our way to school one day and I felt this tension in the car with my kids and I knew they were beginning to get really nervous about the surgery. So, I asked them what they thought was going to happen. They didn’t want to answer because they didn’t want to say the “d” word, but I knew I had to make it clear that no where in this journey is Daddy going to die. After I told them that, there was this sigh of relief and I think that made it a lot easier for them knowing that,” said Tara. With the date of the surgery growing closer, Flora’s kidneys became weaker. About a week before the operation, his kidney function was down to 4%. He was constantly cold and nothing felt right in his body. The symptoms were excruciating. So, a couple of days before surgery, the doctors recommended that Flora come in for dialysis to clean out his bloodstream. He had never done this before. In all the years his kidneys were not functioning fully, he had just kept going. Doctors said that while he looked healthy, he was dying. The operation took place the day after Valentine’s Day—Brehmer went first and Flora shortly followed. “The scariest part is that they never know for sure that it’s going to be a match until they actually open him up. They can do all the tests, but there can still be something wrong,” Shannon said.
The Flora family are enjoying a new lease on life. Pictured (l-r) Josh, Macy Kate (10th), Lily (5th), Tara and Jake (7th).
Brehmer and his family never wavered in their commitment to the Flora’s.Picutred (l-r) Darren, Peyton (8th), Shannon and Abigail (5th).
However, God had his hand on all of this. Shannon explained that she didn’t realize how stressed she was about this until the nurse said that everything was perfect, and Darren’s kidney matched beautifully. The surgery went smoothly without any hiccups. From the time that Brehmer’s kidney was removed to the time it was placed in Flora’s body was only a few minutes. Immediately after it was placed into Flora, it began working. The first thing Brehmer asked when he came to was, “Is Josh ok?” And funny enough, the nurse came in shortly after and said that the very first thing Flora said was, “Is Darren ok?” The surgery went just as planned but there was still a long recovery ahead. This would not be easy considering they both have kids with a household to run, as well as a shared business. After surgery, both friends were extremely fragile. “Neither of us was supposed to lift more than a gallon of milk for six weeks, because everything is loose. The first week I would just take a shower and I would need a nap,” Flora said. They needed to be focused on recovery, so they couldn’t be of much help at home. “It was almost like being a single parent for a little while,” Shannon said. Flora immediately started feeling better since his kidney function went from 4% to 50% right away, however Brehmer went from 100% to 50%, having cut his kidney function in half due to giving one away. Both men will eventually have their kidney’s functioning at somewhere between 80-100% as each one starts to work better taking over the load that two would normally handle. It will just take time. “Just as I was cold before the surgery due to poor kidney functioning, now Darren is constantly cold and I am hot,” Flora said. “Another interesting thing is that, I now have a taste for sweets, which I never had before. I think I have Darren’s taste buds.” Two weeks after the operation, they both returned to work to keep their firm running. God began this high school friendship in the weight room and flourished it into brotherly bond that has only been made stronger through love and sacrifice. |
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TRAVERSING TRIALS Everybody has a testimony, but senior Allison Cross’ is especially compelling, and in spite of the painful memories, she shares it here.
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BY ALLISON CROSS
Layout by Carissa Georgelos Graphic by Carissa Georgelos
I LOST MY dad, Jeremy, a little over a year ago in November of 2016. I loved him with all my heart because he was my dad. I didn’t grow up in a terrible home or with a terrible father: the opposite actually. I didn’t care where we lived, whether it was a cheap apartment or a fully furnished house. As long as I was with my dad, I was happy. You see, my dad was one of the kindest people you’d have ever met. He had a big heart and he loved with it all day long. Unfortunately, he got caught up in drugs. While it didn’t make him love any less, it distracted him from what he loved most: God, his family and friends. Slowly, as he fell deeper in his addiction, they seemed to all fade away. One day when he realized he couldn’t provide for me anymore, he brought me to Texas where my mom, step-dad and newborn baby brother lived. He dropped me off and tried his best to keep in touch. However, the addiction clouded his memory and mind. He eventually stopped calling except for on my birthday and Christmas. I don’t think he had an idea of time. Once at the Palladium, I was refilling my Icee when I bumped into a man. I turned to apologize and, to my shock, it was my dad. I recognized him immediately but he didn’t know who I was. I didn’t know where he was in life, but I could tell he was high, so I said I was sorry and went back to the theater. I don’t blame him for not knowing it was me. It had been five years since we’d last seen each other. He was thin and I could tell he was sick—his body couldn’t take what he was putting in it anymore. My 16th birthday was the last time he called me. It was around 10 P.M. and I was tired, so I told my mom to tell him I would talk to him tomorrow.
When I called him the next morning he didn’t pick up. That was the last time he ever called. When 17 rolled around with no call, I knew he wasn’t well. No one told me, I just kinda’ knew. God put it on my heart that I needed to call him and forgive him. I didn’t listen. I was so angry and hurt that he didn’t care, that he didn’t love me, that I never did call. Even though that was far from the truth—he loved me so much and was scared of what I thought of him—he didn’t call because he didn’t want me to hear or see him looking like he did, even when he knew he was sick and dying. So I didn’t get to say goodbye to my dad because the next month he passed away. I live on the hope that he’s happy in heaven and watching over me. This isn’t a glitch in my story though; what happened with my dad couldn’t have been prevented. He was sick a long time ago. I could’ve listened to God and called him to say goodbye, but I didn’t and it is something that I’m learning and growing from. God didn’t cause my dad to die, but he is using it in incredible ways in my life. My relationship with Him has grown so much stronger through it. My dad did have a funeral, but I wasn’t exactly invited. I never got to attend it. Although there are many things I never got to do and many words I never got to say, there’s one thing I do have the power over, and that’s forgiveness…over everything. In my childhood, I had been abused in all aspects by different people. However, I learned from losing my dad that the only control I have over it is forgiveness. The Lord doesn’t cause bad things to happen, but He does work miracles through them. So that’s my story. That’s Jesus in the workings.
INTERVIEW BY CARISSA GEORGELOS GEORGELOS: Before coming to Christ, how did you respond to the pain and suffering you went though? CROSS: Before I knew Christ, I learned to bottle things up, and quite honestly, I learned to eat my feelings instead of going to God with them.
CROSS: I would tell myself that it’s okay. Everything is going to be okay. It is alright to make mistakes and it’s okay to fail. It’s the trying that really counts. GEORGELOS: What is your advice to people (believers and non-believers) who struggle with similar situations? CROSS: It’s not your fault. You don’t have to carry the burdens of your parents. This situation doesn’t define you. Your actions and what you make of it defines you. Also think about exactly how you let it make you. What are you taking from it? Are you going to be kind and a good person to show others how trials can make you stronger, or are you going to use the trials as an excuse to make mistakes?
GEORGELOS: After coming to Christ, how did you respond to the pain and suffering you went though? CROSS: Once I knew Christ, I had an understanding that I don’t need to worry about the pain because God has my back. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30. GEORGELOS: Looking back, what is something you wish you could tell your younger self?
GEORGELOS: Do you see any blessings that have come as a result of your suffering? CROSS: Definitely, the trials and struggles brought me closer to God. Also I can help people with similar stories.| G | 49
BUZZING OFF WITH SENIOR FAREWELLS AND WILLS PHOTO BY JACQUELINE KNOX G | 50
SEN IOR
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ELIZABETH BEAUCHAMP
ZACH AKIN TEXAS TECH Business Management 1. To Parker, I leave my 1976 Buick Skylark for three years. 2. To the O-line, I leave the part of practice where we distract Coach Brock so we don’t have to do anything. 3. To Katelyn Davis, I leave Amy, please take care of her. “JUST GIVE ‘EM A KLIPPER” - COACH BROCK
TRINITY UNIVERSITY Computer Science and Art 1. To Mr. Brown, I leave silence in the Admin. 2. To Mr. Tye, I leave cottage cheese and sour cream. 3. To Mr. Johnson, I leave two almonds. “WHAT IS DONE IN LOVE IS DONE WELL.” –VINCENT VAN GOGH
MADDIE CUPIT ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Communications 1. To Jack I leave my parking spot. “I LIKE THAT BOULDER, THAT’S A NICE BOULDER” - DONKEY FROM SHREK
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BEN CARRAWAY
BR E N DAN FESSLER NORTHWEST VISTA Urban Development
HALLMARK UNIVERSITY Engineering
1. I leave the responsibility of doing my last Will and Testaments to the journalism department. (disclaimer: this may or may not accurately reflect my actual sentiments.) 2. To Sam and Maggie, I leave behind my mother; please take good care of her. 3. To my mother, I leave behind my love and devotion.
1. To Mr. Graham, my collection of graham crackers and a jar of facial hair. 2. To Brooks Fessler, my quick wit. 3. To David Grote, the Cross country team. I hope y’all get lost. “IT IS INDEED WORSHIP WHEN WE SERVE OTHERS.” - BRENDAN FESSLER
“WE NEED TO STOP KONY 2012.”
CARISSA GEORGELOS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Journalism 1. To Mr. Brown and Mr. Tye, I leave my Bigfoot footage. 2. To my siblings, I leave my “bad” driving skills and my big feet (don’t fall). 3. To the new journalism executives, I leave the best staff ever!! (And hopefully another Gold Crown award). “GREAT EXPERIENCES ARE EVEN BETTER WHEN THEY ARE SHARED.” - CALVIN & HOBBES
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WRIGHT GORDON
ABBEY GIDDENS LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY Journalism 1. I leave choir to Ellie, please keep the altos beefy… or at least try. 2. My heart will always be with Savannah Mixon. “I THOUGHT YOU WERE AMERICAN.” -VINE
TRINITY UNIVERSITY Computer Science/ Education 1. To Ellie Galbreath, I leave the choir. It’s in good hands. 2. To Mr. Harrild, I leave my brother. Never stop intimidating him. 3. To my brother, I leave Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tye. Try not to annoy them too much. “IF THE SONG CANNOT BE PLAYED AT A FUNERAL, I DON’T WANT TO LISTEN TO IT.” - LORD TYE
LAUREN JARVIS TEXAS A&M UNIVERISTY Communications 1. To Lindsey, I leave the long ride to Geneva and our love for sitcoms. 2. To Gabi, I leave the ability to incessantly talk and get distracted in class (oh wait we both already do that). “SKADOOSH” – PO
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KENNY KIDD
SCOT T JANSE THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Physics
GORDON COLLEGE Psychology and English 1. To Cammie, I leave my movies, books and my unnecessarily longwinded opinions of them. 2. To Scott Standerfer, I leave the proper balance of goofing off and therapeutic late-night conversations. 3. To Julianne De Luna, I leave my hopes, dreams, and the joy of living. Please don’t lose them.
1. To Devon, I leave Mr. Gardner. Take care of him. He is a goofball. 2.To Whomever found my calculator a few years ago… keep it. “I’M GOING TO HAVE TO SCIENCE THIS TO DEATH.” -THE MARTIAN
“TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD.”
WILL LANGENBAHN TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Business Honors 1. To my sister Lily, I leave my passion for Spark Notes. 2. To Ethan Houser, I leave all the lunches with Coach Herbort and all my interceptions, in our playoff games. 3. To my brother Sam, I leave…, oh wait, he already left… “EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT, BUT BIG BICEPS ARE MORE IMPORTANTER”
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BRENNA McBROOM
ROSS KIRCHNER TEXAS TECH Construction Science 1. To Zach Fly, I leave the tailgate food for I.R. (injured reserve) kids. 2. To Yates, I leave 27, G8 and 33. 3. To Ethan, I leave the baseball recipe book. “I AM NOT SUPERSTITIOUS, BUT I AM A LITTLE STITIOUS.” – MICHAEL SCOTT
THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA Culinary Arts 1. To Tyler, I leave.... 2. To Claire Graham, my parking place, even though it is not that great. 3. To Matthew, Daniel and Grant, I leave my brother. Take care of him. “I KNOW THE RECIPE FOR THAT.”
OLIVIA LIPE CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, TEXAS Behavioral Sciences 1. To Haley Hallmark I leave the Lipe legacy of losing everything and being late to everything. “I LIKE FISHING, IT’S LIKE YOGA BUT I STILL GET TO KILL SOMETHING.” – RON SWANSON G | 56
S H E LBY MILLER
EMME OWENS TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Anthropology/ Biology
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Accounting 1. To Amy Ambelang, I leave Coach Inglish. Please take care of him… he’ll need you. 2. To Emma DeVries, I leave my ability to be late to first period almost everyday during cross country season. 3. To Jacqueline, I leave the ability to make Luke turn his photos in on time.
1. To Aimee, I leave my love and slow workout skills. 2. To the women of Geneva, I leave Jackson Young and Trevor Scott. 3. To Scotty, I leave my love for “Come on Eileen.” “WITH FREEDOM, BOOKS, FLOWERS AND THE MOON, WHO COULD NOT BE HAPPY?” –OSCAR WILDE
“I RAN TODAY.”
S AVA N N A H MIXON NORTHWEST VISTA Veterinary 1. To Sofia Mixon, I leave all my blonde moments. 2. My heart will always belong to Abbey Giddens. 3. To Luke Mixon, I leave my place at Geneva. “I CAN’T GO, I’M RIDING HORSES.”
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AUDREY RYDEN
CONNOR TYRA TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY Biology, pre-dental school
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Visualization
1. To Seth Bower, I leave “Shumping.” Continue the tradition well. 2. To Parker Akin, I leave my DL skills; scream like the water boy— they’ll fear you. 3. To Gracyn Freiling, I leave your cousin and my best friend: Jax. Good luck!
1. To Braden Hall, I leave my mom. Take care of her, she’s sensitive. 2. To Eliot, I leave the promise that I’ll come back for your induction day. 3. To Varsity Volleyball, I leave my voice, considering I lost it almost every game. Go Eagles!
“THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS YOUR ATTITUDE ABOUT THE PROBLEM.” –JACK SPARROW
“HOW LUCKY AM I TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT MAKES SAYING GOODBYE SO HARD.” –WINNIE THE POOH
ANNA PALERMO TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Visualization 1. To Mr. Brown, I leave the underclassmen. 2. To Mr. Tye, I leave lots and lots of glitter. 3. To Mr. Johnson, I leave an eternal love of underclassmen.
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“JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE A PIECE OF TRASH, DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T DO GREAT THINGS. REMEMBER IT’S CALLED A GARBAGE CAN, NOT A GARBAGE CANNOT.”
AUSTIN SALTER
ZACH SCOTT TEXAS A&M UNIVERISTY Business
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Economics/Urban Planning
1. To Trevor I leave my baseball stuff because he won’t use it. (You’ll get over 100 one day bud.) 2. To Grey Herlihy and Mason Janse, I leave the ability to tell Trevor to shut up whenever, no matter the reason. 3. To Scott Standerfer, I leave my amazing duck-catching ability.
1. To my eldest son Thomas, I leave all my possessions. Keep chugging along my man. 2. To Alyssa and Ashley, I leave the Salter’s knack for asking questions. 3. To Gabe, I leave the swim team. “THE PURSUIT OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY IS A SPHERE OF ACTIVITY IN WHICH WE ARE PERMITTED TO REMAIN CHILDREN ALL OUR LIVES.” –ALBERT EINSTEIN
“EVERYTHING IS EITHER A POTATO OR NOT A POTATO.”
NICHOLAS PATTI UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS TYLER (CAP PROGRAM) Communications 1. I leave the untold glories of Senior Thesis to your future. 2. Always use your weapons at the right time. (Mrs. Short’s advice) “LET THE PAST DIE. KILL IT IF YOU HAVE TO. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BECOME WHAT YOU WERE MEANT TO BE.” - KYLO REN
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ETHAN TAHA
MARSHALL SHULTS AIR FORCE ACADEMY Business Management 1. To Joel, I leave my razors and my love. 2. To Ethan Houser and Mason, I leave the caboose… 3. To Trevor, I leave another 50 pounds…it’ll make that walking style seem reasonable. “YOU’VE GOTTA DANCE LIKE THERE’S NOBODY WATCHING, LOVE LIKE YOU’LL NEVER BE HURT, SING LIKE THERE’S NOBODY LISTENING, AND LIVE LIKE IT’S HEAVEN ON EARTH.” – TIGGER
BLINN TEAM Mechanical Engineering 1. To my brother, Brady, I leave the joys of Senior Thesis. Look forward to it! *WHEN SOMEONE AROUND ME IS INSULTED.* “CRITICAL HIT!”
HARRISON REDD JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY Biblical and Theological Studies 1. To David Grote, I leave my nasty case of senioritis. 2. To Anson Eggerss, I leave my love for Dr. B. 3. To Noah Nilsson, I leave my bad habit of being late everywhere.
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“I FEEL MORE LIKE I DO NOW THAN WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE.” - DEAN FULLER (MY GRANDPA)
RILEY SMITH
SARA BETH STOLLE YOUNG AMERICANS COLLEGE Performing Arts
BLINN COLLEGE Business 1. To Callen Vaught and Ana Gray, I leave my senior schedule. 2. To my brother, Ransom, I leave all the books I didn’t read. 3. To Jack O’Quinn, I leave Ransom to you.
1. To Sarah Ledoux, I leave the first four letters of my name (and all my love). 2. To Gabi Griffey, I leave my dog Buddy. Take good care of him and please stay weird. 3. To the GSB girl’s track team, I leave my poppin’ classic 80’s track playlist. May the hype never die.
“CAN WE GO TO CANE’S?”
“THROW AROUND HAPPINESS LIKE GLITTER” (SORRY MR. HARRILD).
KILLIAN RICHARDSON LAMAR UNIVERSITY Chemical Engineering 1. To Grace Wacker and Julianne De Luna, I leave all of the acting talent I can spare. 2. To Paul Johnson and Stephen Tye, I leave my love for Star Wars. 3. To Dr. Lloyd, I leave my undying loyalty. “A FIVE OUNCE BIRD CANNOT CARRY A ONE POUND COCONUT.” – MONTY PYTHON
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KE N DALL TAHA
JAX ROBERTS FLORIDA COLLEGE Undecided 1. To Joseph Hohne, I leave Coach Champion. Have fun with that. 2. To Gracyn, I leave some skittles in case it runs in the family. 3. To Jacqueline, I leave the rights to the name Jax.
UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN BAYLOR Marketing 1. I leave my little brother Brady, my cat. Please feed him, thanks!!
“NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS.”
“GO EVERY TIME SO OTHERS MAY EVERY TIME GET SOME.”
JOSH RUSSELL TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY Landscape Artichitecture 1. To Sarah Ledoux, I leave Devon. 2. To Nathan Young, I leave my Spanish skills and YouTube channel 3. To Scott Standerfer, I leave my pink rubber duck. “EVERYTHING IN LIFE WON’T ALWAYS BE A PLEASURE; YOU WORK FOR THE TREASURE JUST TO LIVE EVEN MORE” G | 62
HENRY VIÑA
CHRIS WILSON SAMFORD UNIVERISTY Management and Sports Marketing
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Business 1. To Scott Standerfer, I leave our locker-room fish, keep them wellfed. 2. To Mason Janse, I leave my TV, Xbox and games. Never quit crafting. 3. To the O-line, I leave Coach Brock. Please don’t let him wander off.
1. To Aidan Hamilton, all my Supreme hardware. 2. To Nathan Young and Grant Williams, I leave my love of music. 3. To Margaret Vina, I leave George (he needs to be fed sometimes). “DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER IS THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY, DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER IS...”
“YOU GOTTA GRIND.”
HANNAH STYLES TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Communications 1. I leave Emma Russell, KatieGrace and all her shenanigans. 2. To Amy Ambelang, I leave the volleyball team and my love to laugh. 3. To Mr. Shelton, I leave a silent Admin since I won’t be there to distract Ms. Jacobson. “CHOOSE KINDNESS AND LAUGH OFTEN.”
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ALLISON CROSS
GRACE ZARA NORTHWEST VISTA Nursing 1. To Gracie Janse, I leave the speaker in the locker room for the track hype sessions. 2. To Coach Inglish, I leave Aubrey to complain the whole time in my place. 3. To teachers, I give y’all the patience to deal with the sophomore class. “YOU CAN RETAKE A CLASS BUT YOU CAN’T RELIVE A PARTY.”
ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY Mechanical Engineering 1. To Alyssa and Ashley Salter, I leave fearless faith. 2. To my brother, I leave awkward high school moments. 3. To the racoons, I leave all of my Nutella jars. “I LOVE YOU.”
RUTH WACKER TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Occupational Therapy 1. To my sister, Grace, I leave the Wacker legacy and my weird taste in music. 2. To Anna Riedlinger, I leave my love of road trips and small towns. Go explore. 3. To the magazine photoshop team, I leave my dedication to keep all photos in CMYK. G | 64
“KNEE-DEEP IN THE HOOPLA” –“WE BUILT THIS CITY” BY JEFFERSON STARSHIP
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FF II R R EE BB U UR RN N II N NG G FACULTY “ROASTS” SENIORS THROUGH FAREWELL NOTES. Layout by Taylor Tippit
KENNY KIDD BY MR. RICK POOLE
Kenny Kidd wants to be free. It’s easy to spot the symptoms if you look closely. Sometimes it’s his going about barefoot where shoes would serve him better. Sometimes it is climbing around on top of the school when classes are supposed to occur inside. You may have seen him, standing, birdlike, atop the roof, yearning for the horizon. It is an image I find very moving. Of course there is another, darker side to Kenny--the side which advocates that we all reject the convenience of modern plumbing and forego the use of toilets. In that light, I’m glad he’s graduating. Relieving yourself in public and walking about barefoot is a certain recipe for disaster. If Kenny thinks we’d be better off pooping outside, I certainly wouldn’t want him on my roof, would you? He’s become a little too birdlike for my tastes. Good riddance.
CONNOR TYRA BY MR. CURBY GRAHAM
I remember the first time I saw Connor. I remember thinking – “wow, is he goofy looking, but at least he is awkward and pasty. So he has that going for him.” Then he got up and did a rather spectacular impression of me. As I wiped away my tears of laughter, I said to myself, “It’s a shame he has to die for that, and without ever having the chance to actually kiss a girl, too.” But in a moment of mercy and perhaps weakness I let him live. So now he is a senior ready to graduate and has achieved so much while he has been here, such as having to shave once a week, playing Augustus Gloop and…………..well… …….I can’t really think of anything else at the moment. But we all expect greatness out of him and he will no doubt achieve things like………………. ah…………..sorry, I got nothing. So congrats on graduating high school – that is a real achievement and something only a few………………hundred million people have ever done!
OLIVIA LIPE BY MR. ROB SHELTON
I had all sorts of notes ready to compile in order to write this roast, but I let Olivia take them home to look at them in advance…and she lost them. Indeed, when she graduates, in order to keep her legacy alive, we are changing the name of the Lost and Found to the “Olivia Center for Putting Things You Never Even Knew You Lost and Aren’t Bothering to Find Them Anyway.” However, what Olivia lacks in awareness of her possessions, she makes up for in her organizational skills. Actually, I am lying. Olivia doesn’t need organizational skills because she is not aware of what is going on around her. That accounts for her constant smile (because everything is new…all of the time) and her propensity for losing stuff. Who needs organization or stuff when the world around you is changing every second? I am not sure of the color of the sky in Olivia’s world, but I am sure it is a happy hue.
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W I LL L AN G E N BAH N BY MR. AARON SOUTHWICK Dear Prince William,
The world is dying to know how the royal pair came together. No, not British royalty but Geneva royalty. What was Princess Emme’s determining factor in choosing you? Several conflicting reports have come in, and we would like the air to be cleared. Quarterback of the football team? Student senate and school chaplain? Captain of the Chaucer house Quidditch team? All of these titles just seem too cliché. Maybe it is because of your nickname: Protein Sheikh? Is it because you look better in a diaper than Marshall? Is it because she likes gingerbread? More than likely, she lost a bet.
C A R I S S A G E O R G E LO S BY MR. STEVEN TYE
Recently, descriptions of a strange creature spotted on the Geneva School of Boerne campus have been reported. The creature has been described by witnesses as “hulking,” and although it appears “like a human in form,” it is “far too giant and disproportioned to be a person.” Reports note the “large, but lifeless eyes” that seem to roll like billiard balls in its elephantine sockets, perhaps in search of some prey to devour. Some say that its eyes appear “diseased,” and that explains their strange movement. While there is disagreement on the intentions of the beast, witnesses are unanimous in their description of its feet. “I’ve never seen feet so big,” reports one student. Some students have reported hearing loud stomps on the boardwalk, not unlike that of a Clydesdale horse. Could Geneva’s mystery beast be the fabled Sasquatch? Some descriptions note the animal’s apelike, uncombed mane. Co-Valedictorian Anna Palermo has her own theory: “Wait, that’s just Carissa Georgelos.” Will we ever know?
ELIZABETH BEAUCHAMP BY MR. ROYAL BROWN
You know what?...One student has managed to truly embrace Geneva as a home; and I mean literally. She is here before anyone even gets here and is here after we leave. She says she waits for her sister’s softball practice to end but she is really just waiting for us to leave so she can crawl under the boardwalk and be with her true family. Elizabeth has been raised by the raccoons under the boardwalk and there is proof… Ever notice her fair, very fair complexion? A nocturnal life under the boardwalk explains that. Remember when she wore blue eyeliner in 8th grade?...yup, raccoon eyes… She is now their leader and they steal lunches from other students so she can have a lunch for the day. Mr. Shelton thinks he cleans the boardwalk after lunch but really, the raccoons go and get it for her so she is able to eat all day. Since becoming their leader she has let it go to her head. Ever notice her roll her eyes unprovoked? It’s because she is really annoyed at all the people that come in and out of her home, disturbing her habitat.
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AU DR E Y RYDE N BY MR. PAUL JOHNSON
Audrey would easily fit-in among human society as a normal, talented, intelligent young woman if she were not totally hamstrung by the fact that her last name is Ryden. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the word “Ryden” itself. It has no Dickensian suggestion of aristocratic frivolity, desperate poverty, or any other character trait attached. Unfortunately for Audrey what is attached to the name is an inheritance of cripplingly awkward social interaction. I mean, if you’ve even talked to Alex, or Ethan, you might think this disability is simply a male characteristic of the Ryden gene, sadly for Audrey, it is not. While she will never be able to escape the genetic curse of being a Ryden, she may be able to ditch the name legally if she marries, but who am I kidding, we all know that’s never going to happen. Ok, sorry, that was probably a little too mean. After all we know Mrs. Ryden would never say anything mean.
JOSH RUSSELL BY MRS. TERI BOMGAARS
Having Josh for many years in the Drama Tech has given me an insider view into his many quirks and talents. For example, Devon Ahrens is his favorite accessory and can be found hanging on Josh in one of several ways. He either rides on his back, hangs off his shoulders or can be found draped along Josh’s knees like a lap blanket. He is a high tech. accessory that exclaims “what the meat!” when Josh presses his belly button. But enough about Devon, this roast is for Josh. For instance, why does Josh feel the need to try on any woman’s top that is sparkly and a size small? Is he testing the seams for quality control?? Or is this payback for the “I love bacon” t-shirt he left behind, and I donated away. Only Josh can answer that. He does help us to weed out weak seams in the costume department. Either the seams hold or Josh busts them open forcefully like a busted can of biscuits with his sheer body mass.
M A R S H A L L S H U LT S BY MR. ROB SHELTON
Normally, it would be a nostalgic compliment to say that you have known a young man since he was in diapers, but in Marshall’s case, I saw him in those diapers just a few weeks ago…maybe it was Spirit Week, but I’m not sure. However, I am sure that since the day he was really in diapers as a baby, he has had to shave…every day. Now that he is a young man, he no longer has to shave every day…he has to shave every hour! He doesn’t have a five o’clock shadow; he has a noon shadow, a one o’clock shadow, a two o’ clock shadow, an any-hour-of-the-day shadow. This may disqualify him from flight training at the Air Force Academy because he can grow a beard that will fill any oxygen mask during a single mission. Fortunately, if we are thrown back to the Stone Age because of some apocalyptic event, Marshall will be right at home: he will certainly be as hairy as any cave man, and he throws a mean spear.
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G U N D I E S The Gundies are Geneva’s verion of superlatives. With a nod to the Dundies (of “The Office” fame) the teachers and students come up with the best superlatives for the senior class.
Layout by Jacqueline Knox Graphics by Anson Eggerss Photos by Luke Bower
MOST LIKELY TO TALK/ CRY HER WAY OUT OF A TRAFFIC TICKET
ABBEY GIDDENS
MOST LIKELY TO FIND A WIFE ON FARMERSONLY. COM
ROSS KIRCHNER
MOST LIKELY TO OWN A CANE’S CHICKEN FRANCHISE
RILEY SMITH
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MOST LIKELY TO RACE IN AND WIN THE INDY 500 WHILE REPORTING ON THE RACE FROM WITHIN HIS RACE CAR
NICHOLAS PATTI
MOST LIKELY TO BE A SPY
ETHAN TAHA
MOST LIKELY TO EAT DONUTS FORGETTING HE IS DIABETIC
JAX ROBERTS G | 70
MOST LIKELY TO RULE THE WORLD
AUSTIN SALTER
MOST LIKELY TO BE INSTA FAMOUS
SARA BETH STOLLE
MOST LIKELY TO STILL BE TALKING EVEN AFTER HE IS DEAD
CHRIS WILSON
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PAST, PRESENT, PAUL The Quarterly Staff asked these seniors what they thought they wanted to be when they grew up back when they were little and what they hope to be now. Then, because we needed his sage advice, we asked Mr. Johnson what he thinks they will become. The results are below.
Layout by Nathan Young Photo by Jacqueline Knox Graphics by Anna Riedlinger
SCOTT JANSE Then: Dump truck driver Now: Physicist
SHELBY MILLER Then: Pirate captain Now: Doctor
SCOTT JANSE “Runway model”
SHELBY MILLER “A quiet housewife”
BRENNA MCBROOM Then: Stay-at-home mom Now: Chef
LAUREN JARVIS Then: Disney Channel star Now: Marketing or sales
BRENNA MCBROOM “President of the United States”
LAUREN JARVIS “Protestant Televangelist”
PAUL’S PREDICTIONS
MADDIE CUPIT Then: Movie critic Now: Publicist
ALLISON CROSS Then: Cheerleader Now: Mechanical engineer or physical therapist
KENDALL TAHA Then: Vet Now: Non-profit manager
SAVANNAH MIXON Then: Vet Now: Vet
ANNA PALERMO Then: CIA/FBI agent Now: Video game designer
MADDIE CUPIT “CEO of Fortune 500 Company”
HANNAH STYLES Then: Pastry chef Now: Lawyer or teacher
ALLISON CROSS “Pro WWE Wrestler”
KENDALL TAHA “Center for San Antonio Spurs”
SAVANNAH MIXON “Park Ranger”
ANNA PALERMO “Level 60 Paladin”
HANNAH STYLES “Toll collector”
THE ULTIMATE GLOW UP Everyone goes through their awkward middle school stage, but these seniors have turned out alright. Here is a look at some of the Seniors then and now.
Layout by Gabi Griffey Graphics by Sydney Dennis
RHETORIC
LOGIC ZACH AKIN
BEN CARRAWAY
WRIGHT GORDON
BRENDAN FESSLER
EMME OWENS
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HARRISON REDD
KILLIAN RICHARDSON
ZACH SCOTT
HENRY VIÑA
RUTH WACKER
GRACE ZARA
The graduating class leaves us with their farwell songs. Tune into “genevaquarterly” Spotify channel to listen.
CLASSICS
JAMS
Layout by Anna Riedlinger
KENNY KIDD
“One Day More” from “Les Miserables” the Movie
KILLIAN RICHARDSON
SENIOR
“Star Wars Theme Song” by John Williamson
ZACH AKIN “Put Your Head on my Shoulder” by Paul Anka ANNA PALERMO
“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
FOLK JAX ROBERTS
“Bell Bottoms” by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
SARA BETH STOLLE
“The Love That We’re Made Of ” by Humming House
RUTH WACKER
“Fresh Squeezed” by Duncan Fellows
ROCK WRIGHT GORDON
“Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits
OLIVIA LIPE
“Cat Flushing a Toilet” by Perry Grip
NICHOLAS PATTI
“We’re Gonna Dock You Tonight” by Spinal Tap
ZACH SCOTT
“Space Unicorn” by Parry Gripp and Brianne Drouhard
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POP
INDIE
“Sit Still Look Pretty” by Daya
“The Shrine” by Fleet Foxes
BEN CARRAWAY
ELIZABETH BEAUCHAMP
BRENDAN FESSLER
SCOTT JANSE
ABBEY GIDDENS
CARISSA GEORGELOS
SAVANNAH MIXON
LAUREN JARVIS
JOSH RUSSELL
SHELBY MILLER
MARSHALL SHULTS
EMME OWENS
HANNAH STYLES
HARRISON REDD
GRACE ZARA
AUDREY RYDEN
“Boom Clap” by KidzBop
“Wannabe” by Spice Girls “Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato “Fireflies” by Owl City “I’m like a Bird” by Nelly Furtado “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
“A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton
“Cocoa Hooves” by Glass Animals “Anchor” by Novo Amor
“Above the Clouds of Pompeii” by Bears Den “Sun” by Sleeping at Last “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers “At the Table” by Josh Garrels “Holicine” by Bon Iver
ETHAN TAHA
“Tricky to Love” by White Lies
RAP
ALLISON CROSS “Flex” Swoope
COUNTRY WILL LANGENBAHN
“Body Like a Back Road” by Sam Hunt
MADDIE CUPIT
BRENNA MCBROOM
ROSS KIRCHNER
AUSTIN SALTER
RILEY SMITH
CONNOR TYRA
KENDALL TAHA
CHRIS WILSON
“All We Got” by Chance the Rapper
“Say I Won’t” by Lecrae “Amazing” by Kanye West “How to Love” by Lil Wayne
“Baby Blue” by George Strait “Battle of New Orleans” by Johnny Horton “Celebrity” by Brad Paisley “The Ride” by David Allen Coe
HENRY VIÑA
“Hottie” by Brockhampton
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IS SU ES CONSIDERING TOPICS THAT TRIGGER A WORLD OF CONTRAVERSY PHOTO BY BRADEN HALL G | 78
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NUMBED TO THE NOISE Ever since Columbine, this generation has had to live with the thought of gun violence happening in school.
BY AUDREY RYDEN
Layout by Ryanne FitzGerald Photo by Braden Hall Graphic by Anna Riedlinger
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IN 1999, THE first major school shooting occurred. The events that took place at Columbine High School were broadcasted around the world, making Columbine a household name. On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and one teacher, while injuring an additional 21 people. Since that day, there have been 270 school shootings. Since then, over 150,000 students have witnessed gun violence on their campus. On February 14 of this year, Nikolas Cruz walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and killed 17 people, while injuring another 14, adding an additional 3,000 to the previous 150,000. And you know what the sad thing is? These numbers don’t even affect me anymore. I was born in 2000, so I was not even alive for Columbine. To be honest, I didn’t even know much about Columbine until I started research for this story. Maybe that was due to my personal ignorance on the matter, but after all the other school shootings I’ve been around for, there was no need for anyone to even talk about Columbine. In my lifetime, I have been present for Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and many other ones. And that list does not even count other shootings outside of schools such as those at the movie theatre in Colorado, the church in Sutherland Springs, the nightclub in Orlando and the concert in Las Vegas. After reading about all these shootings and seeing the death tolls or even the names, I felt empty. It’s a terrible thing to say, but the numbers don’t impact me anymore. In a way, I’ve come to expect it. I’ve come to expect that as another year goes by, another shooting will as well. I’ve come to expect that people will be outraged at the news of another shooting, and that a call to action will take place. And I’ve come to expect that, yet again, nothing will happen until another shooting comes along. This cycle has repeated itself so many times that it does not even upset me anymore. I’ve come to expect it.
I have grown up in a generation that is not impressed with death tolls. As a kid, I remember that any time we learned about a new battle in school, the most interesting aspect was how many people died. In my head, I would always compare it to the death toll from 9/11. If it didn’t beat out 9/11, I was not impressed. I did that with every battle up until I learned about World War II. Hearing about The Holocaust—about how many Jews were killed— stuck with me. After that, nothing could beat six million. I was not fazed in any history class because the number six million could never leave my head. Death didn’t really affect me because everything looked so small next to The Holocaust. Then, the summer of 2012, my family and I were staying in a cabin in Colorado. We were watching the news the day the shooting in the movie theater in Aurora took place. It was the first death toll since six million that actually made me feel something. I never had considered Americans wanting to hurt other Americans. I had understood terrorists to an extent, but this was a whole different world entirely. Then later that year, the Sandy Hook shooting happened. I could not even wrap my head around the fact that someone would go to an elementary school with the desire to murder children. It baffled me, but I moved on. Fast forward to now, where I have heard about school shootings so often that they don’t faze me anymore. I sat down and read about all the different school shootings in the last two decades. Reading about them back to back made me emotional, and not because of all the loss, but because I didn’t feel anything. I mean, these are human lives being taken, with a whole family behind each person, with a friend group surrounding each person, with a planned out life ahead of each person. Maybe I’m alone in not being able to feel anything, but I don’t think I am. I am just sorry that the world has gotten to this point. |
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LOADING UP ON ACTIVISM
Gun control is a hot topic in society right now. Two juniors, Eleanor Galbreth and William Cone, share opposing thoughts on the subject. BY WILLIAM CONE
Layout by Ryannne FitzGerald Graphic by Audrey Ryden THE PRAGMATICS Roughly 12,000 Americans die in gun-related homicides annually. That’s an intimidating number, and it undoubtedly provides the basis for the arguments of gun control advocates. Most everyone would agree that gun homicide at this magnitude is unacceptable. My contention is that gun control won’t fix, but only exacerbate the problem. This is for two reasons. One, gun control doesn’t work. Two, the presence of guns provides more good than bad. First, gun control has been proven a fruitless effort in past attempts. The 1994 US Assault Weapons Ban, for example, produced no reduction in gun violence. Australia’s gun buy-back program has not resulted in a decrease in gun crime. The Canadians’ attempt at a gun registry in ‘93 failed miserably and was later scrapped in 2012. Gun control doesn’t work—but more importantly, guns as a whole are beneficial to society, rather than harmful. Now what about the 12,000 lives that are taken through the usage of guns annually? Researcher Gary Kleck finds that guns save an estimated 200,000 lives every year in domestic America. Guns save nearly 17 times as many lives as they take. Clearly we can see that, while it is unacceptable that so many Americans die to guns annually, the situation would be significantly worse without them. THE PHILOSOPHY Assume for a moment that everything I just told you is untrue. 12,000 Americans die annually to firearms and that could be prevented through gun control. Even if this were all true (which it’s not) the restriction of firearms would be an unacceptable foregoing of a basic human right. Why do we have the constitutional right to bear arms? It’s not to shoot deer. It’s not for recreation. It’s really not even for domestic self-defense. We have this right to defend against the possibility of a tyrannical government. It is our one and only leverage over the federal government—our last defense. James Madison in his Federalist Paper 45 wrote that the US Constitution provides the federal G | 82
government few and well-defined powers, while leaving to the people through the state numerous and indefinite powers. But as Professor Walter Williams writes, in recent times, this concept has been flipped on its head. The powers of the federal government are numerous and vague, while the powers of the people are limited and welldefined. As the power of the federal government disproportionately increases over the power of the people, we lose our ability to stop the government from taking even more power—it’s a slippery slope. The right to bear arms is the last defined privilege that we as a people have for the purpose of physically maintaining any of the rest of our freedoms. You think I’m exaggerating? Rewind 160 years. Slavery is still a thing. Frederick Douglass writes, “When government fails to protect the just right of any individual man, that man rests on his original right of self-defense even if it means shooting down his pursuers. Slavery is a system of brute force. It must be met with its own weapons.” All throughout history, tyrannical governments have arisen and stolen the rights of their peoples; even right here in America less than two centuries ago. We must not grow complacent simply because at this precise moment in time, we exercise some freedoms. Sheriff David Clarke, a Democrat, put it this way at CPAC 2016, “Slaves plus guns equal freedom. The abolition of slavery was inevitably due to the arming of blacks. Now if you think for one minute that I’m going to cede these rights back to the federal government or any government or any court, you’d better think again.” Tyrannies are resisted through the physical strength of the people. Guns equip the people with physical strength. Ergo, guns are necessary to defend against the not-so-distant future prospect of a tyrannical government. Disregarding the hundreds of thousands of lives that are saved every year in America through the use of guns, gun control is still an intolerable prospect on account of its philosophical implications.|
BY ELEANOR GALBREATH
Layout by Ryannne FitzGerald Graphic by Audrey Ryden
GENEVA’S DEBATE TEAM was headed to a tournament to debate gun control when we were told to “be sensitive about the topic” because just a few days prior, a student of one of the high schools we would be debating against had been killed in the Sutherland Springs shooting. I was shocked. Never had a mass shooting felt so real, and so tangible. I had, of course, already heard about the shooting, but it wasn’t until the debate tournament that its legitimacy hit me. I had come across it while scrolling through Instagram. It was sandwiched between some Homecoming pictures and an ad for Rihanna’s new lipstick line. It was all over the news. We discussed it briefly at school and maybe a bit at church. But pretty soon, I kept scrolling, the news got a new story to cover, school moved on to talk about math, and church moved on to talk about Matthew. Why is the country so numb to gun violence? Well, that was 2017. Let’s rewind to 2012 when the Sandy Hook shooting claimed 28 victims, and citizens thought that it was a horrific tragedy that we’d never see again. That is until San Bernardino, or Orlando, or Las Vegas, or Sutherland Springs or Parkland. Since Sandy Hook, almost 1,000 children under the age of 12 have died from gun violence. The United States has 16 times the gun homicide rate of Germany. And, not coincidentally, we have by far the highest number of guns per capita (about 1 per person) - significantly higher than any other country. The shooters of both Sutherland Springs (Kelley) and Parkland (Cruz) had histories riddled with red flags. Kelley had a domestic violence
conviction and Cruz had mental health issues. In addition to that, there had been tips to the FBI about his behavior. Clearly, something is wrong with the United States’ gun policies, and there has been very little effort to change it. Our current background check system gives the FBI three days to complete the background check. And if it doesn’t go through in those three days, the sale may proceed. That’s what happened in the case of Dylan Roof who killed 9 black churchgoers in Charleston. But if those three days intimidate you, don’t worry, you can just buy a gun from a gun show or private seller without having your background checked. In contrast, Canadian gun owners must undergo a safety course and an extensive background check and receive a license to buy a gun. Additionally, they must register automatic and semi-automatic rifles and handguns. Oh, and Canada’s homicide rate is about seven times lower than the United States. Look, I’m a good Texan. I’m not about to give you an argument that contradicts the second amendment. But it’s difficult for criminals to get a job or buy a house—why should buying a firearm be so easy? The fact of the matter is that our current gun policies are too limited and ineffective. The Parkland shooting was the eighth United States’ school shooting to result in injury or death in 2018—eight shootings in seven weeks! I’m not asking that we stop protecting the right to bear arms, I’m asking that we start protecting the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.|
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FASTING FOR RESULTS BY RYANNE FITZGERALD
Layout by Ryanne FitzGerald Graphic by Audrey Ryden
Dieting is a craze that can have harmful repercussions if not done correctly. While a healthy lifestyle is always good, dieting may not be the best approach. I WALK INTO class and sit down. The classroom is alive with noise; they are all talking about a new model. The boys, including my crush, seem to be very interested in her. I go home and scroll through the models pictures. She is beautiful. I want to look like her, so my crush will think I am beautiful. While working out can help the body form shape and muscle, your body can never fully develop results unless you eat right. As they say, “your abs are made in the kitchen.” To eat right, most people go on diets. A diet is a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical purposes. Dieting can be a great thing that can help G | 84
one change a bad lifestyle into something healthy and wonderful. It can also change someone’s entire mindset because making them healthier, makes them happier. Many popular influencers encourage dieting and being thin, yet they don’t always get their perfect body from a healthy lifestyle. Dieting is something that can easily be abused, especially with young teens who don’t know what they are doing. There is an increasing rate of body pressure on children these days. Everywhere you look, there are fitness ads, dieting pills and models flaunting a body in pictures that doesn’t even look the same in real life.
DIETING IS SOMETHING THAT CAN EASILY BE ABUSED, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG TEENS
This type of pressure tells men and women that they need to look a certain way to be attractive or to be liked. The true abuse comes when some teens take this to an extreme, causing eating disorders. Imagine a world with no social standard. Everyone is wholesome and their imperfections make them beautiful. There is no competing, no comparing and no skipping meals because you’re wearing a swimsuit the next day—just a world of peace. The modeling industry has indeed brought along many praises for body positivity by supporting plus size models, yet even then we still compare ourselves. Loving yourself seems to be the only way you are ever happy with your body. Finding truth in this can be hard, but so worth it in the end. Your body is temporal, as opposed to spiritiual. 30 million people of all ages in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders. There are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating. 50% of teenage girls and 30% of teen boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, vomiting and taking laxatives. These are all signs of unhealthy mental behavior. While many men do suffer from eating disorders, the rates are higher for women. 42% of female athletes competing in sports demonstrated eating disorders. The pressure on women is so high today. Saying you must be tall, thin and have long hair, are only a few of the many standards. We as women need to be strong, stand up for ourselves and not fall into society’s idea of perfection. Everyone, including men, is designed by God in His perfect image. Some diets can be good and some can be bad. It’s best to talk to a nutritionist or do research before you hop straight onto the newest trending diet. Many bad diets consist of ingesting fewer calories and eating no fats. However, fats are very important because they make up 30% of all calories. Don’t fall for diets that restrict certain food groups either. A diet that requires you to say no to pasta and bread or only allows you to eat fruit is unhealthy. You
will not get all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Although you may lose weight, you will rapidly gain it back as soon as you return to normal eating habits. It’s all about making health a lifestyle. “If (teens) don’t eat right, they can become irritable, depressed [and] develop problems such as obesity and eating disorders – and those have a whole host of psychological morbidities,” US News says, adding that proper nutrition can help prevent and manage these conditions. A good diet consists of healthy fats, grains and proper nutrition. Growth is more rapid in the teenage years, so it is very important for teens to focus on getting calcium and iron. It’s important to get calcium because it supports bone growth which is crucial while your body grows and develops. Some simple foods that help you get a healthy calcium intake are beans, almonds and dairy, among many more. Iron is also important for both males and females because it is needed when women start menstruating, and men require it to put on body mass. Some foods with iron are eggs, potatoes and soybeans. Your body is the temple of your soul, so it is important to take care of it. Living a healthy lifestyle improves happiness, energy and metabolism. Make the change, and stay safe .|
30 MILLION
PEOPLE IN THE U.S. OF ALL AGES SUFFER FROM EATING DISORDERS
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18 CANDLES
GOING FROM MINOR TROUBLES TO MAJOR PROBLEMS Many students turn 18 during their senior year. This age delivers many new privileges and responsibilities for new adults.
BY GRACYN FREILING
Layout by Gracyn Freiling Photos by Taylor Tippit
18-year-olds can buy and redeem lottery tickets.
Once 18, you can be prosecuted as an adult rather than a minor.
Adults may hold a job and work full time.
When you turn 18, you have the authority to sign your own documents without a guardian. However, any contracts you sign become legally binding. Your juvenile records can now also be sealed.
At the age of 18, you are now allowed to legally purchase a car, as well as apply for a special driver’s license.
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TURNING 18 IS an important milestone in many young adults’ lives. In addition to the gifts, food and attention that many receive on their special day, they are also receiving the title of “adult.� With this title comes many new privileges, but also several new, and very important, responsibilities. It is important for new adults to be aware of these newly received obligations to themselves, their community and their country. While adulthood is accompanied with a newfound weight on your shoulders, it also ushers in an exciting stage of new freedoms to explore.|
When you are 18, you gain several new civic duties such as voting, jury duty and the military draft. Once you become an adult, you can purchase and acquire real estate.
At the age of 18, you can purchase and use tobacco products in 46/50 states.
Once you turn 18, you can legally get married without parent consent.
18-year-olds are legally allowed to create their own checking and savings accounts, apply for loans, get their own credit card and receive a credit score. However, they are also legally required to pay all debt they accumulate.
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MAKING A BOSS YEAR LIT A child’s mind is so impressionable; that’s why it is so easy for popular phrases and words to become much more than that to their everyday conversations and lives. That and they’re just plain dope. BY ANSON EGGERSS
Layout by Jayne Goodman Graphic by Anson Eggerss
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HERE ARE SOME OF THE POPULAR WORDS WHEN THE SENIORS WERE IN…
10TH (2015)
DAB: Atlanta term used to describe a dance move (bowing head into elbow) which represents confidence, accomplishment, and pride. DANK: Used to describe something of high quality. SPLASH: What a baller says if his jumpshot is so perfect that it goes through the net and basically makes a “splash” sound. YEET: An extremely expressive word that can be used in many situations, sometimes when throwing an object aggressively. SAVAGE: One who simply shows no mercy to his enemies. ROASTED: To be made fun of or dissed in front of a large group. SALTY: The act of being upset. TRIGGERED: Getting filled with hate after seeing, hearing or experiencing something you can’t stand.
6TH (2011)
PHOTOBOMB: To hop in a photo right before it is taken. EPIC FAIL: A spectacular and monumental inability to complete an objective. YOLO: Stands for “You Only Live Once.” NOOB: A slang term for someone who is extremely unskilled in a particular activity, usually a game. HATER: One of those people who doesn’t want you to ever succeed, but not out of jealousy, just out of pure hatred. PLANKING: A dated trend of lying flat in any public location for almost no reason.
7TH (2012)
SWAG: A 2014-15 slang word for cool. Also can stand for “Stuff We All Get.” SPICY: Usually to describe someone who is particularly attractive. CRAY CRAY: When something is shocking or crazy. TURNT: To be hyped or excited. SELFIE: To take a picture of oneself with the front camera of a phone. BOSS: When something is really really awesome.
11TH (2016)
DOPE: When something is cool or awesome. LIT: When something is turned up or exciting. CATCH-ME-OUTSIDE-HOW-BOW-DAH: This exclamation of an angst-filled teen, said on the Dr. Phil show, went viral over the internet. SHOOK: Shock or surprised. RETWEET: A reference to Twitter meaning to agree with someone or something. TOOK AN L: To lose in something or fail. GOAT: “Greatest Of All Time.” FAKE NEWS: A term coined by President Trump to describe websites consisting entirely of intentionally fabricated news stories, but now used to describe virtually anything that does not mesh with one’s own views. KEEP IT 100: To tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. AKA “Keep it Real” or be honest with youself as well as others. LOW-KEY: Used to describe something that is quiet, modest, or not really assertive. SLIDIN INTO THE DMS: Sneaking into one’s Instagram direct messages to see what’s poppin.
8TH (2013)
UBER: A way of saying something is above or better than anything else. BYE FELICIA: A term used to dismiss someone who is sometimes obnoxious or annoying. I CAN’T EVEN: When one is fed up with a situation and “can’t even” express it in words. ZERO CHILL: A term used to describe someone who rages constantly and can never calm down.
9TH (2014)
WHIP: The most popular dance of 2014. Involves cocking your arm back and then quickly moving it forward. NAE NAE: The counterpart to the whip where you wave your hand in the air like you just don’t care. BAE: Your abbreviation for babe or someone you love “Before Anyone Else.” Some claim it stands for “Bacon And Eggs,” or “Best At Everything.” SQUAD: A term used to describe you and your clique or super tight homies. WRECKED: When someone is completely embarrassed or beat by someone else. FAM: A word to describe your closest friends, your bros, or your squad. TRASH: Used to call someone the worst at something. #BLESSED: This one has many many different definitions, but senior Josh Russell famously created #Blessed bracelets during freshmen year to show others how “#blessed” he was.
12TH (2017)
GUCCI: Term meaning something is chill, dope, or cool, deriving from the high quality Italian fashion brand. FINESSE: An art of persuasion or trickery in which an individual is able to get something they want with the cunning prowess of an illusionist or wizard. SUPREME: Highest in rank or authority, deriving from the expensive clothing brand. FORTNITE FRIDAY: The term to mark each Friday where players of the extremely popular game of early 2018, Fortnite, come together and enjoy gameplay. Also known as “Primetime.” |
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OUT THE PEOPLE CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS PHOTO AND GRAPHIIC BY ASHTON LANDIS G | 90
OF BOX
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19
LET’S PARTY LIKE IT’S
BY TAYLOR TIPPIT
Layout by Ryanne FitzGerald Photos by Taylor Tippit
THE ARTIST FORMERLY known as Prince sang the famous song, “Let’s Party Like It’s 1999,” which helps to set the scene. Imagine this. A nine year old at the time, Mrs. Jeffcoat remembers the year, “There were lots of multicolored overalls and stirrup pants. Imagine leggings with a strip of fabric that goes underneath the arch of your foot, like a strap to keep them on. They were like leggings before leggings.” This is what people wore. Mrs. Davis, who was seventeen years old at the time, remembers the Dixie Chicks, Backstreet Boys and Brittany Spears dominating the radio, while TV shows like “Friends”, “Seinfeld” and “90210” were what everyone wanted to watch. Mr. Russell remembers the days when “Airport security was nothing. You could actually go to the gate and wait for people to get off the airplane. I remember going to the gate and waiting for my parents. Now you are stuck, because only the people traveling can go to the actual gate. In 1999, that wasn’t the case, and anyone could go to greet their family and friends as they got off their flight.”
Patrick Gardner shows off his electric passion for science. G | 92
Meanwhile, Mr. Gardner recalls this year because those were the days “when I had hair and it was not grey. I guess I dressed like Napoleon Dynamite back then. In public school I wore my shirts un-tucked, without a tie and paired with tennis shoes. They let me get away with this.” No wonder everyone wants to party like it’s 1999, those were the good ol’ days. Leave it to Mr. Grover to have the best memory of 1999, even though it was his only memory of that year. Mr. Grover was only six-year-old at the time, and the only memory he has of that year was when his family had a New Year’s Eve party before the turn of the millennium. Mr. Grover remembers his dad going to the breaker box and switching the electricity off as the countdown came to midnight. It freaked everyone out because of Y2K. After that, Mr. Grover kept asking his dad to do the same party trick every year, but his dad repeatedly tried to explain to him that it would only work in 1999. Mrs. Jeffcoat and Mrs. Davis both had dads who worked in the IT department for their companies and they both distinctly remember Y2K. Neither
James Grover is thrilled to guide students through the same high school he went to.
99 of their dads were concerned about it, but Mrs. Jeffcoat remembers that “there were really a lot of end-of-the-world preppers back then. It was really weird. People would store water, toilet paper and non-perishables. I remember my dad brought us home little bug-stuffed animals, which were the Y2K stuffed animals, but it was kind of like a joke in our family. It was interesting to see that people really got worked up over it.” Even though life was like a party back in 1999, not everything was simple or even great. Mrs. Davis recalls when cell phones weren’t easily available, “If I was going out somewhere, I could use the family cell phone, but if I was just up at school, I did not have a cell phone on me. There was, however, a pay phone that I could go to, to make a collect call. The collect call person would say, ‘say your name’ and I would say ‘practice is done,’ or ‘come pick me up’ or ‘I forgot my uniform’ as fast as I could possibly could, because you had like a second and a half for your name and that’s all the person would hear. So my mom would get a collect call at home saying ‘I forgot my uniform’ and I would just hope that my
Many of our seniors were born in the year 1999. For younger grades, though, this year may be hard to picture. Several faculty members share their memories of the last year of the 20th Century.
mom got the message. You could pay a quarter for a normal call, but no one was going to do that if you could collect-call home.” 1999 was also the year that the first famous mass school shooting took place in America. Sadly, this is more commonplace today, but back then it was unheard of. Mrs. Davis distinctly remembers the day after the Columbine shooting. “I had just become a Christian when I was 16, so it really jolted me that one of the girls stood up and said ‘I believe in God’ and was shot for it. It caused me to ask the question, ‘Would I do that?’” and, at that point in my faith, I was unsure. I grew up in Illinois and many of my friends were not Christians. So I hadn’t even told a lot of my friends that I was a believer. I just remember that in the days following what happened, people talked about what we were going to do and what would happen to our school because nothing like this had ever happened before.” Maybe 1999 wasn’t the greatest year ever, but it certainly sounds like an interesting year and one that all who experienced it will always remember.|
Dirk Russell—the man, the myth, the muscle—takes pride in his wall of books.
Catherine Davis loves to think out of the box when teaching geometry.
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GET THIS IN YOUR EARS
C. Eden Kidd takes time out from talking about recorded music to discussing live music and why “La La Land Live” and its contemporaries can do what no recording session ever could. I’M SITTING ON my bedroom floor listening to a vinyl record I received as a gift. I think it is best described as either Greece’s take on “La La Land’s” jazz club scenes or instrumental “Prince” with some flutes. A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in the barely-lit auditorium of the Majestic Theater in downtown San Antonio where I watched a live orchestra perform the soundtrack to “La La Land” as the film played on a big screen behind them. In both “Greek La La Land” and “La La Land Live,” there’s an invisible tug-of-war between the instrumentalists, an undivided attention to what each person is doing that gives every tiny detail of a song weight and influence, it makes them matter. The difference between the two is that in one of them, it’s actually happening. If you sit with me for a minute and listen, you’ll notice something interesting about “Greek La La Land.” About 98% of the melodies and solos don’t sound like they’ve been written down anywhere. They sound like a purposeful, lightly-organized train of thought. You can hear the thought processes of the guitarists and the flutists as they give and take of improvisation hops around from person to person. The same sensation occurs in “La La Land Live”. Several scenes of the film include jazz G | 94
improvisation: a skill that is ludicrously difficult to master. For whatever reason, the conductor of the live performance decided to keep the sections of improvisation in his show. The musicians did a beautiful job. At times, it felt more like a jazz club than a concert hall. Everyone knew exactly how to draw attention to whatever the soloist was currently doing. And in turn, the soloists knew exactly how to maintain the feel of the song. But something about “La La Land Live” simply feels so human. Despite the necessity of keeping time to the film, the give-and-take is there and it’s real. Records, even “Greek La La Land,” are put together piece by piece by teams of editors and producers. There’s no guarantee that the guitar solo was actually played over that accompaniment. There are probably plenty of other takes on the same 20 seconds of the same song. And they probably all sound and feel different. And yet these bits and pieces of music are strung together seamlessly into the most palatable version of a song. Then, it’s put in its place on an album among the other music mosaics, so a listener may hear the most perfect performance possible. That’s what recorded music is: the sharpest, most in-tune, most perfect form of a song. And we tend to spend a lot of time listening to recorded
BY C. EDEN KIDD
Layout by Jayne Goodman Photo taken from Internet* music. The problem is that spending so much time with intensely perfected songs can lead us to expect live music—honest music—to sound the same. But recorded music is like a microwavable gourmet meal, a memorized speech or a magazine article made of sentences that have been written and edited, then rewritten and re-edited—using choice words and (play along with me here) perfect punctuation. Live music, on the other hand, is like homemade lasagna, or speaking extemporaneously or having a face-to-face conversation—using words people actually say. During a live performance, an artist has the opportunity to gauge the audience’s reactions and respond. He can match and feed off of their energy. She can change the way a song sounds. And the audience gets to play along: belting the words back at the band, jumping up and down, crying and laughing—whatever the moment calls for. And they do it all as one audience, not a big huge mess of strangers. Live music is really a conversation between artist and audience. The best performers, in my opinion, aren’t the ones that sound the most like the recorded version. You don’t go to concerts to hear what you were listening to in the car on the way there. The concerts that sound different than the album are the ones worth going to. They are raw and *Taken from La La Land Website
honest and risky. Where mistakes can be made and tempos can change. Where the artist can experiment and maybe do some things that didn’t make it into the recorded version. Don’t get me wrong, I love recorded music, albums and all that jazz. It gives artists the capability of doing things they can’t do live. It is cleaner, which means a mistake isn’t going to distract the listener from the song. Besides, there is a certain intimacy to being alone with the music. It can be a deeply affecting and personal experience. But the kinds of experiences provided by live music can’t ever be recreated by making an album (which is also a dying art, but I digress). It’s not going to be perfect, but I think our culture could use a little imperfection. We’re consistently bombarded with images of the perfect body, the perfect family, the perfect friends, the perfect personality, etc. We’ve gotten too used to perfection. I think it’s important to have reminders of what a beautiful flaw really looks like, or in this case sounds like. In a society so obsessed with perfectionism, but repulsed by calling it that, we need the “live music experience.” It comes along and reminds us how the imperfect body, the imperfect family, the imperfect friends, and the imperfect personality don’t make anyone unworthy of our time. And that includes you by the way.| G | 95
ANYWAY YOU SLICE IT It’s time for the fourth and final food review. This edition wraps up the year with three delicious pies.
BY LUKE BOWER
Layout Jayne Goodman Photos by Braden Hall
IT’S THE DELICIOUS aroma drifting through the house after a huge meal; the smell that can make a previously full stomach create a space just big enough for a piece of triangular goodness. This issue’s review is all about pie! The varieties are seemingly endless-apple, pumpkin, chocolate, cherry, pecan, lemon meringue, coconut, etc. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try all these flavors. For this review, I sampled three pies from three local favorites. I tried an apple pie from Tootie Pie Company, a coconut crème pie from Bumdoodlers and a lemon meringue pie from The Dienger. First up is a new Boerne favorite, THE DIENGER TRADING COMPANY. Located in the heart of Boerne in a meticulously restored building, the classy, upbeat atmosphere along with the delicious food make this shop/café an instant classic. The Dienger serves breakfast, lunch and on some days, dinner, but if you are just in the mood for something sweet, the bakery case is always overflowing with good stuff. It was hard to choose between a warm, perfectly golden slice of cherry pie or my own individual lemon meringue pie. I finally settled on the lemon. My first impression was that it was one good-looking pie, with swirls of toasted meringue. In its little individual package, it looks like something you would want to give as a gift. The taste is pretty standard but not at all disappointing. The lemon flavor of the filling was a great balance of sweet and tart. The texture of the meringue was more like candy than air, so it added some extra sweetness. You can try one for yourselves for $4.95. The Dienger is located at 210 N Mainstreet. Hours are from 7 am to 5:30pm, except on Sundays when it opens at 8:30 am.
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Next up is TOOTIE PIE COMPANY. Tootie Pie Co. was founded in 1998 by Ruby Lorraine “Tootie” Feagan in Medina, Texas. Tooties is most famous for their huge apple pie, which contains over 3 pounds of sliced apples spiced to perfection and piled between two delicious homemade pastry crusts sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Tootie’s apple pies typically sell out around the holidays, so it is wise to order early to avoid disappointment. I have it on good authority that actual tears have been shed in the long holiday line when the sold-out sign is hung. Not to worry though, if the apple pie is gone, Tooties usually has a dozen or so other flavors to choose from. At a price of around $40.00 a pie ($42.00 for apple), it’s not cheap, but for pie this good, it’s worth the splurge. It really is one of the best things money can “pie” (sorry). Tooties, however, has no dine in option; all pies must be carried out. Customers most commonly call in or order online for pickup but walk- ins are excepted. Tootie Pie Company is located at 129 Industrial Drive in Boerne. Hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. You can order online at tootiepieco.com.
Finally is BUMDOODLERS, founded by Gerri and Ken Fiedler in 1982. Bums is one of the most popular lunch destinations in Boerne. They serve tasty sandwiches and soups, but they are also known for their delicious desserts. Their most popular pie is the coconut cream pie, which is made from scratch daily. It consists of a super creamy coconut filling on top of a tender and flaky crust, all topped off with a mound of airy meringue and a sprinkling of coconut flakes. Its balance of textures and flavors makes this pie close to perfect. If you aren’t a coconut lover, Bums chocolate chocolate pie is another favorite that will satisfy even the most serious chocoholics. Bumdoodler’s fun, laid back atmosphere makes it a great place to stop for lunch… and pie. Coming in at only $2.75 a slice, Bumdoodler’s pie could become a habit. Bumdoodlers is located at 929 N. Main Street in Boerne. Hours are from 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday. In my opinion, pie is pretty hard to mess up. All the pies I tried were good for different reasons. Tootie Pie Co. is best when you need a whole pie for gatherings (or if you’re just really hungry). You can buy one for Thanksgiving and probably get away with saying it was homemade. Bumdoodlers’ pie is more old school and comforting. It’s the kind of pie that’s best enjoyed after a meal. The Dienger’s pies are show pieces. They could be a meal in themselves, maybe eaten for breakfast with a cup of coffee. Depending on what you are looking for, if you are in the mood for pie, go local and you won’t be disappointed.|
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THE
TALON Established 2006
In which Mr. Shelton applies his massive powers of logic, ingenuity and intelligence to combine all the senior thesis topics into a story in alphabetical order. Read and be amazed.
ZACH AKIN was in the midst of coaching some parents on how to raise their children when ELIZABETH BEAUCHAMP interrupted and invited them all to her book club, which also happens to be her family. The current book they are reading together is God’s latest book on the evolution of BEN CARRAWAY. The discussion is being led by MADDIE CUPIT, who was adopted by the Beauchamps against her will, but since she likes to read, she puts up with it. BRENDAN FESSLER used to attend the club, but now G | 98
he’s busy reforming churches. His efforts, however, are being hampered by chronic back pain from which he can find no relief because CARISSA GEORGELOS got rid of all of the opioids, the only drug that worked for Brendan. Fortunately, he has started attending yoga sessions at the ABBEY GIDDENS “Yoga for Jesus” Studio; but unfortunately, it is not helping because there are no instructors. They all quit when Abbey’s studio manager, WRIGHT GORDON, refused to hike up their minimum wage, because after all, he said, “Just as SCOTT JANSE argues, there is a limit
to everything.” [Wright was unaware that Scott was not addressing wages, but…well, no one knows what Scott is talking about.] Meanwhile, LAUREN JARVIS has taken over from Zach in coaching the parents in how to raise their children by taking those children’s tablets and smashing them to bits right in front of them.
horrible at debating and don’t belong on any debate team. Another unforeseen consequence is that many of the forced-to-debate students stop believing in God because they see debate as a natural evil. HARRISON REDD, however, jumps to the theodicy rescue to convince them that natural evils like debate are not proofs against God’s existence. Whether debate is proof against God’s existence or not, ALLISON CROSS is upset that her name is not in alphabetical order in this narrative, but that is because she changed her name from “Reed,” which would indeed be in alphabetical order right here. It is our fault, however, because we should have genetically screened her for this propensity in the first place.
KENNY KIDD witnesses this episode and wonders how Lauren has reached such a state of anxiety, but then he remembers his thesis and exclaims, “Of course! Our society breeds such anxiety!” Kenny teaches basket weaving at founder ROSS KIRCHNER’S local trade school, whose motto is “You Don’t Need No College.” Unfortunately, one of Kenny’s students, WILL LANGENBAHN, had to drop out of the class because basket weaving was deemed risky teen behavior, knowledge which he learned at the local private Christian school. OLIVIA LIPE, however, doesn’t think that the school can be Christian because it was built on once-preserved open land, something Jesus would clearly never stand for; hence her witnessing bracelet WWJB “Where Would Jesus Build?”
Speaking of propensities, the Middle East has a propensity for blowing up, but thanks to KILLIAN RICHARDSON’S peace plan through superior fire power, it’s not blowing up as much. This releases some budget dollars so that the government can research the phenomenon known as JAX ROBERTS. He wants the dollars to go to diabetes research, but the government determines that research into the cause of Jax is more pressing. But not ‘bench’ pressing, because JOSH RUSSELL has decided that none of us should weightlift. He put this message out through social media, or “the devil’s platform,” as AUDREY RYDEN calls it. But since she didn’t see the message, she continued to lift weights and is now ‘swole’ to the point of being as big as a church—a church that follows corporate business practices to also get ‘swole’ with members. AUSTIN SALTER is incensed at both Audrey and the corporate-leaning church she is as big as, so he joins the army to take out his frustrations. Once there, however, he finds that there are so many rules of engagement that he is unable to shoot anyone.
Anyway, one of the most popular classes at Ross’ trade school is “Tasting Your Way to Financial Independence,” taught by long-time food taster BRENNA MCBROOM. Sadly, SHELBY MILLER was unable to take Brenna’s class because she could not pass the STAAR test for minimum taste bud requirements. In sharing this news with SAVANNAH MIXON, Shelby was told that she probably weakened her taste buds by listening to feminist propaganda: “Everybody knows that feminists hate cooking!” The trade school used to be known for its exciting Greek life for students, but EMME OWENS put an end to that. With no outlet, the trade school students are now stressed out, but lucky for them, ANNA PALERMO is offering accommodations. Little did Anna know that, to trade school students, ‘accommodations’ means ‘lodging.’ Now Anna is stressed out because of her accommodations to stressed out students.
Still frustrated, he solicits ZACH SCOTT for help, who gets the “Shoot It If It Moves” initiative pushed through the Pentagon. This is the same Pentagon that is pushing for pilotless airplanes, but MARSHALL SHULTS doesn’t want to be out of a future job, so he is found picketing outside the Pentagon when RILEY SMITH approaches him (through ‘no fault’ of her own) to divorce himself from his controversial stance. He tells her that this is not nearly as controversial as SARA BETH STOLLE’S demand that Christian schools accept the children of same sex couples. Riley
Meanwhile, Geneva has the largest high school debate team in the nation because NICK PATTI is such a good debater that he convinced the administration to require debate. However, though the largest, the team is also the worst because most of the students are
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says, “What’s that got to do with pilotless planes?” To which he replies, “Nothing. Want to get some lunch?” So they go down the street to HANNAH STYLES’ bistro that features only a whole foods plant-based menu. This insures that tables are always available because no one wants to eat her food. Amazingly, there is another customer in the restaurant: it’s ETHAN TAHA droning on about drones. He shouldn’t have done that because drones are pilot-less planes. This sets Marshall off and he threatens to make Ethan sit through his sister KENDALL TAHA’S thesis on a rather uncomfortable topic. Suitably chastised and afraid, Ethan takes a piloted plane to a sanctuary city to get away from Marshall. Little did Ethan know that CONNOR TYRA had gotten
rid of sanctuary cities in an effort to “Make America Great Again.” But HENRY VIÑA says that America can only be great again if we keep the Electoral College. Ross jumps in and repeats his school’s mantra: “You Don’t Need No College!” RUTH WACKER happens to overhear the meta-conversation and tells Ross that’s not what Henry means by ‘college.’ Both tell Ruth to mind her own business and go play alone in nature somewhere. Ruth skulks away to play alone in the woods when CHRIS WILSON mistakes her for a deer, and since his hunting rights are protected, he takes a shot. Fortunately, he misses, because GRACE ZARA distracted him because she was berating him for a taking a flu shot. However, everyone (except Ruth) laughed when they realized he was taking a rifle shot instead of a flu shot. |
SENIOR THESIS TITLES BY STUDENT // Zach Akin “Parenting the Parents: Why Contemporary Parents Should Better Cater to Their Kids” // Elizabeth Beauchamp: “Reading Good: Why Families Should Be Like Book Clubs” // Ben Carraway: “God’s Creativity: The Case for Theistic Evolution” // Allison Cross: “Family History Matters: The Case for Gene Mutation Cancer Screening” // Maddie Cupit: “Adopting a New System: Preventing and Correcting the Issue of Disrupted Adoptions” // Brendan Fessler: “We’re Doing Church Just Fine: The Need for Holy Spirit-Led Reform in America’s Church Culture” // Carissa Georgelos: “Pandora’s Pill Box: Curing the Opioid Crisis in America” // Abbey Giddens: “Practice What You Preach: Christians Can Practice Yoga in Good Conscience” // Wright Gordon: “Waging the Wrong War: Why the Minimum Wage Should Not Be Raised” // Scott Janse: “The Limit of Everything: Exploring the Limitations of a Theory of Everything” // Lauren Jarvis: “Technology, the New Pacifier: An Argument Against Unmonitored Digital Play” // Kenny Kidd: “Brave Neurotic World: How America Breeds Anxiety and Depression, and How to Stop the Epidemic” // Ross Kirchner: “Trade School Secrets: Trade Schools as a Viable Alternative to a College Degree” // Will Langenbahn: “To Teach or Not to Teach: Why Private Christian Schools Should Address Risky Teenage Behavior” // Olivia Lipe: “Take a Hike Industrialism: The Fight for Open Land Preservation” // Brenna McBroom: “Lettuce Enjoy: Today’s Culture Should Place Higher Value on the Taste of Food” // Shelby Miller: “Reaching Beyond the STAARs: Educational Reform Through Replacing the STAAR Test” // Savannah Mixon: “Feminist Fiction: Feminism Is Detrimental to the Family” // Emme Owens: “Go Greek or Go Home…Go Home: A Case Against Modern Social Fraternities” // Anna Palermo: “Stressed Out: Why Schools Should Offer Accommodations for Students Suffering from Anxiety” // Nick Patti: “A Quick Talk off the Clock: Debate Ought to Be Required for All Rhetoric School Students” // Harrison Redd: “Finding Light in Infinite Darkness: A Theodicy Concerning Natural Evil” // Killian Richardson: “In Defense of Peace: Why the United States Should Maintain a Military Presence in the Middle East” // Jax Roberts: “My Sugar and Funding are Low: The Government Should Increase Funding for Diabetes Research” // Josh Russell: “Weight, Don’t Tell Me: The Problem with Youth Weightlifting” // Audrey Ryden: “Black Mirror: The Dark Reflection of Social Media” // Austin Salter: “Trivial Pursuit: Re-examining Corporate Practices in The Church” // Zach Scott: “Take Your Shot: The Need to Change the Rules of Engagement for Combat Troops” // Marshall Shults: “This Is Your Captain Speaking: The Case for Keeping the Captain in the Cockpit” // Riley Smith: “When the Two Become One: No Fault Divorce Should be Abolished” // Sara Beth Stolle: “Mercy over Judgment: Christian Schools Should Consider Accepting Children of Same-Sex Couples” // Hannah Styles: “The Proof Is In the Pudding: The Importance of a Whole Foods Plant-based Diet” // Ethan Taha: “Keep Calm and Drone On: The U.S. Should Primarily Employ Military Drones in Aerial Warfare” // Kendall Taha: “Porn Again: Churches Can Unwittingly Enable Pornography Addictions” // Connor Tyra: “The Bridge Over the River ‘Why?’: The Argument Against Sanctuary Cities” // Henry Viña: “What is Going On? How the Electoral College Works and Why it is the Best System for America” // Ruth Wacker: “Leaf Them Be: Why Children Need Free Play Alone in Nature” // Chris Wilson: “Hunter’s Gonna Hunt: States Need to Protect Hunting Rights” // Grace Zara: “To Get Shot or Not to Get Shot, That is the Question: Are Annual Flu Shots Safe?” G | 100
KIDD SUGGESTS THE BEST Kenny describes, in his farewell article, his favorite movies and how they have shaped him over the years. BY KENNY KIDD
Layout by Jayne Goodman Photo by Ashton Landis Graphic by Anson Eggerss THERE ARE THREE questions I normally ask someone in order to get to know him or her better: 1. What is your Myers-Briggs Type? 2. What is your favorite color, and why? 3. Finally, what is your favorite movie, and why? Part of the fun with these questions is that none of the answers stay the same for anyone. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a flawed personality theory that pretty much varies on your mood (who isn’t more extraverted when they find themselves in a conversation about something they feel passionately about?); favorite colors, if you subscribe to other psychological theories, vary quite a bit by your mood, your view of yourself, etc. The same goes for your favorite movies. I think these questions give you a great baseline to go off of in order to grow closer to and understand people around you better, but it’s fascinating to ask the same questions to your companions, and yourself, to see how you have all changed. So, this will be my last article for The Geneva Quarterly (please withhold your tears, I know), and I thought I would offer something that would be enjoyable for me, and hopefully, for you all as well! In no particular order, what follows are my favorite movies, with a brief description of why. Everyone’s experience with a movie is completely subjective—we all have different mental and emotional taste buds based on our upbringing, our wants in life, and the hundreds of different little ways we view the world around us. Someone’s favorite movie could be my least favorite movie, and I don’t think that I am justified in being upset by that, because it’s basically the same thing as getting angry at someone for preferring scrambled eggs to an omelet (even if omelets are far better). So, here are the movies that have made me who I am today, and hold a special place in my heart.
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THE FOUR FOUR LOVES LOVES THE (GREAT CHRISTIAN FILMS)
“Les Misérables” (2012)—One of four truly great Christian-themed movies ever made, this made me realize how much I really do love musicals, and watching it in theaters was one of the most emotionally powerful experiences of my life. “Silence”—A somber, meditative thought piece that may be my favorite Martin Scorsese film. It plumbs deep into your soul and forces you to really think. Possibly the most atmospheric theater environment I’ve ever been in. “The Tree of Life”—Many people are alienated by Terrence Malick’s new, dreamy, abstract style of filmmaking, but I was astounded by the beauty in “The Tree of Life”, and the way he told the story of mankind through a simple story of a Texas family in the 60’s. It’s very soulful and thoughtful. “Magnolia”—This, for all intensive purposes, is my favorite movie. It’s changed a bit over time, but for roughly five or six years this has always been in my mind when I ask myself what my favorite movie is. It is a heartbreaking three-hour semi-epic that deals with grief, depression, guilt, not knowing your place in the universe, faith, identity and above all, hope. Thinking about the last shot of this movie makes me cry sometimes. It is loaded with profound, intelligent empathy.
FOR THINKING “Fight Club”—VERY high on my list of personal favorite movies, this story of a man losing himself to the life of a corporate drone and trying, desperately, to find meaning in the life he has. Part social commentary, part psychological thriller; it’s masterful. The Nolan Trinity: (“Interstellar”, “Inception”, and “Memento”)—Absolutely brilliant concepts executed perfectly, if a little cold and detached. I’ve probably seen each of them almost a half dozen times apiece, and they never get old or uninteresting. “The Dark Knight” would be a close runner-up. Favorite Sci-Fi: (2001: “A Space Odyssey”, “The Truman Show”, “Arrival, Children of Men”, “Blade Runner 2049”)—To me, these are five near-perfect sci-fi movies in that they present original, thought-provoking concepts, with enough humanity to be relatable and engaging, and (especially with “2001” and “Blade Runner 2049”) contain more than enough philosophical content to keep you occupied for days. Many “Black Mirror” episodes would also fall here. Good Ol’ Charlie Kaufman: (“Being John Malkovich”, “Adaptation”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”)—One of my favorite writers, Charlie Kaufman has written three of the most inventive concepts for films that I’ve ever seen, tinged with enough dry humor and surprising heart to make his movies a perfect mesh for thinkers and feelers. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is perfect in its creativity and tender heart. G | 102
FOR FEELING “Amélie”—This movie contains more goodness and optimism than a thousand others, and is hands-down one of my favorites of all time. Its whimsical nature and blissful imagination are enough to lift your spirits almost any day, and the scene with the blind man is the first movierelated image that comes to mind when I think of “good-hearted.” You can throw It’s a “Wonderful Life” in here as well. Once more, with feeling… Musicals: (“Once”, “Moulin Rouge!”, “La La Land”, “Whiplash”, “Almost Famous”)—Music tends to play with your emotions more than a simple image does, and watching these musicals and, well, I guess pseudo-musicals, I always feel elated, depressed, completely anxious or idealistic. Wonderful, explosive stuff, especially “La La Land” and “Moulin Rouge!” Downers: (“Requiem for a Dream”, “Lost in Translation”, “Mulholland Drive”, “The Babadook”, “American Beauty”)—Sometimes it’s really nice to just feel awful. These may not be the most depressing, horrifying, existentially empty or anxiety-providing movies you guys can find, but they’re the ones that do it most successfully for me. They’re also fairly mature, so beware of that. Uppers: (“Her”, “It’s Such a Beautiful Day”, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, “Dead Poets Society”, “Good Will Hunting”)—Instant slump-killers. Oddly enough, these all—some more strongly than others—have a potent melancholic effect in them, and if turned off halfway through they would be called depressing. But for those willing to tough it out and finish them, they are beautiful stories, filled with hope and longing, and I love them very much.
PERSONAL (BY GENRE) Existential: (“Birdman”, “The Master”, “Swiss Army Man”, “Stranger Than Fiction”)—The more easily accessible of these would probably be “Stranger Than Fiction” and “Birdman,” with “The Master” and “Swiss Army Man” being a bit more unique, odd, and partially alienating. But these are all movies that have profound effects on me, led me to days of reflection and have many thought-provoking themes concerning identity, desire and purpose. Angsty Young Adults: (“The Breakfast Club”, “The Graduate”, “Rushmore”, “Garden State”, “500 Days of Summer”, “Say Anything”…)—Fairly self-explanatory, I think. I really respond to these, but then again, so does practically everyone who thinks that their random moodiness and occasional feelings of alienation are special. “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Shining”, “WALL-E”, “Alien”, “Snatch”, “Trainspotting”, “Forrest Gump”—These have no connection. I just thought of a few of the movies that I frequently call my favorites and mixed them together for fun. But these are all fantastic and wonderful in their own right. And there you have it: a not-so-comprehensive list of many of my favorite movies. Now I couldn’t put every movie that I would call one of my favorites in here, obviously, and had difficulty finding places for things like “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, “Enemy”, “Under the Skin” and “Halloween”, but if anyone does want to hear my opinions on another movie and/or whether or not it’s a favorite of mine, well, I’ll be around for a little while, I suppose. Oh, and to whoever does read these articles, it’s been really fun writing for you guys…and have a nice life, I guess!|
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GENEAGLE
A glance at some of the interesting things you wish you knew about campus people and random facts you may quickly forget.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS -Eagles -Lumineers -AC/DC -Coldplay -Imagine -Queen Dragons
-Panic! At the Disco -Beatles -Maroon 5 -Civil Wars -Cage the -Big Time Elephant Rush
Which band is the best? With the option of 27 bands, these stood out as most popular.
SEASONED SATCHELS Many seniors hold on to their special backpack for sentimental reasons, and some for luck. These three seniors have carried the same bag for all of high school.
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Audrey Ryden: 4 years old
Killian Richardson: 5 years old
Harrison Redd: 5 years old
CALCULATING COLLEGES Take a look at the places past graduates have attended school.
ROUNDING CORNERS
BY MATTHEW SCHRODER
Graphic by Anson Eggerss Photos from Internet
WELL, HERE IT is. The last issue of Rounding Corners is finally upon us. It has been a fun ride, and I believe we have achieved great success and are well on our way to making the world a better place. Along those lines, this last set of win-ventions has been specifically selected for the graduating class of 2018 for their continued journey to greatness.
INDIANA JONES RELIC COPY BAG OF SAND
If you ever happen to stumble into an abandoned tomb with untold riches or maybe even a museum with a cool tchotchke sitting on a podium, you will be able to take home your souvenir with the help of the Indiana Jones Relic Copy Bag of Sand. Both portable and pragmatic, you will have the swagger of a vigilante archeologist (with for some reason a whip) in no time.
SELF-PAGE-TURNING BOOK Although this invention may be a little bit of a stretch in tying back to anything education related, the SelfPage-Turning Book will have you learning to speed read in no time. With the patent-pending desk fan that can be nailed to the back cover of your book of choice, you will be blowing past college reading lists in the blink of an eye by racing in the Olympics before you crawl.
PORTABLE MOLARS In order to bring my inventions back into the theme of post-Geneva, I recommend using Portable Molars in order to actually be able to digest the horrendous college cafeteria food. Actually, that’s not fair. Those employees work very hard to supply food to an entire college sometimes. Just take your cinderblock out of your free cinderblock satchel and mash it on your food in a chomping motion so as to pre-chew food with undesirable textures. You. Are. Welcome.
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THE QUARTERLY COMIC School can make you feel fenced in. Break through into summer.
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ILLUSTRATION BY NATHAN ZUNIGA
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THE GENEVA QUARTERLY A HIGH SCHOOL PUBLICATION www.genevaquarterly.com
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