Geneva Quarterly, Volume 8, Issue 4 by Geneva Quarterly

GENEVA QUARTERLY persistence and change

volume 8 issue 4

CONCEPT

To shed light on the concepts of persistence and change, junior Nicolas Siller scouted a location on Boerne’s own Cibolo Creek. In the persistently changing landscape of the creek, Siller artfully photographed senior Lily Radigan from different perspectives in a grassy field, on a ladder and interacting with a large sheet of plastic.

MISSION STATEMENT

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

THIS PUBLICATION IS FOR: Geneva School of Boerne 113 Cascade Caverns Road Boerne, Texas 78015 830.755.6101 genevaschooltx.org

SCHOOL INFO: The Geneva School of Boerne exists to provide a classical education from a biblical worldview, to equip students for a lifetime of learning, service and leadership to the glory of Jesus Christ. Rhetoric School Population: 225 Rhetoric Faculty: 31

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

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

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

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

dear reader,

As a staff, we chose persistence and change as the themes for this issue due to the relevance in the present day and how they apply looking forward to the future. As life changes and moves forward, we persist toward our potential and strive to reach what lies in store for our future. In this issue, we worked to discover how the idea of persistence affects us personally, as well as the world around us. Seen throughout our campus and beyond, there are people, activities and organizations that display this very ideal. In the same way, change occurs across campus and is seen in the departure of our seniors, as well as on our own Geneva Quarterly staff. As our seniors continue with their journey into their next chapter, we, as staff, are also changing and moving forward. As this year comes to an end, our staff prepares for the incoming Executives and Editors leading the Quarterly staff for next year. We are so excited to present Issue 4 of this year’s Geneva Quarterly. The aspects of change and persistence are displayed throughout the stories, photos and intentionality of the design and structure. We hope you all enjoy this issue and the many issues still yet to come.

from our hands to yours, LAUREN ABELL SARAH COULTRESS GWYN LEWELLYN AINSLEY PLESKO NICOLAS SILLER

INSIDE

OUTSIDE

Where Will You be in 10 Years?

Truth is Stranger than Fiction

Let’s Take it from the Top

You Keep Telling Yourself That

Color Impacts Emotion

Sustainable Products Keep Earth Green

Creative 36

Feature

Story

Opinion

Story

Feature

FLIPSIDE

COURTSIDE

SENIORS

Artists Hone Their Skills

It’s Time to Place Your Order

The Ice is Right

Did He Do it Alone?

Feature

Story

Review

Opinion

Story

Feature

The Legend of Matt Howard

Your Secret to Healthy Snacking

Feature

SENIOR CLASS OF 2021

out side

Shedding light on the big ideas that influence our realities

Graphic Kate Evans

Sustainable Products Keep Earth Green Color Impacts Emotion You Keep Telling Yourself That

LET’S GO TO LUCKENBACH, TEXAS EXPLORE THE HILL COUNTRY THIS SUMMER WITH YOUR FRIENDS Words Kate Travis

01 LUCKENBACH, TEXAS “They call it the Hill Country, I call it beautiful, I’d call it progress if it could be saved.” At the edge of the Hill Country, in the small town of Helotes, Randy Rodgers recorded this song live for his record “Homemade Tamales–Live at Floores Country Store.” A fitting place to begin. Our home, the Texas Hill Country, has so much to offer in the way of eating, exploring and most importantly, dancing! Summertime is the best time to take advantage of it. There may even be some hidden treasures you don’t know about. Our first category is food! In the little town of Fredericksburg, we have Quintessential Chocolates— a quaint little shop famous for its chocolatey treats. Not too far away, there are two cafés that deserve recognition. Alamo Springs Cafe in Alamo Springs and High’s Cafe & Store in Comfort. Each has its own unique style and is definitely worth checking out! Tucked away in the small town of Sisterdale is Blackboard Barbecue. In the middle of nowhere, it is constantly called upon for its delicious and award-winning food. And don’t skip out on those homemade Tamales at Floores Country Store. There you have it! These are some of the Hill Country’s most prized dining locations. After all that delectable cuisine, one might need to go exploring to burn some calories. Back in Fredericksburg, you will find Wild Seed Farms, a beautiful wildflower sanctuary. It is one of the nation’s largest, with over 200 acres of land. Next stop is New Braunfels where you are met by the beautiful Comal River. The Comal River is the perfect place to tube and float all day long without a care in the world. If you want to continue the water activities, Canyon Lake is a great place to go fishing. Between you and me, it is rumored to have the largest trout in the Hill Country Probably the most famous hike in the Hill Country is the mysterious site of Enchanted Rock. Located

outside of Fredericksburg, it is one of America’s largest granite hills, and is even said to be haunted. But now, the real reason why so many are drawn to our unique Hill Country—DANCING! Texas is known for its fun and lively music, and some of the best places to go dance the night away are in our own backyards. The Gruene Dance Hall, built in 1878, is Texas’ oldest operating dance hall which is located in New Braunfels. Along with Kendalia Dance Hall in Kendalia, these are two of the greatest locations to meet up with your friends for a night of music and fun. At the Kerrville Folk Life Festival, you will find some of Texas’ greatest songwriters. You can’t beat a night under the stars listening to some good old country classics.

02 HIGH’S CAFE & STORE COMFORT, TEXAS

Finally, the most famous place in the whole Hill Country is Luckenbach, Texas. Tucked away in the middle of nowhere, Texas’ prized jewel, Luckenbach, became known for musicians Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings who were so inspired by it they wrote the hit song “Luckenbach, Texas.” It is known for its lively, carefree outdoor environment. With friendly smiles, music, dancing and chickens, it is guaranteed to win your heart. We have the pleasure of living in a beautiful place that can sometimes get overlooked. The Hill Country has countless activities to do with family and friends. We should definitely take advantage of our beautiful home and preserve the culture and natural resources we get to enjoy. Signing off with a few words from our old friend Randy Rodgers: “They call it the Hill Country, I call it home. But what will they call it when it’s leveled and paved?”

Photos Kate Travis Layout Alexa Georgelos

TAKE IT FROM ME, KID GENEVA PARENTS SHARE THEIR ODD HIGH SCHOOL JOBS Words Sophia Baldwin

Have you ever wanted to sell elevators? What about paving roads or being in a commercial? These seem like odd questions to ask and they are. If you or your friends have a job, it’s most likely at a restaurant, clothing store or something along those lines. Most students, especially at Geneva, haven’t thought about driving a Zamboni or selling bibles as a way to make

money. Through scholarships and the aid of parents, most students at Geneva do not have to worry about paying for schooling themselves. With paying for their own education becoming a distant memory, Geneva parents reminisce on their days of odd jobs and hard labor.

Mr. Albert Turgon (senior Austin’s and sophomore Ally’s dad) What was an odd job you had in high school/college? Well in high school, I worked at the Dallas Galleria ice rink. I played ice hockey and some friends worked there also. That’s where the Zamboni came into play. Although they never let me drive it, I wanted to!

time. I had all kinds of jobs in college—dish washer, fish tank cleaner, bartender, cart boy at a golf course, among others!

I worked at horse shows in several different cities doing what was called jump crew. This is where you set the courses for the particular events throughout the day. Honestly, it was pretty boring—lots of early morning and then a lot of sitting around throughout the day. It paid well, that was why I did it. I was able to purchase a paint ball gun that I wanted with my earnings. I think I worked at the Galleria for maybe a year or so. The jump crew jump was pretty sporadic.

What is one big takeaway from that experience? I think all of my jobs prepared me to talk and engage with people on a personal level. Being well-versed, I always believed, was the way to be. No matter what the job was, I always showed up and worked as hard as I could. I always enjoyed learning new skills and meeting new people. Working has always been a big part of my life. I never looked at it as a drag or something bad. Everything always leads you to a new path.

How long did you work there? I worked weekends and summers.

My first job out of college was in elevator sales. It was a way to get my foot in the door and get some sales experience which I needed to ultimately get into medical sales which I knew I wanted to do for a long

Mr. Brian Lavezzari (junior Ashlynn’s dad) What was an odd job you had in high school/college? I worked at a local Ace Hardware franchise operated by Mr. Rick Alspaugh. Rick was a very kind man and made a point to hire local teens when he had the need. Rick was very transparent in his business practices and often shared quite a bit of information about his business with young employees in order to help teach us about business. And yes, Mr. Alspaugh did ask for my help in shooting a commercial for the store which aired on local TV.

How long did you work there? I worked there over two summers and a bit during school. What is one big takeaway from that experience? I was trusted with and learned how to operate a forklift, I learned a lot about general construction techniques and tools and I learned a great deal about operating a retail business, including the challenges business owners liked Rick faced in depending upon employees.

Dr. Chuck Baldwin (sophomore Sophia’s dad) What was an odd job you had in high school/college? When I had graduated high school, I went to work on an interstate road construction crew in Pennsylvania. I worked on the blacktop crew, so it was a lot of manual labor. I shoveled the blacktop and moved it around. The blacktop is really hot when it goes down and so I remember the first summer I had bought a new pair of boots and by the end of the summer the soles were all off with all the glue. Everything just melted off because on top of the blacktop it was more than 140-150°. How long did you work there? Most of my jobs at this time were just summers. What is one big takeaway from that experience? I tried to be a good worker and very reliable. I thought it was important to be honest. Sometimes on a construction crew, the guys just want to go and hide out for a little bit if the foreman wasn’t around. I didn’t feel comfortable doing that. If I was going to get paid, I wanted to work and I wanted to earn my pay. Little things like being on time and treating

people well were always important. I was a college kid or late high school. I just figured out that if you wanted to work, you could find a job and you can do something even though it was not be glamorous. In college I was a door-to-door Bible salesman and we had to go to sales school in Nashville, Tennessee. One of the things that they told us was that the sweetest sound in the whole world to a person is their own name and so I’ve always thought about that when I relate to people. I would say get a job. It doesn’t have to be super time-consuming, but get a job where you get to interact with the general public because if you don’t do that then you kind of live in a bubble. I’m not just talking about religious experience or anything like that, but you don’t really understand how the world works until you get a job.

Layout Sarah Coultress Graphics Kate Evans

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS KEEP EARTH GREEN PROMOTING THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT Words Alexa Georgelos

single-use plastic and make it more sustainable. But who only wants the option of making plastic yarn to be “sustainable?” Well, these days we don’t have to. Thanks to recent initiatives, the mega-trend of sustainability rests on the idea of protecting and sustaining the planet and its resources. Sustainability has become more and more common in companies from fashion to cleaning and hygiene products. These companies make it easier than ever for a consumer to achieve the dream of a sustainable life in the present and the future.

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?” Sure, maybe Katy Perry’s iconic song “Firework” was meant to be a self-empowerment, inspirational anthem, but I can’t help but think of this exact line every time I see a plastic bag floating across the parking lot or stuck in a tree. I begin to question, “Is the only purpose of this plastic bag to hold groceries for a few minutes only to later be thrown out? Do these bags dream of a more meaningful purpose or a new beginning?” Of course, people can always recycle these plastic bags through store drop-off. Some people even give these plastic bags another purpose after they’ve used them for bagging groceries. They make plastic yarn from the plastic bags to weave or crochet into plastic baskets, bracelets, rugs or totes. Usually, the goal of doing this is to find creative ways to recycle

Many parts of modern life can be hurtful to the environment. One aspect of modern life that causes some of the most harm, but often goes unnoticed, is the clothing industry: specifically, the fast fashion industry. The growing market for trendy clothes at cheap prices is damaging the environment. Not only does the

“Thanks to recent initiatives, the mega-trend of sustainability rests on the idea of protecting and sustaining the planet and its resources.”

fashion industry produce 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions, but it is also the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply. Some of the world’s best-known sustainable brands include Reformation, Alternative Apparel, Outdoor Voices, Everlane and MATE the Label. These companies focus their brand around sustainable practices. This includes the materials they use, the production process and the longevity of their products. Their garments use organic and recycled materials and chemicalfree and water-conserving dyes. What’s more, is the majority of these brands also use recycled and recyclable packaging. Other unsustainable companies use materials and packaging that cannot be reused and end up in landfills. Most importantly, these sustainable companies look at

the ethical side of things too. They care for the people who make these garments by providing excellent working conditions and creating personal connections with them. Another great thing about these companies is simply their websites. They share information on their missions, their materials, their processes and their people. Consumers know what they are buying, from whom they are buying and to what they are contributing. An additional alternative to fast fashion is shopping second-hand. Many people might be nervous to buy used clothes or just find it gross. But, The Real Real does it right. They specialize in authenticated luxury consignment and are sustainably based on the circular economy. This means two things. One, they have experts that rigorously authenticate each item before selling it. Two, they extend the life cycle of luxury goods through reselling items, allowing others to own and value them. Since its founding in 2011, The Real Real has saved 17,032 metric tons of carbon (the amount 2.8 million trees absorb in a year) and 827 million liters of water (equal to over 8.3 billion glasses of water). When shopping with The Real Real in the app, buyers can immediately see in the product description how they are contributing to a sustainable future by purchasing that item. The Real Real also makes it easy to consign with them. People can sell them their luxury items, get paid and contribute to the circular economy. 13

Grove Collaborative believes in creating household essentials that are good for people and the planet. They cut that awful chemical smell with their sustainable, gentle yet powerful products. They sell anything from laundry detergents and floor cleaners to toothpaste, deodorants, shampoos and conditioners. In addition to their brand, they sell other brands that meet their strict standards of nontoxicity and sustainability. One of the best parts? You can customize your order to your needs and they ship the products straight to you on a flexible, monthly basis.

Likewise, Grove is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through carbon-neutral shipping and facilities.

“There are hundreds of easy ways to live sustainably. The earth is looking greener; let’s keep it that way.”

DIY plastic woven baskets and rugs are a thing of the past. Thanks to these clothing and home essential companies who have prioritized taking care of the earth, there are hundreds of easy ways to live sustainably. The earth is looking greener; let’s keep it that way.

Grove’s commitment is to “move beyond plastic.” They are 100% plastic neutral. “This means that for every ounce of plastic you receive from Grove, we’ll divert the same amount of plastic from the ocean through our partners at Plastic Bank,” according to Grove’s website. This is one large step to their goal of becoming plastic-free in 2025. They are also committed to reforestation. Their tree-free line, Seedling by Grove, is made entirely from bamboo which is a sustainable fiber and avoids deforestation. Grove also replants forests in partnership with The Arbor Day Foundation.

Graphics Kate Evans Layout Alexa Georgelos

DINO-MYTE GOES BOOM POSSIBLE STORY BEHIND THE EXTINCTION OF AN INCREDIBLE ANIMAL Words Nicolas Siller

Just about every person I know has gone through a dinosaur phase while growing up. No, I don’t hang out with weird people. I genuinely think that many kids find a fascination with dinosaurs growing up because dinosaurs provide an outlet for imagination. Think about it. When a kid is little they go to a zoo and see a lot of unique animals. However, they do not see any dinosaurs ... unless you count crocodiles, but that is a different story. The kid’s only real-life encounter with a dinosaur is likely at a museum where they stare with wonder at the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex or any other scary carnivore of that time period. These kinds of dinosaurs are not plush toys. They are the fierce, ruthless animals seen in movies such as “Night at the Museum” or “Land Before Time.” These are animals that make people grateful that humans did not exist at that point in time. All that to say, in early March when I stumbled upon an article from the Royal Holloway University of London about scientists finally closing the debate about dinosaur extinction, I was intrigued. According to Queenie Hoi Shan Chan, a professor of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway, rock samples were analyzed from the Chuxulub Crater just off the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. To crunch some numbers, the Chuxulub Crater is over 112 miles wide, the asteroid that hit the Earth is presumably around 7.5 miles wide, and it was traveling at a mind-boggling speed of 44,748 miles per hour. That is a crater wider than the distance from Boerne to Austin, or over 1,650 football fields. The asteroid would be wider than 1,750 harkness tables and the speed at which it was traveling is 50 times faster than the speed of sound. Today, this crater is mostly submerged under water but even through the layers of mud, scientists found concentrations of iridium, a primarily extraterrestrial element, four times that of the surrounding area. It is believed that an asteroid’s impact around this time accounts for the presence of iridium dust in samples taken from all seven continents. Finding such a large concentration of the “space dust” inside the Chuxulub Crater from layers of sediment from that era provides almost conclusive evidence that an asteroid

smashed into the Earth at that location around 66 million years ago. This theory seems perfectly reasonable, but it would be a shame not to include more far-fetched theories on dinosaur extinction. For instance, volcanic eruptions and climate change could have added to the global impact of an asteroid hit. Some of my fellow students even theorized that the asteroid carried the remains of dinosaurs to Earth so when it shot through the atmosphere these remains were thrown across the globe. Using that argument, I suppose that dinosaurs would be aliens. Of course, there are more interesting ideas. Some say they died of boredom, that poisonous caterpillars infected all the plants, that aliens used a gravitational slingshot to hurl a meteor at the Earth and then release a super-virus to spur on evolution or even that gravity changed around 66 million years ago due to a sudden change in the composition of the Earth’s core. When this supposed change increased the pull of gravity, all of the gigantic dinosaurs could not hold up their own weight. One might even say that they “dinosaurt of” couldn’t get up. Whether these theories are true or not, we may never know. But, we certainly can know that dinosaurs are still relevant today and there is much, much more still to be discovered.

Photos Hayle Heinen Graphics Alexa Georgelos Layout Alexa Georgelos

COLOR IMPACTS EMOTION DIGGING INTO HOW DIFFERENT COLORS AFFECT THE BRAIN Words Ava Ayers

We all appreciate certain colors more than others. Whether it be a light blue or a deep forest green, certain colors just catch our eye. Those same colors also grab the attention of your brain and many subconsciously can play negative or positive roles in your emotional behaviors.

Danger, Passion, Aggression

Intelligence, Tranquility, Efficiency Blue is the color of the mind. It affects us mentally rather than physically by helping stimulate clear thoughts and overall concentration. Blue-tinted colors can aid the mind in recall as well as productivity. But over-exposure to this color can also lead to fatigue, therefore reversing the color’s positive effects on the mind. Many studies have proven that the right amount of the color blue can be beneficial to students when they study. Blue has always been seen as the world’s number one color which could be due to its ability to promote both adeptness as well as calmness.

The stark tones of the color red can cause our brains to react with more physical effects. Red acts as a warning, stimulating the fight-orflight response within our bodies. Studies have also concluded that the color red raises the heart rate, causing heightened emotional activity. This color is closely tied with male and female attraction due to the color’s ability to grab our eyes’ attention and make the wearer of this color appear more noticeable than others. The noticeability of the color red plays a part in its ability to help students process information and recall it faster. Though it is one of the most powerful and aggressive colors, its stimulating properties can be beneficial to the human mind.

Success, Balance, Awareness

Optimism, Creativity, Fragility This vibrant color is almost always directly linked to feelings of happiness and confidence. Yellow creates emotional effects on our mental states. This can consequently lead to mixed feelings of fear or anxiety if too much of the color is shown or varying tones of the color are produced. Studies have found that wearing the color yellow tends to activate the left or analytical side of one’s brain more than the right side. Its bright persona can also generate stress and frustration due to the high quantities of light that reflect from this color. Apart from this, the right shades of yellow can ultimately lift one’s spirits and self-esteem, making it hold a positive connotation.

The color green is laced with feelings of renewal and growth. It embodies the colors that appear most in nature, making one feel grounded and secure. Scientists have discovered that different shades of green have been beneficial in boosting one’s retention and reading skills. This color attracts the human eye most due to how it lies in the very center of the color spectrum, striking a balance between the powerful hues the colors red and violet produce. Green emits light wavelengths that place little to no strain on our eyes, making it the easiest color for us to perceive and process. Overall, green light is found to be very relaxing to our eyes, and the color even triggers the output of melatonin, helping our body rest when experiencing sleep deprivation. The color green evokes feelings of reassurance by allowing our brains to feel relieved and at peace.

Warmth, Vibrance, Composure Being a shade of red, pink also affects us physically, but by soothing our mind instead of stimulating it. Usually not known for its calming properties, certain tints of pink can incite intense feelings of tranquility, but usually only upon initial exposure to the color. Pink has always been seen as a symbol of emotional weakness or even vulnerability, but this color is vital in reducing violent and aggressive mental states. A specific shade of pink, known as Drunk Tank pink, was first painted in certain jail cells in the early 1980’s in an effort to pacify overly hostile prisoners. The use of this color had positive effects at first until further time spent in the cell caused the prisoners to become frustrated and even agitated by the color. However, pink will always remain a prevalent color due to the loving and nurturing stereotypes that are associated with it.

“Usually not known for its calming properties, certain tints of pink can incite intense feelings of tranquility.”

Graphics Kate Evans Layout Alexa Georgelos

COMMUNITY CAPTIVATED BY COLD A STUDENT AND TEACHER RECALL THEIR FAVORITE SNOW DAY MEMORIES Words Guy Kohler

February of 2021 brought a rare phenomenon to Boerne: snow. The snow refused to cease for a couple days and stayed on the ground for almost a week. We were faced with power outages, water loss, closed restaurants and stores and even a week off

from school. People found many different activities to distract them during the snowstorm. Sophomore Chaz Lutz and teacher Mrs. Catherine Davis share what they did during this week and some of their favorite moments.

MRS. CATHERINE DAVIS

SOPHOMORE CHAZ LUTZ

Kohler: Have you ever seen that much snow in Texas? Davis: Not in Texas, but growing up in Illinois, yes.

Kohler: Have you ever seen that much snow in Texas? Lutz: No, never that much in Texas. In the past when it has snowed, it only snowed a little bit so this was crazy and unexpected.

Kohler: What were the biggest downsides of the snow? Davis: We were blessed to keep our water and power Kohler: What were the biggest downsides of the whole time, but the biggest downside was not the snow? being able to get more food. Lutz: I really missed being able to play sports, having restaurants open and having water and power. Kohler: What was your favorite thing to do in the snow? Davis: I loved seeing the kids sled down the hill next to Snowbiz off Main Street! It was fun for me to watch and know they’ve had that experience. We also went to a friends house one day to sled and that was fun to be with friends! Kohler: Did you get to see or talk to family during this time? Davis: My mom lives next door to us so we saw her some and I talked to my sister who lives in New Braunfels a couple times when she had power. Kohler: What did you do to pass the time? Davis: Mostly just enjoyed the down time and played games with the kids. Kohler: What were things you learned to not take for granted? Davis: We were pretty spoiled and never lost power or water and had plenty of wood for the fireplace. So I’m not sure we learned our lesson as well as others. But I did have friends that lost power, so I was very thankful we didn’t because I hate being cold. That’s one of the main reasons I live in Texas.

Kohler: What was your favorite thing to do in the snow? Lutz: I loved throwing snowballs at my siblings and trying to play basketball when the court was icy. Kohler: Were you able to see family or friends over the break? Lutz: I saw my grandparents and some friends also came over and ended up getting stuck at my house for a day. Kohler: What did you do to pass the time? Lutz: I watched a lot of movies and played some video games. Kohler: What were things that you learned to not take for granted? Lutz: Being able to go out and exercise, go get food and having power and water.

Layout Sydney Griffey Photos Submitted

YOU KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT DEBATING THE GOOD AND BAD OF SELF-AFFIRMATIONS Words Pro Ainsley Plesko Con Abby Bower

Pro

Perhaps you keep a to-do list, a sort of schedule outlining the tasks you hope to accomplish. Writing down your goals is a motivator for your future actions as you aim to check every “to-do” off your list. You desire to complete what you have outlined. This is where affirmations come in—a sort of to-do list for your mentality. Used in the right way, affirmations can create a framework of positive thinking. Affirmations may come in the form of phrases like “I am superior to negative thoughts” or “I radiate love.” A favorite phrase of mothers and teachers alike are the words, “You can do anything you set your mind to.” Affirmations aim to restructure our thoughts towards positive thinking and self-betterment. Choosing to think in terms of a higher good, affirmations show the potential to achieve dreams and ambitions. When regularly engaging with empowering thoughts, emotions are triggered that influence future behavior. Giving mental attention to inner thoughts creates a habit of self-reflection, shaping a person who is more aware of what they could improve upon for their sake and others. Day and night, the brain is always at work. Scientists estimate that 95% of our life comes from programming in the subconscious mind (Dr. Bruce Lipton). Stubborn thought patterns make change feel somewhat impossible. Someone who believes they are a failure acts in ways reaffirming this belief. A cycle of worthlessness begins. If unaware of this cycle, the same pattern will continue to emerge. Although this may seem disheartening, there is always a possibility for growth. The same brain that thinks in a pattern of self-pity can also create a cycle of gratitude and confidence. Affirmations act as a form of self-care, aligning your thoughts to a place of strength and positivity. Stanford University School of Medicine sums this idea up by saying, “Though the term ‘self-compassion’ may sound like self-indulgence or may feel like a weakness, it is actually the secret to resilience, strength in the face of failure, the ability to learn from mistakes and to bounce back with greater enthusiasm.” Your thoughts create your reality. Our thoughts frame our mindset and predict future actions. Affirmations work by bettering the quality of our thoughts in order to better the quality of our actions.

Sophomore Brynn Riebel

Con

Affirmations can be used in an uplifting, biblical and overall God-honoring way. They truly can help with self-image and finding identity in Christ. Reminding yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and called to the mission of love would, without a doubt, have positive effects on how you view and carry yourself. However, society today isn’t approaching affirmations in this way. For example, on an influencer’s story you may see a list looking something like this:

party, we end up feeling a deeper sense of failure and inadequacy than when we began.

Daily affirmations: I am healthy. I am wealthy. I am well-respected. I am loved. I am….fill in the blank—it can be anything you want. Personally, I don’t think that repeating this in the mirror each morning is going to help a teenager working for minimum wage be all that wealthy, or a teenager struggling with an auto-immune disease be automatically cured. I feel like most of the things on this list are things people WISH they were, which is the whole point. As humans, we see perfection and wish we had it. We know where we want to go, but telling ourselves we’re already there when we aren’t is of no use at all. To have aspirations, goals and dreams is an admirable thing, but they won’t be spoken or wished into existence. In reality, these things should be covered in prayer and worked hard to receive.

The good news is that we don’t have to fix it. It has already been fixed. Jesus lived the perfect life for us and he satisfied our failures on the cross. Because of that, we are no longer imprisoned by the worldly pressures of achieving. Every time we bring it back to ourselves we will be faced with failure, but every time we bring it back to Christ we will come face-toface with immeasurable grace. We need less of us and so much more of Him. So, let’s remind ourselves each morning of what God HAS done instead of what we MIGHT do. Let’s repeat to ourselves what the Lord says is true instead of what we hope or wish to be true. We don’t have to wake up each morning hoping to be enough. No, we get to wake up and know that God IS enough.

Some may argue that the use of affirmations comes down to the individual’s intentions. While it is true that some may use affirmations as a reminder of the goals they are working toward, it’s not the content I’m worried about. It’s the principle. The idea of affirmations has been dressed-up pretty fancy by society to seem like a no brainer. I mean, what kind of a person wouldn’t want others to feel good about themselves? Affirmations imply that if we want something badly enough, we can make it happen by sheer will. But, sustaining this type of confidence just isn’t possible. As humans, we will always let ourselves and others down. So, when we tell ourselves that we are kind or we are well-liked and then we inevitably end up having a bad day, snapping at our friends or not being invited to the

Our desire for affirmations starts when we realize our shortcomings and don’t know what to do with the shame and dissatisfaction that tag along with them. We feel dissatisfied with ourselves, so we want to fix it. But, feeling confident and purposeful, loved and satisfied is never going to come through ourselves. We are fallen sinners and it is a fruitless endeavor.

“To have aspirations, goals and dreams is an admirable thing, but they won’t be spoken or wished into existence.” Photo Abby Bower Layout Alexa Georgelos

Uncovering the various details of our common ground

in side

Photo Abby Bower

Let’s Take it from the Top

Truth is Stranger than Fiction

Where Will You Be in 10 Years?

LET’S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP TAKING AT LOOK AT THE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN OF THE CLASS OF 2021 Words Pauline Rahal

GABE ROSS : SALUTATORIAN Rahal: What was your GPA? Ross: My cumulative GPA was a 4.06. Rahal: What was your favorite class and why? Ross: There have been a couple of classes that I’ve very much enjoyed. If I had to pick one, it would be AP Chemistry with Mr. Naiser. There were only four of us in the class which was nice, and I always ate a crazy amount of M&M’s. Rahal: What extracurriculars were you involved in? Which was your favorite? Ross: I swam, played water polo, did debate for three years and was in the Ping Pong Club. I really enjoyed polo. Rahal: Looking back, do you think all the hard classes and late hours of studying were worth it? What did you have to give up? What would you have changed? Ross: This is a difficult question. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t been so hard on myself to get good grades and take as many hard classes. I gave up a lot of friendships that I never should have. Junior year was tough and I wish I could go back and do it differently. It’s nice to see all the hard work pay off though. Rahal: What is your favorite high school memory? Ross: Seeing Tanner Bruss with 20 roses on Valentine’s Day. Rahal: What were your thoughts on senior year? Ross: Senior year is a blast—best year yet. It’s very relaxed and a good time. Rahal: What words of advice do you leave for the freshmen? Ross: High school is supposed to be fun. Don’t kill yourself over grades like I did but don’t blow them off either. Find a good balance that is right for you. Rahal: Which class was the hardest for you? Ross: AP Latin. Don’t do it, unless you’re insane. Rahal: What’s the lowest grade you’ve ever gotten? What was it on? Ross: I’m pretty sure I’ve bombed a couple of history tests. Probably like a 70.

RANDOM QUESTIONS Rahal: Nicolas Siller (junior) would like to know, do you have webbed feet? Ross: I wish I did. Rahal: Mattie Sue Arnold (sophomore) asks “Netflix or Hulu?” Ross: Netflix. Rahal: Kate Travis (freshman) wants to know your favorite cereal? Iyer: My favorite cereal has to be Cheerios. Rahal: From Gwyn Lewellyn (junior)…what word got you out of the spelling bee? Iyer: The word savate (pronounced suh-vat) got me out in the spelling bee. I spelled it in 28 seconds because I didn’t recognize the word and I didn’t want to second guess my instinct. Luckily, I can confidently say I never would have guessed the silent “e.”

ALEX IYER : VALEDICTORIAN Rahal: What was your GPA? Iyer: My GPA is currently a 4.09. NASA (Mrs. Ward) has projected it to be slightly over 4.1 after graduation. Rahal: What was your favorite class and why? Iyer: My favorite class was AP Latin. Decoding Latin sentences was a rewarding puzzle. Dr. Rosheger illuminated so many interesting grammatical structures that our class could compare and contrast with the English language. Rahal: What extracurriculars were you involved in? Which was your favorite? Iyer: I was the speech team captain for three years and a speech tournament competitor for four years. I created a National Spelling Bee Prep Website and coached students for competition. My senior year, I also coached students on speech teams from underserved south San Antonio schools and founded a branch of a national English tutoring program for international students. For the TAPPS academic contest,

I championed spelling twice, received 1st and 2nd place in art history over two years, and was a finalist in multiple speech events. I also attended Texas Actors Workshop (where I auditioned for a Sharknado movie), played tennis, performed in the musical and participated in orchestra and choir. My favorite activity was speech which I discovered after a semester in public forum debate. Geneva did not have a speech team before I began competing in these events. I enjoyed exploring a program that was new to our school. All told, I taught over 15 students how to become confident public speakers and they ended up joining the team.

Rahal: Looking back, do you think all the hard classes and late hours of studying was worth it? What did you have to give up? What would you have changed? Iyer: While I certainly did work hard, the time flew by because I enjoyed the opportunity to learn from amazing faculty who truly cared about my education. I also had a wonderful support system. My teachers, fellow students and parents were always there to offer positive affirmations and love. I never felt like anything was a competition at Geneva. We all pushed each other forward so that each student could reach his potential. Looking back, I would not have changed a single thing. God has put me on the journey that I’m meant to be on. So far, my path has had its challenges, but has been filled with incredible experiences I’m grateful to have had. Rahal: What is your favorite high school memory? Iyer: My favorite high school memory probably has to be my constant physical stumbles on campus and the comedy that ensued. For whatever reason, when the campus got rainy, I would just slip and slide. My favorite instance was when Mr. Harrild noticed me cascade into a ditch and asked if I was okay. I said yes, and then I proceeded to fall again. Rahal: What were your thoughts on senior year? Iyer: My senior year has been uniquely challenging. As a remote learner, I missed some of my favorite parts of Geneva. For instance, eating lunch on the boardwalk with friends, talking during passing periods and enjoying the nature all around on campus. However, I’m also cognizant of the dedication of Geneva‘s faculty to ensuring students have the best experience possible. I’ve been so fortunate for my teachers’ willingness to Zoom me in and work through technical difficulties. Being a remote learner for an entire school year has only further demonstrated to me the importance of daily connection, but also has reminded me of how grateful I am to be at Geneva with teachers who work incredibly hard to lift up students. Rahal: What words of advice do you leave for the freshman? Iyer: Make the most of your time at Geneva. The small class size and supportive environment is something to be cherished. Also, don’t be afraid to bring one of your own hobbies to Geneva if you don’t see an outlet for it. Start a club or a team that you care about. Rahal: Which class was the hardest for you? Iyer: AP Calculus is the hardest course I’ve taken at Geneva. Dr. Short is a great teacher, but he keeps us on our toes. Rahal: What’s the lowest grade you’ve ever gotten? What was it on? Iyer: The lowest grade I’ve gotten was a 32. Mr. Harrild hinted that there might be a quiz and it completely went over my head. I still remember him asking “What happened?” when he saw my grade.

Layout Sydney Griffey Photos Chantel Bellamy

SENIORS SHARE WISDOM GENEVA’S SEASONED VETERANS SHARE WHAT THEY WISH THEIR FRESHMAN SELVES HAD KNOWN Words Seniors of the Class of 2021

KATHERINE LACY Make the extra effort to love on more people sooner! Don’t be afraid to be a little outgoing.

HANNAH LEDOUX I know that you can’t wait for high school to be over, but enjoy it while it lasts. It goes by too fast!

AUDREY DAVIS Having 10 white and blue blouses, along with 10 skirts, is completely unnecessary. Two or three will do.

GRACIE JANSE Take lots of photos and videos with your friends!!! Time goes by so fast and looking back at those memories is so great to have.

J.C. TREUSDELL Don’t waste your time doing things that won’t benefit you in the future. Make use of your time. “Do it now, sometimes ‘later’ becomes ‘never.’

EMMA GRACE ERFURT Live in the moment and enjoy every moment with your friends. You never know when there might be a global pandemic.

JOSÉ BALLÍ DO NOT WAIT TO STUDY 15 MINUTES BEFORE A TEST!

MICHAEL DE VRIES Take every opportunity to have fun and strengthen your relationships with your friends and God.

Photos Chantel Bellamy Layout Hannah Pratt

WHEN YOU ARE DEEP IN THOUGHT THE HUMAN MIND CAN WANDER TO SOME PRETTY HILARIOUS PLACES Words Sophia Dacy

Thinking is something that we as humans are always doing. Our thoughts are running from the second we wake up, and it has been proven, we even think in our sleep. In fact, dreams are all a figment of our imagination and thoughts. We are constantly thinking about things like “When does this class end?” to “I wonder what I’m going to eat for dinner?” or “When is summer going to get here?” Thoughts are always by our side, but sometimes our minds can wander beyond the average thought. Here are some thought-provoking questions that could have many different answers. Students and teachers weigh in with their answers.

Do you believe time is really real? Mr. Rick Poole: “Do I believe time is really real? From our point of view, yes. From God’s point of view, it is only temporary.” Joshua Kupferschmid (sophomore): “Yeah it is, because five seconds ago I wasn’t asked this question.”

Is it possible to love someone that you have never met? Dr. Howard Short: “In the sense that I can do something to promote their well being and general welfare–yes. Romantically, I guess I think I would say yes…love in general yes, but romantically, I don’t know.” Juliana Flores (sophomore): “110%.”

If time travel were to become real, does that mean that it has always existed? Mr. Shawn Harrild: “I mean, if I invent time travel to this moment right now, I would say, ‘Yes Shawn, it’s real, we can do it, it’s a thing.’ But I didn’t invent it, so I can never really know for sure. In short, I do believe it’s real.” Luke Pratt (sophomore): “Does time travel exist? I don’t know. But I do know that the Raising Cane’s Caniac Combo just down the road from Geneva costs exactly $14.96.”

If enough people did not care about money, do you think the value of things would decrease? Mrs. Catherine Davis: “Sure, but I think the world would run on something else then. Right now the world runs on money. I feel like there would always be ‘haves and have nots.’” Sydney Turnbow (sophomore): “I think so yeah, I think the value would decrease because the interest wouldn’t be important anymore. The things like “Oh, this is nice, this is a luxury” wouldn’t really be relevant anymore so you wouldn’t see celebrities carrying these expensive things.” If humans could fly, do you think we would consider it exercise? Mr. Dodd Naiser: “Yes, because it takes energy to fly and you have to flap your wings.” Henry Jons (sophomore): “Yes, because when you’re flying you are working out and you are burning calories.”

Do you think caterpillars know that they are going to become butterflies? Mrs. Christina Jeffcoat: “The biologist side of me wants to say no because they are driven by instinct, but my poetic side wants to say yes, they know that there is something more to their existence.” Jack Taylor (freshman): “No, because how could a little worm turn into something that has wings? The science doesn’t make sense.”

Graphics Alexa Georgelos Layout Alexa Georgelos

YOU CAN STOP THE SPREAD AS THE SCHOOL YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE, SOME SENIORS MAY STRUGGLE WITH A STUDENT IDENTITY CRISIS Words Hannah Pratt

It is now May and the finish line is near. The marathon, otherwise known as high school, comes to an end. While most are parched and reaching for water, or slowing to a walk to catch their breath, a few seniors are continuing at a strong pace. Students hear the term “senioritis” all throughout high school but it is truly a colloquial only seniors will understand. For those unfamiliar with the word, senioritis is used to describe the decreasing motivation and performance that seniors experience as their high school years come to an end. Although all seniors feel the effects of senioritis, prudent seniors will decide not to let it dictate their final year of school and continue to work hard in preparation for the next chapter of their life: college.

“Senior year is the most similar to college. You have freedom in when to stay and when to leave. If you slack off senior year, that can carry over to your college mentality,” J.C. Treusdell said. Having the opportunity to leave school freely gives seniors their first taste of the freedoms they will experience in college. The ball is now in their court to take responsibility and show up when they are asked to. “Slacking off once you know where you’re going to college is kind of like building a house with effort and materials, but once you are finished, you don’t take care of the house and its value starts to decline over time. If the house is done but you cut a lot of corners, it may seem finished, but you get an incomplete product,” Matthew Renfroe said.

It is easy to fall into the mindset that grades do not matter senior year. Although this may be true to an extent (because you no longer need to have a certain GPA to get admitted into a college), grades are still important. Why lose all the skills you have acquired over the past three years? You may regret this when you need them during your first year of college.

“Enjoy the freedom and spend time with your friends during your off periods and lunches and after school. School is obviously important but it is your senior year and there is a balance to enjoying the last year with your friends and finishing well at school. Finding places that you all can study together and hang out is a great way to get the best of both worlds,” Janse said.

Renfroe also gives his two cents into why he believes it is more beneficial to come to class than to not. “I come to school to learn and the teachers come to teach, it would be doing both of us a disservice to not go and maybe miss out on a valuable lesson or some good discussion. Sure, I could make up missed work, but it’s not the same as learning it from the teacher the first time,“ Renfroe said.

Being a senior is both very easy and very hard. Easy in the sense that the workload is lighter and you are able to choose most of your classes, but hard in the sense that senioritis is constantly nudging your shoulder.

A teacher’s job is to come to school and teach his students while the student’s job is to come to school and learn from her teachers. This may seem like the most basic knowledge but it can be easily forgotten when a trip to Starbucks or a nap seems more appealing than listening to a lecture. Out of respect for the teachers, seniors should not let senioritis get the best of them, and show up to class.

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and freedom of senior year, but don’t let that cloud the fact that the opportunity to learn is a blessing that not everyone is given the same chance. Not to mention, seniors are the leaders of the school and they hold responsibilities. These are the years you will look back on, so take the time to find that balance and don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

“As Christians, it’s our job to honor and glorify God in everything that we do, so giving 75% when you can give 100% just doesn’t feel right and makes me feel unsatisfied with myself. So, it’s for myself but also out of obedience to God,” Gracie Janse said. With this being said, if you won’t do it for the teachers, do it for the Lord. Fighting the temptations that come with senioritis and showing up to class or giving an assignment 100% effort is a form of glorifying God and it will make you feel good about yourself instead of feeding a guilty conscience. Yes, all of this is easier said than done. Here is a little advice: “Break things up, and rejoice in the small victories that come with completing daunting tasks. Finish strong and make those around you proud of your work. Also, don’t forget to treat and take care of yourself; you’ve come this far and it would be a shame for your efforts to go unrewarded,” Renfroe said.

Graphic Ainsley Plesko Layout Hannah Pratt

CAN YOU SPOT THE SENIOR? LET’S SEE HOW WELL YOU KNOW THE SENIORS OF 2021

Instructions: Use your finger to trace a path from a senior’s name to the correct object. Check your answers below.

Our seniors seem to create friendships with inanimate objects that never leave their side. Can you guess which objects belong to each of these eight seniors?

Audrey Davis

Luke Evans

Lily Radigan Connor Schaefer

Emma Grace Erfurt

Caroline Chandler

Lindsey Zuniga

Tanner Bruss 3

Answers: 1. Soccer Cleats = Audrey Davis 2. Flip Flops = Tanner Bruss 3. Starbucks = Emma Grace Erfurt 4. Hydroflask = Caroline Chandler 5. Non-GSB shirts = Luke Evans 6. Knee Brace = Lily Radigan 7. Baseball Hat = Connor Schaefer Graphic Alexa Georgelos 8. Squishmallows = Lindsey Zuniga Layout Alexa Georgelos

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION HIGH SCHOOL IS DIFFERENT FROM HOW SOCIETY DEPICTS IT TO YOUNG TEENS Words Lauren Abell

As a kid, high school seems like this magical stage of life where everything happens just as it’s supposed to. Kids everywhere anxiously await to get to this stage of life depicted in movies and TV shows as this perfect place. I can remember hearing from so many people, “Oh, just wait ‘til you get to high school.” Other similar things have been said, all pointing towards the idea that life would peak once in that stage of life. Now, this may very well be true, but there are a few key details that our elders and entertainment outlets have left out when describing what high school is like. To start, it seems whenever we talk to adults about their “good old days,” things tend to get out of hand pretty quickly. It seems that all the memories of stress and chaos go out the window just to be replaced with the dramatized stories of their risky adventures and first loves. While not to discredit the fun times adults surely had in high school, it seems like their view of high school becomes more and more skewed as time goes on. To put it plainly, maybe the adventures and excitement become more and more risky with each retelling while the stress is pushed further and further back in their memory.

The next culprits of these false expectations of high school: TV shows. I think just about all of us can relate to seeing shows revolving around high school students. For many of these, the plot consists of a few main parts; angsty teens, high drama (for laughs of course), reckless decisions and a somewhat apparent lack of parental supervision. Now, if these types of films were an accurate glimpse at life in high school, SIGN ME UP! I mean, come on, if I get to hang out with friends doing whatever I want, have no one around to tell me no, and get to have an attitude, it’s a no brainer, really. What kid wouldn’t like that? I certainly can’t think of any. Unfortunately for me, however, and the others around my age to whom this sounds appealing, high school doesn’t exactly work like that. In real life, there still might be drama, but not the kind that comes with laughs from an invisible audience. With reckless decisions come real consequences, and not the kind that disappear at a commercial break. While having a bad attitude or smart mouth on TV might be fun and harmless, it’s not a trait that should be used in real life. Now about parents. Whether we like it or not, their involvement in our lives is actually pretty important. I know, I know, as a teenager I’m not supposed to care about my parents or frankly, anyone but myself.

However, as much as it might hurt to admit it, parents are pretty nice to have around for all kinds of reasons that help shape us to be who we are. Teens on TV might seem to be independent and have everything figured out, but that is a misguided perception of real high school life. On to the next outlet guilty of misguided hopes for high school; movies. Similar to TV shows, movies also show teens amped up on attitude and selfdestruction. However, there is also another lens through which movies look at high school. This is the romanticizing lens. Now, I’m not talking about the romantic parts of being in high school, although there’s plenty of that offered in the world of film. But, no, I am actually talking about the dreamy and euphoric side of high school. In many of these movies, high school is a decidedly awful place until just the right person or event comes into the film. Once this happens, everything seems to work out for the good and the negative parts of life as well as responsibilities seem to fall by the wayside. In the real world, just because something good happens, that doesn’t mean that everything else going on just disappears. Just because you make a winning goal, get a perfect score on a test or find a new friend, your day-to-day issues and responsibilities continue to be there. But, see, a life changing event that wipes

“With reckless decisions comes real consequences, and not the kind that disappear at a commercial break.” away all the bad things of life makes for good movies. But it just isn’t realistic. If it was, life would be a lot easier. In a way, maybe it’s a good thing after all that life has its ongoing challenges. They build character and strength usable throughout life, not just an hour and a half on a screen. Ultimately, expectations formed about high school from these sources differ greatly from reality. High school might not be some “dream come true” or the greatest moments and experiences, but it is certainly a place to learn the value of hard work and characterbuilding, with I’m sure, plenty of great memories along the way.

Layout Sydney Griffey Graphics Garrett Loflin

WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 10 YEARS?

SUPERLATIVES HONOR BOTH THE SERIOUS AND FUNNY ASPECTS OF THE SENIOR CLASS Words Senior Class of 2021

Here at the Geneva Quarterly we have no real formula for creating these ingenious superlatives. Besides these seniors’ prestigious reputations, we have eyes and ears everywhere. But even with our secret spies, we must dedicate countless minutes scribbling away random ideas and rubbing our aching foreheads to tailor fit these hyperbolic expressions to our beloved seniors. It may be unorganized, it may be inefficient, but … it works.

QUENTIN HARTMAN

Most likely to be on a movie poster

JUDAH DILLER

Most likely to win an eating contest

CHRIS LEBORNE

Most likely to rob a bank without a plan

DYLAN SOUTHWICK

Most likely to laugh in serious situations

PAULINE RAHAL

Most likely to run a college study group

PARKER AKIN

CORVIN JONAS

Most likely to be remembered as Ching Ho from his first play

Most likely to be remembered for never having working shoulders

LANA HARRISON

Most likely to get struck by lightning

RILEY TIPPIT

AUSTIN TURGON

Most likely to marry Harry Styles

Most likely to be an Olympic god

QUINCIE HARTMAN

LILY SHRODE

Most likely to own her own plane

Most likely to be in the Witness Protection Program

JACK SWANSON

Most likely to not remember high school … thanks Mr. Naiser

CADE BARONE

ALETHEA WARD

Most likely to do a lot

Most likely to return to Canada and run a llama farm

GREY HERLIHY

Most likely to invent the latest form of currency

GABBY REYES

GABE ROSS

Most likely to miss class Most likely to and still have be Mr. Shelton’s the notes grandkid’s uncle

EMMA RUSSELL

Most likely to go missing … only to be found in her hair

Photos Chantel Bellamy Graphics Sophia Baldwin Layout Sydney Dennis

STUDENTS DECIDE IT’S TIME TO FESS UP SEE IF YOU CAN DISCOVER THE SENIORS’ SECRETS Words Seniors of the Class of 2021

1. Emma Russell 1. I once let an alligator into my house. 2. I am traveling internationally this summer to further my thumb wrestling career. 3. I once got stuck in a shark tank.

2. Hannah Pratt 1. I hyper-extended my arm playing on a water slide. 2. After school, I come home and ride my horses around my neighborhood. 3. All of my money comes from taking care of racing pigeons.

3. Katie-Grace Styles 1. I shot off fireworks in the Geneva parking lot. 2. I love the cold weather. 3. I have gone skydiving.

6. Brock Ambelang 1. I once broke my nose trying to show off my karate moves. 2. I’ve watched all seven seasons of “New Girl” four times. 3. I met and talked to Charles Barkley in an elevator in New York.

4. Cody Lane George 1. I can do an elbow cartwheel. 2. I’ve never missed a shot at a deer. 3. I’m an avid runner.

7. Quincie Hartman 1. I have my advanced open water scuba diving license. 2. I used to do flying trapeze. 3. I have flipped a golf cart.

5. Chase Wilson 1. I’ve broken international law. 2. I love dogs. 3. I have hiked four-14ers.

Lie Key: 1. 2, 2. 2, 3. 2, 4. 3, 5. 3, 6. 3, 7. 3

Layout Ainsley Plesko Graphic Ainsley Plesko

sen iors

Showcasing the Senior Class of 2021

Photo Pam Akin

Senior Profiles • Senior Pics Colleges & Universities • Majors Senior Quotes • Last Will & Testament

PA R K E R AKIN

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY GEOLOGY OR THEATER “Dope.”

I, Parker Akin, leave the Theatre kids Mrs. Jones. Please take care of her, she loves y’all dearly. To Mr. Hurt, I leave some Band-aids, I know you’ll need them.

BROCK AMBELANG BAYLOR UNIVERSITY MARKETING

“I’m against crime, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.” —Bobby Newport I, Brock Ambelang, do hereby leave Coach Champion to Landon Grimes and Jake Plesko. Please take care of him and make sure he gets his daily Red Bull.

JOSÉ BALLÍ

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE *Slaps Mari* To Walker Cone, I leave the troublesome Will Muck and his over-the-top attitude. To Hailey Hubenak, I leave what ever is left of the tenor section.

CADE BARONE

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY FINANCE “No.” I definitely don’t leave the biggest bench to Ethan Valdez.

TA N N E R BRUSS

NOT ATTENDING LIVING LIFE AND EXPLORING THE WORLD “Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul.” I leave all the crazy adventures to Grant Mowery. Don’t have too much fun without me.

SOREN BURKHOLDER VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING “What could possibly go wrong?” —Jeremy Clarkson To Spencer Yarbrough and Chaz Lutz, I leave the basketball team. Try not to leave any balls out after practice. To Karynn Garrow, I leave my sister, Sloane. Make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid please...

CAROLINE CHANDLER

UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD BIOLOGY “I’m beading, Mr. Graham.” I leave my dirty track socks to Kaitlyn Cates. I hope they bring you good luck. :)

BELLA COATES

DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS “Donde esta la biblioteca?” I, Bella Coates, in sound state of mind, leave to Sophia Baldwin, CHAD. To Sam Cress, I leave my swag.

EMMA CRESS

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION “And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.” —Michael Scott I leave my brother Sam, my incredible attendance record. Never been late to a class or missed one...

ALEXIS DAVIS

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS BUSINESS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HUMAN RESOURCES “Y’all, I got four hours sleep and I feel great!” I, Alexis Davis, hereby leave the very important responsibility to Avery Myrick and her mom car of having at least one car jam sesh every week before school.

AUDREY DAVIS

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE/HISTORY “Riddle me this.” To Abby Bower, I leave you my love for orchestra. Please take good care of Mrs. Gachupin. To Ashlynn Lavezzari, I leave you Pepper, my sweet Chihuahua. Please visit her occasionally.

JULIANNE DE LUNA GAP YEAR

*quietly observes I’m taking everything!! Hahhhhaaa Bethany can have my doodles; they are located in my history notebook.

MICHAEL DE VRIES

TEXAS TECH UNIVERISTY PSYCHOLOGY

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. Live it to the fullest.” To Will Muck, I leave the corner shower for cross country. To Avery Eggerss, I leave my little sister...

SYDNEY DENNIS

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS APPAREL MERCHANDISE AND PRODUCT DESIGN “When joy is a habit, love is a reflex.” To Josh Dennis, I leave the nasty rat mobile #3. To Seby Boynton, I leave Josh; he needs friends. To Ava Ayers, I leave Joshua Dennis; treat him well.

JUDAH DILLER

ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND MINISTRY “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t— you’re right.” –Henry Ford To Chaz Lutz, I give my height, so he will be able to dunk next year. To Kevin Vogt, I leave my eating skills.

EMMA GRACE ERFURT

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY STUDIO ART WITH AN EMPHASIS ON GRAPHIC DESIGN “Sorry, I was sleeping.” To my next door neighbor, I leave Claire.

LUKE EVANS

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PSYCHOLOGY “Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 I, Luke Evans, hereby leave all of my red cards to Kate Evans. Good luck.

JACKSON FRIESENHAHN TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

“Saying that you can’t solidifies that you never will.” -Sir Robert Bryson Hall II To Kate Friesenhahn and Jack Walker Harden, I leave the House of Chaucer. Good luck. To K.P. FitzGerald, I leave the Justin fit; be sure to only use when appropriate.

JOHN HENRY FRIESENHAHN

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY VISUALIZATION

“Baskin Robbins always finds out.” —Luis To Henry Jons, I leave the Lineman Dinners. Make sure the skinny guys get plenty to eat. To my sister Kate, I leave the dance floor at all of the school dances.

CODY L ANE GEORGE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA EUROPEAN STUDIES

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” –Edgar Degas I leave Sloane Burkholder the ability to use ballet as an excuse for everything. I leave Guy George my right to shoot the biggest deer in the backyard every year (sorry, Shawn).

ALEXA GEORGELOS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN ADVERTISING

“Phoebe, do you have a plan?” “I don’t even have a “Pla.” –Phoebe Buffay Sorry, I’m taking it all with me.

LANA HARRISON TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY BIOLOGY/PRE-MED

“Don’t worry guys, I’m like five minutes away.” *hasn’t even left* To the soccer team, I leave my sister Haley; don’t let her get into too much trouble and take good care of her for me. :) To the softball team, I leave my name in case you need it for the roster.

QUENTIN HARTMAN JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY DIGITAL CINEMA “Skippitybapumdatup.” To Kevin Vogt, I leave the soccer team; treat her well. To anyone reading this, I leave a five dollar bill that I hid a few months ago on the boardwalk. Have fun.

QUINCIE HARTMAN

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY “I don’t know where I’m going from here but I promise it wont be boring.” –David Bowie To MK Mitchell and Danie Quitadamo, I leave my punch card for the boba place. Get me some points, girls.

GREY HERLIHY

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY BIOLOGY

“Watch me get rich off of Bitcoin.” I leave George Viña the baseball team; take care of Henry.

H AY E S HUTTON

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS “I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.” –George Strait I leave the golf team to Price Hill. Carry it well.

ALEX IYER UNDECIDED UNDECIDED

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” –Corrie Ten Boom I bestow upon Mia Wilson, Amy Grace Miller and Esan Fikes the red-haired, theatrical, iconic Mr. Hurt.

GRACIE JANSE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY VISUALIZATION

“Christmas is only ___ days away, I’m so excited!” To Abby Russell, I give you the job of finding someone new to fire when they are late; I suggest Avery Eggerss. To Julianna Goodman, I hid a bag of blue Jolly Ranchers for you...Take care of Mrs. Lester, please.

CORVIN JONAS

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE “I was having a calm day until this.” To K.P. FitzGerald, I leave being “THAT GUY” in Mr. Russell’s class. To Mr. Russell, I leave you the blessing of not having to take me to Europe to find a roll-worthy lemon.

K AT H E R I N E LACY

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SPANISH IN MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES “My confidence is not rooted in my performance or my appearance, but it is in who God is and who He made me to be.” –Sadie Robertson Huff To Hailey Hubenak, I leave the responsibility to continue ASL Club. Don’t forget how to sign orange.

CHRIS LEBORNE

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY FILM & DIGITAL MEDIA “There’s a test today?!”

To Sam Cress & Seby Boynton, I leave John. Take care of him and his diamonds. Make sure he gets a girlfriend. To Shyla Jennings, I leave you with all the fun times you’ll have during your senior year.

HANNAH LEDOUX BAYLOR UNIVERSITY INTERIOR DESIGN “So...how’s life?” I, Hannah Ledoux leave my Starbucks obsession to my little sister Ellie Ledoux. Enjoy.

HANNAH PRATT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION “I have fake teeth.” I leave behind my two goals made within all four years of soccer, (otherwise known as top-teir soccer skills), to Sophia Dacy.

L I LY RADIGAN TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY BUSINESS

R.A.D.I. radical. awesome. dangerous. icy. I, Lily Radigan, leave the eagle head to Avery Myrick (fly high) and the light-up shoes to Lily Langenbahn (party hard).

PA U L I N E RAHAL NEW YORK UNIVERSITY NEUROSCIENCE

And the universe said I love you because you are love :) I leave Abbey Bowser an unhealthy “Teen Wolf” obsession. I leave Ava Ayers, Kate Evans and Sophia Dacy the Journalism Room. Take care of it and don’t be afraid to make friends with the freshmen. :)

M AT T H E W RENFROE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

If animals didn’t want to be eaten then why the heck are they made out of food? To Avery Eggerss and Avery Myrick, I leave money for a trip to Panera. To Presley Pruitt, I leave Tuesday Dog. Please take care of him for me.

GABBY REYES

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SOCIOLOGY “The idea of me life coaching another human being should scare you.“ —David Rose To Mr. Hurt, I leave the role of Stage Manager to whoever can handle it. To Theatre and Tech, I leave you to each other; love one another well.

GABE ROSS

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY MECHANICAL ENGINEERING “Wendy’s 4for4. Greatest deal of my life.” To my sons, Jack Taylor and Ford Elizondo, I leave the legendary swim team. Don’t let it die without me. May it continue to thrive in all its glory. To Geneva, I leave as the last Ross and thus the last to drive the van of this campus. May Geneva never forget.

EMMA RUSSELL

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION SCIENCE “Can someone call my phone?” As a Griffey once gave me, I hereby give the chapstick to Sydney Griffey. Please keep it safe in your sock. To the most legendary girls of the boardwalk, I leave you all the drip the world can offer.

CONNOR SCHAEFER TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ECONOMICS

“Yeah, this is big brain time.” –Mark Fischbach To Nicolas Siller, I leave my parking spot. You are its new guardian. To Mr. Poole, I leave my old soul.

TREVOR SCOTT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY BUSINESS

If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re too small. To Jayden McCammon, I leave Coach Bolton. Try and make his job a little easier. He doesn’t get much to work with. I leave Jake Plesko a helmet with no paint cause you’re going to break it all off anyway.

L I LY SHRODE

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE “There’s some good in this world Mr. Frodo... and it’s worth fighting for.” –Sam Gamgee I leave the job of keeping Mr. Hurt company during off periods to the incoming theatre seniors. Bring him coffee. I leave the responsibility of keeping people quiet backstage to Annie Ramsey. Be patient with the freshmen.

DYL AN SOUTHWICK

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SPORTS BROADCASTING

“What isn’t clear is why people always say ‘goes without saying,’ yet still feel compelled to say the thing that was supposed to go without saying. Doesn’t that bother you?” —Shawn Spencer I, Dylan Southwick, hereby leave the number 10 basketball jersey to Aidan Christal. Thank you for letting me borrow it this year.

TREY STEPANOW BAYLOR UNIVERSITY BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

“Who wants to go on a vert drive?” To Julianna Goodman, I leave being Cinema’s Executive Producer. To Josh Kupferschmid, I leave teaching others how to run the MPB lights.

K AT I E - G R A C E STYLES TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION “Turn on the heat, I’m cold.” I am leaving my speaker duty for volleyball pre-game chants and songs in the locker room bathroom to Avery, Lily, Chloe and Karynn. I am leaving my $wag spirit to Ainsley, Chloe, Gwyn, Hannah and Emmy.

JACK SWANSON TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY

“Slow and steady wins the race. FALSE. Fast always wins the race.” —Dwight Schrute To Greyson, I pass any jersey that he can’t rip. To Malachi, I pass the love for basketball. I’m excited to watch you play my man.

RILEY TIPPIT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK “Abby…you’re fired!” To Abby Russell, I leave my JJ sticker.

JULIAN CLAIRE TREUSDELL HARDING UNIVERSITY UNDECIDED

안녕히 계세요! さようなら! ¡adiós! Au revoir! I don’t have anything to leave to anyone.

AUSTIN TURGON

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN ENGINEERING “I’m basically sayin I’m cooler.” —Symere Bysil Woods I leave my bad driving on campus to Ally. I leave the skate park to Brice Webb.

ALETHEA WARD TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY BUSINESS

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain!” —Vivien Greene To Hailey Hubenak, I leave the lovely Lady Tenors. Embrace your inner mama! To Kate Evans, I leave the Beefy Altos. Take care of them for me!

CHASE WILSON

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER COMPUTER SCIENCE “Whatever works.” I, Chase Wilson, hereby leave the table saw to Josh. Try not to cut your fingers off. Other people’s are fair game though.

EMMA WILSON

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY BUSINESS “You can have up to eight absences in each class.” —Mr. Russell To Naiya Swientek, I leave my cheer skirt that is way too short. Don’t ever let Coach Jonas give you a longer one. To Sophia Baldwin, I leave my spotless driving record. Better keep it that way.

JACKSON YOUNG

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY BUSINESS “I wish you all the best, the ceiling is the roof”. —Michael Jordan To Aidan, I leave my basketball jelly; keep the pre-game warm ups flashy. To Grant Mowery and Ethan Valdez, I leave my knees and my shoulders.

LINDSEY ZUNIGA STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY SOCIAL WORK

“If you ever speak to me in Spanish, please use the formal “usted.” —Aubrey Plaza I, Lindsey Zuniga, would like to leave my little sister Callie Zuniga, the beloved family Volkswagen. Take care of it and don’t crash. :)

court side

Revealing the footwork that makes up our competition

Graphic Sophia Baldwin

The Legend of Matt Howard

Your Secret to Healthy Snacking

Did He Do it Alone?

THE LEGEND OF MATT HOWARD

A LOOK INTO WHAT THE HEAD OF BOOSTER CLUB MATT HOWARD DOES FOR GENEVA Words Sydney Griffey

Geneva Booster Club has always played a large role in the amenities of the Geneva campus. Its fundraising has helped fine arts, athletic programs and academic competition in countless ways. Whether it’s expanding the weight room, baseball cages or mics and lighting equipment that allow for incredible performances such as “Fiddler on the Roof” or winning state championships, the Booster Club has been able to stretch its reach across all of the activities a student at Geneva can be a part of. Geneva parent Matt Howard has been the GSB President since 2015 and has been instrumental in the its success. “He has really been a huge support to Geneva fine arts. I don’t think we could have done ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and it be as top-notch as it was without his help in getting that accomplished,” Fine Arts Director Gradi Evans said. GBC raises money mainly through fundraising events such as the Geneva Shootout, which usually occurs in October. GBC also receives a large amount of donations from families looking to improve the kids’ experiences at Geneva. “Because of Booster, I’ve met a lot of people, and honestly that’s the really fun part for me. It lets me meet a lot of people and become more involved with Geneva which is a big blessing,” Howard said. Howard has inspired many people in helping him out with his goal of truly making GBC impactful all across the Geneva campus. His love for people and relationships is shown through the number of people who have donated to the Booster Club after talking with him. People donate not simply because he asks for money, but due to his pursuit of relationships and love for the Geneva community. He has inspired so many people to want to be a part of this program through acts of generosity.

“If you take care of people and just pour into those relationships, then good things just happen.” “People think that I’m just asking for money, and at times I’ve done that, but a lot of times, Geneva just gives. If you take care of people and just pour into those relationships, then good things just happen,” Howard said. Having a community with a common goal of glorifying God can lead to such incredible things that are able to help further God’s kingdom. Geneva is grateful for Mr. Howard’s leadership to support the mission of the school through academics, athletics and fine arts.

Photo Kate Travis Layout Sophia Dacy

STEPPING ON NEW TURF A LOOK AT TWO COACHES NEW TO GENEVA THIS YEAR Words Spencer Yarbrough

Drew Brunson arrived at Geneva this year, and shared his thoughts and passion about the sport he loves, track and field. Yarbrough: Did you run track in high school and if so how long did you run? Brunson: I ran track throughout high school and went on to become a NCAA Champion at Florida State University. Yarbrough: What has been your favorite part of coaching at Geneva? Brunson: I like seeing the atmosphere of the school and the young athletes giving it their all every minute they spend on the track. When you push them hard you see the will and character shine through.

COACH DREW BRUNSON

Yarbrough: What is your favorite part of the sport? Brunson: The competitiveness of track is a completely different challenge than other sports. The technique that goes into track is far beyond just running.

New to Geneva this year, Timothy Millage, Logic School softball coach and Latin teacher, shares insight into his passion for the sport. Yarbrough: Did you play baseball in high school and if so how long did you play for? Millage: I played high school baseball, college baseball for two years (before a shoulder injury) and a few years of semi-pro. Yarbrough: What is your favorite memory of being a part of a team in high school? Millage: I grew up on the sandlot. We played all day and developed incredible baseball memories. Baseball brought my neighborhood together and it helped all of us grow to be healthy adults. When I see the movie “Sandlot,” I am immediately transported to the time when nailing together broken bats meant something. Yarbrough: What is your favorite part of the game? Millage: I get really charged up when one of my players makes the proper play in a given situation. Softball is so fast. You have to keep your mind in the game.

COACH TIM MILLAGE

Yarbrough: How does the softball program at Geneva impact the students’ lives? Yarbrough: What has been your favorite part of Millage: Being a part of a team is a golden moment coaching at Geneva? in the lives of student athletes. Making memories, Millage: My favorite part of coaching at Geneva is developing relationships, cultivating leadership and getting the chance to coach with my daughter, Mallory working to master skills will always put sports in a Rockwell. Softball has always been a part of our family proper context. Honoring God with this commitment and to have the opportunity to share this with her is will always serve us well in life. incredibly special. Photos Kate Travis Graphic Sophia Baldwin Layout Sophia Baldwin

SIGNING ON TO THE FUTURE SENIORS LEAVE THE NEST AND CONTINUE THEIR SPORT IN COLLEGE Words Claire Coultress

At Geneva, we set high goals for our sports. Our athletes are recognized as some of the hardest working people on campus. They endure hours of practice and exhausting games in order to reap the benefits sports provide.

A few of our dedicated senior athletes have earned opportunities to play their sports in college, and some will join Geneva alumni at the same schools.

JACKSON YOUNG Abilene Christian University Football When did you decide that you wanted to play your sport at the college level and what pushed you in that direction? Young: Definitely after my sophomore football season. We had just lost the State Championship by one point and I knew I needed motivation to get a lot better, so I decided I was going to pursue college football. What is your favorite thing about your sport? Young: My favorite thing is how versatile it is, because football is obviously a really rough sport that requires toughness. But, as a receiver, it also requires a lot of quickness and finesse as well as good football IQ. Is there anything specific you are looking forward to about playing in college? Young: I’m looking forward to meeting a bunch of new teammates and becoming the best possible player I can be. Is there a professional athlete who has inspired you? Young: I would say Hunter Renfroe who plays for the Raiders. Coming out of college, he was one of the least athletic receivers but he was still one of the best in his rookie class. When did you start playing your sport? Young: My first season was YMCA in the fourth grade; we were the Tigers and I’m pretty sure we won one game.

What is your favorite thing about your sport? Cress: My favorite thing about horsemanship, and riding in general, is being able to wordlessly communicate to an animal and move in harmony with them. The best way to describe it is like poetry in motion and there is no better feeling than that partnership.

EMMA CRESS Texas A&M University Equestrian When did you decide that you wanted to play your sport at the college level and what pushed you in that direction? Cress: As a freshman in high school, I learned that many SEC schools such as A&M had an equestrian team. Within the team there are four different disciplines in which to compete. Nothing sounded better than me not only getting to ride in college, but also competing with other schools around the nation. This motivated me to start to ride competitively and have the goal to verbally commit to a college by my junior year.

BELLA COATES Dallas Baptist University Stunt and Cheer Team

Is there anything specific you are looking forward to about riding in college? Cress: I’m looking forward to riding in a team atmosphere for the first time. Riding is such an individual sport, so I’m excited to be on a team with other girls who all share a unanimous goal, not to mention getting to ride at the highest level beside an amazing group of girls. When did you start playing your sport? Cress: I started riding in eighth grade, but I started competing nationwide my freshman year.

When did you decide that you wanted to play your sport at the college level and what pushed you in that direction? Coates: I’ve known since my freshman year, after my first year of being on a competitive cheer team, that I wanted to cheer in college.

Do you have anyone to whom you are dedicating this upcoming season? Coates: I would definitely dedicate the upcoming season to my family because without their help and encouragement, I probably would have opted out of cheer.

What is your favorite thing about your sport? Coates: My favorite thing about cheer is probably the stunting and performance aspect of it all.

Is there anything specific you are looking forward to about playing in college? Coates: I’m looking forward to competing in NCA Nationals in Daytona, Florida. It’s definitely a step up from high school cheer.

Is there a professional athlete who has inspired you? Coates: I’ve mostly been inspired by my coaches and other National Cheer Association teams; they help me hold a standard for myself to be better.

Is there anything specific you are looking forward to about playing in college? Hutton: I’m really looking forward to competing against other college players and getting to know them because a lot of them are probably going to be on the PGA Tour.

HAYES HUTTON Texas State University Golf

When did you decide that you wanted to play your sport at a college level and what pushed you in that direction? Hutton: I first decided to play at a college level when I knew and played with people who played in college themselves. I wanted to be like them.

Is there a professional athlete who has inspired you? Hutton: A professional athlete that inspired me is a golfer named Jimmy Walker because he lives in my neighborhood. He won the PGA Championship back in 2016 and we practice together sometimes. When did you start playing your sport? Hutton: I have played golf my whole life but I got serious when I was in about eighth grade.

What is your favorite thing about your sport? Hutton: My favorite thing about golf is that I love how it’s all on yourself instead of teammates.

SOREN BURKHOLDER Valparaiso University Rocket League Esports When did you decide that you wanted to play your sport at the college level and what pushed you in that direction? Burkholder: I decided I wanted to play Rocket League in college only after I visited Valparaiso and saw they had an Esports program. They asked me what rank I was. They asked me if I wanted to be a part of the team almost on the spot. What is your favorite thing about your sport? Burkholder: My favorite thing about playing Rocket League is just the satisfaction you get after making some insane play, and who doesn’t like playing video games? Am I right? Is there anything specific you are looking forward to about playing in college? Burkholder: I’m looking forward to playing in a real setting with all of the awesome equipment.

Is there a professional athlete who has inspired you? Burkholder: I don’t really have a pro player who inspired me but, I mean, in any sport, Donovan Mitchell is my hero. When did you start playing your sport? Burkholder: I started playing right when the game came out in 2015.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT EASTON MYRICK CLASS OF ‘20 Abilene Christian University Football What is your favorite part about playing a sport in college? Myrick: My favorite part of playing college football is getting to devote most of my time to playing the game that I love. I get to learn more about football than I ever thought I would. Pros & Cons: Myrick: Some pros are: you have a very structured schedule, you get to build strong relationships, and you’ll learn to be able to fall asleep just about anywhere. Some cons are that you are always tired, you are always sore and you don’t have much time to hang out with people. What advice do you have for the incoming athletes? What do you wish you knew before you started playing your sport in college? Myrick: The main advice that I would give to someone coming to play a college sport is to make sure you have a very strong reason for why you play. The people that do not have a strong “why” do not last very long. If you have a strong why then you can use that to push through things like early mornings and long practices. One thing I wish I knew before I started playing in college is how to manage my time well and take advantage of the free time that I get.

JOSEPH HOHNE CLASS OF ‘20 Texas A&M University Track and Field What is your favorite part about playing a sport in college? Hohne: My favorite part is bonding with the other track athletes on the team and getting better together. Pros & Cons: Hohne: Pros would be it keeps me out of trouble; it’s hard work and I enjoy the camaraderie with my teammates. Cons would be it’s a lot of time out of my day and you don’t get too many second chances if you mess up with your event.

Photo Geneva Photo Team or Student’s Family Graphics Alexa Georgelos Layout Sophia Dacy

What advice do you have for the incoming athletes? What do you wish you knew before you started playing your sport in college? Hohne: My advice to incoming athletes is make sure it’s something you really want to do and not something your parents or someone else is making you do. College is definitely more of a business where they don’t really care how you feel, but about how well you can compete and how skilled you are.

YOUR SECRET TO HEALTHY SNACKING NEW HEALTHY SNACKS FOR YOU TO TRY AND ENJOY Words Sarah Coultress

Do you ever find yourself walking from the pantry to the fridge, then back to the pantry and then back again to the fridge, looking for something to eat? Most of the time when you find yourself in this situation it feels as if there is no food in the entire house, or there is food and you just do not know what to pick. This results

• Apples with peanut butter or Nutella • Grapes, pears or oranges • KIND bars • Hummus with veggies (e.g. broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, sugar snap peas) • Crackers with cheese • Nuts (plain or trail mix version) • Boiled eggs • Peanut butter and celery

in eating random snacks here and there. Well, you’re not alone. These suggestions are simple enough to pack for lunch or to make quickly at home and will get you going with some new and improved eating choices:

• Whole grain cereal • Toast and peanut butter (also good for breakfast with bananas on top along with avocado toast) • Corn chips and guacamole

Have you ever desired to learn how to cook or be able to make yourself a simple, healthy meal? Are you lacking the skills or don’t know where to start or what to make? Look no further. Here are two meal ideas that take

little preparation or effort and NO culinary skills whatsoever! They are fast, simple and jam-packed with goodies for your body perfect for the busy student and/or athlete.

STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE Smoothies of any kind are good for busy athletes. They take minimal time and effort. Smoothies contain tons of nutrients that help fight inflammation and speed up the recovery process. INGREDIENTS: • 1 banana • 1 cup strawberries • ½ cup each of vanilla yogurt and milk • 2 teaspoons of honey • a pinch of cinnamon • 1 cup of ice (If you prefer a banana smoothie, then use 2 bananas.) Process: Blend all together. Enjoy!

NUTRITION FACTS: Strawberries: A great source of Vitamins C and K which help to boost bone and tissue health. Bananas: Supports gut health and blood sugar. They are also a good source of potassium which enhances the nervous system. Milk: Contains calcium and potassium which help maintain strong bones.

GRILLED CHICKEN KALE SALAD This recipe is a little more complicated, but is still easy to prepare. (Even if you botch the chicken, it won’t affect the overall product.) INGREDIENTS: • 1 grilled chicken breast • ½ tomato • 4 slices of chopped onion • ½ cucumber • ½ bell pepper • ½ cup feta cheese • 1 squeezed lemon • salad dressing of your choice (recommend something light like Italian) • kale

To cook the chicken, put the chicken in a bag of some kind or in a bowl. Add ¼ cup of olive oil, a spoon of garlic powder, ½ squeezed lime or lemon and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Then mix around and grill on medium-high heat for 4-6 minutes for each side.

Nutrition Facts: Chicken breast: Contains amino acids which help relax your body and release tension. It also boosts your brain’s serotonin levels which then improves mood and eliminates stress. It also contains protein which helps to build and repair muscle tissue. Cucumber: Contains dozens of antioxidants PREPARATION: which protect against heart disease and Since these meal recommendations are to is abundant in silica which contributes to save time and take minimal effort, cook the strengthening your muscles and joints. chicken the weekend before the school week Kale: Helps regulate bowel movements and starts. You can also prepare everything else protects against heart disease. during the weekend and it will keep for use in the week to come. There are a few options for packaging: 1) If you prefer the chicken to be warm, you can pack it separately, heat it up and then toss it in. 2) The chicken also tastes good cold so you could leave it in the salad. Layout Sophia Baldwin Graphics Sophia Baldwin

GIRLS SURVIVE THE SANDPIT A FEW SOPHOMORE GIRLS TRY THE DREADED FOOTBALL SANDPIT WORKOUT Words Kate Evans

Sandpit. The mere sound of this word brings to mind thousands of dreadful thoughts through 45 football players’ heads. It is the one infamous workout they can’t help but fear from the moment they wake up. So despite the warnings, five sophomore girls—Ava Ayers, Abby Bower, Sophia Dacy, Ally Turgon and myself—decided to put this “pit of doom” to the test. Starting off the afternoon with a bang, we headed straight to the weight room for some pre-workout lifting. Bench press was up first. Here are our maxes.

AYERS: 55 BOWER: 55 DACY: 55 EVANS: 95 TURGON: 95

Next came the real challenge, the sandpit. Walking into this, we were terrified and had no idea what to expect, but we knew it wouldn’t be good. Tales of buried pickles and lasagna filled our minds as we stepped in for quarter one.

lower” and “you’re helping Regents win,” boomed over the megaphone as we pushed to finish the quarter. Transitioning into quarter two we split into two sides of the sandpit. Sophia, Abby and Ally on one side, and Ava and I on the other. The plan was bear crawl up, side bear crawl across, crab walk down and sprint back. We had to repeat this four times and then moved on to the next quarter. And so we began. The first set was light work, but it began to get progressively harder. It was going smoothly until the fourth set came. The 95° weather began to burden us as we tried our hardest just to finish the quarter. Our form became pitiful and our sprints turned into walks. Now, if we were following true Geneva rules, at this point we would have had to restart fully about four times, but we refused to let that happen. We were ever so graciously granted a 30-second break before continuing.

Dreadfully, quarter three fell upon us. We were instructed to do broad jumps, karaoke, duck walk down and sprint back. At this point, none of us wanted Lunge forward, side shuffle across, backpedal down to be in that hot pit and we all wished for some ice and sprint back (x4). The first three sets were a breeze, cold water. And as always, we began the workout. but the fourth became challenging. The yells to “get

Sophomores Ally Turgon, Abby Bower, Ava Ayers, Sophia Dacy and Kate Evans

“And we were never stepping foot into that pit of pain ever again.” This quarter was the worst of them all. Most of us had little to no effort or form, but refused to restart. At set two, Ava and I decided to take a quick little break and stroll our way across the burning sand, dodging the tiring broad jumps. The megaphone’s screams still boomed into our ears, as we tried our very hardest to finish. By the end of this quarter, we were internally dying. The only hope we clung to was that the fourth and final quarter was now

upon us. The boys wasted no time yelling out our next workouts, leaving us no time for a quick water break. Sprint up, do five squat jumps, backpedal back and sprint back. The heat was taking its toll on us, and most of us had no intention of actually finishing this quarter. At set two, Ava and I decided we had experienced enough of the sandpit and dropped out. Sophia followed shortly after us. Abby and Ally impressively stuck it out till the end. All of us were exhausted, and as we laid on the ground gasping for air, a siren blared over the megaphone. We were told overtime was upon us so we attempted to do “Dead Man Carry” but didn’t even make it a foot before we gave up. We were done. We had sort of survived. And we were never stepping foot in that pit of pain again. Needless to say, the sandpit is as bad as it sounds. I’m still not sure how any of the football boys are even able to complete that entire workout. Let’s just say we all may have a newfound respect for the football boys.

Photos Kate Travis Layout Sophia Baldwin

DID HE DO IT ALONE? A TAKE ON WHETHER TOM BRADY IS ACTUALLY THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME Words Jackson Young

On February 7 2021, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, won Super Bowl LV. Immediately following this win, football fans everywhere began to say that whether you like him or not, Tom Brady is the greatest football player of all time. And while I agree he certainly is a great player, I don’t think he has proven himself enough to make it clear that he is the G.O.A.T. In his 18 seasons, Tom Brady has won seven Super Bowls, 14 Conference Championships and has had 44 playoff game appearances, which is more than several NFL franchises have in their team history! Clearly these things qualify him to be a Hall of Famer, but I do not believe he has secured his spot as the greatest ever YET. Brady has received a great deal of help by being a part of truly great all-around football teams, specifically aided by a great coach and great defenses. New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick is known for being one of the best coaches in the NFL. His unmatched knowledge and insight of the game of football gives his team the opportunity to win any game they play in. It is undeniable that Brady played a large role in Belichick’s success, but regardless, Belichick made the Patriots an overall better team. And I believe that without Belichick and the elite defenses Brady played with, he would not be considered an all-time great.

In Brady’s first Super Bowl victory against the St. Louis Rams, the Patriots defense forced three turnovers, one of which was a pick-six, and held the Rams to only 17 points, while Tom Brady only threw for 145 yards and one TD. In his second Super Bowl victory against the Carolina Panthers, Brady did have a good game; however, he was aided by a strong running game and a defense that held the Panthers to 17 points. The very next year against the Philadelphia Eagles, Brady had a fairly good game. However, he was assisted again by a fantastic defense that forced four turnovers and a strong running game. In 2015, against the Seattle Seahawks, Brady had a great game aside from the two interceptions he threw. However, late in the fourth quarter, the Seahawks had the game in the bag, but because of a bad coaching call, threw an interception to give the Patriots the win. In 2017, Brady won arguably his best Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons, leading a massive comeback after going down 28-3. Belichick, Brady and Julian Edelman came storming back to win the game. In the 2019 Super Bowl, Brady was indisputably carried by his defense who only allowed the Los

Angeles Rams three points while the Pats only mustered up 13 points against a 17th-ranked Rams defense. Finally, in 2021, Brady and the Buccaneers beat the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bucs defense held a seemingly unstoppable Chiefs offense to only nine points and grabbed two interceptions along the way. Not to mention, on offense, Brady was surrounded by big-name players such as Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, Ronald Jones and Leonard Fournette. It is evident that in most of his Super Bowls (and consequently in the regular season and playoffs), Brady is heavily assisted by great coaching and/or a top-tier defense. If you need any further proof that he is not the G.O.A.T, just go watch him compete in the NFL Combine while wearing cargo shorts. I think that should automatically disqualify someone from being the greatest ever. Ultimately, while Tom Brady might be a great football player, he has not quite earned himself the title of G.O.A.T.

Graphics Sophia Baldwin Layout Sophia Dacy

SENIORS BASK IN THE SPOTLIGHT STUDENTS’ FAVORITE MEMORIES WITH OUR SENIORS Words Garrett Loflin

“Always laughing at JOHN HENRY’S (Friesenhahn) jokes. He’s a really funny dude in general.” Colin Sutton Sophomore

“When DYLAN SOUTHWICK tried to dunk the ball and missed because he couldn’t hold onto the rim, so he fell back and hit his head really hard on the floor.” Jack Taylor Freshman

“I liked playing Rocket League outside of school with TANNER BRUSS and JACKSON YOUNG all of the time.” K.P. FitzGerald Freshman

“On the way back from losing the State Semifinals, AUDREY DAVIS and HANNAH PRATT were asking me who’s hotter, JACK SWANSON or Joseph Hohne (Class of 2020). I said Jack because Audrey told me to.” Isabella Godoy Sophomore

“On the bus ride back from a track meet, we were at Whataburger. ALEXIS DAVIS wasn’t at the meet that day but I told her Sam Armstrong was wearing a wife beater t-shirt. She then texted me and told me to ask him for a pic of him in his t-shirt. So I had to ask this kid for a pic for Lexi.” Sophia Mixon Junior Photo Geneva Photo Team Layout Sophia Dacy

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I’M THINKING? A LOOK AT WHAT GOES ON IN STUDENTS’ MINDS WHILE PLAYING SPORTS Words Kate Evans

BOO!

Junior Micah Howard

Channeling my inner ninja

Dodged that bullet

Senior Quentin Hartman

n go bin just b a D ever l bal o wh d this e kick at me Senior Hannah Pratt, Junior Sarah Coultress, Freshman Emily Coultress & Senior Lana Harrison

Maybe hurdles are my true calling....

*Thinking about TikTok comment section*

Sophomore Chaz Lutz

Senior Michael De Vries

All this after Day 78 of my run

Senior Tanner Bruss

Photos GSB Photo Team Graphics Sophia Baldwin Layout Sophia Baldwin

flip side

Illustrating the whimsy and creativity of our imaginations

Photo Nicolas Siller

The Ice is Right

It’s Time to Place Your Order

Artists Hone Their Skills

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT SHOWCASING STUDENTS’ MOST EXPENSIVE PURCHASES Photo Story Gwyn Lewellyn

Photos Gwyn Lewellyn Layout Ainsley Plesko

THE ICE IS RIGHT REVIEWING FAST FOOD’S ICONIC TYPES OF ICE Words Abby Bower and Kate Evans

Sonic Ice. The crunchy vessel of frigidness which is used to chill one’s beverage. Many times we find this vessel overlooked and even overpowered by the stark flavors of the drink in which they float. Digging deep, you can find several things to consider about a solid ice cube, such as chew-ability, size, texture and ratio. But what fast food chain gives you the best of ALL worlds? Once again, we put this question to the test, so you don’t have to.

Our first stop: Sonic. We all have heard the whispered fables regarding their so-called “world renowned beverages and ice,” but do they really live up to the hype? A large cup of ice will cost you just about $1, which is a fantastic deal considering the quantity. At first glance, these pebble-like pieces look great. They leave slim passages for the drink to occupy, and appear to take up the perfect amount of space. The first bite was pleasant, crispy, and well, of course, icy. But after further nibbles of these small pellets, the density and texture becomes quite inconsistent. And we don’t mean to be TOO judgmental, but it’s a very weird sensation when one chomps down on a slightly soggy piece of ice. Overall, Sonic is a completely valid destination for ice. Their product’s practical size, and mostly enjoyable texture makes them a solid competitor. 8/10

Schlotzsky’s

Whataburger

Moving on, we arrive at Schlotzsky’s. Known for their mighty sandwiches and outstanding pickles, this was a complete mystery that we decided to uncover. We ripped off the plastic lid and made our initial predictions. It looked rough and trapezoidal which is not ideal. We popped a few cubes in our smackers and were met with rigidness. The melt-ability factor was impressive though, it seems to be able to keep your drink of choice cold and not watered down for a long time! There isn’t much else to say about this subject, but we would like to share an observation we made after trying a few types of ice. There are two categories: compressed snow capsules and icy blocks. Needless to say, Schlotzsky’s was definitely the latter. Overall, it shouldn’t be your go-to ice stop. 4/10

Next, we ventured into the high-schoolers’ playground—the Boerne Whataburger. Warning: Whataburger locations may carry different types of ice, so use this information accordingly. The first look was shocking. We were greeted by thick frozen packing peanuts, unlike anything we have seen thus far, truly a wild card we were not expecting. The sensation was immaculate. It was the perfect compressed snow cylinder with a fantastic size. Unfortunately, the only downfall to this contender was the space ratio. It was quite roomy and would take up about ⅔ of the cup, leaving little room for you to enjoy your go-to drink. What we once thought of as an underdog, truly surprised us. Due to its uniqueness and perfect texture, we give this a 9/10.

Taco Cabana It pains me to even include this next pitiful contestant. Taco Cabana, a place with great tacos but terrible ice. The clear lid guarding this abomination gave us a look straight into the cup. It is a foggy, trapezoidal mess. Dreadfully, we tried it. As we expected, it was bad. It feels sharp somehow and the lack of translucence is alarming. It was a painfully crunchy, regretful experience that we wish upon no one. Do not, at any cost, eat the Taco Cabana ice. A deserved rating of 2/10; one of those points being pity.

“Digging deep, you can find several things to consider about a solid ice cube such as chew-ability, size, texture and ratio.”

Raising Cane’s After a long day of chomping on solid H2O, we headed to our final destination, Raising Cane’s. They are known for their famous sauce, but will they soon be famous for their ice? It looks very similar to our beloved friend Sonic. The ratio looked fantastic, but the sacrifice of the good ratio meant a downfall in stability. It easily falls apart from the desired pebble-like shape. Every other category was pretty average—a great crunch although slightly icy and an average melt-ability rate. There isn’t much to say about this ice, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Final rating is a 7/10.

With frostbit mouths, we leave you with this: there truly is much more to ice than meets the eye. It is a delicacy that deserves to be enjoyed by all, but proceed with caution, and stick to who does it best.

Layout Ava Ayers Graphic Hailey Kirchner

8000 FAIR OAKS PARKWAY 4.3 MILES FROM GENEVA Monday–Thursday 1pm-9pm Friday–Sunday 1pm-10pm “WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE EAGLES!” RICHARD AND ANDREA, OWNERS

THE FLOWERS ARE FLOURISHING CREATIVE WAYS TO ENJOY THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING Words Hayle Heinen

After a huge winter storm in February, spring is in full bloom. The plants that survived seem happier than ever. Get out and enjoy nature and pick some flowers along the way.

How to Make a Flower Crown Flower crowns are a breathtaking addition to any look. Spring is a great time of year and adds color to everything. Flowers are some of the most colorful sights to see in spring—from dandelions to sunflowers. These beautiful plants can make fun to accessories. Flower crowns are simple to make and it does not take much to make them. Here is an eight-step guide to making flower crowns.

SUPPLIES: • Florist wire, 24 gauge • Floratape stem wrap • Floral scissors • Tube of floral adhesive Now, how to make the crown:

Fave Flowers A quick poll of Rhetoric students revealed some of their favorite flowers. (70 students were polled.)

Sunflowers 14 Daisies 4 Tulips 26 Waterlilies 26

STEP 1

Start by connecting two pieces of wire

STEP 2

Measure the wire around your head. You will want to make sure you leave some extra room as the floral tape will cause the wire to shrink when the flowers are wrapped around it.

STEP 3

Trim your flowers, leaving about three inches of stem.

STEP 4

Cut a piece of wire about four inches long, push it through the stem close to the head of the flower, and bend the two wires down the length of the stem.

STEP 5

Use floral tape to wrap the entire stem. You can also wrap a few blooms together to create a small bunch of flowers.

STEP 6

Begin to add the flowers to the crown, all the while securing them with floral tape. Add each stem in the same direction, making sure to alternate your flowers and greenery and adding clusters of the filler flower in between.

STEP 7

Use the floral adhesive to attach the filler flowers in any empty spaces. Pour some of the glue on a disposable container and let it become slightly tacky. Then, dip the stems into a small amount of glue and insert the filler in between the other flower stems

Pressing Flowers Flowers are beautiful, add color and radiate positivity in every room. Most people love receiving flowers and like to keep them for as long as possible. Some flowers hold sentimental value to the receiver, making them want to preserve them. The easiest way to keep flowers for a long time is to press them. Using an iron is one of the quickest and easiest ways to press a flower. STEP 1 Press the flowers between two absorbent pieces of paper and flatten with a heavy book. STEP 2 Make sure there is no water in the iron. The last thing you want to do is add moisture to the flower. STEP 3 Heat the iron on low. Once warm, press the iron on top of the upper sheet of paper for 10 to 15 seconds. You do not need to make a gliding motion the way you would when ironing a shirt. Wait for another 15 seconds until the paper has cooled, then repeat this process. Carefully lift the paper to check if the flower is stiff and dry.

STEP 8

Store it in the refrigerator to help keep the crown as fresh as possible!

Graphics Sydney Dennis Layout Mattie Sue Arnold

IT’S TIME TO PLACE YOUR ORDER WAYS TO SUPPORT SMALL ONLINE BUSINESSES WITH JUST A TAP Words Hailey Kirchner

Small businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic and continue to need our support. Many shops often have their own website which they use to display their products, but a large number of them can be found on the popular buying and selling app for homemade items called Etsy. It is free to begin your Etsy account, and it is the perfect way to turn a simple hobby into an enjoyable way to make money. Creating an Etsy shop is also the perfect gateway into starting an official online website. If selling isn’t really your thing, there are many reasons to choose Etsy as your go-to app for purchasing homemade items. Unlike large businesses, many small shops make each purchase feel special for the customer. The items are made with time and love, not just produced on a conveyor belt in some factory. Many times, a little note or gift even arrives along with the package.

By choosing to contribute to small businesses instead of fast fashion, you are doing the world a favor. Fast fashion is often cheaply made and unsustainable, while products from small shops have lasting quality. The conscientiousness and care poured into Etsy shop items make them the perfect gift, for others or for yourself! Here are some student favorites.

“Creating an Etsy shop is the perfect gateway into starting an official online website.”

@SPRINGSUMMER2018

This shop is recommended by freshman Claire Coultress, who was looking for a new AirPods case. Her favorites from this shop were the Pringles case and the Ben and Jerry’s case. Along with adorable AirPods cases, this shop sells pop sockets, phone cases and key chains. They have five-star reviews and reasonable prices. Instagram: @springsummer2018_

@STACKSBYMADDIE

This is one of my personal favorite shops because they sell simple and cute jewelry at an affordable price. My favorite items are their lock necklace and lightning bolt earrings. The shop has five-star reviews, so don’t hesitate to check them out! Instagram: @stacksbymaddie

@OUTDOORDESIGNLAB

This is recommended by freshman Kate Travis because she loves this shop for its outdoorsy enamel pin designs. This shop sells stickers in addition to these enamel pins. They are a small shop, but have five-star reviews.

@SEEBUYFASHION

Freshman Alex Doran recommends this shop and her favorite item is the pink and gold personalized name bracelet. This shop has five-star reviews and ships all the way from Barcelona, Spain!

@MINTEDWILDFLOWER

This site is recommended by student Hayle Heinen who “loves the shop for their fun crew neck designs.” This shop has four-and-a-half star reviews, while selling lots of sweatshirts, tees, accessories, phone cases and more. Check them out on Instagram as well!

Want to become an Etsy seller? 1. Create your Etsy account. This step is free. All you need is to enter an email, name and password. 2. Set up preferences for your shop. Enter your language, currency, country and whether you are a whole or part-time seller. 3. Choose a shop name. Be creative and choose something memorable and intriguing. 4. Add items to sell. Each listing requires photos, a thumbnail, details to describe your listing, pricing, inventory and shipping costs. 5. Set up payment preferences and billing. This will determine how you accept your earnings and how you will be charged for any fees. 6. Open your Etsy shop! This means that you have the foundation laid to begin your selling journey. 7. Accessorize your shop. Add a photo and a bio that tells a little about yourself. Set policies for your shop, explaining to your customers your manufacturing, processing, shipping and payment processes.

Layout Mattie Sue Arnold Graphics Hailey Kirchner

ARTISTS HONE THEIR SKILLS A CHAT WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ART FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SENIOR YEAR Words Mattie Sue Arnold

During their time at Geneva, a few talented seniors have found a passion for art. Starting in Grammar School, with Mrs. Swanson teaching them how to hold a paint brush, to Mrs. Lester teaching them how to shade, art has played a significant role in their Geneva experience. These seniors shared their thoughts on art.

Arnold: What has been your favorite memory from art? Janse: I think my favorite memory and really what motivated me to pursue art is one time I gave my aunt a drawing I made of her granddaughter and she immediately burst into tears. It was so cool to see how a tangible thing that I made can have so much meaning and become something to cherish forever. It was so personal and so cool to see how my art could actually have an affect on other people’s lives. Arnold: What do you look forward to in art?

GRACIE JANSE Arnold: Who/what has helped you grow the most in art? Gracie Janse: I think that my teachers, Mrs. Lester and Mrs. Hammock, have helped me overall creatively. They have definitely been pushing me to create. But the thing I love about art is that it’s a way to honor God through creating. I mean it’s so cool that He is the Creator, and as an artist, I can try to mimic and capture the beauty that He has made.

Janse: I look forward to trying new things and honoring God in all my pieces. I’m super-excited because I’m going to be studying art/graphic design in college and I know my program has tons of cool things to try like animation and 3D design as well as traditional art classes. So, I’m excited to grow and see how I can push my boundaries and take my experiences in high school to my future in design.

CODY LANE GEORGE Arnold: What has helped your art the most? George: Practice. I love drawing portraits, and I find that the more I do it, the better I get. Mrs. Lester has also helped me become a better artist. Arnold: What is your favorite thing about art? George: I love the satisfaction a finished piece of work brings. I love to see what other people think of it, too. One of my favorite quotes from the artist Edgar Degas is, “Art is not what you see but what you make others see.”

JOHN HENRY FRIESENHAHN Arnold: How have you grown since you were an artist in Grammar School? Friesenhahn: Mrs. Lester has definitely helped me grow the most in art. She has helped me become the artist I am today. Arnold: What has been your favorite memory in art? Friesenhahn: My favorite memory of art is completing a charcoal drawing of my little sister Wren (first grade). The painting was of a photo from the first time I met her, to the day we adopted her. Arnold: What do you most look forward to in art? Friesenhahn: I look forward to creating something new everyday in art. I love using acrylic paint especially when I did a painting of my dog with really high contrast and bright colors. 97

EMMA GRACE ERFURT Arnold: What has helped shape you into the artist you are now? Erfurt: Honestly, Mrs. Lester. She has challenged us to use different mediums and try new things to get out of our comfort zone. I probably would not have done some of the things I have done without her. Arnold: What do you love most about art? Erfurt: I love being able to use my creativity and be able to create a piece of artwork that I am proud of. I have loved being able to experiment with different mediums and textures to create something beautiful.

Arnold: What do you look forward to in art? Georgelos: I always look forward to picking new projects to work on and I love the creative process behind each piece of artwork.

ALEXA GEORGELOS Arnold: What has helped you grow the most in art? Alexa Georgelos: Simply just never giving up is what has helped me grow and get better at art. Art is a process that takes patience, practice and passion. Arnold: What has been your favorite memory from art? Georgelos: Art class is always so much fun. I think I will always remember all the laughs and great times that we’ve had with Mrs. Lester.

Arnold: What is your style? Georgelos: My style incorporates elements from real life and elements from my imagination. I really like to take something from a photo or real life and turn it into a creative piece of artwork. I love to make pieces that are recognized but with an element of whimsy. Layout Mattie Sue Arnold Photos Submitted

I’M HITTING THE SNOOZE A LOOK INSIDE WHERE OUR SENIORS RESIDE Words Senior Class of 2021

SYDNEY DENNIS “I love having plants all around my room because the more plants you have, the less sad you are.”

HANNAH PRATT “When it comes to my space, I am a firm believer that an uncluttered room leads to an uncluttered mind. Everything in my room has a purpose. My perfumes make for some classy decor while also providing easy access for whenever I am getting ready. My vase full of hair clips ads a pop of color to my room but is also something I reach for on the daily. The mirror on my wall brightens up the space and makes it easy to check my outfits before I walk out the door. Other than that, I like to keep my space very minimal and practical but also comfy and pleasing to the eye.”

MATTHEW RENFROE “Fun fact: The hat hanging from my light is Austin Turgon’s and I still haven’t given it back to him. Sorry bro.”

Photos Submitted Layout Ainsley Plesko

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GIVING MADE EASY

A HANDY GUIDE TO PICKING OUT THE PERFECT GIFT

Words Sydney Dennis

Have you ever had one of those moments where you simply forget it’s your loved one’s birthday, anniversary or other special day? It’s last minute and you're scrambling to get something together but you're running out of time. The best thing you can find is an old gift card that you’re hoping has money on it and to add the final touch, you add in a paper card saying, “Your real gift is still on its way.” Well, now that you have some time to spare, here are some gift ideas to save you from that last minute stress.

MOM DAD

Spa Day Package Potted Plant Slippers Candles

GIRL

Running Shoes Tie Amazon Alexa Cologne

GUY

Jewelry Skin Care Products Sunglasses Flowers

Hoodie Sweatshirt Fuzzy Blanket Fast Food Gift Cards Chocolate

When all else fails, a gift card always works. Graphics Sydney Dennis Layout Sydney Dennis

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THE

Gazette Words Sophia Baldwin

The Great Divide Desktop dividers: a casualty of the pandemic When asked how many dividers have been broken in her class, Mrs. Christina Jeffcoat’s initial response was, “Oh no.” Jeffcoat estimated that close to 10 dividers have suffered the wrath of the freshman class of 2024. “Nine were broken in my classroom and then one since we’ve been in Mrs. Short’s classroom,” Jeffcoat said. Two of the main perpetrators were identified as none other than Stephen Syamken and Christian Yarbrough. It was simply a typical Monday study hall when disaster struck.

“One of the young gentlemen whose name starts with Stephen picked up the divider and was kind of mockingly hitting Sol Ward over the head with it and then it just snapped! All of the sudden I hear all this noise and I turn around and they’re just holding pieces of the broken divider,” Jeffcoat said. Jeffcoat proceeded to hand the pieces of divider back to the boys and instructed them to take them to Mr. Graham. The insanity did not stop there with at least one other confirmed casualty. Could the freshmen be stopped? Thankfully since the dividers are no longer in use, they are out of harm’s way…for now.

Cookie Poll

A poll of students favorite Girl Scout Cookies

Thin Mints

Samoas

54%

25%

Tagalongs

Savannah

14%

Smiles 2%

Do-si-dos

Lemon

Ups 1%

Trefoils

S’mores

Senior Whips

Some seniors are known by the car they drive

BIGGEST CAR

SMALLEST CAR

Gabe Ross’ Ford Van, “The Van”

Quincie Hartman’s Chrysler Crossfire, “Vikki”

OLDEST CAR

NEWEST CAR

Matthew Renfoe’s Toyota ‘03 Camry, “Gerald”

Hayes Hutton’s Ram Rebel TRX

COOLEST CAR

LOUDEST CAR

Brock Ambelang’s Ford Mustang, “Scarlett”

Quentin Hartman’s Hyundai Genesis, “Jenny”

Graphics Sophia Baldwin Layout Sophia Baldwin

105

The Talon

WHEREBY MR. SHELTON DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE AND CREATES A NARRATIVE FROM EVERY THESIS TOPIC…IN ALPHA ORDER Words Rob Shelton

After advocating for board game classes in school, Parker Akin was late for his first Monopoly class, so in a cruel irony, he was sent directly to jail…where he met Brock Ambelang serving time for academic fraud he committed in order to keep his NCAA football scholarship. Unfortunately for both of them, this jail was in Venezuela, where José Ballí had been sent by the U.S. as a sanction against him for saying they shouldn’t sanction Venezuela. The Venezuelan jail had only one TV that got only one channel, so they were forced to watch a talk show from the states that featured Cade Barone arguing that Quidditch should be a mandatory high school team sport. Tanner Bruss, who was in the studio audience, chimed in by saying that he didn’t even think high school should be mandatory, let alone team sports. The Venezuelan prison guard turned off the TV at this point, which is a shame because they missed a

commercial featuring Soren Burkholder finally getting to take public rail transportation to his favorite venue: the zoo. Unfortunately, as the train was pulling into the zoo station, it ran over Caroline Chandler who was laying on the tracks in protest of animals in cages. But she was okay because she took Isabella Coates’ advice about not eating genetically modified foods, which in turn genetically modified Caroline into a superhero, who threw the train off of herself, where it landed on Emma Cress, effectively canceling her (but she was eating GMO-tainted food, so she was on her way out anyway). Emma was on her way to meet Alexis Davis at a track meet where Alexis was making sure no biological males were competing against females. But her school did not heed Audrey Davis’ advice for providing sex education, so Alexis realized that she didn’t know the difference. In desperation for help, she sought out Julianne De Luna, a truly empowered woman, only to discover

that she and Michael De Vries had joined the U.S. Space Force and were taking Sydney Dennis to the space station to protect her sensitive thesis topic from being lampooned. With this, the commercial ended. In frustration, Judah Diller turned off his television and was heard to remark, “The spiritual gift of lampooning did not cease with the apostles.” However, Emma Grace Erfurt thought he said, “The spiritual lift of harpooning squid not geese with the colossals,” leading to her false allegation that Judah was a poacher of some kind. This nearly ruined Judah’s life until Luke Evans shut down everyone’s internet, which shut down the rumors and false allegations. But this also shut down Jackson Friesenhahn’s online adoption site, so the children already in the pipeline moved in with his brother, John Henry Friesenhahn, who put them all to work

under the piecework payment method, which saved him a lot of money since most of the children were too young to accomplish much work anyway. Cody Lane George was going to adopt one of the children herself, but when she discovered that they were all from Russia, she declared war on them instead. She would have gone through with it had not Alexa Georgelos saved the day by getting the internet back up and distracting Cody Lane with a smart phone loaded with social media. One of the social media sites was sponsored by large beer companies protesting Lana Harrison, something that Quentin Hartman said happened all the time in Ancient Rome (the protest part, not the Lana part). Quincie Hartman, however, was disappointed that Cody Lane’s war was called off since she was going to supply Cody Lane with nukes from her new powerplant.

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Meanwhile, Grey Herlihy came to Lana’s defense by shutting down the beer companies’ advertising, thus cutting off their funds for their social media site. To thank Grey, Lana took him to a golf tournament to watch Hayes Hutton compete, but since Grey didn’t think golf was a sport, Lana’s gratitude fell flat. Not to be insulted further, Hayes solicited the help of Alex Iyer to rewrite school curricula with a revisionist history of sports in which golf is hailed as the highest form of sport. However, with this revision came a revision of the nation’s standardized tests, so colleges brought back the SAT and ACT. This really upset Gracie Janse who responded to this news by going on a crime spree of vandalizing college admissions offices. However, nothing happened because Corvin Jonas’ law enforcement reforms caught on so widely that nobody was arrested for anything anymore. Instead, at Katherine Lacy’s encouragement, most police became language instructors since they still had their tasers and tasing seemed to be an effective motivator for memorizing conjugations. In fact, the only person still in jail at the time (in the U.S., not Venezuela) was Chris LeBorne because, before Corvin’s reforms, it was discovered that video games do indeed lead to crime and should be rightly stigmatized. Chris was the scapegoat for punishing this discovery, but Hannah Ledoux came to his rescue when she changed the prison he was in into a rehab center. Hannah’s first hire was Hannah Pratt, and they thought it would be cute to name their rehab center “Hannah and Hannah, bo-bannah, Banana-fana fo-fannah, Rehab-uh.” But of course, this only made them look silly and they slid into bankruptcy, but when they applied for a federal bailout, Lily Radigan decreed their company name too large to bail them out. Meanwhile, Pauline Rahal realized that she was going to need a brand new language acquisition theory if she was even going to understand Hannah and Hannah’s business name. However, wouldn’t you just know it: Matthew Renfroe discovered that the Parker Akin who started this story wasn’t even Parker Akin, but an internet deepfake, so the whole story up to now was bogus. This was too much for Gabby Reyes to handle, so she took some soma and went to see her friend Gabe Ross for comfort, only to discover that Gabe was really an alien robotic cyborg sent to conquer the planet. He was almost found out in college, but

Emma Russell’s reforms didn’t allow for allegations against him because he was a man (which is ironic, since he wasn’t a man, but a machine). In any case, Gabe even went on to become a senator (most of whom were alien cyborgs, as well) and would still be there if Connor Schaefer hadn’t established term limits, thus saving the planet from an alien takeover without even knowing it. Trevor Scott would have helped, but in a cruel twist of fate, he was accidentally imprisoned while in a prison advocating for prison reform. Lily Shrode said it served him right since prison reform was just another whack socialist idea being forced unknowingly on the American public. Lily had joined forces with Dylan Southwick to advocate for overthrowing the socialist NCAA policies that prevented students athletes from getting the pay the free market demands, but Trey Stepanow rendered this moot when his idea for a universal basic income made everyone, athlete or not, a millionaire overnight. a side-effect for a pill doctors were prescribing to everyone, including Alethea Ward, who protested Unbeknownst to any of us, Katie-Grace Styles had that, despite the side-effect, this was not the pill she a change of heart and discovered that she enjoyed was worried about. Chase Wilson said he didn’t care tracking people’s movements, so she started tracking what kind of pill it was, no one should be punished all of her friends’ movements through their smart for it. This lax attitude led Emma Wilson to conclude phones. She tried to track Jack Swanson and Riley that she didn’t want to be part of such a silly world, so Tippit, only to find out that both had gotten rid of their she took the redshirt year that could have been hers cell phones and couldn’t be tracked. Through a quirk and decided to go through her senior year all over of science and to the narrator’s relief, this rendered again. However, she left midway through the year their thesis topics immune to parody. Meanwhile, when she was shocked to learn that Jackson Young, Katie-Grace noticed that J.C. Treusdell’s tracker was now on the Geneva faculty, was teaching that there slowly moving closer to the sun. This was because was no biblical proof that Jesus was a Republican. she was strapped to Austin Turgon, who was doing So, in a last-ditch effort to find meaning in life, she the gnarliest skateboard trick ever—so gnarly that joined Lindsey Zuniga’s startup company dedicated it launched him into orbit. J.C. didn’t care because to licensing dogs. But alas, she left disillusioned when she was all about solar power and figured getting she discovered that her dog was not going to get its closer to the sun could only help. It also worked drivers’ license—this was different license entirely. But out for Austin because in the middle of the trick, it didn’t matter because Lily Shrode showed up again skateboarding was declared illegal on planet earth. and shut down the whole story as just a bunch of This sudden aversion to skateboarding happened as socialist propaganda.

Photo Pam Akin Layout Alexa Georgelos

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GENEVA JAMS MUSIC TO EMBRACE THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER Words Gwyn Lewellyn

Summer is almost here! It’s time for lake days, car rides with the windows down, beach trips, late nights, barbecues, picnics, hikes and a new summer playlist! In this playlist, you’ll find some upbeat, sunny songs to get you through this season stress-free. So, turn your speakers up, pour some lemonade, sit by the pool and enjoy the sunshine!

BITTER

California Sunrise

Eclipse

Tangible Intangible

Always Forever

Real Love Baby

Cinnamon

Orpheus Under the Influence

Palace

Inner Wave Cults

Palehound

Beach Comber Real Estate

Mushroom Inner Wave

New Flesh

Currents Joys

Sweet to Me Summer Salt

Alrighty Aphrodite Peach Pit

Dirty Gold

Fly Golden Eagle

Father John Misty

The Buttertones

Heat Wave Snail Mail

Dræm Girl

No Vacation

In Your Arms

Sunbeam Sound Machine

Eastover Wives Dent May

Swing Lynn

Giving Up

Harmless

What a Pleasure

Her’s

Whitney

Beach Fossils

Graphics Hailey Kirchner Layout Sarah Coultress

What Once Was

INDESIGN

QUARTERLY STAFF Sydney Griffey Mattie Sue Arnold

Alexa Georgelos

Sophia Dacy

Hannah Pratt

Kate Evans

Hailey Kirchner

Garrett Loflin

Claire Coultress

Guy Kohler

GRAPHICS

Editor

Sophia Baldwin

Sydney Dennis

EDITORIAL

Editor

Ava Ayers

Pauline Rahal

Jackson Young

Spencer Yarbrough

PHOTOGRAPHY

Editor

Abby Bower

Hayle Heinen

Kate Travis

Editor Exec. Editor of Content

Exec. Marketing Editor

EXECUTIVES

Adviser

Christina Hammock Ainsley Plesko Exec. Editor of Design

Lauren Abell

Nicolas Siller

Sarah Coultress

Exec. Managing Editor/ Exec. Co-Editor of Photography

Gwyn Lewellyn Exec. Co-Editor of Photography

Seniors 2021 — Geneva School of Boerne

@genevaquarterly