Geneva Quarterly, Volume 9, Issue 3 by Geneva Quarterly

Geneva Quarterly The Sunset Edition Volume 9 Issue 3

Concept

Following along with the concept of time for the Evening Edition, we asked junior staff member Kate Evans to pose for us. Looking to express the quickly changing light of the setting sun, we chose to use a special light set up, a similar style in which we captured our staff photos. Senior Editors of Photography Nicolas Siller and Gwyn Lewellyn worked to capture the photos of Kate under the vibrant light.

Mission Statement

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: 230 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, Dirk Russell. 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 four gold Crown Awards and received a Gold Medalist Rating. We are also members of the Texas Interscholastic Press Association, where we have received the highest rating of Distinguished Merit. In addition, we have been members of the National Scholastic Press Association the past several years and have been named a Pacemaker Award finalist. This is our third year to be members of the Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honor Society.

MAGAZINE SPECS: Created in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator and printed by Bright Printing, School Division. Font Families: Minion Pro, Cormorant and Milkman.

Dear reader, At this time of year, it can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This feeling can make it difficult to prioritize your goals and maintain your focus. Distractions and exciting opportunities can easily take your mind off of the responsibilities at hand. This makes it all the more important to remain focused on the present and on managing the time at hand. Our concept for this year’s magazine is the different times of day. As a staff, we have incorporated the theme of evening into the creativity and arrangement behind this third issue. The idea of evening implies the start to the end of the day. It is a time filled with relaxation as well as anticipation for closure. Though there is still work left to do, the vibrancy of evening depicts all that has been accomplished and what is still yet to come. The beauty and inspiration drawn from the evening are visible in the colors and consideration in each page of this issue. We are so excited to present Issue 3 of this year’s Geneva Quarterly. In each story idea for this issue, we have attempted to incorporate aspects of evening in the designs and creative photographs of each page. We hope you all enjoy this issue as much as we do and the many issues still to come!

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

Boycott in Beijing

From the Farm to the Table

Let’s Take a Trip Down the Hauptstrasse

Feature

Story

Watching Geneva Grow Feature

Sometimes You Gotta Take a Step Back

Netflix Takes a Nosedive Story

Feature

Graphic Hailey Kirchner

Global Time A glimpse across time zones

Tune In to the Times

Picking up on Your Personality

Paving the Super Highway 7

TUNE IN TO THE TIMES A review of the ups and downs of the past year Words Hailey Kirchner

eating the year 2020, in terms of containing the greatest number of world-changing events, was a tall order. However, 2021 was sure to impress us, with its fair share of ground-breaking and wacky occurrences. Below are some of the biggest events which took place in each month of the past year.

January 6 The United States Capitol Building faces a domestic attack, disrupting certification of the 2020 presidential election and a forced evacuation of Congress. January 20 Joe Biden is inaugurated as the 46th President of the U.S. January 26 The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeds 100 million worldwide. February 13–17 A major winter storm causes over 9.9 million power outages across the U.S. March 23 Ever Given, one of the largest container ships in the world, runs aground and obstructs the Suez Canal, disrupting global trade. March 31 A human mind was wirelessly connected to a computer for the first time ever by scientists at Brown University. April 19 NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter, part of the Mars 2020 mission, performs the first-ever powered flight on another planet. May 14 The China National Space Administration lands its Zhurong rover at Utopia Planitia on Mars, making China the fourth country to land a spacecraft on the planet and only the second to land a rover. June 7 The Juno spacecraft performs a flyby of Jupiter’s moon Ganymede, the first flyby of the moon by any spacecraft in over 20 years. June 10 An annular solar eclipse is visible from Canada, Greenland, the North Pole and the Russian Far East. July 3 Over 130 wildfires, fueled by lightning strikes, burn through Western Canada following a record-breaking heatwave in North America, resulting in over 600 deaths.

July 12 European floods: Heavy rain causes flooding in the border region of Germany and Belgium, resulting in at least 229 deaths. July 23–August 8 The 2020 Summer Olympics were held in Tokyo, Japan. They were originally scheduled for July 24-August 9, 2020, but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. July 28 The first direct observation of light from behind a black hole was reported, confirming Einstein’s theory of general relativity. August 24–September 5 The 2020 Summer Paralympics were held in Tokyo, Japan. August 29 Hurricane Ida strikes New Orleans, Louisiana. August 30 The United States withdraws its last remaining troops from Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, ending 20 years of operations in Afghanistan. September 7 El Salvador becomes the first country in the world to accept Bitcoin as an official currency. September 16 Inspiration 4 launched by SpaceX becomes the first all-civilian spaceflight, carrying a four-person crew on a three-day orbit of the Earth. October 6 The World Health Organization endorses the first malaria vaccine. October 16 The Lucy spacecraft is launched by NASA, the first mission to explore the Trojan asteroids. November 14 Unprecedented rain caused by an atmospheric river brought a series of floods to the Pacific Northwest. November 24 NASA launches the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), the first attempt to deflect an asteroid for the purpose of learning how to protect Earth. November 26 COVID-19 pandemic: The World Health Organization convenes an emergency meeting in Geneva amid concerns over Omicron, a highly mutated variant of COVID-19 first identified in South Africa that appears more infections than Delta. November 30–December 18 The 2021 FIFA Arab Cup is held in Qatar and is won by Algeria. December 6 The U.S. announces a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in response to China’s human rights record. Canada, the U.K. and Australia joins shortly after. December 13 Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, is named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year. Design Sydney Griffey Graphics Hailey Kirchner

BOYCOTT IN BEIJING How Olympic boycotts started and the reason behind the this year’s Words Mattie Sue Arnold

ooking behind the scenes can be terrifying because it can reveal what we may not want to see. Behind the closed curtains, we may see how things work or the lengths people may go to make everything appear seamless. But do we want to open the curtain? Or leave it untouched for fear of what is behind it? The Olympics are a great way to unite our world through healthy competition; however, that does not mean no problems arise. In order to keep peace, these competitors must place sports before politics. To start, the term boycott is widely defined as a withdrawal from an activity as an act of defiance or punishment. Beginning in 1936, the world saw its first boycott of the Summer Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. At this time, Adolf Hitler saw the games as a way to promote his ideals and racial supremacy. This was the best way for Hitler to spread his political views, and not just for Germany to hear, but the whole world. As this political strife was heightening, a boycott movement was spreading

throughout the United States. Americans were split on whether to withdraw from the Olympics or beat Germany through the games. The U.S. ultimately decided to compete in the games while the Peruvian government and Columbia boycotted them. After winning gold in

In order to keep peace, these competitors must place sports before politics. track and field events, Jesse Owens lifted his fist in the air crushing Hitler’s idea of white supremacy. After this major boycott, there have been a total of five successful boycotts leading up to the idea of one today. In the 1956 Olympics, held

in Melbourne, Australia, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Spain all rejected attending the games due to the Soviet Union’s participation. In 1980, the idea of boycotting the games spread throughout western governments because of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. The boycott movement spread and the United States called for allies in this idea. Australia and Great Britain stood with the U.S., but athletes still wanted to compete. So, the United States allowed for their athletes to go to the games; however their passports would be revoked. A group of 25 American Olympic athletes sued the U.S. government for the boycott and requested permission to compete. They unfortunately lost the case, and the United States did not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics. Crushed, our athletes watched the summer Olympics from afar. It is hard to put political opinions after sports but it seems we are still falling into this trap. Rumors of a boycott have circulated as Biden requested to agree

to a diplomatic boycott in the 2022 Winter Olympics. Over the years, many government officials have attended the games in order to show support of their nation’s athletes. However, this year Biden joined the diplomatic boycott along with Australia and Great Britain. This means that athletes will still be allowed to compete in the games, but government officials will not be attending. The reason for this withdrawal is because of China’s involvement with the Uyghur and other Muslim people and their record on human rights. At least one million Uyghurs are involuntarily being held in detention camps throughout China. The United States called China out saying they are infringing upon human rights. In 2019, disclosed documents were released, exposing the treatment of the Uyghur people at these camps. China has avoided any interviews or comments on the topic and denied its truth. The reason for placing these people in these camps is thought to be because of the Uyghurs extremist ideas.

The prisoners in this camp are forced to denounce their faith and pledge allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party. Because of China’s involvement in these camps, many other countries have followed in Biden’s footsteps. As of now, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Belgium, Estonia, Britain and the United States have joined the diplomatic boycott in attempts to put an end to the abuse.

By choosing a diplomatic boycott, governments recognize that it is incredibly hard to ask athletes to sit out.

By choosing a diplomatic boycott, governments recognize that it is incredibly hard to ask athletes to sit out on something they have spent their whole life working towards. The time and energy will never be given back. Sadly, our world seems incapable of putting wars and political strife aside for two weeks of friendly athletic competition. Justified or not, it is sad that countries use sporting events such as the Olympic Games to raise awareness of what is going on behind the scenes of various governments. The games will always be something fun to watch with our families or friends every few years. They bring forth some of the best ideals in mankind, as well as, joy and excitement which hopefully will overshadow the issues of our world if only for a short time.

Design Sydney Griffey Graphics Hailey Kirchner

PICK UP ON YOUR PERSONALITY Learn some of the lesser known traits of these personality types Words Ava Ayers

Junior Mari Ballì

e all look forward to finding new terms or personality illustrations to associate with in order to better label and understand ourselves as an individual. So let’s explore one of the most common breakdowns of personal traits and tendencies; extroverts and introverts. The easiest way to simplify the personalities and tendencies of both introverts and extroverts is to examine where they derive their source of energy.

But in actuality, introversion exists on a scale with extroversion, and most people tend to fall somewhere in the middle. While knowing what percent extroverted or introverted you are isn’t as life-changing as some may make it seem, it is still enjoyable to be able to read and relate these specific characteristics to your own personal life.

Extrovert Commonly characterized by their outgoing and sociable patterns of behavior, extroverted tendencies can be more easy to recognize in those around you. There are a few main pillars of behavior that can be used to identify extroverts. Extroverts are usually inspired by socializing: being around people charges them and tends to leave them feeling more energized than before. They enjoy being in the presence of others, while too much time alone can leave extroverts depleted and drained. Extroverts are also eager to share their thoughts and feelings with others. They enjoy receiving guidance and feedback from those around them. Extroverted personalities may engage in risky or dangerous acts in hopes of succeeding. If successful, the brain will then release dopamine to trigger the reward center of the brain. Overall , extroverts are more engaged in social activities and spend more time surrounded by others, leading to a happier lifestyle.

Introvert Introverts are internalizers. They tend to not rely on external sources of stimulation and rather focus on their internal feelings. As a whole, introverts are known to possess more reserved and introspective traits.

Introverted personalities enjoy analyzing their own internal experiences. Self-awareness is something introverts value so they often devote time to learn more about themselves. Introverts tend to choose their friends very carefully. They seek out small social circles in order to gain deep long-lasting relationships rather than surface level ones. Some people who may be prime examples of introverts can still find themselves being very outgoing in certain situations.

Ambivert

Ambiverts are the perfect balance between extroverts and introverts. They feel charged from large social situations just as they feel energized from personal alone time as well. Ambiverts are notorious for knowing the ins and outs of ways to interact with a wide range of personalities. But ambiverts’ ultimate balance between extroverted and introverted tendencies can make it difficult for them to specify exactly how they feel. Though ambiverts are very connected with their feelings, they often feel stuck in their mixture of personalities.

Introverts are easily overstimulated. Large social settings can leave introverts feeling drained and in need of time to themselves in order to recharge. Design Ella Dillinger Photo Lindsay Lee

PAVING THE SUPER HIGHWAY

From the first telegraph to immersive virtual reality in under 200 years Words Ella Dillinger

irst announced in 2007, the iPhone has become a fundamental part of our society. You cannot look anywhere without seeing people glued to their phones. Since then, this device has become more and more advanced. From Instagram to DoorDash, we use our phones for practically everything. The iPhone 3G, which was launched in 2008, was the first phone with an app store. The iPhone 4 introduced the selfie camera and HD video recording. Slow Motion cameras made their first appearance in the iPhone 5S. Fast forward to 2016, the iPhone 7 and 7 plus removed the headphone jack as well as made the device water and dust resistant. The iPhone 8 and 8 plus were announced in 2017, presenting wireless charging. Only two months later, the iPhone X was released and completely did away with the home button and instituted facial recognition. The iPhone 11, launched in 2019, brought about new photography features including a wide-angle camera, front-facing slow motion camera and night mode.

Telegraph 1837

Telephone 1876 Typewriter 1873

From Instagram to DoorDash, we use our phones for practically everything. 2020 was the year of the iPhone 12, which was revamped with details such as a more durable frame, extended battery life and a 5G network. Not much has changed between the iPhone 12 and 13 but there are a few differences. Announced in 2021, this model has a professional video recording feature and uses some recycled materials such as up-cycled magnets and gold.

Kodak Camera 1888 Phonograph 1877

Gasoline Car 1892

Radio 1895

Television 1927 Airplane 1903

Along with the evolution of the iPhone has come the rise of artificial intelligence. The first piece of AI was created in 1935 by Alan Turing during World War II. This machine could independently read and write symbols; a precursor to all modern computers. Artificial intelligence thrived from 1957 to 1974. Around this time, many machines were developed such as Simon’s General Problem Solver, an AI machine meant to simulate human problem-solving. Since then, AI has progressed exponentially.

Along with the evolution of the iPhone has come the rise of artificial intelligence.

Microsoft 1975

Satellite 1957 Computer 1938

Video Game 1972

PC 1983 Space Shuttle 1981

CRISPR 2012 iPhone 2007

Metaverse 2022

In our modern world, examples of artificial intelligence can be found everywhere you look. Siri and Alexa are automated assistants found in many of our houses and phones. AI is used to show ads based on your search history. Facial recognition and social media also use artificial intelligence. AI robots are becoming more and more common as well. Atlas, a robot that debuted in 2013, can walk, run and jump. A robot named Pepper, released in 2014, can recognize and show emotions. In 2020, an advanced humanoid robot named Sophia was released. It has the ability to walk, have conversations, draw and sing. All of these robots use artificial intelligence to interact with the world around them.

In our modern world, examples of artificial intelligence can be found everywhere you look.

If you have been keeping up with the latest developments in technology, you have probably heard of Facebook’s new Metaverse. In fact, Facebook is now a part of the new Meta company. The Metaverse is an immersive virtual reality world where you can work, socialize and play video games. By using new technology like spatial audio, augmented reality and artificial intelligence, the Metaverse will feel very real. It was recently launched on January 8, 2022, but is still far from being fully developed. Meta is currently working to produce many new features. One of these new details is horizon home, a home space that you can customize and invite friends to so you can hang out. Another fascinating feature is a digital, three-dimensional workspace where you can meet with colleagues and host meetings. There will even be ways to travel anywhere in the world through the Metaverse and interact realistically with these locations.

Design Ella Dillinger Photo Lindsay Lee

FROM THE FARM TO THE TABLE How the massive animal farming industry has more side effects than you realize Words Emma Malkowski

umans have always been drawn to animals. Many consider their dogs or cats staple members of the family. Through thick and thin, it is often the animals that stick around. But why do humans form such familial bonds with certain animals, while other animals spend their lives inside the cold, industrial cages of factory farms? Well, humanity has made some animals into an industry; yet another source of income. These animals are raised in breeding grounds for disease to satisfy the demands of the world’s most dominant consumer: mankind. It’s cruel. Luckily, there are ways to reverse the effects of this excessive exploitation. Before one can do that successfully though, they must know the

impacts of the factory farming industry. Then the world will be better equipped to collectively move toward a more sustainable way of life; one that is an improvement for all living things. Is it hot in here? Nope, but it is really hot outside. If the weather has seemed unpredictable and predominantly muggy in the past, it might be concerning to watch how the climate will continue to change in the next few years; considering the amount of greenhouse gases emitted each day. The two culprits largely responsible for these emissions are industry and agriculture. Factory farming is the culmination of both of these factors.

Due to the unnatural rate at which cows are being bred, emissions have skyrocketed.

It may be best defined as the mass breeding of animals and mass production of animal products, all within the confinement of a factory. Loads of energy is spent to support machines such as dehuskers, suction extractors and several other devices, like the ones used for artificially impregnating cows. These are only a few of the machines that make up the factory farm arsenal, and they require a lot of fossil fuel.

house thousands of animals that create these gases. On a smaller scale, perhaps agriculture would not be such an issue. But due to the unnatural rate at which cows are being bred, emissions have skyrocketed. Not to mention, animals produce a considerable amount of waste. This waste is usually not disposed of properly by these farms, and it makes its way into viable sources of water, leaving the water polluted.

Then, there’s agriculture. On its own, the agriculture business produces a considerable amount of emissions as well. Gases such as methane and carbon dioxide are released in larger amounts, especially because factory farms can

On another note, with all the fires happening in dry areas, it doesn’t seem right to set more land on fire, does it? Well, apparently it is justified in the name of factory farming. The little bit of rain forest left is being burned down to support

farms like these; setting the stage for the climate to worsen because of the gas emissions that will be produced once the land is cleared and developed. There are several other problems caused by the business as well, and if animal cruelty doesn’t bother you enough, look into some of the other negative effects. It’s difficult to find ways to counteract this, as it’s been cultivated into normal life. People need food, and animal products from factory farms usually come cheaper. It’s understandable why one might buy products such as these, and it certainly does not make him a bad person. But if you can, support local farmers. Maybe throw a vegan or vegetarian dinner into the meal plan every once in a while. It’s not about all or nothing. It’s about the progress we can make together to help the earth and its inhabitants. So hug a cow instead of eating it every so often, and tread lightly, everyone.

Design Sydney Griffey Photos Lindsay Lee

GET READY… SET…GOAL! How to set a realistic goals to avoid disappointment Words Abby Bower

e love setting goals, but how often do we actually achieve them? We all have aspirations to be the best version of ourselves and overcome the things that prohibit us from doing so. So, we set goals. We can see the finish line and

often start full-on sprinting towards it which most often ends in some sort of malfunction. Slow down, set your goal, formulate a plan and get to work. Here are some tips on realistic goal setting that will set you up for success.

The first step to achieving a goal is obviously setting one. There are two specific focuses in this process.

Pick something attainable

The tendency is to set the largest goal imaginable because that means maximum results. However, picking a larger goal could leave you with less success because it is not realistic. Not to say that having big goals is bad, but it is important to consider how much working towards this goal will affect other areas of your life and how much of your current routine you are willing to sacrifice. At this stage, it is imperative that you get real with yourself. A practical aspect that is often overlooked is making sure you have the time and resources to complete your goal. Just make sure to choose something within your reach.

Choose something specific

You can start with a broad idea but, before you start the achieving process, you need to narrow it down. Dissect the broad idea and pinpoint exactly what it is you want to see at the finish line. Being specific helps your goal stay grounded and also helps you not to lose sight of what it is you want.

Next, you plan and prepare.

You need accountability.

Write it down. In pen. Tell someone. Someone who won’t forget. Now your goal is real and you can’t erase it or take it back. It is out there that you want to achieve something and you can’t just give up in a week and pretend it never happened. Either you achieve your goal or you let someone down; whether that’s you or someone else is up to you. A little intense, I know, but trust me, it helps.

Acknowledge that your initial determination and grit will most likely fluctuate.

Be prepared for this. Don’t be surprised when you wake up one day and your goal suddenly doesn’t feel that important anymore. Expect this and have a game plan for this situation. A possible game plan for this situation is to establish a why. Why do you want what you want? Some days simply wanting it won’t be enough. So, figure out what is driving your desire to achieve your goal. You can write this down too if you want, but in pencil though. Your “why” is subject to change. Halfway through, it could be that you simply want to finish what you started and that is all you need.

Divide and conquer.

Being specific helps your goal stay grounded.

Set smaller goals within your goal. These small victories along the way will re-inspire determination and cater to the instant gratification deeply rooted within our society. They will keep you going. Celebrate the milestones to get a taste of what completion will feel like. This method is not foolproof, but it does instill a sense of reality in goal setting.

Design Ella Dillinger Graphics Jacob Goodman

Photo Abby Bower

Local Time The boardwalk around the clock

A Work of Heart

Should We Write or Type?

What’s Your Favorite Book? 25

TELLING HER STORY The story behind Geneva’s own published student author Words Mazzy Horn-O’Brien

What is your book about? Survivor is a children’s novel about tiger conservation, told from the point of view of three tiger cubs. What inspired you to write it? Survivor began as a short story for a Grammar School creative writing assignment. I’d always had a fascination with tigers, so I decided to write about the threat humans pose to them. The species is nearly extinct due to mankind’s interference. Later, I turned the story into a book because I felt called to use my talent for writing to make a positive difference in the world by drawing attention to the crisis tigers are facing currently. How long have you been working on your book? I’ve been working on my manuscript since I was in fifth grade, so about six years. Have you always wanted to be an author and did you enjoy writing when you were younger? I wouldn’t say I’d always wanted to be an author, but I’ve been writing stories my entire life. I’ve wanted to be a published author ever since I started writing Survivor. Do you want to be an author as your career path? I don’t see myself becoming an author as a full-time career, but I’d like to publish more books as a hobby when I’m older. Have any other books inspired this one? The concept for Survivor is very unique, so I didn’t have any books to base it off of. But, I’m sure the many books I’ve read helped me create my own writing style. Junior Elle Nicholson

unior Elle Nicholson has written and published her very own book. Here’s a look into the ins and outs of becoming a published author at such a young age.

Has anyone in particular inspired your writing? My main inspiration obviously comes from the tigers I’m writing to protect, but there are a couple people who have greatly inspired me along the way. First, my former Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Barbara De Vries. She assigned me the fateful project that would become Survivor, and she even read through portions of it for me later. My other inspiration comes from the late Dr. Ron Bracy, who taught me in sixth grade. He encouraged me to pursue my dream of publishing Survivor and offered me advice since he’d published a book himself. I hope to make him proud with my work. What were the challenges and victories of writing Survivor? Writing Survivor was challenging for many reasons. I faced the typical struggles of writing a book. However, my age posed the biggest problem. It was extremely difficult to find a publisher that would work with a teenager who had zero prior experience. Thus, the day World Castle Publishing offered me a contract was one of the most exciting days of my life. Signing that contract was definitely the greatest victory of the process. I’d been working for years for that moment, and all my efforts had finally paid off.

Design Ainsley Plesko Photo Alexis Livingston

WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK

A closer look at all the work that goes into creating the Yearbook Words Lindsay Lee

ver thought about joining the yearbook staff? Well, here is the inside scoop of how much time and effort goes into producing the yearbook each year. I’ve spoken with Elizabeth Walter, senior and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook, to get a good idea of the process of how all the memories from the school year come together. TEAMS: On the Yearbook Staff, everyone is assigned a team with which to work. Each team consists of a writer, designer and photographer. The teams are usually assigned two to three spreads at a time. The first step is for the designer to design a page in Adobe InDesign and add in placeholder text and photo boxes. Next, the photographer searches for photos on SmugMug, goes out to take them or finds a Photo Team member to take them. Once that is complete, they add the photos to the page. The final step is for the writer to add in the captions or short stories in each spread. WORK LOAD: According to Elizabeth Walter, Yearbook can be a lot of work. Work loads vary each week but she would say she spends three to four hours a week outside of class on work for Yearbook. Most of this time is spent editing spreads. “If you stay on top of your work, you should be fine,” Walter said. As long as your team is diligent and hardworking, everything should fall into place.

Yearbook is more than just a class.

DEADLINES: On average, Yearbook usually has three deadlines a week. “These deadlines are design, photo, copy and excellence check, the final test grade being the excellence check,” Walter said. Yearbook is more than just a class. A lot of students develop a passion for it and go on to do great things similar to it after high school like journalism, photography, writing, graphic design and business. “I didn’t know I would like design so much, but now I am majoring in graphic design in college. God definitely uses everything for His good,” Walter said.

Design Sophia Dacy Graphic Ainsley Plesko

A WORK OF HEART The science and strategy behind Cathy Lester’s art program Words Jacob Goodman

f you are in art or if you have ever heard Mrs. Lester speak about art, you have no doubt heard of her process of drawing with the right side of the brain. But what does that mean, and how exactly does it help you become a better artist? It comes from a study that happened in the ’90s about which part of the brain is more active when you begin drawing. There are two sides of our brain: the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere. The left side deals with things you mostly use in school in classes such as math as well as speaking. This study showed that the right hemisphere of the brain is the part that deals with quietness, creativity and absent thoughts. Interestingly enough, it is by far the most active when drawing. But it is not just your right brain that makes you a great artist. A great deal of work and experience has to happen before your work starts to look better and come more easily. One of the best examples of this at Geneva is the longest art project you can participate in: submitting a piece to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Western Art Contest.

Mrs. Cathy Lester

Freshman Zeke Styles “Students spend all of their Thanksgiving break working on it. Depending on the student, it can take as much as 70 plus hours to complete a Rodeo Art project,” Lester said. While it may seem that drawing with the right side of the brain would not do much, the results seem to speak for themselves. Despite the size of Geneva and its fairly small art class, the school has had several Rodeo Art champions. “You have to have as much talent as technique,” Lester said.

Sophomore Hayle Heinen

You have to have as much talent as technique.

Now going back to the science behind the right side of the brain, between the two hemispheres is a bundle of nerves called the corpus callosum. The job of these nerves is to send images and information between both hemispheres of the brain. Because of this, scientists and doctors are able to read the chemical messages going back and forth. They discovered that the chemical messages that deal with seeing lines, shapes and practically everything to do with art, all travel to the right hemisphere of the brain. While all of this information can make it seem complicated to use the right side of the brain, it is really just as simple as being quiet and focusing

on the picture or image in front of you. However, not everyone works better in a classroom environment and it may be especially hard to concentrate, remain quiet and stay in the right side of the brain with all of your friends in the same room constantly talking. I personally enjoy working at home more than in a classroom because there are fewer distractions. Some people are the complete opposite, and need to be in an environment with others. Obviously, there are pros and cons to each of these, such as all the access to tools and help. It can be very distracting for some people to not have as much access to as many supplies and help, but for others, it is a lot quieter and easier to concentrate.

Ultimately, there are a lot of things that can help you improve your art, whether that be your location or your raw talent. But as the facts show, the right brain is a very helpful tool in creating art, which is why it is so important in the process of Mrs. Lester’s art curriculum.

Junior Skylar Yonehiro & Mrs. Lester

Design Sophia Baldwin Photos Alexis Livingston

JUMPING WITH THE JUNIORS Interesting facts about our eleventh grade students Words Ava Ayers

unior year is by far the most over-hyped academic year of high school. In all honesty, this year isn’t nearly as stressful as everyone makes it seem; or maybe we’re all just too mentally exhausted to realize it. Though we have the first two years of Rhetoric School already under our belts, we are still not even close to being considered the teachers’ favorite grade. “If they could just all stop watching Tik Tok, they might be ok,” Mr. Paul Johnson said. The truth is that we juniors have been through it all. It’s no wonder former teacher Mr. Steve Tye coincidentally decided to end his teaching stent after having the honor of teaching our grade. We sure do leave an impression on every teacher who has been blessed to have us in class. When asked to encapsulate the Class of 2023 into one simple phrase, Hailey Smith offered her thoughts. “Our grade is the movie “Super Buddies” except with

hamsters,” Hailey Smith said. That just about sums us up. Now that we’ve heard the class slogan of the year, let’s dive into some good old-fashioned junior superlatives. Always Put Together: Sydney Turnbow Best Boy Insta Feed: George Viña Best Shoe Game: Ryvers McGray and Sophia Baldwin World Domination Duo: Parker Moffet and Austin Malkowski Best Closeted Shoe Game: Ally Turgon But in all seriousness, the Class of 2023 really is a grade that works as a whole to bring excitement and joy to the Rhetoric campus on a daily basis.

Design Sophia Dacy Graphics Sofi Treviño

SHOULD WE WRITE OR TYPE?

The controversy over whether or not typing or cursive should be taught Words Kate Travis and Kate Evans

CURSIVE

f you are a student at Geneva, you know that cursive is highly valued at our school, but so many people don’t know why. As a student at Geneva, I have been taught cursive since the second grade, but I’ve never really understood the importance of it. Why is cursive something Geneva has made a point to include in our curriculum? The head of Grammar School, Mrs. Jessica Gombert, shares her thoughts on the emphasis of cursive. Geneva has formally taught cursive since 2004. For the first four or five years, students were taught to write in italics until D’Nealian was chosen as the style of writing to teach kinder through second grade. “That’s when we realized that the students couldn’t read in cursive. When I became headmaster, we changed italics to D’Nealian for kindergarten through second grade, and added cursive writing for third through fifth grades,” Gombert said. I was curious as to why cursive isn’t taught from the beginning. “Well, some classical schools start teaching cursive in kindergarten. But I have not subscribed to this thinking due to the fact that kindergartners and first graders spend more time learning to read in print,” Gombert said.

Cursive stimulates the brain by activating the sensorimotor part of the brain.

Therefore, second grade is the beginning of a student’s training in cursive. Cursive is a critical part of the classical ideal. After all, timeless pieces of history are written in cursive. It’s also very good for your brain. “Cursive is an important skill to learn in Grammar School and should be used throughout the school career and beyond. It is highly recommended that students, even in college, write notes in cursive versus typing. Cursive strengthens neural connections in the brain. Cursive stimulates the brain in a way that print cannot by activating the sensorimotor part of the brain. It helps with memory, you are able to write faster and it helps your thoughts flow. Not to mention, you can read the Declaration of Independence and letters from your grandmother,” Gombert said. It feels good to finally know why we learn cursive at Geneva, from the science of neural connections to just being able to communicate with loved ones. Cursive plays a very special role in our way of not only writing, but our way of thinking.

remember when I first came to Geneva in seventh grade, one of the most stressful things was the thought of having to learn and utilize cursive. Why it was so important? Why does Geneva require all of their students to learn cursive and write almost all of our work in cursive until we get to high school?

TYPING

Many questions were going through my head, and although I never fully learned cursive, I can now say there quite honestly wasn’t a need to. At my old school, from a young age, we were taught how to type. We had tablets and had to type out sentences in a required amount of time for a grade. Now in high school, I realize the importance of learning that. From a five-hundred word essay to a ten-page bibliography, we are always typing. Sure you may make a rough draft or an outline on a piece of paper, but ultimately every essay we write is typed. Cursive is known for being fast and efficient, but how many adults have you talked to that use cursive on a daily basis? Not many, I assume. But how many adults do you talk to that utilize typing or computers at their job every single day? Instead of using years in Grammar School trying to teach our students to learn cursive, why don’t we teach them typing instead? I do understand that cursive is a classical ideal and can be useful and important to many students, but in the long run typing will be much more prevalent, especially in our current society. The integration of tech into many public and private schools around the nation has shown education is becoming more tech-forward. Students are supplied with computers or tablets and able to submit and type all their work online. If we teach our students typing skills from a young age, it will benefit them in the long run. After all, how am I currently writing this story? I’m typing, and that says enough.

Typing is much more prevalent, especially in our current society.

Design Sophia Dacy Photos Ainsley Plesko

LET’S TAKE A TRIP DOWN THE HAUPTSTRASSE A glimpse back in time to the stories of Boerne’s oldest buildings Words Ainsley Plesko

usculum, the Camino Veijo Trail, and the Adelsverein: linguistic relics of Boerne’s past. From a frontier outpost to a bustling small town, Boerne has seen rapid growth throughout two centuries of existence. With a growth rate of 42.1%, Kendall County is the fifth fastest growing county in the nation. The birth of Boerne first began overseas when revolution broke out in the German states. Seeking a land free from political and religious persecution, Germans migrated to the Americas. Now deemed the Forty-Eighters for the year of their arrival, these immigrants brought their hopes of economic freedom and Utopian ideals to the Texas Hill Country. At the intersection of Cibolo Creek and the Camino Veijo Trading

Route, Tusculum was first settled, an homage to Cicero’s ancient Roman home. In 1852, John James and Gustav Theissen officially plotted this settlement, ultimately changing the name to Boerne after German author Karl Ludwig Börne whose literature about how the promising New World had influenced many to immigrate. Six years later, 10 wooden cabins lined the settlement’s main street. By the end of the next decade, a railhead, health spa, stage stop, courthouse and post office sprung up in Kendall County. At the turn of the 20th century, Boerne was home to 800 residents and its proximity to the newly-developed San Antonio and Aransas Pass railway brought increasing prosperity. And as they say, the rest is history.

Joseph Dienger Building Rising above the historic mile, the limestone Dienger Building has watched Boerne’s growth throughout the 20th century and beyond. Constructed in 1884, the building encapsulates German architecture with its wrap-around porch and ornate, wooden embellishments. Home to Ida and Joseph Dienger and their seven children, the bottom story served as a general store while the top was their residence. Almost 10 years after its construction, the store was expanded to include a dry-goods section, including fabrics, shoes and linens. As time passed, the building changed hands throughout members of the Dienger family. In 1967, ownership passed to a group of local businessmen who opened a restaurant called Antlers, named in honor of Joseph Dienger’s basement collection of 2,000 deer and moose antlers. After Antler’s closing 10 years later, a grocery store, geologist’s office and public library were hosted by the historic building. Presently, the building has been remodeled to house The Dienger Bakery and Bistro, an operation in a similar capacity for which it was originally intended in the 19th century. Restored by the current owner, Raymond Lunsford, The Dienger aims to preserve its historic value while modernizing the space.

THe Kendall Reed House, King Place, Boerne Hotel and the Ye Kendall Inn: all former names of the two-story Southern Colonial limestone hotel on the bend of Blanco Road. Constructed in 1859, Georgia transplants Sarah and Erastus Reed were sold the plot of land for $200, approximately $7,000 when adjusted for inflation. As the first hotel in Boerne, the Reed House was a four-room accommodation complete with a wagon yard, main plaza and stagecoach stop. When the hotel changed ownership in 1878, two wings were added and the building officially became the Boerne Hotel. Beneath the nine-acre property lies a partially completed underground tunnel which led to the former public library, now The Dienger Building, leaving many to suspect, among other reports, of the property’s haunting. Now a nearly 40-room hotel, The Kendall has hosted famous guests by the likes of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. Situated across from Boerne’s Main Plaza, the hotel currently houses Peggy’s on the Green, fully restored cottages and a 19th century chapel.

Kendall County Courthouse Beginning as a single-story rectangular stone structure made with local limestone, the Kendall County Courthouse is the second oldest courthouse still in use in Texas. By a margin of 64 votes, Boerne became the county seat in 1862, prompting the construction of the 1870 building. With the community’s growing needs came the need for expansion of the courthouse. Alfred Giles was selected to modify the original structure. Featuring circular arches, textured stonework and octagonal wings, Giles’ Romanesque Revival design was completed in the early 1900s. Inside the courthouse, original details have been preserved. The courtroom remains covered in the same geometric pattern of yellow and gray squares. In 1998, a second courthouse was constructed across the street, ending the original courthouse’s 128 years of sole usage. Much like the county the structure serves, the courthouse itself has grown alongside its community.

St. Helena’s Episcopal Church As Boerne earned a national reputation as a resort and health destination, the need for a church became clear. Bishop Robert W.W. Elliott reported to the Diocese of West Texas saying, “As Boerne is a favorite resort for those invalids who come to us from every State of the Union for the cure of pulmonary troubles, we have need there at once of a church whose doors will be open to the invalid and stranger, and minister blessed consolation to those afflicted and far from home. The erection of this little church has a catholic and national interest.” The cornerstone of the church was laid three blocks north of Main Street in 1881. The name was chosen because the patron saint offered the same comfort to early Christians as the newly built church would bring to Boerne.

Design Ainsley Plesko Photos Gwyn Lewellyn

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?

Geneva teachers share their favorite books to teach Words Claire Coultress

e all presume our humanities teachers enjoy the books they teach each year but surely there’s a favorite. I sat down with the four Rhetoric humanities teachers to find out.

Mr. Shawn Harrild / 9th grade humanities My favorite book? That’s like asking me which daughter I like more, Ella or Zoe. I feel like we have a really good conversation with The Odyssey and I really enjoy teaching that one. Also, when you go from The Iliad to The Odyssey, it’s typically more enjoyable for students. If they’re having a good time, I’m having a good time. But my favorite that I teach, I would probably say, is Virgil’s Aeneid because everything that we read of Homer in the beginning of the year starts coming back and we start seeing all the Easter eggs because Virgil was a fan of Homer and uses a lot of Homer’s writing and incorporates that into the Aeneid. But, it does it from a very Roman-ized point of view. So, I would say for me, I really enjoy reading the Aeneid. I’ve been teaching some of these books for nine years now, but sometimes through new insights,

students bring to the table during our discussions, I’ll realize that I’ve never thought of it that way. It’s usually when they’re making real-world comparisons and that’s when the content really solidifies; when we’re thinking about it in our terms, in our worldview.

Mr. Rick Poole / 10th grade humanities Of the texts I get to teach at Geneva, my favorite is Sir Gawain and The Green Knight. I like it because it’s got a little bit of everything in it. It’s got mystery, violence, romance, some naughty parts, some funny parts; but it seems to be a little bit of everything. It’s a romance in the sense that “The Princess Bride” is a romance; it’s an elevated sort of reality, not a full blown fairy tale, but not your average day either. So, it’s a lot of fun to teach for that reason. I think the most profound lesson in it is beware of very beautiful women who throw themselves at you, because it usually means you’re about to be robbed or organ harvested. So in this

book, Gawain is a very young man and he has little experience with the ladies, so he makes a lot of silly mistakes regarding the ladies because he doesn’t know how to interact with them. So he learns a thing or two along the way. I like these sort of story books because they’re very different. In Medieval Literature, almost everything is poetry, and if you don’t love poetry, then this is a very hard year for you at Geneva because it’s just one long poem after another. And there’s a lot of people who say, “Why don’t they just come out and say what they want? If he likes the girl, why doesn’t he tell her? Why does he spend three paragraphs talking about the sun?” That’s a poetry thing. I like them all for different reasons, but I think I prefer the story books the best. Jesus, whenever He wanted to teach people, He most often just told them a story. That seems to be a really good way to get people to remember what you’re trying to tell them.

Mr. Paul Johnson / 11th grade humanities I like Paradise Lost because it really emphasizes this one doctrine of things in the Bible called the protoevangelium, which is the first good news, or the first time the promise of Jesus’ death to save everyone else is mentioned. In the Bible, it’s Genesis 3:15, where God pronounces the curse on mankind and to Satan He says that the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent and the serpent will bruise his heel. So, basically He says

that there’s going to be someone who is going to pay for the sins of Adam and Eve, eventually, by dying. So, there is vicarious salvation and then also the idea that suffering or death becomes the way to new life or redemption. When rereading it, sometimes you just notice new things too. I found an acrostic one time. Acrostic is when you make a word with the first letter of a bunch of other words, and it actually spells out Satan. So the first letters of these five lines actually spell out Satan, and I’ve been trying to figure out for the last, who knows how many years, whether Milton meant that on purpose, but it seems too specific to be an accident. There’s lots of little things like that, that I enjoy.

Mr. Aaron Southwick / 12th grade humanities The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald has been my most enjoyable experience with the senior class so far this year because the majority of the class did the reading and offered something meaningful to the conversation, more often than not, at the table. Whenever you are able to breathe in a moment like this with a group of human beings, even if it means we are reading and discussing a How-To Manual for Making Pop Tarts, it is special–and, like breathing, you fear the consequences of it never happening again.

Design Sophia Dacy Graphics Sofi Treviño

WATCHING GENEVA GROW

A perspective on Geneva and the surrounding area from across the street Words Nicolas Siller

he grass is long, the hills are wide, the fields ripple in the summer breeze, and the year is 1962. It was a town with a population of less than 2,500 people and quiet back roads. Geneva School of Boerne was just a twinkle in God’s eye and Interstate 10 was nowhere to be seen. Frank Dillingham had just moved to Boerne, and eight years later, he bought a field with a single pecan tree in the middle of it. As we talked over the phone, pictures flooded my mind of Boerne, Texas 60 years ago. That field is none other than the field hundreds of Geneva students drive past every day. Just around the bend of Cascade Caverns Road, the pecan tree stands tall amidst the empty field and the encroaching wall of houses. My family has known Mr. Dillingham for as long as I can remember. He is a Texas native, engineer by trade and man of the land. Having lived on his land for over 50 years, he is also one of the few people in the area who remember Geneva being built. Back in 1970, his house was one of only three houses along Cascade Caverns Road. Dillingham never owned livestock, but he remembers the stock tank on the land where Currey Creek Church is now located. In fact, Cascade Caverns Road used to be called Van Raub Road, but when Interstate 10 was built around the time Dillingham bought his field, the name was changed to Cascade Caverns. The owner of the Cascade Caverns property petitioned the county to change the road name so that his caves could be

advertised from the Interstate. Despite the name change, it remained quiet. “You could lie down in the road and take a nap and you wouldn’t get run over. There were only about five to 10 cars that drove down that road per day. This area of Boerne used to be the woods, ” Dillingham said. Sixty years later, Geneva, a church and a neighborhood with hundreds of houses popped up in “the woods.” Dillingham holds no resentment toward the quickly growing populace of Boerne as he still holds a grateful heart to God for the provision of his land. In turn, it is safe to say that we at Geneva School of Boerne hold a grateful heart to Mr. Dillingham for warming our hearts with his pristine field and pecan tree that reflect the seasons in such a beautiful way. When asked about some advice that he would give to students in high school today, Dillingham responded by saying that he prays that students stay engaged learning new things and finding out what their interests are. “God created a beautiful world. Explore it,” Dillingham said. On that note, let us all remember those thoughtful words next time we pass Dillingham’s field and pecan tree.

Mr. Frank Dillingham Design Ainsley Plesko Photo Nicolas Siller

Photo Kate Travis

Game Time Before the clock runs out

We’re Not Horsin’ Around

Don’t Skip the Stretch

Catching up with the Coaches 45

GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS Coach Daigle opens up on her coaching background and starting a new season Words Sarah Coultress

How long have you been playing and coaching your sport? My husband, Wayne, and I are a team. We come as a package deal. I played college softball for him at Sam Houston State University in 1980. Then I transferred with him to the University of Nebraska in 1983 and we have been together ever since! Could you give us insight into the backstory that led you to where you are in life at this moment to try and convey your journey to becoming a coach? I would have to say that Wayne is the reason why I got into coaching. He is, in my opinion, literally the best there is. College level softball in the 80’s was in its formative stages, but Wayne truly changed the game and I fell in love with him and the sport. We have been coaching together ever since and at every level. When we coached at the professional level, we won in our first year and he was named Coach of the Year! Pretty much everything I know about softball, I learned from my husband.

Coach Lisa Daigle

If you can recall, is there a specific pivotal moment that compelled you to want to become a coach and could you describe it? There was not exactly a pivotal moment where I knew I wanted to coach. I thought I was going to be an Interior Decorator. The next thing I knew I had graduated with a degree in education. God definitely knew what He was doing because I cannot see myself doing anything other than coaching. It’s my passion! Kids are my passion! I love teaching and coaching and watching kids transform, not just within the sport and their skills but off the field also! I love to see them gain confidence in themselves, in life and in their walk with God. What a blessing it is to witness that. Why did you choose to coach at Geneva and why/ how did our school stand out to you? Coach (Julius) Scott introduced us to Geneva and has been instrumental in getting us here. It is so different from the public schools. It is like stepping into a whole other world. Being on campus and around the people here and the kids is such a blessing. Even in the short time we have been here, this place makes people want to do, be and give more. We retired from coaching public schools in 2019 and have missed coaching ever since. Wayne thought he was ready to coach again but I was not, and I knew he was not either. But like I said, we are a package deal, so we waited until we were both ready. Then at the perfect time, God opened a door for us. We are so stoked to be here at Geneva and we are ready to get started coaching!

Coach Wayne Daigle

Design Mattie Sue Arnold Photos Provided by Chantel Bellamy

SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA TAKE A STEP BACK... An insight on why Geneva is returning to 4A Words Spencer Yarbrough

ver the past couple years, Geneva has grown tremendously. Most of this evident change has played out in our athletic program. After interviewing some of the high school athletes, here is what they have to say about the change. Chaz Lutz, the team captain of the basketball team, shares his thoughts on the transition. “I think the transition down to 4A is going to bring a lot of success to sports across the board. Having played the competition we’ve played in 5A, I think we’re well prepared to have a really successful season. I’m going to miss the level of competition in 5A and just the level of play in general; however, I am looking forward to the opportunities that await in 4A,” Lutz said. Senior Alexa Elizondo, the team captain of the girls basketball team also gives us some insight. “I think next year will be just as competitive as this year due to the fact that a bunch of the 5A girls teams are also moving down to 4A. Even though I will have graduated by next year, I know the younger girls will have fun playing new competition in 4A, and I know they will be extremely successful,” Elizondo said.

Football and basketball are arguably the most popular sports at Geneva. We interviewed one of the football coaches, Julius Scott, and the Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach Julius McNeal. The coaches have a bit more to share on this topic than the players. “It seems to me that our purpose here on earth is to figure out what we were created for and then to develop the gifts we were equipped with so that we may bring honor and glory to God,” Scott said. “In this age we have a lot of folks trying to “stack the deck” if you will. A bully mentality of sorts. They only want to compete in arenas where they have the most, biggest and best. When it comes to competition, I like competing against the very best, period. Losing contests is not the enemy. Failure to be your best is. Learning from our shortcomings is the only way we can be the best we can be. University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban puts it this way, ‘If you want to be the beast you must do what the beasts do’,” Scott said. Ireneaus says “the glory of God is man fully alive.” Being the very best we can be in any and every circumstance is the only way to achieve that. If our life is

a reflection of God, should it be any less,” Scott added. When I spoke with Coach McNeal, he explained his thoughts and ideas on moving back to 4A. “The saying, ‘Change is inevitable, Growth is optional,’ is a fitting description of Geneva athletics these past few years. I remember when it was first announced we would move to the 5A Division in athletics. It sparked anxiety amongst many parents, coaches and students, but with change comes opportunities! At least, that’s how I viewed the push into growth,” McNeal said. “The change to 5A presented some frustrations for Geneva athletics, which I consider to be a top-tier athletic program over the years. Geneva athletics had become so accustomed to winning, we had forgotten how hard we worked to achieve all those victories,” McNeal said.

With the move to 5A, suddenly, the coaches had to push the athletes harder, reteach and sharpen fundamentals, challenge mental toughness and physically push our athletes. All of those struggles hurt then, but today they are just our warm up! As Rocky Balboa said, “Every Champion was once a contender who refused to give up.” Moving to 5A was a good reminder to push ourselves past our comfort zone and to challenge the physical and mental growth of our programs and athletes. Moving back to 4A presents exciting possibilities. In 4A, I think we have the opportunity to be successful, but that doesn’t mean we should become content. While we will probably earn more victories as an athletic program, our growth should continue to flourish. We need to maintain our 5A mentality to continue to drive our programs and athletes past contentment and continue to practice past the point of getting it right to the point when we no longer get it wrong.

Coach McNeal feels that without facing some of the 5A challenges (ie., being physically smaller, not as physically strong, or mentally tough and certainly not having as many athletes as our competition) allowed Geneva athletics to really reflect on how to best improve the overall department.

Design Mattie Sue Arnold Graphics Kate Evans

WE’RE NOT HORSIN’ AROUND The untold truths and benefits of horseback riding Words Sofi Treviño

football flying through the air, stadium lights full blast and the roar of fans. A volleyball dropping quickly to the floor, only to be saved by a quick dive. These images both resonate with one word: sports. But what about the sound of hooves touching the ground or maybe flying over a jump or around a barrel? The reality is, a lot of people just don’t think of equestrianism, or horse riding, as a sport.

At first glance, it may seem like the horse does all the work while the rider just sits there. Truly, if someone thinks this, it’s a compliment to the rider. Horse riding, in any discipline, is a complicated balance between horse and rider, control without power abuse, and trust beyond what’s imaginable. To put it into perspective, think of a bicycle that’s sentient and can choose at any time to refuse to go, bolt away at high speeds or even throw someone off. Not to mention while someone maneuvers it, the rider has to take into account high fences, weaving poles and a plethora of other things. Oh, and also, the bike weighs 1200 pounds, and it’s a long way to fall to the ground below. A rider could go on all day about how riding is a sport and such, but to what extent is it, really? Well, to start out, equestrian sports are in the Olympics. English disciplines such as Eventing, Show jumping and Dressage all show at the Olympic caliber. While Western disciplines don’t have a spot in the Olympics yet, there are all sorts of world-class events for them as well. In fact, one of our very own Geneva freshmen, Natalie Hudson, competes in Trail, Hunter Under Saddle and Showmanship at a national level.

What disciplines do you show in? I show horsemanship, trail, western riding, hunter under saddle and occasionally halter. How many horses do you have? I have four horses; three are show horses. What are their names and breeds? My main show horse is Hot Ovations. His barn name is Benz. My young mare is Martini On The Rox. Her barn name is Olive, my Hunter Under Saddle (HUS) gelding is Slot Machine aka Cash, and my non-show horse is Timely Wedding Belle, aka Belle, and they are all quarter horses. At what level and how often do you compete? What’s the farthest you’ve gone for a show? I compete nationally. I usually show about once a month and I think my farthest show is Ohio.

What’s your favorite part about riding? I’d say my favorite part about riding horses is how much they teach you; it’s not just about learning how to ride. They teach you how to be patient, how to work hard and trust, and they’ll give you lots of confidence. For me horse riding is much more than competing. I always put my horses before the sport and treat them with kindness. What would you say to anyone wanting to try riding horses? I’d say for anyone who wants to start riding to go for it. I couldn’t imagine my life without them. They aren’t easy, and it can be frustrating at times, but don’t give up. In the end, it’ll be well worth it.

If all these different disciplines are making your head spin, here’s a quick guide to the more common ones. Reining: The horse is kept on a loose rein while performing tricks such as quick spins, sliding stops and more. Polo: A high-speed ball sport played by two teams on horseback, similar to hockey in gameplay. Barrels: The horse and rider race around a course of barrels, trying for the fastest speed. Show jumping: Horse and rider jump high fences in complicated patterns trying for fastest speed and least faults. Eventing: A three-day event consisting of Show jumping, Dressage and another called CrossCountry, which entails wider, more dangerous fences in an outdoor setting, sometimes with upward cliff jumps or water sections. Team Roping: Normally done with two riders/ horses, one at the “head” of the cow and one at the “heel,” trying to lasso the horns and legs of a steer at the fastest speed. Dressage: French for “training,” Dressage is often known as “dancing horses.” Riders and horses compete in tests of skill and proficiency, or “freestyle,” a sort of dance to music. Hunters: Hunters has three categories. Hunter Under Saddle, which is an exhibition of the horse’s ability to move in the way desirable in the hunter world, Hunt Seat Equitation, which exhibits the rider’s ability to make riding the horse look effortless and beautiful, and Hunter Over Fences, which is Hunt style riding while jumping fences (generally shorter than Show Jumping fences); usually judged on style and faults rather than speed. These are by no means all the disciplines, but simply a list of the more popular ones.

Design Mattie Sue Arnold Photo Mazzy Horn-O’Brien

Equestrianism has a lot to offer as a sport alone, but it also has some surprising mental health benefits. Equestrian sports are often used as an aid to therapy, as looking after and riding a horse gives people a sense of responsibility, boosted confidence and something to look forward to week after week. It’s been clinically proven that spending time with animals boosts our serotonin levels, and horses are no exception.

IS IT FACT OR IS IT A FAD?

We’re debunking some of the most common nutritional misconceptions Words Sophia Baldwin

ith a new year comes new resolutions. If your resolution is to eat healthier, it can be very difficult. Maybe you have some ideas about food that aren’t entirely true, or maybe you have no clue where to start. Here are some common misconceptions about nutrition.

Foods high in fat are unhealthy. While eating anything in excess is unhealthy, fats are an essential part of our diet. They help maintain optimal health while low fats can actually cause complications. “…low fat diets have been linked to a greater risk of health issues, including metabolic syndrome, and may lead to an increase in insulin resistance and triglyceride levels, which are known risk factors for heart disease,” Jillian Kubala, MS, RD said. Some healthy fats are avocado and cashews.

Foods labeled as “diet,” “light,” “all natural,” etc. are healthy. While we already addressed that healthy fats are necessary in our diet, most of us see “fat-free” or “no added sugar” on a label and assume it is healthy or at least a healthier alternative to regular food. “Many people assume that if something has a healthy buzzword on the label, or even that if it’s sold in a health food store, that it’s automatically a healthy food, but that is not always the case,” Samantha Heller, MS, RD, senior clinical nutritionist at New York University School of Medicine said. Nutritionist Miriam Pappo Klein, MS, RD points out that front labels are often misleading. “Most people don’t realize that ‘light’ olive oil, for example, isn’t lower in calories or fat -- it’s just lighter in color and taste,” Klein said.

Carbs are “bad.” This one comes with some truth, but can be hard to distinguish. Some carbs do not have a good nutritional value, such as carbs from sodas, white bread or other highly processed foods or beverages. Carbs are often thought of as being “bad” and associated with conditions such as weight gain, heart disease or diabetes. “In reality, eating a moderate amount of nutritious carbs that are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals like starchy root vegetables, ancient grains and legumes will likely benefit your health—not harm it,” Kubala said.

Granola is good for you. This is a common misconception that became popular around the 1960s. Granola was marketed as a healthier alternative to sugary, frosted cereals. While it was a healthier alternative, Heller says that may not be entirely true. “By today’s standards, in terms of fats and just sheer calories, granola is not your healthiest choice,” Heller said. This is also the case for most cereal or energy bars. Even if they contain small amounts of vitamins or fiber, they contain so much sugar that the cons outweigh the pros. “In many instances, you may as well eat a candy bar for all the nutrition you are getting from these products,” Lona Sandon, MEd, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association said.

While these are just a few common nutrition myths, if you want to know more about your optimal diet and nutrition, it is best to speak to your doctor or a nutritionist.

Design Mattie Sue Arnold Graphics Kate Evans

DON’T SKIP THE STRETCH

A guide to the best stretches for back pain and the inside scoop on dry needling Words Alexandria Bussey

o you ever have random back pain and want to know how to fix it? If so, then this is the story for you. I and a few others will walk you through a few ways in which you can prevent or get rid of your annoying back pain. A couple of professionals that I had the pleasure of interviewing include Mrs. Meredith Plesko PT, MSPT, and Dr. Hank Bussey PT, DPT, MS, OCS. Mrs. Plesko has worked in a variety of settings such as outpatient orthopedics, rehab facilities, skilled nursing and home health. She is currently working with early childhood intervention for zero–threeyear-olds with developmental delay for Easter Seals. Mrs. Plesko earned her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy degree 25 years ago and has worked as a PT for 13 years. Dr. Bussey has been practicing physical therapy for 29 years and is the owner and director of Physical Rehabilitation Institute, an outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine clinic. He has his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and his Masters of Science in Physical Therapy with specialization in Orthopedic

Manual Therapy. In addition, he is a BoardCertified Orthopedic Specialist. What do you think is the main cause for back pain in teenagers? “Barring any type of acute injury or ongoing medical diagnosis, poor posture, tight hip flexors and poor core strength are primary contributors to low back pain,” Mrs. Plesko said. What is the best way to prevent back pain? “The best way to prevent low back pain is to adhere to a healthy lifestyle which includes good nutrition, core strengthening exercises, appropriate position and postural techniques; i.e., not slouching in class, good lifting techniques not using your back, but using your legs when lifting things from the floor and warming up before any exercise,” Dr. Bussey said. Both Mrs. Plesko and Dr. Bussey provided a few exercises/stretches to help prevent and decrease back pain.

Mrs. Plesko recommended these stretches from Healthline.com: • Come onto all fours in a tabletop position (hands and knees on the ground). • Press into your hands and feet as you inhale to look up, allowing your belly to fill with air. • Exhale, tucking your chin into your chest and arching your spine toward the ceiling. • Continue this pattern of movement, moving with each breath. • Do this for 1 to 2 minutes.

Knee-to-Chest Stretch

This stretch relaxes your hips, thighs and glutes while promoting overall relaxation. To do a kneeto-chest stretch, follow these steps: • Lie on your back with both knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. • Keep your left knee bent or extend it straight out along the floor. • Draw your right knee into your chest, clasping your hands behind your thigh or at the top of your shinbone. • Lengthen your spine all the way down to your tailbone, and avoid lifting your hips. • Breathe deeply, releasing any tension. •Hold this pose for 30 seconds to one minute. • Repeat with the other leg. Dr. Bussey recommends these stretches/exercises:

Lumbar Rocks

Dry Needling Pro:

• Feet on floor/bed with pelvic tilt. • Slowly rock knees from side to side and in small (15 degrees), pain-free range of motion. • Allow the lower back to rotate slightly. • Repeat up to 30-100 times. One set per session. Do two sessions per day.

According to Healthline.com, dry needling is a treatment that may help ease pain by inserting several needles into your muscle or tissue. This is said to help with knots, muscle pain, spasms and flexibility.

Piriformis (supine)

“One of the downfalls of dry needling is the potential for infection...We prefer other active pain relieving techniques such as exercise, dynamic traction as well as the utilization of ice, manipulation and electrical stimulation with cold packs,” Dr. Bussey said.

• Cross legs, involved on top. • Gently pull the other knee towards the chest until stretch is felt in the buttocks/hip of the top leg. • Hold for 15 seconds and repeat four times per set. Do one set per session. Do two sessions per day.

Con:

Design Mattie Sue Arnold Graphics Kate Evans

PUT A LITTLE PEP IN YOUR STEP The boys basketball team attempts to learn and improve their cheer skills Words Guy Kohler

n the past, we have seen girls try a football sandpit workout, but now it’s the boys’ turn to be challenged. I brought six willing basketball players with me to try and learn a cheer dance: juniors Chaz Lutz, Guy George, Spencer Yarbrough, Ethan Brunsvold, Gage Secor and sophomore Ford Elizondo. We were tasked with learning cheer’s “easiest” dance, the Band Dance.

We learned that this was much harder than we initially thought. We walked into the Lyceum feeling confident in our abilities to learn this dance. We decided to stretch a bit beforehand so we wouldn’t get injured and upset our coaches. Our instructor, freshman cheerleader Mazzy Horn-O’Brien, had us line up in a row and told us that the dance that we were about to learn was taught to first graders, which they learned in 10 minutes. After hearing this, our confidence skyrocketed to an all-time high. However, a couple minutes into the dance, we learned that this was much harder than we initially thought. Our ability to watch someone do the dance and then replicate the dance was not great. We quickly began to lose focus and started to give up hope. After finding some acorns in the Lyceum, we had a quick mind break and started having an acorn fight, taking out our frustrations of not being able to learn the routine (no individual was harmed during this event).

around the same size needed to squat down and the smallest person would stand on their legs. Then, one person would be behind to be the spotter, and the other two people would stand on the outside and just smile. Hearing this, we got excited because it was something we could do pretty easily, and that concluded our cheer practice for the day. Overall, we had a great time, but we were all different. Spencer definitely showed the most spirit and excitement while Ethan was just there because I made him participate. Gage learned the dances the quickest. Though he did not learn it as quickly, Ford was the best dancer. Guy had fun being there with all his friends and Chaz…, well, he got a bit angry at times. We would all tell you that we are amazing cheerleaders and could do it again, no problem, but I think it would be best for us to stick to basketball.

After this much needed break, we got back to work and eventually learned the dance…sort of. We were able to perform the dance on our own and, while it was not perfect, we were proud to have learned it. Our celebrations were short-lived as we were taught a basic flyer position. When we were told to do this, we looked around with confused looks on our faces as to what we were expected to do. Mazzy then told us that two people who are

Design Mattie Sue Arnold Graphics Ainsley Plesko

CATCHING UP WITH THE COACHES

A day-in-the-life of a few of our Geneva coaches Words Sophia Dacy

t’s about drive, power, strength and grit. All of these things are qualities found in a Geneva coach. Sweat, tears, dedication everyday and endless love for the team. It takes a lot to motivate and encourage a teenage athlete, but these coaches don’t let that stop them. Here at Geneva, it’s team, family, team. Four of Geneva’s dearest coaches share their ideal schedule.

Glitter. Smiling. Big bows. Geneva’s cheerleading coach, Amber Jonas, shares what a day is like behind the scenes of one of the most intense sports here at Geneva. 5:00 AM: Slightly hear Kevin leave for work but quickly fall back asleep as I quietly chant “Cheer Life or No Life.” 8:00 AM: Alarm goes off…I look at today’s schedule and check texts from Tammy to be sure I’m not needed for subbing and happily realize I can sleep another hour ~ yay me!! 9:00 AM: Definitely get up this time, let Onyx outside and then play with her (a.k.a. smother her with my never ending love and affection). 10:00 AM: Begin my cheer day with my favorite Bible verse, Ezra 10:4 “Rise up, take courage, do it.” Spend my office time giving my cheer updates as I check over all of the game schedules for cancels, reschedules and time changes as I strategically plan when to send out all the updated cheer updates. This way, I don’t overwhelm the system and remind myself to keep word count in updates to a minimum, but also know that I can never ever use too many emojis. 12:00 PM: Realize I missed drinking my morning 28 oz of water, so I down it as quickly as I can to get it over with. 12:03 PM: Shower to be sure I’m fully awake while

randomly picking 17 cheers/chants to go over in my head so I don’t forget them. 12:15 PM: Stretch while deciding if it’s a Birks or Nike kinda shoe day; depending on if I’ll be needed to stand-in for stunting at varsity cheer practice. 12:25 PM: Quickly make a sandwich with extra tomatoes and head out the door. 12:55 PM: Stop at Spotted Deer for a triple shot espresso over ice to add to my organic milk that I brought from home. 1:15 PM: Arrive at school to work on formations and re-check schedules for changes to my updated cheer updates. 2:25 PM: Move tables and chairs in Lyceum to set up cheer mats while I try to remember to lock front doors and put signs up saying the Lyceum is closed. 2:45 PM: Cheer practice with my 19 enthusiastic Logic cheerleaders; while teaching them the joy of cheer and the fundamentals of cheerleading. 3:45 PM: Notice that I forgot to fully close one of the locked doors to the Lyceum as people walk in and trip over cheer mats while cheerleaders gasp as they look on respectfully dying inside… make mental note to barricade doors with tables from now on in order to protect our beloved cheer mats. 3:47 PM: Realize I missed drinking my afternoon 28 oz of water, so I down it as quickly as I can to get it over with. 3:50 PM: Rely on Bailey to get practice started with warm up and stretch while I say goodbye to my Logic cheerleaders. I immediately expect to hear Bailey say “stop talking” in her best cheer captain voice. 3:55 PM: Begin practice and tell my girls to channel their inner Britney Spears as we practice the dance for the 17th time.

5:55 PM: Roll up cheer mats and re-set Lyceum tables and chairs. 6:05 PM: Team huddle to go over any changes to the updated updates and have our team prayer and break; reminding them to practice at home because you can never practice enough as they walk away shouting “Cheer life or no life.” 6:45 PM: Make dinner, hang out with Kevin so he knows I do love him more than Onyx and then take Onyx outside for our daily two-hour walk and puppy play time. 8:30 PM: Warm up with 17 cheer jacks, do 17 squats and 17 push-ups to be sure I’m always ready for any stand-in stunting I may be needed for at varsity practice–making myself do 17 burpees anytime I feel like I’m slacking off…Cheer Life or No Life. 9:00 PM: Cuddles with Onyx while I work on cheer updates to the updated updates and plan performances; texting Bailey here and there for captain input. 10:00 PM: Realize I missed drinking my evening 28 oz of water, so I down it as quickly as I can to get it over with: the struggle is real every single day. 11:00 PM: Aimlessly look for a show on Netflix. 12:00 AM: End my day praying for my family, friends and cheerleaders and then doze off. 2:00 AM: Wake up startled in a slight panic wondering if I sent out my latest update to my updated update, but quickly realize there is nothing I can do about it at 2:00 AM, so I fall back asleep whispering to myself “Cheer life or no life…I love my job…”

Sweat. Dribbling. Slam dunks. They’ve been on a roll all season and are looking to take the title as State Champs. Girls varsity basketball co-coach Tracy Calderon gives us a day in her life. 4:30 AM: Startled awake from a nightmare, thinking I am late for early morning practice. Paranoia makes me recheck that I set my alarm. Relieved when I realize I have 15 more minutes to sleep. 4:45 AM: The alarm goes off and I use my latest tactic to avoid procrastination by doing a quick five second countdown and pop out of bed. 4:45-5:00 AM: Go through morning practice and get ready checklist. Decide between hair in a pony or hair down. Spot new grey hairs after last nights game with four starters with four fouls each. Decided too much grey so it was a hat and ponytail day. Put on professional dress–sweats, a t-shirt and Hokas. Reminded to respond to my collab request on Insta. (I don’t have social media so is this the way you would say it?) 5:00-5:20 AM: Make coffee and listen to Lectio 360. I need a little coffee and a whole lotta Jesus to be able to put my happy face on for the girls at practice. 5:25-5:45 AM: Listen to praise music on the way to practice. I see Brynn and Maegan in the parking lot, disappointed that they beat me again. I hate to lose. 5:45 AM: Greet the basketball girls as they sleep walk into the gym…only Alexa smiles back. 5:50 AM: Hear Alexa asking her teammates if anyone has any extra socks. The team rallies together and finds one in the bottom of a backpack and one in the lost and found bin. 5:50 AM: Check in with the girls about their weekend during their active stretch session. 6:00 AM: Try to distract Coach McCleary during the full-court fast break and layups drills so he does not count the missed layups. Mentally adding up the ones he misses to see what the girls owe me for saving them from running extra. 6:30 AM: Excited to see Liz finally arrive at practice so we can work on our TikTok dance on the sidelines. 7:15 AM: Thankful to see Mr. Riebel walk in with Mary’s Tacos since I didn’t eat breakfast and I have

lunch recess duty today. 9:00 AM: Set up field for Grammar School P.E. Capture the Football! 9:30-11:05 AM: Play multiple games of Capture the Football! Feel a little robotic saying “Don’t grab people, grab flags” for the millionth time in 15 years. Laugh on the inside as I think of the times when shorts were accidentally grabbed instead of flags. 11:00-12:45 PM: Lunch Recess–observe Kinders pick dandelions and play like they are horses, pick teams and pitch for third-grade kickball and watch the fifth graders argue over who is out in four-square. 12:45-2:25 PM: Watch more classes play Capture the Football. Decide to ignore a fifth grader saying “can we just play the game” (instead of listening to the directions after hearing them since second grade). 2:45 PM: Practice (help me figure out what the backward skip is called; Jerkin? or the Reject?) so I will be able to compete with Coach McCleary for cool points and possibly be remembered for dances besides the Turkey Tango and Tony Chestnut.

happens, even in Alamo Heights. From now on it is just referred to as “the Heights.” 7:00 AM: The first of perhaps a couple of trips to Starbucks while I replay last night’s Marvel movie in my head. I kind of think Tony Stark and I could be buddies.

3:10-3:45 PM: Grammar School Carpool Duty–Feel like I am playing Frogger in the parking lot, dodging Rhetoric School students leaving early. Also feel nostalgic getting a glimpse of Logic and Rhetoric students I taught in Grammar School. My heart almost bursts when they still speak to me.

8:00-11:00 AM: Look over emails, check soccer standings (to see how bad we’re crushing the other teams in the district), edit photos and set up dates for upcoming photo shoots.

3:45-5:00 PM: Drive home and sit in silence overstimulated from the constant noise during the day. Blow the whistle and say “The whistle means freeze!” when my husband walks in and interrupts the silence.

11:30 AM: Make lunch for the one person I’m sure is going to Heaven (Yes, anyone that can put up with me for 34 years is going to Heaven).

5:00-9:00 PM: Eat dinner and lounge on the couch with Roxy, our dog we got when we became empty nesters. Sorry Joel! She has taken over your room!

1:00 PM-3:00 PM: It’s just different every day. Let’s just say stuff. I know, you’d think there would be somewhere in here that I plan for the day’s soccer practice. Right? But no. That’s what I have Becky for (the second person I’m sure is Heaven-bound because she’s been punished the past nine years coaching with me).

9:00 PM: Go to bed saying I will watch the news before falling asleep. Big Fail!

Starbucks and tracksuits. Photographer during the day; soccer coach in the evening. 80% making fun of his athletes with a 20% hint of actually coaching them: girls varsity soccer coach Marty Morris. 6:00 AM: Start the day by letting the dogs out so I can avoid cleaning up #1 or #2, but sometimes it still

11:15 AM: Go to H-E-B (because I go every day) and stop by Starbucks. Again.

12:00 PM: Eat the gourmet lunch I’ve prepared for Karen.

3:00 PM: Leave the land of sunshine and rainbows (yes, “the Heights”). 3:15 PM: Could be another stop at the Starbucks at the RIM. If it’s game day, I’ll buy a Vanilla Latte for Becky. 3:45 PM-5:30 PM: Soccer practice where I inject enormous amounts of positive energy into the

retriever. Pack my two daughters’ lunches with healthy snacks they will most likely trade at school. Say goodbye to my loving husband, Jeff, who gets to feed the rest of the animals: two horses, two goats (one preggo) and three chickens. 6:30 AM: Get to the Champion track where it is most likely pitch black because they rarely turn the lights on for the first 30 minutes. I’m in great spirits because my coffee kicked in and I greet my runners with an abundance of enthusiasm about the workout we are about to do in 30 degree darkness. 9:00 AM: Coach’s meeting where we discuss the athletic schedule and transportation. Usually a dry meeting so I usually crack a joke or Coach Scott reminds me “It’s a taco, not a burrito in Texas” (I’m from Colorado). 10:10 AM: Seventh and eighth grade P.E. Not much to say other than I love my Logic GFA’s! (General Fitness ALLSTARS) 11:30 AM: Lunch Duty at Grammar School. Nothing more revitalizing midday than 20 kinders hanging off you.

team. The entire practice. There’s some snarky comments occasionally. 6:15 PM: Finally back in “the Heights.” 6:30-9:00 PM: Depending on the night; could be Survivor, The Bachelorette or somewhere in the Marvel universe. Don’t judge. 9:30 PM: Let the dogs out for the last time to avoid the you-know-what if I don’t. 10:00-11:30 PM: Play my guitar (quietly because, you know, she’s already put up with me for a really long time), watch soccer replays from the weekend, and buy things I don’t need on Amazon.

Running, running, having fun, Olsen always gets it done. From cross country to track, you know she’s got your back. Cross country and track coach Julie Olsen shares an ideal schedule. 5:30 AM: Wake up, run to the coffee maker before checking on our 10-week-old puppy that probably had an accident. Feed both Holly, the brown lab puppy, and Lewis, “Deer Eater” the golden

12:30 AM: Lunch, I usually bring something healthy from home. I get questioned from Coach Rippee or Coach Scott about what my “meatball” (falafel) is or my protein shakes have in them. 3:00 PM: Logic School Track or Cross Country: Motivating Logic School-aged kids to run can be like getting your pet goat to ride a bike. Sometimes it works, other times, it’s just something we all get through with laughter and trying hard. 4:30 PM: Back home talking to my daughters about their school activities and homework time. 6:30 PM: Make dinner for the family. This is something I enjoy–I am also a culinary teacher. Meanwhile, my kids still prefer boxed mac and cheese to my gourmet version. 7:30 PM: Get the girls ready for bed and hang with my husband. Feed all the animals again. Starting to lose count. 8:00 PM: ZZZZZZZZ…….and back up in an hour…the puppy has to go out.

Design Sophia Dacy Graphics Hailey Kirchner

Graphic Sophia Baldwin

Pastime Insight into free time

We’re Passionate about Pickles

Reset Your Routine

Serving up Family Favorites 65

NETFLIX TAKES A NOSE DIVE

Uncovering the mystery behind the declining quality of Netflix programming Words Lauren Abell

t the end of a long, stressful day of either work or school, there is almost nothing as appealing as that spot directly in front of your TV. Walking in the door, your eye drifts to the spot that has brought you much comfort throughout your life. That’s right, cozying up in your favorite recliner or couch with remote in hand is the perfect way to decompress after a busy, scheduled day. As the screen illuminates in front of you and displays that familiar red and black glow of Netflix, the last stressor of your day is concerned with what you are going to watch. Always making it a difficult decision, Netflix lists countless categories filled with TV shows and movies in every imaginable genre. Scrolling through these lists gets tiring after reading the description of every passing show, none in particular grabbing a hold of your interest. What is wrong with this picture? Netflix was once a place of sanctuary where you could avoid your people or responsibilities for a time and focus on the incomparable bliss that comes from watching your classic favorite films or exciting new arrivals. Now, it seems, these once exciting options are drowned out by something you have come to dread whenever opening this streaming service: Originals.

Netflix, for some time now, has been replacing fan favorite shows and movies with their own profit-seeking form of entertainment called Netflix Originals. As each beloved program is replaced by a new, less than desirable one, customers of Netflix everywhere are being plagued with the decision of finding what to watch being even more challenging. Whether or not you are someone that likes to see fresh faces and plots on your television screen, it is undeniable that the removal of many long-loved features can be quite upsetting for many and start controversy over the worth of the service. So, what is to be done? Many unhappy customers have taken to social media or directly to the company of Netflix itself to express their complaints and requests. This can be a good step in letting Netflix know that something is unsatisfactory if done from a place of accountability for the services provided rather than out of hate. Ultimately, no matter the outcome, subscribing to Netflix is a privilege and a source of community for many of its viewers. So, despite differing opinions on how Netflix has changed since its beginnings, there are still many positives brought to the table from exciting new choices available to watch to some of the classics that still remain. Focusing on these positives can help Netflix Originals not feel quite so oppressive and maybe, you’ll even find a couple you like.

Design Alexandria Bussey Graphics Sophia Baldwin

WE’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT PICKLES Taking on the challenge of finding the best pickle around Words Abby Bower and Kate Evans

pickle is the perfect sidekick. Whether it is speared on the side or layed delicately on top, it needs to be perfect. Some may be able to overlook the imperfections in a pickle, viewing it as merely a condiment of sorts, but not us. We believe pickles are a pivotal part of a meal and they can make or break the entire dining experience. With that being said, we went on the hunt for the perfect pickle. We tasted four brands’ versions of the “dill chip,” a classic and consistent pickle style.

Vlasic

Wow. To dub this “the classic pickle” is an understatement. Although not too pungent, the quiet tones of turmeric that pair flawlessly with the fierce vinegar make this a delectable experience. Eating a Vlasic pickle chip will take you straight to the ballpark but with an elevated twist. The sweet undertones make this perfectly palatable. It doesn’t hit you too aggressively, leaving you parched for a sip; but instead, your taste buds will be perfectly content. The flavors are undeniable: 8.73/10

Mt. Olive

Our next contender is Mt. Olive. This is a foreign pickle to both of us, meaning there is room to strike a great impression. Is that what Mt. Olive will do? The simple answer is no. After tasting this pickle, we have concluded that the brine is made of water…just water. There is a lack of every key component of the ideal pickle. No vinegar, no salt, no flavor, nothing. We tried and tried again searching for an ounce of flavor with each bite, but every trial left us with nothing but regret. We have no choice: 3.61/10

Best Maid

We placed our hope in Best Maid to redeem this pickle journey. When you think pickle, you think Best Maid. When we think Best Maid, we think parched tongues accompanied by a penetrative stinging pain shooting from every exposed nerve ending in your lips. Our glands are salivating just thinking about these pickles. Our tongues pulse with the memories of intense dehydration. We are not upset about this; after all, that’s the glory of a pickle. We are not mad at Best Maid, but encourage them to consider the cardiac health of their consumers when writing 10 pounds of salt into their secret recipe. With room for improvement: 7.81/10

Pickle Me Dilley

This is the clever and cute title H-E-B came up with for their pickle collection. Do not be deceived by the intricate font branding this quaint jar. This is a sub par pickle, and that is generous. Sitting on the shelves, waiting to be bought, the membrane of these pickles has gone soft. Eating these pickles could be compared to chewing on a really, really old slice of apple coated in salt. The vinegar to salt ratio is once again skewed, with the flavor profile proving to be undoubtedly salt forward. We may have critiqued harshly but that is only due to how uncomfortable the font of the word “Dilley” made us (you have to see for yourself). Although this pickle is not a strong competitor, it is edible, and it is a cucumber soaked in brine: 6.49/10

The numbers do not lie and the verdict is clear. Vlasic is the best store-bought, jarred, dill, chip-shaped pickle option available. Now, pickle preference is not a universal thing; however, we firmly believe that our opinion holds special weight. Pickles are our passion. As painful as some moments were, we hope that this review is both informative and helpful for your own pickle journey.

Design Alexandria Bussey Graphics Jacob Goodman

IT’S ALL FUN & GAMES A student’s guide to fun apps you may not know about Words Gwyn Lewellyn

t is about time to put down Instagram and delete TikTok. Take a trip to your local app store and see what they have to offer. Here are some of the best free apps, and games that you might not know about.

Stumble Guys Stumble Guys is an addictive game in which you choose a character and compete in multiple obstacle courses for the first place title. You can play online or with friends and win fun prizes.

3 Tiles 3 Tiles is a relaxing organization game. With hundreds of levels and several different themes to choose from, its aesthetic and calming music leaves you hooked. In this game, you sort a pile of assorted tiles to match three of a kind. It doesn’t sound like much until you realize you’ve been playing it for hours.

Little Alchemy Little Alchemy is an interesting game where you mix simple elements to create complex objects or creatures. Start with water, earth, fire, water and combine them until you have what you want. You can create just about anything you can think of and the options are limitless. See how many you can make!

Locket Widget We all know that the new IOS updates include widgets–apps or images that display larger than the rest. Locket Widget is a fun app where you combine widgets with a friend, family or significant other and allows you to take pictures to display on their phone! Make them smile or just keep them updated on your day. Either way, it’s a lot of fun! Design Sophia Baldwin Graphics Jacob Goodman

ENDING THE DAY Creative photos that capture the inspiration of evening Photos Nicolas Siller

Senior Brooks Fessler Design Alexandria Bussey

GENEVA JAMS Recommended songs to unwind with at the end of the day

1. Nineteen – PinkPantheress 2. Pink+White – Frank Ocean 3. Silver Soul – Beach House 4. Orlando – Blood Orange 5. Sea, Swallow Me – Cocteau Twins, Harold Budd 6. All I Need – Radiohead 7. A Great Design – Black Marble 8. Night Drive – Middle Kids 9. Goodbye Horses – Q Lazzarus 10. Love in Passing – Adeodat Warfield 11. I Can See – Mac Miller 12. Female Energy, Part 2 – WILLOW 13. Heaven or Las Vegas – Cocteau Twins 14. Out Getting Ribs – King Krule

Sunset Edition

Words Gwyn Lewellyn

Design Sophia Baldwin

Morning Routine

RESET YOUR ROUTINE

Advice on how to stay diligent with set routines Words Sarah Coultress

outines are hard to commit to, especially when the easier, more enjoyable option is to be lazy and do things your way. My afternoon routine usually consists of eating, TikTok and laying in bed while doing homework. From my perspective, it is as close to paradise as I’ll get during the school year, but as I have recently learned, I am wasting so much time and making things harder for myself. I can be much more efficient and alleviate a lot of the stress that comes with procrastination and laziness. I’m really lazy sometimes; don’t judge, you know you are too. We all do it. But I am proud to announce that it doesn’t have to be this way anymore if you put in the work and master a solid routine. The key to a constructive and beneficial routine is time management. Do everything fully and don’t rush, but don’t linger or take your time either. Do everything at a good pace and you will save so much time and energy. Soon your routine will become muscle memory and you’ll feel so productive!

The key to a constructive and beneficial routine is time management.

Waking up is the hardest part of the morning and I always end up laying in bed as long as I can. Then I have to jump up and get ready in 10 minutes before I’m out the door. This is not a healthy wake up call for mind or body. A rushed morning only adds stress to your mind that transfers with you throughout one’s day. I love my bed. I never wish to leave it, but I must. I have things to do and people to see. I have created a quick morning to do list that you may want to adopt. • Wake up right away—No snoozing! • Make your bed • Drink water and eat breakfast • Brush your teeth, rinse your face in cold water and begin a skin care routine • Gather everything you will need for the day • Get dressed • Head out the door, you’re done!

Evening Routine

It is nearly impossible to resist being lazy once school or practice is over. All I want to do is lay in bed and read or take a nap, but that will only lead me to stay up later to try to get things done. Next thing I know, it is 1:00 AM and I’m just going to bed. I’ve learned getting things done right away will leave time for me to do lazy things later in the evening. • Set aside 20 minutes to relax—eat a snack, watch TikTok, lay in bed, etc. • Work in 45 minute intervals. As soon as time is up, it is grind time. I found timed intervals to help me because my attention span is so short and I get easily distracted and restless. I already sit through 45-minute periods at school, so the similarity helps me focus. For things that might take more time or effort, adjust the time as needed. • Schedule a dinner break. Whether you have dinner as a family or it’s everyone for themselves, make the distinction in your mind. When you set aside time, it becomes routine and you will start to look forward to something as regular as dinner. Catch up with your siblings or parents or learn a new meal to make for yourself. The key is

to take advantage of this time so you begin to look forward to it. It is all about mindset. Depending on how busy you are that day, set a timer that fits into your schedule so you have enough time, but that you’re also not wasting it.

more water. Give yourself incentives or a time limit, whatever will work for you. Personally, I have water with me while I have my homework intervals. Then once the time is up, I refill my water and continue to drink it throughout the allotted time.

• Reward yourself. Take a 15-minute break or cross it off a checklist so you feel accomplished between each interval of time or each completed task. Positive reinforcement is important for a routine so that you won’t dread it and will start to enjoy it.

• Be intentional about your before-bed routine. Much like the morning routine I discussed, you want to eliminate as much stress and procrastination as you can. Pack your sports bags, backpack and whatever else you may need for the next day the night before. This will allow you a rush-free morning and will ultimately help relieve stress.

• Drink water. I do not like water unless it’s available to me after a hot afternoon soccer practice. But water benefits our bodies in more ways than I would like to admit, so I strive to drink

• Set aside 5 to 10 minutes to clean. I know that sounds awful, but it will help ease your morning. Literally set a timer and tidy up your room. Clear the floor a bit, put away the clothes on your chair or bed, or tidy the cluttered surfaces in your room and bathroom. A lot can be done in five minutes. • Adopt a night self care routine. The biggest punch in the gut of this entire process is upon us. For the last 20 to 30 minutes that you are awake, do not look at your phone or the TV or anything. Behave as if you have just set your phone down to go to bed. For the set aside time that you now have, do other calming activities to help slow the flow of your busy mind. Some suggestions I have are to read a chill book, journal about your day, listen to music, review your notes for a test or simply sit in thought. This will help you to get a better night’s rest, organize your mental state, calm your nerves and help you to relax.

Good night.

Design Sarah Coultress Photo Kate Travis

PRO VERSUS PRODIGY High School students re-imagine famous artwork in digital formats Words Alexis Livingston

The Scream is a famous painting by Edvard Munch created in 1893. There were four different versions that he created over the years. The final one was created in 1910. Two were painted and the other two were done in pastels. The Scream was inspired by a memory of Munch walking with his friends at sunset. He began to feel tired and paused to rest. He felt so anxious that it seemed like he let out a scream. It is currently located in the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway. Recreated by Sophia Hammock on Procreate.

The Goldfish, painted by Henri Matisse in 1912, was painted using the medium, oil. This painting is a part of a series of paintings that were created between spring and early summer of 1912. These small golden fish became a curiosity of Matisse and can be seen in many of his paintings. The overwhelming use of colors attracted many viewers. Recreated by Alex Havranek on cardboard with markers.

The Son of Man was created by Rene Magritte in 1964. It is a self portrait and is one of the most well-known paintings of the surrealist movement. The meaning of the painting is unknown and is left up to the viewer. This painting was commissioned in 1963 but Magritte found it hard to do a self portrait in the traditional sense, so he leaned toward something more surreal.

Irises is a still life painting created by Vincent Van Gogh in 1890. This piece is a part of a series of four flower paintings done before he checked himself out of an insane asylum. Two were irises and two were roses, each with contrasting oil colors. This piece has soft tones compared to the other iris painting which has a bright yellow background that makes the iris’ pop out.

Recreated by Alexis Livingston with collage.

Recreated by Hailey Kirchner on Procreate. Design Alexandria Bussey Photos Alexis Livingston

SERVING UP FAMILY FAVORITES

The magazine staff shares a few of their own family recipes Words Sydney Griffey

Main Course

Mexican Egg Noodles Sarah’s Family Recipe

re you tired of having the same five meals every week? Have you come home to the Instant Pot meal sitting on your counter one too many times? Well maybe it’s time you step up and learn how to cook and spice up your family’s weekly routine! Here is a four-course meal compiled from some family favorites of a few of our staff members. Complete with detailed steps, you can learn how to impress your family with a some new recipes from our homes to yours.

Appetizer Spinach Beef Dip Nico’s Family Recipe Ingredients: 1 10oz pkg of chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened 1 cup of mayonnaise 1 cup of chopped green onions 1 tbsp of dill weed 1 2.5oz jar dried beef, rinsed, drained and chopped Crackers, chips or vegetables How to Make It: Combine cream cheese and mayonnaise, stir in onions, dill weed and spinach. Fold in chopped beef. Chill well. Enjoy!

One of our family favorite dishes is Grandma Bell’s Sopita. This recipe is the same as Fideo or Mexican rice but is made with egg noodles. Ingredients: 8oz of egg noodles 8 cups of boiling water Oil or lard (enough to brown the noodles) 1 small can of tomato sauce About ½ a medium onion, sliced or chopped 1 garlic clove (either fresh or powdered) ½ tsp cumin Salt and pepper to taste 1 cube or 2 tsp of chicken bouillon Boil the 8 cups of water. As the water is boiling (about 10 minutes in the microwave), heat up your oil or lard in a large saucepan. Brown or toast ½ the bag of egg noodles as you would do frying rice. They will not brown completely but try to get most of it slightly toasted. As the noodles are browning, add the onion. If the water is hot, turn the heat off to give you a little time. Add the garlic, cumin and tomato sauce all at once. Quickly stir the tomato sauce and spices to coat the noodles. Carefully add the hot water. Turn the heat back on. Add the chicken bouillon, pepper and salt. You may want to add the salt a little at a time to make sure it is to your taste. Let simmer for at least 30 minutes. If the water is evaporating too much, you may need to add some more hot water. The sopita tastes better the longer it sits and as the sauce thickens a little. Enjoy!

Dessert Lemon Empanadas Sofi’s Family Recipe Empanada Dough 2.5 cups flour 1 package cream cheese 2 sticks butter (a little softer than room temperature is ideal) Mix your cream cheese and flour together first and then add the butter. Your body heat will help to form the dough, be patient if it seems flaky.

Side Dish Garlic Bread Emma’s Family Recipe Ingredients: 1 16-ounce (450 g) loaf Italian or French bread ½ cup (1 stick, 112 g) unsalted butter, softened 2 large cloves garlic, smashed and minced 1 heaping tbsp chopped fresh parsley ¼ cup (25 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional) How to Make: Preheat oven to 350°F Prepare the garlic bread: Cut the loaf in half, horizontally. Mix the butter, garlic, and parsley together in a small bowl. Spread butter mixture over the two bread halves. Heat in oven for 10 min: Place on a sturdy baking pan (one that can handle high temperatures, not a cookie sheet) and heat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan (optional) and broil: Remove pan from oven. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over bread if you want. Return to oven on the highest rack. Broil on high heat for 2-3 minutes until the edges of the bread begin to toast and the cheese bubbles. Watch very carefully while broiling. The bread can easily go from un-toasted to burnt. Slice: Remove from oven, let cool a minute. Remove from pan and use a bread knife to cut into 1-inch thick slices. Serve immediately.

Lemon Curd 1 cup granulated sugar (I like H-E-B Organics) 2 tbsp lemon zest (two large lemons should do it) 6 egg yolks ½ cup fresh lemon juice ½ cup cold, unsalted butter Separate egg yolks, zest lemons and then combine your lemon zest with sugar. Juice the skinned lemons for roughly a half a cup of juice. Don’t forget to strain out the seeds. Put egg yolks in a pot then whisk in the lemon-sugar. Stir in lemon juice slowly, and heat on low. Continue stirring– don’t scramble your eggs–until it thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and incorporate the cubed butter until it melts. Strain once more, making sure to remove lemon zest and egg bits leaving silky smooth curd. Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Make little balls of dough, slightly smaller than ping-pong balls. Squish them into tiny tortilla shapes, and put about a teaspoon of filling into each. You can eyeball it, just make sure the filling isn’t oozing out of the edges and there’s enough to taste. Fold them over into little half-moons, and flute the edges either by hand or by pressing them with a fork. Finally, make sure to poke tiny vent holes in the top of each so steam can escape. To bake, place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, or until light golden brown. Test if they’re done simply by taste–you can tell if there’s uncooked dough or if they’ve crisped up too much. While they’re warm, roll them in coarse-ground sugar. Design Sophia Baldwin Photo Kate Travis

GAZETTE Words Sophia Baldwin

Food Poll We polled 50 Geneva high school students on their favorite cuisine. Here are the results.

Italian (22%)

Japanese (34%)

Thai (8%)

Mediterranean (10%)

Mexican (16%)

Chinese (10%)

Area 51 Conspiracies Ah yes, the infamous Area 51. Does it house extraterrestrial beings? Or is it just a regular Air Force base? Here are theories from a few of our very own Geneva students on what actually happens in Area 51. Jackson Mitchell (freshman): “It is not real and the government just wants publicity for it.” Annie Ramsey (senior): “My first theory is basic, like it is actually real. There are aliens there and it is like a military base operation and they do wack experiments on people kind of like Mk-Ultra type beat, but it is kind of marketed as a joke so we do not really think anything about Area 51 is real. The second one kind of feeds into this. It’s that it is a real base, but it is called something completely different and Area 51 is like a hoax or front because Roswell aliens definitely happened, so it has to be real, I think.” Garrett Fritcher (senior): “Area 51 is a teleport to the moon that leads to an alien pyramid made by the Nazis in 1940 and you power it up by killing things and filling it with souls…and it is definitely real.”

Teacher Favorites Here are some of our Geneva teachers’ favorite books, movies and artists.

Mr. Paul Johnson

Dr. Eric Covington

Mrs. Debbie Georgelos

Mrs. Catherine Davis

Favorite book: Satanic Verses by Solomon Rouchtt. “It’s really well written. It is very exciting prose.” Favorite movie: “I don’t like movies… jk. I guess it is Willow cause why not.” *pulls out VHS copy of Willow from under desk* “…cause look at it. You can’t not like that. It’s a fantasy movie with a baby. And she is a girl baby, and her mom is / a sorcerer.” Favorite Artist: My Bloody Valentine– shoegaze music. “I like it because it is impressionistic and you can hear things that are not really there, just like impressionistic art.” Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. “I like the wit and humor. It is a classic and I like the time period. It is probably one of the only books I have reread over and over.” Favorite Movie: When I was a teenager it was The Outsiders because it had all the teenage idols from the 80s. I do like the Pride and Prejudice movie too and I really like the music from it. I like the Little Women movie…I really like movies. Just in different periods of my life I’ve had different favorites. I like The Notebook. My boys would be appalled if I didn’t say something like Spider-Man. Whatever brings my family together is my favorite movie. I would say whatever movie where my kids are all there and watching together.” Favorite Artist: “It is the same thing; whatever my kids are listening to…I couldn’t tell you the names. I don’t mind Lecrae, get some country, some Spanish music, just a wide range...not whatever Hayden Allen likes.” In my free time alone however…I like to listen to the Anapests. I don’t ever know what they are saying so I can kind of clear my head listening to them.”

Favorite Book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. “It is the story of a young boy who loses his father during the events of 9/11. It is about him processing his grief, but also coming to learn more about his family and his history and who he is.” Favorite Movie: Rosencrantz and Guildenstien are Dead. “It’s philosophical and entertaining in the best way.” Favorite Artist: Alexi Murdoch–acoustic singer songwriter.

Favorite Book: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskampdid ”It did a whole lot for my faith. It increased it a lot and gave me a lot of healing after my brother’s death.” Favorite Movie: “I like stupid movies. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days…that is terrible, but I used to watch it all the time. Now probably Avengers movies; they are what my kids watch…that is terrible too. I like action; I like rom coms. I do not do sci-fi or weird scary movies.” Favorite Artist: “Probably NEEDTOBREATHE, but like in high school it was Dixie Chicks. Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces…I would belt that song just wanting to get out.”

PRIDE & PREJUDICE Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

One Thousand Gifts Satanic Verses

Design Sophia Baldwin Graphics Sophia Baldwin

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