GENEVA
Q UA RT E R LY KEEPING AFLOAT IN THE MIDST OF THE CHANGING TIDE.
concept
To capture the feeling of water in our fourth cover, Junior Emma Wilson took a plunge in a prom dress. Junior Ashton Landis was the creative director and photographer behind the image. Drawing inspiration from our senior class, the photo represents the idea of being in over your head but still managing to stay afloat.
mission statement
The Geneva Quarterly, a student-led publication of Rhetoric School, serves to provide Geneva and the surrounding community with relevant and accurate news, opinions and entertainment centered around our student culture. Our staff strives to instill boldness, creativity and excellence through our published work. We aim to discover truth laced into our community with integrity and to write all pieces from a biblical worldview to the glory of Jesus Christ.
This is a Publication for: Geneva School of Boerne 113 Cascade Caverns Road Boerne, TX 78015
School Info: The Geneva School of Boerne exists to provide a classical education from a biblical worldview, to equip students for a lifetime of learning, service and leadership to the glory of Jesus Christ. Rhetoric School population: 224 Rhetoric Faculty: 31
for our readers,
Welcome to Issue Four of the Geneva Quarterly! This issue, brought to you by the new Quarterly editors, puts a spotlight on our Seniors as well as the element of water. As the foundation of all life, water is an element that can remain constant over time, giving us inspiration for this issue’s theme of continuity. Even through the coronavirus pandemic, our staff has worked hard to adapt and produce something that is continuous and maintains the quality of our other issues. Through this tough time, we’ll be the first to admit it’s been difficult to adjust to this new way of quarantine life. Continuity and stabilization, as seen in the flow of water, push us to be our best and adapt to even the most bizarre situations. We hope that this issue is an inspiration to make the most of time and to remember to create continuity when life gets crazy. Now, the saddest part of this issue: saying goodbye to our Seniors. Thank you for everything. We can only hope that this tribute does your memory justice. You will be incredibly missed. Our staff is proud to present our Quarantine Quarterly, full of stories, graphics, and photos that we hope will inspire you long after you’ve set it down. Always remember that your story matters — it’s only our job to tell it.
from our hands to yours,
Colophon: All verbal and visual content is solicited and selected by the Quarterly staff. Approval is garnered from our adviser Becky Ryden, and from our headmaster, Rob Shelton. All bylined writers are held accountable for their work.
Contact: To purchase a subscription or advertisement, contact: rryden@ genevaschooltx.org To complain or for any other inquiries, contact: rryden@ genevaschooltx.org
Affiliations: We are proud to announce our sixyear membership with the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, where we have won a silver Crown Award one year, and two gold Crowns the last two years and received a gold medalist rating. We are also members of the Texas Interscholastic Press Association, where we have the highest rating of distinguished merit for the last five years. In addition, we have been members of the National Scholastic Press Association the past three years and have been named a Pacemaker Award finalist. This is our second year to be members of Quill & Scroll.
Magazine Specs: Created in InDesign and printed by SchoolPrinting.com. Font Families: Avenir Next GEO, Nunito Sans, Hoefler, Bureau Grotesque and Fofer.
welc grounded
013
010. Times with Tye 013. A Hard Goodbye 014. A Tribute to our Queen 017. Quarantine Quagmire 020. Rant/Rave: Off vs.Online Schooling 023. Senior Roasts 028. Everything You Need to Know About ...Senior Thesis 030. Take if From the Top 034. Can You Do This? 036. Johnson’s Jabs
air
042 Soar Like an Eagle
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senior profiles 046 046
046. The Class of 2020
ome left brain
082. The Art of Disagreement 086. Ocean Outcomes 088. Finding Control Amidst Corona 091. Looking on the Bright Side 092. The Success of Streetwear 094. The Meaning of Music
082
right brain
104
100. 102. 104. 105. 106. 108. 112. 115. 118.
Gazette Impression Sunrise Water Playlist Get This Into Your Ears Trending Quarantine Style The Talon Senior Bedrooms Senior Confessions Corona Couture
Photo | Gwyn Lewellyn
GROUNDED
FROM THE GROUND UP: THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND IDEAS THAT IMPACT OUR SCHOOL.
TIMES WITH TYE 010 • A HARD GOODBYE 013 • A TRIBUTE TO OUR QUEEN 014 • QUARANTINE QUAGMIRE 017 • SENIOR ROASTS 023 • TAKE IT FROM THE TOP 030 • CAN YOU DO THIS? 034 • JOHNSON’S JABS 036
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Grounded Q&A: Interview | Braden Hall
Miss Chelsie Jacobson
Only people who have been here a long time remember when Miss Jacobson was a kindergarten teacher instead of the person who holds the Rhetoric School together as the Administrative Assistant. Her last year to teach was the first year at Geneva for this graduating class and so the last students to leave with that memory. What is your relationship with the class of 2020? How do you know them? Before I was Mr. Shelton’s assistant, I was a kindergarten teacher at Geneva. Some of the students in the class of 2020 were in the last kindergarten class I taught! What is the strangest thing you remember about the class of 2020 either teaching them or watching them? The strangest thing is that they are as sweet now as they were then! But they could be goofy. On Texas Day, some boys were being so naughty they had to sit in time-out in the soccer goal while everyone else had fun! [But not for the whole time — I couldn’t be that mean.] What would you tell the class of 2020 if they were kindergartners again? I would say the same things I did then: “Sit crisscross applesauce.” “Make good choices.” “Zip your lips.” “Is it your talk turn?” “I love you”… things like that. What would you tell the seniors now? I would say some of the same things I said above. But I
would also say what Peter said to his readers: “You have been chosen by God Himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s own. Once you knew very little of God’s kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it” (1 Peter 2: 9-10). I am praying that others’ lives are changed in the same way by encountering who you are in Christ! How would you describe the class of 2020 as a whole? The class of 2020 has been so fun to watch grow up and mature into who they are today: a group who loves the Lord, loves each other and leads our campus well. I will miss them!
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Stats:
Senior Hot Lunch Favorites
TWENTY-SIX SENIORS REMEMBER THEIR ALL-TIME FAVORITE HOT LUNCHES.
Spaghetti: 2 Pepperoni Quesadillas: 4 Baked Potato: 9 Popcorn Chicken: 11
News:
Furry Friends
Words | Braden Hall
During the last weeks of Quarter Three, thanks to junior Lindsey Zuniga, our school was visited by some furry friends. These adorable dogs were brought in to help students cope with the stress and anxiety caused by testing and final assignments. The organization otherwise known as PAWS not only visits high schools, but also hospitals, colleges, elementary schools and more. The benefits to interaction with these canines are numerous. Simply petting an adorable dog for a few minutes is shown to lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular circulation, release endorphins (which are capable of calming down your body and brain), and help diminish physical pain. Because of their ability to positively influence humans’ emotions and relieve pain, therapy dogs are even used to comfort people battling terminal illnesses. This is a quickly growing industry and has already made a huge impact in multiple platforms all around our country. Mrs. Christina Jeffcoat, the Biology teacher who hosted this organization in her room, said, “For several days afterwards I heard the students say how much they enjoyed and needed the stress relief and how they wished they could do it again.”
PAWS | Students gather in Mrs. Jeffcoat’s room to pet their furry friends.
Design |
Braden Hall
Photos |
Abby Bower
and provided
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Times with Tye
STUDENTS SHARE SOME OF THEIR FAVORITE MEMORIES OF MR. TYE. Words | Gracyn Freiling
Dialectic, rhetoric and political economics teacher Mr. Steven Tye is well known around the Geneva campus and the town of Boerne for his sense of humor and welcoming demeanor. Students look forward to his classes every day because he has a way of making the subject material fun and engaging. Outside of the classroom, Tye has developed lasting connections with students by teaching many of them to drive — a large milestone of the teenage years. Through his business, Tye’s Driving School, he has coached many students on their way to adulthood. This year, Tye will sadly be leaving his job as a Geneva teacher. This news was hard to hear for the community as many students looked forward to taking his class and older students reminisced on time spent with Tye in the past. Below is what students had to say about Tye: a collection of memories and parting words for a well-loved teacher. “Mr. Tye is incredibly genuine and it is really obvious that he loves and cares for his students and wants the best for them.” -Corley Petrie, senior “I think my favorite moment from Mr. Tye is probably when he and Mr. Paul Johnson lip synched [my] sophomore year before Christmas break. Johnson was kinda nervous, but Tye went all in on it. It was hilarious. I’ll never forget it. It is sad that he’s leaving, but I’m glad he was here for all four years I was at Geneva because he’s easily one of the best parts of coming to school.” -Russel Navarro, senior “Mr. Tye was my favorite teacher because he always knew what to say and when to say it. He has the funniest personality, and I will miss him so much.” -Ellie Ledoux, freshman “Mr. Tye has always been the ‘fun’ teacher. Walking into his class was like having a break from the stress of all of our other classes. Even when we do work, he always seems to make it enjoyable for the students. You can tell that he genuinely loves and cares about his students no matter the circumstances! I will definitely miss his humor around the boardwalk!” -Abby Russell, sophomore
“I have enjoyed rhetoric classes with him this year. He is so welcoming and always knows how to make our class laugh. I am definitely going to miss him next year! My favorite memory with him would be during spirit week when Sophia Baldwin and I took some silly pictures with him.” -Naiya Swientek, freshman “I think my favorite memory was freshman year going into his class everyday with my friends and making coffee in there and just talking.” -Chloe Higgs, sophomore “Mr. Tye says hi to me every morning and always makes our class laugh. I always look forward to his class.” -Aubrey Webb, sophomore “Mr. Tye is hilarious. He has a great sense of humor and never fails to make people laugh.” -Jackson Friesenhahn, junior “He’s always up for a conversation when he’s free. My favorite memory of him was when he beat Link’s Awakening.” -Phill Ackermann, senior “I loved him because he always made it feel like class was fun and he made every class not boring but interesting.” -George Viña, freshman “I loved just chilling in Mr. Tye’s room and talking about different games with him like Zelda. He was always super chill about letting me crash in his room. He was more than just a teacher. He was a friend and I plan to keep in touch with him, but Geneva will for sure miss him.” -Luke Hardin, senior “A favorite memory [of Mr. Tye] would be when he spent part of our rhetoric class analyzing Ariana Grande’s song lyrics.” -Bella Coates, junior “He is a very funny, laid-back teacher, but he is also very relatable. He encourages you to keep going even if you feel like all is lost. He shows you the lighter side and helps you to find your place again.” -Parker Moffett, freshman
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“(He) always knows how to make our class laugh.”
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A Hard Goodbye THE SAD JOURNEY OF SAYING FAREWELL TO GENEVA. Words | Becky Ryden Occasionally I have had to explain my view of Geneva to a parent, a teacher, a board member, a student or even the head of school. It is like home. On any given day, looking at my home (especially in what we are going through with the corona quarantine) I see all the myriad of things that I would like to fix or improve upon. A sliver of paint I missed against the trim, scratches on our hardwood floors from our dog, scuffed up trim boards along the wall. It can nag at me and steal my joy of all the beauty of the windows, stone and memories that fill our home. But there is not any place I would rather come back to at the end of a long day, even a fabulous vacation. Home is all that I long for and all that brings me back to who I am. Geneva is similar. When we spend a lot of time here (and many of us do), we can see all the issues that could be ‘fixed.’ The raccoons that break into the lockers, the slow computers that shut off for no reason, the uneven boards on the boardwalk. Usually the things we want to fix are those programs or people that are in process, not quite there yet in the “Geneva” way. But if we let those things that keep Geneva from being perfect steal away our joy of this place, then shame on us. It is not perfect, but it is home. If I have to leave one thing behind as advice for future generations it is that. Do not let the reach for perfection steal away the joy of the good. Sometimes good is good enough! When we came to Geneva, there was not a Rhetoric School, just the dream of one. There were no graduates, no senior thesis, no football, no homecoming, no dances, no house system, no Europe trip. Many of our seniors are experiencing that same thing this year and my heart aches for them. While we did not have those events either, we had the dream and it has been life-changing watching those dreams become a reality. To not get to experience a lot of that this year feels sad. But I would say that what we had and what will continue is this common thread of trusting God and enjoying the fellowship
Layout | Jayne Goodman Graphics | Jayne Goodman
He gave us as we watch events unfold. That has not gone away as we have witnessed through many things this spring. Our community is a special one. It is sad to say goodbye. As Brad (Mr. Ryden) and I have discussed this process of leaving Geneva to go to Florida, he has compared it to Bilbo leaving the Shire for the last time and going on his final journey to Rivendell. He cherishes his home and the townspeople, but in his heart he longs for one more adventure. “Home is behind, the world ahead.” My heart does not always long for the adventure. I am probably more like Sam. I love the thought of being in the Shire and living out my last days here. But that is not always what God wants. My perfect plan can get in the way of the “good” that God is doing in our lives and in the future lives of where we are going and what we are leaving behind. I had no idea what I would do when we came to Boerne with four children (8th grade, 4th grade, 1st grade and a 2-year old). When Rob Shelton asked me to start a newspaper, I had no idea it would turn into this amazing magazine. But it has been more than that. It has been an excuse for me to get to know some of the most amazing people I will ever know: my students. I have loved staying in touch with my graduates and watching them succeed wherever they are. I can hardly write the words of goodbye without my heart coming into my throat. Every year, I cry my way through yet another group of seniors who have reached the end of their time at Geneva. This year I go with them. This has been a beautiful place to be. To grow. To watch grow. Thanks be to God for calling us to this place and making us a part of His plan here. It has been a beautiful journey. But now it is time to go. “The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.”
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A Tribute to our Queen RECAPPING THE LIFE OF GENEVA’S BELOVED, BECKY RYDEN. Words | Gillian Loflin
PARIS | Posing in front of the Arc de Triomphe on one of her fashion buying trips for Neiman Marcus.
Mr. and Mrs. Ryden. At first glance, you may not know that the Rydens live a fascinating life. They’ve done everything from gaining multiple Master’s degrees to jet-setting across the world for fashion shows. The two have been at Geneva for 14 years, and now it’s time to say goodbye. However, this isn’t intended to be a sad story. So, let’s start at the beginning, the very beginning. The pair met at Baylor University in 1985 with a classic friend of a friend’s brother story. Mrs. Ryden was an editor for the Baylor Lariat and studying journalism while Mr. Ryden was getting a degree in psychology. They were a part of the same friend group and were always around each other, and when Mrs. Ryden needed a partner to go on her nightly runs, he happily obliged. The two fell in love, got married and moved to Dallas where Mrs. Ryden’s story begins.
Becky Ryden always loved fashion and writing, so she went into college with the goal to become the next editor in chief of a fashion magazine. After receiving a prestigious internship at a popular apparel store in Dallas called Sanger-Harris, she graduated and began looking for a job that suited her interests. “It was a really difficult time … it was around 1986, and the oil boom had just crashed, and a lot of things were hurting in Texas,” Ryden said. “Not necessarily in the United States but for sure in Texas because of the oil. I was having a hard time getting a job as a beginning reporter … so I decided to go work at Neiman Marcus.” Mrs. Ryden began as a worker on the sales floor where she was known as the hip and chic young accessory girl. She helped the clientele with all of their fashion needs and made a name for her-
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self. If one thing is for sure, it’s that Mrs. Ryden knows what she wants. So, when she was offered a manager position, she declined it with confidence because she knew she wanted to write and work in advertising. She went through executive training, took an office job and quickly rose to a buyer position.
three months out of the year. With Mr. Ryden being the head of school at The Covenant School in Dallas, it was time to take a step back. Instead, she became one of the critical components in
“She was known as the hip and chic young accessory girl.”
Mrs. Ryden was placed as an assistant buyer in men’s clothing and then transferred to Denver, Colorado to be a department manager for Women’s shoes. The the creation of Neiman company was so imMarcus online, which pressed with her, they didn’t exist before then. offered her a position The company took a hit to buy women’s shoes in 2000 with the elecfrom European designtion of George Bush ers and American runover Al Gore, because way labels. She began customers held back going to New York six from buying items until times a year and eventhey knew who would tually went to runway be president. When shows in Milan, Paris things finally started to and London. What Mrs. pick up again, the atRyden wants, she gets, tack on the Twin Towers so when she discovoccurred on 9/11. After ered small, unknown 15 years, Mrs. Ryden designers that creatdecided it was time to ed unique shoes, the step away. Mr. Ryden company trusted her was in the process of enough to unleash her helping the school and let her buy what in Dallas grow from she deemed appropria K-6th grade school ate. At the time, Prada to a K-12th school didn’t showcase their and was helping the MILANO | Taking time off to ride the train from Milan to Nice for collections publicly in school heal from a split. fun, Brad would often come join Becky for an adventure. fear that they would be knocked off, so Mrs. Ryden was invited to their pri- When the school in Dallas was in the right spot, then vate showroom in Milan, Italy to select her buy for that head of school for Geneva, Mrs. Leslie Moeller, postseason. After working all day, she would go to a deli ed a job for the head of the Rhetoric School, and Mr. to pick up some food, go Ryden called out of curiosity. In that conversation, back to her hotel room to Moeller discussed the possibility of Mr. Ryden taking eat and write up the order. on her role at Geneva. Mrs. Ryden had never heard of Boerne, Texas and was skeptical of moving to another Throughout this journey city when their roots were established in Dallas. Howin the fashion world, Mrs. ever, Mr. Ryden felt so led to Geneva, the Ryden famiRyden had two kids at ly decided to move before ever going to visit Boerne. home and was gone about
“The two have been at Geneva for 14 years.”
“What we didn’t know at the time of that conversation between Brad and Leslie was that Leslie had just found out she was pregnant and had just prayed 48 hours before Brad called her that God would provide a head of school who was male and knew how to build an upper school (Rhetoric School),” Mrs. Ryden said. At this point Geneva only went through 8th grade, so with their son Alex Ryden going into eighth grade, they were able to grow the school into a K-12th grade school. This is where their story at Geneva begins. The Rydens have been an enormous blessing to the Geneva community. Mrs. Ryden grew the newspaper program into a magazine that is nationally commended and recognized. She has impacted so many lives for the better by helping students get a taste of what it is like to work for a prestigious publication. Mr. Ryden has been a voice of reason and wisdom, a fearless leader that helped expand the school and shape it into what is is today. Throughout his history at Geneva, the school has grown from about 250 students to around 700. The Rhetoric School is complete with a senior thesis program, full athletics and arts programs and graduates who have gone on to do what everyone prayed about: making an impact for the cause of Christ. Geneva has added Rhetoric School buildings, a competition gym, Grammar School buildings, a Lyceum and has purchased land that will allow the school to continue to grow while also allowing I-10 access. They have also graduated three of their children from Geneva: Alex (‘11), who was valedictorian of his class and is now graduating from medical school, Ethan (‘15) who is graduating from the University of Texas’ School of Architecture this May, and Audrey (‘18) who is studying visualization at Texas A&M University. Eliot, a freshman, would have been the only child to be in the Geneva Guild for being here since Kindergarten, but will instead graduate from another Geneva in ‘22. She will move with her parents in June to Orlando. In the fall of 2020, the Rydens will begin a new chapter of their lives in Florida. The Geneva School of Orlando (I know, what a coincidence) will gain Mr. Ryden as their new headmaster to help grow their school. The community will mourn their loss; however, we know that wherever they go, they will bless everyone they come into contact with. The Rydens have given their all in supporting Geneva and helping it get to the place it is today, but now it is time for another school to receive their help. CHANGES | From top, the Ryden family at L’Abri in England, Brad and Becky at the San Antonio Zoo, Becky at her hotel in Paris, and the family for their first Christmas in Boerne.
Layout | Jayne Goodman Photos | Becky Ryden
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Quarantine Quagmire A 24-DAY QUARANTINE BRINGS NEW CREATIVITY AND INGENUITY. Words | Charlotte Walker
The senior editors intended to have a farewell 24-hour sleepover for this story. But the world went on lockdown. I had left a week before spring break to attend my sister’s graduation in Oxford, England. Unbeknownst to me, Wednesday, February 26th would be the last day I would attend class on the Geneva campus. The coronavirus was a small concern before we left, but after traipsing around England for two weeks, the small virus had grown into a pandemic. The editors were unable to meet for any period of time (much less 24 hours), so I began my story, alone. But since I’d be locked away so long, why limit it to hours? 24 days it became … and counting.
PLEIN AIR | Catching some rays and working on thesis during Quarantine.
MARCH 12TH Arrived home from London. Received a Geneva email asking that I remain home two weeks. Our senior and track Groupme chats exploded with shock, excitement, humor and sadness.
MARCH 13TH Jet lag. MARCH 14TH Practiced thesis, thesis, thesis outside
to simultaneously get the much-needed sun I had lost while away in chilly England. Neighbors saw me enthusiastically “talking to myself.” Oh, the joys of being a Geneva senior.
MARCH 15TH Productive thesis practice and Netflix procrastination. Found some fabric (aka tablecloths) in the garage and
PAGE 0018 cooked up a dress. Blame it on my Maria Von Trapp tendencies, but at least they weren’t curtains ...
MARCH 16TH Woke up at the crack of dawn (why?) to retrieve essentials from Boerne apartment. Excited to drive for first time in two weeks until Reynolds said he doesn’t trust other people driving … he took the wheel.
MARCH 17TH Reynolds returned to Baylor. Mourned losing my brother to his “fraternity brothers” but once again assumed my glorious throne of only child.
MARCH 18TH Received 96 rolls of toilet paper from industrial supply company … smallest number you could buy, ok? Videotaped and submitted 1/3 of thesis to teachers.
MARCH 19TH Went for a run after a brief kick of motivation. Return of track meets looking very slim ...
MARCH 20TH Finished third book in “The Selection” series. Sometimes you just need a break from the classics, right?
MARCH 21ST Joined some fitness blogger for dance cardio on Instagram Live, then broke promise to myself and made Tik Tok account to find some real workout dances.
MARCH 22ND Online church and binge-watched “All American.” Also attempted whipped coffee before I found out it was a “Tik Tok trend.” Highly recommend.
MARCH 23RD First day of online classes! But no classes. Looked at LMS RenWeb.
MARCH 24TH Repeat yesterday but in my backyard soaking up the sun, reading, and studying.
MARCH 25TH Zoom party for my grandfather’s birthday! All 35 in our extended family made it ... except him. My grandparents couldn’t figure out how to work Zoom. My sister finally FaceTimed them and held her phone to the screen while we sang Happy Birthday. Comical.
MARCH 26TH Zoom class! Senior Class FaceTime … only 12 showed. Drove to Boerne for “social distancing” Lifegroup.
MARCH 27TH Finished last make-up test from before spring break
FUN TIMES | Nick Thornton (‘14) enjoys some relaxed time at the Walkers’ (top). A boat is a quiet place to practice theis (bottom).
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and completed first online school deadlines. Discovered “Pluto Living,” a dog who became an internet sensation speaking about life in quarantine.
MARCH 28TH Painted a picture from our hike in Cinque Terre, Italy. Surrogate brother, Nick, visited from Boerne and played tennis before dinner and Bananagrams with the parents.
MARCH 29TH FaceTimed our English friends, Dominic and Naomi at 5:45 A.M. Read until sleep got the best of me. Awoke in a daze around 10 before more coffee and walking upstairs for Church.
MARCH 30TH Talked to Reynolds about Baylor, held Bible study via Zoom, homework, a walk and movie with parents.
MARCH 31ST Cleaned out a spot in the boat to suntan, read “The Great Gatsby” and memorize thesis … later got the email about extending online classes and the end of senior year and activities, as we know it.
APRIL 1ST Breakfast, homework, FaceTimed a friend, class, FaceTimed another friend, thesis, FaceTimed yet another friend and attended online seminar with my parents during dinner. Any April Fools jokes would be cruel this year.
CRAFTY | Going somewhere? Making a dress out of what is around the house ... just because ...
APRIL 5TH
APRIL 2ND
Egg frittata for breakfast. Yes, I’m fancy like that … jk … frozen food and microwave skills. Virtual church, an hour walk with mom and dad, and healthy cookie recipe = Sabbath.
Repeat yesterday. Stayed up late thinking.
APRIL 6TH
APRIL 3RD
Surprisingly awakened before my parents. Bible study zoom … postponed. Talked with momma while forgetting to write this story. Decided to break Baylor family tradition and head to Malibu next year!
Turned in thesis video of my 2nd third minutes before the deadline … sometimes you finish early, sometimes you procrastinate, ya know? Balance is key.
APRIL 4TH Attended virtual Pepperdine Accepted Students weekend, watched Pepperdine videos and painted my nails. Malibu is not the same online. Layout | Charlotte Walker
P.S. This story concluded before “Proom Productions” and the other incredible Geneva faculty mobilized to enhance our isolated senior living experiences. Life has since improved.
Photos | Charlotte Walker
OPINION 020
Off vs. Online Schooling THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF ONLINE SCHOOLING.
Rant
Words | Sophia Baldwin These past few weeks have definitely been different to say the least. From trips being cancelled to not being able to buy toilet paper, the Coronavirus has taken over our normal lifestyles. School is one of the many things that has been drastically impacted. While it is nice to be able to stay in my sweatpants all day, this whole online school thing has been really wack. When I first heard about a “second spring-break,” I was stoked. At the time it seemed like an extended vacation, but I quickly realized that was not the case. In no time, I found myself feeling stir crazy about having to stay exclusively at home. Zoom is great and all, but seeing your friends and teachers through a screen really is not the same as a personal interaction. I miss seeing people at school everyday. I miss talking to my teachers. Even though these times have been difficult, I think it has made a lot of us realize that we do not miss what we have until it’s gone. I feel like a grandma with a new phone, not able to understand how this new normal works. While the teachers are very helpful and supportive, online school has kind of left me in the dark. I do not want this to be a sad story, but in a way it is. Prom, the Europe trip, thesis and sports are all things we have been waiting for, and it is hard to grasp that they’re gone. The other day I had to gather my things from my locker. I knew that online school would be challenging, but walking through the empty campus made the situation real. All we wait for during school are breaks and vacations to set us free. Now I wish more than anything that I could go back. This whole experience has really shown me just how much I take for granted.
Rave Words | Luke Bower In a time when toilet paper is valued more than gasoline, students are left living aimless lives. With a sleep schedule resembling that of someone who works the Whataburger night shift and no use for the limited daylight they see, teenagers need something better to do than stare at the fan and wonder if this pandemic did or did not cancel prom. As bedtimes began to stretch into the 3:00 am realm, the Geneva School of Boerne finally ended our mindless suffering by generously providing online classes for its students. Thanks, Geneva! Now we have a reason to rouse ourselves from bed each morning. What better way to start your day than by seeing all your classmates in various states of wakefulness (and the dress that entails) staring back at you from their bedrooms as the private chats pour in? Yes, it is nice to have some structure built back into our days, but are these online classes really a good thing? Are these classes really better than actual school? For me, the answer is a resounding YES! Mostly it’s because school has now become a priority for me. Unfortunately, I would not be honest if I said that was the case before spring break. Since COVID-19 has relegated my education to the internet, I have a new urgency where school is concerned. Because of my newfound fervor, my time management has also improved. I don’t think I’ve ever used my time as wisely as I have since virtual classes began. There is something about the independence online learning provides that has motivated me. The fact that I could just not go to school if I don’t click the Zoom link somehow makes me go into overdrive in the independence department. Maybe it’s FOMO and I just don’t want to take a chance on missing out on some human connection for the day, but I think it’s more than that.
OPINION 021
OPINION 022
The new responsibility that has come with making sure I know when my classes are scheduled and what is required to be prepared for them has made me take more responsibility for my education. While Geneva by no means spoon fed Rhetoric students when we were on campus, since we’ve been away I have a new conviction that my education is “on me,” and it has caused me to rise to the occasion. I realize now that my guitar is still going to be there waiting for me to play it AFTER I finish the reading assignment for my next class. This is further helped by the boredom inherent in this coronavirus situation. School gives you something to do after you have watched everything on Netflix and cleaned out your pantry of everything containing sugar. If there is nothing left to do, you might as well get all the school for the week done. With the old classroom school schedule, I found myself procrastinating to do my homework because I was at school all day, and I never got to have fun and relax. Now it is flip flopped. There is SO much relaxing that school becomes what I want to do as a distraction.
“While Geneva by no means spoon fed Rhetoric students when we were on campus, since we’ve been away I have a new conviction that my education is ‘on me,’ and it has caused me to rise to the occasion.”
My organization has improved during online school as well. As a typically disorganized person, I have never felt more on top of my school work. This is because I have to be. I can’t borrow someone’s book if I forget mine (technically, I can since my brothers are here, but that’s beside the point), figure out what the homework was and do it quickly in my car five minutes before class or otherwise wing it when I drop the ball. It is all on me, and I’m finding out that those planners they give us every year actually can come in handy. Another of the many benefits I have discovered in online school is that it fits my learning style. In a typical classroom environment, I have a tendency to drift away, daydream and miss key parts of the lecture. This is not a problem with many online class lectures because they are typically YouTube videos. This means that if you happen to zone out, you can just rewind to the part you missed and replay it. You can also pause a lecture if you need more time to get your notes the way you want them. Also, instead of having
Layout | Charlotte Walker
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Ashton Landis
to focus for an entire class period, online classes tend to be much shorter. This allows me to focus hard for a shorter period, enabling me to maintain focus and learn much more efficiently. This is true even when the classroom discussion is live, as well as the added accountability factor of your face being on the screen for all to see. Another benefit to online learning I have discovered is no uniforms. No explanation needed. All in all, online classes have worked for me. While it would be fitting to conclude with some joke about how the benefits of virtual learning far outweigh any detriments, and that Geneva should switch to online classes indefinitely, I just can’t do it. I miss Geneva. I miss the faces and the laughs. I miss the distinct noise of the boardwalk and when the sound of laughter turns to a strange accepted silence that comes over a classroom during a test. I miss seeing my teachers and my friends who more often than not are one and the same. So, while there are no doubt benefits to virtual schooling, there are some things it just can’t replace. It is a shame that after all this time at Geneva my classes are ending through a screen.
SENIOR
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IT IS AN HONORED TRADITION TO BE ROASTED BY A TEACHER ON YOUR WAY OUT.
CURBY GRAHAM:
Chaz Garcia Chaz is one of the only students in Geneva history to have taken every AP class offered. I just want to say on behalf of everyone — we are very annoyed by that. Get a hobby. Chaz has also been accepted as a cadet in the Corps at A&M. I remember how happy I was to hear it because now at least he will finally learn how to shave properly and get rid of that late 70s hairdo he sports. I know how disappointed Chaz was though when I explained to him that his expertise in all things “My Little Pony” was not something he should want in his recommendation letter. Then there was the flood of tears when he found out that being a “Brony” was not an elite commando unit he could one day apply for. You really shouldn’t have sprung for that full back tattoo of Pinky Pie either. Chaz, I do want you to remember something important. When you are exhausted from all the endless push-ups, the constant yelling, having to eat meals in silence, the brutal marches in the heat, the nerve-wracking inspections and tedious boot shining — remember that old Lieutenant Colonel Graham is out there somewhere thinking of you. And laughing. Hey, I didn’t go to A&M, so who cares?
ROB SHELTON:
Jack Cupit I could never bring myself to roast Jack — he’s so perfect in every way. However, if I was forced to do a roast, I guess I could talk about how he’s my favorite cheerleader … but how I am so glad that he decided not to wear the skirt. I guess I could also mention how I wish every student had his school pride, but maybe ratcheted down a few thousand notches. I mean, having a tattoo of Geneva’s logo on your chest is a bit much (but I like the tattoo of me on his back). I guess I could also tell him that the plans for the Geneva fan club probably won’t get off the ground, but he is welcome to try. Maybe I could tell him how he’s my third favorite Cupit to graduate from Geneva. But seriously, I am so glad for how he has taught me how to improve the senate chaplain position — believe me, several policy changes are coming at the end of his tenure. Again, these are some things that I might bring up if I was forced to do a roast of Jack Cupit … and if he was actually graduating … if.
SCOTT MILAM:
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Phill Ackermann and Luke Hardin “They aren’t? You sure? I can still just do one roast though, right? Good.” Today I’ll be roasting Phil and Luke, who is actually a completely different person and not just a bodysuit Phill wears to avoid Mrs. Wheeler when he forgets his thesis assignments. These boys have matured a lot in the years that I’ve known them. When I first met them, they were small, nerdy, argumentative, fashion-impaired slobs. Now they’ve grown into … well, bigger versions of that. More people look up to them now (at least physically). One of them even has a girlfriend (in unrelated news, I hear she is really enjoying the “social distancing” we’ve all been doing). He — I mean THEY — turned out to be the best debate captains we’ve had in at least a couple years. They did such a good job running the class that even Sam Doran listened to them (occasionally). Their prompt delivery of assignments and attention to detail ensured that they are both in the top five Advanced Computer Science students we’ve ever had at this school. Mr. Grover tells me that their presence in Microeconomics class was an invaluable demonstration of the Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns. In closing, I just want you both to know that as you go off to school, there is no limit to what you can accomplish together … which is why we are all SO glad you’ll be going to two different schools. I know that you both will fit right in at college — after all, eating junk food and playing Super Smash Bros late into the night is exactly what four years of debate have prepared you for. The entire debate team will miss you terribly … except for Parker, who we are definitely shipping to you 15 minutes after you leave for college.
RICK POOLE:
Noah Nilsson Noah Nilsson is a staunch supporter of our Second Amendment rights. If you ask him about any of the other amendments, or indeed the Constitution, you will get a blank stare back from him, but he likes to talk about guns — sometimes too much. For example, when you get pulled over for speeding through Fair Oaks, it is perfectly normal to observe that the police officer writing you a ticket is also wearing a firearm. What is less conventional is to lean out the window and say, “Oh wow, you have a gun too? I’ll bet mine’s bigger!” Such is Noah’s enthusiasm for liberty. This is not to say the police don’t like him. In fact, they all seem to be on a first name basis with him. While out running errands, I have often seen him surrounded by a gathering of patrol cars. I always wave to him and being a Geneva student, Noah always politely waves back — at least on those occasions when his hands are free to wave. Speaking of hands, I’m sure everyone knows what a truly talented musician Noah is. If you’ve ever met Noah, it’s the first thing he will tell you. I have been sincerely impressed by the countless hours he puts into practicing. I will never understand how he can play guitar 40 hours a week, while maintaining a rich social life, and pursuing his own high, academic standards. He is, to many, an inspiration. I guess it helps not having a girlfriend. He claims they are too expensive. It never occurred to me that you could pay for one, but then Noah is very resourceful, and I imagine that his guitar occupies an equally important place in his heart. He shows an amazing devotion to it. I will miss the sight of him wandering the boardwalk alone, his acoustic held gently in his arms like a partner.
PAGE 025 I wish Noah all the success he can dream of as he enters the world of higher education. I think he feels that his time at Geneva has equipped him well for the studies that lie ahead. Indeed, there have been many times this year when Noah, after raising his hand to every single question, and responding with the correct answers more often than not, has told me: “I think I’m really getting good at this school stuff, Mr. Poole. It’s like the answers just keep popping into my brain!” “That’s great, Noah!” I always reply. It would be wrong for me to point out that he is in a sophomore humanities class. I’m still not sure why he comes, but such a passion for learning should not be gainsaid. God bless you Noah, Godspeed, and rock on.
SHAWN HARILLD:
Jake Allen Every so often a filmmaker comes along whose body of work transcends the medium to which it belongs. Jake Allen is NOT one of those filmmakers. Sure, the “Mens’ Room” pictures have generated some critical acclaim, but have you ever considered its crass premise? Demons in the bathroom? I think I know where and how he found his inspiration. What happens in the boys’ room should stay in the boys’ room, Jake. And let us not forget his landmark failure: the “What NOT to do at the College Fair” segment on our YouTube channel. You should NOT watch this forgettable colossal blunder. It is a complete waste of your time. In the words of Mrs. Ward, “It is something.” That is putting it mildly! It is GARBAGE! Worse than those demons you thought up while sitting on the John. Can you believe Jake was head of the sound department at that time?! The audio is EASILY the worst part of it! No wonder we weren’t asked to make a second iteration for Mrs. Ward. It makes sense when you consider that his most well-received movies are silent films. Jake, you are the Tommy Wiseau of Aquila Pictures!! And like Mr. Wiseau, people are laughing at you, not with you. I would rather watch Battlefield Earth again or selfisolate for an entire year before viewing another one of your cinematic abominations. Stop while you are behind. Just. Stop.
HILLARY SHORT:
Dawson Cate It took me literally six days to create something interesting to say about Dawson, but it’s all good. Dawson is metaphorically one of the nicest students ever to walk mostly on two feet. He’s also one of the most mature, seeing as how his jokes have evolved into Dad humor a few millennia before those of his peers. People are like trilobites in response to his spoken words: stunned into fossilized states because the hilariousness simply envelops the whole earth. When Dawson is as old as a dinosaur, I bet he’ll still crack people, including the super apes, right up to when he reveals the punchline answers to the genesis of his jokes. He’s such a Ham. But let’s turn now to what his thesis is all about: hibernation. That’s right. Dawson is arguing that animals should no longer hibernate throughout the winter. Perhaps he was inspired to eradicate their laziness due to his love for running. Perhaps his diligence simply drives him to compel others to cease their slumber and be more productive. Whatever the case, it’s clear Dawson has taken his astute reasoning and driven work ethic to do some good in the world. Since the start of a full calendar year
PAGE 026 we have seen Dawson’s commitment to the cause of animals’ virtue development and desire to succeed in ending seasonal hibernation for all. Who knows what he will do next with this passion in the future? Perhaps we will start to see the revival of mission work to animals in hard-to-reach places around the globe. Maybe Dawson will lead innovations in getting more technology to wild fauna. Whatever the case, we all know the message of hibernation cancellation is a needed and pertinent exhortation in the body of Christ today. We both admire and thank Mr. Dawson Cate for his excellent work.
CHRISTINA HAMMOCK:
Corley Petrie You all know her (or at least you think you do). The smile that lights up a room. The cheerful disposition that comes floating down the boardwalk; long, dark ponytail trailing behind her. She’s probably the sweetest student on campus — State Champion cheer captain, honor council member, student senate chaplain, Spirit Week poster-maker. And that’s exactly how she did it. That’s how a sophomore became Editor-in-Chief of The Boardwalk and maintained her position through the rest of high school. In fact, if she didn’t have to graduate, she’d never give up control of the yearbook – exploring themes, colors, fonts. Deep down she’s a tyrant and a dictator. Every detail considered and tightly controlled. Which script can we use? Not that one. Bold or regular? Ummm… semibold. Can we use orange? Not a chance. I mean she even went so far as to choose a font named Petri Plate for this year’s book because it’s really all about her. The yearbook staff has sat in silence for three years knowing no one would believe them. Who would ever believe anything bad about sweet Corley Petrie?!?! She’s kept her staff silent by plying them with homemade cupcakes, cookies, ice cream sundaes and popcorn treats. She’s kept us all in her stead by never forgetting a birthday, teacher appreciation day or holiday. Staying up all hours of the night making plans for class the next day. I mean just last week, she showed up at my house with cookies … during quarantine! Who does that? Someone who thinks they are above the rules, that’s who. Watch out world, here she comes. She’ll have you under her thumb in no time.
SUSAN GREENLEES:
Abigail Dees & Gracyn Freiling Tuesday, 8:00 a.m … and the text stream begins: Totter (Abigail Dees): “Hey girl, you going to school today?” Teeter (Gracyn Freiling): “IDK. Whose turn is it, yours or mine?” Totter: “Not sure. Who went yesterday?....Oh, yeah, both of us did. Remember, she taught the lesson on sine equals opposite over hypotenuse, and (Chatty) Cathy kept talking to us so we didn’t know how to do it when she called on us. She gets us in trouble a lot.” Teeter: “ Oh yeah, I just guessed, but you know me, I’m so smart in math, I can go weeks and still figure it out and also Mrs. G will just teach it to me again during lunch if I ask sweetly, and then I can teach you. But you’re smart too. So we should be okay.” Totter: “I’m glad she puts up with us and is willing to help … so whose turn is it from last week?“ Teeter: “Well, I know when I got to school on Friday and saw your car in the parking lot, I went back home … so that means it is my day to go? I’ll get the notesheets for you and you can stay home. Just use the ‘my mom made me’ excuse when you come back. Totter: “Okay, I’ll stay home. I’m still in my onesie anyway. Have a good day. I’ll go to school tomorrow and you can stay home.”
PAGE 027 Teeter: “That’ll work great because my mom is on me to finish my college applications and I need to get it done…well maybe after I wake up at noon … Ha!” Tottter: “Sounds good. So we can just rotate from there the rest of the week?” Teeter: “Well, I don’t know, I think we should both go for a few days. Remember we have that concert next week in Austin, and we won’t want to get up early the next morning, so we should save some days. What do you think?” Totter: “Good idea, and we don’t want Colonel Graham hounding us either. Let’s both go tomorrow, and make sure we are caught up in our classes. But, let’s make a bet… the one who has the most quizzes and tests to make up has to buy the other person coffee at Starbucks on our next day out. Sound good?” Teeter: “That’s a bet. Later the next week at Starbucks: Totter: “You won the bet, so you can order me a Venti Chai Latte ... ha! Thanks.” Teeter: “Sure thing, but ugghh! I don’t know if it’s a great thing to win because I do have a lot to make up.” Totter: “True that. I do too … Look, I just got a snapchat from Regina.” Teeter: “Oh, I love Regina. Let’s take a snapchat and send one back to her…. Wait, isn’t she in school? We shouldn’t be sending anything back since we aren’t in school. But she was asking us if we were coming to Capernaum tonight.” Tooter: “We need to go tonight. It is the highlight of my week and I love to hang out with our friends. Then we can head back to school together tomorrow.” Teeter: “Yeah I love Capernaum too, and honestly, sometimes I actually miss school and seeing my friends and teachers.” Totter: “I know we could do a whole lot better if we were just there more often.” Teeter: “Yep, Mrs. Greenlees always says that she gave us these names because like any teeter-totter, it’s a lot more fun when both of us are there. Ha!” Totter: “She’s right, she wins … let’s go.” So Teeter and Totter, I hope you know this was all in love. I just had to have a little fun here at the end. Thank you for your commitment to Capernaum ... that shoutout was for real. You are both loved and are gifts to that ministry. I was right to give you those names, because in your sporadic attendance during sophomore and junior year, it just got comical, even though you could still keep up. The fact still rings true, that it was the best when both of you were there. With love, Mrs G
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Everything You Need to Know About...
Words | Abby Bower
LEARNING ALL ABOUT GENEVA’S CAPSTONE.
Senior
Thesis
Thesis: the presentation said to be the culmination of a Geneva student’s education. At Geneva, students go through rhetorical training from the beginning. In Grammar School, students orally present during numerous assemblies and programs as well as a variety of classroom presentations from kindergarten all the way through fifth grade. Most notably, Grammar students learn to memorize material and present it to an audience during the annual Speech Meet.
In Logic School, not only are students required to make a number of classroom presentations, they are also required to participate in the 8th Grade oratory competition where they present memorized material to an audience. As Geneva students enter Rhetoric School, they begin formal rhetoric training and have numerous opportunities to hone their speaking skills in the classroom, during assemblies and programs, all culminating with their thesis during senior year. Thesis at Geneva involves researching, presenting and defend-
ing a claim regarding a topic of the student’s choice via a ten page paper presented in a 20 minute memorized speech. The presenter is then required to defend their claim for 20 additional minutes by responding to the questions and comments of a three-person panel of experts. Students begin this daunting process by choosing a topic at the end of their junior year which they research over the summer. Students synthesize all of their research to form a thesis, taking a position on their topic of choice and completing the writ-
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ing process the first semester of their senior year. The second semester of senior year is dedicated to refining the written work, memorization and practicing delivery. With all the requirements and deadlines that are inherent in the process, it goes without saying that the completion of Senior Thesis at Geneva is not a simple task. Thesis involves research, writing, memorizing and presenting, and all of it has to be done according to a fairly strict schedule. Being overwhelmed by such a huge un-
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dertaking question wonders thesis is,
seems inevitable. The every Rhetoric student as they contemplate “Can I really do this?”
According to Senior Thesis Director Hillary Short, thesis tends to be what you make it out to be. She says, “[If] you make it out to be difficult, it will be difficult.” However, Short assures students, “If you simply follow the bite-size steps we lay out to climb the mountain a little at a time, asking for help when you need it and not letting the work pile up, it’s a cinch.”
Graphic | Jayne Goodman
Will Bower, one of this year’s G.K. Chesterton finalists, agrees that thesis has not been as difficult as he had anticipated. Bower states that “In the end, it’s really just another school project that you get to present to people. It’s actually a cool experience to share your ideas about something you’ve learned so much about with other people.”
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TAKE IT FROM THE TOP
Valedictorian Catarina Flores
ADVICE FROM THE VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES. Words | Catarina Flores and Corley Petrie
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FLORES: Hi, everyone! In years past, the Valedictorian and Salutatorian have given great advice to the public. So, Corley and I decided that to provide the best advice we could, we would go back over our years at Geneva and remember the advice we have given each other to find the best pieces to share with all of you!
PETRIE: I am going to start by saying I ALWAYS advised Catarina to go to football games. I think she ended up going to what… two? FLORES: Hmmm ….. This year I’m going to say two, last year perhaps three. Homecoming was nice! What can I say? It’s just too hot outside in the fall months. Plus, I think the advice I gave Corley is much better. I told her she should go to bed at 11 instead of 4 a.m. I don’t think she did. PETRIE: I may not have started going to bed at 11 like a grandma, but I think I did end up going to sleep around 3 a.m. most days. And let’s be honest, four hours of sleep is a whole lot better than three hours of sleep, so I think I am just fine. Besides, I was too busy baking for the yearbook staff, which you are on, so I don’t see what the issue is. FLORES: That’s true. When I told her to go to bed early, I always secretly hoped she wouldn’t listen and would stay up late and make Oreo rice crispy treats. But, like the spectacular friend I am, I didn’t want to encourage her to sacrifice her health… I remember another piece of advice Corley gave me that, I sadly admit, is one of the best ones I have ever received. Pasta is always good to have in the pantry and can be used in multiple ways when one needs dinner. PETRIE: I live off of pasta. It is my go-to meal. Pasta and bread. It is probably the blandest meal ever, but I have the taste buds of a five-yearold so I like it. Although the pasta one was good, I think a great piece of advice I got from Catarina was to rewatch all the “Star Wars” movies that I hadn’t seen since I was in Grammar school. FLORES: That was brilliance on my part. But then again, Corley did introduce me to “Friends” so it’s clear she has a refined taste in tv and film. PETRIE: I wouldn’t call watching all ten seasons of “Friends” twelve times a ‘refined’ taste, but I can’t seem to stop watching. That may be another reason I stay up until three in the morning … FLORES: She never took my advice to finish “Doctor Who” which is probably why she had to rewatch “Friends” so many times. There is no better TV show besides “Doctor Who.” But besides that brief lapse of judgment, I do remember her also giving me some valuable words of wisdom that the school needs to hear: post-lab errors are unacceptable when one completes a Chem Lab, and one must take steps to avoid them at all costs. That one can get you far in life, trust me. It saved us hours of work. PETRIE: Oh, we are bringing up AP Chem now? All right, so first off, we both gave each other lousy advice when we decided to switch from AP Physics to AP Chem on the same day. We should’ve just stuck with Physics. Luckily, we had Dr. Lloyd, who definitely saved our grades and our spirits that year. The one thing that almost killed me was post-lab errors. We made them one time, and I still have nightmares about that day. FLORES: It was a dark time for those nine AP Chem students. So whatever you do, if you brave the nightmare of AP science classes or not, DON’T MAKE POST-LAB ERRORS.
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Salutatorian Corley Petrie
PETRIE: It definitely was a dark time for the nine of us, but I think I can genuinely say switching to Chem was the worst piece of advice I have followed because I got an A- first semester and that right there is the reason I fell short of Catarina. But I mean it was bound to happen at some point. Catarina is incredibly smart and the hardest worker. She works so hard that she will spend three hours reading one chapter of a book ... FLORES: That reminds me of another piece of advice Corley gave me. Read faster and don’t check over tests four times. She is naturally brilliant, so typically she reads ten pages per minute (which I still don’t understand). If we combine that advice with the pasta and “Friends,” you have a lovely evening where you finish your homework two hours ahead of schedule and eat spaghetti while binging season 4.
2020
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PETRIE: Woah, woah, woah. Four times?! No, she checks her tests waaaay more than that. She reads all the possible answers three times before answering, then chooses an answer and checks it once or twice, and then goes back through the entire test several more times. Even after going through all that, I don’t think she has ever changed an answer! But hey, you do you Catarina because I can’t poke too much fun at you when I am always texting you to ask random questions about assignments at all hours of the night. FLORES: Let’s say as far as texting questions go, I am surprised Corley did not block my phone number from the number of questions I asked her-- especially in Chem Season. Also, another piece of advice I just realized is to always pick someone as a partner for a project that works faster than you, that way, again, you can spend less than ten hours because they do all their work correctly the first time without needing to check it over (*cough* Corley) and she can tell you that we should just turn it in instead of checking it over again so then you have more time to pursue your passions. PETRIE: Oh, I’ve made plenty of mistakes from going a bit too fast, but we learn best from mistakes so I feel like it balances out in the end! All joking aside, I think Catarina and I both have some real advice we want to share with everyone. FLORES: If you want to combine all those pieces of advice into one mega-piece of advice, I would say this is what I’ve learned in all my years of friendship with Corley: she is always there for you whenever you need it, whether it be making food or answering questions at one in the morning, or responding to my “are you still awake?” text when we had a hard test the next day. The key to having a great time in Rhetoric School and life, I guess, is to surround yourself with people like that who ALWAYS build you up, no matter what happens. Also, do your best to always be there for your friends (though it will most likely look like a failed attempt when you are comparing yourself to someone like Corley, who is the queen of being kind and caring). PETRIE: Catarina has taught me so much about hard work but, more importantly, to enjoy and savor the work you are doing. She doesn’t grumble or complain, and it is evident that she genuinely loves to learn, and I think we can all learn from that. A love for learning and the people around you is a fantastic combination, and Catarina is an amazing example of that. I am so grateful for our friendship and all that she has taught me. We are all given so many opportunities at Geneva. Whether it is our education, extracurriculars, sports, community service or fellowship, I encourage you all to really soak it in and appreciate everything Geneva has to offer. Take an extra class if you have the time, sign up for a club or sport, eat lunch with your teachers, talk to people from other grades on the boardwalk, really take in what Mr. Shelton teaches at assemblies, represent Geneva well outside of the campus, and do whatever else you can to make your time at Geneva as great as you can because you are going to miss it. We already do. Layout
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Can You Do This? NOT ONLY A GENEVA EDUCATION, BUT THEY CAN DO THIS TOO!
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Luke Bower
Hanson Brown
“I can telepathically communicate with horses.”
“Juggling”
Joel Calderon
Madeline Chandler
“I can wiggle my ears.” “Sharp Shooter”
Reese Ferguson
Macy Kate Flora
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“I’m really good at the splits.”
“I can make a three-leaf clover with my tongue.”
Emmalee Jonas
Cameron Kidd
“I can dunk on a 10ft rim, but only if no one is looking.”
“Bass Fishing”
Gage Kohler
Russel Navarro “I can make a noise with my mouth that sounds exactly like a water droplet.”
“I’m able to down two Whataburgers and fries in around four minutes.”
Kade Nicholls Layout
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Evan Schaefer |
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Johnson’s Jabs
MR. PAUL JOHNSON PREDICTS THE FUTURE FOR SOME OF OUR SENIORS. Words | Paul Johnson
Natalya Pedraza
Will Bower
Happily married to a type-A medical university researcher, has five kids, is a stay-at-home homeschooling dad, collects illegal firearms and early 80’s Ford Broncos.
After a gap year that turned into four years traveling around Europe, falls in love with a farmer from the south of France, has three boys, one girl, and lots of pigs, collects vintage doll heads.
Happily married, has two kids, burned out hospital CEO-turned Tractor Supply Warehouse manager, mows lawn in boxers, wears black socks with sandals, likes to complain, collects Civil War era guns.
Jayne Goodman
Nathan Masso
Julia Denton
Married to a motorcycle mechanic/punk-rock guitarist, has one teenage daughter, coaches gymnastics, is the Jammer for the Undead Betties roller derby squad, collects vintage clothes patterns, vinyl, and craft supplies.
Dedicated bachelor, sells high end custom outdoor sporting goods, lives downtown, bikes to farmers markets, drives a Prius, collects German Short-haired Pointers and craft beer.
Finally finds her one true love late in life, bonus mom of two teenage children, manages a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise, is a Jazzercise and macramé enthusiast, collects glass figurines of marine mammals.
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Travis Ratterree
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cole f .
Cole Fritcher
Brandon Strickland
Seth Ramsey
Dedicated bachelor, unemployed carpet layer, has a ZZ Top-inspired chest-length beard, always wears reflective Ray Ban Wayfarers, rides a long-rake chopper, collects everything.
Finds a geeky girl on eHarmony and is happily married, has one highmaintenance dog, works in tech industry repairing credit card chip reader machines, spends weekends overclocking his custom-built gamer PC and souping up his 2015 Camaro SS, collects black and white samurai movies and ninja weapons.
Married, has two kids, owns and operates a construction company, has the same haircut he did in high school, always wears huarache sandals and cargo shorts, has been meaning to get his Harley Davidson to run for the past 20 years, collects volunteer duties at his church.
Eric Drees Injured ex-minor league baseball player, unhappily employed, dedicates his life to lawn care and fishing, still looking for the perfect girl, collects fertilizer and fishing lures.
jul
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nath an m.
wil
b.
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Graphic | Jayne Goodman
AIR
SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS IN THE COMPETITIVE AREAS OF OUR STUDENT BODY.
NEWS 040 • SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE 042 • SETH BOWER • JOSH LOPEZ • EASTON MYRICK • JOSH NATE • ELISE VALDEZ • JOSEPH HOHNE
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Air Q&A: The Interview | Ainsley Plesko
Men Of Tennis
GOT CHOCOLATE? | The humble men had to leave their senior tennis season behind due to the corona hibernation. Pictured (l-r) Jack O’Quinn, Nathan Masso, Anson Eggerss, Will Bower, Trevor Higgs.
For anyone who has been living under a rock, let me introduce you to the Humble Men of Tennis. This senior group of tennis enthusiasts has taken Instagram by storm, bringing followers together over a shared love of tennis. What exactly does it mean to be a “humble man of tennis”? Eggerss: Each of us strive to work as hard as we possibly can to maintain not only powerful physiques but also good sportsmanship and sound judgement. What separates the sport of tennis from the rest? O’Quinn: Tennis is not just a sport, but a lifestyle. Higgs: Tennis is a sport of eloquence and is quite winsome. The sport of tennis is not only a sport, but an art. What separates this sport from others is not only finesse in your attitude, but a sense of humbleness. How are you staying humble with the recent cancellation of the season? Masso: All of the men in the group have been playing tennis on the courts everyday for four hours straight, trying to improve our game. O’Quinn: I have been playing my fair share of Mario tennis to stay in the mindset.
Who/what inspires you to pick up the racket on the daily? Bower: Nadal, for sure. Favorite words of the week or tennis memory? Higgs: Either Sonic burger, Mr. Bald, or blueberry. (This statement may sound like gibberish to outsiders, but it holds special meaning for the group.) In closing, let the words of Eggerss echo in your head: “We rise above the rest to prove to ourselves and others that tennis is truly a game of beauty.”
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In the wake of the growing concern surrounding COVID-19, on April 17th Texas governor Greg Abbott extended school closures until the end of the 2019-2020 school year. As this affects both private and public schools in Texas, TAPPS competition will be suspended as well. Fine Arts competitions were canceled or postponed as well. Sports canceled: Tennis, Golf, Track, Baseball, Softball.
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tennis matches missed
1,600
slides not done in softball
baseballs not hit in the batting cages
11,395 warm up throws not thrown in baseball
discus shot puts not thrown
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20,500
112,000 golf balls not hit
78,200 tennis balls not served
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PRs in track not set
240
laps not ran in track
Farewell to Coach Boenitz
Words | Ainsley Plesko
Perhaps the best way to understand a coach is to talk to his players. With the upcoming departure of Coach Philip Boenitz in the 2020-2021 school year, his players reflect on their memories of his leadership. “He was a very good role model,” sophomore Aidan Christal said. “He knew when to lighten up and joke around and when to crack down.” Junior Jackson Young said, “He is one of the best coaches I’ve had at balancing working hard and having fun.” Boenitz has been at Geneva for four years, coaching basketball, cross-country and track. He has coached many athletes throughout these years and will leave a lasting impact on the athletic programs he touched. Layout
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“Coach Boenitz showed me how to use my strengths and abilities to serve my team. He taught me the value of everyone on the team performing a role,” said Joel Calderon, a senior track runner and basketball player. “I for sure will miss all the young men and women I have coached at Geneva. Student athletes at Geneva are one of a kind, and I have truly been blessed with the opportunity to coach them over the years,” Boenitz said. In the words of Young, “We are all going to miss him very much.”
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SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE SENIORS LEAVE THE NEST AND CONTINUE THEIR SPORT IN COLLEGE. Words | Sydney Griffey This school year our sports teams have been able to accomplish everything from winning in district to becoming state champs. The volleyball team was runner up for the state finals, girls soccer and girls basketball were area champs, and the cheer squad and football team each won a state championship. Over the past couple of months we have had the opportunity to see the signifi-
cant role that sports play in our everyday lives.They bring excitement, competitiveness, joy and a special community that cannot be found anywhere else. This year we have five seniors who have the unique opportunity to continue to play the sport they love on the college level.
Seth Bower
Abilene Christian University Football Seth Bower will play football for Abilene Christian University.
When did you first decide that you wanted to play sports in college and what did you do to prepare? I knew it was a possibility when I asked coach Brock if I could do it, and he said I could. So I just kept doing what I always did, and then the opportunity came up. What helped you the most to be able to play sports at the college level? Coaches have helped me the most in giving me advice and making me a better player. What has been your most memorable sports moment at Geneva? Well, I guess I’m going to have to say winning a state championship. How do you think that playing sports has impacted you as a person? Playing sports has made me an overall better person. Sports has given me a good work ethic and has taught me respect.
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When did you first decide that you wanted to play sports in college and what did you do to prepare? I decided I wanted to play when I was in the 6th grade. I fell in love with the game and knew it was really one of the only ways I would get to college. So, I just tried to find the best fit for me on the college level and tried to be the best at it. I made sure I was getting better at every aspect of the game everyday except Sunday (lol ... rest time). What helped you the most to be able to play sports at the college level? It was definitely my parents and coaches holding me to a higher standard at all times on and off the field. But most of all the Lord! Nothing was possible without Him. What has been your most memorable sports moment at Geneva? Getting to kneel the ball for the state championship the same place we lost. How do you think that playing sports has impacted you as a person? It has instilled disciplines and a drive that will carry me for the rest of my life.
Joshua Lopez
Southern Nazarene University Football Josh Lopez will be receiving a scholarship to play football for Southern Nazarene University.
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When did you first decide that you wanted to play sports in college and what did you do to prepare? I decided when I was in middle school. I knew I would have to work harder to get better so I started working harder and working out more so I could be better off.
Easton Myrick Abilene Christian University Football
Easton Myrick will be receiving a scholarship to play football for Abilene Christian University.
What helped you the most to be able to play sports at the college level? My coaches helped me the most by telling me what I needed to do and the ability I would need to play at the next level. What has been your most memorable sports moment at Geneva? Winning state. Our coaches told us in seventh grade that if we stuck together we were going to win a state championship. We did it the last year that we had together. How do you think that playing sports has impacted you as a person? I think that playing sports and playing football in particular has made me the person I am today. I learned so much from my teammates and from my coaches.
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Joshua Nate
Dallas Baptist University Track and Field Josh Nate will be on the Dallas Baptist University track and field team.
When did you first decide that you wanted to play sports in college and what did you do to prepare? Since middle school i wanted to play sports in college I didn’t know which sport but what I did was just make that my life I made myself to be a machine for college athletics cause i wasn’t the fastest so I just work on every aspect of my craft. What helped you the most to be able to play sports at the college level? Coach Wright first cause she gave me the hope and ability to play in college and then once I had my injury Maurice helped me a lot and I got to know him and his family more it’s all a mindset and a want to. What has been your most memorable sports moment at Geneva? Winning state in football. How do you think that playing sports has impacted you as a person? It’s given me a better chance of exploring the country and how you can have nothing but if you work hard you can achieve. it’s helped me raise my goals and not put limits on myself because there can be no limit on speed.
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When did you first decide that you wanted to play sports in college and what did you do to prepare? I’ve always wanted to play soccer in college and so I never really had this decisive moment that I was like “yes, I want to play in college.” My parents played in college, so I had this mentality that my end goal is soccer in college. I had my moments of uncertainty about if I could/should play, but never to the point that I changed that goal. I’m just so excited that I can say I accomplished my childhood dream. I wanted to play at a higher level, I really did, but I think in the end I am where I need to be.
Elise Valdez
University of Dallas Soccer
Elise Valdez will play soccer for the University of Dallas.
What has been your most memorable sports moment at Geneva? My most memorable moment at Geneva was definitely my junior year, when we made it to the semi-final game. All the hype leading up to that was unlike anything I’ve ever imagined I would experience. The bus ride up was so memorable. There was so much music and screaming … but then at the same time it was just so game ready. Lana (Harrison) and I watched “Creed” and we thought we were so cool (we have yet to watch Creed 2). How do you think that playing sports has impacted you as a person? I think the two major things I’ve learned are confidence and a strong work ethic. Confidence I found in trusting my own ability and the things I’m capable of. You want to be humble in what you do, but you also want to be fearless, and know you have what it takes and you can do it. With that comes trusting those around you (teammates, friends, family and coaches) to have your back. The obvious one is developing a strong work ethic. Through soccer, I learned that when people say you can’t, you show them you can . You work even harder and put in the work others won’t do. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that your work ethic will take you farther than people ever believed you could go.
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Joseph Hohne
Texas A&M University Track and Field Joseph Hohne will be receiving a scholarship to play on the Texas A&M Track and Field team.
When did you first decide that you wanted to play sports in college and what did you do to prepare? I decided to play sports when I was in very little and work my tail off till I achieved my goal. What helped you the most to be able to play sports at the college level? Knowing what I need to get to to be able to compete at a high level. What has been your most memorable sports moment at Geneva? Just being together as a team and beating my personal records and enjoying what I do. How do you think that playing sports has impacted you as a person? Sports has impacted me highly especially by telling me to push forward in life and never stop moving forward.
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SENIORS SHOWCASING THE SENIOR CLASS OF 2020.
SENIOR PROFILES • SENIOR PICTURES • COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES • MAJORS • LAST WILL AND TESTAMENTS • SENIOR QUOTES • LAYOUTS AND GRAPHICS BY ALEXA GEORGELOS
Phillip Ackermann Baylor University Political Science on the Pre-Law Track I give back my parking spot to Chase Wilson. I leave Lily Shrode my Jensen Ackles collection. “THE STEPS YOU TAKE DON’T NEED TO BE LARGE, THEY JUST NEED TO BE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.”
Jake Allen
To the Admin office, I leave my application to take Mr. Tye’s job. Baylor University I was gonna leave the Chinese-to- Film/Digital Media English dictionary to Parker Akin, but that would be regifting, so he just gets my undying love. “ALL I CAN DO IS BE ME, WHOEVER THAT IS.” -Bob Dylan
Luke Bower Baylor University Business
Seth Bower
Abilene Christian University Kinesiology
I leave Abigail Blair Bower three new boys as protection since her defense is gone.
To John Henry Friesenhahn, I leave the freshman O lineman; please yell at them.
I leave setting up the guitar Christmas tree to Brooks Fessler.
To Christian Compton, I leave my love and affection.
“TOILET BREAD.”
“DON’T TEASE ME.”
Will Bower Baylor University Medical Humanities Pre-Med I leave my terrible sense of humor to Abby Bower. I leave all the big games to George Viña. “SHRIMP EGGS AND TILAPIA!”
Mclain Brock Texas A&M University Business I leave my five band detentions to Garret Loflin. I leave my baseball bat and first kiss to George Viña. “YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY. FOOL ME ONCE, STRIKE ONE, BUT FOOL ME TWICE ... STRIKE THREE.” -Michael Scott
Hanson Brown Texas Tech University Construction Management I leave Austin Turgon my amazing basketball skills, unmatched by all. I leave Hayden Stringfellow the responsibility of finding a way to leave school when you’re not supposed to. “HEY GUYS I BROUGHT TACO BELL!”
Joel Calderon Texas A&M University Construction Science I leave Cade Barone my Quidditch broom. Keep the Sayers winning streak alive! I leave Aidan Christal my membership to Mr. Graham’s shave club. “3 SEANS AND A DRINK PLEASE.”
Sam Carraway Gap Year To next year’s Tolkien & Lewis class, I leave all of the tea that I bought but never drank. To Maggie I leave my ability to redefine the term “bare minimum.” “YOU MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS YOU DON’T TAKE.”
-Wayne Gretzky -Michael Scott -Sam Carraway
Dawson Cate Abilene Christian University Engineering To Michael DeVries, I leave the band. Make sure Ms. Thomas never runs out of nerf bullets. To Rachael Peet, I leave Alex. Feed him and make him feel awkward as often as you can. “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE ... OR FOOD, IF LOVE DOESN’T WORK OUT.”
Madeline Chandler St. Mary’s University International Global Affairs To every Rhetoric student, I will send you all of Corley’s quizlets. To every Geneva student, cherish the time you have at Geneva. “I’LL DRIVE.”
Jack Cupit University of Tennessee Economics
To Parker Moffit, I leave the role of campus-hype man. To Trevor Scott, I leave our roast battles in the Zoom chat. “FOR SOME STORIES, IT’S EASY. THE MORAL OF ‘THE THREE BEARS,’ FOR INSTANCE, IS ‘NEVER BREAK INTO SOMEONE ELSE’S HOUSE. ‘ THE MORAL OF ‘SNOW WHITE’ IS ‘NEVER EAT APPLES. ‘ THE MORAL OF WORLD WAR I IS ‘NEVER ASSASSINATE ARCHDUKE FERDINAND.’’ -Lemony Snicket
Emma De Vries Texas Tech University Pediatric Nursing To Mrs. Marshall and Miss Jacobson, I leave Michael. He can be very helpful sometimes :). To Michael, I leave the cross country team. Encourage them always, and push them to be better everyday. No slacking off! “YOU ARE WHAT YOU DO, NOT WHAT YOU SAY YOU’LL DO”
Abigail Dees Westmont College Communications & English I leave my minion goggles to Brady Taha. I give Asher Higgs all of my respect. “MEAP.”
Julia Denton I leave all my formal dresses to Alexa Elizondo and Avery Myrick.
University of Oregon Anthropology and I’ve hidden $50 on campus. Finders keepers. Journalism “LIFE MOVES PRETTY FAST. IF YOU DON’T STOP AND LOOK AROUND ONCE AND IN A WHILE, YOU COULD MISS IT.” -Ferris Bueller
Eric Drees St. Mary’s University Finance and Risk Management To Riley, Emma and whoever else wants to help, I leave the Hoops for Heartland. To Payden Wells, I leave you my basketball number. “SOMETIMES WHEN I GET BORED I LIKE TO GO OUT INTO MY YARD AND BURY MYSELF TO PRETEND THAT I AM A CARROT.”
Lydia duPerier Pepperdine University Journalism To Bella and Emma, I leave our favorite stunt: a #1 with a side of curly fries. To Bailey and Abby, I leave Mr. Vis. Take care of him but please ... don’t let him use the essential oil diffuser anymore. “MEOW.”
Cole Dutton West Texas A&M University Agribusiness
I leave the handicap spot to Jackson Young. “THIS IS ALL SCREWED UP”
-Mr. Southwick’s 7th grade Latin class.
Anson Eggerss Belmont University Audio Engineering Technology/ Music Business To Garrett Loflin, I leave the success of the tennis team and the future of strong male representation in the Geneva journalism department. To every future Geneva student, I leave Mr. Gardner. Treasure him, nourish him and protect him. “SOME DAYS YOU’RE THE DOG, AND SOME DAYS YOU’RE THE FIRE HYDRANT.”
To Katie Styles, Chloe Higgs and Emma Russell, I leave my cones; make me proud and carry on the tradition.
Reese Ferguson Baylor University Anthropology
To Caroline Chandler, I leave my 200-meter school record to break; I believe in ya kid. “MY CAR IS BIGGER THAN YOURS,”
MacKenzie FitzGerald Blinn College Business To the football team I leave K.P., don’t let him break his collarbone for the third time. To Audrey Davis, I leave my soccer skills cause she obviously needs them. “LET’S DO THIS!” -Ms. Vaughn
Macy Kate Flora Blinn College Kinesiology To absolutely anyone who will take it, I leave the job of making the spirit week backdrops. To Bella Coates and Emma Erfurt, I leave the responsibility of braiding hair for the cheer squad and fixing everyone’s bows. “YEAH HI, CAN I GET A 4 FOR $4?”
Catarina Flores The University of Texas at Austin Plan II Honors and Radio Television & Film To my sister Juliana, I leave the future of the deceased, once glorious book club. To the next generation of AP Latin students, I leave a full hour and half AP exam. Once the Corona virus vaccine comes out, you will not get to take the beautiful 45 minute one I did. “THE SACRED JEDI TEXTS!” -Luke Skywalker
Zack Fly University of Wyoming Natural Resource and Resort Management I leave the Zack Fly show to Trey Stepanow. I leave Mr. Grover my gamer tag SUPERFLYUGA; I hope he adds me back. “#YOLO”
Gracyn Freiling The University of Texas at Austin Journalism To Pauline Rahal, I leave the editorial team and my love for the oxford comma. Hopefully one day our dream will become a reality. To Griffin Freiling, I leave my title as “teeter” in Mrs. Greenlees’ room. Keep the legacy alive. “I WISH I COULD, BUT I DON’T WANT TO.” -Phoebe Buffay
Cole Fritcher Sam Houston State Criminal Justice To Garrett Fritcher, I give you the entire nation of the Dominican Republic. To Presley Pruitt, I leave nothing. “TOO EARLY FOR FLAPJACKS?”
Chaz Garcia Texas A&M Engineering To Dominic, I leave the future of the soccer team ... and Quentin Harman. Good luck with that. To Trevor Scott, I leave nothing except for the thought that I will be your sophomore when you join the Corps. “FAR BETTER IT IS TO DARE MIGHTY THINGS, THAN TO TAKE RANK WITH THOSE POOR TIMID SPIRITS WHO KNOW NEITHER VICTORY NOR DEFEAT.” -Theodore Roosevelt
To Julianna, I leave my social skills. May they serve you as well as they did me, diggie.
Jayne Goodman Texas A&M Environmental Design
To Jacob, I leave Julianna. Good luck my young padawan. “DID EVERYONE SEE THAT? BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE DOING IT AGAIN.” -Captain Jack Sparrow
David Grote Texas A&M Construction Science To Quentin Hartman, I leave my EMF ghost locator app. To George Viña, I leave being the only guy in Yearbook. Good luck Alexa. “OH, I’M SHAKING IN MY CUSTOM, BABY SEAL LEATHER BOOTS!” -Megamind
Braden Hall Baylor University Psychology
To Julianna Goodman, I have nothing else to give except my love and hopefully a full senior year. I leave the house of Lewis to Trevor Scott — have fun with two induction days! “LAUGHTER THROUGH TEARS IS MY FAVORITE EMOTION.” -Truvy, “Steel Magnolias”
Luke Hardin Texas A&M University Business To Gabby Reyes, I entrust the care of my sister Kathryn Chisholm. Look out for her. To Chase Wilson, I leave all of Geneva’s IT problems. Good luck brother. “YOU’RE WRONG, BECAUSE I’M THE DEBATE CAPTAIN.”
Richard Hicks Texas A&M University Communications To Lauren McDaniel, you get my sanity. Have fun! To Shyla, Bella and the rest of that crew, I leave my hoard of Dr. Pepper. Go nuts. “I TALK A LOT SO I’VE JUST LEARNED TO TUNE MYSELF OUT.” -Kelly Kapoor
Trevor Higgs Texas A&M University Finance/Real Estate
I leave Mike’s humble spirit to Matthew Renfroe I leave the legend of the TAPPS jungle to Kevin Vogt. “SOMETIMES I’M AWAKE AND SOMETIMES I’M ASLEEP.”
Joseph Hohne Texas A&M Construction Science I leave my throwing skills to Hannah and of course Cole Hodo. “360 NO SCOPE”
Emmalee Jonas Texas Tech University Early Childhood Development/ Elementary Education To Corvin Jonas, I leave the Jonas family Legacy. DON’T RUIN IT. To Naiya Swientek, Mari Balli, and Sophia Baldwin, I leave my mom. Please take good care of her and give her hugs often. “ENJOY ALL THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE, BECAUSE ONE DAY YOU’RE GONNA LOOK BACK, AND REALIZE THEY WERE ACTUALLY THE BIG THINGS.”
Cameron Kidd Seattle University Marketing To all my kids (if you know, you know), I leave my phone number. Call me when you need someone. To the Geneva community, I leave a small box with a twenty-dollar bill inside hidden on the Rhetoric campus. Good luck. “FLY, YOU FOOLS!” -Gandalf
Gage Kohler I leave Guy Kohler my ability to get out of class (just say you have baseball; worked for me).
Texas A&M University Entrepreneurship and Business Management I leave Hayes Hutton and Price Hill
the legacy of the golf team. Keep on winning state for me. “SWING HARD IN CASE YOU HIT IT.”
Sarah Ledoux University of Denver Psychology I leave the soccer team to my sisters!! I leave the minions to Abby Russell. “BEEDO BEEDO. MINIONS FOREVER.”
Gillian Loflin Baylor University Fashion Merchandising To Alexa Elizondo, I leave my brother and Spencer Yarbrough. Keep them in check please. To the juniors, I leave you the 4th quarter of senior year. You lucky ducks, enjoy prom and thesis! “TECHNICALLY ANYTHING IS EDIBLE IF YOU TRY HARD ENOUGH.”
Joshua Lopez Southern Nazarene University Business marketing To Jackson Young, I leave the legacy of the Gratr way ... “Where there’s leaves there’s trees, and where there’s trees there’s shade.” To Ethan Valdez and Aidan Christal I leave the job of getting in Cade and Brock’s “dome” on defense and causing Coach Herbert to get mad. “HORSES DON’T STOP”
Nathan Masso
I leave Drem the Dino to Ainsley Plesko and Chloe Higgs. Westmont College To Julianne DeLuna, I leave the nerf International Studies dart I lost in Earth & Space. “MEAP.”
Easton Myrick Abilene Christian University Business I leave Avery Myrick the HONOR of pestering Mrs. Daniels to her wits end. I leave my football locker to Dominic Garcia. “IT IS WHAT IT IS.”
Joshua Nate Dallas Baptist University Biology I leave the silk kimono to Brock Amberlang.
To Trevor Scott, I leave your lunch that it may never be taken again.
“LIFE IS LIKE A SANDWICH, NO MATTER WHICH WAY YOU FLIP IT THE BREAD ALWAYS COMES FIRST”
Russel Navarro Texas Tech University Advertising I leave my left-side car mirror to Matthew Renfroe. I leave a 19-cent Sonic gift card to Tanner Bruss. “FISKERS DON’T MAKE NOISE WHEN THEY START UP, JUST SO YOU KNOW.” - Childish Gambino
Kade Nicholls Texas Tech University Kinesiology I leave Cinema Class to Trey Stepanow. I leave my truck to Matthew Renfroe. Feel free to punch it as much as you want. “LEBRON IS BETTER THAN MJ.”
Noah Nilsson Working as a full time musician. I leave my spontaneous performance tendencies to Nico Siller and Jacob Dishongh. I leave my sick shreds to Ransom Smith. “WHOEVER HAS MY VOODOO DOLL, STOP HIDING ALL YOUR DRUGS IN THERE.”
Jack O’Quinn I leave Matthew Renfroe the spirit of
Baylor University humbleness throughout the tennis Business season.
I leave the big tuba responsibilities to Dominic Garcia. “HEY SIRI, SEARCH FUNNY SENIOR QUOTES.”
Natayla Pedraza University of Texas at San Antonio Political Science To Bella Coates and Emma Erfurt, I leave the cheer squad. Make sure they put our state banner up. To Garrett Loflin, I leave prom. You would have been the best prom date :P “LITERALLY.”
Corley Petrie Texas A&M University Accounting-Mays School of Business To Gracie Janse, I leave the yearbook staff. Take good care of them and make sure Alexa and George keep up with their usual shenanigans. To Abby Russell and Bailey Lyons, I leave the job of getting my revenge. Scare Cassidy daily for me. “HISS” -Claire Erfurt
Brooke Radigan University of Arkansas Nursing I leave my MarioKart skills to my pretty cool sister, Lily Radigan. I leave my amazing Just Dance skills to Cade Barone. “BEING RAD IS A PART OF MY DNA.”
Seth Ramsey Baylor University Biology and History
To my sister Annie, I leave you the responsibility to represent and continue to honor our family name. May you not fail. To everyone who has seen me, talked to me and cursed/blessed me, I leave this smiley face :) , may it do good during this time. “JUST SMILE AND WAVE BOYS, JUST SMILE AND WAVE” -Skipper, “Madagascar”
Travis Ratterree Texas Tech University Marketing I leave Corvin Jonas my shoulder problems. I leave Cole Hodo my spot as Defensive tackle ... uhh good luck brother. “AWESOME”
Evan Schaefer Texas A&M University Economics
I leave my massive (just kidding) hops to Soren Burkholder — please dunk in game next year, also go win district. I leave the drum set to Michael De Vries — hope it continues to serve you well. “LIFE WITHOUT YOU IS LIKE A BROKEN PENCIL ... POINTLESS.”
Brooke Secor
Elise Valdez
Texas Tech University Animal Science
I leave the fate of the swim team to Gabe Ross.
University of Dallas Biochemistry
To Ethan, I leave Luke … good luck.
I leave the Red Rooster (AKA my big red truck) to my brother, Gage. “NEVER GIVE UP ON SOMETHING YOU CAN’T GO A DAY WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT.” -Unknown
Brandon Strickland Howard Payne University Music
I lay to rest the bari sax to whomever Mrs. Evans and Ms. Thomas let play it. I give all my spare hot lunches that I never ordered back to Mr. Shelton that he never goes hungry. “NEVER SAY THAT CHICKEN IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CLASS … ESPECIALLY TO MR. RUSSELL.”
To Lana Harrison, I leave my plaid skirt and Creed 3. “NO MORE BUTS, BUTTS ARE FOR SITTING” -Sensei Wu
Margaret Viña Samford University Health Sciences and Disorders To the yearbook staff, I leave my bachelor updates and my love for King Cake. To Alexa Elizondo and Elizabeth Walter, I leave Georgie. Take him to Sonic at least once a week and keep him alive please. “I’M A LOT NICER WHEN I LIKE MY OUTFIT.”
Charlotte Walker Pepperdine University Journalism
To Abby Bower and Lily Langenbahn, I leave the responsibility of driving whichever group of senior guys wants to save gas money to lunch …be careful who you give the aux cord to. To Alexis Davis and the rest of the girls track team, I leave my senior track season and our reigning State Championship … may you run in more than one meet and make me proud. “NORMALITY IS A PAVED ROAD: IT’S COMFORTABLE TO WALK, BUT NO FLOWERS GROW.” -Vincent van Gogh
Photo | Abby Bower
LEFT BRAIN
DIVING INTO THE MORE SERIOUS, ANALYTICAL ISSUES WE SEE IN OUR CULTURE.
THE ART OF DISAGREEMENT • OCEAN OUTCOMES 086 • FINDING CONTROL AMIDST CORONA 088 • LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE 091 • THE SUCCESS OF STREETWEAR 092 • THE MEANING OF MUSIC 094
Left Q&A: Mrs.
Cohoon
Interview | Nico Siller
As some may know, Geneva parent Kirsten Cohoon is the current 451st District Court Judge with jurisdiction in Kendall County. Her husband Patrick Cohoon is a fellow lawyer, and they have two kids: Barron, a freshman at Champion, and Mia, a 7th grader at Geneva. What did you do before becoming district judge? “I was the city attorney for the city of Boerne for a little over eight years, and I started that job in October of 2010. I started this job in January of 2019 for a term of four years.” Why did you decide to run for state district judge? “As a lawyer and as the city attorney, I was watching some things in our district court at the time that I wasn’t liking. There were some changes that I wanted to make and I saw some things that could be done more efficiently. For example, there were cases that were sitting on the docket for a very long period of time and I just didn’t think that that was serving the right purpose. I learned that instead of complaining about an issue, I should try to fix it. So, I decided to run because I had ideas that I wanted to see put into practice. I ran on those ideas. I told the people of Kendall County here’s what I’m going to do, and I’ve done those things. I’m putting those ideas into practice. In my campaign, I used an analogy of an orchestra. The judge is like the conductor of the orchestra but only when we work together can we provide justice for people.” What is your favorite part about the job? “I really enjoy getting my hands on something and seeing progress on the other end. I enjoy big docket days and seeing people get the justice that they’ve waited for. I believe that justice delayed is justice denied so I enjoy helping people so that they are not denied their justice. I love seeing the legal system work. However, I think my favorite part of the job is doing adoptions because it’s really great to see somebody
take another person into their family. It’s just a wonderful thing to watch.” What are some challenges about the job? “We deal with a lot of heavy stuff. Somebody is dealing with the loss of liberty, the loss of a loved one, or potentially the loss of their business. I send people to jail for a very long time, I grant divorces, I see children in bad family lives, and I see a lot of things that stick with me. It’s hard for me to send a young person to jail for a number of years and it's just hard for me to grant a divorce to a young family with kids. It’s really hard when I have to make a decision where the children should go after a divorce. That’s a hard decision, I mean, I’m not in that house. There’s just real humanity in what I do.” How has the COVID-19 situation affected your job? “Our work has mostly stopped. I mean, I have a Zoom as well and I’m still holding hearings via Zoom, just like you’re holding classes via Zoom. However, I can’t hold jury trials over Zoom, and some lawyers are uncomfortable doing certain things over Zoom, so that makes work hard. We’re still working but it’s just a very small fraction of what I’m usually doing. I like to be busy and I get the most joy when I have a full courtroom and I’m running through cases, but I don’t get to do that anymore in the same way. I’m probably doing a quarter to a third of the workload that I would’ve been doing without the quarantine. My criminal cases are just going to have to wait and that’s really hard to watch.”
Stats: Quarantine
Style
Average Geneva family Zoom classes per week................. 25 classes Average hours of Netflix watched a day............................... 7.5 hours Average iPhone screen times per week................................ 8.5 hours Percent of families having more meals together.................. 95%... Percent of people done with their family.............................. 43% and rising Average hours of sleep Rhetoric students are getting........ 9.5 hours Hours of Minecraft played per week..................................... 5 hours Number of baseball games not played................................ 10 games Number of laps not run at track practice.............................. 150 laps Number of tennis balls not hit................................................ 4,800 balls Number of golf swings not taken.......................................... 2,100 swings Minutes of music listened to a day........................................ 330 minutes Miles randomly walked/ran/biked per household a day.... 6 miles Number of Disney movies rewatched................................... at least 7 Pages scanned per household a week.................................. 32 pages Memes of “Tiger King” seen daily............................................. 18 memes Percent increase in grocery spending................................... 100% increase …. mostly snacks * Estimated from scientific anecdotal information
Restaurants of Boerne Words | Nico Siller
restaurants such as Cypress Grille have to restrict business days to only a couple days a week. Others like Mary’s Tacos or the Dienger are making use of curbside delivery. As many are resorting to buying groceries and eating out less, Bumdoodlers has started selling their meat and bread as groceries to supplement quarantine lunches.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought about not only hundreds of thousands of cases of the disease to the US, but it has also brought serious economic struggles for local restaurants. At the beginning of April, the National Restaurant Association estimated that the industry has lost more than three million jobs, $25 billion in sales and 50% of restaurant owners anticipate having to lay off more employees. As more states place harsher stay at home orders, many restaurants are trying to get creative to stay in business. In Boerne, many
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All the local restaurants in Boerne are getting hit hard by the current situation, and sit down cuisines such as Peggy’s on the Green, Little Gretel or Cypress Grille are really trying to increase their take out and curbside delivery advertisements. Specifically, Paul Thompson, owner of Cypress Grille and previous owner of the Texas Meat Co., came up with a creative way to keep his restaurant in business. “Since we’re more of a fine dining place, we decided to use a BBQ menu similar to Texas Meat’s. During the week, people call in their orders and on the weekends, they drop by to pick them up. We don’t usually do BBQ, but these are crazy times.” Similarly, Little Gretel has taken to Facebook to advertise their take out. One post read, “Nobody told me what barely employing half your staff on minimum wage would hurt like…” These local restaurants and their employees are really hurting and this scenario in Boerne is being played out all over the country as the restaurant industry spirals.
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The Art of Disagreement THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION IN TODAY’S CULTURE. Words | Lydia duPerier
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As human beings, communication is vital. It is the way that we connect with one another. From pictographs on the walls of caves to a text on an iPhone, forms of communication have changed. However the importance of it remains the same. In friendships, relationships, politics and religion, open communication is key. Specifically bipartisanship, is what keeps the relationship between any two parties healthy. Bipartisanship is the agreement or cooperation of two parties that usually oppose each other. It is important to remember that every person is entitled to their own opinion and with that comes the responsibility to respect and know how to discuss these opinions. In topics such as politics and religion, discussion can be very difficult. Each of these are usually beliefs about which individuals are very passionate. Politics in general are very controversial. There are a multitude of different views and it can be difficult at times to remember that. A lot of the time people are so firm in their views that they believe their way is the only right way. This makes it very easy to disregard what others say making the discussion a loop of disagreements. To avoid this, people must learn to listen and have an open mind. Most of the time the person you are talking to just wants to be heard. In order to actually have a meaningful conversation, both parties need to listen and reason with what the
other has to say. And if in the end an agreement cannot be reached, just simply say that you appreciate their time and move on. The same can be said about conversations about religion, but these can be a bit trickier. Religion is not just a point of view. It is a way of life for most people. Religion is what most people place their hope and faith in. Because of this, we must be extremely careful when discussing religion. It is very easy for people to get offended when someone disagrees with their religion. A lot of the time, people feel attacked because they automatically assume that someone is trying to change their belief. Specifically for Christians this is hard. To us a conversation with someone could be the difference of their salvation or not. This makes it even more important that we treat our religious discussions delicately. It is very important in discussions about both politics and religion that as well as listening to what the other person has to say, we monitor the way that we speak. Our demeanor and tone play a big part in discussion. If we speak aggressively and aim our voices toward the other person it reflects that we are merely talking to them to just argue. In order for actual discussion to take place, both parties need to keep a calm and understanding tone. This allows for no one to feel threatened and makes it feel safer to express thoughts. When discussing controversial topics such as religion and politics remember that we are all
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human beings with feelings and emotions. Be careful with what is said and how it is said. Discussion will always be more beneficial than arguing. What is the point in talking to someone about your views if you don’t actually have the intentions of hearing each other out? The same idea should be applied to any conversation. Discussion doesn’t just have to be about politics or religion. It’s any communication that you have with any other person. The only way we as humans have to connect with one another is through our communication, which is why it is so important to be careful with how we speak with one another. Each individual is made different, with different beliefs, morals and feelings. It is what makes humans so unique. It is also what makes friendships and any relationship beautiful. The mere fact that every person is different is what draws each other together. It is extremely important, especially within people we are close, that we communicate with one another on what our views and feelings are. Friendships and relationships both require intended communication. Not
“Discussion will always be more beneficial than arguing”
just casual talking and keeping up, but communication to avoid arguing. It is necessary that each part of the relationship be open at all times with their feelings. For example, one person is feeling left out in a friendship but says nothing about it and then days later becomes upset with their friend over it. This is not a good example of communication. Expressing your feelings or thoughts as soon as you feel them is the best way to avoid later conflict. It can be hard but honesty is the best way to enhance communication in a relationship. A healthy relationship takes both parties. It takes honesty and vulnerability to express your feelings and it takes respect to accept and understand each other. Communication and discussion have and always will be an important part of everyone’s lives. Now more than ever it is important to remember to respect others and their beliefs. Just a few months ago, the coronavirus entered the world. It has affected so many things and so many people. Two of these things being communication and discussion. Where people used to meet face to face for meetings, classes and dates, there is now a screen to replace that. The majority of the world is on lockdown requiring everyone to stay in their homes. This means no more face to face communication with anyone outside your house. People have
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“Where people used to meet face to face for meetings, classes and dates, there is now a screen to replace that.� resorted to using apps such as FaceTime and Zoom to communicate. Being physically disconnected to friends and family has really opened the eyes to millions of people on the importance of communication. People now have the free time that they never thought they would have and are using it to call and connect with people through the internet. It is beautiful to see the world using means of communication to bring light to such a dark time.
is no reason to start an argument. This is a difficult time for all and the world is going through it together. If a disagreement comes up about the seriousness of the situation or anything around it, the best thing to do is just respectfully and calmly let the other know where you stand and then leave the conversation. Discussion, communication, bipartisanship. They all go hand in hand. In the end, people are imperfect beings and are each created uniquely in the image of God. Express and share your beliefs and views, but do it with respect and cooperation.
However, with the coronavirus has also come a lot of anxiety and fear causing people to act out and become hostile. It is extremely important to remember that every person is handling the situation differently. Some people are taking it more seriously than others. It can be easy to become angry at those who seem to disregard all guidelines on the virus, but that
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Ocean Outcomes WAYS IN WHICH THE OCEAN IS PROSPERING IN THE MIDST OF DISASTER. Words | Mattie Sue Arnold
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Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, it seems like negativity is everywhere. The virus has become the topic of almost every conversation. However, because of the government’s orders to quarantine, the oceans have had a chance to heal. The problem of trash polluting our oceans is a very real one. The Odyssey Online says“plastic particles outnumber plankton.” About 14 billion pounds of trash are thrown into the ocean in one year. There is a garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean that is twice the size of Texas. The coronavirus has forced civilians to stay inside, giving the environment and our oceans time and space to regenerate. The global pandemic has caused our oceans to show noticeable differences. Venice, Italy is usually covered with murky, foggy canals that run through the city. They were created to help flooding throughout Venice. These canals are normally filled with gondolas (boats that transport people throughout the city) but have recently stopped due to coronovirus quarantining. Because there is no longer traffic in the canals, the sediment in the water stays at the bottom. This results in the water that was once muggy to become perfectly clear and stunning. Now, fish in the canals are visible along with swans swimming in the canal.
“The problem of trash polluting our oceans is a very real one.” cause China has been on lockdown, the smog has lifted. People aren’t using their cars as frequently, giving the air a chance to breathe. The air is clearer now and not a brown color. This same phenomena is happening in London, Paris, and Milan, as countries are shut down and quarantined. The people of London have also reported seeing the Eiffel Tower whereas this used to be impossible because of smog. As hard as this pandemic is for each of us individually, God still manages to make himself present in little ways. Whether that be a swan swimming in normally cloudy waters, or being able to see a gorgeous view off your porch, He is always there.
China too has seen a benefit from the quarantine. Before the pandemic, China’s pollution had been out of control to the point where you could barely see the building above you. But be-
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Finding Control PLACING OUR FAITH IN THE UNSHAKABLE. Words | Jackson Young
If you have somehow not noticed, over the past couple months COVID-19 (also known as the coronavirus) has taken the world by storm. It started as a virus we only heard stories of from China. At that point, it didn’t even seem real. It was one of the topics of discussion brought up in the daily news which most people denied, never really giving it a second thought. Gradually, this virus spread to Europe, eventually hopping over the pond to infest the United States. Although it was a gradual spread, it seems as if everything happened too fast. I’m sure most of you can remember the moment this pandemic became real to you. Maybe it was when you watched a news story. Maybe it was when a trip you had planned was canceled. Maybe it was when your classes were switched to online. No matter when you had this realization, eventually, everyone understood the coronavirus was a serious problem that was here to stay. So as a nation, what did we do? Well naturally, everyone went straight for the toilet paper. The grocery stores became a scavenging ground, lines out the door with people racing to get their necessities. Things such as hand sanitizer, clorox wipes, hand soap and other cleaning agents became a rarity. Businesses were closing left and right; counties, cities, states were all declaring a full shelter in place. Out of nowhere our whole world, our whole life, was completely flipped upside down.
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Amidst Corona
At first, some people enjoyed it. An extra week of spring break, a little time off work, an excuse to stay home and sit on the couch; all these seemed like good things at first. But then reality set in. This whole pandemic was going to wreck our economy like nobody’s business. The stock market was crashing. People who had jobs were all of a sudden forced to stay home and stand idly by and wait for this whole thing to blow over. It was the hardest part for most people: having no source of income and being forced to sit at home indefinitely. The other big change in our lives was school. All classes were canceled and we had to figure out this whole online school thing. In addition, our sports were canceled. Not just school sports but professional sports all across the world. Everything had changed. It was a whole new life of isolation and anxiety. The Goliath that many of us faced was fear. Fearing that we might get the virus or give the virus to a loved one. Ultimately, everyone was scared of what this virus, one we knew barely anything about, would do to our country. It has already changed our world and the way we live, is it really going to take the lives of hundreds? Thousands? How is this country going to deal with the repercussions of this virus? After watching countries like Italy and China seemingly collapse, people started wondering if the U.S. would be next. President Donald Trump is a pretty good representation of how all of America felt. On March 10, he, along with lots of Americans, was relatively calm and downplaying the situation. Trump said, “We’re prepared, and we’re doing a great job with it. And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away.” Gradually, as the situation began to worsen, Americans began to feel more threatened and took the vi-
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“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” rus even more seriously. By March 28 Trump said, “WE WILL WIN THIS WAR. When we achieve this victory, we will emerge stronger and more united than ever before.” Around this time was when everyone pretty much got on the same page. Isolation and quarantine was the only way we were going to beat this. So, people stocked up on food and supplies and began to wait it out. Big hot spots like New York were getting worse, but there was still faith that things would one day get better. While there were thousands of people across the country getting sick, people had faith that one day we would beat this. In this isolation, however, some communities were still able to come together. On social media platforms, celebrities, leaders, friends and family were all sending out their encouraging messages, pleading with people to stay home and stay strong. Churches were still able to meet, either through live streaming or posting videos online.
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Those of us in the Christian community struggled with God and His silence in a time like this. How could God will this to happen? In what way was this sickness that was rampaging across the world working according to His plan? Despite these doubts we still had faith in God that He would work all things together for good. He makes beautiful things from tragedy and death. You may be reading this at a point when America has just about completely dealt with this horrible pandemic and it seems as though we are beginning to put it behind us. If that is the case, then let this serve as a reminder. Do not let yourself forget that God brought us out of these dark times. However if you’re reading this and we are still in the thick of it — have faith, and remember that we have a God who works miracles, and who is always with us. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
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Looking on the Bright Side AMIDST THE CHAOS OF CORONA, HOPE CAN STILL BE SEEN. Words | Lauren Abell
With the many tragedies resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, it can be hard to try and look on the bright side to see the positives of this dark season. However, even though there is considerable devastation being brought by COVID-19, there are also some benefits to be seen from this virus. It is very important to realize the gravity of the situation upon us, but looking for light in this seemingly pitch black tunnel can help restore some hope and shed some positivity on a situation that’s been mostly viewed through a despairing lens. Because of the decrease in travel due to this pandemic, scientists have seen that the environment has been helped considerably. Due to the reduced air, street and water traffic, less oil and fumes are being released into the air as well as chemicals such as carbon dioxide. This is significantly slowing down the harsh effects of climate change. It might not seem like such a pressing issue at the moment, but climate change and reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in our environment truly do have a huge importance on the quality of life we are to have in years to come. Even animals out in the wild are experiencing benefits from the coronavirus. With everyone being kept in quarantine, wildlife are returning and/or living more peacefully in their natural habitats. Although being stuck inside isn’t enjoyable for most, it is in fact helping to restore parts of the natural order with animals all around the globe. While this pandemic is something no one would ever wish for, it can bring about more goodness than one might think, even on a more personal level. This time in quarantine can help everyone focus their attention back on what is truly important. With the drastic impact this virus is causing in the lives of many, it’s important to realize how important life is and how even the small things should not be taken for granted. Instead of viewing our isolation as unbearable because of our inability to go anywhere, we should center our attention on spending quality time with loved ones and being grateful for our time with them. There are so many worse things to experience than quarantine for a couple of weeks. This time should be taken advantage of as a chance to experience community with those in our own household and to make the most out of our time with them. It is an opportunity to help others around us that are experiencing the same thing and create incredible bonds. Though there are many negative aspects to the coronavirus, it’s important to make the most out of this situation and not take this time for granted. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that time is priceless. Make every second count. Layout
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The Success of Streetwear HOW STREETWEAR AND RESELLING HAVE IMPACTED OUR SOCIETY. Words | Garrett Loflin
OPINION 093 In recent years, there has been a change in the fashion industry. The industry has adopted an aesthetic that sources inspiration from everyday life in the city, called “streetwear.” In the 1990s, brands started creating streetwear without anyone really knowing much about it. Skateboarding brands were one of the first to have graphic tees and streetwear clothing. Soon after, as more people started to like it, streetwear became more popular among non-skateboarders. Shawn Stussy, the creator of the brand Stussy was one of the first to contribute to the streetwear name. He started out making clothing for a surfboard shop but then made t-shirts with the popular “Stussy” logo. One of the most notorious streetwear brands is Supreme which has contributed a lot to the latest fashion industry. Supreme started out as a small unknown skate shop in New York but has now grown into one of the biggest streetwear brands, thanks to the founder and creative mind behind the empire, James Jebbia.
Nike to make some of the most popular and expensive sneakers and clothing. Michael Jordan has made a big impact on the sneaker industry as well. Some of his most expensive and popular shoes are Jordan 1-7. Adidas has also made a lot of money from streetwear or hype fashion because of their collaboration with Kanye West. Together they created the Yeezy Boost sneaker. The streetwear style is copied by people all over the world and has even made an impact in Boerne. Geneva students like seniors Trevor Higgs and Travis Ratterree have shown immense interest in the world of streetwear. Some of Higgs’ favorite brands include Yeezy, Fear of God, Nike, Adidas and all types of vintage clothing. Higgs said he became interested in reselling and buying after “finding a bootleg Gucci bag I bought at a garage sale for $2 and flipping it for a supreme tee, ever since then I’ve been slowly buying, selling and trading vintage and hyped clothing.”
Today, there are many labels that make clothing like Supreme and Stussy, such as brands like Bape, Kith, ASSC and Palace. These brands “drop” shirts, jackets, pants and accessories almost every week releasing items that are only available on a certain day on their websites or at their stores. The “drops” are so small, that most items are sold out in a matter of minutes.
Ratterree likes to buy from brands such as Nike and Nutmeg, as well as vintage sportswear, to fully embody his style. He said he became intrigued by streetwear and fashion, “by going thrifting for fun. When I started to be able to drive, my grandparents gave me some really cool vintage stuff from the 90s. I would say my grandparents got me into it as well.”
The people that hunt for rare products are known as resellers, also know as “Hypebeasts.” The resellers can make a profitable living off of buying and selling these products because of the high demand. Since this is such a new industry, many people do not consider reselling to be a way to earn a living. However, the rarity and demand for some items can make the resale value very high. Sometimes the items can be resold for a profit of $20-$1,000 more than what they originally paid for the item.
Streetwear has made a massive impact on fashion and helped teenagers adopt a style that they can resonate with, as well as becoming a way of life for many. Its laid back attitude personifies modern culture, greatly contributing to its popularity. Unlike luxury brands that change their trends rapidly, streetwear is consistent. Streetwear provides a culture for self-expression to people of all demographics and ages.
The reselling of sneakers is one of the most profitable businesses in the streetwear industry. Sneakers that sell for $100-$200 dollars can be resold anywhere from $200-$5,000. The reason sneakers can be so profitable is because you not only pay for the brand, but if a certain celebrity decides to collaborate, the importance and price of the shoe also increases. Designer brands like Off White, Fear of God, Sacai and Cactus Plant Flea Market have collaborated with
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“The reselling of sneakers is one of the most profitable businesses in the streetwear industry.” Landis
OPINION 094
The Meaning of Music THE IMPACT MUSIC HAS ON OUR QUARANTINED SOCIETY. Words | Sarah Coultress
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During this time of panic and isolation, people are living a new lifestyle: the Quarantine lifestyle. People are having to self isolate because of the government’s instructions. It is a tough time for everyone, and it’s during these tough times that people need motivation and encouragement. With everyone staying at home all day, entertainment has developed a new role in society. Now, more than ever, more and more people are watching TV and listening to music. Everyone knows that the music you listen to can alter and change your mood. Music has the power to enhance your energy or get you in your feels. Music affects emotions and changes perceptions. If someone is listening to upbeat and exciting music, their mood will be altered to reflect that song. If someone is listening to slow, quiet, deep music, their mood will reflect the downbeat feelings that their mind generates from the somber words. Much of what people are listening to nowadays is influenced by TikTok, but people still listen to whatever music they “feel called to.” Depending on the person’s mental state or temporary feelings, they will connect to certain sounds. TikTok, a mobile app, has influenced the top leading music more than anything. Now that people have free time, they often spend that time scrolling through the endless supply of videos that TikTok has to offer. Everyone has heard these songs, there’s no way around it: “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X, “ROXANNE” by Arizona Zervas, “The Box” by Roddy Rich, and “Lottery (Renegade)” by K CAMP. All these artists and many more are benefiting from the explosion in popularity they gained through this app. As a result, more artists are trying to get their name out there and their songs stuck in everyone’s head. To do this, artists might reach out to popular influencers to promote their song on the app. Yes, I will bring it up. The Hype House is where artists could go to find such desired help. It is a house where “influencers” live and “create content” for TikTok and Youtube. They make a lot of money, and people look to them to see what’s new and trending. This connection between them and TikTok has made a major impact on the music industry and what kind of music people listen to.
“Now more than ever, more and more people are watching TV and listening to music.”
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But how does the coronavirus fit into this observation? Now that everyone is staying home and enjoying a “fun” family time quarantine-cation, people are engaged in their devices and in new activities more than they ever have been before. A lot of people are listening to music, impacting new releases and artists. Some of these new releases have skyrocketed recently because of the surge of people listening. For example, The Weekend had a break through with his new album. Many of his songs are featured on the screen of TikTok including “Blinding Lights.” This song sits at the top of Billboard’s The Hot 100 and has for almost 17 weeks and has over seven million streams on Spotify alone. Not to mention that The Weekend has multiple additional songs in the top ten most streamed on Spotify, with over three million streams each. The Box trails right behind in the number two slot with over four million streams. This is great news to some, but others could care less. Why are people focusing on music while a real life disaster is upon us? There are other artists in the music industry that are not as fortuHowever, even through this massive catastrophe artnate as others. Gigging musicians ists are using their talents to encourage their fans and who make a living performing on the rest of the world with free performances. John Lega stage are struggling with a lack end, Coldplay, Keith Urban, Pink, Luke Combs, Bruce of income. Other artists whose Springsteen and many others are engaging in this entours were canceled has resulted deavor. They work through Instagram, Facebook and in huge disappointments that afTwitter spreading music to lighten spirits and bring fected both the artists and the fans. hope to everyone in the world. Garth Brooks even has This pandemic is certainly affecta weekly free concert on “Inside Studio G.” These arting the way we live and enjoy life. ists have streamed past performances for free, live streamed themselves singing, and even made variations with the theme of the coronavirus intermixed within their songs. Neil Diamond did “Hands... washing hands.” instead of “Hands... touching hands” in “Sweet Caroline,” a classic that everyone knows and loves. So to answer the question: why are people focusing on music in this trying time? Music affects the mind and right now in a time of stress, fear and uncertainty, music can help pull us through. It can replenish strength and motivate people to carry on through this epic pandemic that has struck everyone in the world and bring us closer together. So go listen, TikTok can be used in a good way to spread music and keep everyone’s spirits up.
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RIGHT BRAIN
LETTING THE CREATIVE SIDE TAKE ON NEW IDEAS AND EXPLORATIONS.
IMPRESSION SUNRISE 102 • WATER PLAYLIST 104 • GET THIS IN YOUR EARS 105 • TRENDING QUARANTINE STYLE 106 • THE TALON 108 • SENIOR BEDROOMS 112 • SENIOR CONFESSIONS 115 • CORONA COUTURE 118
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Geneagle
Gazette Words | Ava Ayers
Childhood Confusion: I, along with the rest of you, have been faced with hours upon hours of alone time with the oneof the worst means of torture: boredom. While this horrible thing begins to fill my days, I have turned to pondering life’s deepest questions as a means to cure it. There is one particular question that continues to gnaw at my mind. It pries its way into my thoughts during all hours of the day and keeps me wide awake at night. So I turned to the local Geneva Quarterly staff to help me discover their views on this infamous question.
PBS: 3
“Were you raised on the sweet sounds of Disney Channel or PBS as a young child?”
Disney Channel: 18
Stay At Home Hobbies: -walking your dog or cat - painting a masterpiece -swimming or tanning -rearranging your room over and over and over again - sitting outside and contemplating life’s mysteries - learning how to play an instrument (our recorders from fourth grade are a really good place to start)
- baking or cooking something edible - working out to delay the quarantine 15 ( haha get it? Like the freshman 15?) - Facetime or Zoom with your friends or relatives -dye part of your hair or cut your own bangs (this is a joke and I would not recommend it)
Popsicles for the Pandemic:
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INGREDIENTS ¾ cup (6.5 oz) liquid/yogurt 2 ½ cups fruit (any fruit of your choice but I would recommend strawberries) 4-6 tablespoons of honey ¼ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract ½ teaspoon of lemon juice (lime juice can also be used)
PREPARATION Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour blended ingredients into popsicle molds and place in freezer for at least 4 hours.
ENJOY Once frozen, remove popsicle mold from freezer and run under warm water for 30-60 seconds to allow for the popsicle to be easily removed from the mold. Pull popsicles out of mold and enjoy!
Geneva’s Best Dressed Zoomer: After a quick survey from the students who actually participate in these new and high-tech Zoom classes, we have nominated a few students who are dedicated to looking their very best in front of their virtual classmates. I am just messing with you, we all know that everyone looks like they just crawled out from under their warm sheets. But if we are lucky, sometimes someone decides to brush their hair or change their shirt, and then we are in for a real surprise. Enjoy this new lazy look while you can, because sadly all good things must come to an end.
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Impression, Sunrise THE STORY BEHIND THE STROKES. Words | Jayne Goodman
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Accidents can happen for the better. Like spilling coffee on someone and making a new friend or losing five dollars only to find ten on the street later. As humans, I think we occasionally like to wear those accidents proudly. We take the intended offense and boast in it to make a statement. After seeing the Paris Salon art exhibit filled with a style he did not particularly like, art critique Louis Leroy sat down and wrote “The Exhibit of the Impressionists.” This new term “Impressionists” was not meant to be a compliment. Leroy clearly hated this new sketchy style of painting and said that “a preliminary drawing for a wallpaper pattern is more finished than this seascape.” However, this review seemed to have little effect on the group of artists. In fact, it emboldened them and made them proud to have such a name. This was their happy little accident. Claude Monet, perhaps the most famous among the group, was the master of this style. Sparking the Impressionist movement and wanting to ignite change in the world of art, he painted how he perceived the world — not how it actually was. Monet’s style emphasizes light and what the human eye experiences. On the painting to your left, “Impression, Sunrise,” you can clearly see how he does that. Monet’s goal is to capture the feeling of his surroundings, not render an accurate depiction of them. He invites you to relive the moment with him, his hasty style offering the perfect medium. I cannot speak for Monet himself, but I believe that he offered this new style of painting as both a personal and political statement. Monet lived during the Industrial movement, a time of rapid growth in technology and change in society. I can’t help but think that by presenting this new genre of art, Monet has extended some wisdom with it as well. I think he was saying that in this ever-busy world we live in, it is so important to stop and enjoy those beautiful and captivating moments.
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ly mixtape anson’s quarter
Water Playlist FLOWING TUNES AND BEATS TO ENJOY ON THE WATERSIDE. Words | Anson Eggerss These tunes, inspired by the theme of “water,” are all musically and lyrically representative of flow, stability and serenity.
“Islands In the Stream” Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton
“You and I” Jacob Ogawa
“1612” Vulfpeck
“I Wanna Be Your Lover” Prince
“Nikes On” Healy
“Beach House”
“Funky Galileo”
Boy Pablo
Sure Sure
“Fuzzybrain”
“Your Smiling Face”
Dayglow
James Taylor
“Cool with You”
“I Think I Like When It Rains”
Her’s
Willis
“Squeezing Grapes”
“Sunflower”
Corduroy
Vampire Weekend
“Face to Face”
“Heaven’s Nail and Hammer”
Rex Orange County
M. Ward
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EXPLORE CREATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE GENIUS ALBUM “ATLAS”. Words | C. Eden Kidd First things first: life is different than we expected it to be this year. This is my thirteenth and final year at Geneva. I can’t say that sentence always makes me sad, but I know that none of us expected to conclude our time here so far apart from each other. I also don’t know if I’ll get to write for the Quarterly as an alumna, so let’s make this a good one, eh? In a small way, it’s fitting that this issue of the Quarterly is water-themed. Water, like life in 2020, is chaotic. It’s intense, it’s overwhelming, and it never sits still — not really. Whether we move with it or not, it just keeps flowing. Either we can relax and allow it to propel us forward, or we can get in its way and mind the consequences. How fitting for the last Quarterly of the school year. With that in mind, I’ve decided to write about a project as moving, powerful, massive and chaotic as water. Ryan O’Neil, who publishes under the name Sleeping at Last, mapped out production of an intimidating project called “Atlas:” to span several years. Every year of the project and every section therein covers a different area of human life from creation until now. Only the first two installments of the project have been released so far: “Atlas: One” : the creation of the universe, from Darkness to Light to Space to Land to Oceans. “Atlas: Two” : involuntary human development, opening with a section on Life, then the Senses, Emotions, Intelligence, and closing with nine stellar songs focusing on the distinct Enneagram personality types. I don’t have the room to explain the Enneagram adequately in this article. Nonetheless, if you don’t want to listen to the whole project, I highly recommend at least the Enneagram album. Up next, “Atlas: Three” will focus on voluntary human development. Stay tuned! Layout | Jayne Goodman Graphic | Jayne Goodman
“It takes a nearly inhuman level of empathy and intelligence to comprehend the themes in Atlas.” As you can see, Ryan O’Neil gave himself a lot of ground to cover. So far, he has done an impeccable job. “Atlas: One” and “Atlas: Two” are two of my favorite collections of music. Period. Bouncing back and forth between gorgeous instrumental pieces and perceptive lyrical tracks seamlessly, Sleeping at Last captures both the incomprehensible vastness and intricate details of every song’s concept and communicates them beautifully. It takes a nearly inhuman level of empathy and intelligence to comprehend the themes in Atlas: , and much more to reproduce those themes musically in such a way that listeners understand them too. In the utter chaos of 2020, we have all been acutely reminded of our own smallness, and that can be frightening. Listening to “Atlas:” immediately reminds me that all of existence (like water) may be chaotic, massive, restless, intimidating, complex and powerful. And it simultaneously implants within the most exhausted, confused and frightened parts of my subconscious that within all of it, life is staggeringly beautiful.
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Trending Quarantine Style
ZOOMING FOR CLASS HAS BROUGHT OUT A LOT OF NEW PERSONALITIES. Words | Sydney Dennis We are currently all “suffering” at home as COVID-19 seems to have taken over the world. While we are forced to stay at home, we aren't given many, well, any opportunities to go out at all. Sadly, you don't get to show off any new or cute outfits … unless you wear it to online schooling. Here are a few of the trends that have been seen as students and teachers take on Zoom.
Sweatpants & Sweatshirts:
Pajamas:
This outfit is for those students who don't feel like wearing pjs but still want to be comfy.
No judgment here. After all, we are given more time to sleep in, so why change anyway?
Dress &Tux: If you're really feeling like going all out, do it! Get glammed up for the Zoom call. Your fellow students will probably appreciate something fun.
Sunglasses: Not really sure why you'd need sunglasses inside, but ... you do you!
Ski Jacket:
Tank Top:
Now this, on the other hand, means your AC is probably broken. If that's the case, maybe order a few extra fans.
I'm going to guess your house must be freezing if you’re wearing a parka in this Texas heat.
Messy hair& Big t-shirt:
Cute shirt
&
You've heard the phrase before, “Messy hair don't care.”
No Pants: It's good to be careful, but you may be pushing this one a little far.
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Sydney
brushed hair:
You must be very put together... How do you do it?
Hazmat suit:
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Dennis
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Let's all hope for the sake of your fellow student you remember to turn your camera OFF.
Sydney
Dennis
SATIRE 0108
SINCE 2007
WHEREBY MR. SHELTON DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE AND CREATES A NARRATIVE FROM EVERY THESIS TOPIC ... IN ALPHA ORDER Phill Ackermann wanted to reform the motion picture
association, but during the pandemic no one could go see movies anymore, so no one cared. (Except for maybe Jake Allen who hoped people would soon return to theatres to watch his new release, “Not Just Another Preachy Christian Film.”) Luke Bower thought that movie ratings should be tied to aptitude tests given to potential audiences, rendering most films inaccessible anyhow. Meanwhile, from his seat perched on top of the pile of money he earned from playing college football, Seth Bower kept asking for marijuana to relieve his joint pains (also earned from college football), but his brother
Will Bower wouldn’t even allow medicinal marijuana. So, Seth tried to call his friend McLain Brock for help, not knowing that Mac had gotten rid of his smartphone. Once he discovered this, he asked Hanson Brown for help, who told him that all he could get him was cheap insulin. Now alone and in pain, Seth regretted having specialized early in one sport; otherwise, he could have been healthy and well-rounded like Joel Calderon who was working for Sam Carraway’s orbital dumpster company, removing space debris in earth’s orbit so that Dawson Cate could actually see the heavens to prove there was a creator. One of
BY MR. ROB SHELTON
those satellites, however, was the uplink for all of the records of the Veterans Administration, so Maddie Chandler went on a rampage to stop “Carraway’s Carry-Aways” (yes, that’s what he actually named his company), only to be convinced otherwise by Jack Cupit’s critique of dispensationalism (a theological movement which views satellites as a sign of the end-times). Meanwhile, Emma De Vries heard about Seth’s pain, but then she remembered she was against medicinal marijuana too, so she tried to contact Abigail Dees for help, only to discover that Abigail had fallen over a cliff while studying the behaviors of lemmings. Undeterred, Emma bypassed Julia Denton because her topic did
not lend itself to satire and sought out Eric Drees. Eric, however, was busy counting his privatized currency after having realized that he could make a financial killing. Leaving Seth’s pain and Emma’s search behind, Lydia duPerier meanwhile was counseling couples against divorce when she realized that they were all illegal immigrants, which made her glad that Cole Dutton’s plan for a bigger border wall had not passed or she would be out a lot of money. As part of her therapy, she organized a married couples’ dance utilizing the DJing services of “No X Dance Mi_ ,” Anson Eggerss’ struggling business. Lydia also hired Reese Ferguson’s catering business for the dance, but
since she only served meat from animals who willingly sacrificed themselves, everyone went hungry (but they didn’t hear any explicit lyrics). At least there was no mass shooting at the event because MacKenzie FitzGerald would not allow media coverage. One person who did garner coverage, however, was Macy Kate Flora, who donated all of her organs and now lives in a vat in a laboratory as a disembodied head. Sadly, she didn’t make any money from her organs because Catarina Flores convinced her that capitalism was unchristian. Zack Fly could have helped, but he was in a national park somewhere with Gracyn Freiling working on his insanity defense to take advantage of Cole Fritcher’s kinder-gentler restorative justice program. Suddenly, the narrator came across Chaz Garcia’s thesis about pornography addiction and decided to leave it out of the story in the interests of public decorum. Unfortunately, Jayne Goodman went missing in the middle east while researching her claim that not everyone there is a terrorist. David Grote was going to accompany her, but he was still living in his parents’ basement because he remained perpetually adolescent, all while trying to figure out why Braden Hall went into the lawn maintenance business and what her compa-
ny’s fertilization technique entailed. Perhaps David would have known how he was confusing two meanings of fertilization if he had attended one of Luke Hardin’s advanced-tech classical schools, but those went out of business when Richard Hicks convinced the school not to monitor the students’ online activity (“What could possibly go wrong?” Hardin was heard to say). So Luke went into business with Trevor Higgs and they tried to farm the oceans, but the seeds kept sinking. Undeterred, they decided they needed God’s help so they decided to go to church and pray and just happened to visit a really ugly church where Joseph Hohne was outside protesting with a placard that read, “Your church is ugly and your communion wine contains red dye!” The last part was thrown in as a favor to Emmalee Jonas, who had been doing research with Cameron Kidd on whether or not food dyes in church wine cause ecclesiastical eating disorders. None of this mattered to Gage Kohler because he never had basic financial training in high school so he didn’t know the difference between putting his two cents in or getting a penny for his thoughts.
Sarah Ledoux would have been at the church protest with Joseph, but she was trying to figure out the gender dysphoria caused by male clergy wearing what appear to be women’s robes —"Yet another in-
stance of church and fashion issues overlapping,” according to Gillian Loflin, who landed a sweet job in fashion research after listening to Josh Lopez’s seminar “Linebackers Make the Best Job Counselors.” Meanwhile, Nathan Masso heard about Seth’s pain and offered to secure him some medicinal weed, only to find out that Easton Myrick had already cured him through mental counseling and the generous application of steroids stolen from Captain Josh Nate’s military unit. Furious about the theft, Josh sought the aid of Russel Navarro who showed him how to use harsh language to deliberately hurt people’s feelings. Speaking of hurt feelings, no matter what he advocated about the NBA’s restrictions, Kade Nicholls never realized his dream of playing the NBA. To ease his hurt, Kade went into politics because he thought that way, he could attend more parties, failing to understand that Noah Nilsson advocated for more political parties, not actual cake and ice cream parties. At this point Jack O’Quinn was going to be inserted into this story, but his AI took over my computer and prevented it. So Natalya Pedraza decided to take advantage of the narrative lull and advocate for immigrant medical care, but newly-appointed supreme court justice Corley
Petrie shut her down. That may seem harsh, but Corley’s mind was addled by the food additives that Brooke Radigan failed to prevent from being laced into Seth Ramsey’s special new dessert (at which time the narra-
tor discovered that Seth meant ‘news deserts,’ but it was too late). Fearing being canceled out by advocates of canceling out for arguing the we should cancel out those who cancel, Travis Ratterree realized how confusing this was and decided instead to argue for Medicare for all, only to be canceled out by Evan Schaefer who had hired Brooke “Assault Rifle” Secor as his bodyguard. Don’t worry: she didn’t “cancel out” Travis in that sense, but if she had, Brandon Strickland was ready with some lyrically suitable worship music for the memorial service. But if Brooke had opened up on Travis and he needed extraordinary medical treatment, he’d better be glad Elise Valdez is not his mom. Thinking this scenario a bit over-the-top and insensitive, Margaret Vina attempted to restore some sense to this story by arguing that math reform was the answer because there could be only three responses to this story: laughter or revulsion. Charlotte Walker disagreed and declared that there was too much male-bashing in this story, and subsequently shut it down.
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Senior Bedrooms THE QUARTERLY REVEALS OUR FAVORITE SENIOR BEDROOMS.
Lydia duPerier
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“My room is my boho hippie safe place. It’s where I spend most of my time. My favorite thing about it is not one thing, but the vibes I get from it. It makes me feel free and inspired.”
Trevor Higgs “The best part of my room is the vinyls I own, because I enjoy music and my bed.”
“My favorite part of my room is my desk and wall above it. It displays many mementos from my travels, that always make me happy and brighten my mood when I see them. The wall is still incomplete because I threw up some pictures still in the plastic until I got frames, but I’ll eventually get around to finishing it.”
Charlotte Walker
Mclain Brock “I would say my favorite part of my
room is probably the bed cause it’s nice to just vibe out on the bed after a school day.”
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Senior Confessions
SENIORS FINALLY GET TO FESS UP TO THEIR SHENANIGANS.
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While every Rhetoric student signs the honor code at the beginning of the school year, there are just some things that ... happen. Whether by accident or with intentionality, here are the tales graduating seniors can now tell.
EMMA DE VRIES In Apologetics with Mr. Graham, class hadn’t started yet, so I decided I needed to run to the restroom. When I got to Mr. Graham’s desk he was talking to Dawson. I had a cup of coffee in my hand, and Dawson took it to see what it was. I said, “Dawson, I’m sick.” Anson said, “Ew, that’s gross, you’re gonna get sick.” And then I proceed to say, “No, it’s okay, he and I...” However, I did not finish my sentence because I realized how it was gonna sound. I asked Mr. Graham, “May I go to the bathroom?” He said, “Why are you embarrassed?”
COLE DUTTON “I drove over poop in my wheelchair and it was all over Mr. Johnson’s classroom. Nathan Masso got it on his hand when he tried to get a leaf off of my wheelchair that was stuck to my wheel. Then we all started screaming and yelling and freaking out. We stopped the whole class and had a huge debate about who’s poop it was and what we should do. Then we all went outside and cleaned it off.”
ANSON EGGERSS “Trevor and I taped a small piece of ham from a Schlotzky’s sandwich on the underside of Mr. Russell’s harkness table, and it stayed there all year. I’m so sorry Mr. Russell, you didn’t deserve that.”
MACKENZIE FITZGERALD “I may or may not have shattered the locker room window in Logic School, and the glass may or may not have gotten all over Quincy Hartman’s backpack”
CATARINA FLORES “When we painted a mural in Mr. Jones’ room sophomore year, me and some anonymous friends had a dance party in the office where we tried to do the worm on the floor and stole cinnamon rolls and donuts from the teacher fridge. We also played basketball around midnight in the Grammar School basketball court and tried on props in the drama room.”
ZACK FLY “I accidentally installed the virus that shut down all the schools’ computers while I was trying to download free Minecraft skins on Mr. Graham's computer.”
SAM CARRAWAY “Junior year on Senior prank day one of the pranks involved a lot of flour. A bunch of us left Mrs. Short’s study hall to go to the bathroom. When Mr. Graham asked what we were doing Hanson said, “Making biscuits!” Mr. Graham just yelled, “WRONG ANSWER!”
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DAVID GROTE “One time I was revenge-wedgied by Zack Fly after I had wedgied Arthur Flores freshman year.”
BRADEN HALL “Junior year for the magazine I had to purchase a pregnancy test to take pictures of it for a teen pregnancy story. Jayne and I went to H.E.B to grab one and while waiting in line this woman kept looking at us strangely. We told her it was for a school project, and she said it was fine and none of her business. Three weeks later, Mrs. Ryden comes in and tells Jayne and I that the woman called the school and that the entire admin was praying for these two girls. The best part is when I walked up to Mr. Shelton to laugh and apologize (but mostly laugh), I was in the middle of my sugar baby project for anatomy and was carrying the child around.”
RICHARD HICKS “Finals of junior year, I hit two cars in the MPB parking lot. One was owned by a substitute teacher and the other by Faith Hawkins.”
JACK O’QUINN
“I have never done anything wrong in the entire time I have been at Geneva and therefore have absolutely nothing to confess.”
SARAH LEDOUX “My junior year on the Europe trip, I bought a laser pointer and my friends and I lasered Johnny, our tour guide, from the balcony of our hotel. He immediately whipped his head around and asked who it was but we just hid. The next day we had to confess and it was really embarrassing. He said he expected it to be some of the boys.”
GILLIAN LOFLIN “Freshman year, the Lyceum was left unattended at night and a bunch of my friends and I went and played the piano and danced around. I used to be super into dance and was showing them one of my performances, and they started laughing. They pointed behind me and I turned around and Mr. Shelton and Miss Jacobson watched the whole thing. Super embarrassing, I quit dance after.”
BROOKE RADIGAN “Sophomore year I accidentally left my car on and running for five hours while I was in class.”
BROOKE SECOR
“Freshman year I got majorly clotheslined playing red rover on the football field.” (Not a confession ... just a fact).
MARGARET VIÑA “When we were on the Europe trip, we spent our first night in Rome in a pizzeria. I got up during the middle of the meal and ran to the bathroom because I thought I was going to throw up. Instead, I passed out on the bathroom floor and had to be dragged out into the hallway. But the hallway was right by the kitchen, so all these Italian chefs were staring at me as I laid on the floor of the hallway. When I got back to the table, I told everyone I passed out. Nobody believed me until I started crying. It was super embarrassing.” Layout | Sophia Baldwin Graphics | Sophia Baldwin
Corona Couture THE PERSONALITY TYPES FOR COPING WITH CORONA.
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Words | Ashton Landis
nd e i r f . A . I the M .
joe e g a r e av
“I miss my girlies so much. This is really hard on me, literally no one can even relate.”
*error 104* comment not found “Dude I’m just trying to make it through.”
seriously sad
an s u s y z la
fauxfessional pro
CENSORED “Don’t care. Don’t care. Don’t care. Still don’t care. I don’t care. I don’t. I don’t care.“
“Hey if anyone happens to see my will to live, please let me know.” “Why would I wear pants in the privacy of my own home? I’m professional enough.”
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Ashton
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Quarterly Staff Photography Editor
InDesign Editor
Graphics Editor
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Executives
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