The geneva quarterly issue 2

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• fast o break warm n • d l o • coming “home” • school uniforms • out with the new in with the ss to dre w o h • e • hungry hungry michael • homework playlist • valent ines alon

Geneva students on the road of life

FEATURES

08 12 18 CAPERNAUM Nearly every high schooler in Boerne has heard of Young Life, a place where happy songs, funny games, and encouraging talks take your mind off of an overwhelming week. However, Young Life isn’t just for the typical teenager.

Young Life Capernaum is a local organization that allows teens with special needs to attend bi-weekly Young Life clubs and camps.

ENTREPRENEURS Contrary to what many believe, being an entrepreneur does not require a college education.

What it does require is the subject of this article. Reynolds Walker interviewed four Geneva entrepreneurs to find out how each started off in business and qualities each feels make a successful business.

HENDERSON CUP This year makes the fifth year Geneva has won the TAPPS prestigious Henderson Cup awarded to the school that has the most points across athletic, music and academic competitions.

Delaney Young investigates the journey of TAPPS and interviews the association’s executive director.

DEAR GENEVA, There is something about a new calendar year that sparks thoughts of clean slates and new beginnings. This seems to be the time of year to try things differently and conquer what has seemed impossible before. However, before the ink can dry, those exciting new resolutions and plans that have made their mark on our planners are interrupted by deadlines, endless extracurricular commitments and everyday life.

Our second issue is a reminder that we all should stop, count to ten, and remember that everything has a purpose; more importantly it is a call to continually glorify our Creator. Inside, you will not find many New Years Resolutions but you will find new ideas, ambitious designs and different perspectives on what Geneva is all about.

As I approach the numerous “lasts” that come with the last semester of high school, I begin to see how important the “insignificant” daily events are and how they ultimately create an enormous ripple effect on the big picture of this so called “high school life.” In this issue, you will catch a glimpse of something as small as a student’s perspective on uniforms, to something greater like the importance each student has with the school’s success in bringing home the Henderson Cup title. After all, as the saying goes….“the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

BEHIND THE COVER

GQ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: sofia pedraza CHIEF-EDITOR OF DESIGN: emma ingram CHIEF-EDITOR OF CONTENT: mary claire brock INDESIGN EDITOR: hattie atkins EDITORIAL EDITOR: delaney young PHOTOSHOP EDITOR: summer stolle PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: reynolds walker INDESIGN: hunter hamon skylar tippetts carissa georgelos jessica wheeler EDITORIAL:

corey bates katherine anderson emme owens arianna flores PHOTOSHOP:

karlie daniels

sara beth stolle ruth wacker PHOTOGRAPHY: ian comuzzi sean hollinshead sam ledoux ADVISOR: becky ryden To buy a subscription, contact rryden@genevaschooltx.org To advertise, contact sofiapedraza.gq@gmail.com This is a publication for the Geneva School of Boerne.

For this quarter’s cover, Reynolds Walker shot a picture of a Geneva truck symbolically representing how students will graduate and take with them life lessons learned at Geneva.

113 Cascade Caverns Road Boerne, TX 78015

{sub stories}

06 Editorial: School Uniforms

Opposing views of the requirement to wear school uniforms.

21

No Breakfast

The negative outcomes of skipping breakfast.

22 Out With the New in with the Old

How retro items are coming back into style

Real Futbol 24 The The Geneva girl’s soccer team

is compared to the boy’s soccer team.

Perks of Being 26 The Alone on Valentine’s Day

There are positive aspects to not having a boyfriend or girlfriend on this love-filled day.

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27 Hungry Hungry Michael

An inside look at what sophomore John Michael Kite

39

eats daily.

to Dress Warm 28 How Advice on how to avoid freezing during winter at Geneva while still abiding by dress code.

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X Marks the Spot

The Geneva Drama program performs a musical entitled “Pirates on Penzance”

Petrie and James

The story of Sophomore James McFadden and how he is living with his friends the Petries in order to attend Geneva.

iHomework

Homework playlist with a Rhetoric load

46 Geneva students and teachers Teacher Yearbook are compared.

{in every issue}

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Music Column: Big versus Small Music Halls

This month The Geneva Quarterly was featured in a national publication for JS Printing as a Deserving Design. Our magazine received recognition for The Calliope, our switch from newspaper to full-color magazine and for our creative layouts.

Day in the Life: 30 AJackson Ross (Sayers)

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Alumnews The Personal Survival

Southwick and 38 Rate: Shelton

40 Humans of Geneva 42 43 44

The Talon Geneagle Gazette Creative Writing:

PRO

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Why we should dork it up

By Corey Bates Staff

Uniforms are a much-debated subject in most private schools. Some argue that uniforms are preferable to dressing differently every day of the school year, and that similarly clad students improve the campus atmosphere.

Private schools are known for two things: rigorous academics and uniforms. Most people dislike uniforms, but there are some benefits to the restrictions in clothing options.

Geneva’s Rhetoric school uniforms are professional and polished. They make it easy to look sharp even when you only have five minutes to get ready because you accidentally slept in. Due to the color scheme of white and blue, all of the wardrobe choices look good together so there is no worry of not matching if you grab something in the dark and throw it on (excluding girls wearing socks that are different shades of navy). By wearing Geneva uniforms, the student body looks preppy every day.

There is also the added aspect of not being judged based on your clothing. Students do not have to worry about spending money on the latest trend so that they can fit in at school because everyone is wearing the same thing anyway. If someone is truly determined to stand out, they can accessorize with jewelry, shoes, or various Geneva jackets. The lack of aesthetic judgment helps create a positive environment for learning.

The Geneva uniforms also teach students how to look put together, which will help them later in life when they are looking for jobs. They learn how to tie ties and wear blazers properly. Many students will go on to get jobs in companies where they are required to dress a certain way and uniforms are good practice.

Some students may find uniforms stifling because they lack individuality; however, if you rely on clothes to make you an individual then maybe uniforms will teach you how to stand out even when you look like everyone else.

CON

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Why we should stop wearin’ it

By Sean Hollinshead Staff

Along with the benefits of uniforms come many well-recognized drawbacks. According to some, uniforms can actually harm both students and their personalities.

Every day, students wake up and unenthusiastically pull on their uniforms. Then they go to school and see everyone else wearing the same thing. People are usually able to express themselves and their taste through what they wear, but because of Geneva’s uniform policy this does not happen. Many people attribute the uniforms to the school trying to prevent discrimination based on appearance. However, the truth behind uniforms is that teachers just want to eliminate creativity. Creativity can be expressed through creating outfits and combining styles. This is something all teachers despise. You might be asking, “Why do teachers hate creativity?” Teachers hate creativity because it is the first step to becoming aware of one’s situation. If students become self-aware, they might start to doubt what the teachers say and overthrow the whole operation.

Teachers are still recovering from the “Rock N’ Roll” crisis in the 60’s when students started to “Stick it to the Man”.

Since then, teachers at private schools, including Geneva, have instituted uniforms to prevent creativity.

So maybe that’s not 100% true, but uniforms

really do prevent students from expressing themselves.

Also, school uniforms are uncomfortable. Every Monday, Rhetoric boys have to choke themselves with ties and tuck in their shirts. This is somewhat uncomfortable, but it is nothing compared to what Rhetoric girls have to do. Whether it is sunny, raining, 100 degrees, or 20 degrees, Rhetoric school girls have to wear skirts that leave legs exposed to all sorts of weather. It is not uncommon to see a group of girls huddled up, trying to stay warm in the winter (it is also not uncommon for Willis Harpole to be huddled with them). Not to mention the universal suffering of suffocating in a blazer on those September afternoons. If the school didn’t have uniforms, students could wear clothes that are appropriate for the climate.

Finally, uniforms are expensive. A a white button-up shirt, pants and a jacket costs about $175. To buy jeans and a T-shirt costs about $55. That means that uniforms cost about three times as much money than what most guys would wear. If you are still not convinced that uniforms are terrible or if you +actually like uniforms, then Geneva is the place for you.

“ And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum.�

Matthew 4: 13

Reaching a World of Kids :

Young Life Capernaum

By Hattie Atkins Editor of Indesign

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Cardboard testimonies from Boerne Young Life and Capernaum

any teens around the world have heard of or been involved in the popular para-church organization known as Young Life. Young Life’s mission is to introduce kids to Jesus, leaving no child behind, regardless of their past experiences or even their disabilities. In order to make sure that no one was excluded, Young Life created Capernaum, a branch of the organization that allows teens with special needs to attend weekly clubs and summer camps that enable them to discover and have a personal relationship with the Lord. This specific ministry began thirty years ago in California and has spread throughout the United States, aiding Young Life’s vision that every adolescent will have the opportunity to meet Jesus Christ and follow Him.

Capernaum reached Boerne in the fall of 2012 when a woman named Jenny Cashion approached the Boerne Young Life regional director and asked about starting a local division of Capernaum. Her son, Adam Cashion, has Down Syndrome and is well known and cherished around Boerne for his fun-loving adventurous spirit and kind heart. Many Young Life leaders and staff members began praying about starting this ministry in Boerne. God opened all the doors and provided for everything that was needed—leaders, a place to meet and willing teenagers to help. In the spring of 2013, Boerne, Texas had its first Capernaum club at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church.

Danny Williams, Boerne Young Life area director, has been with Capernaum since the very beginning. “For me, the best part of Capernaum is when the Buddies (the high school helpers) and the Capernaum students eat together and hang out in the beginning. The dance party that takes place each time to end the night is also one of my favorites. It’s just great to see students come together, have fun and build friendships that can carry over to their schools. The games and skits are a ton of fun as well. And having high school students and leaders sharing the Gospel is also a highlight.”

Williams explained that students with special needs generally fall short of social expectations as they get older and tend to interact less with other kids their age. Capernaum, however, allows these students to feel more connected to their peers and to experience being “regular” kids, especially at summer camp.

“It was so fun to see the genuine friendships that were being built between the leaders, buddies and students,” Williams said. “And those relationships just went to an even deeper level when we took five of the Capernaum students to camp this past summer to Crooked Creek Ranch in Colorado. To see the confidence and independence of the students grow over the week at camp and continue to grow since coming home has been a blessing. Watching them do all the activities at camp--ropes, swing and zip line--was incredible. They were just like every other student at camp making new friends, laughing and having the time of their life just being themselves.”

Capernaum clubs and summer camps create an environment which is safe, fun and inviting to children with special needs. This type of environment is not often found in such a social setting and is true blessing to the community.

“I really had no idea what to expect,” Williams said, “as I had never been in an area that had Capernaum. But as time went on, Tuesday nights at the Presbyterian Church quickly became a highlight of my week.”

Through the ministry of Capernaum, it is possible for every adolescent to get the chance to know Jesus and begin their walk with Christ. It is a great reminder that everyone has something to learn from others and that, deep down, every person longs to be loved unconditionally, just for who they are.

What is a para-church organization?

By Katherine Anderson

It might be a little confusing what the difference between a para-church and church organization is, so here is an explanation via the wisdom of Young Life staff member, Morgan Champion, and Currey Creek Church pastor, John Free.

Young Life’s goal is to “reach the unreached.” They pull kids from non-Christian communities and introduce them to Christ. At the same time, Young Life ministries strive to “refine the believer.”

They only minister to high school students, with those two goals in mind. Most other para-churches have a similar evangelistic system to Young Life’s. Because of this, para-church organizations have a very specific target audience. The local church, however, ministers to all groups. The local church also develops with each generation, and students who graduate high school move on from Young Life as well. Because of the specificity of para-churches, they rely on the local church to be a universal source of Biblical teaching.

In either scenario, the word of God is being taught and more lives are being influenced by Christ.

Whether it is on Sunday morning or Monday night at 7:57, God uses all forms of community to spread His word.

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Katherine Anderson, sophomore, writes about her experience at Younglife camp with one of the Boerne Capernaum kids:

A student dances at Boerne Capernaum

Boerne Young Life at Crooked Creek Ranch

“Before spending a week in Colorado this summer, I was promised that my seven days at Young Life camp would be “the best week of my life.” Crooked Creek Ranch was an amazing facility, the other kids were easy to become friends with, and the talks we received from Steve every night were perfectly relatable. Young Life camp this summer also introduced me to a sixteen-year-old girl named Stephanie.

Stephanie was a Capernaum camper diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and severe anxiety. It took a day or so to break through her shyness, but once Stephanie decided I was her friend, everything changed. Something as simple as greeting her or giving her a hug made her incredibly happy.

She started calling me “Kitty Kat” and informed everyone who would listen that I was her best friend. I even bought a pink Young Life shirt so that we could match that Friday.

Amidst all the crazy fun and spiritual growth that Young Life camps balance so well, Stephanie was one of my main priorities. My relationship with Stephanie influenced me more than anything else at Crooked Creek. After seeing the kind of innocent joy and unconditional love she was capable of, my entire perspective of special needs kids changed.

Because of Young Life’s Capernaum program, I was able to make an impact on Stephanie’s life by being her friend and she was able to make an impact on mine just by being hers.”

All photos provided by Young Life

Capernaum students with their cardboard testimony

A student with directors at Crooked Creek Ranch

Interview

By Reynolds Walker Photography Editor

David Crossland

Photo by Hogan Petrie

Photo by Reynolds Walker

Daniel Petrie

Photo by Reynolds Walker

Photo provided by Larry Smith

Robert RobertThornton: Thornton The Builder Robert Thornton, owner of Great Homes in Boerne, Geneva Founder, and father of Nick, graduate (2012) .

Q: Where did you go to college and why?

A: I got a BBA in real-estate and finance and A: Quite honestly, I chose Baylor because I had never changed; started that way and ended that a level of comfort there. That’s where both of my parents had gone and I had an older brother who was there. I was comfortable and familiar with the surroundings as a result of visiting it on various occasions, including homecomings and others, during high school.

Q: What was your major when you were at Baylor? Did you change it at all when you were there?

way.

Q: Will you explain what a BBA in real-estate and finance deals with?

A: Bachelors in business administration; realestate deals with a lot of market values, marketing and appraisal values and sales. Finance deals with a lot of things that I never understood and that I squeaked by on, but not very well.

Q: What is your job now and how did you start

Robert Thornton

Larry Smith

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your business?

A: I’m a custom home builder. I started as a superintendent working for other builders, first in Los Cruces, New Mexico and then in Northern Virginia, just outside of D.C., before starting my own business. We now focus on high end custom homes.

Q: When did you start up your company? And what difficulties did you face?

A: I started my company in Boerne in about 1990. The difficulty was that at the time the economy here was still not great. There was just not enough market activity going on.

There was very little building, very little of buying new vehicles, very little of anything. A lot of companies had gone out of business and properties had been foreclosed on. That allowed me to capitalize on foreclosed properties and to turn a small amount of work and production into a big splash. Another difficulty I faced getting started was that there was very little trust in the market place at that time. Lenders, real estate salesmen and the general market had very little trust, and my ability to borrow money to start a business was very difficult. The reason I was able to start my company, quite frankly, was by way of my mother, who at the time loaned me a small amount of money to buy my first property and start my first house.

Q: What would you say contributed to your success?

A: I have this conversation with young people

frequently. I think there are several things that give any person a tremendous advantage that are very simple to do. If you have a high standard of excellence and you do your work to the glory of God, you will automatically have a tremendous advantage. If you speak with honesty and act with integrity and you work to the best of your ability you will automatically put 95% of your competition behind you. Also, success in business has much to do with our competition.

If I have a choice to compete with 100 people in a room or a choice to compete with five people in a room I choose to compete with five people.

I’ve learned that if you act with that integrity and honesty and you do it to the glory of God you will be competing with 5% rather than 100%, and that’s a tremendous advantage. I think that applies to any walk of life, any career, in parenting, in being a husband, businessman, or employee. That same principle will cause you to rise above the competition and therefore be successful.

Q: What brings you satisfaction in your work?

A: I’ve been fortunate, in that, I also enjoy what I do, because I have a creative outlet and I am able to build tangible things that will last beyond my lifetime. Things that I hope my grandchildren and great grandchildren will some day look upon that their grandfather or great grandfather built as much as I did when I was a child driving around Dallas with my mother.

Larry Smith Larry Smith, Owner of Greater Landscapes. Father of Trip and Grace Smith (10).

Q: What exactly is your business and how did kids do, landscaping yards and small businesses it get started?

A: I have a landscape contracting company. I do

that in addition to other things, but that has been our primary driver all along. I also develop real estate. My junior year in college, the late 80s, was not a good economic time. That led me to come back home and I was going to work and make some money to go back to school. I got involved in landscaping with another friend of mine who had already graduated. We got into what a lot of

and such. I kept growing the business and never went back to school. With a lot of thought and prayer I decided to try the landscaping route instead of going back to school.

Q: What was the name of your company?

A: The first company was called Crusader

Landscape Management. I sold that business in 1998 and started the new one, Greater Landscapes, in 2003.

Q: Did you face any difficulties starting that first

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company? Was it harder starting your second company?

business?

twenty-one, the biggest hurdle you face is money.

The biggest challenges early on were capital: trying to raise money and pulling everything together. The second thing we dealt with was employees. That’s probably the toughest part now, but it wasn’t in the early years. Raising money wasn’t a problem with the second business because I already had the knowledge and expertise.

all want to make as much money as we can, but what you realize is that it is not going to make you happy. I think the best thing you can do is take everything you do to the Lord on a daily basis and keep God in the center of your life.

Whether that’s being a doctor or whether you’re on Wall Street making deals every second, or you’re a landscaper, if you have the peace that comes with a relationship with God then the hard decisions that come—marriage, starting a business, investing—somehow don’t seem as hard. You can make decisions with clarity and finality that this is what you need to do.

A: It doesn’t take you too long in life to figure A: When you start a business, especially at out money isn’t going to make you happy. We

Q: Will you tell me a few key things you think contributed to your success?

A: I think a big key, especially in your own

business, is perseverance. If nine people have told you no, you need to go talk to that tenth person. You have to persevere and have confidence that you can accomplish your goal.

That’s huge, not only just in business but in life.

That will get you past 75% of your competition.

The second thing I would say is be honest and have integrity. If you are honest in what you say you are going to do, you are going to beat out 90% of your competition. Lastly, try to learn to do what you are doing better than everybody else. Whatever it is, if you are a painter or a landscaper or a surgeon, every day you should wake up and do the best you can.

Q: Looking back on everything, what is general or specific advice you would give to Geneva students and specifically to Geneva graduates?

A: I would say think about what you would like

to do. No one goes to college knowing what they want to do, unless you are set on being a doctor or attorney, but look at the things you like to do—are you detailed or are you not? If you are interested in building homes, go spend some time with someone like Mr. Thornton and see if they have any words of wisdom. Just go see what it’s like. Internships are awesome. So as a Geneva graduating student, if you have a clue or maybe don’t about your future career, go do an internship somewhere—go in there and be a sponge. Ask questions: How? Why? Where?

How did you even know to do that? And they will tell you.

Q: How has your faith played a part in your

Q: What is your biggest advice for someone who wants to be an entrepreneur?

A: God is something that everyone is looking for.

It can be overwhelming knowing how to choose what to do, but bouncing it off the platform of knowing God has a plan for my life and I know He is going to keep me in His protection until it is revealed, then you don’t have to worry.

Those would be my two things: Work hard and choose something you like. If you go to work every day doing something that you really like, are you really working? God gave us all a talent so if we can find that and get plugged in to where you can seek His counsel, then in my opinion that is a good recipe.

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David Crossland David Crossland, Investor and Company Owner in Brazil.

Father of David (11), Victoria (10) and Mary (7) .

Q: Was there one specific person who greatly man of integrity. Understand your perspective impacted your choices?

A: No, I had no counsel. I was not raised in a Christian home. Making money was my only focus and goal because I was raised in a poor family. I set out to be a millionaire by age 20 and I was. I am the first and only entrepreneur in my family, but I was always very frugal with investments and debt.

Q: How did you get started?

A: I was working with a company building fences. I actually got out because the owner deceived me and was taking advantage of my work. From that point, I decided not to work for anyone else again. I started my own company, DNC Fence Company. All it took was going to the courthouse to get tax ID number and doing paperwork. It grew from 3-4 people to 75 people with $10 million gross sales.

Q: What is your job now?

A: President, CEO, General Manager of all the businesses— apartments, fence company and some development in Brazil. I run them from here, in Boerne, with people I trust on site.

Q: What are some difficulties you faced in starting your businesses?

A: I had to deal with a lot of discouragement from others. How to manage my time—early on I dedicated all my time to work, eighty hours a week. I had to remember it’s not everything. You have to find good people and be wise in how to set up business, seek good counsel.

Q: What do you think are key things that contributed to success?

A: Drive, charisma and confidence. I could sell rocks to someone who has a billion. When you sell from a self-started business, you are selling yourself; so have integrity. Be a man of your word. Even before I was a Christian, I was a

is different when you are an owner rather than just someone along for the ride. Let those things drive you and don’t let the negative things people say beat you.

Q: How did becoming a Christian impact your business?

A: I became a Christian about five years after I started my own business. My goal is to make a difference in people’s lives for the glory of God. All my workers represent me as the owner.

I need to know who they are and how they do business, so I lead by example by respect and trust. Workers must portray the same integrity from the top down. People don’t bet on you until they know you; you need character. When you build clientele and friendships, there is more to it—good luck if you are only in it for the money.

Q: Do you manage your business differently today than when you started?

A: Every year, your perspective on business will change. It’s all about money at the beginning; later it’s about significance and making a difference in people’s lives. I have a different focus now than when I was in my twenties and thirties. I wanted to be a tough boss. It was all about the money. Now I’m wondering how I can make a difference in these families. I used to bonus on sales numbers but now I bonus on good feedback.

Q: What advice would you give students today?

A: First, the most important aspect is to be discipled by other business owners. Secondly, find a niche that no one else wants to do and be willing to do it. Lastly, have fun doing it, even if you fail.

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Daniel Petrie Daniel Petrie, businessman and entrepreneur in Boerne, Texas. Father of Campbell (11), Hogan (10) and Corley (7).

Q:

How did you choose the college you attended?

A: The truth is that my mom worked at TCU. Because she was an employee there, it was one hundred percent free. My family was of modest background and that was the only opportunity I had to go to school: where it was paid for.

Q: What was your major at TCU? A: My undergraduate degree is a liberal arts degree in history with a minor in speech communications. I chose that degree because I thought that I wanted to be an attorney, specifically a court room litigator, but I kind of lost interest in that before I got the degree. I didn’t think that I had the right skill sets for it.

Q: Did you ever study business in college?

A: Not in undergraduate. When I graduated college, I thought that I wanted to be in business for myself so I got an MBA in international trade that specifically focused on the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). My thesis was on importing and exporting products to Mexico.

Q: Are you saying you would not recommend college?

A: If you know at an early age that you want to be a college professor or a doctor or you want to be an attorney, you know those things require an education as part of their training. However, if you want to be an entrepreneur or a business man, there’s nothing requiring you to go to college or go to graduate school, because those people know what they want to do. If you don’t know what you want to do then I think going to school will help open your eyes to opportunities, but it’s not an end result.

Q: What are some of the difficulties you faced throughout your career?

A: I went into business for myself because I

wasn’t a corporate guy. I like to be the captain of the ship and usually the captain of the ship doesn’t follow others very well, so I didn’t do very well in a corporate environment. I definitely liked the fact that I went to work for a large company to get the experience and knowledge, I learned a lot. My difficulties were playing by the rules.

Q: What would you tell a budding entrepreneur today?

A: You have to go pay your dues and be willing to learn things from the bottom up. It’s an adventure and there is no secret sauce, there is not a do these three things and you will be successful. Successful people have an internal drive, they want to win and they will do what they can, morally, ethically and legally to win.

They are going to go to where the action is, dive in and make the most out of those opportunities.

I think that is the mistake that young people make today is that they are not willing to go out and leave the comfort of their environment. You have to take chances.

Q: Looking back on all the experience you have attained what would be some advice that you would have to Geneva students, specifically graduating seniors, but also high school students in general?

A: Geneva is a privileged environment and a lot of times we take that for granted. Hard work is essential. That’s what I tell anyone else who talks to me: remain level with your humility, work very hard, be committed, take chances and build relationships with people. If you do that you will be very successful.

“Remain level with your humility, work very hard, be commited, take chances and build relationships with people.”

Graphic by Summer Stolle

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2013-14 Geneva Points Earned for Henderson Cup

CLAIMING THE C U P: Winning the Henderson Cup Every spring, students, parents and teachers get excited when all the points from individual competitions and preparation for TAPPS culminate in the announcement of the school that won the Henderson Cup. Every school has heard of the famous Cup, but no one really knows the history or meaning behind it or even TAPPS. Delaney Young investigates the journey of TAPPS and interviews the association’s executive director.

By Delaney Young

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Editorial Editor ince 2008, Geneva has participated in competitions and events hosted by the Texas Association for Private and Parochial Schools. The organization, usually referred to by its acronym, TAPPS, enables us to play sports and compete academically and musically against schools of our same size and type. Over the years, TAPPS has seeped into everyday Geneva culture and conversation. Every die-hard volleyball fan knows of the infamous and extensive TAPPS handbook of rules. The months spent preparing for the TAPPS Academic and Instrumental Meets feel almost like a fifth season at Geneva. Of course, everyone loves to brag about the Henderson Cup title that Geneva wins year after year, swearing that their flawless trumpet solo or stellar free-throw record was the tipping point. But there are very few who understand the history and meaning behind TAPPS or the envied Henderson Cup, besides the fact that Geneva wins it every year.

In July of 1978, twenty different schools united to form TAPPS, spearheaded by their first executive director, Mr. Hugh Seale. The first few years, the schools only participated in football and basketball. After the third year, they incorporated fine arts. The initial twenty schools quickly became more competitive with each other. As a result, the organization created the tradition of the Cup fifteen years ago to reward the school with the highest points each year. Though the Cup is now renowned with the title “Henderson,” it didn’t always have a name.

Johnnie Henderson was the very first paid executive director and his wife, Evelyn, was his employee. As a team, the Hendersons developed and hugely impacted TAPPS. They transformed a rudimentary association formed by the twenty inaugural schools into a statewide organization that now orchestrates competitions for over one hundred schools. Seven years ago, in recognition of the Hendersons’ dedication and profound impact, TAPPS named their honorary Cup after the couple.

Now, TAPPS offers a lot of the same competitive opportunities as University Interscholastic League, the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world. TAPPS even recently added a few categories that UIL has not yet added. Bryan Bunselmeyer, current executive director of TAPPS, proudly points out, “TAPPS offers the same general contests as the UIL. This year we added the cheer and dance ahead of the UIL, which will add them next year.”

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Photos by Pam Akin

Even more important than TAPPS’ amazing growth over the years are the long-term benefits and unique opportunities that TAPPS provides for small Texas private schools like Geneva. Bunselmeyer points out the differences between TAPPS and club organizations. “High school athletics have been under fire from the club and AAU organizations as parents want their children to specialize and develop opportunities for playing at the next level. While admirable, the high school teams [competing for TAPPS] allow for students to grow in different ways as they can star in one sport and support in others.”

TAPPS allows students to experiment and try new things. The association encourages athletes and competitors to branch out and compete in more than just one thing. Each year ushers in new talented competitors and TAPPS makes sure that none of these talents go to waste. “Seeing a student run faster than they ever have before, or score their first points, or perform a solo/duet acting scene and overcome their shyness cannot be scripted or surpassed,” testifies Bunselmeyer. “Every year there are amazing stories. That is the beauty of high school competition: always a new opportunity with the change of classes.”

But Geneva’s secret to success is rooted a little deeper than the comfortable and opportunityrich environment that TAPPS fosters. Geneva’s competitors truly make the most of the inviting atmosphere that TAPPS strives to create. Unlike other schools in the 3A division that hone in on one category of point-earning opportunities, Geneva earns points from all kinds of areas. Geneva students take advantage of the freedom to compete in several different areas. The way that the school competes reflects the adaptable aspect of Geneva lifestyle.

Scott Stolle, Geneva athletic director, says, “It just goes to show that we’re really well-rounded… we’ve got athletes competing at Academic [TAPPS] and debaters playing sports and everybody does so well.”

The points from the 2013-14 year’s competitions testify to Geneva’s unique approach to winning the Cup. Last year’s record shows that Geneva came in first with almost twice as many points as the second place school, The Covenant School in Dallas. Also, Geneva’s points come from all across the board; the school earned major points from volleyball, speech, instrumental music, boys’ basketball, art and girls’ golf, whereas Covenant earned most of their points from either football or track.

Geneva’s fall and winter sports, orchestrated by TAPPS, have competed and done really well so far. This March, Geneva will send several students to compete at the TAPPS State Academic, State Instrumental and State Art Meets in various events that students and teachers have been preparing for all year. In previous years, TAPPS held Regional Meets to decide which students would go to State, but they eliminated Regional competitions this year. It’s now the schools’ responsibility to select students to represent them at TAPPS State Competitions.

Gradi Evans speculates about what TAPPS State Competitions will look like for Geneva this year: “It’s completely different this year because there’s not that buffer between us and state. It could be really good for Geneva, though, and we might end up doing better than last year. We just can’t predict.”

Fingers crossed, coming up on its sixth consecutive year with the Henderson Cup. Make sure to sign up to compete in your favorite events (or try something new) and represent Geneva well at State this year.

Geneva varsity volleyball takes second place at the state tournament in 2013.

Geneva varsity football after vying for the state championship in 2013.

37% of students eat breakfast in the morning.

BREAKFAST?

By Summer Stolle Photoshop Editor

Should I Eat Breakfast?

Yes. Numerous medical studies show that eating breakfast has many benefits and promotes a healthy lifestyle. These benefits include: More Energy: Breakfast allows kids’ bodies to refuel for the day. Breakfast is a way to tell their bodies to wake up and begin the metabolic processes again, replenishing glycogen levels after a long night of sleep. Eating a breakfast with plenty of complex carbohydrates and proteins assures energy that will last throughout the day.

Good Grades: Research shows that students who eat breakfast tend to do better in school. A 2005 Journal of the American Dietetic Association review of 47 breakfast studies concluded that students who ate breakfast had a far better memory than those that did not.

As a result, they performed better academically.

Healthy Weight: Despite the misconception, skipping breakfast is a terrible way to lose weight. People who skip breakfast tend to consume more calories throughout the day and have a harder time making healthy food choices later on in the day.

What Should I Eat For Breakfast?

In order to properly fulfill the purpose of breakfast, some essentials must be included. A healthy breakfast should include protein, complex carbs and fiber.

Protein: Protein is a necessity for any healthy breakfast because it provides long lasting and sustainable energy. Unfortunately, most students do not consume enough protein in the mornings, reaching instead for a pastry or cereal. Some sources of protein include eggs, greek yogurt, lean meat (i.e. turkey bacon or ground chicken), nut butters and legumes.

Complex Carbohydrates: Carbs nowadays have a bad rep, but complex carbs are actually an important component of breakfast.

Unlike their unhealthy relatives, they provide both immediate and long lasting energy. Some foods consisting of complex carbs are oatmeal, whole wheat toast and muffins, fruits and veggies.

Fiber: Fiber is an essential part of a good breakfast because it keeps you full as well as helps with indigestion. Some common foods which are high in fiber include fruits (especially berries), veggies, oats, whole wheat products and nuts.

out with the NEW How “Retro” is making a comeback

By Arianna Flores Staff

Each new year brings about new trends. With technology being constantly upgraded and fashions shifting quickly, it can be hard to keep up with the latest and greatest merchandise. Some of these trendy items, however, are rediscovered vintage products reinvented to appeal to younger generations. Though they may never be as popular as they once were, retro products are becoming more and more popular in today’s society.

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ou can hardly walk around Boerne nowadays without spotting a teenage girl sporting a pair of white Chuck Taylor Converse. Open your Instagram, and a picture of a Polaroid pops up on your feed. Contrary to what many teenagers think, these trends are not unique to the 21st century. These products are classic examples of retro trends that are becoming wildly popular for the second time in history. The new “in” is not really new at all.

Though we live in a time of mindblowing technology, retro gadgets, such as the Polaroid camera, are making a resurgence. In 1943, a Harvard drop-out named Edward H. Land conceived the idea of an instant camera. Soon after, in 1948, the first Polaroid camera was sold.

Eight short years later, Polaroid made their one millionth camera. By 1972, the company was producing 5,000 cameras per day. Five more years went by, and the latest Polaroid model, the OneStep became the number one best selling camera in the nation. Like all fads, the Polaroid camera disappeared, once the digital camera and the many versatile programs that accompany it were introduced. Now, however, the idea of a tangible image which quickly develops has become intriguing to the populous. The Polaroid camera creates the same wonder today as it did to its first buyers. The individual photos are perhaps even more unique because of their vintage-wash and classic white border. The excitement of

waiting to see how a photo turned out is recaptured by the return of the Polaroid.

Not only is taking pictures with vintage cameras hip again, but listening to albums from record players is becoming more and more popular. While Bluetooth speakers and music on demand have their appeal, vinyls offer a different music-listening experience. When you place a needle on a spinning vinyl, you join the millions of people through the years who experienced the joy in hearing a familiar song sung by its original artist. The first form of reproducing a recorded sound, the phonograph, was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison, the same guy who invented the light bulb. Ten year later, a man named Emile Berliner produced what we now recognize as the first vinyl. But it was not until 1957 that stereo recordings became available for people to buy.

After this, record players exploded.

By the 1990’s, cassette tapes had taken the place of vinyls. Nowadays modern music, especially rock and alternative albums, has returned to its roots and is being sold as vinyls.

Just walk into Urban Outfitters, and witness the huge array of records available to please many different music tastes. The record player has been redesigned and enhanced to appeal to younger consumers, but still has that classic retro feel.

When you look at the cover art of an album on a phone, you just see an image on a screen. Holding a vinyl with the original cover art in your hands makes music seem much more authentic. The

in

with the OLD

record player is different than any modern music platform, so it fascinates us. Listening to music just like it was played in the “hey day” of the records can truly make you feel a part of the great world of music.

Along with all retro technology, several different styles of retro clothing have recently transformed into modern day trends. In particular, Converse has seen a huge come-back in their shoe sales. Nearly 60% of all Americans have, at one point in their lives, owned a pair of Converse. In particular, White Chuck Taylor’s have become essential in the teenage girl’s closet.

The company was started in 1908, and in 1917 produced its first sneakers as basketball shoes in black canvas and leather. A famous basketball player named Chuck Taylor was a huge promoter of these shoes, so much so that in 1932 they named a line of shoes after him. His name was then added to what would become the classic high-top ankle patch.

Also, during the 1930’s, the first white Chuck Taylor’s were designed and produced for the 1936 Olympics.

Ten years later, the company introduced the black and white high-top. In the 1970’s, the sneaker transitioned from an athletic shoe to a trendy and fashionable sneaker. The company, however, could not sustain its popularity forever and began to decline in the 1980’s

and 90’s after multiple shifts in executives. Today, Converse has redesigned their shoe to maximize comfort and practicality.

Though they aren’t worn on the court anymore, putting a modern twist on a classic style of shoes resulted in an insanely popular sneaker.

All in all, continue to rediscover the retro products of the past. Though they may not be the latest and greatest, they are still new and different to those who did not grow up with them around.

Maybe in 20 years, everyone will be listening to iPod Shuffles and sporting Crocs. Until then, check out the latest retro trends and decide for yourself if they’re as fascinating now as they were back then.

BOERNE thrift If you ever need a used bowling trophy or a lastminute spirit day outfit, head to one of the ten thrift shops in Boerne. Thrift shops, along with all other things retro, have become a trend that has caused a boom in the thrift shop business. Shops are popping up all over the place. There is one shop per 1,000 Boerne citizens which is an incredible rate for any business in a small town. And these stores house more than just ratty t-shirts and XXL overalls. Boerne citizens donate brand-name clothing and lots of wearable items. And, in turn, the stores donate their proceeds to various charities in the Kendall County like the Women’s Shelter and the Fire Department.

The Real

Photo by Marty Morris

Girls

FUTBOL The inaugural girls soccer team with Coach Almirudis.

Coach: The girls are led by coach Alanna Almirudis, science teacher of 6th grade science and Pre-

AP Biology for 9th grade. This is Almirudis’ first year at Geneva, she played at University of Incarnate Word and coached at Saint Mary’s Hall. “I feel that I am very blessed to be able to work and coach at Geneva at the same time,” Coach Almirudis said. “Although it is my first year, I still think that I can help my girls go all the way and show the school that a girls team is just as good as a guys team.”

Players:

18 players comprised of seven freshmen, six sophomores, three juniors and two seniors.

Conditioning:

Coach Alumirudis has focused on endurance for the girls team. They have spent a third of their time in the weight room and running and two thirds on skills and scrimmage play. The girls are also required to turn in a food log each week.

Parent Support: At the start of the season, the Moms got together to decorate the girl’s locker in the gym with baskets full of food, soccer quotes and a water bottle.

Photo by Carissa Georgelos

Although quite underestimated, soccer is becoming one of the most popular sports at Geneva. With football done and fall sports coming to an end, the time for soccer has come and this year it’s all new. Last year there was only one girl on the varsity soccer team. This year, the first time at Geneva, there’s finally an all-girls soccer team. With the addition of this new team, there is an intense competition between the guys team and the girls team.

Which is the better soccer team?

By Ian Comuzzi

Photo by Tiffany Smith

Guys

Staff

Coach:

Coach Marty Morris on the sidelines encouraging the boys soccer team.

The boys are led by coach Marty Morris, who is from Chicago and is returning for another year of coaching soccer at Geneva. Last year he led the co-ed team to Regional playoffs.

“Our team is growing even bigger and I expect that we will go even farther than we have last year”, coach Morris said. He coaches his team to be the best by using individual strengths and weaknesses as well as sharing the love of the game.

Players:

21 players comprised of two freshmen, ten sophomores, three juniors and three seniors.

Conditioning:

Coach Marty spends the first ten minutes or so warming up then maybe running a five minute drill. He spends a good 30 minutes or so telling a story about his glory days in Chicago. He finally dedicates the last hour of practice to scrimmaging.

Parent Support: So, decoration is not a high priority, however the parent involvement and support at the games has been great.

Photo by Ian Comuzzi

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the PERKS of being ALONE on VALENTINE’S DAY

By Skylar Tippetts Staff

February 14th, aka Valentine’s day, is known as the mushiest day of the year. It seems that on Valentines Day anyone in some sort of relationship is in some kind of trance that people call “love.” Couples send each other love notes, heart candy and flowers. They walk around holding hands and making googly eyes at each other. Girls bat their eyelashes and twirl their hair while thinking, “Wow, what a dreamboat”.

Boys try their hardest to woo girls with their charming and cute little half smiles. For a lot of people who are single, the sight of all these love birds is sickening. They roll their eyes and think to themselves, “Why am I alone on Valentines Day?!” If you think about it, being alone on Valentines Day might not be so bad, here’s why:

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Movie Night?

If you feel like watching a movie on V-Day you get to pick which movie YOU want to watch if you don’t have a valentine. You can choose anything from a chick-flick to horror without having to worry about someone else’s approval or opinion. It’s guaranteed that the movie you pick will have five stars.

Miss Independent:

Rejection is one of the biggest fears that comes with having a date. Being left alone in the cold with nothing but wilted flowers and a shattered self esteem can be brutal. If you’re dateless from the start, you don’t have to worry about going out and being rejected. You can’t stand yourself up.

I Want Candy:

The great thing about holidays is after they’re over, all the holiday candy is on sale. This means that you can eat all the sweets you want without feeling judged by your Valentine’s Day crush. Go ahead, stuff your face with a box full of heart shaped chocolates and enjoy it.

If you don’t have a valentine, there will be no one by your side to question your candy intake.

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Dress to Impress:

Picking out a cute outfit to wear can be a hassle, especially if you’re trying to impress someone. However, if you’re flying solo on February 14th, you can snuggle up in the comfiest thing lying around in your closet. Put those dresses and heels away, and throw on your big sweatshirt and sweatpants.

The Single to Taken Ratio:

Chances are you have more single friends than taken ones, which means you don’t have to be completely alone.

If you and your bestie are both without a valentine, then you can make plans to be dateless together. Sometimes, having a fun girls night out (or in) and doing girly things you could never do with a date is better than flirting and and making eyes at some guy. Single Ladies, unite!

Hungry Hungry Michael: John Michael’s Food Journal for Game Day:

Breakfast:

How many calories should a football player consume on game day? Everyone has seen varsity football player John Michael Kight lugging his over-sized lunchbox around campus. Here is a sample of the contents of his infamous lunchbox on game day.

Brown Cow Cherry Vanilla Yogurt (180 Cal)

Mid-morning snack: Ding Dong (350 Cal)

2nd period: 1st period snack:

Cherry Frost Gatorade (130 Cal) Green grapes (208 Cal)

Hard boiled egg (78 Cal) Barbeque kettle chips (300 Cal) Quest chocolate chip cookie dough (190 Cal)

Chocolate covered Ritz crackers (320 Cal)

3rd period: Banana (200 Cal)

Dinner:

Whataburger Hamburger with bacon and cheese (770 Cal) Medium French Fries (530 Cal) Water

5th period: Pear (131 Cal) Peanut butter and jelly sandwich (376 Cal)

6th period: Sunflower seeds (818 Cal) Cherry Frost Gatorade (130 Cal)

Late night snack: Ensure protein breakfast drink (220 Cal) Red Diamond Iced Tea (140 Cal)

After the game: Whataburger chicken strips (3 count) Medium French Fries together: (1490 Cal)

Calories in a day: 6,430 Calories Photo by Jessica Wheeler

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How To StayWarm: Geneva Style

By Carissa Georgelos Staff

According to the Rhetoric student handbook, “when extremely cold weather is anticipated” (think Artic Blast) “students will be made aware of any temporary dress code changes or permissible exceptions.” Since no changes or exceptions were made to the dress code recently when temperatures fell to below freezing, here are some students’ suggestions for how they stay warm on extremely cold days (below 50˚).

“Right now, I try to stay warm in my letter jacket.”

Reagan Brell (12)

“The only way to stay warm in our uniforms is to drink hot coffee all day long. I’ve been drinking at least 5 cups a day this week!”

Sarah Habeeb (11)

“Cold days have always been a pain for girls at Geneva because we can never wear pants.

So, many of us improvise with extremely thick tights, hats, and my personal favorite: ear warmers! (always navy or white, of course)” Holly Higgins (10)

“I try to keep warm by wearing leggings, fuzzy socks, scarves and Geneva jackets.”

Hannah Styles (9)

Photo by Sam Ledoux

“I like uniforms because I can put on all the sweat shirts I want.”

Kenny Kidd (9)

“Right now I try to stay warm by wearing tights under my uniform and lots of layers.”

Riley Smith (9)

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Big Vs. Small Concert Halls Austin, Texas is home to more than 250 live music venues. They are all different in size and atmosphere.

These differences affect the experience the audience will have during the concert. Corey Bates compares a singer-songwriter’s concert at small music venue to a rock and roll concert at a mid-sized venue.

By Corey Bates Staff

Austin

MUSIC HALL

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he line of people was wrapped around the modern building and across a small bridge. The only signs of those who had camped out to get close to the stage was the trash strewn in front of Austin Music Hall. Security guards checked bags and scanned tickets as people entered. The concrete floors and light grey walls were decorated with small pieces of graphic art which added to the stark contemporary design. Both the floor and the balcony were sold out, and consequentially packed to the 4,000 person max capacity. People on the floor level fought throughout the night to get closer to the stage. The balcony was much more relaxed with steps to sit on, but also much farther away from the stage. It was easy to get pulled out of the experience because people had their phones out and were taking videos and picutes during the entire set. The headliner, The 1975, came on stage and girls screamed. The entire concert was loud and bright and exhilarating. The light show was phenomenal as was the music.

Even though the stage was at least five feet off of the ground and three feet away from the closest audience members, the front man did a good job of connecting with the audience. He flailed around the stage and even dived into the crowd at one point. The night left me both excited and exhausted from dancing and singing along.

VS.

alking up the flight of stairs to The Parish was like stepping into a different world. The mid-sized music venue on Austin’s iconic Sixth Street is painted a deep red with framed gold and black tapestries adorning the walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The stage was only a few feet off of the floor which added to the laidback lounge feel of the space. Anyone in the audience was never more than 20 feet away from the stage. This helped build a unique bond between the audience and the band because there was very little separation between the two. With a maximum capacity of only 450 people, the room felt more cozy than cramped when full. Conversation flowed freely before and after the set as people became acquainted with fellow music lovers.

Noah Gundersen, a singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington, was playing that night. People silenced immediately when he sang the first note and were fairly quiet the rest of the set. Some people sang along to their favorite songs, and many joined in during his rendition of “Take It Easy”.The banter between the band and the audience was easy and conversational as they tuned instruments and set up for songs. The night left me happy and inspired by the calm and warm atmosphere throughout the concert.

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A Day in the Life of...

The Untold Story

Photo by Sam Ledoux

3:16 AM Wake up in a cold sweat because I am having a nightmare about debate.

3:20 After a sufficient amount of warm milk, I go back to bed.

6:55 Get out of bed, prepare to shower, then I realize I forgot to do my debate homework.

6:56 Then I forget about forgetting to do debate homework.

7:35 Leave for school.

7:36 Drive to school with windows down and volume up.

7:50 Start homework that is due first period.

8:29 Finish homework that is due first period.

9:40 The tears continue to streak down my face, it’s an AP Chemistry test.

11:10 Finish Chemistry test, thank Jesus that he died so that my Chemistry grade could be forgiven.

12:00 PM Psalm of Praise: The day is almost done. Cold knot begins to form deep in my gut, debate is coming.

1:05 Pre-cal…enough said.

1:50 Begrudgingly acknowledge that I am now 45 minutes closer to debate.

1:55 Creative Writing: So that in college I’ll be able to write

home for money. A nervous twitch forms in my leg. It is almost here.

2:40 The Lyceum’s mysterious gravitational pull makes itself known, I cannot resist.

2:41 My mind has lost control, I fight with all I have.

2:42 I still resist, my soul is taking a heavy beating though, this may be my last entry.

2:43 My soul is tearing from my body. I now get glimpses of the jar it will be kept in for all of forever and eternity.

2:44 My last meal: thank you for your gift, water fountain.

2:45 The door shuts. Let it begin...

3:35 Where am I? What is my name? Who are you people?

TE DEBA

Jackson Ross

Marks the Spot:

By Emme Owens

“Pirates” Arrive at Geneva

Staff

T

Photo by Sara Beth Stolle

he Geneva Drama Department encounters is the Pirate King, and a changing of the guard and presents “The Davis Metzger, senior, Pirates of Penzance,” a loopy romance ties it all together as the musical from the late 1800’s written by W.C. Major General.

Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. This play offers something Mrs. Jennifer for everyone with a twisting plot, musical show pieces Zaccagni, the vocal and, of course, pirates. director for the play, had a lot of say in the choice of Mr. Rick Poole takes the helm as he begins his this year’s play. “Mrs. Gradi Evans said she had always inagural year as the Logic and Rhetoric theatre teacher. wanted to see us do Pirates and I had been involved He is a J.R.R Tolkien lover who fits right into the with it in the past. Our greatest challenge is putting Geneva Rhetoric community.

60 people on stage who are singing and dancing. The “The most enjoyable aspect of the production for reward is seeing our students catch the vision for the me is watching Mrs. Zaccagni working with the cast. production and grow into their roles!” Zaccagni said.

She is a true professional. Most musicals have about Today, this musical is one of the most popular and a dozen songs or so--this one has twenty! We are all longest-running works of musical theatre. It was first starting to hum them in our sleep...” Poole said. performed in England and in New York City in 1879.

Poole particularly enjoys the fun of working with “The Pirates of Penzance” became an immediate hit, pirates and swords and is excited to produce this very running over four hundred performances during its humorous musical this January. first production in London.

“The biggest challenge is making the performances So shut ye pie holes, batten down the hatches appear spontaneous and yet graceful. We have around and go drop the guard and enjoy all this musical has 60 students in the cast. That number would fill even the to offer presented by Geneva’s very own drama and largest of stages. Once we hand them all billy clubs, music departments. The play will be performed at parasols, and swords the space becomes even smaller- 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24 and at 4:00 p.m. on -and then we tell them all to start dancing!” Poole said. Sunday, February 25. Tickets are on sale now in the “You told me you were fair as gold and now I see Administration Offices and will be available at the you’re plain and old,” is one of the many humorous door. lines within this musical. To summarize the plot: a pirate named Fredric decides to leave piracy and meets a young woman named Mabel and falls in love. His former “love”, Ruth, has been deceiving him about her age and is not happy that he has left her. The Major-General, who is the father of twenty daughters including Mabel, chases the Pirate King and all the pirates away from trying to woo his offspring. The climax occurs during a fight scene and ends with a singing chorus and a happy ending.

This is by far the biggest cast in Geneva drama history with sixty cast members dancing, singing and fighting. Sophomore Coggin Galbreath will lead the play as Frederic with Sophomore Ralyn Parker as Mabel.

The character of Ruth will be performed by Freshman Kendall Taha. Josh Chandler, junior, Cast members Davis Metzger, Grey Moeller, Coggin Galbreath, Josh Chandler, Kendall Taha and Savannah Cone preparing for opening night.

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Coming “Home”

The Petrie family welcomes a new addition James McFadden, Sophomore, moved to Canada with his dad during the Summer of 2013.

A year later, McFadden returned to Boerne to visit friends when he, once again, fell in love and Geneva. The Petries, a long time Geneva family, welcomed him with open arms to “be a Petrie” for the year in order to live out his dream to attend Geneva another year.

Petrie

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By Mary Claire Brock Chief Editor of Content

A

fter 12 years of attending Geneva, I attest to the feeling of mundaneness day after day. The feeling of why am I still here with the same 20 classmates, hearing yet another quote by Lewis? has often crossed my mind, especially in the rut of Junior year. But not until this privilege is stripped away, do most students realize that it is a rare opportunity to be surrounded by Jesus-loving people who are striving to attain Truth through the of classes and discussions at Geneva.

Sophomore James McFadden came to this realization after being away from Geneva for a year.

This past summer, he returned to Boerne to visit friends and he felt a tug to return to the community he loved. He recalls being at a loss because his dad lives in Canada, his mom lives in California; yet his heart was in Boerne and, more specifically, at Geneva.

In 2012, McFadden and his brother, Davis, who also previously attended Geneva, moved to Canada with their dad for a year. Though it was a difficult move, according to McFadden, at the time, “Moving away was the best decision for my family. I’m glad I had the chance to live with my dad in Canada. Canada was a great growing experience.”

On his trip to visit Boerne in August, McFadden realized his desire to move back and attend Geneva.

“When I found out about this amazing opportunity, I was overwhelmed. I could barely speak.

Geneva is such a special place, to be able to get an education here is the biggest opportunity.”

Danny Petrie, father of Geneva students Campbell, Junior, Hogan, Sophomore, “People always ask me the and Corley, Seventh, question: ‘when did you want felt led by the Lord to help McFadden return to this community. Petrie to come back to Geneva?’ immediately opened his home and accepted his son’s friend as one of his and I always answer ‘I never own for the year. wanted to leave.’”

“It all happened really fast. We were joking about him staying with us and then next thing I knew, he was talking to Mr. Shelton about transferring schools,” Junior Campbell Petrie says about James moving in with the family.

McFadden shares the struggles and joys which have accompanied moving away from his family in order to attend Geneva. He reflects on the shift of cultures and countries as he decided to return.

“The whole atmosphere at Geneva made me decide to come back. The classes all are leading to one Truth. In public school, I felt like there was no purpose. I focused on sports and got bad grades. But here I see the purpose,” McFadden said.

The atmosphere that McFadden discusses is what sets Geneva apart from other schools and caused McFadden to move back to Boerne, away from his family. McFadden says he chose the harder route because he realizes the blessing of Geneva.

“I miss my parents. I miss my brothers, which is really hard, but I chose what has made me a better man. Yes, I’m sacrificing some things but my future will be so much better because of the opportunity to go to Geneva.”

Campbell and Hogan Petrie have also seized the opportunity of having another brother around the house. Both Petrie boys agree that McFadden immediately blended into their family and has added a new personality to the mix.

“He fits in so well with our family.” Campbell said. “When we have family time, I’ve really never thought of it being different with James there. He makes the same kind of jokes as

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we do and has the same interests as us, so he fits in really well with our family. He’s basically just one of us.”

Hogan quickly jokes, “It’s nice finally having a brother I like.”

McFadden and the Petrie boys have bonded and become a band of brothers. Campbell remarks, “I make a lot of Canadian jokes about him, and I don’t even think they make sense, but I think they’re funny.

If he does something stupid, I just say it’s because he’s from Canada.”

Not only have Campbell and Hogan enjoyed having another brother around the house, McFadden has also adjusted well to the shift of living with a different family.

“The Petries have different rules and routines that I’ve adjusted to, but it’s been awesome living with them. Campbell and Hogan are some of the coolest guys I know. Hogan and I were pretty good friends before and Campbell and I have gotten even closer. And I’ve never had a younger sister, so it’s been really cool having Corley.”

McFadden remarks that: “It’s different having a sister because I can’t walk around in my underwear.

And girls are moody all the time.”

He also mentions that he and Hogan fight occasionally like brothers, especially while sharing a bathroom.They truly have become a family.

Already raising two teenage boys, mother, Valerie Petrie, says one of the only differences has been having yet another mouth to feed.

Apart from that, Valerie Petrie views this transition as a time of growth and blessing.

“We have been very blessed by our family addition,” Valerie Petrie said.” “It has been an opportunity for us as parents to step back and re-evaluate why we parent the way we do-good and bad. It has been a blessing to help someone live out a desire to be at Geneva and be a part of this community.”

Cherishing this time in Boerne, McFadden acknowledges Geneva as a privilege, not just a C.S. Lewis-quoting school in a small-town bubble.

“I’m seizing the opportunity right now because I don’t know how long I will be able to stay here. It is totally a privilege. I don’t know what my plans are for the next two years, all I know is that I’m really happy here and will continue to work hard.”

Photo by Sam Ledoux

Campbell Petrie, James McFadden and Hogan Petrie form a “brotherly” bond as they adjust to a new living situation.

alumNews

Haley Hawkins ‘13

Bailey Carrell ‘14 I’m currently attending Austin College in Sherman, Texas. My major is undecided, but I will probably be majoring in theater. I have worked as a part of the run crew for a student directed play I also plan on auditioning in February for a joint project of the school and local theater that will be a production of Les Miserables. I miss my AIM kids and Sci-Fi club meetings and studying for quizzes at drama in the morning when I’m supposed to be memorizing lines. I miss Mr. Russell trying to get us to come to a conclusion on our own, but then running out of class time and just telling us the point that he was trying to lead us to about a text. Seniors, cherish this year. You don’t know how much you’re going to miss it.

Lauren Finley ‘11 I am currently attending Tarleton State University.

I will be graduating either in May or August 2015, depending on when I finish my internship. My teammates and I made it to the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship last season.

I’m shoutin’ out to Lauren Peterson (Little Lauren) because I have watched her grow up and am in denial because she is graduating this year...that means I’m really old...but really proud because she is great!

I’m currently attending Auburn University. My plan is to graduate in the spring of 2017 with a major in Entrepreneurship and Family Business. I am the director of a freshman leadership program where I create and direct a program for 45 selected freshmen, teaching them about world issues and shaping their leadership skills. I also work with Auburn University Dance Marathon. We raise money all year for the children’s miracle network for the children’s hospital in Columbus, Georgia. We do monthly fundraisers and the year culminates in a 12hour dance party where we continue the fundraiser. For the Texas A&M-Auburn game, my A&M Geneva alumni friends drove 13 hours to come see me (and their team win).

Rachel Hubbard ‘11 I’m not attending school right now but I plan to get a BA in Business and also study Fashion Merchandising in the next few years. I am working full time at Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries in the Client and Partner Services Department. Also, I just married Gil Guajardo who I have been engaged to for a couple of years. Yay! I am opening an online pet boutique called The Luxury Lapdog this year and am planning to open a storefront within the next 5 years or so.

alumNews

Sarah Johnson ‘11

Maddie Inglish ‘14 I am attending Texas A&M and majoring in Business Marketing. I plan on graduating in 2018. I am a member of the Texas A&M Triathlon team. We just competed at US regionals and will compete at Nationals in the spring. I also am a member of Business Student Council. The application process was strenuous. They chose 50 students to interview out of the 300+ that applied for an interview. After that, 20 members were selected to be on the council. I am also a member of FLiC (Freshman Leaders in Christ) which is a FLO (Freshman Leadership Organization) at A&M. They selected 30 boys and 30 girls from the 2018 freshman class. This has given me an opportunity to meet a lot of Christian friends. I <3 Reagan.

I’m attending Baylor University, majoring in English with a minor in Religion. I graduate this May. I am also on Student Staff with Young Life College and have now been a volunteer leader for four years at Baylor. I was placed on the Dean’s list for the most recent semester. I love all the students at Geneva, but want to give a shout out to my mother (Beverly Johnson) and Kendall Taha.

Christian Lipe ‘13 I’m now a sophomore at Texas A&M University.

I’m majoring in Construction Science with a minor in Business. I’m fairly active with on-campus ministries. I’m in BYX (Brothers Under Christ), which is a big social Christian fraternity. I’m also currently going through YL training this year to be a YL leader.

I’ve found a church home at Declaration Church in Bryan. Shout out to Addie and Olivia because they’re slightly above average people.

Jake Martin ‘14 My major is GIST. I expect to graduate in 2018. I was just recently awarded the Outstanding Fitness Awards for the NROTC and the A&M Corp of Cadets. That was probably my biggest accomplishment this year so far. A big shoutout to my little sister Allie, “Love ya!”

Abigail Schmidt ‘13 Mary Katherine McNabb ‘14 I’m going to Texas A&M University (gig’em!), majoring in International Studies: Policy and Diplomacy. I plan to graduate in May 2018. I currently serve as the Freshman Class secretary (one of 4 class officers). I am a member of Fish Council (a Freshman Leadership Organization), which falls under the 4 year organization called Class Councils helps make traditions happen at A&M. I was also a delegate at a leadership conference for freshmen called Gilbert Leadership Conference. (This is a picture of me working at a Class Councils event called Elephant Walk, a tradition for juniors and seniors!

How many people can say their University brings elephants to campus as a tradition?!)

I transferred from TCU to the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio part time (above is a selfsketch). Overall I am studying studio art, (sculpture, that is) to possibly go into furniture design.

I have been working for Greenwood Milling Co. in San Antonio, a custom furniture/milling woodshop, where I have been learning how to make furniture as my job, which I love.

Not sure what I’m going to be doing in the unforeseen future, but it will include art school and travel.

This past summer, I lived in Washington DC with a National Student Leadership Forum program called Cornerstone. About 30 other college kids, from the U.S. and around the world, and I along with house leaders lived in College Park MD and interned with Congressman Kevin Brady from Texas and it was a great experience.

Daniellle Strickland ‘14 Nellie Schmidt ‘14 I am at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky (right outside of Lexington). I am double majoring in Equine Management and Psychology, and hope to pursue a career in Equine therapy after graduation in spring of 2018. I am very active in the Equine Farm at Asbury and have been in the Western Club since the beginning of the semester. For this, we are sent untrained horses at the beginning of the year and train them to sell at a horse auction in Wyoming in June. My horse’s name is Koda (he is in the picture above with me). Also, I have participated in some of my school’s outdoor club events, including a six day backpacking trip before orientation and a white water rafting trip just a couple of weeks ago. A shout out to the magazine staff. You guys are doing an awesome job!

I am attending Howard Payne University majoring in Music Education. I expect to graduate the winter of 2018. I am in the choir here at HPU and also sing many solos for another class. I played the part of Lucille, Junie B. Jones’s Ex best friend in the musical “Junie B. Jones.”

I’d like to give a shout out to all my fishies! (You know who you are).

The Personal Survival Rate of

Shelton-Southwick

By Hunter Hamon (with Elliot Veron) The PSR this quarter will feature two of Geneva’s most notorious faculty members: Aaron Southwick and the one and only Rob Shelton.

The PSR is completely hypothetical and exists strictly to provide a speculative example of extraordinary people in extraordinary cirumstances. Mr. Shelton and Mr. Southwick will be placed in the Sahara Desert, the harshest environment on the planet. The Sahara Desert expands 9,400,000 km (3,629,360 sq mi) across the width of Northern Africa. The Sahara can reach heats of over 110 °F and lows of below 30 °F at night time. It is without question one of the most extreme places to survive. Mr. Southwick and Mr. Shelton are definitely up to the task with their combined physical strengths and immense intellects.

Day 1: The two begin the journey with high hopes. Southwick and Shelton begin to move forward to the rendezvous point 40 miles north into the desert. They easily gain vast distance without loss of direction due to Shelton’s immense knowledge of the geography of the desert along with Southwick’s knowledge of ancient explorers’ techniques. At night they slow down and begin to set up camp using their parachutes as tarps to lie on and rest for the night.

Day 2: After waking early and receiving their daily hymns, Southwick delays the start of the day’s journey so he has time to workout. Southwick tells Shelton that he cannot afford to skip “leg day.” Once Southwick is done with his workout, Shelton suggests they shouldn’t travel that day due to Southwick’s post-workout exhaustion. The pair stays at camp and rests for tomorrow’s journey.

Day 3: Supplies are getting low, so the two set out to find sources of food and water. After hours of traveling in the hot sun, they unknowingly experience a mirage. They think that they are at the beach, decide to enjoy it and build sandcastles. Southwick’s castle exemplifies some Gothic architecture, showing apparent favoritism to the style. Shelton uses his artistic skill to create a bust of C.S. Lewis. Suddenly, a scorpion appears in the sand and the two snap back into reality. They kill it, but don’t really want to eat it. Shelton uses his talent of manipulation to convince Southwick that he really wants the scorpion after all and enjoys watching his colleague devour the creature.

Day 4: The scholars wake up at a desert oasis surrounded by camels. Southwick and Shelton drink of the water and refresh themselves. Shelton then tames all of the camels, but sadly Southwick is beginning to suffer from caffeine withdrawals and takes it out on one of the camels. This action creates fear in the camel herd, making Southwick the Alpha. He obtains ownership of the pack and tames them.

Day 5: Southwick and Shelton begin their journey once again, now on camelback, completely refreshed from the desert oasis.

Their trek across the desert is much quicker now. Their new method of transportation helps avoid some of the harsh conditions of the desert. Shelton looks to Southwick with a grin saying, “I don’t know where we’re going, but we’re making great time!”

The two laugh and continue on into the sunset.

Day 6: The two have reached the end of their trip in Giza, where they meet Mrs. Blackstone who helps arrange passage back to Geneva from Egypt.

Southwick and Shelton have showed much environmental prowess in their days in the desert leaving Elliot and I to give them a PSR (Personal Survival Rating) of 9.0.

Graphic by Sean Hollinsead

iHomework

iTunes

Sometimes the homework load of a Rhetoric student seems as infinite as a music playlist.

Compiling your homework as you would a playlist may make for a more enjoyable experience.

Life Support Sam Smith

Planner Movies TV Shows Podcasts Radio

Textbooks, Pencils, etc.

Purchased

Classes Math Science Literature History Spanish

Volume 2- The Middle Ages Medeival History

Latin Hard Classes Easy Classes

Mr. Milam

Humanities

Algebra Packet

Mrs. Greenlees

Math

Formal Lab

Dr. Lloyd

Science

Study for Latin test Write Odyssey essay

Mrs. Brown

Language

Mr. Harrild

Humanities

Thesis statement

Mr. Johnson

Humanities

Spanish Booklet

Mrs. Georgelos

Language

Written Response #1 project

Mr. Southwick

Humanities

Geometry Homework

Mrs. Davis

Math

Journal Prompt

Mr. Southwick

Humanities

Pre-calculus homework

Mrs. Greenlees

Math

Senior anti-thesis

Mr. Russell

Humanities

Anatomy notes packet

Mrs. Daniels

Science

7 page essay

Mr. Milam

Humanities

Memorize Spanish oral

Mrs. Stricker

Language

Study for Chem test

Mrs. Easterling

Science

Written Response of Greek Reader

Mr. Harrild

Humanities

Graphic by Karlie Daniels

Beowulf: Lines 1-1278

huMANs of GENEVA The Geneva Quarterly staff is a huge fan of the instagram account and website created by photographer Brandon Stanton called Humans of New York. This edition, in an attempt to imitate his pictures and short stories with our own twist, we photographed and interviewed Geneva students living everyday life.

Photo by Ian Comuzzi

Arianna Flores ,Claire Williams, and Jessica Wheeler: In Lockers Photo by Arianna Flores

Sophomore Girls : On Campus “On sunny days, we eat lunch outside between the two sets of lockers across from Mr. Milam’s room. When the weather isn’t good, we eat in Momma Wheeler’s room.

A really awesome lunch would include pot stickers from HEB with some heated-up rice. This hipster picture all started when someone went to check their face in a mirror inside a locker after eating. We tried to take it so many times that when it finally came out right I don’t think anyone was expecting it.”

-Allison Flores, Sophomore (fourth from left)

“You know it’s December when skies are cloudy and homework is mounting.

Rather than be studious during lunch, we opted to hide from the looming tests and papers in some lockers. Turns out we can still fit in them like we could in middle school. Except this time we can’t stay for long; the rain forces us to go to class. #outdoorlockerperks” -Arianna Flores, Sophomore (first on left)

GQ///41

Photo by Ian Comuzzi

Ralyn Parker: On Campus “This is right before History class and I’m almost late! I was secretly throwing M&Ms into Hannah’s hoodie and when she caught me, she chased me around campus trying to throw them back at me. I kinda lost track of time… “ -Ralyn Parker, Sophomore

Photo by Ian Comuzzi

Sophomore Guys : During Lunch “The bridge isn’t normally a place I eat lunch but I decided to eat there because that’s where most of the ladies were.

But besides the ladies I had to study for Spanish and to keep my mind tracking on the Espanol, Willis and I would also throw skittles into each other’s mouths. Then all of a sudden I saw Ian with a camera so I looked up, pulled out my finger guns and posed.”

-Trip Smith, Sophomore (pointing, at corner)

The Talon

First Geneva Helmet

A publication of the School of Rhetoric The Geneva School of Boerne

We won our first football state championship, but we are a school of many firsts. Here are some of the little known and never recognized firsts: --Before the Eagle, our first mascot was the Book: The GSB Books. Go Books!

--Early first cheer: “Let’s go Books! Beat those Cooks!”…because our first football victory was over the Betty Crocker Cooking School JV pastry chef team.

--Mr. Shelton was the first headmaster to come prebald and thus, the first not to lose his hair because of his job.

--GSB was the first school in the nation to debate whiteboards as an educational technology.

--Before the house system, the first system was an apartment system.

--Our first student disciplinary measures included placing students under the boardwalk, until we realized that the students liked it.

--It was at GSB the first time a teacher was heard to utter the words, “Put down Mr. Tye right now!”

--Speaking of firsts:

New Life Form Discovered at Geneva It appears that the scientists who debunked abiogenesis via spontaneous generation were not familiar with our Lost and Found bin. The combination of discarded clothing, old lunch boxes, mildew, and rodent droppings has led to a new life form. For the first time, both Darwinian and Intelligent Design scientists are baffled: it clearly didn’t evolve, but it ain’t designed either. Right, a rare photo of Discardios Stinkonus.

Sports Changes Coming to GSB In the last issue of the Geneva Quarterly, our transition to eleven-man football was explored.

Additionally, there are rumors that Muggle Quidditch is coming to campus. We at The Talon also happen to know that GSB is exploring another move similar to that of moving from 6 to 11 man football…That’s right, it is time to move to 8-man basketball! Not familiar with 8-man? Here are a few of the differences: --Two courts set across each other in a cross shape…four teams with four basketball goals.

--Each team plays against every other team.

--One player from each team must be a parent of one of the players and one must be a cheerleader.

All players wear clown outfits.

--Fans are allowed to throw extra basketballs or small household appliances onto the court at any time. Toasters are a crowd favorite.

--The goals move at random up and down and along the baseline.

--Extra points are awarded for fouls that draw blood.

--The court is electrified and opposing coaches control the “shock” button.

--Players do not have to dribble the ball (this rule is borrowed from the NBA’s travelling violation rule).

--TAPPS still won’t let fans have fun at the game.

We are also looking at changing to 4-man baseball: --Instead of a pitcher’s mound, there is a pitcher’s hole with a mini-trampoline inside. The pitcher may spring up and pitch at any time.

--Batters may run to any base upon hitting the ball; however, fielders may move the bases at random anywhere in the field.

--No matter the score, the team whose dugout has the largest pile of sunflower seed shells at the end of the game wins.

The Geneagle Gazette

The bromance is back, this time with Mr. Scott Milam playing the Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game. These four gamers spend their time playing with mini “toy” ships instead of spending time with their families but insist that “they’re not toys… this is a strategic war game!” (inside the TIE fighters: Johnson, Tye and X-wing fighters: Milam, Harrild)

54

That Should be a Word By: Summer Stolle

Title Bereave (tIt-ul bee-rAv) The title wave of sadness you feel on the last day of Christmas break

Who Wore It Best?

This second quarter of the year 201415’, Brighton Chen was chosen as the best dressed for JEAN-eva Friday. With her cozy sweater and complementary boots, she rocks the effortless casual look.

Brighton Chen (Sophomore)

The number of jokes Daniel Wacker made in Humanities class using the word “baroque.”

“When the astronomer baroque his telescope, he started copernicussing”

THE POLL

Chocolate vs. Flowers

55%

for Valentine’s Day

ew.

Olivia Lipe’s Lunch Box

By: Sara Beth Stolle

45%

blows

Teacher Yearbook There are many similarities between some of the teachers and students at Geneva. Some teachers only look like the students and some only act like them in high school, but there are a few who both look and act like the students. When teachers were asked who they were most like in high school, they answered with some pretty surprising answers.

By Ruth Wacker Staff

Mr. Arizpe

Mrs. Daniels

Mr. Desario

Mrs. Milam

Ms. Almirudis

Mr. Arrufat

Mrs. Brown

Mr. Harrild

Mr. Milam

Mr. Tye

Mr. Russell

Dr. Lloyd