Geneva eighth graders spent several weeks memorizing and honing verbal and non-verbal elements of a historical speech or poem before presenting to an audience of peers, parents, faculty and judges in the preliminary round. The top 10 speakers advanced to the final round of competition which was held on December 15 in Geneva’s Lyceum.

First place was awarded to Sarah Nichols for her delivery of Army Challenge to the British given by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775 at Virginia’s Second Revolutionary Convention. Hannah Reynolds finished in second place with her delivery of Angelina Grimke Weld’s Women’s Loyal Nation League speech. Ryder Buckelew earned third place for his delivery of Martin Luther King’s I have a Dream speech. Other finalists included Charlotte Gerch, Claire Halinksi, Caroline Mitchell, Callie Patteson, Ryleigh Serafy, Harvey S. and Peyton Willis.

“The competition serves not only as an academic exercise, but as a formative experience that prepares our students for leadership and encourages them to speak in a way that honors Christ and brings Him glory,” Logic School Instructor Shawn Harrild said.

Sophomore, Samuel McPhail, son of Michael and Julie McPhail, was named a 2025 Regional Scholar for the Southwest Region. Students earning this recognition scored in the top 5% of all test takers in their region.

According to the CLT website, each test features enriching, thoughtful reading passages drawn from classic literature and historical texts. Unlike other standardized tests that are solely achievement-based, CLT exams also assess aptitude and emphasize critical thinking skills. The CLT is accepted by over 250 colleges and universities and is recognized as an accepted SAT/ACT alternative to public universities in the state of Florida.

Sophomore, Samuel McPhail, son of Michael and Julie McPhail, was named a 2025 Regional Scholar for the Southwest Region. Students earning this recognition scored in the top 5% of all test takers in their region.

According to the CLT website, each test features enriching, thoughtful reading passages drawn from classic literature and historical texts. Unlike other standardized tests that are solely achievement-based, CLT exams also assess aptitude and emphasize critical thinking skills. The CLT is accepted by over 250 colleges and universities and is recognized as an accepted SAT/ACT alternative to public universities in the state of Florida.

“Love Thy Neighbor Day began 13 years ago as a way to teach students to be other-focused. It is a joy to witness 300 Geneva students serve the Boerne community. I hope that these acts of kindness will inspire others in our community to do the same,” Geneva Grammar School Headmaster Jessica Gombert said.

Geneva fourth-grader Ryan Surley and his classmates picked up trash and swept store fronts along Main Street in downtown Boerne to show love in the community.

Geneva fifth-graders Gates Sample and Logan Powell along with classmates and parent volunteers spent the morning assisting at Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries as Geneva’s Grammar School students celebrated “Love Thy Neighbor Day.”

Geneva kindergartners visit and share Valentines with Franklin Park Assisted Living residents.

After graduating from Geneva in 2018, I attended Texas A&M University and bagged groceries, coached football, and studied Finance and Management through Mays Business School. A few weeks after graduation, I married the love of my life, Mary Elizabeth Winston (2016 graduate), and moved to Dallas where I work for Stream Realty Partners as an Associate on our tenant representation team. We bought our first house in May and have been members at Northway Church for the last two years.

In what ways did your Geneva education/training prepare you for the work you are doing now?

Geneva fostered my passion for people. Some of my greatest education and training came after class or outside of the classroom, building lifelong relationships with my teachers and peers. My days now revolve around meeting new people and problem solving. The foundation Geneva laid gives me the tools to communicate clearly and effectively and connect deeply with others. Geneva also taught me how to think critically and ask better questions.

My freshman year, I knocked on doors up and down Main Street trying to sell yearbook ads. Little did I know this was preparing me for cold calls eight years later.

I found myself dressed as an elf for a networking event a few weeks ago. Though the main motivation might have been the cash prize at the door, it brought me back to my house induction days.

Please describe the most significant value you learned from Geneva.

The value of excellence. Though I often heard Mr. Shelton say, “Thanks for doing the minimum,” I learned very early on in college and in work that the “minimum” at Geneva is not the norm elsewhere. As believers, we do things with excellence to make God’s name great and to further His kingdom because we fundamentally understand whose we are, what we are apart from Him, and to whom we ultimately answer (see Colossians 3:23-34). It’s tempting to take the easy way out or cut corners, but from the classroom to the boardwalk, to the field or court, Geneva preaches excellence, in a place and time where most others place no such value.

How would you encourage a Geneva Rhetoric School student to make the most of their Geneva years?

What you put in, is what you get out. Rhetoric School students have the opportunity for immense exposure to a vast number of experiences. I received advice my freshman year to be “All in, with no regrets.” This means making the most of your time by getting to know your teachers and your peers’ parents, playing multiple sports, and participating in Fine Arts. What a shame it would be to sit on the sidelines and miss out on what Geneva has to offer.

Bonus: That cute girl you sit next to in class may end up being your wife!

Describe Geneva in one word.

Rare. There aren’t too many places like those old portables off Cascade Caverns Rd. The further I’m removed from my time at Geneva, the clearer I see just how rare my time (our time) and experience was. A place where the community – parents, teachers, and coaches alike, have your best interests in mind and are invested and committed to helping you flourish; not by the world’s definition, but raised “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). Is it perfect all the time? Of course not, and that should not be a surprise.

Please share one or two of your Geneva extracurricular activities and then contrast that with one or two of your current non-work activities.

I spent many mornings at Hill Country Daily Bread and learned about stewardship, the importance of serving others and giving back to the community by way of time and resources. A handful of college friends and I started a group about a year ago revolving around same principles where we volunteer at a food bank on Wednesday mornings and give to different organizations in Dallas.

What are your future career goals and how do you feel prepared for them?

I don’t know what’s yet to come and am not too good at answering this question as I’m supposed to be in the NFL with a restaurant according to my Logic School self. What I do know is that my time and my career is fleeting. I am reminded of the hymn: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

I am certain that Christ has a continued plan and path for my life. I hope to abide in Him, cling to Him, and rely on Him one step at a time, one day at a time. As an employee, I aim to exemplify Christ in my work and with those I encounter as I strive to know Christ deeper and to make His name known. I believe the Lord has us in Dallas for a reason as He continues to bless our time here.

How are you impacted by your work now? What is something you have learned/are learning about yourself and God’s world?

Work has taught me relentless dissatisfaction. The idea and commitment to constantly be dissatisfied with the status quo and always seeking to improve. Churchill said it best, “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” What a horrible way to live and subscribe to this as simple minded, anxiously awaiting and wondering if we’re good enough, ready enough, equipped enough to answer the bell. Rather, step forward and press on in a confidence only found and rooted in Christ and His sacrifice, knowing full well of His intentions to use us to further His kingdom.