What is the most influential book you have read besides the Bible? Why?
The most influential book I have read at Geneva has to be The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. Reading and discussing this book resulted in a deep dive into different sins and how severely Boethius believed each sin to be measured. We would discuss if we agreed or disagreed and would assign different sins to the level of Hell, we believed it was worth.
What is your favorite or funniest moment at Geneva?
The funniest moment at Geneva that I can remember off the top of my head, because there is a lot, is Induction Day 2021. My sisters were being inducted and when Mr. Shelton called their names my friends and I all ran over to greet them. We were hyped up and running fast. It had also just rained, and the ground was wet. When I went to grab my sisters, I slipped in the mud and slid behind them. Luckily, I don’t think very many people saw but it was so embarrassing.
What will you miss most when you leave Geneva?
I will miss the student-teacher relationship. The amount of trust that the teachers contain for each student at Geneva is part of what makes this school great. Along with trust, great relationships can easily be made with teachers because of their eagerness and sincerity to engage with us.
Who has influenced you most while at Geneva, How?
That is a very close call as every teacher has touched my life in a significant way. Mr. Naiser is an amazing teacher and person, and he always had a life lesson to teach us or a story to share. I learned the most in his class as I had him for Chemistry and then AP Chemistry the following year. While spending a double period in his class almost every day of the week and trying to learn Chemistry he always had the same energy and enthusiasm.
What does being a Geneva student mean to you?
Being a Geneva student to me means being trustworthy. We set an Honor code in place to remind us of the expectations, but it is up to you to decide if you will have integrity. Also, a Geneva students should portray the image of such outside of school as well. We are representing God whenever we interact with people and Geneva teaches us to do just that.
How would you encourage a Geneva kindergartner to persevere in school?
I would tell them that if they can’t find the energy or motivation to do any schoolwork and are stressed out about deadlines to take a break. There is a balance between being busy and lazy, but you shouldn’t feel guilty to give yourself a breather and regroup. Relax with a snack and watch YouTube or read a book that isn’t for school. Let yourself recover and then “Rocket ship” as Mr. Naiser would say, through what you need to get done.
What about Geneva do you hope never changes?
I hope that the fun never leaves. Geneva does amazing at creating fun school events that separates us from other schools such as Induction Day, the D.C. field trip, Nasa, Homecoming week, Field Day, Back to School Retreat, Quidditch, and so many others. Each of these events makes our school feel almost homey as everyone enjoys each other’s company while competing. These events help to bring people closer together and introduce new people to each other. I hope that never changes.