What is the most influential book you have read besides the Bible? Why?
The most influential book I’ve read is titled Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Even though I had to read it for school in my junior year, I thoroughly read the book and made annotations because of how interesting I thought it was. It gave me so much insight as to a possibility of the future in a dark and ominous way that made me question and analyze how we, as a society, live our current everyday lives. Even though it had its dark moments, it influenced me to rethink everything around me in a futuristic and neurological sense.
What is your favorite or funniest moment at Geneva?
A funny moment I can remember was in my computer science class last year when Karynn Garrow, Alex Peet, and I were all playing the game Ninja and Alex goes to kick Karynn’s hand, but his jump barely makes it off the ground, leading him to instead TUMBLE backwards onto the table behind him. It was a hilarious slip up that had me rolling on the floor laughing along with Karynn!
What will you miss most when you leave Geneva?
Something I’ll miss at Geneva is the atmosphere of the campus. During class breaks or lunchtimes or honestly anytime I’m at school, the way all the students socialize and interact with each other in such genuine and positive ways every day brings a sense of community to the school that will be hard saying goodbye to once I graduate. Every single person in high school means something to everyone else, and that’s an experience that most schools miss out on. So that’ll be hard leaving once I’m in college.
Who has influenced you most while at Geneva, How?
The person who has influenced me the most is Mr. Shelton. Even though he is gone now, he was a great principal and role model to the students he taught and led through his actions and everyday conversations. Each time I saw him, I just knew that he loved doing his job. Plus, he was a man of many skills who took on so much and exercised his leadership role well. Though he probably has his rough times, I really looked up to him for being able to take on such responsibility all while carrying a smile on his face!
What does being a Geneva student mean to you?
I think being a Geneva student means being someone of true character who is brought up with good morals and abilities to be able to persevere through hard things whether in or outside of school, someone who works diligently in all they do, and someone with a kind heart who can be there for others around them. To me, being a Geneva student isn’t just a title but a lifestyle.
How would you encourage a Geneva kindergartner to persevere in school?
If I was to encourage a kindergartner to persevere in school, I would tell them to keep their head up and keep their eyes on the prize! They have a long way to go but if they push through to the end, the rough times get easier, and they can go so far in life! And I’d also tell them to enjoy the fun times in school too, even though the work can get hard, it gets a lot easier when you make it fun to do!
What about Geneva do you hope never changes?
I hope that the community-centeredness at Geneva never changes. When I arrived as a new student last year, I really got to see how everyone runs like clockwork with each other. Whether it’s just the students hanging out on the boardwalk or classroom conversations with teachers who truly are working to help us be the greatest versions of ourselves. Everyone just works with each other so well with each other that it really brings the whole school together nicely!