In Praise of Sports

Dear Geneva Community:

When I talk with prospective parents about Christian classical schooling, I discuss the usual school-related topics such as philosophy of education, course of study, and programs, including athletics. Sometimes, parents have a hard time reconciling the philosophy and course of study (including Latin, grammar, logic, and rhetoric) with the desire for a competitive sports program. I imagine many picture our students in a fashion similar to a famous Monty Python skit featuring Greek and German philosophers competing against one another in a soccer match. If you watched our student athletes compete this fall, then you know better. They are dedicated and intense competitors, win or lose.

When students compete in athletics, they are recreating or creating anew their body and spirit. We call such recreation play and the event a game. These activities require knowledge and training and follow a set of rules. While sports tend to garner tremendous attention, time, and money, they are nevertheless engineered with rules created to determine winners and losers. For most athletes at the K–12 level, the engineered nature of sports includes stakes not much greater than trophies and ribbons. Recognizing that sports are engineered games does not mean they are unimportant.

Activities in athletics and the arts complement our academic program and when combined, serve to further our school’s mission to provide “an extraordinary education … that pursues goodness, truth, and beauty in all spheres of life.” Athletics provide our students with experiences that the arts and academics cannot. Specifically, they provide our students with adult-like situations that force them to make split-second decisions that often have an impact on the outcome. When compared with the classroom or the art studio, the athletic arena is unique: noisy, intense, exhausting, and unpredictable. The results in a contest are immediate and unambiguous.

For many students, sports are an essential part of their lives. For some, the prospect of playing later in the day is what gets them out the door in the morning. Academically strong schools like TGS develop athletic programs that fit our mission so that we can go with the grain of student interest and passion in order to develop them into astute, well-rounded, humble, selfless, confident, and poised young women and men.

As with anything that is good, athletics require safeguards to ensure they maintain their proper place. The Greek poet Hesiod stated it well when it comes to making sure good things such as athletics remain so: “observe due measure; moderation is best in all things.” While I don’t propose that we put “All Things in Moderation” above the entrance to our gym or over our athletic fields, I do suggest it can serve as a guiding principle for making sure our student athletes are well-served and excel as both students and athletes.

REGIONAL CHAMPS!

Varsity Volleyball Update

The TGS varsity volleyball program has been a model of consistency the last ten years. Head coach Hollie Benjumea took over the program in 2006 and has led the program to the regional playoffs all fifteen seasons and is currently on a ten year streak of claiming district championships. This is a remarkable feat and was recognized recently by the Orlando Sentinel.

The team won the regional final match against Victory Christian Academy last Saturday, October 31, with a score of 25–11, 29–27, 22–25, 26–24. The team faces St. John Paul II (Tallahassee) in the state semifinal tomorrow (Saturday, November 7). The game will take place at TGS at 2 pm. It will also be livestreamed on the TGS YouTube page. The winner of the match will play next Saturday in the state final in Fort Myers. Click HERE to access the tournament bracket.

Go Knights!

Brad Ryden
Head of School

TGS Introduces Julia Ingler – New Girls Basketball Coach

Julia Ingler started playing basketball at the age of five in Coral Springs, Florida. Upon moving to St. Cloud, Florida, she attended a basketball camp and was asked to join the Central Florida Blazers’ AAU Team. At Narcoossee Middle School, Julia played multiple sports including track, soccer, and basketball (where she was the leading scorer and MVP in consecutive seasons). Entering Harmony High School, her passion was basketball, but she also excelled at flag football. During her senior year of high school, thanks to amazing teammates and great teamwork, Julia’s flag football and basketball teams both finished second place in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championship and Julia received the MVP award. Julia received several other athletic awards throughout high school, including two-time All-District Basketball Player of the Year, Osceola County Brighthouse Basketball Player of the Year, and Osceola Gazette Basketball Co-Player of the Year.

Julia received multiple scholarship offers to play college basketball and ultimately decided to attend and play for Rollins College in Winter Park. The atmosphere and small class sizes were the best fit academically, and it also had a top-notch basketball program. While at college, Julia developed strong leadership skills as a starting guard and captain. The team made great strides and was the NCAA South Region All-Tournament Team in 2017. Throughout college, Julia continued to rack up the awards and achievements, including All Newcomer Team as a freshman and NCAA Sunshine State Conference Honor Roll, while also scoring over 1,200 points throughout her college career (which was limited by a broken foot during her senior season). Julia is also proud to hold the record for the most career three-pointers (224) in Rollins’ basketball history.

Each summer while at Rollins, Julia enjoyed being fully engaged with multiple basketball camps where she made great lifelong friends. After graduating with a degree in communications and a minor in business, Julia accepted a contract to play professional basketball in Ireland while also pursuing her master’s degree in international business management at Griffith College. Being in Dublin from August 2018–May 2019 was a wonderful international experience that sparked Julia’s vision and drive to become a coach. Shortly after returning to Florida, Julia realized that coaching and helping others was her passion and calling, just like the great coaches that had helped her succeed in the sport and imparted valuable life lessons through the game. Basketball and other team sports teach you to learn from and listen to others and also require you to be accountable to others.

Julia is beyond excited to share her passion for basketball and athletics with the students at Geneva. She firmly believes that dedication, hard work, and having an excitement for a sport can take you to some amazing places!

TGS Introduces Bill Cashman (New Track & Field Coach)

Coach Cash, as a lot of kids call him, joins Geneva’s coaching staff as the varsity track and field coach. He started his career in coaching while still in high school, coaching baseball and football, and adopted the role of pole vault coach for his track team when they didn’t have a coach. His mentor and coach, Ron Evans, recruited him to coach a few years later, and together they won ten state championships. Since that time, Coach Cashman has coached over 70 state champions, 11 state record holders, 7 national champions, and well over 100 All American athletes. Prior to coming to TGS, he spent five years at Lake Mary High School where his Rams set 30 school records, won 3 straight conference and district titles, and were runners up twice at regionals.

Coach Cashman is a Level I and II certified coach through USA Track and Field. He also went back to school, earning a BS in Exercise Physiology and Sport Science at UCF. He studied strength and conditioning under Frank Costello while coaching at the University of Maryland, as well as biomechanics under Roger Eckard, formerly of Arkansas State University.

A couple of key phrases that set Coach Cashman apart as a coach:

▪ “I love you enough to tell you the truth … even if it hurts a little.”
▪ “Are you better today than you were yesterday, and did you do enough to be better tomorrow?”
▪ “Let the height of your desire and the depth of your resolve be the measure of your success.”

Coach Cashman, along with his wife, Lisa, and stepson, Griffin, live in Casselberry and attend St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo.

Find out more about Geneva’s Track and Field program HERE.

TGS Introduces New Boys Varsity Soccer Coach

Eddie Jimenez grew up in Miami, Florida, playing for Kendall Soccer Club where he won three state Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) championships and the world-renowned youth international tournament The Dallas Cup in 2006. He was part of the Florida Olympic Development Program (ODP) from age twelve to fifteen, representing the state of Florida in the ODP regional and national tournaments. At fifteen, Eddie began his international career when he was invited to represent his country of Puerto Rico at the U-17 World Cup qualifiers held in Trinidad and Tobago. Upon graduation from high school, he was offered a soccer scholarship to Villanova University just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After one year at Villanova, Eddie decided he wanted to be closer to home and transferred to the University of Central Florida where he became a starter in the midfield for the Knights. As an integral part of the UCF squad, he was able to achieve great success, reaching two consecutive second round NCAA tournament appearances in 2010 and 2011.

After graduating from UCF with a degree in interpersonal communications, Eddie was offered a contract to begin his professional soccer career with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League. After about six months into his career, he was called up to the full senior Puerto Rican national team to compete in the Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

After his playing career, Eddie came back to Orlando and began his coaching career at Florida Kraze Krush. He has a strong passion for developing players of all ages and really understands the work it takes to become an elite level soccer player. His philosophy on player development is simple: players who want to improve have to understand that only through hard work and dedication can one be successful in this sport. As a coach, he sees it is his job to create a performance environment where players feel challenged and are pushed to improve daily. Eddie is a strong advocate of developing a strong fundamental base of personal technique and skill so that as players mature and the game becomes faster, they are able to better adapt to any game situation thrown their way.

Eddie is excited to be a part of The Geneva School coaching team, to continue to mature as a coach, and to have the opportunity to work for a prestigious institution that shares his moral and religious values and virtues.

Message From TGS Class of 2020

The class of 2020 reached out to us, asking if they could send a message of encouragement to the younger students, and this was the result:

We love our seniors!

Surprised by Grace

A week or so ago, we emailed some of our wonderful teachers and asked them to reflect on the past few weeks of massive change. We asked them for some thoughts or an example of how God has sustained them by his grace for the path laid before them.

Please continue to pray for our teachers as they, along with all of us, weather this storm.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).


Emily Fraser (Lower School Art)

“How can I elevate joy and decrease the fear that may be in some of my little students’ hearts during this time of uncertainty?” This was the question I prayed when we as teachers began to prep for virtual teaching.

For children, joy often comes in the form of laughter. Laughter and silliness are both crucial and beneficial for children (and grown-ups too!), but especially in times of uncertainty; laughter can calm a child’s heart and make them feel safe.

Knowing joy and thus laughter was the medicine needed, I considered ways in which I could, as a teacher, bring laughter into the hearts and homes of my students. Cue “Lady Blue,” the spectacle-wearing, large, blue crayon with a silly high-pitched voice in an unidentifiable accent who just might bring a few smiles, giggles, and laughter through virtual art lessons. Little did I know, being silly and light-hearted would have an impact on my own heart and bring joy to my own family as well. It has filled me up to see pictures of your children enjoying art at home, and their smiles have been a gift to my soul! I pray joy triumphs over fear in your hearts, and that your home is filled with laughter!


Scott Forrester (Upper School English and Rhetoric)

In English class, the seniors read a sermon given by CS Lewis in which he discusses the value of “Learning in Wartime,” the importance of continuing in one’s education in the midst of “unfavorable” conditions. He suggests that World War II, in the midst of which he is speaking, “creates no absolutely new situation: it simply aggravates the permanent human situation so that we can no longer ignore it.” What my students and I are discovering is that he was absolutely right, that, surprising as it sounds, our current circumstances are not really new; it is just that we are more aware than before of what has always been the case. That is, that we are fallen, broken people, living in a fallen, broken world, and God’s sovereignty is both terrifying and comforting (Ecclesiastes 3:14), as indeed it should be if appropriately viewed. Being more than ever responsible for our own education, having to get along with our irritating family members, having to face our own impatience and tendency to grumble—these are lessons that have always needed to be learned. Now we know it. Now we must be about the business of enacting the virtues of temperance and prudence and faith and love that learning in “wartime” requires.


Alicia VanDerhoof (6th Grade)

This transition has not been easy because it has revealed some idols in my life—idols of security in a schedule, daily reassurance in face-to-face conversations, and successfully appearing to “have it all together.” Overnight, those securities were taken away from me, and I was forced to continue each day without them. Although still working on permanently removing these idols, I am overwhelmed by the way God has shown me that he is all I need. He has shown me that it’s his grace that allows me to finish each day, not my to-do lists. It’s by his strength, not mine, that I plan tomorrow’s lesson and keep up with emails. In learning these truths, God has whispered for me to watch him work in these uncertainties. With open eyes, I see 15 smiling faces greet me each morning to share prayer requests and start our class with devotions; I see pictures of new hobbies and books that have been picked up by each of them; and I still see each of my students’ faces when giving and receiving our usual blessing at the end of class: “The Lord be with you … and also with you.” Every day is filled with new mercies and overflowing grace that makes it such a joy to teach at The Geneva School.


Jill Lewis (First Grade)

The past few weeks have been hard … uncharted territory for all of us as we work together to do remote teaching and learning. The first week of remote learning brought late nights of creating lesson plans for my classroom parents, making instructional videos, learning new technology, and making time to daily check in personally with each of my first graders. I thought the long hours and loss of sleep would be the most difficult, but seeing the faces and hearing the voices of each of my students as I FaceTimed them was emotionally overwhelming. I miss them terribly.

But God. God knows about all of this and all the challenges each one of us is facing. I have experienced his grace and help in so many ways in the past several weeks. His grace has been sufficient. I am beyond grateful to be part of the Geneva community. Faculty have pitched in to help me navigate technology, our leaders have answered every text and email we’ve sent, they send a daily devotional just for the teachers to encourage them, parents have shared words of encouragement, and first graders have learned to Zoom! I initially planned for our remote learning Zoom lessons to last no more than 20 minutes. Guess what?!!! First graders can sit and attend and actively participate for an hour via Zoom! (The mute option has been a great assistance to keep the flow going for our lessons too.)

God has given us the creativity and stamina to do this. I’ve had this quote written in the front of my Bible since 1990. “Grace is the overflowing favor of God.” —Oswald Chambers. Our heavenly Father’s grace is sufficient for our need.


Elizabeth Smith (5th Grade)

Having to change and giving up control are two of the hardest things for people to do. Yet here we are in a world interrupted by change and totally out of our control. The ideas of change and control, although somewhat juxtapositions of one another, are so intertwined that when one is out of balance we see an effect in each. Almost no one likes a forced change, and we all, in our human nature, fall into the belief that we have control … until we realize that we don’t.

The truth that God is in control is easy when times are good. As a Christian, when things are going well, it is easy for me to say that God is in control. However, the times in my life that have been hard, I have also had to lean on this. It is not easy to stop the wheels of anxiety and worry from spinning. In these moments of troubles and undesired or unwanted change, I try to control. However, when I stop and remember that God is who he says that he is and that he is in control, it is so much sweeter to relinquish my hold on control and give it to God.

One of my favorite verses is from Matthew 6: 26–27, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” I have no more control over the things of this world than the birds of the air. God is in control.


Leonore Chamberlain (2nd Grade)

Ready, Get Set, ZOOOOOOM!!!!!!!

Just a few weeks ago, I did not know what this whole remote learning experience would be like, but today, I must admit, it is not as hard as I expected! I truly do miss teaching my students in the classroom and giving and getting real-life hugs, but this remote experience has a few wonderful perks. I love meeting with my students in our Zoom classes, and I also value our one-on-one Facetime sessions so very much. I do not just get to help my students individually but I also get to have so many meaningful life conversations that a regular school day might not allow for on a one-on-one level. The students and I tell jokes to each other, we share how our day was, and we show our pets or other things we have at home to each other. What a fun way to connect and build deeper relationships!

I am beyond grateful for my families, as well. Their kind and encouraging words and their unconditional love and grace towards me throughout this whole process are truly appreciated. God is so faithful to our Geneva community! He truly made this transition from teaching in the classroom to teaching remotely from home so much easier than I feared.

What a blessing to be able to see all of my students, teach them, and have fun with them, partnering with my students’ families daily, and at the same time being able to spend more time with my family at home and being able to help teach our daughter, too.

5 Tips to Stay Balanced during Quarantine

We are all out of our normal routines!  Some of us have more to do than usual and are feeling stressed due to steep learning curves to prepare for online learning, helping children with their learning at home, among other things.  Some of us are out of work and may be concerned about the lack of income.  We are all probably feeling a little disconnected and out of balance.  I’m sharing my top 5 tips to stay in balance during this unusual season:

 

Get Outside!
Whether you are crazy busy or not busy enough, you need to get yourself outside EVERY DAY!  A little fresh air and sunshine outside your 4 walls will keep you from feeling so cooped up and will help:
  • boost your immune system
  • improve your mood
  • keep your circadian rhythm on track to allow for better sleep
Aim for at least 15-30 minutes outdoors to exercise. Do yard work, walk the dog, play with your kids, or just deep breathe and soak up some Florida sunshine.  If you have children at home, they need to be outdoors too!

 

Move!
Whether you have extra time for exercise OR feel like there are not enough hours to do all that is asked of you right now, we ALL need a little movement to:
  • boost the immune system
  • improve mood
  • relieve stress
  • improve sleep
There are a lot of resources available to help you with “in home” workouts. YouTube and other internet sites (both free and subscription) provide an endless source of guidance.  This week my family has enjoyed the extra time at home to walk, run, bike, paddle board, explore a new nature trail, and do yoga together.  If you have children at home, they need you to set an example and have you engage with them to get them moving too!

 

Ask “What CAN I Do?”
During this time of uncertainty, we need to work extra hard to keep a positive mindset.  Negative thoughts lead to negative emotions, like anxiety, fear, and depression.  While there is a lot that we CAN NOT do right now, there are lots of unique opportunities and things we CAN do that we often lack time for in our busy schedules.  Let’s reframe our words and mindset and not miss these special opportunities to make good use of this unusual enforced time at home.  May I suggest a few:
  • Spend time reading something you enjoy alone, or aloud with others
  • A little yard work each day…just 15 minutes of weeding or trimming each day will create a sense of accomplishment, and will get you outside
  • Declutter closets, tackle “honey do” lists, and check off home repairs
  • Exercise and get outside every day
  • Look for ways to serve others (a family member, a neighbor…) to keep you focused outward and not inward
  • Break out the board games, card games, and puzzles
  • Meditate on Scriptures that remind you that God is sovereign
  • Each evening think of 5 things to be grateful for from the day
If you have children in the house, they will feed off of your mood and attitude, so staying positive yourself will have ripple effects.  Get them involved in the list above.

 

Eat Fresh Food!
Thankfully the grocery stores have stayed open, and thankfully fresh food has stayed readily available, unlike toilet paper!  Use this time of confinement to cook real food at home, and be thankful we weren’t limited to weeks of canned food.  Cooking at home will have many benefits:
  • A nourished body and soul
  • Budget friendly
  • Opportunities to be connected as a family around the table
You may want to stick to family favorite recipes for comfort, or you may want to use this time to try some new recipes and be a little adventurous.  Some of my favorite healthy and easy Tasty Friday recipes are archived on the health & weillness page of our school website.  If you have children at home, this is a great opportunity to get them involved in the kitchen learning to chop, prepare a dish, or prepare a whole meal for the family.

 

Connect!
While “social distance,” “lockdown,” and “shelter in place” are the battle cries of the day, we are really just trying to keep a physical distance from others to prevent transmission of COVID-19.  We need to work harder at staying socially connected to each other during this quarantine.
  • Stay connected to your family, friends, and colleagues via text, video chats, or an old-fashioned phone call.  Be especially mindful of your older family and friends that may be feeling isolated
  • Take the opportunity to write an old-fashioned letter
  • Phone neighbors to check on them
  • When you are out on necessary errands be intentional to be encouraging and show gratitude to those working hard to serve you
  • Meet a friend outside in a park or trail to walk and talk
I have loved seeing the faces of upper school colleagues on Zoom for Morning Devotions we are sharing together each day. If you have children at home, you can encourage them to be creative in connecting with their friends and relatives,  too.

 

This challenging time will pass and become a page in the history books.  Until then, a little time outside, movement, a positive mindset, fresh food, and connection with others each day can help keep your balance and even enjoy this change of pace.

by Lou Jones,
Geneva School Nurse, RN, Health & Wellness Coach

The Geneva School
The Geneva School
March 28, 2024
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • Lower School Flowering of the Cross

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 8:25 am- 9:15 am
    See more details

  • Percussio

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:50 pm
    See more details

  • Youth Sports Coed Flag Football - lopdrop field

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Tennis Home Match vs. TFA

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Beach Volleyball Home Match vs. Round Lake Charter School

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Baseball Home Game vs. Lake Mary Prep

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

March 29, 2024
  • No School - Easter Break

    Date: March 29, 2024 - March 29, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

April 1, 2024
  • No School - Easter Break

    Date: April 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Track Meet Astronaut Invite

    Date: April 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024
    Time: 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm
    See more details

March 28, 2024
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • Lower School Flowering of the Cross

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 8:25 am- 9:15 am
    See more details

  • Percussio

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:50 pm
    See more details

  • Youth Sports Coed Flag Football - lopdrop field

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Tennis Home Match vs. TFA

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 3:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Beach Volleyball Home Match vs. Round Lake Charter School

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Baseball Home Game vs. Lake Mary Prep

    Date: March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

March 29, 2024
  • No School - Easter Break

    Date: March 29, 2024 - March 29, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

April 1, 2024
  • No School - Easter Break

    Date: April 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Track Meet Astronaut Invite

    Date: April 1, 2024 - April 1, 2024
    Time: 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm
    See more details

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