New Perspectives

May 12, 2017

Day three of our adventure in Boston was another fascinating day. It was a day spent gaining new perspectives. We began our day visiting the Boston Public Library. Normally, when one thinks of a library, one may think of a building that holds and lends books and other materials. The Boston Public Library is not a normal library. It was the first library in the United States to lend books for free. Secondly, one would not think of a library to be filled with art. The Boston Library is filled with magnificent murals painted by John Singer Sargent. Beautiful sculpture and magnificent marble adorn the halls, walls, and stairways of this library. We spent the morning on a guided tour learning about these murals and mosaics. Our minds expanded — a library can be much more than a place to go and check out a book, study for an exam, or complete research. A library can be so much more!


Our afternoon was spent in the lovely Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum. After spending the prior day at the Museum of Fine Art, one may think The Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum would be similar. The Gardner Museum is a completely new perspective. First, the entire collection is located in Ms. Gardner’s one-time residence, built to emulate a 15th century Venetian Palace. There is a homey feel to the museum. Also, one may think that since this entire museum is filled with works of art donated from a private collection, it may be a small collection. But the collection is wonderfully large! It spans four floors of the one-time residence. Room after room filled with art from Renaissance masters and contemporary artists. Each room is staged precisely how Ms. Gardner had arranged them. In fact, one of the conditions of her donation of this amazing collection was stipulated upon her death: no art could be added or sold to the collection. Additionally, each exhibit had to remain precisely as she had arranged them. Nothing could be changed or the entire collection would be sold. We spent the afternoon exploring this quirky and eclectic museum, gaining a new prospective that a museum could be more than a large building. An art museum could be intimate, homey and a bit quirky and still maintain its integrity. Again a new perspective was gained.


Finally, we ended our day at the Boston Pops. What a way to end a day! Now, when you think of an orchestra or the Boston Pops, you might think of a more sterile, proper environment. One where the musicians play and the audience listens intently. Well, that was not the case! The Boston Pops celebrated the works of its former conductor, John Williams. Besides being the former conductor, Williams is famous for the numerous scores he has composed for motion pictures: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Jaws to name a few. After a brief intermission, Queen Latifah was the featured performer. Her performance in this historic building with the amazing Boston Pops Orchestra had the audience clapping, cheering, and singing along. The building was alive with music and energy. It sounded lovely to hear a contemporary artist — a rapper at that — singing with one of the best orchestras in a 135-year-old symphony hall. The crowd was excited and on their feet. The Geneva students where engaged. As her performance came to an end, our students and the audience erupted into a thunderous round of applause!


Now this was completely new perspective!

Morning Colors, So Many Questions and Andy Grammer

May 10, 2018

Not much beats a beautiful morning ferry ride to a private tour of the USS Constitution. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect when the tour guide told us to cover our ears. Turns out, we were in for an unexpected privilege…we had arrived in time for the 8 am morning “Colors”. The canon was shot, (photo  anthems played and servicemen honored. Silence ensued until we got the “All Clear”.

All of our tour guides have been educational and entertaining. Also very patient. We have so many questions! Our crew has an amazing ability to pick up on an interesting fact and explore it to the limits of the tour guide’s either knowledge, patience level, or time.

At the end of each section of a tour, about 20 questions are asked, each leading to another interesting fact…then another question! Speaking of questions, when the tour guide on the ship asked if anyone in our group knew what Kedging was, I think he was genuinely surprised that one of our crew could explain the act of dropping anchor, then pulling toward it to be able to move a sailboat without wind.

It was an extremely full day including visits to the Bunker Hill Monument, lunch in the park, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, then capping it all off with Andy Grammer in concert with the Boston Pops.

You might think with the travel schedule these kids have been keeping that they would be sleepy in an orchestra concert. Not so! Andy Grammer brought the house down on opening night of the 133rd season of the Boston Pops. The kids were singing and dancing right along with the music, making for a very fun ending to a big day.

 

by Melissa Paul, parent blogger

Monumental Men With Monumental Flaws

May 2, 2019

If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. – Abraham Lincoln

The day started early again, but the students quickly revived when bacon made its first breakfast appearance. There is no way our hotel was prepared for the amount of bacon our students consumed. You just don’t think you’ll ever have to make rules like ‘one cereal bowl full of bacon per person.’

After consulting our Apple Watches and Fit-bits, Tanner Dietel gets the award for most steps in a single day at (are you ready?) 26,610! The commitment of the Dietel men to this trip is only surpassed by the pig who provided our bacon.

 

 

 

 

 

Fully fueled, we made our way to the Shirley Plantation, a highlight for many in our group. Shirley was the first English plantation in America designated in 1613 by King James to grow the tobacco that would fund Jamestown. The 700 acre plantation (down from 4000 acres in the 17th century) is fully functional and run by the 11th generation of the original family. It would be hard to find a founding father who had not been hosted at the Shirley Plantation.

So, how in the world did this gorgeous home on the southern side of the Mason-Dixon line survive the Civil War? It just so happens that General Robert E. Lee grew up here and one of his best friends from school was a Union general who prohibited any Union forces from harming it. One small perk of a civil war, I guess. The students toured both the home (which is still occupied) and grounds and even learned to use quill ink pens and small pieces of slate just like school children of that day. It would have been a truly amazing place to grow up…if you were white.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the English importation of African slaves to America and this plantation would have received the earliest shipments. By the American Revolution, African slaves made up 52% of the population of Virginia. On this tour, our students were reminded that our freedom came at the cost millions of enslaved Africans.

While the Spanish and Portuguese imported primarily male Africans who worked harder, English slave trade imported women as well. When the importation of African slaves was banned in the US in 1808, the atrocities continued as the large families that had developed in Virginia were separated and sold to supply the labor demands of the southern states.

The tour of historical contradictions continued over in Charlottesville as we visited Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home. To say the plantation is pretty would be like saying UVA has a good basketball team. It is the only house in the US designated as a United Nations World Heritage site. Sitting almost 900 feet above the town, we looked as far as the eye can see in almost every direction. The house is an engineering marvel from the clock, compass and day and wind indicator at the front door to the mechanized dumb waiters that silently deliver bottles of wine from the basement up into hidden compartments in the dinning quarters.

The students got to meet our third President in all his brilliance, boldness and blemishes. How is it that the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence could write that all men are created equal, yet own 607 slaves, only seven of whom he would ever free? How is it that he could give his life to form a government for the people, but exclude those in closest proximity to him?

Today encapsulated much of the triumph and the cost of this great experiment. It is a great opportunity for us to consider our own blind spots and the grace of our Lord Jesus who willingly gave up His freedom that we could be set free.

by Jim Davis, parent blogger

North Florida 2021, Day 3

March 24, 2021
Today the boys went to the beach and the girls went on the 7 mile hike….we did it!
Kudos to Mr. Frazer who did the 7 mile hike TWICE.
The boys found a snake and a turtle at the beach, played football in the water, and had a great day all around.
The girls powered their way through the hike! After the half way point it began to rain. But wow did that rain feel good!
We continued our evening chapel theme on change and growth. As we each had a handful of clay we talked about the ways God shapes and molds us to become like Christ.
The boys went on a silent hike in the dark after that and the girls had a little pajama party.
Can’t believe we only have one more day in North Florida. Caverns and canoes up next!
by Amy Heidmann, parent blogger

Rain-Dampened Shoes, not Spirits

May 12, 2017

God saw fit to add rain to our DC agenda, so we embraced the adventure set before us and had a lot of fun, not in spite of the rain, but with the rain. Each depression in the sidewalk was a moat to skirt and the busses nearing the edge of the road could cause a chill geyser to spout forth unexpectedly.


In between rainy strolls and attempts to catch raindrops on the tongue, we visited the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History and National Air and Space Museum. Casually visiting both museums in a day could lead one to think of the works of nature as God’s work and the works of technology and engineering as Man’s work. But from Col 1:17 we know “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” God’s creation of us means he gives us a capacity to create, too. We see this every day of course, but being up close to a lunar module, that we made, that has landed on the moon, is a great reminder of how remarkably we are created in God’s image.

National Museum of Natural History


National Air and Space Museum


At the beginning of the day Dr. Clark played some guitar.

We aren’t going to remember how to use a seatbelt after all this public transportation!


We walked some more in the rain…


Wouldn’t be a DC blog post without some escalator photos!


And we wrapped up the day with pizza and some games at the hostel. Friday’s forecast shows no rain and a chance to see some memorials! Stay tuned…

by Luke Tevebaugh, parent blogger

Light In The Darkness

May 10, 2018

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.”

John 1:5

Our day started at the Ford Theatre where President Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated. Both the students and chaperones were surprised by how much they enjoyed their time there. We had a highly knowledgeable and entertaining park ranger who treated us to retelling the story and aftermath of Lincoln’s death in a way that felt like a performance, highlighting the history, drama, and surprising details of how Lincoln’s death effected all those involved. The ranger finished by encouraging our students to be lights of their generation, shining in the darkest hours.

Following our time in the theatre, we crossed the street to see the museum, where a spectacular three-story tower of books greeted us. It was amazing to think that many books had been written about Abraham Lincoln, but it really only contained less than half the books written about him.

Leaving the museum, we stopped for an open-air lunch where the students enjoyed spending time together. It’s amazing to see our children still entertained by simple things in life like looking for a four-leaf clover. The day had been mostly overcast up until this point, but after a few raindrops fell, we left the green space with the sun shining.

Then we walked to the recently opened National Museum of African American History, which was new to all of us. Reading and listening to the stories told throughout the museum of horrible atrocities of slavery, segregation, and oppression led to some profound questions and discussions. It’s one thing to read about this subject and another thing to hear first-hand accounts.

We began three levels down, in a dimly lit area, and as we moved up through history, the museum became a bright celebration of culture and achievement, literally moving from darkness into light.

We can’t wait for what our last day in D.C. will hold!

 

by parent bloggers, Chris Lemieux and AnnMarie Hoyt

Independence And Providence 

May 3, 2019

But by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me. – George Washington

Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle and after all could not bring him to the ground – A Native American fighting Washington in the French and Indian War

Our last day in Williamsburg started off a bit slower and (sigh) baconless. I guess the hotel learned their lesson. We bussed over to Yorktown where we learned the French really can fight! They still had a sour taste in their mouths after losing most of their New World claims in the French and Indian War, so they supported the cause of American independence and, in so doing, insured that they would not be speaking German in the 21st century. The French may have waited until momentum was on the side of the colonialists to commit soldiers, but for most of the war they supplied the Continental Army with everything from munitions to uniforms.

Yorktown was the battle that truly secured our freedom and put an end to the war, so we were thrilled to be able to tour this site with the insight of a Park Ranger who held every student’s attention. She told us how Washington made the British think he was going to attack New York and then, in the heat of summer, marched his men 450 miles south in less than six weeks to surprise General Cornwallis who was now blocked by Washington on land and the French navy by sea. It was clear to the students that to lead an army, you not only have to be brave, wise and hardworking, but excel in math, science and history as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After touring the battle site, we went to the Yorktown Victory Center to see what life on and off the battle field would have looked like. Life as a family in the colonies will shame the hardest working among us. Only the coldest parts of the year, when everyone is snowed into a one or two room house for weeks on end, would there be any rest. We watched as historians dressing the parts walked us through planting farms, making dinner, patching clothes and more. Some of our boys took a special interest in hauling water to do laundry so don’t be afraid to show them the washing machine when they come home.

When war broke out, though, families had some hard decisions to make. Does the husband go fight? If so, for which side? Do the wife and children remain at home or join the husband at camp? Park historians showed us what the life of a soldier would have demanded. The camp was cramped and smelly, the food was meager and more soldiers died from disease than gunshots. The students were shown their tight quarters (6 to a small tent), where food was prepared, how the injured were tended to, how troop movements were organized and even how secret codes were sent between troops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One soldier demonstrated how a real musket fires and the origin of the phrase ‘half-cocked.’ We learned that rifles had been in use for some time by the outbreak of the war, but muskets were chosen for our armies because, despite being much less accurate, they could reload in a fraction of the time and send out three times as much lead. The kids had fun trying to shoulder this musket, but proved the British would have been in no danger:)

We talked about how hard it is to imagine a war in our own backyard raging twice as long as American involvement in WWII, the cost paid on all sides of the Atlantic or Americans, French, Native Americans and Africans all storming Yorktown armed side by side. But even more astounding are all the very little things God alone can control that came together to insure an American victory. The storm that protected Washington in Boston. The fog that protected Washington’s retreat in Long Island. The storm that prevented General Cornwallis from retreating at Yorktown. The bullets that simply could not hit Washington. As you retrace the steps of the American Revolution, you can’t kick the feeling that God wanted this country to form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kids spent the end of the day back in Colonial Williamsburg seeing some more of the old town, getting muddy in the brick making building and spending whatever money they had left on trinkets they won’t care anything about in a week. But, we did create great memories!

by Jim Davis, parent blogger

Athletic Disciplines—Work, Diet, and Motivation

September 13, 2021

By TGS track and field team members Ella Raesly (’24), Charles White (’23), and Josh McKay (’22)

Tony Ross and Gary Evans used our Geneva track and field facilities to train a number of elite Olympic athletes. Three of our varsity track and field team had the chance to interview a couple of them this summer. 

Samantha Dirks

This past summer, we had the incredible privilege of meeting a couple of professional track athletes and interviewing them. The first athlete we met was Jessica Beard. Jessica specializes in the 400-meter dash (one lap) and had a phenomenal track career at Texas A&M University, winning two NCAA titles, a pair of relay golds, and the Bowerman Award (top collegiate track athlete). We also interviewed Samantha Dirks, who represented Belize, where her mom is from, at the Olympics in the 400-meter dash. When we first met these two athletes, we already had a basic assumption that they had been training for track since youth, or at least the beginning of middle school; however, when we asked the two of them when they began, Jessica told us that she did not start until her freshman year of high school, and Samantha did not begin running until twelfth grade! Both played basketball when they were younger, and Jessica only began track because she was told that it would help her with basketball. So what does it take to become a successful athlete, even after starting late? Surprisingly, both athletes hit the same three categories.

The first part of a successful track career is work: if you don’t grind day in and day out, you can kiss your dreams goodbye. Both athletes started late, but by putting in the time and effort, they’ve risen to the top. The work is not always fun, though: after a workout, Jessica will sometimes say, “Coach, you are crazy,” but she doesn’t argue because she’s seen the results of difficult training. Jessica told us, “I think we make it look easy, ‘cause all people see is the end result, you know? They see you when you’re out there at a conference, or when you’re at a meet, but they don’t see all the hard work that you do behind the scenes, and whether it’s injuries that you’re battling and you have to overcome, or whatever the case may be, people only see the end result.”

Jessica Beard

The second important discipline for a professional athlete is diet. Samantha Dirks is a pescatarian (no, that is not a denomination), which means that she does not eat meat but does eat fish. While most of us probably love bacon too much to give up meat, Samantha understands that discipline, no matter how harsh, is necessary to hit her goals. “In terms of my diet as a whole,” Samantha told us, “I’m very conscious of what I put in my body, so I eat out as little as possible, and if I do, it’s something that I know will be fuel for my body. So that’s my number one thing: focus on fueling your body and fueling for whatever sport you’re going through.”

The last part of becoming successful is motivation. When it comes to motivating themselves, neither Jessica nor Samantha lacks enthusiasm. For Jessica, it is important to continue to have fun, whether or not a race or a practice goes well; she mentioned multiple times that she is very competitive, but she knows that she can’t let that get in the way of enjoying a sport that she loves. Samantha finds her drive in her underdog story, having started track much later than most anyone she races. Both were also motivated by their friends, family, role models, and even country. Jessica Beard and Samantha Dirks prove that you don’t have to be an immediate prodigy to excel in your field. Just stick with it, and who knows? Maybe you will represent the United States in a future Olympics.

Last Day…Best Day…D.C….

May 13, 2017

Plenty of rest Thursday night. The weather was perfect Friday. We had TWO scheduled snacks between breakfast and lunch. And we got to see some of the most meaningful reminders of Love, Sacrifice, and Justice in modern history. But first, we skipped to the bus!


While celebrating two birthdays!

And helping relieve some sore muscles!

The National Mall is rich in beauty and memory and hope.


And a good place for a well-timed jump-shot.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial and the war memorials were solemn and striking reminders that some things are worth fighting and dying for.


And, it came time to say goodbye to D.C. and our week-long home away from home. I’m sure that every one of the students, chaperones, and staff are looking forward to their next visit to our nation’s capital!


Faith Expressed Through History and Art

May 11, 2018

Boston is an amazing place to explore Christianity through history and art. We began our third day with the Harvard Museum of Natural History where we found way more than just bones of creatures from long ago. This museum has one of a kind specimens (think deer the size of a bunny), a skeleton of a water dinosaur longer than seven of our students lying head to toe, cases and cases of glass replicas of plants created to help researchers study plant life, and much, much more. These exhibits prompted questions by our students (Mr. Clark was our guide through these muddy waters) about evolution theories and other important topics.

The questions (yes, more questions) led to several great discussions. While they could (and probably do) have these types of discussions at school, somehow the fact that so much time, energy and expense was given over so many years to express Christian themes give perspective and make it real. At the art exhibit they experienced pieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cezanne. Between all of the museums we have seen so far, the students have noticed a strong focus on Christianity and themes of faith. There are so many different ways to depict Mary and baby Jesus, but all of them cumulatively in one trip express the importance of the subject to artists of many different centuries.

Speaking of Harvard, our Harvard graduate chaperone gave us the inside scoop – the iconic statue with ‘Veritas’ (truth) written on the side is known by Harvard students as the statue of lies. In case you like trivia: the year is off by two, the statue is of a stand-in student, and the name listed is not actually the founder, he is really the first benefactor.

Trinity Church was beautiful…and filled with faith based art. The students had plenty of time to view and explore the church, then we were off to see the city from 50 floors up. The view was a highlight for many students, especially because you could walk all the way around and see the city from every angle. Talk about perspective. It was just beautiful, with buildings old and new, a smattering of sailboats, beautiful bridges and wonderful teenagers!

 

by Melissa Paul, parent blogger