Geneva High School (Illinois)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Geneva High School
principal = Thomas Rogers
motto = "To foster a community of responsible learners who value personal growth on their unique journeys toward ongoing success "
established = 1901
type = Public secondary
grades = 9–12
city = 416 McKinley Ave
Geneva
state = Illinois
country = USA
enrollment = 1,950
campus = Suburban
mascot = Vikings
colors = Royal Blue and White
website = [http://www.geneva304.org/ghs

Geneva High School, or GHS, is a public high school located in Geneva, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Geneva Community Unit School District 304.

History

Geneva High School first opened in 1919.

Academics

In 2005, Geneva had an average composite ACT score of 22.6, and graduated 93.3% of its senior class. The average class size is 19. Geneva has made Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, a state test part of the No Child Left Behind Act. [ [ftp://ftpirptcard.isbe.net/ReportCard2005/3104530400001_e.pdf Illinois School Report Card] ]

Athletics

Geneva competes in the Western Sun Conference and Illinois High School Association. Its mascot is the Viking. Geneva's rival is their neighbor to the south, Batavia Bulldogs

The Vikings have been the champions of the Western Sun Conference in football for the last four years in a row led by coach Rob Wicinski. They have also made it to the Illinois State 6A Semi-Finals in 2004 and 2006 and the Illinois State 7A quarter-finals in 2007. The unofficial football website is http://genevafootball.com/

The Geneva Girls Cross Country team won the state title in 2007, making the girls cross country team the first team in the school's history to win a state title.However the club hockey team won state in 2006, but is not "officially" a school squad.

Fight Song:Geneva, let's go! Geneva, let's go!To opponents our strength show!Fight to the last and be steadfast'til victory is ours!Fight, fight, fight!You do your best, we'll do the rest!On the sidelines cheering youGeneva, let's go! Geneva, let's go!'til victory is ours!Shout it out!Fight, Fight!

The fight song is sung by the Geneva Vikings football team after each win

Clubs/Activities

Geneva High School offers a wide variety of clubs and activities for the students to join. These various leadership and social activities include: Ambassador Club - Geneva Ambassadors are students who possess strong leadership and communication skills. Many times they are the first student representatives of GHS to visitors from the community. Ambassadors also welcome new students to our student body. Membership is open to sophomore-senior students with teacher sponsorship.

Class Activities - Stand out as a class leader! Classes are responsible for fundraising, putting on dances, participating in Homecoming activities, planning intramural sporting events and hosting the Prom. Meeting times vary.

Drama Productions - Entertain! You’ve got the talent and skills, now put them into practice. Anyone can audition for GHS productions. After successfully auditioning, students can perform in the fall play and/or the spring musical. There are also many opportunities for technicians to learn, refine and display their talents back stage. Requires a large time commitment. Listen to announcements for audition information.

Future Educators Association (F.E.A.) - Interested in the teaching profession and would like to know more? This club looks at many aspects of the educational experience from early childhood to higher education.

Geneva Students Against Disastrous Decisions (S.A.D.D.) - Support other students and help provide drug-free activities for your peers. Meetings Tuesdays before and after school e Geneva Student Government - Promote civic pride and have an opportunity to interact with Geneva City Officials. This alliance promotes student involvement in local government while at the same time giving elected and appointed officials insight from a student perspective. Shadow city officials in the fall. Mock city council meeting in the spring.

Key Club - Join the world’s largest teen service organization and develop your leadership skills. Meets every Wednesday 7:10 a.m. in the auditorium.

LEOS Club - Leadership, Experience & Opportunity are the focus for this youth program sponsored by Lions Club International.

Operation Snowball - Be a part of this youth and adult cooperative program focusing on prevention to promote personal and interpersonal growth, leadership skills and healthy decision-making. This Greater Fox Valley Snowball chapter meets weekly at 7th Street School on Thursday Nights.

Peer Mediation - is a process which allows two students who are experiencing a conflict to resolve their differences with the leadership of a fellow student through effective communication and negotiation skills. Open to juniors and seniors.

Photo Club - is open to those either taking photography or have taken it in the past. We will make prints, prepare portfolios and just have fun taking pictures. Meets every Wednesday, 3-4 p.m.

Student Athletic Trainers Club - Students work with a certified athletic trainer during practices and sporting events. Students are trained in CPR, First Aid and the prevention and rehabilitation of athletes.

Student Council Have a voice in school affairs and be of service to the rest of the school community. Membership is open to all students. Those interested can run for class office or Executive Board. Student Council plans homecoming, blood drives, pep rallies, dances and special events. Meets Tuesdays 7 a.m. in the auditorium.Sponsors: Mrs. Buttle and Mrs. Burns Ultimate Frisbee Club - Play frisbee Tuesdays and Thursdays Sept./Oct. and April/May 3:30 p.m. near the tennis courts. Open to all.

Viking Pals - A social club, co-founded in 2001 by Jeremy Aversa, mentoring special needs students. Activities have included movies, playing at the park and holiday parties.

Academic Activities

Geneva Community High School offers over 30 extracurricular clubs and organizations. Students are invited and encouraged to participate. For more information contact the faculty sponsor(s) or Terry Burns, Student Activities Director at 1-630-463-3814. Art Club - Have a creative flair? Like to go to art events? Investigate this club whether you are in art class or not. Meets weekly after school.

Culinary Arts Club - Have fun working with other students to prepare food for special events and for Culinary Corner. Meeting times vary.

DECA Club - Develop skills for marketing and business careers, experience leadership and practice community service.

Drama Club- Join others who love acting and the performing arts! Drama club offers the opportunity to gain confidence on stage, learn to improvise, improve acting skills and have creative fun. There are no audtions; everyone can perform during the meetings. Meets once a week after school.

Engineering Club - Do you like to take things apart? Are you always trying to figure out how things work? Are you interested in figuring out how to solve crazy problems?Then come on down and see what is going on with Engineering Club. Meets every other Thursday. Environmental Club - Make our environment better by assisting in the recycling efforts of the high school, and learn more about environmental projects in our community. Meets 2-4 times per month before school.

French Club - Learn about the French and their customs and culture. Meets monthly after school.

German Club - Learn about German culture and heritage in a fun after-school setting. Club meets monthly. Please listen to announcements. Illinois Youth in Government - Travel to Springfield and participate in a mock session of the state legislature. Group is limited to ten juniors and seniors and meets prior to trip.

International Thespian Society - From crew and costuming to pit and acting, the ITS is a valued honor society that recognizes students for exceptional work in promoting theatre in schools. Attend festivals, workshops and audition for scholarships and colleges.

Literary Magazine - The student art magazine, "The Skaldic", published in the springdisplays students writing, poetry, art and music. Students are encouraged to submit their work to published. New staff members are always welcomed. Use of Photoshop and InDesign CS2 are incorporated in the publication process.

Math Team - Compete in Suburban Prairie and other regional math contests. Meets prior to competitions.

Model U.N. - Debate world issues with students from all over the country at mock United Nations conferences. Annual conferences include the Harvard Model UN in December, the University of Chicago Model UN in March. Additional conferences are added based on student interest. Meetings are monthly for the entire club; additional meetings are planned based on conference schedule. Sponsor: Ms. Khalaieff

National Honor Society (NHS) - Membership is made up of junior and senior students, selected by a group of teachers, based on the criteria of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Work towards membership from your first day in high school. Meets 1-2 times per month before school. Scholastic Bowl - Compete in Suburban Prairie meets in a quiz show, question and answer format. This club meets prior to competitions. Listen to the announcements. Sponsor: Mr. Schoen Spanish Club - Have fun celebrating the customs of Spanish-speaking countries. Meets one to two times a month on Mondays after school. Listen to announcements for meeting dates and times. Speech Team - Compete in 14 dramatic and formal speaking events against other schools statewide from Nov.-Feb. on Saturdays. Meets after school two times a week for coaching and meetings.

Television Production Club - Film after school activities, sports, etc. to broadcast on the weekly school show. Late nights, evening and weekends required. Involvement is at teacher’s discretion.

Viking View (Student Newspaper) - Explore various fields of communications/public relations through field trips, job shadow experiences and guest speakers. Learn journalism skills through publication of the Viking View student newspaper. Meets weekly or more. Stop by room B122 or B127.

Worldwide Youth In Science and Engineering (WYSE) - Fourteen juniors and seniors compete at district level contest with possible advancement to regional and state levels, with competitions in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Fundamentals, Engineering, Graphics, English, Mathematics and Physics. The team is selected in the late fall with competition starting in February. Listen for announcements.
Sponsors: Mr. Bevans, Mr. Cheek, Mr. Gannon, Mr. Koehn, Mr. Nickelson, Ms. Thiese

References