The Geneseo School Board voted to approve “Geneseo Loyalty” as the high school’s new alma mater at its May 14 board meeting. However, the new hymn-like song won’t be performed before any athletic events.
Since the song was proposed at the April board meeting, superintendent Scott Kuffel said he has received several calls from citizens concerned that “Geneseo Loyalty” will replace “GHS” as the high school’s school song.
“Geneseo Loyalty” isn’t intended to replace “GHS,” but will instead add a more reverent song to the school’s repertoire.
“I support (Geneseo Loyalty) as long as it becomes either part of a halftime tradition or at the conclusion of the game as the players are leaving the field,” he said.
“In fact, I have seen many colleges where the football players themselves gather near the home sidelines and lead fans in some type of alma mater or ‘spirit’ song.”
At the April board meeting, high school band director Steve Scherer said, “The alma mater is a more reverent song. It’s a show of respect to the high school.”
Scherer wrote the lyrics to “Geneseo Loyalty.”
Following the board’s approval of the new alma mater, board member Barry Snodgrass asked that the song’s lyrics be included in the high school handbook.
Geneseo, Ill. —
