Geneva accepted into Bird City Illinois; council recognizes student athletes and exchange visitors

Geneva’s council proclaimed World Migratory Bird Day and celebrated the city’s acceptance into the Bird City Illinois program, a statewide recognition that requires meeting nine program criteria to show ongoing commitment to bird conservation and community education.

A Bird City Illinois representative described the program’s nine criteria and congratulated Geneva for hosting educational events, committing to municipal resolution and public outreach. Volunteers John Potts and Kevin Potts said they helped the city meet the checklist and noted plans for a World Migratory Bird Day event on May 17 with outreach through local channels and the Geneva newsletter.

The council also recognized Geneva Middle School North’s boys cross country team for a Class 4A third-place finish at the IESA state meet. Several students and coaches described training routines, race times and team camaraderie; Coach Jake Austin said he tracks runner progress through a seasonal spreadsheet.

Finally the council welcomed AFS exchange students hosted in Geneva this school year. Mary Jane Johnson, secretary for the International Cultural Exchange Committee, said AFS has hosted many Geneva students since 1961 and noted recent changes to federal YES scholarship funding; the city encouraged residents to consider hosting future exchange students.