On a bright and sunny day at the end of July, ten students disembarked from a shuttle and onto the sprawling campus of Emory University, ready to search for the dorm rooms they would be staying in. Surrounding them were two thousand other like-minded individuals, excited to be experiencing the annual Junior Classical League convention and putting their studies of Latin, ancient Greek, and the classical world to good use.
The Junior Classical League is one of the largest student-run organizations in the country, hosting its 61st national convention this past month. An academic club, the Junior Classical League provides Latin students the opportunity to compete in a variety of competitions about the ancient and classical world as well as the Latin language. Examples of these competitions include mythology, Roman history, Greek history, Roman daily life, Latin vocabulary, poetry, and a myriad of others. “Not all of the kids that go to JCL like taking academic tests and competing like that,” explained Ms. Vanessa Jones, a Latin teacher and moderator of Jesuit’s Junior Classical League. “They have other contests too, like a costume contest that changes every year. They’re really creative, and they have to make their costumes from scratch.”
Competitions in the Junior Classical League mix with other interests as well. For many students who participate in the theater program, dramatic interpretation, an activity in which a participant memorizes a Latin passage and performs it, continues to be very popular. “Depending on what level of Latin you’re in, you’ll get one that’s appropriate,” Ms. Jones explained. Zach Schutze ’15, a student now entering his fourth year of Latin studies, won fourth place this year.
This year, the five-day convention took place at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, between July 28 and August 2. Ten students attended Nationals: seniors Patrick Miramontes, Zachary Schutze, and Tyler Schrakamp; juniors Jack Mason, John Galindo, and Matthew Tulis; and sophomores Cameron Schutze, Jack Schwab, Rory Allison, and Ethan LaCour.
After students found their dorms, the convention kicked off with a large assembly where members were grouped by state. Immediately after, the first academic tests began and signups for later activities became available. As Ms. Jones described, “It’s a really busy first day.”
Throughout the week, Jesuit students participated in various events, earning numerous awards in the process. Tyler Schrakamp ’15 competed in Agon, a Greek quiz bowl, after teaching himself ancient Greek in his spare time. His team, “Highway to Hellas,” almost made it to the semifinals. Zachary Schutze ’15 was one point away from the highest score in the nation in Ancient Geography. Schutze and Patrick Miramontes ’15 also organized the Texas Spirit Day, earning the state of Texas a first place victory. The ten students also had the chance to try on Roman armor and weaponry at a Roman reenactment camp, and on the final day, they donned togas for a Roman procession, and later dressed in suits for the evening’s farewell dance.
For Ms. Jones, attending Junior Classical League conventions is an important social experience that helps students remember and learn from the past. “It’s a way for [students] to get together, meet other kids who are taking Latin, and appreciate the ancient culture of yesterday that has influenced a lot of our laws, our literature, our democracy process,” she said. “All these things today have been influenced by the ancient world.”
No stranger to the Junior Classical League, Ms. Jones attended the national conventions all four years she was in high school, taking many important values from it: “It had a really profound impact on me, and it’s probably one of the reasons why I’m a Latin teacher today.” Referencing its creed, she shared that the JCL does a good job of fostering a sense of brotherhood, developing responsibility, promoting enthusiasm, encouraging competition, inspiring dedication, and enriching total growth—all important aspects contributing to the Profile of the Jesuit Graduate.
Ms. Jones had nothing but praise for the students who attended. “These kids are competitive, smart, creative, funny, and when they’re there on a college campus with the best-of-the-best in the nation, they have a really good experience for that week, realizing that have an opportunity to meet other Latin students at the same intellectual level they are,” she said. “It’s really quite inspiring.”
The Junior Classical League has a total of three conventions a year: a regional convention, a state convention, and a national convention. This school year, the regional competition will take place at Jesuit on February 21, 2015. Miramontes will be the chairperson to host the convention that will include all the schools in the North Texas area, adding up to a total of over 800 students.
“Because it’s a student-run organization, [Miramontes] will have a really integral role planning and preparing for the competition,” Ms. Jones said, excited that Jesuit students will have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and represent the school. Preparation for the convention began during the summer and will continue up to the event.
You can keep up with Jesuit’s chapter of the Junior Classical League on Twitter @JesuitJCL.
