Salvete omnis! (That is “hello everyone” for the non-classical speakers.)
It’s that time of year again. Yes, indeed, it is time for Jesuit’s JCL (Junior Classical League) students to start studying for their Latin tests for the upcoming Area Competition, a regional competition for the JCL schools of North Texas.
This year, however, brings a unique twist for Jesuit. Instead of traveling to another part of the region to compete, Jesuit will be defending on their home soil, hosting the competition on our campus this February.
These competitions cover a student’s “knowledge of ancient language and the classics,” said Ms. Vanessa Jones, commonly referred to as “Magistra” or “teacher” in Latin. “By the classics I mean Ancient Roman and Greek History, mythology, the various literature and history surrounding those time periods, and the cultures of those people,” she continued.
Moving on to the event itself, she said that “it’s a really big deal because this is the one regional competition that happens every year…and we really want to make a good impression.”
When asked how many students would attend, Ms. Jones responded, “Approximately 80 Jesuit students have signed up to compete this year,” with “around 860 total registrants.”
Remarking on the importance of this event, she said that “it helps the students become lifetime learners, which is what we strive for here at Jesuit.” She continued, “JCL really plants that seed in the students’ minds, to learn and have fun in the classics,” adding that she encourages all enrolled latin students to join.
Up to this point she has observed that “many students have higher enthusiasm, they’re excited and proud to show off their campus.” Ms. Jones, commenting also on the leaders of the Jesuit JCL, says “it gives all of our students a chance to become a leader who people and other students” can look up to and appreciate.
“Most jesuit students are going to have some role in putting on the competition, because there are at least forty individual contests that are going on,” she described the students’ part in the event. “We’re going to need runners, people to help guide people around the school, giving directions,” she went on, “people to watch our campus and our museum art.” Magistra then said “everyone is going to have to pull together to, not only make sure that this is an inviting place, but also that we can maintain our beautiful campus,” describing the responsibility on the students’ shoulders. “It’s our big chance to put our best foot forward.”
She said that “organizing over 800 people on the day of involves a lot of planning and logistics.” They have to look ahead and “envision things that could happen, thinking about traffic flow, coordinating all the events and tests, making sure there are rooms for everything,” etc. (which means “et cetera” or “and others” in Latin).
“Other Latin teachers do help out on the day of, but we have to make sure all the tests get graded on time, and everything gets officialed by the end of the day,” she added. But for the most part, “it’s a momentous effort, all the moving parts and everything that goes into the convention.”
Telling of the commitment to put it on, she describes it as “a Herculean effort. For the past two years we have partnered with the Greenhill school to host this event,” although at Austin College last year, “and after this year we will pass the torch on.”
However, “so far, no one has stepped up, because it is such a tough thing to do.” But magistra is hopeful: “We’re really hoping someone will step forward soon as the past two years have been a lot of work and we are ready to pass the baton.”
Zachary Shutze ’15, the co-consul, or co-president, also weighed in. He said that the students are preparing “with study sessions to actually study for their respective tests. This is something we’ve never done before.” They have several dates for students to come in and dedicate time to their contests, “which will help them prepare for the convention.”
Preparing for the actual hosting of the convention, Shutze added that “not much has been done of yet, but as we get closer, [he] will start to delegate tasks to other students.” Mainly he will work to find everyone’s task “as we get nearer to the convention.”
Shutze went on to describe some of the roles the students will have: “They’ll be running tests to rooms that need more, more pencils… monitoring the halls.” Since “Jesuit is a museum and we need to keep that in order,” a large responsibility will be “maintaining the campus.”
“Mainly our officers will be handling these tasks,” referring to the leadership of the JCL, “they will also be handling concessions and help desk.” He described the “Jesuit student role as very important.”
Describing the commitment so far this year, Shutze said, “We have more officers than we have ever had” in the history of JCL. “We have a very large group of committed seniors and juniors in the program who have dedicated a lot of time to doing their jobs,” he said, complimenting the great effort put out thus far.
“There’s been a lot of change since my freshman year [in the club],” says Shutze, “and it’s really big that we’re getting our name out there.” After last year also hosting the convention “it’s still a cool thing to do for Jesuit.”
