During the week of July 28 – August 2, the National Junior Classical League held its 61st annual national convention at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty Crown Point High School students, three Senior Classical League college students and former Crown Point graduates, and two Crown Point High School Latin Club sponsors attended the convention.
Students competed in academic, graphic art, creative art, and athletic events. Additionally, students participated in daily spirit competitions; the Indiana delegation placed third in the spirit contest on the day themed “The Walking Dead Language”. Delegates attended colloquia covering a variety of topics. One colloquium session, “Learn to Play Scopa! It’ll Sweep You Off Your Feet,” was presented by recent Crown Point graduate Thomas Cooper. Crown Point sponsor Jeremy Walker concluded a successful final year of his 5-year term on the National Committee, serving as the Membership and Public Relations Chair for a total of ten years. Amy Elifrits, NJCL Committee Chair said that “The commitment and enthusiasm of the Latin teachers who participate in this annual conference are vital to the success of every Latin student.”
In addition, seventeen Crown Point students represented Indiana in the National Latin Certamen Tournament held at convention, a Jeopardy-like competition with questions covering a range of topics about the ancient world. Both prior to and following convention, students from Crown Point joined their peers from across the state in a fun-filled five day tour of Tennessee and Georgia. Highlights included tours of the Parthenon in Nashville, Ruby Falls, the Wonderful World of Coca Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, and Stone Mountain Park.
Crown Point High School’s Latin Club received first place in the local publications contest with their Tempus Canis newsletter, edited by Emily Fender. A second place was awarded in the individual community spirit award contest with the Latin Club’s service project “Packages for Patriots”, organized by CPHS Latin club officers. A third place was earned in the chapter publicity contest, submission by Ryan Sizemore. A third place was also received for the chapter’s scrapbook, created by Andie Wahlberg. The Indiana Junior Classical League’s webpage, maintained by Crown Point’s Brennen Chaussey, placed third overall. The Indiana state T-shirt, designed by Susie Szymanski, placed fourth for its excellent use of the convention theme. Renee Brigham was recognized for receiving the Maureen O’Donnell book award, given for earning four gold medals on the National Latin Exam. Individual students placed well in many other categories. Top five places, resulting in points for the state, were achieved in the following categories: Boys Swimming, Boys Track & Field, Modern Myth, Black Pencil, Charcoal, Slogans, Jewelry, Essays, Posters, Drawn Charts, Constructed Charts, Games, Constructed Maps, Cartoons, English Oratory, Watercolor, Chalk & Pastel, Illustrated Quotes, Colored Ink, Greeting Cards, Large Models, Mosaics, Impromptu Art, Colored Pencil, Sight Latin Poetry, Traditional Scrapbooks, and Dolls. Please see the attached list and note the numerous top five in the nation placings, including five first places!
Crown Point High School Latin students in attendance: Casey Akers, Jackie Akey, Alex Baloski, Sam Barber, Natalie Brigham, Renee Brigham, Julia Brown, Becka Burke, Brennen Chaussey, Callista Christ, Thomas Cooper, August Dailey, Ben Depta, Claire Dosen, Daniel Duncan, Emily Fender, Michael Keller, Eric Kim, Josh Mazur, Kelly Merrill, Amber Moon, Simone Siew, Ryan Sizemore, Susie Szymanski, Kyle Thompson, John Verdegan, Andie Wahlberg, Ian Walls, Anna Werkowski, and Emma Werkowski
Sponsors: Sara Robertson and Jeremy Walker
Senior Classical League Members in attendance: Kristina Mihajlovic, Elizabeth Szymanski, Katherine Szymanski