WSHS Junior Classical League

6/2/17

Congrats to the following students for being elected as new officers:

• President- John Evans

  • head of the executive committee

• 1st Vice President- Hannah Comfort

  • recruitment, community service, publicity

• 2nd Vice President- David Barre

  • plan/lead spirit competition, organize Latin Week

• Parliamentarian- Jack Lloyd

  • hold elections, run meetings, maintain club charter

• Communications Coordinator- Allison Weiner

  • record minutes, write thank you letters, maintain facebook page

• Treasurer- Gigi Lai

  • manages club finances, organizes fundraisers 

• 1st Historian- Ethan Nurick

  • take photos, make scrapbook

• 2nd Historian- Randi Gurski

  • take photos, make scrapbook

Let's make 2017-2018 our best year yet!

5/20/17

May 16th and 17th Waterville Senior High School Junior Classical League attended the annual MEJCL Spring Convention in Winthrop Maine.  Students from all over the state come together each year to compete in everything from catapult competitions to Latin testing.  Through hard work, determination, and extra time spent the weekend before convention Waterville demonstrated it could go toe to toe with the 11 other veteran schools.  All in all we placed: 2nd in Tug of War, 3rd in Chariot, 3rd in Catapult, 4th in Olympika, 5th Creative Arts.

Students also earned individual ribbons for academic testing (reading comprehension, grammar, mythology, vocabulary, culture, and history) and we had a student on an all star team reach the final round for Certamen (latin quiz bowl).

All in all the students performed well for their first spring convention and they are already talking about organizing for the next one!

5/14/17

Saturday and Sunday students met to complete the finishing touches before leaving for convention.  Togas needed hemming, catapults needed arming, and chariots needed painting. After two long days we were ready and had our sights set on 1st place!

5/1/17

During the week of April 24th, Waterville Senior High School students celebrated Latin Week. Through a series of trivia and

challenges each advisory competed to prove they had what it takes to be named Latin Champion. Trivia consisted mostly of

Roman/Greek mythology and binomial nomenclature of animals. Students also were challenged to wear togas and sample an imitation

of Roman cuisine. By the end of the day Friday, it was clear that Mrs. Casoria’s advisory won the coveted title!

12/22/16

The Junior Classical League (Latin club) is a student-led organization which strives to develop leadership, camaraderie, and a sense of community responsibility. It is this and our passion for ancient civilizations that bind us together. So it is no wonder that once the temperature began to drop and the lights started to go up the WSHS JCL began looking for ways to help our neighbors.  Originally started as a food drive, their work quickly turned into the first annual “JCL Adopt-a-Family”.

Raising monetary donations from students, parents, and teachers was just the first part of their mission. With cash in hand, the JCLers struck out on a late at night, last-minute shopping spree.  Gathering and sorting their purchases, the JCL members found they had enough supplies to provide a hearty Christmas Dinner and plenty of gifts for two local children. At the end of the night, they were exhausted, and when they looked inside themselves, they found the pride and exhilaration of selflessly helping others. 

Seth Metcalf, the league's advisor, said, "We all had a blast and are already planning next year’s WSHS JCL Adopt-a-Family.

11/6/16

After many years being absent Waterville students have returned to the Junior Classical League. 

On November 4th Waterville students attended the annual Maine State Junior Classical League Fall Convention at Hampden Academy.  There they gathered with other Latin students from across the state to celebrate Classical Languages.  Students participated in a variety of competitions ranging from academic testing to cheering and costume design.

The National Junior Classical League (NJCL) was formed in 1936.  It is a student-led organization sponsored by the American Classical League.  Currently, there are over 50,000 members across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Its purpose is to encourage an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome and to impart an understanding of the debt of our own culture to that of Classical antiquity.

Students are already talking about the overnight convention in May where students will compete in track and field events, catapult contests, chariot races, art competitions, and much more.

“We affirm the JCL experience develops responsibility, fosters brotherhood, promotes enthusiasm, encourages competition, inspires dedication and enriches our total growth.” ~JCL Creed