new year brightened the horizons of the future. An address from President Kevin Kim guaranteed a continuation of the participation and energy of the semester, proceeding with the unprecedented club activity of the first half. Heading into a bright new year, with Ides of March and State Convention to look forward to, the NGJCL signed off the year with a brilliant smile, leaving nothing behind in 2017.
Kicking off the new semester in accordance with tradition, the North Gwinnett JCL gathered to enjoy the annual ice-skating. At the Duluth Ice Forum, Latin aficionados mingled with newbies, and experienced ice-skaters watched as their fellow clubmates fell in dramatic fashion all around the rink. One of the officers, Chase Chiang to be specific, struggled greatly at first as he strapped up his skates for the first time. With time and attentive aid from VP Daniel Lee and Secretary Francis Kim, Chase was able to skate by himself without desperately holding on to the side for support.
The shenanigans that is sometimes associated with NGJCL events began immediately as the first pair of skates hit the ice. The unspoken goal of every ice skater was to not fall onto the cold, hard ice. Unfortunately for the NGJCL, this goal was not meant to be.
From the start, a few skaters thought it would be incredibly fun to try to scare people on the ice. Thankfully, no one was hurt by the time the zamboni came out. The warm and inviting atmosphere that comes with every NGJCL event juxtaposed the cold and harsh air of the rink. Under the guise of simple Latin club members trying to enjoy ice-skating, many young suitors pursued their implicit ventures. Meanwhile, unaware of such transpiring stories, Mr. Martin was seen trying to teach his triplets how to skate. How amusing it was to see the legendary magister struggle to keep his children upright on the ice. To his aid flew in many dedicated JCLers with the desire to play with and teach the unbridled balls of energy. It was a time when all worries of what tests were coming up faded and the only thing left was the fun and excitement of the moment. Underclassmen got to enjoy the first ice-skating event with their clubmates while upperclassmen remembered the times they spent in previous years, skating in circles as a member of the NGJCL. Iconic NGJCL pictures were recreated and new memories flourished. As the final minutes of open skating were coming to a close, the fun climaxed as snowballs were made from the ice. Through the pain of falling on the ice, through the high time of racing around the rink, through the joy of creating new lasting memories, the NGJCL spent another great event with each other, this time, on the ice. Though not all got to enjoy the thrill of gliding on the thin layer of water that forms when ice is compressed by the blade of the skate, not a single member was left out in the fun that is always associated with the NGJCL.
DANIEL LEE
GJCL Historian Lucy Ku leads a thrilling game of Mafia.
A recreation of an iconic NGJCL moment, (left to right) Karenna, Chloe, Daniel, and Aubrey lean rather uncomfortably on the boundaries of the ice rink.
Indeed the most common sight at the ice rink, JCLers were seen struggling to make their way around the rink without the help of the wall.
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