Fall 2020 · Torch: U.S. · THANK YOU AND SERVICE PROJECT
10
New members to the National Committee. Left, clockwise: Todd Wegenhart, Emily Lewis, Brian Compton
2020-2021
NJCL Officers
2020-2021
NSCL
Officers
Executive Board
Irene Calderon
2020-2021
NJCL EDITOR
It’s interesting to see how much we’ve all come to rely on the consistency of NJCL Convention happening every late July. Its occurrence is so reliable that we all were so astounded and saddened by its cancellation—that even though it wasn’t entirely unexpected, considering the increasing severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dizzying multitude of social distancing guidelines, it was still unthinkable that the well-loved, larger-than-life fixture in our summers could easily be struck down like it was any other random gathering of more than 25 people. NJCL Convention is truly an inimitable, thrilling experience, and at first, I frankly was a bit skeptical as to whether all of its glory could be captured through tedious Zoom calls. But looking back, I can confidently say that the first-ever virtual convention was indeed a success. This very well might not have been the case if it weren’t for the tenacity, resourcefulness, patience, and enthusiasm present throughout the members of this extraordinary organization. With this in mind, several thank-yous are in order.
Thank you to the University of Richmond and the board members of the VJCL. Although we could no longer experience the beauties of the campus and Virginia itself, we appreciate all the preparation made before the cancellation, and your willingness to prioritize our safety.
A plethora of thank-yous to the 2019-2020 National Board and Committee. Your dedication to making the virtual convention as authentic as possible, combined with the ingenuity that allowed you to achieve this, is what made this year’s convention so incandescently enjoyable. Thank you for devoting so much of your time into ensuring that the summer of 2020 would not fall flat after all, especially since you already spent plenty of your minutes planning the convention in Virginia.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to the JCLers for attending this year’s convention with open minds and open hearts. You could have met any of the technical difficulties with irritation and impatience, but instead, you brushed off the little things, worked with what you had, and continued to have fun and make memories. Because of your thoughtful acceptance and flexibility, I would gladly take any format of convention, even though I desperately yearn to see you all in person again.
Athena Davis
2019-2020 2nd VP
Service
Project
This year, there were two service projects at virtual nationals. The first was to call or write local or national representatives to advocate for causes that were important to JCLers. We sent 135 letters to representatives across the nation! The second service project was to draw elements of the ancient world and its stories in order to create coloring pages that can be printed and delivered to children’s shelters, doctor’s offices, local businesses, or other organizations. We created 176 coloring pages! Thank you to everyone who was able to give back to their communities during these tumultuous times.
Thank you!