MR. DENNIS WEBB'S CONVENTION ADDRESS· Torch: U.S. · Fall 2020
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I went on to finish with a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and chemistry at LSU. Then I worked the next 25 years for the Kansas City Southern Railroad. For a period of 30 years, I did not attend a Louisiana JCL or NJCL convention. The very long hours I worked on the RR allowed me to retire at age 47. At that point in my life, it would have been very easy to just sit back in silence, but there was much more I could do.
In 2001, I saw the NJCL convention would be held at Tulane University in New Orleans. I decided to drop in and see the four or five people I might still know. I introduced myself to the Convention Chair, Prudy Moreland, and she handed me a hammer and told me to go hang banners. I was also asked to judge scholarships and the talent show. Suddenly, an ember inside me was reignited—the same excitement and passion for Latin and JCL, which I had previously felt returned. After staying for the entire convention, I returned to my hometown to help Latin teachers at several schools restart JCL chapters. My wife joined me, and, over the next 18 years, we have taken students to state and national conventions.
In 2011, I ran for the national committee. Another way this convention is special to me is that it marks the end of my 2nd and final term as Constitutional Advisor. Now, at age 68, I could easily sit back in silence. However, this year we have moved to Tennessee. When the school year starts, I hope to help create a new JCL chapter at my grandchildren’s school, which begins teaching Latin in 2nd grade.
You have heard far more than you ever wanted to hear about me. So, how is the theme for this year relevant to you? What can you strive to do with greater effort rather than pass your life in silence?
You have already taken the first step. You are taking a foreign language and learning about history and other cultures. If you are involved in this virtual convention, you have already taken a 2nd step. You have joined an organization which will make your studies more fun and exciting. It is an organization that promotes knowledge and encourages us to pattern our citizenship, with respect to family, school, and nation, after the BEST examples of the classical civilizations.
What other steps can you take? You can continue to study hard but allow the study to be fun. Appreciate the educational opportunities you have. Many other students don’t have the chances you do. As funds decline, many schools eliminate programs that can enrich our lives. Share with your friends who are not taking Latin or Greek how much you are learning. Encourage them to join you in the study of the Classics. Get them involved in JCL.
Even after high school, remain involved in SCL. If you are not able to take classical courses in college, you can still be in SCL and serve in a support role.
I am excited to know many of you in this audience will become Latin or Greek teachers. What about the rest of you? Will you sit back in silence? I hope not. As adults, I hope you will encourage local school systems to offer Classical courses. I hope you will realize endorsing taxes to maintain a quality educational system is worth the money. You don’t have to be a teacher to continue to support JCL as an adult. I was never a teacher, yet I love and still support this organization. Never let the ember of excitement for learning and this organization, which is inside you now, die.
Don’t sit back in silence.
Thank you.
Mr. Don McRae, 1967-68 NJCL President
Mr. Dennis Webb, 1969-70 NJCL President
Mr. Bruce Taylor, 1968-69 NJCL President
Mr. John Farley, 1966-67 NJCL President
Mr. Dennis Webb delivering his address via video
at the 2020 NJCL Convention