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Fall 2020 · Torch: U.S. · CONVENTION RECAP
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The NJCL Instagram asked students to share their favorite part of virtual convention. From test-taking to friend-making, student responses celebrated the 2020 NJCL Convention.
Seeing (and battling) friends again at virtual Certamen!
Isabel Arroyo, Marlborough School, CA
Chatting with some of the officers and JCLers across the country at the mixers!
Amanda Murphy,
Trivium Prep, AZ
During That's Entertainment!, when I still felt the JCLove and connection that I felt at other nationals.
Molly Moran,
Pennsauken High School, NJ
Virtual scavenger hunt! My family thought I was crazy running around the house.
Heidi Tamm,
Saint Thomas' Episcopal School
TX
Definitely the late-night Zoom calls. You guys are so amazing; I can't wait to see you all one day!
Emma Canga,
Brookfield Academy, WI
Meeting people. Since nats I've been on Zoom almost every night with some amazing people I met.
Audrey Dunlap,
Hume-Fogg Academic High School, TN
During GA III, Mr. Dennis Webb, 1969-1970 NJCL President, delivered opening remarks noting the fiftieth convention since his term, and Nancy Howell was recognized for attending her fiftieth NJCL convention.
After a weeks-long election process, the 2019-2020 NJCL Board announced the 2020-2021 NJCL Board. Many thanks go to Faith Woods, 2019-2020 NJCL Parliamentarian, and Mr. Dennis Webb, Constitutional Advisor, for their work digitalizing the election and bylaw amendment process.
The evening concluded with the State Officers' Mixer, as students bonded over their shared love and struggle over minutes, scrapbooks, publications, and leading a JCL during a global pandemic.
The final contest session featuring the tests of Latin Vocabulary, Greek Derivatives, Greek Life and Literature, and Latin Literature signaled the approaching end of virtual convention. The 2019-2020 NJCL Officers hosted a Q&A session, answering questions ranging from their favorite contest subject to if they ever had doubts in their abilities throughout their terms. With the knowledge of their terms, the 2019-2020 NJCL Officers led colloquia for both local and state officers that evening.
A convention staple adapted to the screen, That’s Entertainment! returned to the hearts and homes JCLers. Uniting viewers via a YouTube livestream, JCLers simultaneously marveled at the talent of their peers and the wit of the SCL. The omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and indispensable humor of the SCL was not only evident in That’s Entertainment!, but the six issues of The Convention Ear, the satirical convention newspaper published daily by 2019-2020 NSCL Editor Kris Plunkett (available here).
On the final full day of convention, the Academic Decathlon wrapped up virtual testing. Meanwhile, World Series of Certamen finals drew in an audience as a familiar and entertaining event. General Assembly IV recognized the retiring National Committee members and announced the incoming members, as well as the NJCL Scholarship Winners. For attending sixty NJCL conventions, Ms. Susan Schearer earned the title of NJCL-o-saurus and was honored in a dedicated choral performance and video of student testimonials, and delivered a few words herself.
In place of the annual Farewell Dance, the 2019-2020 NJCL Officers hosted an NJCL Mixer. Attendees bonded over games of Scattergories, trivia, or simply talking with one another on Tuesday evening.
The sixth morning of convention opened with the final rounds of Agon, followed by the final rounds of Certamen, streamed to YouTube.
At the fifth and final General Assembly, the 2020-2021 NJCL and NSCL Boards were sworn into office. Upon his inauguration, Daniel Newgarden, 2020-2021 NJCL President, introduced this year’s theme: sibi quisque ruri metit, or “each harvests one's own farm,” from Plautus’ Mostellaria. With one final strike of the gavel (handed over virtually), the 2020 NJCL Convention concluded, and members, not missing the usual groggy flights and bus rides yet just as exhausted, logged off.