Winter 2021· Torch: U.S. · STATE UPDATES
by Elise DeRosby
As a whole state, MEJCL is taking steps forward to making JCL a fun experience for Latin students once again. With most Latin 1 and Latin 2 students never having attended an in-person convention, it has been rather difficult to increase enthusiasm for bringing JCL back to life, so we are heavily relying on our more experienced JCL participants to share memories and reflect on fun adventures that have taken place through JCL. Due to COVID guidelines, we have been unable to host an in-person event since Fall 2019, but this hasn’t stopped us from utilizing technology to bring people together. A spring convention (full of spirit, testing, Certamen, and, of course, General Assemblies), and a Meet the Officers Night, where the students played online trivia against each other over questions about the personal lives of the State Officers were hits for Maine.
Our local JCLs are also doing their part to stay active and also stay safe. Hampden Academy has welcomed a giant pumpkin, Gordon, into the classroom. He serves as the JCL mascot for the fall, or at least until his rotting process begins. Hampden Academy also held a “Welcome Meeting” to introduce JCL for the first time this year. There were games, including volleyball and cornhole, baked goods, and fun music, using our outdoor space to allow us to be together maskless. Freeport High School hosted a similar “Field Day” for their students, which involved trigon, disc throwing, and gladiator fighting. John Bapst Memorial High School hosted their first meeting of the year, where they discussed future JCL activities. They plan to have a movie night, open to all students, to raise money for their local JCL. Across the board, MEJCL and its local clubs are excited for the upcoming year and the events that we have planned.
by Sloane Wehman
The MDJCL has been working to introduce the organization to students interested in the classics and expand to include even more Maryland schools. We are committed to build and strengthen the classics community in Maryland, especially following the pandemic, which heavily influenced our ability to host events and have fun activities last year. In early September, the state officers held a meeting with interested MDJCL students and made a plan to help increase participation and club involvement across the state. With the beginning of a new school year, the MDJCL and individual clubs have already made trips to museums and arranged architectural tours. The MDJCL held a scavenger hunt on October 23 at the Walters Art Museum in downtown Baltimore where students learned more about ancient Roman and Greek sculptures, artwork, and artifacts. One of the highlights of the event was the photo competition where students recreated a sculpture or piece of art themselves or with friends! We will host a Saturnalia event later in the winter and additional Certamen-based activities in the spring which are all planned to be in-person! We will also hold our state convention Spring 2022 and plan to have a gladiatorial fight! We hope to have more in-person events as COVID restrictions allow, but are prepared to utilize virtual options with Zoom as we have over the last year. We are thankful to have our wonderful MDJCL community and our faculty leadership to continue to expand our classical education and fun event and activities! We cannot wait to have in person certamen this year!
28