Salvete! The Virginia JCL is looking forward to a productive, successful, and Certamen-filled year. Shortly after the Virginia state convention in November, officers, sponsors, and co-chairs alike hit the ground running by using a Google Form and multiple virtual meetings to become familiar with fellow executive board members and with their own positions and duties.
On January 28th, Virginia JCL held a closed hybrid meeting where officers presented proposals for theupcoming quarter. Some highlights include proposals for content in the VJCL Forum, a theme of the month contest, and the future plans for state committees. This year, the VJCL has decided to focus on increasing participation and membership, especially in the South, and the delegation is considering using Certamen as a catalyst to accomplish this goal.
Currently, VJCL is anticipating several Certamen matches, the winter Forum publication, and the start of a theme of the month contest. The next meeting will be the Spring Council Meeting on March 5th, which is
open to all VJCL members and where we will be discussing plans for nationals.
Since the publication of the Torch U.S. Winter Edition, the TSJCL Board has convened for the Winter Board meeting at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, TX, the site of the 2023 TSJCL State Convention. There, the TSJCL Board toured the facilities and focused on finalizing plans for the upcoming State Convention. The trophy report, treasurer’s report, contest judging sheets, state service project, and registration packet for the TSJCL community were also reviewed and discussed as well. Now, in the midst of February, the TSJCL Officers and Area Chairs are kicking off the competition season by hosting five Area Conventions across the state, where the TSJCL community will soon be whirled into the wonderful world of Academic and Classical Civilization competitions, Certamen, Ludi, and JCL spirit!
Artwork by Rachel Zhou, Noble and Greenough School, Massachusetts. "My piece is based on the story of Romulus, Remus, and the she-wolf. I believe that people normally don't consider the factors that helped [the twins] achieve success, which also connects to what happens in modern-day society as well. With all the love and care Lupa provided Romulus and Remus, she deserves to be praised as the rest of the heroes in other Ancient Roman tales.