Fall 2024 · Torch: U.S. · AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
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The Mildred Sterling Award was created in 1997 and was named for Mildred Sterling, a Latin teacher from Waco, Texas. Mrs. Sterling attended every NJCL Convention from the first one in 1954 all the way up through 1996, and she even attended the 1953 planning meeting for that first convention.
This award honors those persons who have attended many NJCL Conventions and who have distinguished themselves with dedication to NJCL during their time here. This year’s Mildred Sterling Award goes to Ms. Amy Elifrits of Ohio.Ms. Elifrits was Creative Arts Chair from 2007 to 2016, and served as Committee Chair 2011-2016. Ms. Elifrits is eternally cheerful and wonderfully supportive to everyone around her. She continues to volunteer in the contest office and is one of the local co-chairs for next year’s convention at Miami University. This past convention was her 35th convention.
Ed Phinney Book Award
Mildred Sterling Book Award
Award & Scholarship Winners
Award & Scholarship Winners
The Ed Phinney Book Award is given to a distinguished sponsor or chaperone who has served the JCL for many years, often behind the scenes. It takes its name from Mr. Ed Phinney, a classics professor at the University of Massachusetts and a former president of ACL.
Mr. Michael Howard of Massachusetts was presented with this year's Ed Phinney Book award. Mr. Howard first got involved in the JCL as a student himself, and made himself a name, then, in the certamen scene. He attended his first NJCL convention in eighth grade, and has come back every year since. Known for his crazy-fast buzzes and insane knowledge of mythology , he has continued to help on the academic scene even as a Latin teacher, JCL sponsor, .and state chair. Cookie, as he is known by many friends and colleagues, continues to share the magic of Certamen, which highlighted his JCL journey, now as one of the coaches of the Massachusetts teams.
The Maxima Cum Laude award is given to chaperones who have attended at least four National Conventions. This year's Maxima Cum Laude sponsor is Dr. Ron Roessler of Wisconsin. Dr. Ron Roessler was the first player from Florida to be inducted into the NJCL Certamen Hall of Fame. His Certamen teams won national championships when he was a freshman and again when he was a senior. He took a break to go to college and medical school to save some lives but never lost his love of the classics. He fostered that love of Latin in his children and volunteered to help his daughter's Certamen team—you may have heard of her, Amanda Roessler, 2023-2024 NSCL President. He quickly became an indispensable part of the Brookfield Academy Latin program as the official Certamen coach in 2016 and has also coached the Wisconsin Certamen teams. He has chaperoned nine national conventions, and the Wisconsin delegation owes so much to Dr. Roessler. He has volunteered thousands if not literal millions of hours to help spread JCLove. Thank you for all that you have done!
Sponsor and Chaperone Awards
Unfortunately, this year there were no nominations for Summa Cum Laude Sponsors. If you know a chaperone who has been coming to National Convention each year nominate them here!