STATE UPDATES · Summer 2026 · Torch: U.S.
33
Ohio
"Salvete omnes!
The OJCL has had an exciting past few months as we wrapped up another year of Latin, fellowship, and spirit. The highlight of the season was our seventy-fifth annual State Convention in Columbus. JCLers competed in academic contests, Certamen, graphic/creative arts, and spirit events. This year, the convention theme was, “Gutta Cavat Lapidem,” a drop hollows out a stone. Delegates also participated in colloquia with presentations from UC Grad Student Logan Biren, games, and more.
This spring also came with significant academic achievements for Latin students across Ohio. Many took the National Latin Exam, where students demonstrated their knowledge of the language and their incredible dedication to classical studies. Additionally, students across the state completed the Seal of Biliteracy assessment, a certification that recognizes outstanding commitment to the study of Latin. We are extremely proud of all students who challenged themselves through these exams.
During convention, we said our goodbyes to the 2025-2026 executive board and welcomed the 2026-2027 board. Our new officers are already hard at work preparing exciting things for the upcoming year, and we are grateful to the outgoing board members for their hard work and dedication to OJCL. Appointed quite recently, our gubernators have already started organizing this year’s pre-Nationals picnic, which will give Ohio JCLers an opportunity to meet each other and prepare for spirit before traveling to Indiana University Bloomington. We have also been working on the addition of contests prior to convention to bring more participation and competition throughout the year. There were also numerous service opportunities for JCLers to give back to the community. We worked with local animal shelters and raised over 400 dollars for The Children's Hunger Alliance. An FC Cincinnati fundraiser is also coming soon, giving members more opportunities to support the organization outside of convention activities.
As the summer begins, our focus lies on the national convention at Indiana University Bloomington! We are hard at work preparing for spirit, certamen, contests, and we can’t wait to make amazing memories with JCLers across the country.
To everyone attending nationals, Curate ut valeatis, we look forward to seeing you soon!"
By Dinesh Sarma
Pennsylvania
"Salvete, fellow JCLers!
It is great to be in the “room where it’s happening,” and PA is exactly that. We are only a week away from our convention, which has welcomed a new strong cohort of JCLers. The numbers speak for themselves: our state membership has grown from 371 to 573, and convention attendance has surpassed 200 students!
For the first time, we have enough candidates to fill every position on next year’s board. What more could we ask for? This success is thanks to my fellow board members and the teachers who have worked tirelessly to nurture our passion for leadership, service, and the classics.
Finally, I want to thank all of the JCL chapters and states that share so much inspiration on Instagram. Your generosity has sparked so many ideas for us, so be on the lookout for pictures from our convention! If we “borrowed” some of your ideas, consider it our homage to your ingenuity!
We will be sending a small delegation to nationals, so we hope to see many of you there soon. Valete!"
By Christopher Chang