Fall 2026 · Torch: U.S. · OFFICER VOICES
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Salvete amici!
It’s difficult to believe that, after years of reading and submitting to it, this is my last time writing for the Torch: U.S. as a JCLer! From brainstorming activity ideas for chapter meeting in breakout rooms during Classicalia to learning about the differences (and similarities!) in how chapters and states of varying sizes approach spirit and service to getting to witness the creative cacophony of spirit from a new perspective, serving as your Second Vice President this past year has been a truly wonderful experience and an incredible honor! More than that, though, being a part of the JCL for the past four years has made an incalculable impact on me; one of Maryland’s state chairs is quite fond of describing the JCL as “an island of misfit toys,” and I can think of no better way to encapsulate this creative, dedicated, unique, and above-all welcoming community. Joining the JCL was perhaps the best single decision I’ve made in my entire life, and if it’s a decision you have just made, too, then keep going forward with it! In the Aeneid, Vergil wrote that Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit, “Perhaps, one day, even these things will be pleasing to remember,” and though that advice was given in a far more depressing context than that of becoming part of the JCL, I think it’s applicable here: even if you don’t know a single other person in your school’s chapter or you completely flunk the translation portion of your state JCL’s museum scavenger hunt or your convention t-shirt submission doesn’t win your state’s design contest, soon enough, I’m sure you’ll still look back on the first chapter meeting or Certamen or convention you attended and realize that showing up to it was one of the best decisions you ever made, too!
Ab imo pectore,
Sophia Kantsevoy
2025-2026 NJCL Second Vice President
Salvete amici!
I can’t believe my time as your Communications Coordinator has come to an end. This past year has been one of the most memorable ones, and I enjoyed everything that NJCL office had to offer. I love meeting so many of you in-person at convention, and I had so many amazing conversations about practically everything. I’m always astonished by how easy it is to talk to other JCLers and make friends quickly.
Sitting on stage during general assemblies, taking minutes, and looking out into the sea of JCLers from across the country truly felt like a dream. The JCL has become a second home for me, and the people in it have helped form some of my best memories. I loved playing mafia, reading the embarrassing Coin Craze speech, and keeping my energy high through social events despite getting a very poor amount of sleep. It’s crazy how one week can feel like an entire lifetime and at the same time, be gone in an instant. But, even if I’m not able to return to convention next year, I still have one more year left in the JCL as a rising senior. Next year, I look forward to attending all the NJCL board’s events (Game Nights, Classicalia, GroupMe, etc.) and helping the JCL community in any way I can.
For my last act of coordinating communication, I ask that all of you reading this stay in touch with the friends you’ve made at nationals and through the JCL. A simple way to reach out is to wish them a ‘Happy Birthday.’ I know it will make their day, the same it made mine when I received that message from several JCLers on my own birthday. Moments of connection don’t have to disappear after convention, so please keep connecting with each other even though we might be separated by miles of distance.
I’m so grateful for the JCL community and the Latin language for everything they have done for me over the past six years. Thank you to everyone who made my JCL journey possible and to those that continue to keep the flame of JCL alive today!
Valete,
Ameera Ramzan
2025-2026 NJCL Communications Coordinator
For the last time in JCL, salvete y’all!
From before I even entered high school to now, standing on the precipice of university, the even keel, the through-line connecting all my major life points has been the JCL. Attending my first national convention, I was just a short 5’5” eighth-grader with a Certamen buzzer in his hand and a dream of doing something awesome. Now, even though I’m still 5’5”(I’m working on it), I truly feel like I have e experienced everything I could want out of the JCL. I’v won and I’ve lost; I’ve met people from all