zooming
Dear Virginia Delegation,
through national convention
a letter from your secretary
Salvete omnes! This is your VJCL Secretary Nikki Tosh checking in. How are you all coping with this post-convention reality? Virtual NJCL convention was definitely different from what National Conventions have been like in the past but, despite that, we made it work! While I am sure my truly remarkable, extraordinary fellowship minutes sufficed in informing you all everyday during Nationals, fellowship does not begin to cover the rest of convention. Let’s recap by walking through this chaotic adventure one more time.
day
one
We commenced our days with morning fellowships. To get us started in a peppy mood, our Historian Reva Hirave read off shoutouts addressed to delegates by fellow delegates. Some of my personal favorite shoutouts from the first day include “The man, the mythologist, the legend” addressed to Gabriel from TJHSST and “He’s just so impeachable! <3 I can’t wait to elect his successor.” addressed to the 2019-2020 VSCL President JP Wilusz from UVA.
We continued on to the first general assembly of Nats. Our very own Maddie Davis from Riverbend High discussed the meaning of JCLove and how- much like Iulius Caesar- many friendships can overcome thousands of miles. Just this year, we witnessed the kindling of many new friendships and the reignition of old ones.
(Who knew Discord would come in so clutch?) The NJCL general assemblies were led by the 2019-2020 NJCL President, Virginia's own esteemed Jocelyn Robertson. She has served the JCL in various offices since 2017 and this year is ending her yearlong term serving in the highest JCL office a high school student can hold; Jocelyn, we will miss you greatly. Academic testing was one of the first daily events, and boy did all that studying pay off! Props to all our first place academic winners: David Chen, Andrew Hadikusumo, Jocelyn Robertson, Joseph Amsbury, Ashley Lee, Thomas Donohue, Simon Van Der Weide, Julianne Cuevo, and Daniel Zeng. Flip to pages thirty two and thirty three of this edition of the Forum to see all the academic placements and awards earned by Virginia and our delegates. Congratulations, y'all!
The first day of Nationals concluded with voting fellowship and World Series Certamen. Voting fellowship ran as smoothly as possible as voting delegates split all the tea about our 2020 candidates. We officially announced the campaign of our First Vice President Jack Purple for NJCL office, as well as the campaign of our VJCL Co-Chair Ms. Lewis for NJCL board. Moving on to the World Series, we had two Virginia teams of SCLers (the College Water Enthusiasts and Gals Playing KerTamen) who played at a neck and neck pace in the pre rounds. If you're not sure what the World Series of Certamen is: in the wise words of Ms. Lewis, “[World Series] is basically adults sacrificing their last shreds of dignity.” Or, put more simply, adults playing street-style Certamen.
day
two
You survived the first day of Nationals! Are you ready for day two? The first edition of the NJCL 2020 Convention Ear polled that nearly 26% of delegates found screaming really loud out the window as the best platform for staying in touch. So I guess those spirit cough drops came in handy this year anyways, huh? To start the day off we held our daily VJCL fellowship.
Agon matches continued on the second day of convention. While we did not have a Virginia team and spectating was not allowed, we had quite a few Virginians playing in mixed state teams. Impromptu art also took place on day two of NJCL Convention. While artists still had to bring their own supplies, the results were utterly amazing! The theme this year was distance, and we had four 3D artwork submissions from Virginia that were submitted. Shoutout to Reva Hirave, Olivia Garrett, Paige Walworth, and Rayna Schoenberger for the amazing impromptu pieces that blessed our eyes! This next event was the highlight of my evening. While we are all aware that the
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