Academy Students Shine at Annual State Latin Convention. (Courtesy/Mrs. Bening)
Each year, hundreds of Latin and classics’ scholars, along with sponsors and chaperones gather in a central Ohio hotel for the annual Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL) convention. Twenty-three Academy students attended the 2018 convention, held at DoubleTree Worthington from Friday March 9 to Sunday March 11.
A great deal of planning goes into this event, which is run by the OJCL board. This year, as board members, Central Gubernator, Marcus Grewal’19, and State Editor, Taylor McGowan’18, played key roles in the planning process.
Over the course of the weekend, students engaged in a wide range of events from graphic arts’ competitions and creative arts’ competitions to testing sessions and Certamen, classics quiz bowl.
Aside from traditional arts and academic testing, schools also compete in Spirit Competitions, held at the start of each General Assembly, or GA. Each day is themed, and dressing up for GA is heavily encouraged. Academy dressed up in Mario Kart theme for “Romans at the Races,” stealing the show with students as cardboard carts, Luigi and Mario, and even an inflatable car!
Campaigning and elections are also a large part of convention, with two Academy students, Grewal and Andrew Cahall’20, running for the offices of Parliamentarian and Secretary, respectively. Both won their races, defeating worthy opponents through carefully crafted speeches in front of the entire convention and extensive campaigning.
Other highlights of the weekend were the skit, which earned 2nd place, as well as a 3rd place finishing by the Level I Certamen Team, fronted by Academy eighth graders.
The music video and commercial, which were both pre-convention submissions, earned excellent ratings.
Club tee-shirts, designed by Zach Zhou’18 earned the award for aesthetics.
Academy placed in the top 50% of schools attending convention, a strong standing as we are one of the smaller delegations.
Thanks to Mrs. Bening, Mrs. Gursahaney, Dr. Gruber, and Mr. Bening for organizing and leading the Academy delegation at Convention!
