National Convention to North Gwinnett
Emi Larkin
My first Nationals, way back at Trinity University in San Antonio Tx, I was one of one person going from North Gwinnett Middle and one of 6 going from any North Gwinnett cluster school. I remember very vividly the 107 degree heat, the pesky room keys that didn’t actually work, the Hollister-style lighting in the auditorium, and so many other things, but above all I remember the exhilaration of my first spirit march, the sensation of wind being knocked out my lungs as I sang about brotherhood in the JCL song, arm in arm with JCLers I had never met, and texting my father “I feel like there is always something to do. I’m surprised I have time to talk to you right now!”. We can all wax poetic about JCLove and companionship like nobody’s business - but here’s what North’s Nationals was all about.
This year, North Gwinnett High School brought 19 JCLers, no sponsors, and no middle schoolers. We, being blessed with Michael and Lucy’s presence on the state board of officers, were lucky enough to help with a lot of behind the scenes action to help prep Georgia for Nationals, including making spirit props and helping Lucy make the spirit video. The Peach we so lovingly carried across Troy’s campus is signed on the back by all who helped create it, a group made up of North’s finest and then some. Allie and Michael Banks, independent of their officer status, were swimming superstars at Olympika swimming, despite everyone’s very healthy fear of whatever was falling from the ceiling. Not even the highest of temperatures and humidity, which we are pretty sure were at their max in that pool, could deter us from cheering on our peers.
Early one foggy Friday morning, North said a very sweaty goodbye to some of our beloved seniors in form of basketball. Our wonderful former president Jonny Park (pictured) absolutely destroyed the competition, as he always does. We are so proud of him and look forward to seeing him pursue his dreams of meteorology, in hopes of one day being a real Weatherman. Jonny and all our other wonderful seniors will be missed.
This year was the first Nationals for many North attendees, including our vice president Daniel Lee, who posits that JCL has changed his life. It is Daniel’s specific goal to increase the number we bring to both Statecon and Nationals by 30% - a very realistic and exciting goal given our recent growth. North is absolutely thrilled to boast such a rapid rise in membership and involvement and we are confident in our ability to far surpass this goal next year in Ohio.
11