i.XIII.
MMxviii.
Vivi Lu
On January 13th, players lined the hallways of Northview High School while exchanging greetings, anticipating the beginning of the 5th Annual Florida Georgia Certamen Tournament. Laughter and banter filled the entrance around the concessions stand called Grumio’s Kitchen as volunteers finished last-minute preparations.
The conversations quieted when a volunteer stood by Grumio’s Kitchen, waving her hands as she spoke. “Good news – all the teams have registered, so we’re going to start thirty minutes early!” Loud cheers resounded in response to her announcement.
“It’s finally starting,” a novice player whispered beside me, equal parts excitement and anxiety filling his voice.
Over twenty teams hurried to their assigned rooms, ready for a preliminary round of Latin Academic Bowl. Throughout each round, competitors from different grades, schools, and states joked about subjunctive conjugations and historical battles. After each round, players shook hands, smiled regardless of the results, and moved to the next room.
The Florida-Georgia Tournament was not only a friendly competition but also a representation of the essence of JCL. It was not about memorizing a fifty-page packet or trying to guess the answer to an unread question; instead, it was a reminder that people with nothing but a “dead” language in common can form unforgettable bonds.
Based on the results, the tournament at this year’s state convention will be intense. A huge thank you to Northview High School for hosting the tournament and to Oak Hall School and St. Stephens Episcopal School in Florida for participating. Congratulations to all who participated!
WINTER
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
TOURNAMENTS
CERTAMEN
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