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Summer 2018 · Torch:U.S. · State Updates
California
Salvete Omnes from the Golden State of California! I am Peter Bota, the editor of California’s official publication, the Nuntius Californiensis. We have been up to quite a bit as of late down in CA, in fact. Most notably, on April 13th and 14th, the California Junior Classical League put on its annual convention at Menlo High School. More than 1,500 delegates got to enjoy top-of-the-line facilities for Ludi and Olympika, gourmet meals, and colloquia put on by guest lecturers from Stanford and UC Berkeley. Certamen semifinals and finals were hosted at the convention after Carcere, a preliminary round hosted concurrently on March 25th at two locations, one in Northern California and the other in Southern California. As well, a wide variety of academic and artistic contests were presented for the amusement of the delegates. Finally, during the convention, we selected the 2018-2019 California Junior Classical League Board, who will be further briefed regarding their duties at the board meeting on May 26th. Thank you for reading and we hope to meet you at Miami University in Ohio this July for the NJCL Convention.
Peter Bota, Nuntius Californiensis Editor
Georgia
In celebration for the origins of their passion, GJCLers spent April 20th to 22nd, Rome’s birthday weekend, among the towering pine trees and cozy cabins of Rock Eagle in Eatonton, Georgia. It is JCLers who know better than anyone that convention leaves no room for hesitation or fear. It’s for stepping out of comfort zones and brushing off reservations, and at the GJCL convention, our students readily embodied that principle. With friendly elections, diverse workshops, and intense athletic events, there was not a moment to spare, and every second amidst the boisterous cheers and clatters of noise makers felt priceless. Eager students from all throughout Georgia shamelessly indulged in their love of classics and unleashed their JCL spirit for the three days that flew by with a blink of an eye. If there was anything to change,
it would be to prolong each day so that everyone could enjoy the short-lived thrill of convention just a little longer.
It is truly a bittersweet time as we wave goodbye
to seniors who preserved our proud legacy while we welcome new freshmen and middle schoolers with open arms, awaiting a new future for the GJCL. But whether they were middle school newbies or esteemed latin veterans, everyone at convention found themselves immediately immersed in the unique spirit and enthusiasm that could only be found in Rock Eagle, the second home of all GJCLers, and that will remain engraved in the definition of a “GJCL convention” forever.
Anika Park, Former Georgia JCL Editor
Top: The 2017-2018 GJCL officers laugh as they enjoy their last moments together as a board. Photo: Lucy Ku.
Bottom: Students from the Marist school playfully sing together for their roll call at general assembly. Photo: Lucy Ku.