Torch: U.S. LXVIII Fall 2018 | Page 15

CONVENTION RECAP · Torch:U.S. · Fall 2018

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I sing of Ohio and a college campus which hosted a convention that began on a Sunday afternoon in July. On that day, July 22, 2018, members of the Junior Classical League from across the nation arrived on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. These JCLers, SCLers, sponsors, and chaperones who chose to receive pre-convention housing began their week of convention early by leisurely unpacking and finding their assigned dining hall on one of the campus tours. Old friends, separated for a cruel year since the last national convention, reunited in the Armstrong Student Center. The screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the karaoke jam session that evening seemed like the calm before the storm of event registrations and arrivals the next morning. The air was abuzz with excitement for the week, and students enjoyed an early night and the extra rest that would prepare them for the next day.

The next day dawned with bus-loads of new faces from all over the nation. Once settled in, students registered their Graphic Arts projects and signed up for Olympika events.

One time-saver the new online registration for Creative Arts events. After lunch, every convention goer completed the odyssey to Millett Hall for the first General Assembly of the week. Students were welcomed by the university, the chairperson of the Department of Classics, the American Classical League, and the NJCL and NSCL officers. Following introductions, JCLers were reminded of the convention rules, listened to the results of several non-convention contests, and swore the Olympika Oath. The afternoon kicked off the first competitions of the week, Contest Session I and Olympika swimming. For those who were not as keen on testing or physical activity, Colloquia Session I included the Spirit Contest and Service Project Orientation and other fascinating topics like Roman graffiti and board games in the ancient world. The evening was just as action-packed with the first round of competitive certamen, trivia night, the First-Time NJCLer meeting, the Miami Luau dance, and finally, fellowship to end the night.

On Tuesday, many JCLers rose long before the sun did to eat breakfast and begin the long trek to Rider Track for Olympika: Track and Field. As those dedicated competitors zipped around the track and tried their hand at sports like Friscus, other students woke up early for the Costume Contest or Ludi Chess. After the earlier events, mythology and culture buffs put their knowledge to the test in Contest Session II. Then came a flood, no, a tidal wave of plastic bags! Day 1 of the convention’s service project was a smashing success. JCLers showed their enthusiasm for helping others as they worked on the first step of weaving the plastic bags into mats for the homeless. Next, the embodiments of Ovid and Cicero among us participated in the Essay Contest and then dashed to Millett Hall to prepare for the Spirit competition. This was the first day of the Spirit competition for the week, and the theme, “Oh, hi! O JCL,” allowed everyone to show their state pride. At the conclusion of Spirit, General Assembly II began. This rather lengthy assembly impressive displays of creativity in Roll Call and the National Greek Exam and National Latin Exam presentations. Ludi Basketball and more colloquia followed the General Assembly, as well as one of the most anticipated events of the day, Nominations Committee. At Nom Com, the candidates running for each office were revealed, and official campaigning could begin at last! Later activities included That’s Entertainment auditions, the Dramatic Interpretation contest, an electric second round of competitive certamen, and a meet & greet with the NJCL officers as they sought to receive donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The evening carried on with the Academic Decathlon, a bustling night at the Agora, and the dance, themed “Light Up the Skyline.” Tuesday had been a long, exciting day for JCLers who had been up for nearly 18 hours, and sleep could not come soon enough.

Wednesday brought in another early start for those intrepid JCLers who wanted to run the Marathon. The mere mortals who could not rise from bed so early again were able to view the ongoing art creation of a phoenix by Tom Tsuchiya in the Armstrong Student Center. Other morning events were Contest Session III and Meet the Candidates, a chance for JCLers to learn more about the ideas and goals of the candidates for each office.

Below: Kentucky delegates perform an impressively unique roll call

Photo: Ryan Vinson

Photo: Kurth