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Fall 2018 · Torch:U.S. · CONVENTION RECAP
After lunch were Latin and English Oratory and another impressive level of participation in the service project. At this stage of the service project, participants put their braiding skills to the test as they wove plastic bags together. After another successful round of colloquia, the sprit competition began. Wednesday’s theme allowed JCLers to show their love for the purple and gold with the theme “Make new friends but keep the old, one is purple and the other is gold.” After spirit was the third General Assembly and the long awaited candidates’ speeches. A debate of true grammarians broke out at the Constitutional Amendment Committee Meeting later in the afternoon as the committee debated the proper use of possessives. Following such a busy morning, students were able to blow off some steam at Ludi Ultimate Frisbee or that night’s dance, the PB & Pajama Jam. Another highlight of the night was the Roman Murder Mystery. As always, the day ended with fellowship and, finally, sleep.
The penultimate day of convention began with another early start for the athletes who were participating in Ludi Soccer and the devoted testers who showed up for Contest Session IV. Competitive Certamen semifinals and Colloquia session V consumed much of the morning. After lunch was the Candidates Open Forum, where JCLers heard more about each candidate’s experience, ideas, and (potentially) personality. Then each delegation raced back to its assigned room to vote on each office and then race back for the spirit competition. Thursday’s spirit theme was “Cincinnatus had a farm.” General Assembly IV included the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in Latin, a performance by the NJCL Chorus, an invitation to the 2019 NJCL Convention in Fargo by the North Dakota delegation, and the results of the voting for the NJCL officers. In the place of Dinner with Roman Legion XX after the assembly, students instead enjoyed Ludi on the Lawn, and outdoor event with fun, laidback games. After the outdoor fun, it was time for the primetime event, the legendary show, the one and only That’s Entertainment. For a more detailed account of the show, see page 12. That’s Entertainment was as brilliant as always, even without everyone’s favorite dance, Brown Squirrel, and was a great way to end the day.
“It’s Friday,” everyone sadly sighed, as the last day of convention fun began with Ludi Volleyball and the distribution of lots of ribbons at the Awards Assembly. Then came Open Certamen, Graphic Arts viewing, and, after lunch, Competitive Certamen finals. JCLers who attended the officers’ workshops in Colloquia Session VI could see the incoming and outgoing NJCL officers working in tandem as they shared helpful tips about each office. After everyone (hopefully) collected their graphic arts and scrapbook submissions, it was finally time to gather for the Day in Old Rome! Every JCLer, SCLer, sponsor, and chaperone donned their best Roman attire and processed to Millett Hall. The day’s spirit theme was “Rock ‘n’ Roll JCL,”
inauguration of the new NJCL and NSCL officers, the address inaugural address of 2018-2019 NJCL President Natasha Panduwawala, and the passing of the “torch” from the Ohio delegation to North Dakota delegation. The General Assembly concluded with everyone singing the NJCL song one last time that week. Friday evening was packed with fun activities like the World Series of Certamen and the Lip Sync Battle. The Buckeye Ball, a.k.a. the Farewell Dance, was where friendships that were formed throughout the week manifested. As Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” played as the last song, all the dance-goers formed a huge ring before rushing to the middle and ending the dance on the floor together. Each delegation enjoyed one last fellowship together as they reflected on the week and tight-knit group they had become by placing their friendship before all else.
On Saturday, JCLers said their teary goodbyes and boarded their planes, buses, and cars to go home. The 2019 NJCL Convention will be held in Fargo, North Dakota; see you there!
Below: Margot Armbruster's impactful GA speech
and the costumes varied from Sisyphus to sushi rolls. After the procession, the final General Assembly began and included the overall awards, the farewells from the 2017-2018 NJCL officers, the