Click here for all the pix from the day
Choices for the day:
- 7 am, Marathon (a couple of miles)
- 9 am, Academic Testing Session III (Mottoes/Abbreviations, Greek, Latin Grammar, Roman History)
- 10:30 am, Meet the Candidates (information discussions with the candidates – Hannah said it went fine but was exhausting answering the same questions over and over again)
- 12:00 noon, Certamen, Round 2
- 1 pm, Colloquia – various presentations by students for students – a couple by adults
- 2:30 pm, GA 3
- 4:30 pm, Graphic Arts Viewing
- 6:15 pm, Certamen, Round 3
- 7 pm, Ultimate Frisbee or Pool
- 8:30 pm, Classical Art Contest
- 9 pm, Ludi Chess or Bazaar or Dance or Roman Murder Mystery (interactive role-playing game)
- 11:15 pm, Fellowship
- 12:30 am, Lights Out!
- **and don’t forget to eat and hydrate
I have been the Certamen Coach for the past 16 years, so I am at all the rounds for all the levels. It was about 1 hour for orientation, 2 hours for Round 1 yesterday, and 4 hours for Rounds 2 and 3 today. The players study for much of June for a chance to answer the 60 preliminary questions, the 20 Semi-Finals questions, and the coveted 20 Finals questions in front of a big audience. I am always amazed at the time and effort that students expend – during the summer no less! – to learn more about the Latin language and classical civilization.
Certamen Rounds 2-3
Novice: Similar to Round 1 (vs. MA), OH faced a tough team in both Round 2 (vs. TX) and Round 3 (vs. VA). Julia answered questions in all 3 categories – language, myth, and history/culture. Her brother Tullus was particularly pleased with her correct answers about the location of the Temple of Jupiter (on the Capitoline Hill) and about the political union in the 50’s BC (the 1st Triumvirate). Both Owen and John helped on the bonus questions. Although they did not make the Semis, all 3 enjoyed the experience and learned more about the classical world. Nice playing!
Intermediate: Ohio got on track in Round 2 as Peter and Caroline each got 2 toss-up questions against TX. They saved their best for last in Round 3. Peter, Caroline, and Charlie all answered questions and racked up over 150 pts pts. This big score vaulted them into the top 9 and thus into the Semi-Finals. They play tomorrow at 10:15 as a #8 seed against #2 TX and #5 FL. Euge! (Yay!)
Advanced: Sameer and Will really clicked in Round 2, and the team earned 170 pts. This put them in a position to qualify for the Semis with a strong Round 3. The team upped their game and came through in the clutch. All 4 players – Ben, Jesse, Sameer, and Matthew – answered questions to exceed 200 pts. Tomorrow, they play at 11 am as a #8 seed against #1 GA and #6 IL. Euge iterum! (Yay again!)
Highlights from GA 3
OJCL President Lindsey Dierig gave the Opening Remarks to the 1,600 people in attendance. I was busy trying to get a good picture, but I know that she mentioned the importance of macaroni-n-cheese when she was young and somehow tied that into the importance of the classics. I guess she has a point: both are ubiquitous and quite tasty.
The GAs always include presentations to teachers (and some non-teachers) to honor their 20th convention with the Silver Bowl. The Sherwinator is at 30+; Steve ‘Team Editor’ Gentle is at 26 (I think); Brian Compton (Moeller) is at 22 (I think); and I am at 17. This year, it was the 20th year for Melissa Burgess (Indian Hill). Todd Wegenhard (Wyoming) – her husband and also the father of their child Ajax the Greater – spoke about her many friendships through the NJCL and her tireless work for the organization. It’s true, it’s true! Todd Presents Melissa with the 20 Year Silver Bowl
A number of OH students earned awards during GA 3:
- Former Editor and now Secretary Dustin Argo (Summit) won 4th place in State Publications for his issues of the Ohio Torch.
- McAuley earned 1st place in Traditional Scrapbook and 2nd in Community Service.
- State Officer Julia Cardinal (McAuley) was a big part of her school’s high finish in School Community Service – because she won 1st place in Individual Community Service by logging more hours than any other NJCL student!
- State Officer Sara Zandvakili (Indian Hill) won 1st place for her school’s Digital Scrapbook.
- Former Historian Hannah Barrett (Shaker) won 2nd for State Digital Scrapbook.
Another rowdy crowd at Fellowship:
- Joseph from Summit recounted a mysterious rain of toothpicks at dinner.
- Nick and Chris from St. Ed won the Roman Murder Mystery role-playing game. Nick apologized for ‘talking down to others from my senatorial position, extorting people for clues, it wasn’t personal.’
- Tim from Granville again won Ludi Chess.
- Troy from Indian Hill did not make the cut for That’s Entertainment, but the SCL approached him about performing his magic at their banquet.
- Lindsey from Turpin for the 1st time challenged a question on an academic test and felt empowered.
- Soren from St. Ed lamented the conflict between soccer and an academic test session. SCLer Maddie Briner (formerly of Wyoming) pointed out that there are always conflicts, that you just have to choose, that this conflict is just a metaphor for life.
- Julia from McAuley, in response to calls for a speech b/c of her many awards, eloquently stated: ‘I don’t know.’
