Each year, the OJCL hosts a convention in Columbus which brings together over 400 students, teachers, and parents from across the state of Ohio to celebrate the study of Latin.  There are a variety of competitive activities at the convention: academic tests, art contests, certamen, and creative performances (in both English and Latin).  In addition, the convention offers a number of social activities, including a dance, a toga banquet, and OJCL’s Got Talent! State Convention is also an opportunity for students to run for the OJCL Executive Board. Delegations compete in various contests to win prizes and recognition both Overall and Per-Capita sweepstakes.

Future Convention Dates

THE SEVENTY-FIFTH STATE CONVENTION OF
THE OHIO JUNIOR CLASSICAL LEAGUE

March 6-8, 2026

Crowne Plaza Columbus-North Worthington

Convention Theme:

gutta cavat lapidem
“A drop hollows out a stone”
(Ovid, Ex Ponto IV.10.5)

Convention Contests

Gubernator applications  are available and are due on April 1st. They will be voted on and announced on April 7th prior to our Spring Changeover Meeting so that the new Gubers can also attend. Editor and Historian applications are also available will be due on April 18th.

Check out the online convention program, created by Secretary Nora Raab! Students can use this to get an idea of contest times, but should be sure to double check the times and locations in the print version when you arrive at convention. Also take a look at the descriptions of the colloquia offered this year so that you can attend the ones that interest you!

Elections Update: At convention, the OJCL will open the 2026 elections to State of Emergency candidates. State of Emergency occurs when there are fewer than two candidates pre-filed for a particular office, and some of the restrictions regarding who can run for office are dropped. The State of Emergency offices this year are President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, and Secretary. Students interested in running State of Emergency will be able to get the State of Emergency form following the first GA at convention and then can be officially nominated during the Nominations Committee meeting on Friday night.

OJCL’s Got Talent! at the State Convention!

  • The talent at the Ohio Junior Classical league convention is amazing. Friday night auditions are 10:30-11:45, and Saturday’s show is 9:30-11:00 PM. Your acts should be school and JCL appropriate. Everyone is looking forward to your participation!
  • Plan on limiting your audition to 2 minutes and if you perform in the show, the performance may be up to 4 minutes. The judges may choose to excuse you during the performance if necessary (no hard feelings, we want to protect you, the student).
  • We plan to have a microphone and cd player for accompaniment. Music should be in cd format for ease of presentation. Mr. Gentle and Mr. Barnes are the coordinators of the event.
  • SCL/OJCL judges will preview the acts on Friday and choose the finalists for Saturday’s show.
  • Click here to sign up for an audition slot!

The form to pre-file to run for office is linked here and is to be completed by all members who wish to run by 11:59 PM on February 20th, 2026. Please check out our running list of resources available at regional libraries to help mitigate the costs of campaign materials. Please email parliamentarian@ojcl.org with questions and be aware of the following rules and reminders:

-You may not pre-file for an office that a member of your delegation currently holds.
-You MUST have permission from your sponsor and parent to pre-file and run.
-No more than TWO delegates per delegation may pre-file for office.
-Only ONE delegate from each school may pre-file for each respective office.
-No pre-NomCom or online/digital campaigning.

Check out the Spirit Themes/Rules and Roll Call Guidelines for convention! Please reach out to treasurer@ojcl.org with any questions.

If your club wants to sell merchandise at convention, please complete the agora table sign-up form. You will need to provide clear descriptions of the items you intend to sell (the more links, the better!). Due by 11:59pm on 2.26