To the untrained ear, Latin sounds like Harry Potter spells—complicated and weird. Others wonder where the practicality lies in learning a dead language. However, a day at the AJCL-sponsored Latin Convention proves that the language and culture hold greater significance than mere ancient drivel.
Eleven HHS students from varying levels of Latin proficiency joined hundreds of other Latin learners at the 71st Annual Convention sponsored by the Alabama Junior Classical League. The event was held at Camp McDowell on Feb. 7 and featured 18 member schools from Central Alabama.
The day kicked off with the Academic Olympiad, a battery of tests separated by level designed to assess students’ knowledge of various Classical topics. Everyone takes the theme-based test (Olympics), but attendees are also encouraged to try tests on Latin vocabulary, grammar, history and mythology. For the brave few there exists the Pentathlon—a comprehensive test of questions from all five subjects.
The grounds at Camp McDowell make it the ideal place to host the next event: field games. Teams competed in several events including the tug of war, hula hoop relay and balloon stomp. Several events were reminiscent of the first Olympic Games like the frisbee throw (discobolus) and the foot race (stadion).
Senior Ava Taylor-Lawler participated and medaled in many of the day’s events like the discobolus and the human wheelbarrow race. She enjoyed various parts of the program.
“I liked winning third place in the discus throw,” Taylor-Lawler said. “The beginning of the day was definitely a lot of fun. Lunch was also really good.”
Although this is her last convention she enjoys the memories made throughout the years.
“I’m proud that I’ve stuck it through and done all four years of Latin,” Taylor-Lawler said. “I would say Latin convention is definitely worth the trip. It’s a lot of fun, and you get to hang out with people that you don’t normally see.”
After lunch was served in the cafeteria, groups settled to watch the Certamen finals. Certamen is a Quiz Bowl style tournament where students demonstrate familiarity with various facets of ancient culture. With questions ranging from Roman emperor knowledge to the translation of “Bad Bunny” in Latin, teams must ensure they have well-rounded and well-studied members to guarantee their success.
Individuals proficient in mythology were allowed to show off their knowledge at the Mythology Bee following Certamen. After a lifetime of finding Greek mythology “really interesting”, freshman Cade Cooley advanced to the Final Fifteen.
A common sentiment shared at the convention is that Greco-Roman culture significantly impacts every facet of modern life. Cooley especially enjoys studying because of its relevance today.
“Those are some of the most influential stories told by people,” Cooley said. “They should be taught more, in general.”
The high point of his experience was participating in the tug of war. Since enjoying his first Convention, he plans to return next year.
At the end of the program, the awards ceremony recognized students from level ½ (novice) to level 4 (advanced) for excellence in their academic and athletic Olympiads. Awards were also given to entries in the artistic Olympiads submitted before the convention. Homewood won third place in two athletic events and second place in the academic test, as well as an honorable mention in the tug of war.
In all, Latin teacher and club sponsor Douglas Welle would consider the convention a success.
“Part of going to a day like today is that hopefully you come away with a sense that you should work harder and you should be excellent, and that excellence is there to reach out and grab for,” Welle said. “Sometimes it takes sitting in a room full of people and not being the guy who gets the ribbon.”
Welle hopes his students come away from this experience feeling motivated to improve their skills for next year.
Although the pandemic briefly paused the convention, this is Homewood’s eighth year attending. Welle makes participation a priority for students because of the community-building aspect shared throughout the day.
“One thing I would say is the same [post-pandemic] is the way it connects students,” Welle said. “You walk away and feel a little changed by it. You feel like you’re still part of a community”
A key highlight from the day was the camaraderie forged among students from different schools. The connections (and healthy competition) fostered in this learning environment inspire a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas, encouragement and creativity.
“For people who don’t come, I would like them to have seen it because it might make them see that it’s valuable, just like French or math is,” Welle said. “So as a teacher, [Convention] reminds me why I need to walk into class everyday just, excited to be there and with energy no matter how I’m feeling, no matter what we’re learning, and be my best Mr. Welle.”
