Latin Students Excel During National JCL Convention
During the last week in July, fourteen Latin students from St. Andrew’s Upper and Middle Schools attended the 64th annual National Junior Classical League (NJCL) Convention held at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Many of the students excelled in their academic and artistic contests. Full results are listed below.
William McKinnerney ‘17 was recognized with an 8th place win for the State Website Contest for his design of the TSJCL website as the 2016-17 Texas State JCL Webmaster. Katherine Salinas ‘17 earned 9th place overall in the Creative Arts contests. Will Snider ‘20, who was elected TSJCL Secretary at the State Convention in April, and Emma Buechler ‘19, who was appointed to the position of TSJCL Historian in May, both helped lead the Texas delegation at this National convention in many ways including Texas delegation fellowship meetings each day.
Will took the minutes for these fellowship meetings and Emma photographed the Texas delegation’s activities throughout the week in preparation for the creation of the next TSJCL scrapbook. Under the leadership of the TSJCL officers, the Texas delegation also won 2nd place and 3rd place in the spirit contest at two consecutive general assemblies during the convention. Walton Schmidt ‘17, as the previous TSJCL President, had the honor of giving the closing remarks for one of the general assemblies, and spoke to the entire NJCL delegation about the strong friendships he has forged through the Junior Classical League.
Will took the minutes for these fellowship meetings and Emma photographed the Texas delegation’s activities throughout the week in preparation for the creation of the next TSJCL scrapbook. Under the leadership of the TSJCL officers, the Texas delegation also won 2nd place and 3rd place in the spirit contest at two consecutive general assemblies during the convention. Walton Schmidt ‘17, as the previous TSJCL President, had the honor of giving the closing remarks for one of the general assemblies, and spoke to the entire NJCL delegation about the strong friendships he has forged through the Junior Classical League.
Some St. Andrew’s alumni also attended the convention as members of the Senior Classical League which organizes many of the convention events such as the Olympika and Ludi athletic contests, the convention talent show “That’s Entertainment,” and publishing a daily semi-satirical newsletter, the “Convention Ear.” Trace Turner '13 served as National SCL Editor during this past year and at the convention. Bryce Deskins ‘15 also attended as an SCL member, assisting in many of the week’s events, and finishing out his term as the Texas SCL Treasurer. At the end of convention, Bryce was elected as TXSCL President for this next year. A few recent 2017 graduates (nicknamed “slashers,” as they participated in both Junior and Senior Classical League activities at this convention) were elected to Texas SCL offices as well: Walton Schmidt ‘17 will serve as the next TXSCL Secretary, Katherine Salinas ‘17 as the next TXSCL Parliamentarian, and William McKinnerney ‘17 as the next TXSCL Historian.
Here are the complete NJCL contest results, showing students who placed 1st to 10th place in their contests:
FIRST PLACE
Katherine Salinas - Essay, Grade 12
Christian Zhao - Mixed Media, Grade 10
THIRD PLACE
Parker Brandt - Ancient Geography, Level 2
Bering Edwards - Essay, Grade 6-8
Bering Edwards - Open Certamen, Novice Level
Katherine Salinas - Traditional Photography, Grade 12
FOURTH PLACE
Michael Barrow - Latin Oratory, Level ½ & 1
Parker Brandt - Classical Art, Level 2
Emma Buechler - Pottery, Grade 10-12
Katherine Salinas - Classical Art, Level 5
Katherine Salinas - Sight Latin Poetry Reading
Will Snider - Essay, Grade 9
FIFTH PLACE
Michael Barrow - Mottoes, Level 1/2
Parker Brandt - Essay, Grade 10
Bering Edwards - Roman Life, Level 1
Bering Edwards - Sight Latin Reading, Level 1/2 & 1
Gray McKinnerney - Traditional Photography, Grade 6-9
Emma Schmidt - Essay, Grade 6-8
SIXTH PLACE
Michael Barrow - Academic Heptathlon, Level 1/2
Parker Brandt - Hellenic History, Level 2
Bering Edwards - Latin Grammar, Level 1/2
Rachel Nezzer - Classical Art, Level 5
Rachel Nezzer - Mosaics, Grade 11-12
Katherine Salinas - Digitally Enhanced Photography, Grade 12
SEVENTH PLACE
Emma Buechler - Jewelry, Grade 10
Bering Edwards - Mythology, Level 1/2
Henry Erlinger - Essay, Grade 9
Rachel Nezzer - Essay, Grade 12
EIGHTH PLACE
Bering Edwards - Academic Heptathlon, Level ½
William McKinnerney - State JCL Website
Walton Schmidt - Classical Art, Level 5
NINTH PLACE
Michael Barrow - Roman Life, Level 1/2
Bering Edwards - Roman History, Level 1/2
Rachel Nezzer - Dolls handicraft, Grade 11-12
Katherine Salinas - Overall Creative Arts
TENTH PLACE
Gray McKinnerney - Impromptu Art, Grade 9
Katherine Salinas - Latin Literature, Level 5
Walton Schmidt - Mottoes, Level 5
Christian Zhao - Cartoons, Grade 10-12
