National Junior Classical League

"NJCL" redirects here. For the commuter rail line, see North Jersey Coast Line.

"Junior Classical League" redirects here. For state-level organizations, see National Junior Classical League state chapters.

National Junior Classical League
NJCL official emblem[1]
Abbreviation	National JCL, NJCL[2]
Formation	1936[2]
Legal status	Educational, service, non-profit
Purpose/focus	Classical studies
Headquarters	422 Wells Mill Drive Miami University Oxford, Ohio 45056  United States
Coordinates	39°30′17.83″N 84°44′59.59″W / 39.5049528°N 84.7498861°W / 39.5049528; -84.7498861
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	45,771[3]
President 1st Vice-President 2nd Vice-President Communications Coord. Parliamentarian Historian Editor Committee Chair	Daniel Kim Erika Russ Akhila Ananthram Safeeyah Quereshi Sam Buck Emily Chang Kurt Ristroph Ms. Amy Elifrits
Parent organization	American Classical League
Affiliations	National Senior Classical League
Website	NJCL.org

The National Junior Classical League (National JCL or NJCL) is a youth organization of secondary school students sponsored by the American Classical League (ACL).^[2][4] Founded in 1936,^[4] the NJCL comprises more than 1,000 Latin, Greek and Classical chapters in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom,^[4][5] and with over 45,000 members,^[3] is the largest Classical organization in the world today.^[4] Its mission: "to encourage an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome and to impart an understanding of the debt of our own culture to that of classical antiquity."^[1] The current NJCL Committee Chair is Ms. Amy Elifrits of West Chester, Ohio, a teacher of Latin at Lakota East High School (Liberty Township, Ohio).^[6]

NJCL official colors are Roman purple and gold.          ^[1]

NJCL Song

NJCL Song (The Purple and Gold)^[7]
Written by Dave Clements, Max Spires and Mrs. R.G. Frazier
Revised by Mrs. B.H. Norveson

Seeking the best, the highest our goal
Working for greatness through glories of old.

Searching the realms of the golden past,
We follow the Classics' truths that last

In knowledge, truth, and fellowship, we're growing everyday [sic]
The friendly hand of J.C.L. aids in every way.

In Rome's proud steps we're marching on,
With every true colleague,

And forever we'll hold to the Purple and Gold,
Of the Junior Classical League.

NJCL Creed

NJCL Creed^[2][8]
Written by Dorothy Park Latta

We the members of the Junior Classical League, covenant to hand on the torch of classical civilization in the modern world.

We believe an acquaintance with the civilizations of Greece and Rome will help us understand and appraise this world of today,

Which is indebted to the ancient civilization in its government and laws, literature, language and arts.

We affirm the JCL experience develops responsibility, fosters brotherhood, promotes enthusiasm, encourages competition, inspires dedication and enriches our total growth.

National Convention

The NJCL hosts a week long national convention annually at a college campus in late July or early August, where 1200-1500 students compete in academic tests and creative arts competitions.^[4][5][9]

Other components of the convention in which students may participate include Certamen, seminars commonly known as Colloquia, and Ludi (literally "games"—various athletic and recreational events). A theme for the following year's convention is chosen by the incoming president each year.^[9]

Most state-level NJCL chapters hold their own annual conventions at locations central to their attendees, where schools compete in varied events. These events are divided into academic levels for scoring purposes; participation can be countywide, regional, or even statewide. Awards are given out to schools based on sweepstakes points, earned by placing high in competitive events.^[5][10]

A popular event is the talent show, known as That's Entertainment!, always held on the night before the final farewell dance. It consists of skits put on by the NSCL between the individual acts, and since around 1985, a final surprise performance from a group of three mysterious men in suits and sunglasses, called the Racketeers (for the matching red tennis racket bags they wear on their heads), who walk on stage, perform a silent dance routine, and walk off.

Locations and themes

The National Convention has been held at many sites since 1954, usually in late July or early August.^[11][12]

Year	Number	College/University	Theme
2014[11]	LXI (61st Annual)	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	TBD
2013[11]	LX (60th Annual)	University of Nevada, Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada	TBD
2012[11]	LIX (59th Annual)	Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina	"Dimidium facti qui coepit habet" (He who has begun has half the deed done.) Horace, Epistulae I.40
2011[13]	LVIII (58th Annual)	Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, Kentucky	"Bene legere saecla vincere." ("To read well is to conquer the ages.") -Isaac Flagg, 19th Century Classicist
2010[14]	LVII (57th Annual)	North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota	"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." ("There is no easy way from the earth to the stars.") -Seneca
2009[15]	LVI (56th Annual)	University of California, Davis Davis, California	"Fortuna nobis vi animi tantum frenabitur." ("The level of our success will be limited only by our imagination.") -Aesop
2008[16]	LV (55th Annual)	Miami University Oxford, Ohio	"Non nobis solum nati sumus." ("We are not born for ourselves alone.") -Cicero, De Officiis
2007[17]	LIV (54th Annual)	University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee	"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." ("Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in tomorrow.") -Horace, Ode I-XI
2006[18]	LIII (53rd Annual)	Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana	"Amicitiae nostrae memoriam spero sempiternam fore." ("I hope that the memory of our friendship will be everlasting.") -Cicero
2005[19]	LII (52nd Annual)	University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri	"Nil sine magno labore." ("Nothing without great labor.") -Unattributed
2004[20]	LI (51st Annual)	University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia	"Facta non verba." ("Deeds not words.") -Unattributed
2003[21]	L (50th Annual)	Trinity University San Antonio, Texas	"Natura inest in mentibus nostris insatiabilis quaedam cupiditas veri videndi." ("Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth.") -Cicero
2002[22]	XLIX (49th Annual)	University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky	"Magnos homines virtute metimur, non fortuna." ("We measure great men by their virtue, not their fortune.") -Cornelius Nepos, Eumenes I
2001[23]	XLVIII (48th Annual)	Tulane University New Orleans, Louisiana	"Vultus ac frons animi ianua." ("The face and its expression are the door of the soul.") -Quintus Cicero, Commentariolum Petitionis Consulatus XI.44
2000[24]	XLVII (47th Annual)	University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma	"Faber est suae quisque fortunae." ("Each one is the architect of his own fate.") -Appius Claudius Caecus
1999[25]	XLVI (46th Annual)	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	"Audentior ito qua tua te fortuna sinet." ("Continue to go more boldly where your fortune will allow you.") -Virgil
1998[26]	XLV (45th Annual)	University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts	"Patria est communis omnium parens" ("Our native land is the common parent of us all.") -Cicero
1997	XLIV (44th Annual)	North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota	"Aspirat primo fortuna labori." ("Fortune smiles upon our first effort.") -Virgil
1996	XLIII (43rd Annual)	Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana	"Nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus." ("Virtue is the true and only nobility.") -Unattributed
1995	XLII (42nd Annual)	University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas	"Aut viam inveniam aut faciam." ("Either I shall find a way or I shall make one.") -Hannibal
1994	XLI (41st Annual)	University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee	"Occasionem oblatam tenete." ("Seize an opportunity when it presents itself.") -Cicero, Philippicae
1993	XL (40th Annual)	Miami University Oxford, Ohio	"Nullius boni sine socio iucunda possessio est." ("No good thing is pleasing without friends to share it.") -Seneca, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium
1992	XXXIX (39th Annual)	San Diego State University San Diego, California	"Mens sana in corpore sano" ("A sound mind in a sound body") -Juvenal, Satire X
1991	XXXVIII (38th Annual)	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	"Cura mihi futuri." ("My concern is for the future.") -Ovid, Metamorphoses XIII.363
1990	XXXVII (37th Annual)	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	"Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit." ("Perhaps one day it will be pleasing to remember these things.") -Virgil, Aeneid I.203
1989	XXXVI (36th Annual)	Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, Pennsylvania	"Unity in Diversity"
1988	XXXV (35th Annual)	University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado	"Amicitia" (Cicero's "in friendship we find nothing false or insincere; everything is straightforward and springs from the heart")
1987	XXXIV (34th Annual)	Stetson University DeLand, Florida	"Nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus." ("Virtue is the one and only true nobility.") -Juvenal
1986	XXXIII (33rd Annual)	Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana	"Aurea prima sata est aetas, quae sponte sua, fidem rectumque colebat." ("In the beginning was the Golden Age, when men of their own accord maintained good faith and did what was right.") -Ovid, Metamorphoses
1985	XXXII (32nd Annual)	University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire	"Omnis ars naturae imitatio est." ("All art is an imitation of nature.") -Seneca, Epistulae morales
1984	XXXI (31st Annual)	University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia	"Caelum certe patet, ibimus illi." ("Surely the sky lies open, we will go that way.") -Ovid, Metamorphoses
1983	XXX (30th Annual)	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	"Qui mare tenet, eum necesse est rerum potiri." ("He who commands the sea has a command of everything.") -Cicero, Ad Atticum
1982	XXIX (29th Annual)	University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma	"Auro quaeque ianua panditur." ("A golden key opens any gate.")
1981	XXVIII (28th Annual)	Miami University Oxford, Ohio	"Mihi curae futura." ("My care is for the future.") -Ovid, Metamorphoses
1980	XXVII (27th Annual)	University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee	"Nullum saeculum magnis ingeniis clausum est." ("To great talents no era is closed.") -Seneca, Epistulae morales
1979	XXVI (26th Annual)	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	"Bene cogitata si excidunt non occidunt." ("Good thoughts, even if they are forgotten, do not perish.") -Publilius Syrus
1978	XXV (25th Annual)	North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) Denton, Texas	"Mens invicta manet." ("The mind remains unconquered.")
1977	XXIV (24th Annual)	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	"As runners we pass on the torch of life."
1976	XXIII (23rd Annual)	University of Rochester Rochester, New York	"Not to know what happened before you were born is to be forever a child."
1975	XXII (22nd Annual)	Ball State University Muncie, Indiana	"Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit." ("Perhaps one day it will be pleasing to remember these things.") -Virgil, Aeneid
1974	XXI (21st Annual)	University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire	"Fortiter, fideliter, feliciter" ("Boldly, faithfully, happily")
1973	XX (20th Annual)	Claremont Colleges Claremont, California	"Unity in diversity"
1972	XIX (19th Annual)	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	"Pax in terra" ("Peace on Earth")
1971	XVIII (18th Annual)	University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma
1970	XVII (17th Annual)	Ohio University Athens, Ohio
1969	XVI (16th Annual)	Tulane University & Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana	"Una stella fata nostra coniungit." ("One star connects our fates.")
1968	XV (15th Annual)	Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan	"Otium cum dignitate" ("Leisure with dignity") -Cicero
1967	XIV (14th Annual)	University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona
1966	XIII (13th Annual)	Western Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University) Bowling Green, Kentucky	"Why JCL?"
1965	XII (12th Annual)	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California
1964	XI (11th Annual)	University of Illinois Ubana–Champaign, Illinois
1963	X (10th Annual)	University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas
1962	IX (9th Annual)	Montana State College (now Montana State University – Bozeman) Bozeman, Montana
1961	VIII (8th Annual)	Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana	"Facta non verba" ("Deeds not words")
1960	VII (7th Annual)	University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico
1959	VI (6th Annual)	St. Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota
1958	V (5th Annual)	University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan
1957	IV (4th Annual)	Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colorado
1956	III (3rd Annual)	Miami University Oxford, Ohio
1955	II (2nd Annual)	Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) Cedar Falls, Iowa
1954	I (1st Annual)	Incarnate Word High School San Antonio, Texas

Activities

Certamen

Main article: Certamen (quiz bowl)

Certamen is a quiz bowl game with questions about Roman history, life, and literature, and Latin vocabulary, grammar, derivatives, and use in English.^[5][9]

Academic contests

There are sixteen written tests that JClers may compete in at National Convention.^[9]

Graphic arts

JCL delegates can submit artwork in various categories for contest judging.^[9]

Creative arts

Creative Arts at National Convention include Sight Latin Reading, Costume Contest, Latin and English Oratory, and Dramatic Interpretation.^[9]

Olympika

Olympika are athletic events at National Convention. There are Olympika in swimming, track & field, and marathon.^[9]

Ludi

Ludi are events for which sweepstakes points are not awarded. There are Ludi in chess, soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and formerly basketball, which was replaced by kickball starting with the 2009 convention.^[9]

National officers

At each National Convention, JCL delegates elect student officers. Each state may only field one candidate each year, and never for a position whose incumbent is from the same state. The offices are President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Communications Coordinator, Parliamentarian, Historian, and Editor. Voting is typically conducted by school in each state, with delegates casting two votes (for or abstention), with the exception of a delegation of only one JCLer, in which case only one vote is allowed. Listed below are the current NJCL Officers (2010–11).^[6]

Office	Officer	Hometown
President	Daniel Kim	Exeter, New Hampshire
1st Vice-President	Erika Russ	Lexington, Kentucky
2nd Vice-President	Akhila Ananthram	Clifton, Virginia
Communications Coordinator	Safeeyah Quereshi	Brookfield, Wisconsin
Parliamentarian	Sam Buck	Westlake, Ohio
Historian	Emily Chang	Boston, Massachusetts
Editor	Kurt Ristroph	Baton Rouge, Louisiana

State chapters

Further information: National Junior Classical League state chapters

As of 2010, forty-seven U.S. states, the District of Columbia, three Canadian provinces, and the United Kingdom each maintain a state (or state-level) chapter of the NJCL; the current total number is 51 as Washington state and British Columbia share a chapter.^[3] Many chapters hold their own annual State Convention in addition to the National Convention.^[5][10]

Alabama JCL Arizona JCL Arkansas JCL California JCL Colorado JCL Connecticut JCL Delaware JCL District of Columbia JCL Florida JCL Georgia JCL Hawaii JCL

Illinois JCL Indiana JCL Iowa JCL Kansas JCL Kentucky JCL Louisiana JCL Maine JCL Maryland JCL Massachusetts JCL Michigan JCL Minnesota JCL

Mississippi JCL Missouri JCL Nebraska JCL Nevada JCL New Hampshire JCL New Jersey JCL New Mexico JCL New York JCL North Carolina JCL North Dakota Ohio JCL

Oklahoma JCL Ontario JCL Oregon JCL Pennsylvania JCL Quebec JCL Rhode Island JCL South Carolina JCL South Dakota JCL Tennessee JCL Texas State JCL United Kingdom JCL

Utah JCL Vermont JCL Virginia JCL Washington/ British Columbia JCL West Virginia JCL Wisconsin JCL Wyoming JCL

Publications

Torch: U.S. is the NJCL's official publication, which details the events of the organization, reports scores, and issues stories. Published four times a year, the only issue sent to all convention attendees (including non-subscribers) is the fall issue, shortly after convention.

Until October 2007, the NJCL also published JCL Highlights in months when the Torch: U.S. was not published. JCL Highlights publicized administrative details about the League, including details about applying for JCL scholarships, information about the upcoming Convention, and requests for information from NJCL officers and national committee members. According to the Fall 2007 Torch: U.S., the National Committee decided at the October 2007 Fall Planning Meeting to eliminate the JCL Highlights in favor of online distribution of the same information.

See also

• National Senior Classical League (NSCL) - The college-level affiliate of NJCL
• Living Latin - A movement dedicated to promoting spoken Latin

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Constitution and Bylaws of the National Junior Classical League" (PDF). NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/uploads/files/constitution.pdf. Retrieved 17 October 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Chapter Handbook: National Junior Classical League" (PDF). NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/uploads/files/handbook.pdf. Retrieved 14 March 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "National Junior Classical League State Chapters". National Junior Classical League. 2010. http://www.njcl.org/directories. Retrieved July 21, 2010. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} Whitehead, Paul N. (July 27, 2007). "Ancient culture is hip during Junior Classical League convention". KnoxNews.com. The E.W. Scripps Co. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/jul/27/ancient-culture-is-hip/. Retrieved March 26, 2010. "The NJCL, an international society with more than 50,000 members from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, was formed in 1936 with a mission to encourage an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome... sponsored by the American Classical League, works with junior high and high school students, and is the worlds largest classical organization." 
5. ^ ^{a b c d e} Flaherty, Julie (November 27, 1998). "In America's Schools, Latin Enjoys a Renaissance". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/27/us/in-america-s-schools-latin-enjoys-a-renaissance.html?scp=4&sq=%22junior%20classical%20league%22&st=cse. Retrieved March 26, 2010. "... the National Junior Classical League, a confederation of Latin clubs... Students at state and national conventions don bedsheet togas, compete in 'Jeopardy'-style classics quizzes and eat grapes at Roman-style banquets." 
6. ^ ^{a b} "2010-2011 Executive Board". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League (NJCL). 2010. http://www.njcl.org/pages/executive-board. Retrieved August 16, 2010. 
7. ^ "NJCL Song (The Purple and Gold)". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/njcl-song. Retrieved March 25, 2010. 
8. ^ "NJCL Creed". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/njcl-creed. Retrieved March 25, 2010. 
9. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Price, Catherine (October 9, 2005). "In a Classical World, Nerds Walk With Gods". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/fashion/sundaystyles/09CLASSICS.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=%22junior%20classical%20league%22&st=cse. Retrieved March 26, 2010. "Every year the Junior Classical League organizes a national convention that draws students for five days... This summer the convention... assembled 1,424 students and organizers to compete in sports, costume shows, oratory contests and a classics-theme trivia game called Certamen, a version of Jeopardy with questions about grammar, mythology, history and culture." 
10. ^ ^{a b} Pope, Jeff (March 21, 2009). "Latin lovers gather at convention". LasVegasSun.com. Las Vegas Sun. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/21/latin-lovers-gather-convention/. Retrieved March 26, 2010. "... this weekend at the Nevada Junior Classical League Convention." 
    • Guo, David (July 1, 2007). "Carpe trophy! Frosh lead team to win". Post-Gazette.com. PG Publishing Co., Inc. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07182/797883-54.stm. Retrieved March 26, 2010. "...facing North Allegheny's Junior Classical League team as it sought its 10th straight title at Penn State University May 25–27." 
    • Pilarczyk, Jamie (April 29, 2009). "Latin teacher wins award". TBO.com. Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. http://centraltampa2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/29/st-latin-teacher-wins-award/. Retrieved March 26, 2010. "At the April 18 Florida Junior Classical League State Latin Forum, his students placed second in the state in the junior division." 
11. ^ ^{a b c d} "National Convention Sites: 1954-2012". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. 2011. http://www.njcl.org/pages/convention-sites. Retrieved February 25, 2011. 
12. ^ "50 years of NJCL Convention: 1954-2003". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. 2003. http://njcl.org/uploads/files/NJCL_History/50%20Years%20of%20NJCL%20Convention_web.pdf. Retrieved February 25, 2011. 
13. ^ "2011 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/2011-njcl-convention-overview. Retrieved August 3, 2010. 
14. ^ "2010 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/2010-njcl-convention-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
15. ^ "2009 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2009-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
16. ^ "2008 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2008-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
17. ^ "2007 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2007-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
18. ^ "2006 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2006-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
19. ^ "2005 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2005-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
20. ^ "2004 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2004-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
21. ^ "2003 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2003-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
22. ^ "2002 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2002-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
23. ^ "2001 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2001-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
24. ^ "2000 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-2000-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
25. ^ "1999 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-1999-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 
26. ^ "1998 NJCL Convention Overview". NJCL.org. National Junior Classical League. http://www.njcl.org/pages/activities-njcl-convention-1998-overview. Retrieved March 24, 2010. 

External links

• Official website
• National Junior Classical League on Facebook
• National Junior Classical League on Twitter
• American Classical League
• National Senior Classical League
• National Latin Exam