State Convention

Learn about the NVJCL's most thrilling event, State Convention

Activities

Activities for the 2024 State Convention included Indigo

Tie-dyeing, Faction Tug o' War, Chariot Racing, Certamen, a Hike, and Faction Skits

Indigo Tie-dyeing

NVJCLers worked with animal rescue organizations across the state to make dog toys and leashes for those in need

State Convention

Hosted by Ben Browder at Sage Ridge School, the 2024 NVJCL State Convention saw delegates from Sage Ridge School, The Meadows School, and Liberty High School come together to engage in Olympika, Ludi, and Academic competitions

Testing

Service

The following tests were available for students to take at the 2024 State Convention

Latin Derivatives

Mythology

Roman Daily Life

Mottos, Quotes, and Abbreviations

Ancient Geography

Greek

Reading Comprehension Levels 0-1

Reading Comprehension Levels 2-3
Reading Comprehension Levels 4+

STEAM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math

Catapults!

After everyone tired themselves out with Faction skits, they got together to two different versions of catapults, at the end of which they got to keep.

Colloquias

Alongside colloquias that taught members about Greek Heroes, Stoicism and the Roman Empire, and the influence of the Greeks on the Romans, there was also art colloquias like Ceramics and Roman Soldier Paper Plate that allowed members to show their own creativity.

Instructor: Mr. Eric Eads, Former SRS Upper School History Teacher Description: What is it to be human, and how can ancient concepts of the heroic and anti-heroic inform our understanding of the human condition? The classical Greeks' concepts of Heroes and the "heroic" were very different from the way we understand the term today. We will investigate Greek heroes and anti-heroes in their own historical contexts, in order to gain an understanding of these concepts as they were originally understood while also learning how they can inform our understanding of the human condition in general.

Instructor: Mr. Gary Porper, SRS Upper School Math and Middle School Coding Teacher Description: Dive into the study of Archimedes and his many contributions to science, engineering and math. The class will discuss the “alternate history” proposition: What would have happened to the Romans' contribution to science, math and engineering if Archimedes wasn’t killed in the siege of Syracuse? The class will also involve some hands-on activities based on his inventions and science principles. And of course, a little bit of math.

Instructor: Ms. Emily Dolan, SRS Assistant Head of School Description: Instead of welcoming Odysseus and his crew to her island with hospitality, Circle sets a trap and turns the men into pigs. Her motivation and her story have been re-imagined by others eager to understand the bewitching queen of Aeaea better. We’ll read excerpts from The Odyssey and Circe by Madeline Miller and the poem “Circe’s Grief” by Louise Gluck. Students will imagine Circe’s perspective in a moment of their own choosing in the start of an original piece of writing.

Instructor: Mr. John Sloyan, SRS Upper School Debate Coach and English Teacher Description: Everyone knows that the Romans borrowed heavily from Greek culture. In this class we will explore the interesting relationship between the Romans and Greeks as it developed over hundreds of years. In the end, students will have a deeper understanding of both worlds, seeing how their cultures both clashed and combined.

Instructor: Mr. Robbie Adler, SRS Upper School History Teacher Description: Leonidas of Rhodes, who has the most Olympic victories of any athlete in history; Chionis of Sparta, who supposedly performed a 52-foot jump, a feat unequaled until the 20th century; Milo of Croton, the champion who was said to have eaten over 40 pounds of meat at a single meal: to the ancient Greeks, these names loomed as large as Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and Lionel Messi do today. What was the origin of the famed Olympic Games, and what drove athletes to pursue excellence in the highest form, arete, at these intense and sometimes deadly competitions? In stark contrast to the Greek games is the spectacle of the Roman ludi, where gladiators and chariot-racers,

Instructor: Dr. Tara McGann, SRS Upper School English Teacher Description: We use Latin every time we speak or write. English is a Germanic language, but Latin has left a deep impression on the English language. We will learn about how Latin has influenced the English language, the different points in history when Latin played a role in the development of English, and the nature of that influence. We will also explore the Latin phrases we use on a daily basis, Latin mottos, and the role of Latin in science and law.

Instructor: Ms. Nicole Ashton, SRS Upper School Art Teacher Description: Sgraffito pottery is a style of ceramics in which designs are incised, or scratched, into the surface of a pot for decorative purposes. The clay is prepared and then covered with layers of different colored slips, or liquid mixes of clay and color. Students will create their own individual pieces, finding inspiration from the rich history tied to this beautiful art form. Work will be fired after the session and delivered to participants.