The MLK Latin scholars had many success stories at the National Junior Classical League Convention that was held at the University of Missouri, August 1-6. Twenty-one MLK students and their teacher, Nancy Howell, were a large part of the 104 Tennessee delegation who were among the 1400 Latin and Greek students from across the US and Canada.
Evan Broder, MLK senior was elected as the NJCL Technology Coordinator for the 2005-2006 school year. Evan dazzled the delegates with his national award winning web sites for the MLK chapter (www.mlklatin.org) and the state organization (www.tjcl.org). Look forward to great things on the NJCL site (www.njcl.org).
Certamen is team quiz bowl on classical topics. There are four players on a team. At the national level, it is a very fierce competition on knowledge of Latin grammar, classical literature, ancient history, mythology, and culture. The upper level team (for students with three or more years of Latin) had half of its members from MLK. Juniors Alex French and Will Ladnier helped the Tennessee JCL to the semi-finals in the competition. The lower level (Latin II) Tennessee team had MLK sophomores Dallas Simons, Xiao-Yu Qi, and Prianka Shakil to help them finish 3rd in the nation.
In the swimming Olympika, sophomore Dallas Simons placed in all eight of his events, winning first in 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke, and 50 freestyle. Dallas placed in the top ten in fourteen academic contests, winning first in Ancient Geometry and Mythology. His score in Geography was the Best in Show (i.e. the highest of any one taking the test at any level).
The MLK students especially shone in the individual academic contests, winning more awards than many state delegations. Other first place winners include Latin II students Xiao-Yu Qi in Latin Grammar (another Best in Show), Tiao Guan in Hellenic History, and Lyndsey Moulds in 9th grade Essay. Latin III students with first place ribbons include Alex French in Latin Grammar and Greek Derivatives, Todd Li in Ancient Geography and Classical Art, and Will Ladnier in Mythology. And recent graduate Kate Seat played on the first place open certamen team. Multiple top ten places were also won by Latin I Sarbajeet Nagdas, Latin III’s Jae Eom and Emily Hindalong. Also placing in the top ten in events were Latin II’s Shushu Cai, Ethni Sin, and Yufan Yan; Latin III’s Avram Ramage.
In addition to his academic awards, Tiao Guan had ten art ribbons including a first in acrylics and oils. Dallas won three including firsts in colored pencil and watercolor.
In individual point totals, Dallas Simons finished tenth in academic events, fourth in olympika events, and second in overall points. In the graphic arts competition, Tiao Guan placed sixth with and was twelfth in overall points.
Dallas and Tiao also placed the Lillie B. Hamilton award for students who win in three of the four different areas, academic, olympika, graphic, and creative arts. Tiao ranked eighth and Dallas placed second.
However, it was not all study, study, study for the MLK scholars. On the way to the convention, they saw sights in St. Louis and Kansas City. In St, Louis, they visited Grant’s Farm for a look at animals from elephants and parrots to llamas and Clydesdale horses, and saw the lights of the city from the top of the Gateway Arch. In Kansas City, they toured the Hallmark headquarters and the Nelson Atkins Museum. Special thanks go out to Bob French who helped Ms. Howell drive the students to their victory.
Check out the pictures
Also, results are slowly starting to show up.
