TMI Students Compete at Classical Meet

A team from TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas attended the National Junior Classical League (JCL) Convention, held July 25-30 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., bringing home honors in keeping with the event’s theme, “Ubi concordia, ibi victoria/Where there is unity, there is victory.”
 
Led by Latin teacher and JCL chapter sponsor Claudia Clark, sophomores Chase Blackwell, Dillon Goldmann and Bridget Lynch, freshman Amanda Kyle and eighth grader Aaron Mills participated in national competition, attended college lectures on classical studies and engaged in cultural activities, such as a “Rome for a Day.” In tests at their respective levels,  Blackwell, Goldman, Kyle and Lynch all earned Top 20 places in subjects such as Grammar, Greek Life and Literature, Hellenic History, Latin Derivatives, Mythology, Reading Comprehension, Roman Life and Vocabulary.
 
The TMI students, who previously had competed at the area and state levels, also attended lectures by university Classics professors on "Cooking and Dining in Ancient Rome," “Nil Magis Mirandum {Nothing More Surprising:  Roman Aqueducts,” "Roman Persona: Cicero, Brundisium, 43 B.C."  and  “The Other Athenians:  Bad Citizenship in Democratic Athens.” They also had the opportunity to play sports and take part in fun contests.  
 
Formed in 1936, NJCL is the largest classical organization in the world, with a membership of more than 50,000 middle- and high-school students.  JCL is the second-largest youth organization in the United States, after only the Boy Scouts.
 
The JCL creed states, "We the members of the Junior Classical League covenant to hand on the torch of classical civilization to the modern world. We believe an acquaintance with the civilization of Greece and Rome will help us understand and appraise this world of today, which is indebted to 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."
 
Founded in 1893 by the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory school for grades 6-12, with optional military (JROTC) and boarding programs. For information, visit www.tmi-sa.org or call 698-7171.