THE TORCH: WI 2025 Spring Edition | Wisconsin Junior Classical League
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 MEET THE BOARD CLASSICS WEEK RECAP 7 PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT 9 RECAP 1 0 CHAPTER UPDATES 1 2 NATS INFO DELEGATE SPOTLIGHT 16 1 7 PHOTO DUMP
MEET THE OFFICERS! Yuki Mitchell | NJCL 1st Vice President What is your favorite JCL-related memory? I love Brown Squirrel at Nats!
What are you most excited for during your term? I am so excited for Nationals this year! I think it is going to be a lot of fun and I hope to see you this summer in Ohio!
Favorite noun declension? 1st Declension
Favorite classical figure? Penelope
Eshaan Vasudev | President What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Definitely being sleep deprived during state and hanging out with the other officers! Either that or completely skipping over the sweepstakes awards and almost accidentally adjourning the WJCL state convention before then... definitely a memorable experience...
What are you most excited for during your term? Most excited for nats this year, and for the WJCL to completely sweep all of the ludi!
Favorite noun declension? 5th Declension
Favorite classical figure? Marcus Aurelius
Lucas Callies | 1st Vice President What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Wisconsin milk spirit spotlight at Nationals in Tenessee
What are you most excited for during your term? Working with Eshaan Vasudev
Favorite noun declension? 2nd Declension
Favorite classical figure? Aristaeus
MEET THE OFFICERS! Anna Prokhin | 2nd Vice President What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Ludi at Nationals
What are you most excited for during your term? I’m excited for Spirit at Nationals!
Favorite noun declension? 1st Declension
Favorite classical figure? Aphrodite
Agastya Bhadoria Addison Drumm| Parlimentarian | Historian What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Vegan chicken tenders
What are you most excited for during your term? Beating Luke in the cake eating contest (spoiler alert... did not happen)
Favorite noun declension? 1st Declension
Favorite classical figure? Hamilcar Barca
Rose Fleisch | Secretary What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Either winning kickball at nats or my yearly slideshow nights with my roommates at state
What are you most excited for during your term? I’m looking forward to getting to know more delegates and working with this fantastic board to make Nationals and State successful!
Favorite noun declension? 1st Declension
Favorite classical figure? Marcus Aurelius
MEET THE OFFICERS! Simmi Sidhu | Treasurer What is your favorite JCL-related memory? My first Ludi experience at Emory
What are you most excited for during your term? Agora at Nationals!
Favorite noun declension? 1st Declension
Favorite classical figure? Athena
Addison Drumm Addison Drumm| Historian | Historian
What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Singing karaoke at Nationals before fellowship
What are you most excited for during your term? I am excited to see all the fun activities local clubs are participating in through the Photo of the Month contest. I also look forward to completing the scrapbook.
Favorite noun declension? 1st Declension
Favorite classical figure? Circe
Luke La Londe | Tech Coordinator What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Going to the finals as a Latin 1 and placing in tests and then going to the dance at Nats
What are you most excited for during your term? Getting to know more people in the WJCL and help them find their way in the WJCL
Favorite noun declension? 4th Declension
Favorite classical figure? Mercury
MEET THE OFFICERS! Neerja Ahuja | Editor What is your favorite JCL-related memory? Playing pickleball barefoot in the pouring rain in Knoxville
What are you most excited for during your term? I’m so excited to create more editions of the Torch, incorporating everyone’s thoughts and to work alongside my lovely officers!
Favorite noun declension? 1st declension
Favorite classical figure? Aphrodite
A Word from the Editor Salvete amici! It is truly an honor to serve as the WJCL Editor and to be able to celebrate everything that we do with this publication. I am looking forward to create even more Torches during my term, and I hope to display everyone’s voice. I can’t wait to work with all of you WJCL-ers! I hope you enjoy this edition as much as I loved making it! I am so excited to see you all at Nationals! -Neerja Ahuja, WJCL Editor
NATIONAL CLASSICS WEEK RECAP TUESDAY Our Historian made a fun WJCL Bingo card for the community to fill out. One student had a seven-way Bingo!! WEDNESDAY The Tech Co created a “Which WJCL Officer Are You Quiz” so Latin students could see who they had the most in common with! The officers also took turns answering silly questions on the Instagram. THURSDAY
Latin Clubs across the state submitted pictures and updates about their activities, and these school spotlights were showcased on the Instagram!
NATIONAL CLASSICS WEEK RECAP FRIDAY
We held a meme contest on Friday, and students created and submitted their best classics-related memes!
SATURDAY Our Tech Co Luke and Parliamentarian Agastya faced off in a fierce cake eating contest to celebrate Rome’s birthday. Luke won and dusted Agastya!
SUNDAY Classics Trivia was posted on the Instagram for everybody to test their knowledge of mythology and history.
PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT 2
nd
Annual Tournament
24 Teams
93°
CHAPTER UPDATES DSHA “DSHA has had a fantastic spring semester! We are so proud of our efforts at convention doing very well in some of our favorite activities like service and spirit! Recently, we had a breadstick sale at our schools powderpuff event in which we sold out! Big congrats so our graduating seniors! They are off to do some incredible things in college!” - Maria Metz, President
USM “This spring, the USM Latin Club has been very busy organizing club bake sales, participating in the National Latin Exam, and introducing new Classics Nights in our community. Most of our members had a great time at the WJCL Convention, receiving multiple awards for Spirit, tests, and art. We look forward to participating and having fun at the National Convention soon!” - Read Tuttle, 1st Vice President
Brookfield East “This spring, our Latin Club has been keeping busy with some fun and meaningful activities. We've been sending off our seniors with heartfelt goodbyes, reflecting on their time with us. We've also enjoyed playing Harry Potter Street Certamen, adding a fun twist to our usual competitions. Additionally, we’ve been working on creating a quote book of Mr. Lubben's memorable sayings, a project that reflects his impact on our club and our love for Latin. It’s been a season of celebration, fun, and appreciation!” - Lily Sun, President
CHAPTER UPDATES Homestead “This spring, Homestead’s Latin Club had our annual Caesar Salad Spectaculum, where we mourned Caesar’s death and ate salad. We also held our elections for the board, electing 7 new people. In the classroom, the Latin 2s just had their funeral for one of the characters in the Latin textbook, going around the school with music and togas to celebrate his life. At state, Homestead always has a competitive vibe, from testing to cheers. Because of all the different grades that go to state, it’s the best time to get to know other Latin students outside of your classroom.” - Emily Taylor, President
Brookfield Academy “Brookfield Academy Latin Club was busy during spring! March: we had incoming club officer elections and inducted a new set of officers. April: the month of National Classics Week! Latin Club started off by hosting a school assembly, pieing Shri Kannan, former club president, in the face. We then hosted a cupcake promotion of classics sale in the cafeteria, selling non-frosted cupcakes so that students can make their own designs with frosting and other edible decorations. The winner, who made a pegasus cupcake, won a gift card! Next, we hosted our annual Find Pegasus the Plushie activity around school (winners earn renowned Classics-themed buttons), and finally, an Olympika relay race with chariot racing, discus throwing, and toga tying to round off the week. At State Convention, our school had an amazing time bonding with each other and other Latin students from around the state, competing in academic contests (our fav!), and dominating in spirit.” - Claire Tian, President
NJCL CONVENTION July 20th - 26th | Miami University, Ohio
MANDATORY Pre-Nats Potluck Attendance is required. 2VP Anna Prokhin’s house 4 p.m. onwards
7/12
Food assignments and sign-up link are in your email. Bring money for ludi jerseys.
Dr. Roessler’s Summer Seminars 5 Nationals test prep sessions Wednesdays leading up to Nats 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by dinner Topics: Greek History, Classical Art, Ancient Geography, & Greek Life and Literature Email ron.roessler@elitelatincoaching.com for more details!
NJCL CONVENTION What are we looking forward to the most at Nats? “Dominating in spirit like we always do!”- Claire Tian, BA “Sports and hanging out with friends”- Zain Beg, Homestead “Playing all the sports”- London Boettcher, Homestead “Olympika and Ludi” - Emily Cai, Homestead
Advice for first time convention attendees? “If you're ever bored, check the sched app for fun activities to do.”- Zain Beg, Homestead “Socialize because you can meet some really awesome people”London Boettcher, Homestead “Take risks and try everything you want here; you won't regret it!” Claire Tian, BA
“Do everything that you can, don’t sleep in or miss any events, even if you aren’t competing in them” - Misha Auchynnikau, Homestead
“Try everything and don’t be afraid to talk to new people because everyone is so friendly!” - Rose Fleisch, DSHA
PACKING LIST General Pillows
Swimsuit, towel, goggles (Ludi swimming)
Blanket
Snacks for your room
Twin XL Linens
Semi-formal clothes for the dance
Towels
Ludi jersey
Shampoo + Conditioner
Cards/games
Toothpaste
Chargers for devices
Soap
Clothes to wear post spirit/GAs
Deodorant
Detergent for laundry
Toothbrush Hairbrush, hairdryer Spending money Hat, sunglasses Sunscreen Water bottle Shinguards + long socks (Ludi soccer)
If you have a ny questions about the above items o r anything N atsrelated, pleas e reach out to the officers! We are here to hel p you and make sure yo u all have a w onderful experience at convention!
PACKING LIST Spirit Items Day 1: State T-Shirt Day | Cincy-Nationals
Day 2: Propless Spirit and Purple & Gold Day | What’s Purple and Gold and lives in Ohio?
State T-Shirt
Purple Shirts
Black Pants
Khaki/Gold Bottoms
Day 3: Silent Spirit | Just Chillin’
Day 2: A Day in Old Rome | Rome-coming
White Shirts Light Blue Tops Jorts Jean Shorts Sunglasses
DELEGATE SPOTLIGHT Meet Olivia Kormanik! Homestead High School’s Parlimentarian
About Olivia
Olivia started taking Latin because she thought that it would be useful for a future in medicine, but she quickly learned everything else there was to it. She became involved in the WJCL due to encouragement from her upperclassmen and her participation in certamen.
Olivia has been to...
2 State Conventions
1 Nationals
Olivia’s Favorites: Homestead Latin Club’s ice cream social at the beginning of every year and their nature service project The inside jokes her Latin class shares Spirit at state: she is not a loud person, but she really enjoys screaming at state with everyone around her; this year, she specifically enjoyed the election process and certamen. Sports at Nats: she loves the team work and competitiveness 1st Declension Marcus Aurelius & Minerva
PHOTO DUMP
THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING AND READING! 7/12
Reminder: The mandatory WJCL pre-Nats potluck is on July 12th at 4 p.m. Don’t forget to sign up to bring food. We can’t wait to see you all there!
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