Convention Torch 2024 by wjcl editor

@wisconsinjcl

@wiscjcl

@wisconsinjcl

THE TORCH: WI WJCL STATE CONVENTION 2024

January 25, 2024- January 27, 2024

Table of Contents 3: Advice from the Board 5: Get to know the Board 9: Amendments 12: Get to know the Candidates 27: Thank You

Advice from the Board:

NJCL President, Krish Sharma: Try everything. I know it sounds cliche, but convention only happens once a year, and by the time you are a senior, you do not want to feel like you haven’t experienced everything it has to offer. Also, make sure you cherish the people you meet at convention; they are truly some of the most fun, kind, and amazing people you will find. President, Elise Yamat: Drink lots of coffee, bring cough drops for your throat, and talk to people from other schools! 1st VP, Anvesha Guru: Try absolutely everything, even if you don't think you'll be good at it!! Convention is so so so much fun if you just put yourself out there. 2nd VP, Allie Hieb: Try new things and meet new people! Parliamentarian, Ayushi Chandel: Bring a coat

Advice from the Board: Secretary, Yuki Mitchell: GO TO THE DANCE YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!! Treasurer, Shilpa Kumar: Try to participate in as many activities as you can and have as much fun as possible!! Historian, Matthew Seiberlich: DONT FORGET PENCILS FOR THE TESTS Editor, Lexi Wilson: Talk to new people! I promise you they are not scary :) Tech-Co, Trevor Waltersdorf: Have fun and let loose. You get out what you put in!

Get to know the Board! NJCL President, Krish Sharma: 1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? MOOYAH is one of my favorite places to eat at conventions. Its burgers are unbeatable and shakes are magnificent. I highly recommend delegates to try it. 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? My favorite spirit cheer is rock the house; I love the energy and spirit that my school is able to bring through the cheer. 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? My favorite WJCL memory was definitely our last fellowship at nationals. Seeing how our delegation began as a divided group of acquaintances and progressed into a tight, close-knit family was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

President, Elise Yamat:

1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Ian's Pizza or Mooyah 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? Clap-Clap (formerly known as Wisconsin Milk at Nationals) 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? OUR BOARD <3

1st VP, Anvesha Guru:

1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Ian's Pizza 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? "Who Rocks the House?" ... The Blue Knights obviously 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? I love the JCL community and all the friends I've made

Get to know the Board!

2nd VP, Allie Hieb:

1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Starbucks or doordashing tacobell 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? Rock the House 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? Spirit at Nationals!

Parliamentarian, Ayushi Chandel:

1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Ian's pizza 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? One we are the blue knights, two a little bit louder, three we still can’t hear you, four more more more 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? Meeting new people at nationals

Secretary, Yuki Mitchell:

1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? In my room--- INSOMNIA COOKIES 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? My favorite spirit cheer from my school is Red Hot! 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? Friendship bracelets + Southpark while studying for exams (sort of) at the National Convention.

Get to know the Board! Treasurer, Shilpa Kumar: 1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Probably Noodles or Insomnia Cookies. 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? So words!! 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? Agora at Nationals was such a blast! From exchanging stories with other JCLers while convincing them to buy our bracelets to selling kazoos on the street at 11 pm, it was an incredible experience.

Historian, Matthew Seiberlich: 1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Milo's sandwiches ever since my freshman year. 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? Psych will forever and always hold the number one space in my heart 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? I love the community and how quickly school rivalries turn to friendships at Nats

Get to know the Board! Editor, Lexi Wilson: 1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Insomnia Cookies, obviously 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? We have one called “Shake Your Praedam” and I think it’s pretty funny. 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? Probably watching everyone learn the “Wisconsin Milk” cheer at Nationals. It was all pulled together so fast, and every other state thought it was so cool!

Tech-Co, Trevor Waltersdorf: 1. What is your favorite place to eat at convention? Ians Pizza 2. What is your favorite spirit cheer that your school has? Hoi Polloi 3. What is your favorite thing about the JCL from this year? The Post-Nats Picnic

Amendments

Amendment #1 Change to Section 5.6 Current: “Any qualified WJCL member who is not an officer on the WJCL Board at the time of the election meeting may submit a declaration of candidacy to be considered a candidate in a Vacancy Election, provided that the candidacy is declared at least one week prior to the election meeting. No more than one candidate from a single chapter may run in a vacancy election, provided that there are not four members from the aforementioned chapter on the board serving for the term for which the candidate is eligible. At the election meeting, each candidate shall be interviewed individually in front of all voters present. Each Board member – State Chair(s), current officers, and club representatives – shall be entitled to one vote. However, WJCL officers who are also their clubs’ voting delegates must either forfeit their votes as officers or their clubs’ votes. A candidate must win a majority of votes cast in order to be elected. Should no candidate win a majority of the votes, a runoff election between the two candidates who received the most votes shall occur. In the case of a tie for the candidate with the second-most votes in a run-off election, the candidate with the plurality is elected to office.” Proposed: “Any qualified WJCL member who is not an officer on the WJCL Board at the time of the election meeting may submit a declaration of candidacy to be considered a candidate in a Vacancy Election, provided that the candidacy is declared at least one week prior to the election meeting. No more than one candidate from a single chapter may run in a vacancy election, provided that there are not four members from the aforementioned chapter on the board serving for the term for which the candidate is eligible. At the election meeting, each candidate shall be interviewed individually in front of all voters present. Each Board member – State Chair(s), current officers, and club representatives – shall be entitled to one vote. However, WJCL officers who are also their clubs’ voting delegates must either forfeit their votes as officers or their clubs’ votes. A candidate must win a plurality of votes cast in order to be elected.” Rationale: With an increased number of candidates running for office (as seen in this year’s Vacancy Election where there were six candidates), candidates will truly never win a majority of the votes. Thus, to make elections more efficient and eliminate the need for a run-off election, this amendment would only require a candidate to win the plurality of votes. This system can be tested over the next few years, and should it be deemed ineffective, the amendment can be amended to its original wording.

Amendments

Amendment #2 Change to Section 6.2 Current: “A candidate running unopposed must receive a majority of votes cast in favor of election. For a contested office, a candidate must receive a plurality of eligible votes cast to be elected to an office. For an office contested by more than two candidates, should no candidate achieve a majority* of eligible votes, a runoff election will be held between the top two candidates. Method for instituting the runoff shall be decided before the convention via an adopted bylaw. Ties shall be broken by the State Chair(s). In the case of a tie for the candidate with the second-most votes in a runoff election, the candidate with the plurality is elected to office.” Proposed: “A candidate running unopposed must receive a majority of votes cast in favor of election. For a contested office, a candidate must receive a plurality of eligible votes cast to be elected to an office. For a contested office (at least two candidates), a candidate must achieve a plurality* of eligible votes to win. Ties shall be broken by the State Chair(s). ” Rationale: This amendment follows the previous one, with only a plurality of eligible votes needed at state convention for a contested office.

Amendments

Amendment #3 Change to Section 6.2

Current: “A candidate running unopposed must receive a majority of votes cast in favor of election. For a contested office, a candidate must receive a plurality of eligible votes cast to be elected to an office. For an office contested by more than two candidates, should no candidate achieve a majority of eligible votes, a runoff election will be held between the top two candidates. Method for instituting the runoff shall be decided before the convention via an adopted bylaw. Ties shall be broken by the State Chair(s). In the case of a tie for the candidate with the second-most votes in a run-off election, the candidate with the plurality is elected to office.” Proposed: “A candidate running unopposed must receive a majority of votes cast in favor of election. Should the candidate not receive a majority, a state of emergency election must be held. If no one else runs in this state of emergency election, the initial candidate will assume the position. For a contested office, a candidate must receive a plurality of eligible votes cast to be elected to an office. For an office contested by more than two candidates, should no candidate achieve a majority of eligible votes, a runoff election will be held between the top two candidates. Method for instituting the runoff shall be decided before the convention via an adopted bylaw. Ties shall be broken by the State Chair(s). In the case of a tie for the candidate with the second-most votes in a run-off election, the candidate with the plurality is elected to office.”

Rationale: If over half of WJCL doesn’t deem the candidate worthy to hold a position, a state or emergency should be held.

For the Office of President:

Matthew Seiberlich:

1: What position are you running for and why? My name is Matthew Seiberlich, and I am running to be your 2024-2025 President of the WJCL! I am running to be the President because I have loved my past year on the WJCL board, and I wish to continue my involvement and commitment to this great organization while accepting new responsibilities and using my experience to continue to make the WJCL as great as it can be! 2: What are your qualifications for this position? My qualifications for this position include my past year as the Historian of the WJCL, where I have learned a lot about the process and what it takes to run the WJCL. In addition to serving as your Histo, I am also a Homestead Latin Club board member, the President of ITS Troupe 4864, Vice President of both the Homestead Film Club and Drama Club, and an Assistant Editor for the Highlander Publications Team. All of these positions have helped shape me into a very organized leader, effective communicator, and a qualified candidate to be your WJCL President.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite thing about the WJCL is how intense the school rivalries are at State, and how quickly they melt into total comaradery at Nats. The fact that I can go from battling with BA kids in the certamen finals at State to playing soccer with them at Ludi against Georgia at Nats, and having the most fun I've ever had, is truly special. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? If elected, I hope to contribute a strong sense of organization and communication to the WJCL. I want to make sure everything that needs to happen is taken care of, and that everyone knows what needs to happen. The WJCL should be a well-oiled machine, and I hope to provide the leadership and communication needed to make it run that way. Additionally, I hope to achieve all this by contributing my year on board and the experience that I have gotten through it. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? A hidden talent I have is the fact that I can play the harmonica. I taught myself using YouTube videos, and now I can read and transpose sheet music (yes, harmonica sheet music is a thing) as well as freestyle 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? If it is a comedy, I want Chrisitan Bale to play me. If it is a drama, I want Gary Oldman to.

For the Office of 1st VP: Yukiko Mitchell:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for 1st Vice President because I love being part of our incredible WJCL community and I want to continue working with the board to nurture WJCL and promote membership. I believe that with regular communication among chapters, as well as developing an outreach program for schools interested in offering Classics-related opportunities for students such as Classics Clubs, we can both strengthen and expand WJCL. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I have served as the WJCL Secretary for the past year and have learned how to conduct WJCL correspondence with the delegation and communicate minutes from WJCL General Assemblies and Board Meetings. I have also served as 1st Vice President on Brookfield East's JCL board where I first worked to expand opportunities for Latin and Classics at other schools. My qualifications also include leadership experience on my school’s Varsity Tennis Team and Principal’s Cabinet and serving as a captain of activities such as the SMART Team and Lincoln-Douglas Debate team.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite aspect of the Wisconsin Junior Classical league is how it unites so many kinds of students over the exciting world of ancient history and culture. I have never been a part of such a connected and passionate community and I have made so many of my closest friends through Latin. The WJCL's excellence in academics, talent in athletics, creativity in the arts, and our drive for state spirit is truly unmatched by any JCL in the nation. I am so proud to be a WJCLer!!!4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? If elected, in addition to managing and increasing our League's membership, I would love to bring volunteer opportunities to the WJCL so that students can lead extracurricular activities, including acting as a mentor for outreach Classics clubs. This would both encourage expansion of our members-at-large demographic and provide more opportunities for WJCLers. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? This isn't so secret because I do it whenever I get the chance to scare someone but I can cross one eye. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Bill Nye (the Science Guy).

For the Office of 2nd VP:

Lucas Mersky:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for 2nd VP. The 2nd VP job requires you to be very involved in the WJCL community. The WJCL is teeming with kind and intelligent people, and I would love to give back however I can. I believe I could do a very good job maintaining the joyful atmosphere and fueling members' passion for Latin. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? -Track captain -co-founder and vice president of Homestead JSA, a student-led politics club. -Nominated for Badger Boys State, a weeklong leadership convention in UW-Eau Claire. -Camp Counselor -Track Coach -Soccer Coach (TopSoccer)

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite aspect of the JCL is the friends I have made. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? I would prioritize the growth in numbers of the WJCL. I will propose Latinthemed game nights that middle school and elementary-aged kids could attend. I didn't learn about Latin until High School, and because of my lack of knowledge, I didn't join until my Sophomore year. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? Juggling! 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Dylan O'Brien

For the Office of 2nd VP: Trevor Waltersdorf:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for 2nd VP, because I want to improve the focus on service within the WJCL. As well as beat Virginia in spirit this year! 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I currently serve as the Tech-Co of the WJCL, Co-Captain of MH Spirit Club, and Consul of MUHS Latin Club. I also participate in multiple service organizations.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite aspect of the JCL is Spirit, which I hope to improve upon. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? I hope to make spirit tutorial videos and have them posted on Instagram/wjcl.org. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? I can solve a Rubik's cube in under 20 seconds. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Michael Cera

For the Office of Parliamentarian:

Rohith Kumar:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for parliamentarian because I want to have a larger role in the WJCL, and I want to get more people involved in running for office. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I have attended 2 state conventions and 3 national conventions, and I have played certamen at all of these. Additionally, I am the 1st vice president of the Brookfield East JCL, and this position has helped me get very involved in my delegation. Finally, I am the class president, and this experience has helped me build my leadership skills, which I can apply to this position.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite aspect of the JCL is the certamen because it is very fun and competitive. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? If I am elected, I would aim to increase the number of people running for office from smaller delegations. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? I can dunk a basketball. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Steve Harvey

For the Office of Parliamentarian: Alexis Wilson:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for parliamentarian, and I am running because I have loved being able to be on the WJCL Board this past year, and at Nationals I realized how interested I am in the election and amendment processes. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I have been both my school’s and the WJCL’s editor over the past two years, I have attended 5 Latin conventions (2 state and 3 national), I have been class president since Freshman year, and I have held leadership postitions in five other school clubs as well. I think that all of this experience has helped me be both a good leader and a good communicator, which are two things necessary to be a WJCL officer.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? I know it’s embarassingly cliché, but I love the community. While I appreciate it yearround, at state and nationals I am always amazed at how incredible our state’s delegation is. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? Right now, there are three proposed amendments that have been well-deliberated over but have not yet been passed. Whether or not they ever end up passed, I would hope to work with these amendments more if I am elected and hopefully come to some sort of compromise to potentially allow at least one to get passed. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? Over COVID I taught myself guitar and piano, and while I consider both of those things to be talents, I think that the fact that I play piano without using my thumbs is more of a “secret” talent. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Ashley Benson would be so cool, or if possible Emma Stone of course.

Rohan Singh:

For the Office of Secretary: 1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for secretary because I believe that I am a good note taker and would help make necessary improvements to the minutes system. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? Currently, I have been to 2 state conventions and 3 national conventions, and I have been the Tech Co and the 2VP at Brookfield Academy. In my time as tech co, I made the minutes much more accessible on the BA website, so I have experience dealing with the process of taking and publishing minutes.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? I love the community between delegates and the opportunity to meet people who share the same interests as me. I also really enjoy spirit (even though I lose my voice). 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? I hope to be able to create a system where meeting minutes are easily accessible and are easy to set up for schools who don't have a good way of taking minutes. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? I am ambidextrous and can write with both my hands. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? NAV

For the Office of Secretary: Eshaan Vasudev:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for WJCL Secretary because I believe that it's a job that suits me and gets me more involved with the WJCL. I make a daily effort to check my emails, be organized, and help people in any way I can. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I try to involve myself in many different activities and fields. I am very passionate about research, as I aspire to be in the medical field. I serve as 2nd VP of the USM Latin Program, and have spent a lot of effort trying to get our school more involved with the WJCL. I also involve myself with a lot of volunteering, helping with non-profits such as Assist Bhopal and education programs such as COYAD (Council of Youth Anti-Drug). 3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? I am fairly new to the JCL. My brother was the one who introduced me to Latin at our school, and I didn’t even really know what the JCL did for a while. At state last year especially, it being my first time, it was very awkward. Especially spirit- where we really didn’t have any chants or cheers. But what really changed my experience was going to nationals last summer. The sense of community I was able to feel with other people who I had never met before that trip, and the amount of adrenaline I felt in spirit were just incredible.

4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? Although it’s a fairly common approach, I would really like to try my best to help support less involved schools in the WJCL in any way. This includes communicating with people in a timely manner, making sure that all the schools are able to get their information, releasing the minutes from each meeting as soon as possible, and updating the schedule on the WJCL website. All of these contributions, along with being as organized as possible, will allow greater transparency with schools and make sure that everyone is getting the information they need. This is especially important for smaller schools, who don’t have someone on the board, or someone who goes to state meetings. Had I not gone to nationals last year, as I was the only one from my school who did, I would have not been on the mailing list, and thus would not have been able to get access to much information this year, such as the spirit themes, or even the knowledge of the state meetings. Because of all of this, I would like my initiative to be as transparent and far-reaching as possible; making sure that all schools, big or small, get access to important information that allows them to be more involved and competitive at state, and even nationals. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? A secret talent of mine is that I am able to fix many lego sets without looking back at the instruction booklet! 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? I would choose Elijah Wood because Lord of the Rings was one of my favorite book series/movies growing up, and I always and continue to look up to the actors in those movies.

Hannah Yoo:

For the Office of Secretary: 1: What position are you running for and why? I'm running for the position of secretary because I believe that part of the job is effective communication, something that's essential in any organization and especially in one as large as the WJCL. I'd love to continue building and maintaining connections in this community through emails and minutes that are wellorganized and highlight upcoming events/schedules and reminders. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I am very familiar with the position as I'm currently the secretary for Brookfield East's Latin club. I've attended two state conventions and one national convention so far, so I'm also familiar with JCL proceedings. I'm also a captain on BEHS' Forensics/public speaking team, which has allowed me to hone both my communication skills and the important ability to speak and work well with others.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite aspect of the JCL is definitely all the people in it. Everyone is so welcoming and enthusiastic, and getting to meet and make friends with JCLers from all over Wisconsin is a really amazing experience. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? One thing I hope to bring to the WJCL is greater participation in WJCL activities from all chapters. State convention doesn't have to be the only time students engage in Latin beyond using their Cambridge Latin (or Ecce Romani!) books. Building a strong network throughout the state and effectively updating everyone has the potential to increase JCLer awareness of what's going on in the WJCL and how they can jump right in and contribute - whether by pitching in with service projects or even by running for a board position. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? When I do a forward fold stretch, I can almost touch the ground with my elbows. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Hoyeon Jung! But she's also tall, so that part wouldn't be very accurate.

For the Office of Treasurer: Shilpa Kumar:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for the position of treasurer for another year because I loved my role of running agora at Nationals last year and hope to bring even more to the position this upcoming year. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? Besides being on the WJCL board this past year, I have a lot of fundraising experience, being my grade’s class vice president for the past three years. I also have been to 5 JCL conventions so far and have had great experience with agora.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite aspect of the JCL is definitely the community that is so tightly built between so many different people. It’s so much fun meeting new people that have a shared passion for Latin. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? I will be bringing more fundraising partnerships to the WJCL this year that will be able to get the Latin community together! 5: What is a secret talent of yours? Finding weird snapchat filters 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? I have no clue but maybe Zendaya?

For the Office of Historian:

Addison Drumm:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for historian because I have experiences in the position and I want get more involved in the WJCL. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I am on Homestead’s Latin Club board and run the club Instagram. I have helped create not only Homestead’s first place scrapbook, but Wisconsin’s winning Nationals scrapbook last year. I take photos for both my school’s Latin Club, as well as other school events. I am a very hard working person, having put in the time and effort to get second place in Certamen at Nationals.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? I love meeting new people. Everyone is kind and so talented! 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? I plan to create a PhotoCircle with each school’s historian/designated individual for an alternate submission way for photo of the month. In order to increase submissions, I believe it is important for schools to see what others are submitting and raise competition. In allowing each other access to what we individually do, it can help us become closer as a state during Nationals. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? I make a lot of my own jewelry. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Florence Pugh

For the Office of Historian: Anika Taneja:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for the position of WJCL Historian, as I am very passionate about art, photography, and the classics, and I feel that this specific position allows me to partake in all three at once. I think that the Historian's job of collecting, organizing, and capturing photos in order to be able to share the happenings going on at various chapters around Wisconsin is very important, as these photos will preserve memories for years to come. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? Currently, I am the Historian for our Latin Club, and I manage three social media accounts for different clubs at my school, including our Latin Club, Service Club, and Economics Club. I have also been to 2 state conventions and 2 national conventions and am currently in AP Latin. Additionally, in the past few years, I have contributed many photos to our publication, Quinque Stellae, to the Torch, and to the state historian for use in the state publication and scrapbook. I also love art and photography and have taken many art classes in school, which could be beneficial in designing a scrapbook.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite part of the JCL is definitely the new friendships I have formed from convention. I love meeting people from different schools and places and being able to see them at state conventions and even travel with them to nationals! 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? If I am elected, I hope to be able to increase the number of photo submissions by increasing competition for who submits the most or the best pictures. One of the ways in which I want to do this is by having people vote for the photo of convention; the idea that their picture might be one of the options to vote for would drive more people to submit during convention. Additionally, I hope to involve the use of PhotoCircle, which is an app in which many people can collaborate to share photos and videos; this was used at nationals last year, and because it was so successful in involving everyone from our delegation to share funny pictures and memories, I think it would be a great tool to use at state. It would also allow all of us to see what fun things others are doing at state! 5: What is a secret talent of yours? My secret talent is my baking skills. I absolutely love trying out new recipes, especially for cakes and cookies, and I enjoy decorating the desserts. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? This is a really tough question, but I would have to choose Jessica Alba.

For the Office of Editor:

Charlotte King:

1: What position are you running for and why? I'm running for editor. I love the creativity involved in making the Torch, am passionate about the classics, and have lots of ideas for it. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I am currently Second Vice President for Homestead Latin Club and have attended state and nationals. I also started a monthly newsletter for our club, so I have experience making Latin publications.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? Playing Certamen is definitely my favorite part of the JCL. I love its competitive nature and have met great people through it. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? I want to contribute engaging issues of the Torch that help bring everyone together. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? Naming any Taylor Swift song within the first second of hearing it. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Keira Knightley

For the Office of Editor: Jack Mineau:

1: What position are you running for and why? I am running for the Editor position because I enjoy writing and designing. This year I have learned a lot about the WJCL and the Latin community and would like to get more active and involved in playing a part myself. I believe that doing the roles and responsibilities of the Editor will be fun, but also a great opportunity for me to give back to the WJCL. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I have taken both Writing and Digital Design courses. I have experience with Canva. I have also helped create a newsletter at Marquette, similar to the Torch. Additionally, I am the Marquette Editor. 3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? The community and people for sure. Everyone is so welcoming and nice, and I have enjoyed getting to spend time with the community at lunches and meetings. I am looking forward to doing more for this great community at Convention and moving forward. 4: What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? I plan to add direct interviews to the Torch. My idea is to reach out to Teachers or School presidents to arrange a time to hear what they have to say directly in person. These interviews allow everyone’s voices to be truly heard in the Torch. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? I’m pretty good at the Wordle. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? Leonard De Carpio

For the Office of Tech-Co:

Sanjit Madireddi:

1: What position are you running for and why? Salvete, omnes! My name is Sanjit Madireddi, and I am running to be the next WJCL Technology Coordinator. I have always been interested in both technology and serving for the WJCL, which are the main motives why I am running for the position of Tech Co. 2: What are your qualifications for this position? I have been to 3 NJCL National Conventions, and this would be my third WJCL State Convention. I have served previously as both my school's Treasurer and Parliamentarian. For the last four years, I have also played competitive Certamen at the state, collegiate, and national levels. Specifically for the Tech Co position, I am fluent in various coding languages and have an abundance of experience with web design and development, which I hope to apply to the WJCL website.

3: What is your favorite aspect of the JCL? My favorite aspect of the JCL has to be the State Conventions. I really enjoy how everyone comes together at one place and shares our love for the Classics together for almost three days. Getting to know about the other people around you, participating in all the activities and contests, competing at Spirit, and buying items from different schools at Agora are some of the key features that make State Conventions my favorite aspect about the JCL.4 : What is one thing that you would hope to contribute to the WJCL if you are elected? If elected, I hope to serve both my position as Tech Co and the entire WJCL as best as possible. One thing that I would hope to contribute to the WJCL is having better communication among the chapters by continuously updating the WJCL website and its calendar and establishing other social platforms for communication purposes within the WJCL. 5: What is a secret talent of yours? My secret talent is that I can speak multiple foreign languages fluently. 6: If you could pick a celebrity to play you in a movie, who would it be? I would pick Kendrick Lamar to play me in a movie.

Thank you from all the officers for coming to convention! We hope that you all have a great time!