TORCH: WI State Convention 2023

letter from the editor

Salvete State Convention Attendees!

Thank you for reading my last edition of the Torch! It has been an amazing experience putting each publication together, and I have learned a tremendous amount from your submissions. I hope you all make the most of Convention- it truly Is a one of a kind experience From certamen and testing to spirit and colloquia, you will meet some new friends along the way Enjoy convention and read all about the 2023 candidates for office and advice from your current officers In this Torch!

- Mona Khosla

Thursday Schedule

3:00-5:00 Registration (Park Hotel Lobby)

4:45-5:00……..Spirit Heads meeting (Poolside)

5:15-5:30 Pre-Assembly Spirit (Hall of Wisconsin)

5:30 General Assembly I (Hall of Wisconsin)

6:45-8:45.......... Testing Session I

Level I (Capitol Room)

Level II (Fairchild & Vilas)

Level III (Doty)

Levels IV/V+ (Hall of Wisconsin)

7:00-9:45 Memorized Oratory (Room 832)

7:00-9:45 Art Registration (Top of the Park)

8:45-9:45.......... Impromptu Essay (Hall of Wisconsin)

9:45-11:30 Costume Contest (Top of the Park)

9:45-10:30 Bazaar (Poolside)

Meet the Candidates (Poolside)

Chess (Doty B)

Chorus Practice (Hall of Wisconsin) 10:30-11:00 Certamen Meeting (Capitol Room)

*Required for anyone playing Certamen on Friday

Meeting (Capitol Room)

Friday Schedule

6:00 Breakfast (Park Hotel)

8:00.......... ......Arrival at the Monona Terrace

8:15-8:30 Pre-Assembly Spirit (Ballroom AD)

8:30 General Assembly II (Ballroom AD)

9:45-11:45......... Testing Session II

Level I (Meeting Rooms KO, LP, NR)

Level II (Hall of Ideas GJ and Meeting Room MQ)

Level III (Hall of Ideas FI)

Level IV & V (Hall of Ideas EH)

9:45 Certamen Readers’ Meeting (Counter # Room)

10:00-12:15 Impromptu Oratory (Business Center)

11:00-12:30 Lunch (State Street)

12:30-1:30 Voting Caucus/Candidate Open Forum (Ballroom B)

N.B. Each delegation must send two delegates in order to vote.

1:30-4:30........... Chess (Ballroom B) 1:30-4:30 Certamen, Round 1 - Round 3

N.B. Any run-off elections will take place during this fellowship.

Saturday Schedule

8:00-8:30 Chorus Practice (Hall of Wisconsin)

8:30 Breakfast (Hall of Wisconsin)

9:00 General Assembly IV (Hall of Wisconsin) 11:00 Checkout

ADVICE from your Current WJCL Board

Sonia Zacharias

Don't be afraid to talk to new people and try new activities!

Riya Singh

Make sure to participate in a lot of different events- take some tests, play wildcard certamen, or even do the impromptu oratory!

Olivia Rembert

Even though schools are competing against each other for points, the main purpose of convention is to meet new friends who have a passion for the classics!

Thomas OByrne

Go eat at Mooyah on state street.

Elise Yamat

Participate in as many events as you can, even if you have no idea what you’re doing. Just don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It'll be worth it!

Abby Horwitz

Everyone should be spending this year’s state convention with as much energy as possible… even if your amount of sleep doesn’t reflect that. Don't waste a single minute!

Charlie Hieb & Abhinay Reddy

Convention has so many things to offer so find what you love and have some fun with your friends!

Krish Sharma

Try everything you can and enjoy the food.

Mona Khosla

Try everything! I mean It! There's nothing to lose, so partake In everything from Art Impromptu to Costume Contests. You will make amazing friends. Also grab food from State Street- there are so many options!

Hena Allaqaband

Make the most of everything at convention: try new events, talk to new people, and enjoy the time you have.

PRESIDENT

1st VP

2nd VP

MEET YOUR 2023 CANDIDATES

Elise Yamat

DSHA ★ president candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for President because this position allows me to expand my ability to keep the WJCL moving forward I absolutely loved serving my term as Secretary, and I want to continue to work on making the board more efficient and productive The position of President provides me with the opportunity to use my leadership and organizational skills to the benefit of the WJCL

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

For the past year, I have served as your WJCL Secretary I am also Co-President of DSHA’s Asian Student Union where I have learned to lead discussions, organize events, and work efficiently with my other co-president With my experience, passion, and proven dedication to the WJCL, I believe that I am qualified for the position of President

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL can be described using a single word: kazoos They are loud and obnoxious to those who do not understand, bring energy and fun to any situation, and created the foundation for our unity as a delegation at Nationals Kazoos allowed us to bond over something so goofy yet so fun It’s a perfect metaphor for why I love the WJCL

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

Honestly, my answer changes on a daily basis. At the moment, I want to be Flora, the goddess of flowers and plants. My succulent recently died and if I was Flora, it would still be alive.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

Definitely Taylor Swift. Even though I already bought tickets, getting them for free would’ve made my life a lot easier and stress-free. The seats I got are basically behind the stage, so front-row is a huge upgrade.

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

Lucky Charms. The box is not deceiving because they are truly magically delicious. My only complaint is that there aren’t enough marshmallows, but they make milk taste good, so it evens out.

Krish Sharma Brookfield Academy ★

1st VP candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for the position of 1st Vice President The position of 1st VP appealed to me because of my experiences in the WJCL this past year as an officer and how they have shaped me From playing Ludi basketball at nationals and wearing a cow costume for almost 10 hours, the WJCL has given me many fun and enriching opportunities For these reasons, I want to make it my goal to spread the love of WJCL to more and more people across the state. By being 1st Vice President, I will achieve my goals of increasing future membership of the WJCL.

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

My qualifications for 1st Vice President are that I was the WJCL Technology coordinator this past year In addition, I have gone to 2 state conventions and three national conventions Because of these experiences, I am well-versed in the inside work of the WJCL and will be able to contribute as 1st VP from day one I have quality experience working with others on the board and have experience at conventions In addition, I have competed in certamen at Nationals for Wisconsin for three years This experience has also enhanced my passion for Classics, urging me to run for 1st VP.

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is the wonderful people who make up this organization Everyone in this organization is so welcoming and friendly, from the teachers to all the students I have made so many more friends than I ever expected These bonds that the WJCL makes are an integral part of my deep love for our organization

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I were a Roman god, I would be Mercury because of his winged sandals I can get wherever I want extremely quickly Also, I want to be invisible, and Mercury wears the cap of invisibility. I would have the perfect combination of stealth and speed.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

If I had free tickets to see anyone, I would want to see Aubrey Drake Graham, also known as Drake Because Drake and I both started from the bottom, I have an uncanny connection with him As a fellow 6 God, I also am within the top 0 05 percent of Drake listeners on Spotify, so it is a no-brainer

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite sugar-packed, diabetes-inducing cereal is Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Although I am aware of the sheer unhealthiness of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I cannot resist the delight of the crunch. Also, as a big fan of cinnamon rolls, I still need to learn how to say no to anything cinnamon-related

Allie Hieb

Brookfield Academy ★

2nd VP candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for second vice president because Spirit has been my favorite part of all the conventions that I’ve attended I am very outgoing, and I love how Spirit bonds the whole state at Nationals Additionally, I am really passionate about a number of service projects, and I look forward to picking from these projects and organizing drives at State next year I think I really have some great ideas for what I will do with the position

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I’ve been involved with the Latin Club since middle school I am very organized and hardworking I’ve had multiple leadership positions in other aspects of my life, including field hockey captain

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

The connections that I’ve made with people Latin is definitely a niche interest, but it has brought the best kinds of people together I’ve made friends from all over Wisconsin through Latin Convention

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I were a Roman goddess, I would want to be Minerva because she is the goddess of wisdom I love how Minerva stands up for herself, and how she is the goddess of trickery and cunning which gives an interesting perspective of her.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

If I could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, I would definitely choose the Weeknd. The Weeknd is one of my favorite artists, and I’d love to see him in concert with some of my closest friends. I really love his music and listening to the Weeknd with my friends.

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite breakfast cereal is definitely Cocoa Puffs. I love chocolate, and Cocoa Puffs are really good.

Krish Vasudev USM ★

2nd VP candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for the position of 2nd Vice President for the WJCL My passion for the Latin language and culture and my dedication to the WJCL make me the ideal candidate for this role. I have a proven track record of leadership and service and have innovative ideas to increase spirit and involvement in Latin. In addition, I am committed to positively impacting our community and society by encouraging the study and participation of Latin

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

As a dedicated student with a long-standing interest in Latin, I am eager to promote the study of Latin in Wisconsin I have been studying Latin since 8th grade and am currently enrolled in Latin IV, demonstrating my ongoing commitment to this field

I have a proven track record of leadership and service, having held leadership roles in various organizations such as Assist Bhopal and starting a student-led organ donation advocacy chapter in my high school. These experiences have honed my strong communication and collaboration skills, allowing me to engage with people effectively

My skills and experiences make me a valuable asset in promoting the study of Latin in Wisconsin I am excited to work with others to create a brighter future for the study of Latin and to positively impact our community

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is meeting other students who share my passion for the Latin language and culture The WJCL provides a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals from different parts of the state, fostering a sense of community across Wisconsin Latin chapters. Through events such as the annual three-day meet, WJCL members are able to collaborate, learn from one another, and participate in activities that deepen their understanding and appreciation of Latin culture

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I could be any Roman god, I would want to be Apollo I've always loved music, having played the violin and piano, and therefore would love to possess Apollo's godly musical attributes Additionally, it would be pretty cool to drive a sun chariot and have the gift of prophecy.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

I would choose to see Bruno Mars in concert He is a very talented musician who can play multiple instruments and sing in various genres I also enjoy his energetic and charismatic stage presence; watching him perform live would be a fantastic experience

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

Cinnamon Toast Crunch is definitely my favorite breakfast cereal I like the sweet cinnamon and sugar flavor, along with the crunchy texture of the cereal Plus, it leaves behind the best milk after eating it

Ayushi Chandel

Brookfield Academy ★ parliamentarian candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for State Parliamentarian I am running because I believe in the need for fair elections I also think candidate recruitment is important for competitive elections to ensure that the officers are qualified for their positions

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

am currently the BA Parliamentarian I have passed amendments regarding positions in our Latin club I have attended

2 online national conventions and 1 in person national convention in Louisiana I have also attended 1 online State Convention and 1 in person State Convention

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is definitely spirit One of my favorite memories from the 2022 National Convention would be doing “Clap, clap” at 12 am at every fellowship Spirit truly brought me closer to WJCLers across all schools in Wisconsin In addition Ever since Dr Ronald Roessler encouraged me to do Certamen in 7th grade, I have fallen in love with the Latin language

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

I would probably want to be Minerva because women in STEM.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

I would like to see Conan Gray. His music is good.

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

Honey nut cheerios. Fire.

Charlotte King Homestead ★ treasurer candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for the treasurer position because I love what it entails I like math, which obviously is a part of being the treasurer, and I think being part of a group of people dedicated to the WJCL would be a really rewarding experience.

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I feel qualified for this position because I am very organized and also good at math, which is important when making sure everything is accounted for. I also have experience in keeping track of money, since I worked at a pool this summer and filled out a financial report at the end of each day.

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is that it brings together people who are interested in classics. Being in Latin class with other students is great, but expanding that circle is also very cool. The way that the WJCL has really embraced this is so beautiful to me, and I hope to be able to contribute to it if elected.

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I were a Roman goddess, I would definitely want to be Minerva She has always been the most interesting to me, and I think that being the goddess of strategy and wisdom is very fun

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

If I could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, I would want them to be for a Taylor Swift concert I have never seen her live, but I love her songwriting and think it would be a pretty fun experience I did manage to get tickets to her upcoming tour, but they certainly aren't front row

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

I'm not a huge cereal eater, but if I had to choose a favorite, I'd probably go say Rice Krispies They have become my go to hotel breakfast food

Shilpa Kumar

Brookfield East ★ treasurer candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for WJCL Treasurer because I am very enthusiastic about both Latin and math, and I understand the importance of managing finances for such an extensive organization. Furthermore, I enjoy working with numbers and have substantial fundraising experience, which I hope to bring to the WJCL.

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I believe that I am hardworking, organized, and easy to communicate and work with. Moreover, I am my grade's class vice president, and through this position, I have worked with businesses like Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread for fundraisers, as well as hosted 50/50 raffles and more to fund our upcoming winter dance. I am also a board member of the Brookfield East Latin Club and have attended one state and two national Latin conventions so far.

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is definitely its incredible community and forming connections with so many people of different backgrounds I also really enjoy playing certamen!

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I had to pick one, I would probably be Neptune because it seems fascinating to be able to control the seas and I like his hippocampi (sea-horses)

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

Currently, I would go to a SZA concert because I love her new album!

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite cereal is definitely Honey Bunches of Oats

Londo H secre

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for secretary because I want to help make knowledge be accessible by keeping organized and tidy minutes.

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I have held many positions of leadership before, from being the captain of my soccer team to being an assistant director for our fall show

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJLC is how people from different schools that don't know each other come together and unite under their love for Latin

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

I would like to be Spes, she represents hope and I believe that hope and optimism are very important My father would always say to me that approaching a problem with hope of a solution means you have already halved the problem

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

I would want to see either Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons or Tyler the Creator

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite breakfast cereal is Captain Crunch but specifically the one with the Berries.

Yukiko Mitchell

East ★ secretary candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for WJCL Secretary because I believe the job of secretary has the pivotal responsibility of communication from inside the WJCL board to our league I thoroughly enjoy note taking and believe I can bring the correspondences and relationships that I have established from my position on the BEHS Latin Club Board into the WJCL I hope that by increasing effective communication throughout the WJCL, we can build strong networks within our community and expand beyond

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

My experience as a debater honed my skills in listening and accurate note taking I am hardworking, efficient, and able to process ideas and communicate clearly I also have experience working on a board of leadership in my role as 1st VP of the BEHS Latin CLub In addition, I have attended one State and two National Conventions, so I am very familiar with proceedings within the JCL

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

At the national convention, it was especially evident that the talent, friendliness, and enthusiasm of the WJCL is prominent in our academic excellence, athletic performance and energetic spirit This connection of people is unmatched in any other delegation of the JCL.

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

I would want to be Mercury. It would be so fun to have winged sandals! I also think it is very funny that he tricks and pranks the other gods and goddesses.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

I would love front-row tickets to see Taylor Swift! I have always enjoyed listening to Taylor Swift with my dad.

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite breakfast cereal is Oreo O’s.

Brookfield

Hannah Strachota

DSHA ★ historian candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

Hi, I am Hannah Strachota a sophomore and Latin II at DSHA! I am running for the position of Historian because of the opportunity to create the state scrapbook for Nationals In addition, I will implement many of the ideas I have for Instagram to create more traffic as well as highlight variations within our delegations as I have done as the current DSHA historian My goal is through the photo of the month submissions to make them more competitive between every school especially because the photos can be added for our state scrapbook

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I believe I am qualified for this position because of my work on the DSHA Latin board as the Historian in which I manage a group of seven students to draw together our creative outlooks for our program Also, I serve on the Student Council on the Communications commission and do our daily announcements I am hard working, creative, and dependable which allows me to manage many tasks and be open to new ideas

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is the focus on spirit and school pride, as a girl from DSHA we pride ourselves on having a lot of spirit for Latin The girls in the DSHA program are wonderful because we all love DSHA and showing our school pride I never understood why people had spirit when it came to the language of Latin until I went to my first convention last year and we were cheering about Roman goddesses at 7 in the morning.

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I were to be reincarnated as a Roman goddess I would want to be the Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, something I am always seeking. Minerva is also the goddess of medicine and my dream is to become a nurse practitioner!

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

Hands down Zach Bryan! He is my top artist on Spotify and the atmosphere of his concerts are unmatched (or so I've heard). His music is the best country and he is a great lyricist.

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite breakfast cereal is Oatmeal squares, I have eaten them almost everyday for five years!

Matthew Seiberlich Homestead ★

historian candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

My name is Matthew Seiberlich, and I am running to be Historian for the 2023-2024 WJCL Board! I am running for this position because I love Latin and the WJCL, and I want to take a more active role in it! I look forward to being your historian and being part of the board for this amazing program!

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

My qualifications for this position are my year spent as Historian for the Homestead Latin Club, my 2 years of being Historian in my Boy Scout Troop, and my position as Assistant Editor in Homestead's award-winning publications team.

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is the people I have met and the things I have gotten to experience. Everyone I have met through the WJCL has been incredibly nice and friendly, and I hope a leadership position allows me to get to know more people!

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I were a Roman god, I would want to be Vulcan because blacksmithing is really cool

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

The band I really want front-row tickets to see perform is The Longest Johns They are a sea shanty group, and anyone who knows me could tell you how much I love sea shanties

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite breakfast cereal is without a doubt Cinamon Toast Crunch There have been more than a few times when I have eaten several bowls for one meal and felt a tad sick afterward

Meredith Niedfeldt Homestead ★ tech co candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for technology coordinator! I want to help bring together the Latin community through the organization with the website Hopefully, I can collaborate with the historian and create a display of all the fun aspects of Latin convention to help bring in more people!

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I’ve had experience with Homestead’s Latin board I’m currently the social representative I’ve also had a lot of experience with social media

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL just has to be the community as a whole Seeing people from all around Wisconsin coming together over a common passion is really inspiring to me

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

I think that I would be Juno Texts about Juno highlight new beginnings, and I’ve had a lot of experience with new beginnings through moving schools when I was younger, trying out a new sport my freshman year, joining new clubs, etc I think that we could relate a lot.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

I would love to have front row tickets to Beach House. Their music reminds me of happy memories of my friends and summer, and I would love to be able to experience their music live!

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite would have to be Cap’N Crunch. I haven’t had it since I was much younger, but I remember it being super good.

Trevor Waltersdorf

Marquette ★ tech co candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for the position of Tech-Co I think that I could bring a lot to this position, and I plan to make several additions to the website to make being a member of the WJCL more accessible to people not predisposed to Latin

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I have worked with code and programming for the last six years I have done a lot with code, such as website building and game development I can utilize several languages, including Python, C++, HTML, and C#

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

My favorite aspect of the WJCL is the Annual Latin Convention It is one of my favorite parts of the winter as a whole, and it is so fun to have an entire convention dedicated to Latin I hope that I am able to give back to the WJCL what the WJCL has given to me

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

If I could be any Roman god I would be Faunus This is because I did a presentation on him in the sixth grade I also like the way he lives in the forest.

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

I would want to have front row seats to the Daughters of Eve. They are one of my favorite bands, and they haven’t been around since 1968. I think it would be great to hear them play in person.

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite cereal is Post’s Honey O’s. They are good because they’re crunchy and taste like honey.

Alexis Wilson Brookfield Academy ★ editor candidate

1. What position are you running for and why?

I am running for WJCL Editor because the role of editor is very important to helping encourage participation from all chapters by collecting chapter updates and other information from local clubs Additionally, I think that the editor is in charge of keeping all of the WJCL connected and informed, which promotes participation in the WJCL as a whole. I also enjoy using programs like Canva as well as writing and editing, so I look forward to the opportunities that I could have if I am elected.

2. What are your qualifications for this position?

I am currently Brookfield Academy’s Latin Club’s Editor, so I have some experience making publications for JCL-related activities. I have attended two National Conventions (one virtual and one in-person) and one State Convention, so I believe I have a sense for what the WJCL would want in The Torch: WI. Also, I have been enrolled in a Latin class for the past four years, so I have a great appreciation for the language and the JCL as a whole.

3. What is your favorite aspect of the WJCL?

I love the community and friendships formed within the WJCL Overall, it is an extremely welcoming and positive group of people who want to encourage the study of a language that has impacted modern society beyond compare I find this all to be very unique and special

4. If you were a Roman god/goddess which one would you want to be and why?

I would want to be Apollo He was the god of light, music, and poetry, as well as many other things He promoted so much of the Latin and Greek culture that we study today!

5. If you could have front-row tickets to any musician for free, who would you see and why?

I would definitely want to see Taylor Swift; I’ve been listening to her music for as long as I can remember and that would be an incredible experience!

6. What's your favorite breakfast cereal?

My favorite cereal is Cinnamon Toast Crunch

A N N O U N C E M E N T

Arts Registration

All art projects, including T-shirts, are to be registered by the end of the night January 26th.

Service Projects

School Supplies will be collected at convention, and letter writing for Letters of Love will take place throughout the convention.

School Sizes

Small- Catholic Memorial, Brookfield

Central, Greater Milwaukee Catholic Home Educators, USM

Medium- Homestead, Tosa West, Tosa East, Lutheran prep

Large- DSHA, MUHS, Brookfield East, Brookfield Academy