Every year Gateway’s Latin Club sends one or more teams of avid Latin students to compete in the annual NJ-JCL state Certamen tournament. It is a multi-level Latin knowledge bowl where participants show off their skills in Latin grammar, mythology, history, culture, the arts, and more. It is a great way for Latin students all over the state to band together and embrace their love for the language and Roman culture.
This year Gateway only sent one team. The team sent competing at the Upper Level consisted of senior Laurel Barrett, and sophomores Oliver Crumrine, Jackson Harker, and Desmond McCue. Junior Alex Noble attended as an alternate and entered the team officially in the third round. Ace Smith and Madeline Leone attended the trip as well as excellent spotters for other teams competing.
On the long bus ride up to the beautiful Princeton University campus, the team studied past year’s questions, cracked Latin jokes, and hyped each other up for the exciting competition. Gateway’s team maintained excellent decorum throughout the competition, came dressed in snazzy outfits, and had their game faces on the whole time.
While the team didn’t pull out a win, they came in second place in the third round and put in their all consistently. Oliver and Jackson led the team with their quick translations and knowledge of Roman history.
Advisor to Latin Club and Gateway Latin teacher, Jacqueline Cross, stated, “I’m so proud of all of you, and most importantly, you had fun!”
While Latin gets the wrap of being a really difficult language, the benefits are unparalleled. Not only is Latin the foundation for so many other languages, like English and French, but the very action of learning and understanding the grammar and patterns, and reading the stories with the most inspirational lessons provide so much to the learner.
Latin club groupie and chaperone extroordinarius, Mrs. Barrett, reflected, “I wish my high school had a Latin program when I was growing up because this is so much fun! I was able to figure out a few of the words in the competition because I studied French.”
As a current AP Latin student, I am beyond grateful for the study skills I have gained, the interesting themes I have learned, and the opportunity to be able to not only read, but translate ancient works like Caesar and The Aeneid. I will certainly miss Certamen!
