Ohio Junior Classical League

File:OJCL logo.jpg

OJCL official emblem

The Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL) — also known as the Ohio JCL — is the Ohio state chapter of the National Junior Classical League (NJCL), a youth organization of high school and middle school students dedicated to the study, appreciation and advancement of classical civilization, namely Latin and Ancient Greek. Of the fifty-one state (and state-level) chapters claiming NJCL members, the OJCL ranks 8th overall with more than 1,800, and is home to some of the most competitive Certamen in the nation.

The OJCL served as host state for the 2008 NJCL National Convention held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Ohio previously hosted the National Convention in 1993, 1981, 1970 and 1956: all were held on the campus of Miami University as in 2008, with the exception of the 1970 convention held at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. In addition, the Ohio JCL recently held and celebrated its 60th annual State Convention.

Official colors of the Ohio Junior Classical League, in accordance with the National Junior Classical League, are purple and gold.    

Creed

The Junior Classical League Creed
We, the members of the Junior Classical League, covenant to hand on the torch of the classical civilization in the modern world. We believe an acquaintance with the civilizations of Greece and Rome will help us to understand and appraise this world of today, which is indebted to the ancient civilizations in its government and laws, literature, language, and arts.

We affirm that JCL experience develops responsibility, fosters brotherhood, promotes enthusiasm, encourages competition, inspires dedication, and enriches our total growth.

Song

The Junior Classical League Song
By Dave Clements, Max Spires, Mrs. R.G. Frazier
Revised by Mrs. B.H. Norveson

Seeking the best, the highest our goal,
Working for greatness through glories of old,
Searching the realms of the golden past,
We follow the Classic's truths that last.
In knowledge, truth, and fellowship,
We're growing every day.
The friendly hand of JCL aids in every way.
In Rome's proud steps we're marching on
With every true colleague,
And forever we'll hold to the purple and gold,
Of the Junior Classical League!

State Convention

8th Place OJCL State Convention ribbon

In addition to competing at the NJCL National Convention, the OJCL holds its own annual State Convention in Columbus, Ohio. For 60 years, individual members and local chapters (i.e., Latin Clubs) have come to interact and compete in various classically themed contests, both academic and of the arts.

Art projects on display at the 2005 OJCL Convention

As of late, the Ohio JCL Convention has been held on the second or third weekend of March, though this year's 2010 State Convention was held February 26-28. Frequently held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, the three-day event officially begins Friday evening when the first of three General Assemblies is called to order by the current OJCL President. The State Convention lasts through Sunday afternoon when the third and final General Assembly is adjourned by the newly elected OJCL President shortly after his or her installation.

Attendance typically ranges between 925 and 1,000 (or more) students, sponsors and guests; anywhere between 38 and 45 clubs are usually represented.

The Stow Latin Club of Stow-Munroe Falls High School consistently excelled at past State Conventions, winning the Overall Club Sweepstakes an unrivaled 28 consecutive years (1979-2006); it was not until 2007 that the Overall Sweepstakes trophy was awarded to another club, that of Summit Country Day. Summit went on to win the top prize again in 2009 and 2010.

Ramada Plaza Hotel of Columbus, frequent OJCL Convention site

Theme

At the end of every State Convention, a classical quote is selected as a theme for the following year's convention. Many aspects of each convention relate to or are in some way based on the convention theme of that year.

Year	Theme
2011
2010	Aut veniam inveniam aut faciam. "Either I shall find a way or I shall make one." Hannibal
2009	Di nos quasi pilas homines habent. "The gods play with us mortals like toys." Plautus
2008
2007
2006	At caelum certe patet; ibimus illac. "But the sky certainly lies open; we shall go that way." Ovid, Metamorphoses ("Transformations")
2005	Serit arbores quae alteri seculo prosint. "He plants trees in order to benefit another generation." Caecilius Statius c. 200 B.C.
2004
2003
2002	Exegi monumentum aere perennius. "I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze." Horace
2001	Dum fata sinunt, vivite laeti. "While the fates allow, live happily." Seneca the Younger, Hercules Furens ("The Madness of Hercules")
2000	Paulo maiora canamus. "Let us sing of things a little more important." Virgil, Eclogues IV
1999	Honor est premium virtutis. "Honor is the reward of virtue." Cicero
1998	Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit. "Perhaps one day it will be pleasing to remember even these things." Virgil
1997
1996

Local chapters

2010 OJCL State Convention attendees.

• Anderson HS
• Antwerp HS
• Archbishop Hoban HS
• Archbishop McNicholas HS
• Austintown-Fitch HS
• Badin HS
• Beavercreek HS
• Beechcroft HS
• Bellbrook HS
• Bexley HS
• Bishop Fenwick HS
• Bishop Watterson HS
• Boardman HS
• Bowsher HS
• Brunswick HS
• Bucyrus HS
• Carlisle HS
• Carroll HS
• Centerville HS
• Chillicothe HS
• Clearview HS
• Cleveland Central Catholic
• Cleveland School of Science and Medicine
• Coffman HS
• Colerain HS
• Columbus School for Girls
• Coshocton HS
• Cuyahoga Falls HS
• CVCA
• Donnell Middle School
• Elida HS
• Fairfield Union HS
• Fairmont HS
• Findlay HS
• Fisher Catholic HS
• Gallia Academy HS
• GlenOak HS
• Goshen HS
• Green HS
• Hawken School
• Highland HS
• Howland HS
• Hudson HS
• John Adams HS
• John F. Kennedy HS
• Kent Roosevelt HS
• Lakewood HS
• Lakota Freshman School
• Lincoln HS
• Marysville HS
• Meadowdale HS
• Mentor HS
• Mifflin HS
• Milford HS
• Minerva HS
• Moeller HS
• Mount Gilead HS
• Mount Vernon HS
• Napoleon HS
• Newark Catholic HS
• Newark HS
• North Olmsted HS
• North Royalton HS
• Northland HS
• Northwest HS
• Oak Hills HS
• Oakwood HS
• Olmsted Falls HS
• Orange HS
• Our Lady of the Elms HS
• Princeton HS
• Purcell Marian HS
• Ravenna HS
• Rogers HS
• Rutherford B. Hayes HS
• St. Charles Preparatory
• St. Francis DeSales HS
• St. Ignatius HS
• St. Jospeh Academy
• St. Thomas Aquinas HS
• St. Vincent – St. Mary HS
• Seton HS
• Springfield HS
• Start HS
• Stow-Munroe Falls HS
• Talawanda HS
• Tree of Life Christian HS
• Troy HS
• Twinsburg HS
• University School
• Vanlue HS
• Veritas Academy
• Wadsworth HS
• Waite HS
• Wellington HS
• West Geauga HS
• Western Reserve Academy
• Westerville North HS
• Harrison HS
• Wooster HS
• Wyoming Middle School
• Zanesville HS

State officers

Elected

• President: Samantha Buck
• 1st Vice President:
• 2nd Vice President: Anna Delamerced
• Secretary: Mark Samaan
• Treasurer: Andrew Boudon
• Parliamentarian: William Donovan

Appointed

• Historian:
• Editor:
• Northeast Gubernator:
• Northwest Gubernator:
• Southeast Gubernator:
• Southwest Gubernator:

State chairs

These are the state chairs as of the 2009-10 State Convention.

• Students: Larry Dean (Summit Country Day)
• Sponsors/Contests: Jenn Bruening (Madeira HS)
• Convention/Technology: Brian Inderhees

Publication

Torch: Ohio - the official publication of the OJCL, similar to Torch: U.S.

See also

• National Junior Classical League (NJCL)
• National Senior Classical League (NSCL) - the college-level affiliate of the NJCL.
  • Ohio Senior Classical League (OSCL) - The Ohio state chapter of the NSCL, recognized as such by the OJCL.
• American Classical League (ACL) - Parent organization and sponsor of both the NJCL and NSCL, and by extension, each of their respective state chapters (including the OJCL and OSCL).
• Classics
  • Latin • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient Greek • Ancient Greece

External links

• Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL) official website(s):
  • NEW website: OJCL.org
  • OLD website: OhioJCL.org
• National Junior Classical League (NJCL)
• National Senior Classical League (NSCL)
  • Ohio Senior Classical League (OSCL) official website:
    • OhioSCL.org (dead link)
• American Classical League (ACL)