Ontario Student Classics Conference
The Ontario Student Classics Conference (OSCC) is an annual event committed to the promotion and appreciation of studies in Classics. It is a four-day competition that occurs in early May at Brock University of St. Catharines, Ontario. Initially, the Conference was established as an extension of the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) but has since expanded and grown to become one of the largest and most popular conferences in Ontario,[1] with over 500 students attending each year from 15-20 schools.[2] The conference is dedicated to the study of Classics; students compete in over 100 academic, athletic, and creative competitions all based on aspects of Classical life.[3]
In addition to competitions, students also participate in different classically themed events, one of these being the "Pompa" (Latin for "Parade"). For this event everyone is required to dressed appropriately in classical attire, namely togas, and line up with their school to parade around the campus before attending a celebratory banquet and awards ceremony.[3]
The OSCC is not affiliated with the Ontario Classical Association (OCA).[4]
OSCC Mission Statement
"The Ontario Student Classics Conference brings together students and teachers from across the province to promote and nurture a deeper understanding of the Classical World by providing opportunities to celebrate our Classical heritage through a variety of social events and competitions. While the goal of each club is the pursuit of excellence, following the philosophy 'mens sana in corpore sano,' it is an essential mandate of this Conference to promote the pursuit of this goal in a spirit of cooperation, mutual encouragement, and sportsmanship."[3]
Competitions
Academic contests
These competitions are designed to challenge students' knowledge of the cultures of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece through the writing of a wide variety of contests. Most contests are offered at three different levels: Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The Greek Derivative and Greek Oral Reading tests only have two: Junior and Senior. Quaerite Summa does not have levels. Levels in some contests are determined by the years of language study while others are based on grade level or a combination of the two. The Academic Pentathlon consists of all five of the 'cursus' contests where Pentathletes' total score is determined by their total score achieved in all five contests.[5][6]
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Athletic contests
The athletic competitions are modeled on the Ancient Olympic Games of Ancient Greece. Most events are divided by age and gender. The Relay Race, Slinging, the 50 meter freestyle race and the 100 meter freestyle race are divided only by gender. Discus Ultimus and the Chariot Race are open to everyone together.[6][7]
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Creative contests
Students complete in a variety of creative events and competitions that feature the production of both ancient and modern art forms. Listed below are each of these events; the number in parentheses following the event indicates how many entries each school may submit. Also, the winner of the Best Costume event is awarded no points.[6][8]
| Creative events | |
|---|---|
| Archaeological Dig (1) | Miscellaneous (2) |
| Audio-Visual (2) | Mosaic (2) |
| Best Costume (2) | Painting (2) |
| Chariot Design (1) | Posters/Charts/Maps (2) |
| Computer Presentation (2) | Pottery (2) |
| Drawing (2) | School Display (1) |
| Fashion Show (1) | Scrapbook (1) |
| Illustrated Notebook (2) | Sculpture (2) |
| Jewellery (2) | Skit (1) |
| Large Model (2) | Small Model (2) |
Awards
Listed below are the trophies for each of the various OSCC competitions, which are given in addition to ribbons recognizing the top 5 placements in each event.[3] University of Toronto Schools has won the Phyllis Morgan Trophy — generally considered the top prize — every year since 1996 (as of 2016); York Mills Collegiate Institute had won nine straight years before 1996.
| ACADEMIC | |
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
|---|---|
| Junior Pentathlon Trophy and Medal | Awarded to the top Junior Academic Pentathlete; Dedicated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Intermediate Pentathlon Trophy and Medal | Awarded to the top Intermediate Academic Pentathlete; Dedicated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Nancy Karrandjas Trophy and Senior Pentathlete Medal | Awarded to the top Senior Academic Pentathlete; Dedicated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Latin Sight Contest Trophy | Formerly (1968 ff.) awarded to the winner of the North York Latin Sight Competition; Presented by the North York Board of Education, 1975 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Classics Conference Greek Sight Translation Trophy | Inaugurated in 1987 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Ron Walters Award: Senior Student Latin Derivatives | Inaugurated in 1993 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Ontario Student Classics Conference Greek Derivatives Trophy | Inaugurated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Senior Latin Oral Reading Trophy | Donated by Dr. Katarina Cicogna through the generosity of the Consulate of Italy in 1998 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Gordon Brooks Trophy for Latin Oral Reading | Awarded to the school with the highest total number of points in Senior, Intermediate, and Junior readings; Inaugurated in 1978 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Senior Greek Oral Reading Trophy | Dedicated through the generous support of the Consul of Greece in 1996 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The John Dixon Memorial Trophy for Roman History | Awarded to the individual with the highest score on the Written Roman History Competition; Inaugurated in 1975 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Classics Conference Greek History Trophy | Awarded to the individual with the highest score on the Written Greek History Contest; Inaugurated in 1988 Current Winner: Markham District High School, University of Toronto Schools |
| The Dorothy Loch Trophy for Mythology | Awarded to the school with the most points in Junior, Intermediate and Senior Oral Mythology; Inaugurated in 1980 Current Winner: Markham District High School |
| Classics Conference Quaerite Summa Roman Life Trophy | Inaugurated in 1987 Current Winner: Markham District High School |
| John Bell Memorial Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement |
Plaque and medal; Awarded to all students who place first in five academic competitions, three of which must be single events, or, if no student has won five academic firsts, to the highest-scoring student among those with three or four academic firsts; Donated by Shademan Akhavan, May 14, 1988 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Academic Medal of the Ontario Student Classics Conference |
Awarded to the student with the greatest number of academic points; Donated by Michael Bales and the Toronto French School, June 2002 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Latin Conference Academic Award | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in academic competitions; Inaugurated in 1973 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Rocky Yeung Memorial Trophy for Top Academic Points Per Capita | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points per capita in academic competitions; Inaugurated in 2004 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| ATHLETIC | |
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
| The James Lynd and Stephen Low Swimming Trophy | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in swimming competitions; Inaugurated in 2005 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Jeff Maybee Trophy for Field Events | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in field events, excluding the Chariot Race; Inaugurated in 2005 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Chariot Race Trophy (formerly the SCI Chariot Races Trophy) |
Awarded to the school with the fastest chariot race time ; Inaugurated in 1968 Current Winner: Humberside Collegiate Institute |
| Girls' Chariot Race Trophy |
Awarded to the school with the fastest girls' chariot race time ; Inaugurated in 2006? Current Winner: St. Clement's School |
| Discus Ultimus Trophy | Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Discus Ultimus competition; Inaugurated in 2006 Current Winner: Humberside Collegiate Institute |
| O.S.C.C. Certamen Navale Trophy | Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Certamen Navale/Rafting competition; Inaugurated in 2012 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Ontario Student Classics Conference Top Athlete | Awarded to the student with the greatest number of points in individual athletic competitions; Inaugurated in 1988 Current Winner: Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, University of Toronto Schools |
| Latin Conference Athletic Award | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in athletic competitions; Inaugurated in 1974 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Top Per Capita Athletic Trophy | Awarded to the school that achieves the greatest number of points (per capita) in Athletic competitions; Inaugurated in 2004 Current Winner: Branksome Hall |
| CREATIVE | |
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
| Chariot Design Trophy | Awarded to the school with the highest score in the Chariot Design Competition (New or Refurbished); Inaugurated in 2003 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Moushmegh Bouzbouzian Memorial Scrapbook Trophy |
Donated by the London Family whose daughters attended York Mills Collegiate; Inaugurated 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| School Display Trophy | Awarded to the school with the highest score in the School Display Competition; Inaugurated in 2003 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| J.F. Kett Trophy for Archaeology | Presented in his memory by the Chippewa Latin Club in 1977 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Barrie North Classics Drama Award | Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Skit Competition; Inaugurated in 1980 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Margaret-Anne Gillis Award for Fashion Show (formerly the Classics Conference Fashion Show Trophy) |
Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Fashion Show competition; Donated by the Barrie Central Classics Club in 1997; Inaugurated in 1998 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Sheila M. Ellison Creative Student Award | Donated by Margaret-Anne Gillis and Elizabeth Ellison in memory of their mother, Sheila M. Ellison; Awarded to the student with the greatest number of points in individual Creative events; Inaugurated in 2003 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Mary Wase Creative Award | Mary Wase was a teacher of English and Latin at Barrie Central Collegiate who donated the award to recognize the school with the greatest number of points in Creative events; Inaugurated in 1988 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Top Per Capita Creative Award | Awarded to the school that achieves the greatest number of points (per capita) in Creative events; Inaugurated in 2004 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| OVERALL | |
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
| Phoenix Animus Ludorum | Awarded to the school which best demonstrates the "spirit of the games" through adherence to the Conference mission statement "mens sana in corpore sano"; Inaugurated in 2006 Current Winner: St. Clement's School |
| Thomson Award | Awarded to the school with the highest points per capita at Classics Conference; Presented by David and Mary Thomson C.I. in 1991 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Phyllis Morgan Trophy for Overall Excellence at Classics Conference |
Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points overall; Inaugurated in 1972 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Ontario Student Classics Conference Host Trophy |
Awarded to the school hosting the next OSCC; Inaugurated in 2005 Current Winner: North Toronto Collegiate Institute, Toronto French School |
| Minerva Award | Awarded to any individual who in at least one individual event receives placements each in Creative, Athletic and Academic competitions; Inaugurated in 2007 Current Winner: Humberside Collegiate Institute, Markham District High School, North Toronto Collegiate Institute |
Conferences by year
Listed below are the locations, hosts and themes for each of the past OSCC conventions (as of 2016).
References
- ^ "The Ontario Student Classics Conference". OntClassics.org - September 2007. Internet Archive: Wayback Machine. 2010. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- ^ "Exemplary Teacher: Mary McBride A Classic!". Professionally Speaking. Ontario College of Teachers. September 2005. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
- Elliott, Kathleen (May 14, 2000). "Archeological work part of the fun; Classics conference has students digging the past". Daily Mercury. Torstar. p. A4 - News.
- ^ a b c d "Ontario Student Classics Conference Guidebook - General Information: Revised August 2009" (PDF). ClassicsConference.org. Ontario Student Classics Conference (OSCC). 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Ontario Student Classics Conference". Ontario Classical Association (OCA). Queen's Printer for Ontario. 2001. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
- ^ "Ontario Student Classics Conference Guidebook - Academic Competitions" (PDF). ClassicsConference.org. Ontario Student Classics Conference (OSCC). 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ a b c "Can't beat the classics". Daily Mercury. Torstar. May 12, 2000. p. A9 - News.
- "Gathering features chariots, slingshots". The Record. Torstar. May 16, 2000. p. B5 - Lifestyles.
- McCarthy, Eugene (May 10, 1999). "Classics conference filled with Latin lovers". The Record. Torstar. p. B1 - Local.
- ^ "Ontario Student Classics Conference Guidebook - Athletic Competitions" (PDF). ClassicsConference.org. Ontario Student Classics Conference (OSCC). 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Ontario Student Classics Conference Guidebook - Creative Competitions" (PDF). ClassicsConference.org. Ontario Student Classics Conference (OSCC). 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010. [dead link]