FHS Hosts New Jersey Junior Classical League Convention

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Aficionados of the classical world from 20 schools across New Jersey gathered at Franklin High School April 29 for the New Jersey Junior Classical League convention.

The convention is a conglomeration of contests  and exhibits that explore the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome. Winners of the contests will compete in the national convention, scheduled for later this summer in Alabama.

Included among the competitors were 62 Franklin High School students, according to Jennifer Jones, am FHS Latin teacher and the school’s Junior Classical Club advisor. She said the JCL club has 100 members.

The students participated in athletic, academic and artistic competitions, all of which were based on ancient Greece and Rome, and the study of Latin, Jones said.

Among the events in the “Olympika:” 100 meter, 200 meter races and 100 meter relay races, volleyball, basketball, discus, softball throw and chariot races.

The academic events included Oratory, “Name That Deity,” and Dramatic Interpretation and Sight Reading music.

There were also awards given for the schools that conducted the most community service projects during the year, she said.

Not everyone was there to compete, Jones said.

Some of the students are “just here to try activities and to explore, learn about the ancient world, and have some fun,” she said.

Two 10th graders who were on the FHS chariot team said they compete for the fun of it.

“I did this last year and had a blast,” said Mohamed Said. “This is a good day.”

Matthew DeFilippis said this was his first year in the league.

“I’m having fun,” he said. DeFilippis said he competed in the 200 meter race, the volleyball game and tug-of-war.

 

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