By Madison Gaston

Every year in late January and early February, the Florida Junior Classical League (FJCL) holds a Regional Latin Forum in each region in Florida. On Feb. 1, Oak Hall School hosted its region’s Latin forum, which qualifies students for the State Latin Forum. Cornerstone and St. Francis Latin students participated in the local event.

Latin students from seventh through 12th grade spent a month preparing for the forum, which Oak Hall students have participated in for more than 20 years. The time spent completing practice exams and study sessions paid off for the Oak Hall Latin students, as the group took home 124 Academic Ribbons and 12 Academic “Best of Show” Awards. 

The Regional Latin Forum includes various special categories such as Greek and Latin language, history, and mythology. All competitors must complete an academic test that covers the aforementioned subjects. Students got the chance to compete in the Certamen portion of the forum, which is a kind of jeopardy game to test the students knowledge in various categories. In addition to Certamen, the Regional Latin Forum includes a service project, a creative competition, and Olympika. For this year’s service project, Oak Hall students painted kindness rocks to place around the community. For the creative competition, Oak Hall senior Michelle Li competed in Impromptu Art. The Olympika competition includes athletics like track and field, discus throwing, and tug-of-war. 

Oak Hall seniors Keegan Hogan, Emma Anderson, Ethan Dixon, Maya Harris, Evie Kelly, Michelle Li, Elizabeth Olcese, Esha Patel, Veronika Schmalfuss, Zhai Smith, Rushee Soni, Kumail Zaidi, Matthew Citty, and Colby Curtis will attend their last State Latin Forum in April. “Looking back on my years studying Latin, I realize how important and meaningful Regionals has been to me and I’m excited to see where all the younger kids take it,” Hogan said. Oak Hall’s Latin will continue studying for the State Latin Forum and strives to make the top three in April.