Kickoff

Salvēte, teachers and students!

I hope you’re enjoying the start to the school year and had a wonderful summer. 

With the beginning of the 2024-2025 year, I am beyond excited to welcome you and your school to join the Massachusetts Junior Classical League, whether you are long-time or prospective members of our organization.

WHAT IS MASSJCL?

MassJCL is a chapter of the National Junior Classical League (NJCL), bringing together lovers of the Classics at events throughout the year. This student-led organization fosters a tight-knit Classics community sharing a unique curiosity and appreciation for the Ancient World. Through regional, state, and national events, your school’s Latin and/or Greek students may gain access to the wisdom of leading Classics professors and educators, leadership opportunities from the local to national level, friendly competition and contests, and plenty of spirit cheers and community-building activities.

Read on to learn more about MassJCL registration, contact information, and our three most important events of the school year: Kickoff, Classics Day, and State Convention!

Kickoff: The first event of the year is Kickoff which will be held on Saturday, October 19 from 9AM to 3PM at Winchester High School. It is a great way for students to get a feel for what Classics beyond the classroom can look like, and to meet Classics enthusiasts from around MA as their year begins. Our Praetoria sessions offer learning opportunities on leadership within JCL (establishing a new chapter, running for state and national office, growing your existing chapter) and on topics such as philosophy and arts within the Ancient World. Whether Street Certamen (quizbowl on Latin and Classical mythology, culture and history with pop culture sprinkled in) or  Gladiator Fights or the ever-popular Marshmallow Catapult Competition, there is something for everyone at Kickoff. See the flier attached to learn more. To attend Kickoff, please register your chapter here!

Classics Day: Classics Day occurs this year at Boston University on Thursday, November 21. The theme for this year is “Technology and Innovation in the Classical World.” Classics Day offers an opportunity for your students to attend lectures and workshops, speak to Classics professors, and experience what learning Classics in a higher learning environment means. See the flier attached to learn more.

State Convention: State Convention is a 2-day event that allows Classics students to be immersed in the spirit and community of JCL through competing in academic, dramatic, artistic, and athletic contests. It will be held this year over the weekend in early April at Barnstable High School. We hope that this will inspire your students to participate at the July National Convention at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Stay tuned for more details in the next few months!

HOW DO I REGISTER? Registration for MassJCL is open! Membership in the MassJCL makes a chapter eligible to participate in any of its activities, events, and competitions throughout the year. You and your students will also gain access to the Forum Factorum, our quarterly online MassJCL newsletter. To register and learn how to pay dues: Fill out this Google form (bit.ly/massjcl2425).Email to MassJCL co-chair Janet Fillion (janet.fillion@gmail.com) a running list of:All chapter members (noting those without explicit permission to have photos posted)Their gradeTheir level of LatinIf possible, their student emails This template may help in your making a list. Mail checks made out to “MassJCL”  to Ms. Fillion (21 Beech Glen Street Roxbury, MA 02119). OR Venmo to @MassJCL with the description “[Your Name], [School], MassJCL Reg.”

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Contest Booklet: The very important 2024-2025 Contest Booklet (bit.ly/massjclCB2425) has launched! There are countless opportunities within these pages for students to get involved in service, participate in friendly competition, take home awards, and expand their breadth of Classics knowledge. 
2. Social Media: Be sure to follow MassJCL on Instagram (@massjcl) for more content & updates throughout the year!
3. Student Portal: Get emails and communications from MassJCL for students through our Student Portal (bit.ly/MassJCLStudent2425).
4. Service Events: Want to get involved with community service, volunteer through the JCL, and score some points for your school while you’re at it? Read this letter from our 2nd Vice President, Joseph, about two upcoming service contest opportunities in November and February.

If you’ve made it to the end of this email, thank you! I hope you’ve come away from this with a renewed (or new) interest in MassJCL, an organization expanding educational opportunities within the Classics for you and your students. Attached are flyers for the upcoming Kickoff and Classics Day events, if you’d like to print them out and share with your class/school. Please send me an email (president@massjcl.org) with any questions that you may have, and I am happy to help you in whatever way possible.

Hopefully I will see you and your school at future events!

Warmly,

Julianna Lee

2024-2025 MassJCL President