Benefits of Taking Latin

• Latin improves a student's: command of English, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and style of writing.
• Latin helps one to develop good study habits and improves one's memory: factors which are vital to success in college.
• Latin can raise one's SAT and ACT score.
• Latin Students are 134 points above average in Verbal, and 119 points above average in Math on the SAT.
• Latin Students outscore students in every other langauge on the Verbal portion of the SAT.
• Latin is a bridge that links the whole Western world through its language and heritage.
• Reading, writing, and translating Latin tend to improve a student's performace in all academic areas.

About The Junior Classical League

Formed in 1936, the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) is an organization of junior and senior high school students sponsored by the American Classical League. Composed of local and state/provincial chapters across the United States, Canada, and Australia, it is the largest Classical organization in the world today with over 50,000 members. Its purpose is to encourage an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome and to impart an understanding of the debt of our own culture to that of Classical antiquity.

(Taken from www.NJCL.org)

Benefits of JCL Membership

• NJCL holds state and national conventions where delegates have an opportunity to meet others and participate in academic, creative, and graphic arts contests, and athletic competitions.
• It provides leadership opportunities on local, state, and national levels.
• It also coordinates local, state, and national quiz bowl competitions called Certamen.
• The organization sponsors the National Latin Honor Society and the National Greek Honor Society.
• NJCL awards scholarships on the state and national levels to both students and teachers.
• Every summer, approximately 1600 students gather at a university for a weeklong national convention to celebrate the classics. Students have the opportunity to compete in a variety of events.

(Some information taken from the NJCL Brochure)

Latin Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why take Latin?

A: Latin is the basis for every Romantic language (i.e Italian, French, Spanish, and English). An acquaintance with the structures and basic vocabulary of Latin will assist today's students with future language acquisition, as well as their current studies of the English language


Q: Approximately how much of English is based on Latin?

A: About 80% of English vocabulary and almost all of its poetic devices and parts of speech come from Latin.


Q: What about Culture?

A: Spanish and French students learn about modern culture, but Latin students have the unique opportunity to study the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome as well as the provinces (i.e. Gaul, Britain, Alexandria, Jerusalem, et al.) Students also learn about traditions and rituals which heavily influence the current legal, artistic, architectural, governmental, and literary practices of fifty-seven countries on four continents.


Q: What about the long term benefits of studying Latin?

A: Studying Latin is an asset on College and Special event applications. Latin students are set apart from their peers as being especially intelligent and concerned with the origins of our modern world.


Q: Which careers benefit most from knowledge of Latin and Roman history?

A: Doctors, Attorneys, Scientists, Politicians, Linguists, and Museum Curators all greatly benefit from the study of Latin, but all careers benefit from the problem solving skills and broadened philosophical understanding with which Latin students become acquainted during the first few years of study.

JCL Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is JCL?

A: The Junior Classical League is a community of High School students currently engaged in the study of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Ancient culture, or Classical Art. Its parent organization, the American Classical League, was established in 1919 to preserve the study of the Classics in America and also beget the Senior Classical League, which serves college students interested in preserving the Classics and the JCL. The ACL sponsors the National Latin Exam, which assess the success of Latin students at every level. JCL was founded in 1936.


Q: What do JCLers do?

A: When not studying Latin, Kentucky's JCLers serve their communities and prepare for KJCL Convention, as well as organizing events on the local level with their comrades at home. Our state convention, usually a weekend in November, allows hundreds of the state's finest Classics students a chance to meet, compete, and make lifelong friends. Every summer, Kentucky JCL sends a delegation to the week-long National JCL convention, a joyous affair of competition, spirit, and a thousand or so JCLers from across the country.


Q: What comes with induction into the KJCL?

A: Along with acceptance into JCL, the largest Classical organization in the world, new chapters and delegates are invited to join us for the State JCL convention, receive a subscription to the JCL newsletters, Torch: KY and Torch: US, and are offered the opportunity to meet hundreds of the most interesting, intelligent students in Kentucky and the world (NJCL Convention invites delegates from Canada, Italy, and the UK). The opportunity to compete for academic awards, competitive distinctions, and college scholarships will also be within students' grasps. As with all opportunities, however, students will reap what they sow—JCL encourages immersion in and dedication to participation at every level lest they miss any of the wonderful opportunities JCL provides.


Q: What opportunities are in store for those students who become particularly involved with JCL?

A: Each convention of KJCL, KSCL, NJCL, and NSCL sees the election of approximately 7 to 8 officers who develop interpersonal and leadership skills, as well as experience with Parliamentary Procedure (JCL uses completely accurate Parliamentary Procedure for the carrying out of its constitution and bylaws, as well as for each meeting of the officers and the delegation). This practice serves as vital experience for many exciting programs, jobs, and opportunities open to today's particularly involved youth leaders. Additionally, the chance to work professionally with adults to plan convention serves as a rare and potent occasion for character development and personal betterment.

JCL Creed

We the members of the Junior Classical League,
covenant to hand on the torch of classical civilization in the modern world.
We believe an acquaintance with the civilization of Greece and
Rome will help us understand and appraise this world of today,
Which is indebted to the ancient civilization
in its government and laws, literature, language and arts.
We affirm the JCL experience develops responsibility,
fosters brotherhood, promotes enthusiasm, encourages
competition, inspires dedication,
and enriches our total growth!

JCL Song

Seeking the best, the highest our goal
Working for greatness through glories of old.
Searching the realms of the golden past,
We follow the classics' truths that last
In knowledge, truth, and fellowship, we're growing everyday
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.
Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge of Allegiance

Fidem meam obligo
Vexillo civitatium Americae
Foederatarum et rei publicae
Pro qua stat.
Uni nationi, Deo ducente, Non dividendae
Cum libertate
Iustitiaque omnibus