"The point is that I don't think I realized until that time [when I started studying for Convention] that I could OR would do anything beyond what was required in school..."

     "The second point is that I took Latin for 3 years, which I probably would not have done if it weren't for JCL..."

     "Is JCL important?? Well, I don't suppose I'd be even still involved in classics if it weren't for JCL. I think about all the things I do now related to classics--the state journal & newsletter, state website, NCLG website, and more--all of which I wouldn't be involved in if it weren't for JCL. An amazing thought."

     "I am a great fan of the JCL...as a Latin teacher, I find that it is a great motivator for many students. Some students will work harder to prepare for the VJCL Convention than for class and in the process became much better students."

     "When I joined the McMurry University faculty, one of the Vice Presidents stood up and told how, twenty-five years before, he had chosen to go to JCL with my club rather than have a part in the Senior Musical, which was THE high school event of Senior year. He said he had never regretted his choice, and that JCL had been a productive influence in his life. My students had Roman banquets, slave auctions (in a simpler era), Christmas carol-singing and teddy bear giveaways (bears they had made themselves) at the children's hospital. They studied hard for JCL contests and produced original plays (and one ballet), prize-winning photographs (even if we did almost singe the eyebrows off the kid with the only true Roman nose in the club), and artifacts I treasure today.

     "They come back now from their impressive careers and tell me that they still remember the things they did in JCL."

     "...even though I wasn't a part of JCL, it was still fun just to be there [KJCL Convention 2000]. It really got me into Latin and I began studying it in my spare time. JCL allows me to meet new people and have all the benefits of playing a sport-with the exception we're allowed to use our brains."

     "Well, obviously JCL has had a significant impact on my life. I have made the best of friends and have had unforgetable experiences. Talking about JCL is moving to me not only for personal reasons but because there is not one member of JCL who doesn't love it. It means so much to each and every one of us that without it we wouldn't be the people that we are. Passing up the chance to be part of this organization would be a grave error on the part of any school or individual.

     "The interaction between JCL individuals, local chapters, state chapters, and at the national level is an eye opening experience. Being a JCLer gives high school students the ability to be part of something bigger than themselves, to understand the workings of an organization.

     "However, the JCL experience is not only social, it teaches students how to have not only a better understanding of Latin and Greek, but also parlimentary procedure, the workings of a government-like organization, and how to apply lessons from school to their own lives. In short, JCL should be a part of any high school latin program. It is a way for students to take what would be a solitary latin club into an organization to foster growth, learning, and understanding."

     "The JCL has affected my life in many ways, but I feel the most important is that it has made me feel welcome in my new home. I understand this sounds odd, but let me explain further. I moved to St. Louis in August of 1996 which coincided with the beginning of my high school education at Lafayette. At the time I felt completely overwhelmed. I was returning to public school after being home-schooled for 3 years. I had no friends in the new school that I was attending. This was further enhanced because most of my friends that I had for 10 years back in North Carolina cut off all communication with me. I felt quite alone and sad.

     "When school started, Latin was the last class of the day for me and after my first day, I was quite disheartened because all the kids at Lafayette seemed to reject my presence. But, while I was packing up to leave, Mrs. Allen, my Latin teacher came over and started talking to me. She asked my why I looked so glum and I explained to her why I was sad. Mrs. Allen told me not to worry, and that I should attend the first Latin Club meeting so I could get involved at Lafayette. So when the first meeting came, I attended. To this very day, I have yet to find a group of people so outreaching as the people that were in attendance at that first Latin Club meeting. Even though I tried to stay away from the main group, several students came over to me and introduced themselves and insisted that I come over to the large group. They offered me some Roman Apple Cake, which I ate out of curiosity, and inquired about my life. After the meeting, I my hopes rose and I was hooked on the JCL.

     "I could go on to discuss all of the great times that I’ve had with the JCL, but I won’t because that would consume several pages. What I will say is that whenever I am participating at a JCL function, I am at my happiest. The JCL is what dominates my schedule, I schedule other activities around my JCL activities, and if there is a conflict, the JCL wins. I now partake in many school activities, but there are none that make me feel as welcome as the JCL. If I had not gotten involved in the JCL, I can honestly say that I would still feel like a stranger here in St. Louis because the JCL is a second family to me who was waiting for my arrival here in St. Louis and when I arrived, I was brought in and welcomed. I know that I will miss all of my friends that I have made in the JCL in Missouri when I leave for college, but I know that I will always be welcome when I visit. The JCL has made me feel at home here in Missouri, and for that I will always grateful."

     "I could write something cheezy here about how JCL has been a great academic motivator for me and how National Convention is a wonderful opportunity for me to match my Latin wits against whiz kids from across the country. While this is partially true, it is far from the most important part of my JCL experience. The best thing I have gotten out of JCL is fun (and a girlfriend, but that's a different story). Sure, I learned a lot along the way, about the Latin language, Roman culture and daily life, mythology, and even things like crime and punishment in Rome. But I had fun while doing all of it. Not just the ho hum kind of fun...I had one of the best times of my life at a National Latin Convention. I went to dances every night there, competed in athletic events ranging from volleyball to distance running to shot put. I took tests over Latin and related topics which allowed me to see where I stood among the other students in the country. Some parts of this were more important to me than other parts, but my preferences here don't matter and I won't state them. The point is that JCL has something to offer everyone. Whoever reads this, I hope you give JCL a chance. I didn't join it until my junior year in high school, and my only regret is over the years I lost before that. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at jcksn5@midamerica.net."