Connecting and understanding our past history whether by one’s self or with others has helped us further our knowledge. The Denton High Junior Classical League, or JCL, is a national organization for the classics.

“Our 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.” The official JCL website states.

Recently, JCL students participated in the JCL Area C competition and all received phenomenal results. The students competed in multiple competitions within and we’re ranked in the top ten. Due to this,  JCL students have advanced to the TSJCL State Convention.

“We were elated. All but one student qualified for state, and even that student was really close.” Latin teacher, Rebecca Thomason said.

The Area C competition was held online this year to prevent the spread of and keep students safe from the on-going pandemic. 

The Area competition is normally held at a specific high school and is an all day event. Administrators of the Area C competition had to make secure academic tests that would release at the same time and also organize easily so they could filter results to the correct schools.

 “I assisted with the organization of the event this year and it was much more work than usual, mainly because we had to recreate some events into a virtual format that never previously worked that way.” Thomason said.

DHS JCL is a student-driven club meaning students lead and decide what they want to achieve for the year. Unlike past years, zooms have been the location for JCL students to meet up and collaborate.

“We have all been motivated to push the boundaries and continue to work hard,” JCL student Brianna Ayers said.

The TSJCL convention will be fully virtual this year for safety purposes, but will be kept as close to the usual schedule as possible.