Junior Classical League

National Junior Classical League
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056-1694
Phone: 513-529-7741   Fax: 513-529-7742
AmericanClassicalLeague@muohio.edu

Formed in 1936 and sponsored by the American Classical League, the Junior Classical League is a national organization that fosters interest in Latin and Roman civilization among high school and junior high school Latin students. The largest classical organization in the world today, it has nearly 50,000 members in chapters across the United States and Canada. Its purpose is to encourage an interest in and appreciation of the language, literature and culture of ancient Rome and Greece and to impart an understanding of the debt of our own culture to that of Classical antiquity. JCL holds an annual convention; sponsors a PenPal program; and makes various scholarships available. Individual and chapter contests also allow JCL members to display their talents in photography, creative writing, journalism, and technology. At KET we wanted to find a way for our distance learning students to become a part of this group. Geri Dutra of the American Classical League gives us the following advice:

KET Distance Learning Latin students may join NJCL with full privileges, since KET's Latin teacher holds membership in the ACL and KET holds a chapter membership for NJCL and ACL. Your facilitator does not need to join NJCL or ACL for a student to become a member. To become members, students need to pay $1.00 plus whatever fees their local chapter may require.

Why should a student join? This is an exciting way for students to meet other Latin students; have fun; gain recognition in competing with other students from many other schools, states, and countries; learn more about Latin and Roman culture and history; and stretch your interests. JCL competitions are truly fun and no grades are involved. But it can help on a college application if a student does earn a medal or recognition. In fact, simply participating in the National Latin Exam shows a college interviewer that the applicant is an individual who is not content with the status quo and would be a potential asset to a college or university.

How to join? KET and Magistra Jahnige have already formed a chapter and paid the chapter dues.

• KET students should use this special membership form to enroll in the national organization of the JCL.
  
  
• Individual schools/students must also affiliate with their respective state or provincial organizations. Contact your state or provincial chairperson regarding dues or other requirements for your state. If there is no contact information listed for your state or province, contact the NJCL office for addresses and phone numbers.
  
  
• NJCL members are eligible to attend the annual convention that takes place in late July/early August. If their membership fees are paid before July 1, they are also eligible to hold office and vote at the convention.
  
  
• NJCL members may order stickers, keyrings, pins, and so on with this Order Form for NJCL.
  
  
• NJCL members can apply to be matched with fellow JCL members under the PenPal Program.
  
  
• Members who meet academic and other requirements may be eligible for the NJCL Latin Honor Society. Students accepted into NLHS receive an 8.5 x 11 parchment certificate, a gold seal, and membership card, and their principal receives a letter from the national office of JCL with the names of students enrolled in the current academic year. Contact KET to find out if a student is eligible to be sponsored for enrollment. Latin Honor Society members only may order items with this Order Form for NLHS.