UT Hosts National Junior Classical League
The 2024 annual convention of the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) was held on the UT campus July 22-27. Among the organizers was alumnus Ryan Vinson.
As many as 1,300 junior high and high school students and chaperones from all over the country spent six days enjoying talks and competing in a slew of contests on subjects such as etymology, Roman civilization, Latin vocabulary, ancient Greek civilization, and mythology. There even was an academic heptathlon and decathlon for hard-core attendees.
Students also participated in ancient fashion, oratory, and graphic arts contests, as well as in sports events (including a marathon, of course). In short, they had a grand time immersing themselves in all things classical.
They were warmly welcomed by Beauvais Lyons, UT’s divisional dean for arts and humanities, and by Jessica Westerhold. Dylan Bloy gave a much-appreciated talk about his excavation at the Roman villa at Vacone, providing a clear, energetic, and often humorous explanation of the nature and importance of this site, the challenges of organizing and executing a dig, and the personal dimensions of the teamwork that Roman archaeology demands.
Our thanks to everyone who helped make the Knoxville NJCL convention an unforgettable experience for our visitors!