![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Harker Latin students and Junior Classical League (JCL) members attended the 2023 annual Northern California JCL gathering Ludi Novembres at St. Francis Catholic High School on Nov. 4.
At Ludi, attendees participated in activities ranging from academic testing and certamen, a quiz bowl-type game with classics-themed questions, to a mythological spelling bee and art competitions.
“JCL is there to tell you that it’s okay to love Latin, and it’s cool to love Latin,” National JCL Historian Trisha Iyer (12) said. “[At Ludi,] you get to do a lot of fun activities and really put yourself out there and bond with other people.”
For Harker JCL members, the day began at 6:45 a.m. with a bus ride from the upper school campus to Sacramento. Students arrived in time for registration before 10 a.m. and then attended the general assembly with all other attendees before being dismissed to academic testing. Each student who attends the convention needs to take at least one test in Roman Daily Life, Mythology, Derivatives, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension or Grammar.
“St. Francis did a wonderful job organizing the event,” upper school Latin teacher Scott Paterson said. “Harker delegates seemed to have fun and comported themselves excellently as good representatives of Harker. [We] were very pleased with the event and the students. I’m seeing rising enthusiasm, and we’re hopeful that [the] spring convention will be very well attended.”
JCL member Samuel Tong (10), who attended Ludi for the first time, shared his thoughts on the benefits of Ludi and the community the JCL brings.
“I think Ludi is a great way for people who take Latin to congregate and enjoy each other’s company,” Samuel said. “I plan to attend [more JCL events] such as state conventions and other Ludi Novembres in the future.”
As a member of the California Junior Classical League (CAJCL) for over two decades, Harker has had students and teachers represent the school in various positions on the state board and executive committee since 2002. Students also have served as national officers, most recently with Rupert Chen (‘23) as NJCL First Vice President and Trisha as NJCL Historian. Currently, Harker Latin teachers Paterson and Lisa Masoni are the California Academics Chair and the Treasurer of the CAJCL, respectively.
“This year was at St. Francis, which was kind of funny because the first Ludi I ever went to was also at St. Francis back in sixth grade,” Trisha said. “Now I’m in 12th grade, so it’s kind of full circle. This is my last experience doing it as JCLer.”
