Semester's End

A little holiday cheer to end the semester:

Semester Exam Reminder

Language exams are Tuesday, December 16.

If anyone has any last-minute questions or concerns, I'll be in my office after exams on Monday until about 1:30 PM.

"The Latin Vote"

Click here for a recent article about the importance of learning Latin. I especially like the anecdote about the hiring practices of J.P. Getty, one of the wealthiest Americans of the 20th century: "He understood that mastery of the passive periphrastic was a more important business qualification than an MBA."

Thanks to Mr. Jim Buchman, MUS art teacher, for sharing.

Saturnalia

All Upper School and Lower School Latin Club members are invited to attend the Latin Club Saturnalia. It will take place Tuesday, December 2 during OP in the Wunderlich Auditorium. The officers will present a short program, and refreshments will be served.

Everyone should bring a small cash donation (ca. $5.00) for our Angel Tree holiday service project.

2014 Festivus Results

The 7^th annual Latin Fall Festivus took place on Saturday, November 15 at St. Mary’s. About 250 students from 12 different schools (MUS, St. Mary’s, White Station, Houston, Germantown, Collierville, CBHS, St. Benedict, Westminster Academy, Collegiate School, Hutchison, St. George’s) attended the competition.

MUS winners:

Vocabulary Test – Level 2 – Charlie Evans (2^nd), Jackson Moody (1^st)

Vocabulary Test – Level 3-4-5 – Forest Colerick (3^rd), Patrick Murphy (2^nd), Tom Wells (1^st) 

Mythology Test – Level 2 – Jackson Moody (2^nd)

Mythology Test – Level 3-4-5 – Darius Cowan (tie for 3^rd), Richard Ouyang (1^st)

Catapult Contest (Large) – Callaway Rogers and Jon Staffel (1^st)

Mythology Spelling Bee – Kyle Day (3^rd)

Feats of Strength:

Foot Race – Forest Colerick (2^nd), Josiah Crutchfield (1^st)

Boxing – Benton Ferebee (1^st) 

Open Certamen:

Lower Level – Brad Kerkhof (3^rd), Jackson Moody (2^nd), Charlie Evans (1^st)

Upper Level – Nathan Dinh and Patrick Murphy (3^rd), Aneesh Ram and Brooks Eikner (2^nd), Richard Ouyang (1^st)

Congratulations to all of these students for a job well done.

Festivus Reminders

Please read everything posted here.

Festivus is this Saturday, November 15. Students should report by 7:50 AM and should be picked up at 11:45 AM.

Semester Exam Study Guide

The exam study guide is posted here.

Foreign language exams are scheduled for Tuesday, December 16.

Trigon Instructional Video

It's never too early to start practicing for the tournament:

Letters About Literature

I would like to have some students take part in this writing contest, which is sponsored by Humanities Tennessee.

I will award one bonus point to the quarter average in return for participation. To receive this point, you must follow the contest guidelines (see link above), you must put forth a legitimate effort, and you must write your letter to a classical author (e.g., Homer, Vergil, Cicero, Caesar).

If you would like to participate, please e-mail me your letter by Monday, December 8.

This offer is open to students in all levels of Latin.

Festivus Event Assignments

Festivus event assignments are posted here. We still have space in a couple of events, so let your teacher know if you are interested.

All MUS Upper School and Lower School students are required to participate in Academic Testing. See the Festivus packet for more information.

The tryout for the Mythology Spelling Bee is scheduled for this Friday during OP in US 216.

New Latin Brochure

Click here to see the Fall 2014 version of the MUS Latin brochure.

The brochure includes recent SAT statistics for Latin students vs. non-Latin students. As always, the gap between the two groups is significant. 

Festivus

Click here to see the list of students who have signed up for Festivus. If this list needs to be corrected, please notify Mr. Sellers ASAP.

Also, Festivus T-shirts will be available for $12.00. If anyone would like to pre-order a T-shirt, please let me know.

Shirts and Magnets

They have arrived. Please pick them up in Mr. Suddarth's office.

Festivus Sign-Up

All students who want to attend the Festivus this year need to sign up by Friday, October 17.  To sign up, simply talk to your Latin teacher.  There is no form to fill out, and there is no money to pay. (We'll use club money to cover registration fees.)  We do, however, expect everyone who signs up to be there.

Academic testing is required for all MUS students.  Other events are optional.

This is open to all US and LS students who joined the Latin Club.

More information is posted here.

Latin Club Senators

We have the results of the JCL senate election. Just as in ancient Rome, the senators will assist and advise the consuls.

We had a lot of well-qualified candidates on the ballot, but unfortunately, only one person per grade level could be elected. Thanks to all of those who offered to serve, and congratulations to the winners:

AP Latin - Will McAtee

Latin Three - Brooks Eikner

Latin Two - Chang Yu