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Picturae Omnibus!

7/16/2024

Salvete Omnes (Χαίρετε πάντες),

On behalf of the memoranda crew, we are delighted to post this link (Click Here) to our store of photos and videos from this year’s academy. Thank you to everyone who uploaded and curated this amazing collection of memories from our experience together. Stay tuned for our final products which will be working their way along the cursus publicus later this summer!

Maximas gratias omnibus (χάριν πᾶσιν)!

Διδάσκαλος Cogan and Magistra Harrell

Dies Finis - Curate!

7/13/2024

The FINAL BLOG?!

Music is blasting. Everyone is dancing. And signing everyone’s papyrus scrolls.

Since this is a zuppa duppa, ever-so-epic, once-in-a-lifetime special moment, we would like to make this a thank you post.

Thank you. Seriously. (I hope it’s not cheesy already.)

On everyone’s behalf, from the very bottom of our hearts, we sincerely thank every single person involved in GLA.

To parents and teachers: thank you for encouraging us to apply and experience such a whirlwind of excitement. What would we do without you?

To the R-MC staff that was involved in the running of the Academy: thank you for your unwavering support. You’re all amazing.
And finally, to all 54 members of this year’s GLA: maximas maximas maximas gratias, e corde. You all have made the three weeks superb. Y’all are awesome. Genuinely, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. We’ll miss hearing your laughs and seeing your smiles.

Final GLA Out of Context:
“Vale!” - Everyone

Arleigh’s Final Fanta Furies:
Total: 101. HE HAS DONE IT! CONGRATS ARLEIGH!

For the final time,

Valete, omnes!

Sincerely,
Ciara and Philip, Your True Aediles signing off with maximal gratitude

GLA Check-Out and Closing Ceremony

7/13/2024

Salvete, Omnes!
This letter contains important information about your arrival at Randolph-Macon College on Sunday, July 14, 2024 to pick up your student from the Governor's Latin Academy. Here is the schedule:

Arrive between 8:30 and 9:30 am Come to Andrews Dorm (#61 on the map)
Pack up room Load car in Lot I and then move it across the road
Find a staff member to inspect the room and sign your student’s door sign
Take door sign and fob to check-out table in the lobby by 10:00 am
You may take your student to breakfast (or bring it with you), but they need to be back in MPR by 10:15 for the Closing Ceremony
Attend Closing Ceremony in Copley 101 at 10:30 am (#38 on the map)

Please do your best to adhere to the above schedule. If something happens on the drive down, please call me at (804) 496-1873‬.

Remember that students should not be in possession of cell phones until after the Closing Ceremony.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Curate ut valeatis,
Jacquelyn Wilkins
Princeps,
GLA XXXVII

Dies Vicensimus - Happy (Last) Friday!

7/12/2024

Salvete, omnes! As you can tell by the post title, today we had our last Friday at GLA! These weeks have flown by so quickly and we cannot believe we’re heading home in just two days!!!

This morning we had our final Quid Rides, Stylus Amicitiae, and Voces Feminarum! In Quid Rides, some of us submitted original Latin jokes to be told during our Varietas performance, while in Stylus Amicitiae, we wrote letters to our GLA pen pals! The letters will be distributed during Ultimae Epistulae (which is technically right now as this is being written, but it’s not over yet, so tune in tomorrow!).

Today after dinner, we had our final dress rehearsal for Varietas! Each group (except for Memoranda, because duh, surprises) presented their performance and they were all amazing! All family, friends, and teachers are invited - scroll back on the blog for more info!

By the way, on the way to our dress rehearsal, it was pouring rain. This is not the first time we’ve been caught in a rainstorm (see A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Andrews Hall), so as of now it’s rain 2, GLA 0. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again.

Fun fact - Our Aediles take turns writing the blog, which means tonight is Ciara’s last blog post! It has been an eventful three weeks, and recording it for both us and our loved ones has been so much fun!!! Final blog post tomorrow… stay tuned!

Valete, omnes!!!

Ciara and Philip (Your True Aediles)

Res Gestae Performance

7/12/2024

Salvete Omnes!

We are approaching the presentation of student Varietas Projects on Saturday at 2 pm in Copley 101 ( 38 on the map). The students have worked extremely hard on these projects and hope to demonstrate how much their grasp on the language has grown in their chosen proficiency. Though the performances are in Latin, we will offer descriptions for our non-Latin speaking/reading audience members.

We hope that you will join us for the performance as well as the short reception to follow from 3-4 pm in the same location. We ask that all guests remain in Copley during the reception; all packing must be completed during check-out on Sunday. Also, please, remember that the use or possession of an internet-enabled device by a student at this event will result in a dismissal from the academy. We thank you for your support and understanding. Finally, after the reception, students will return to the dorms to pack and prepare for our final banquet.

Those of you traveling from a distance might consider staying overnight in Ashland to be ready for checkout starting at 8:30 am on Sunday (more on that to follow). Also, there is parking around the building and in nearby lots around campus.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this event.
Curate ut Valeatis,
Jacquelyn Wilkins

Dies Undevicensimus - VMFA! Certagon!

7/11/2024

Salvete omnes! Today was a big day for all as we had a long field trip in the morning and afternoon. We visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts! In the evening, we had the GLA version of Certamen (like Jeopardy but Latin), Certagon, as well as a Q&A session where we had the opportunity to ask the staff about their experiences in pursuing classics.

Before we start though, we have a special announcement to make. We had our third birthday today, and it was Josh’s!!! Happy birthday to Josh!!!

VMFA: a magnificent beginning. We had the stellar opportunity to see a 2,000-year-old marble sculpture of Caligula! Cavedo showed us the photo of the statue in Quae Nunc Est Romae, so seeing it in person was exciting for everyone. There was also a statue of Septimius Severus (with 17th-century modifications) and Cleopatra. After the quick exhibitions, we had a scavenger hunt that allowed us to view East and South Asian, African, and Native American art exhibitions. It was a fantastic visit and a memorable way to spend our last Thursday at the Academy.

In the evening, we had a GLA edition of Certamen - Certagon! It was like traditional Certamen, i.e. we played three preliminary rounds and one final, but with a special Academy Twist. The questions were based on GLA classes, field trips, and movies we watched so that questions would be fair for those who have never played Certamen. We had a winning team - the Ranae (Tucker, Alexa, and Michael). Congratulations to them!

After Certagon, we had a quick Q&A session where we asked staff members their experience in pursuing the classics, what made them pursue it, and practical tips for majoring in classics or using it for future jobs. Thank you so much to the staff for your time and valuable insights - we are immensely grateful for your advice!

Today was the antepenultimate day of GLA! We cannot believe three weeks have fluttered by so quickly and that it is almost over. Thank you to everyone for making these past three weeks a special period that we can fondly reminisce about.

GLA Out of Context: We have a lot today.
“I got a paper cut on my buzzing thumb!”
“Are you eating communion wafers?”
“Who needs microplastics when you have macroplastics?”
“Bad decisions result in rope”
“I will literally yoink you into the water feature”
“What is the mass of Roman visual culture?”
“Can I rip off its face?”
“Electricity has different tastes. Electricity on the West Coast tastes like iron. Electricity in the South tastes like copper. Electricity in the East tastes like slightly oxidized copper.”
“Oh gosh I have six hours left”
“I hate mint but I love the concept”

Arleigh's Fanta Furies:
Total: 94! Can he hit 100 before GLA ends?!

Valete, omnes!
Ciara and Philip (Your True Aediles)

Dies Duodevicensimus - Mercatus!

7/10/2024

Salvete, omnes! Today was our last Wednesday at GLA and we had quite the busy day! Between classes, preparations for activities (Mercatus and Varietas), and Mercatus, our schedule was packed!
We started our day with classes of Quae Nunc Est Romae, Mercatus (where we were busy working on our province trifolds for Mercatus!), and Greek. After lunch, we had otium (gym, naps, translations…) and then Varietas! We’re getting close to our final performances and the groups are perfecting their Latin scripts! Come see it on Saturday if you are able, it’s going to be great!

The main event today was Mercatus (marketplace). For Mercatus, each province created a trifold board that explained the culture, geography, and timeline (and more!) of their province. We sold the various goods that we created during Artes and learned more about each other’s provinces. There were auctions, and sacrifices, and Tucker even sold his soul!

It was a chaotic day leading up to our final immersion activity, but all in all, it went well! We were using our conversational Latin skills like true scholars and buying/selling lots of awesome merces (merchandise). The “scores” are still being calculated, but we were judged on spoken Latin skills, creativity, and presentation of information!

GLA Out of Context:
“You don’t threaten the person wearing Crocs with no socks”
“The ancient BBL: teeth”
“I knew it, I knew the kids liked spreadsheets”
“What good has the Colosseum ever done for anyone?”
“Furry gone wrong… furry gone wrong…”

Valete, omnes!
Ciara and Philip (Your True Aediles)

PERFORMANCE INVITATION & ANNOUNCEMENT ! <3

7/9/2024

In addition to the blog post, we have... an announcement!

RES GESTAE: Saturday at 2 PM on the R-MC Campus (exact location TBD). All students will be involved and it will be entirely in Latin. There are also receptions with drinks to follow the performances. Parents, loved ones, teachers, etc are invited! Come join us at our performance! Maximas gratias vobis agimus!

Valete (iterum),
Your True Aediles

Dies Septimus Decimus - Barbarians!

7/9/2024

Salvete omnes!

Hodie est dies Martis et habuimus studia: Stylus Amicitiae, Voces Feminarum, et Quid Rides?. In Rides?, we talked about Nefas and examples of it in Latin literature and were introduced to the next topic, Ad Superiores. In Voces, we continued Cleopatra and her portrayal in media. In Stylus, we discussed the content of wooden tablets found in the archaeological site Vindolanda Fortress near Hadrian’s Wall. In the afternoon we had time for Ancient Greek practice and Varietas projects, which will be presented on Saturday.

Post cenam: we had Latina Loquenda and the rest was dedicated to another movie! We watched the Netflix show Barbarians, released in 2020 (with all the NSFW content skipped). Time was short and episodes were long, so we only watched two episodes and discussed how the show portrayed the Germanic tribes and Roman military/society. Tonight was the last time we watched a movie together as a group, so watching Barbarians was a great way to end our final movie night!

GLA Out of Context:
“Iulium Caesarum reginam Bithyniae erat.”

Arleigh’s Fanta Furies:
Total: 81

Valete,
Ciara and Philip (Your True Aediles)

Dies Sextus Decimus - Last Monday!

7/8/2024

Salvete, omnes!

As you can tell by today’s post title, today is our final Monday at GLA! It’s been a wild two weeks, and we can’t believe we have less than a week left here in Ashland!!!

This morning, we had our usual classes (Quae Nunc Est Romae, Ancient Greek, and Mercatus) - it was class number six for all of these, and there are only eight! It was another reminder that we only have a little while until we all head home! Scary!!!

After lunch we welcomed a guest speaker, Dr. Miller from the University of Virginia! He talked to us about the Roman god Mercury (Hermes to the Greeks). We read a short passage about the god written by Ovid from his Fasti and got an in-depth view of what he represented to the ancient Romans. Fun fact - Dr. Miller has spoken at every session of Governor’s Latin Academy! It was great to have him as our final guest speaker!

This evening we settled in for yet another movie - but this time, it wasn’t a comedy. We watched Black Orpheus, which is a modern retelling of the myth Orpheus and Eurydice. Set in Rio de Janeiro, it tells the ancient myth in a unique way that had us rethinking its entire meaning.

Time for a Province Cup update!

I - Asia
II - Germania
III - Aegyptus
IV - Italia
V - Achaea
VI - Gallia
VII - Hispania
VIII - Africa
IX - Britannia

Asia and Germania are still fighting for the top spot… and we have less than a week left! We’ll have to see how these last few challenges go!

GLA Out of Context:
“Nobody goes to this museum… I don’t know what their problem is…”
“I think we all have a little bit of Ostrich Man in ourselves”
“The Internet is more important than my eyes”
“You are all like Freud”
“It’s taller than Sabrina Carpenter”
“When in Rome, if it’s hot, sun’s out, gun’s out.”
“Eshwar? More like Esh-where? I can’t find him.”
“This is a baby *hits delete*”

Valete,
Ciara and Philip (Your True Aediles)

GLA MMXXIV
This blog will chronicle the journey of the 37th Governor's Latin Academy. The staff will post until we elect student officers.

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
(student's name)
c/o Governor's Latin Academy
Randolph-Macon College
304 Henry St.
Ashland, VA 23005
Phone: (804) 496-1873‬.

Nervan-Antonine Emperors
Pax Romana
Nerva
Trajan
Hadrian
Antoninus Pius
Lucius Verus
Marcus Aurelius
Commodus

GLA Checklists
Download these and use them to help with packing:
GLA Clothing Checklist
GLA Essentials Checklist
GLA School Supplies & Optional Checklist

Suggested Texts-
NOT REQUIRED
Again, these are not required and I would only get one from each category, if any.
Latin Lexicons
a.  Conversational Latin for Oral Proficiency
b.  Cassell's Concise Latin-English, English-Latin Dictionary
c.  Collins Latin Concise Dictionary
Greek Texts/Lexicons
a.  Athenaze, Book I
b.  From Alpha to Omega
c.  Alpha is for Anthropos
d.  Pocket Oxford Classical Greek Dictionary
Translation Texts
a.  Iliad
Book Club Books
a. Song of Achilles
b. Circe
c. Andromache
d. Ariadne
e. Any that you love and want to share
Daily Life Books
a.  Everyday Life in Ancient Rome
b.  Peoples of the Roman World
c.  A Day in the Life of Ancient Rome
d.  Daily Life in the Roman City

Vestes Romanae
You will need Roman clothing for several of our activities. You might not always have much time between these events, so you might want to bring more than one outfit.
Patterns
An Overview I & II
Simple Tunica, Stola, and Palla Patterns
Legio XX's Civilian Clothing
Greek Patterns
Simple Tunic and Toga Patterns
Peplos Pattern
Legio XX's Military Clothing

Follow Jacquelyn's board Roman Garb on Pinterest.

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