Salvete, omnes!

      As most of you know (and saw), today we had our Res Gestae show! This show marks our last full academy day! During this show we had some student MCs and many wonderful performances! We started with our Ovid Recitation of the story of Iphis and Ianthe. After, we had a performance done by the comedy group! Their performance was based on Plautus' Menaechmi, and included a lot of very funny inside jokes from Academy. Next, Chichka, Fiona, and Evie performed Theocritus' Idyll V. After the Idyll, Epic performed their piece based on Virgil's Aeneid! I (Jackson) got to play Illioneus, and much enjoyed the whole production, especially when Owen H, Erik, and Ryan K. entered on a boat made of pizza boxes, with Ryan K. playing the Pirates of the Caribbean theme. After Epic, we watched a splendid video made by Memoranda, and then we had Declamatio, in which a big group recited the beginning of one of Cicero's speeches. Afterwards, we watched Satire's performance based on Petronius' Satyricon. Evie played a great Trimalchio, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Finally, we had Tragedy, based on Seneca's tragedy Thyestes, in the backdrop of Seneca attempting to teach Nero moral values. Despite the tragic elements, there were several funny parts, and we all loved it! 

     After Res Gestae, we had to say goodbye to our parents, and had time to pack for a bit, and to prepare for a formal dinner. During dinner, we also had De Vita Classica, in which our teachers and RAs' answered our questions on pursuing classics in the future, and we had an open mic for people to reflect afterwards. We also got cake, which we were very pleased with. After we had a dance party, which at the moment of writing this, is still going! (By the way, we counted 22.5 different types of potatoes in Estes over the three weeks!)

      A message from Emily: I hope that those of you who came to see the show enjoyed my MCing! It has been such an honor to write these posts for you all! Jackson has been such an amazing person to work with, and we've both very much enjoyed our job as your Aediles. And to my fellow peers, who are most likely reading this in the future: I'm so glad that I got the chance to get to know each and everyone of you! You're all such amazing people, and I really hope we all keep in touch for a long time!

     A message for Jackson: It has been an honor to write the blog this year. Maxime gratias to my fellow Aedile, Emily! We've both worked very hard to get information out to y'all at home. Gratias, omnes!!!!!!

Final Province Cup Points: 
1. Britannia: 324 
2. Achaea: 320
3. Asia: 297
4. Germania: 285
5. Hispania: 282
6. Aegyptus: 281
7. Gallia: 255
8. Africa: 192
​9. Italia: 165

     Salvete, omnes!

     Today was unfortunately our last day of Latin classes! We've all enjoyed the classes taught by our wonderful teachers, and are definitely a bit sad to be this close to the end of academy! In Voces we learned about Boudica, a Queen of the Iceni tribe in Britannia, and got to create our own historical accounts or poetry about the women we learned about! In Neuterque we continued practicing for tomorrow's show, and reflected a bit on the story of Iphis and Ianthe! In Appalachian Arcadia we read some pastoral poetry in English, and compared it to the ancient sources we have read!

     After lunch was otium, in which some took the opportunity to begin packing while others went to the gym one last time! We also had plenty of varietas and memoranda time, in preparation for tomorrow's show (we're all very excited!). Now, we can't give too much away, but let's just say it'll be an amazing show!

Bonum noctum,
​Emily and Jackson

     Salvete, omnes!

     Today we had our second field trip, this time to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)! We went around to different stations, in which our various teachers (and Princeps) talked about different classical/classical inspired art pieces! One station was about the statue of Caligula and a very beautiful mosaic depicting the four seasons! Another station was about the statue of Cleopatra! The third was about the statue of Septimius Severus and paintings in that area. The fourth was about various pottery that was on display! After seeing all the stations, we got to go on a scavenger hunt with our provinces! We also got to check out the gift shop, in which we all enjoyed looking around!

     After dinner we had Certagon! Certagon, in most cases, is a combination of the classical-based quizbowl games Certamen and Agon, but in this scenario, was based in trivia on the information we have learned in our classes. I (Jacks0n) very much enjoy quizbowl-styled games, and am also very pleased to say that my team with Eden and Sophia K. won! Overall, everyone definitely had fun at Certagon, and it was a friendly and fun way to show off all we've learned at GLA!

     Finally, we ended the night by ending an episode of the show Barbarians, which was not only entertaining, but also an interesting look into Rome's history of conquering other peoples and the aftereffects of such. Tomorrow, we will be our last day of Latin classes and preparation for Varietas/Memoranda, which we are very excited to present!

Province Points: 
Britannia: 204
Achaea: 184
Germania: 162
Asia: 161
Aegyptus: 156
Hispania: 155
Africa: 152
Gallia: 146
Italia: 137

Valete, 
​Emily and Jackson

Salvete Omnes!

We are approaching the presentation of student Varietas Projects on Saturday at 2 pm in Blackwell Auditorium ( 16 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. 
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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 in Bock Commons. We ask that all guests remain in Brock 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

     Χαιρετε!

     Today we had Greek classes! In Mercatus, we finished our boards for today's event. In Greek, we covered the future tense and more about Euripides' Medea. In Lucian, we finished up the stories which we have been writing, which serve as sequels to Lucian's True History. After lunch, we had our final Loquenda (eheu!). We practiced even more vocab for Mercatus, and are so sad now that Loquenda has ended; however, we feel nonetheless that our Latin-speaking abilities have improved. 

     After Otium, we had Memoranda and Varietas, for which everyone's performances are going great! We are all looking forward to Saturday's performance! Afterwards, we set up our boards and goods for Mercatus. After dinner, we had Mercatus! Mercatuys, being our last immersion event, felt most like a celebration of all the Latin we have done and learned. It was extremely fun to hold full conversations in Latin, negotiating prices and such, and also very rewarding. I (Emily) definitely saw an improvement in my Latin-speaking skills, especially in buying and selling goods. I (Jackson) also enjoyed seeing the improvement in my Latin speaking!

Χαιρετε!
Emily and Jackson

      Salvete omnes!

     Today was another day of Latin classes! In Neuterque we finished translating the story of Iphis and Ianthe, and began practicing our lines for Saturday's show! In Appalachian Arcadia, we translated some Tibullus! In Voces, we finished learning about Cleopatra, and heard about Amanirenas (a Kushite queen who fought Augustus). After lunch, we had our penultimate Latina Loquenda, in which we did more practicing of vocab for Mercatus tomorrow!

     Next we had Otium, in which some people went to the pool and gym, while others translated! I (Emily) worked on my sequel to Lucian's True History! I (Jackson) attempted to take a nap, and did some work! Post-Otium we had Memoranda and Varietas, and may I just say, definitely look forward to Saturday's show!

     Next was dinner and then our final artes! In this session we were able to finish previous projects, and work on things for Mercatus! Each province is making items to sell, and an information board that's in Latin (or Greek)!

Bonum noctum,
Emily and Jackson
​

     Χαιρετε!

     Today, we had Greek classes! In Mercatus we worked on our boards for the Mercatus event in two days. Each province has to make a board representing their provinces' culture and history. It is quite an interesting experience! In Lucian, we wrote more of the stories which we have been writing, which was very fun! I know that many people are writing many creative pieces, which we can tell you about post-GLA! In the Greek class, we learned the future tense and also more about Greek tragedy, and about Euripides' Medea. 

     Next, we listened to our wonderful guest speaker, Magistra Mickens, tell us about the classical influences in the 18th century African-American poet Phyllis Wheatley's poem To Maecenas. I (Jackson) really loved this poem, and especially loved analyzing it, and finding the panoply of classical allusions. I (Emily) enjoyed learning about all the different references made in Wheatley's poem, especially the reference to Terence! I also enjoyed hearing about other African-American authors' who have made references to the classics! Huge thank you to Magistra Mickens for coming to GLA all the way from Philadelphia and speaking to us! 

     Then, we had Latina Loquenda, in which we practiced vocabulary for Mercatus, which we are sure will definitely come in handy! Afterwards, we had Otium, where many people went to the gym, while others practiced their Latin and Greek. After Otium, we had Varietas, which we are all eager to present! After dinner, we had a quick province cup game of Trashketball. in which Aegyptus came out victorious (Jams here to say that actually I won as the Provincia Lunae representative, but the points went to Aegyptus since Siddha also played great)! Then, we all experienced the film A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and analyzed the numerous Roman influences in the movie. It was heavy, but a great example of how our knowledge of the classics can help us in other areas.

Χαιρετε!
Emily and Jackson

     Salvete, omnes! 

     Today we had a sleepy morning, where we got to sleep in until 11:00! Most of us did not, however, whether we were translating Latin and Greek, doing laundry, or going to church. We like staying busy at Latin Academy! When our free time was over, we had lunch, and then internet time! We fortunate ones were able to send a few emails, and as we waited for computers to open, we practiced Greek and reflected on our spoken Latin. Afterwards, we had Latin classes, in which we had Voces Feminarum, where we talked about everyone's favorite Ptolemaic queen, Cleopatra! In Neuterque we prepared for our performance on Saturday (7/12 at 2 PM)! We hope you all are looking forward to it! I (Emily) learned about Tibullus in Appalachian Arcadia today! I (Jackson) learned from Magister Benji about what it can look like pursue classics. I was very inspired!

     Next, we had dinner, during which we had to speak in just Latin! We both thought that the experience was a good way of showing off the Latin speaking skills we have gained, and enjoyed the challenge! We gave Jams a potio made from all the drinks in the dining hall and he said it was pretty good! Then we had artes, in which each province did a different craft relating to that place's culture! Achaea (Jackson's province) painted pots, and Aegyptus (Emily's province) wrote on papyrus! Italia made boardgames, Africa got to dye various things purple, and both Germania and Britannia made flower crowns (just to name a few crafts)! Then, we were entertained by a puppet show, put together by our wonderful RAs and teachers! Διδασκαλος  Cogan read us the story of the Three Little Pigs Latine, and Magister Benji and RA's Jams, Laura, and Sophie played the puppeteers. The show was hysterical, and we all very, very much enjoyed it! Thanks to the teachers and RAs for putting it together!

Province Cup Rankings:

Britannia: 170
Achaea: 145
​Africa: 135
Germania: 130
Asia: 128
Aegyptus: 127
Hispania: 125
Italia: 121
Gallia: 120

Valete, 
​Emily and Jackson