News Detail

The Homestead High School Latin Program’s Certamen Team recently returned from the Wisconsin Junior Classical League (WJCL) State convention, held in Madison during the weekend of January 27th, with a first-place trophy in tow. In this classical competition, Homestead competed with 12 other high schools throughout the state including Brookfield Academy, Marquette University High School, and University School of Milwaukee. 

The WJCL State Convention is both competition and celebration, empowering students in classical studies to examine the world and expand their understanding of literature, language, arts, sciences, and humanity. 32 of Homestead’s Latin students participated in a weekend of challenges and festivities including a spirit competition, toga dinner, door-decorating contest, and the popular Certamen, which is a three-round competition thought of much like “Latin Jeopardy.”

Homestead achieved their most numerous accolades in the 14 years that they have been attending this prestigious event, taking home the first place Qualitative overall trophy. The high school’s youngest competitors, the Latin I Certamen team, competed in three preliminary rounds and a final competitive round to become the 2023 Certamen Latin I State Champions. These freshmen will now begin training for the National Championship, which will be held this summer at the National Junior Classical League convention at Emory University. Homestead has previously won first place Qualitative Overall in 2020 and 2022 and second place Qualitative Overall each year from 2011- 2019.

Impressively, Homestead’s Latin II team tied for second in Certamen, with Latin IV finishing third. Rounding out their sweep, the Homestead team also clinched the overall Spirit, Scrapbook, T-Shirt, and Door-Decorating awards, coming in on top of nearly 400 Latin students involved in the convention. Every year, the top ten students in the convention that have the highest number of points amassed from competing in all the convention activities are highlighted. This year, two of the Latin I Certamen team participants placed in the top tier, which is a first in Homestead Latin history. Freshmen Luke LaLonde and Charlotte King placed 3rd and 5th, respectively. This is a particularly great accomplishment, as most of the other winners were upperclassmen.

“It just seemed that everything clicked. We had kids that were talented in all different areas, and that’s where I think that it really helped us,” said Homestead Latin teacher, Magistra Marianne Wallach. “We had kids that were talented in the arts. We had kids that were talented in oratory. We had kids that were talented in Certamen, and we had kids that were talented in the testing. It all came together like a tsunami and it was beautiful to watch. We swept, and I am so proud.”

In addition to the team’s impressive performance during participation, Homestead is proud to note that senior Sonia Zacharias was instrumental in planning the competition as President of the WJCL Executive Board for 2022-2023. The Executive Board includes Zacharias as well as three other Homestead students: Olivia Rembert (Second Vice President), Thomas O’Byrne (Parliamentarian), and Abby Horwitz (Treasurer).

“Convention has allowed me to grow closer with my classmates and make so many new friends from other schools,” Sonia Zacharias said. “I love Latin. I love Magis.” 

Teammate Lilly Ladd, senior, agreed, “Convention is always the highlight of my year and really allows me to spend time with people that have a similar passion for Latin. Veni Vidi Vici!” 

For more about the Homestead Latin team’s accomplishments and to see additional photos, please read the article by Homestead sophomore Matthew Seiberlich at www.homesteadhighlanderonline.com

Photo Credits: Matthew Seiberlich