D E   R E B U S 

ILLUSTRIBUS
DECEMBER-JANUARY 2018-2019

1
 in hoc opere
3 Eighth Grade Gladiatorial Fighting Eric Chen

4 Adopt a Family Aditya Palliyil

5 Latin Club Secret Santa Eric Chen

6 Project Linus- Blanket Making Aditya Palliyil

7 Latin Club: Smash Bros Tournament! Aditya Palliyil

8 Officer Interview: Bhargav Tata Eric Chen

9 Officer Interview: Aru Mahendrakar Eric Chen

10 Acta Diurna
STAFF

Eric Chen
&
Aditya Palliyil
2018-2019 WJCL Editors

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 WJCL Latin Club

EIGHTH GRADE GLADIATORIAL

FIGHTING
Eric Chen
Gladiatorial contests were a token of the Roman Civilization. This brutal form of entertainment
was a public phenomenon in the Ancient Colosseum.

Organized by Vice President Anita Singh, the Walton Junior Classical League decided to host
our own fun version of a gladiator tournament for the eighth graders! The rules to the
tournament were simple. If the pool noodle hits your arm, your arm was “cut” off, so you are
not allowed to use that arm anymore. If the pool noodle hits your leg, then you are not allowed
to use that leg, meaning that you have to hop on the other leg. You die when two or more limbs
are “cut off”.

The prestigious tournament was held on December 18, where the WJCL Officers took the eighth
graders out of class and to the Walton Gym. In order to maintain safety, the weapons used in the
fighting were pool noodles! Each round consisted of two students that went head to head. Some
students eagerly wanted to participate while others needed their friends to encourage them!

This tournament was a great opportunity for the eighth graders to take a break from their
studious latin work, have fun, and meet the WJCL board! Thank you to everyone who
participated and volunteered!
Photo Credits: Helen Liu

Jack Xu watches as his opponent performs Two students hold their ground as they face off!
some acrobatic moves to dodge his attacks!

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 W
SE JC
PR RV L
OJ ICE
EC
T!
 WJCL LATIN CLUB

Secret
Santa!
Eric Chen
It was that wonderful time of year again! It began with the feeling right before the
holidays where the neighborhoods began to fill up with decorations, mistletoe, and
Christmas lights! The Walton Junior Classical League was no different! Everyone was
super excited for the annual WJCL Christmas Secret Santa!

Since Christmas is a giving holiday, the gift exchange was a must! The Latin Club
Secret Santa is known to be a fun tradition for all Latin Club members to participate! It
is super funny and somehow amazing to surprise someone who might not know, and
there is a double element of surprise when you get your present and finally find out
who is your Secret Santa!

When the signups for the event began, excited members of the WJCL rushed to their
devices to sign up. The WJCL Officers secretly assigned each participant to give gifts to
another WJCL member.

It all started on Wednesday, December 12, which was GAG gift day! All of the WJCL
participates brought funny and weird gifts to give to their secret someone. There was
lipstick, comic books, and even an apple slice! The first day definitely left a funny tone
for the next days to come. On Thursday, December 13, it was FOOD gift day! Many
WJCL participates gave each other chocolates, candy, and other sweet treats! Finally,
on the last day of the Secret Santa, it was the REAL gift day, where WJCL members
brought normal gifts such as gift cards, stuffed animals, and toys! Each WJCL
participate revealed who they were, and the results surprised everyone!

The Secret Santa of 2018 had definitely spread christmas cheer all across the WJCL.
Felix Dies Nativitatis!

5
Officer Q&A
Bhargav Tata
Meet Bhargav, one of our
WJCL Presidents!
Why did you join latin?
I joined Latin mostly because
of pressure from my parents.
Many times during Latin I, I
tried to drop out because of
sleep, but what kept me in was
how surprisingly fun class was
as well as certamen. That was
quite honestly one of the best
decisions of my life because I
know for sure that my life
would not be as exciting if I
had not taken Latin.
How has your the WJCL
impacted your life?
Overall, WJCL has made more
of a confident person,
academically and socially.
Before joining Latin, I had
very low self-esteem and had
very few friends. However,
joining Latin gave me access
to a vast community of people
that had similar interests to
me, but it also introduced me
to people with wide range of
viewpoints, which I consider a
valuable resource.  In addition,
participating in various
competitions at Fall Forum
and Latin Convention showed
me that a little effort can go a
long way, a realization that
has pushed me through high
school.
with Eric Chen
What is your favorite part of latin Advice to underclassmen?
and the WJCL? One thing that really pays off is
My favorite part of Latin has been being committed to Latin and JCL
becoming close friends with my in one way or another. The great
fellow Latin takers. All of the thing about JCL is that, regardless
people that are in my class are of what kind of person you and
some of my best friends are from regardless what interests you,
Latin, and I do not think I would there is always an activity or a
have been this close or have even sport that you can excel at and be
met them if I had not taken Latin. recognized for. Therefore, I urge
underclassmen to use any free
How has your position as President time they have to study or
been so far? practice because as I’ve said
It’s been pretty great so far. Leland before, just a little effort can
has been a great co-president, and produce extraordinary results.
I’m so lucky to be consul with him
since we’re really close friends Best meme in your latin class?
outside of Latin and work quite well Anika Park. I don’t think any
together. I’m really grateful to have explanation has to be given for
a board full of extremely hard- that one.
working and organized officers who
also happen to be terrific people,
and they have made the experience
of being President much smoother
and enjoyable.
Any favorite memory?
Every moment of every Latin
convention is memorable, and I
don’t really know if I can pick and
choose a favorite memory because
they are all so amazing. One that
really sticks out to me is when
Walton won the two most
significant trophies (most points
overall and most points per person).
Another one is when I got a hug
from Farns after crying my eyes
out after senior speeches one year.
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Officer Q&A
Aru Mahendrakar
Meet Aru, our WJCL
Censor!
Why did you decide to take
Latin?
My older sister took Latin
all through high school, and
I wanted to be just like her!
I joined in eighth grade with
a couple of my friends, but
crammed in one classroom
with nearly eighty other
students, I realized I
genuinely enjoyed the
subject! I enjoyed learning
about the grammar and
culture and mythology, but
I stayed every year because
I love the environment Mr.
Farnsworth created for us!
What does the WJCL mean
to you?
Latin has been a constant
in my life for the past four
years through the
constantly-changing
environment of high school.
When I think of the WJCL, I
remember not only the fun
I’ve had celebrating the
classics at StateCon, but
also all the memories I’ve
made with my friends in
class. I’m glad that I’ve
been able to meet of new
friends through this
organization.
with Eric Chen
Why did you choose to become Advice to underclassmen?
Censor? Appreciate high school while
I’ve always wanted to be a part of the you’re in it! I know it can be
WJCL board and contribute to an tough with all the homework
organization that has so greatly and tests, and Walton’s
impacted my life, and the position of competitive environment can
Censor is suited for my abilities. I’ve cause a lot of stress, but slow
especially enjoyed the competition down and take a minute to
between the families every year, and remember the good times that
I wanted to use it to encourage other you’ve had with your friends at
members to be more involved in the lunch or participating in a club
club! you love, the small things. I
know I’m definitely going to
How has your experience as WJCL miss Walton after I graduate.
censor been so far?
It’s been great! Being sensor allows Best latin joke?
me to be a nerd about organization I’ve always liked the “If I asked
while getting to know all the Latin you to conjugate, would you
students at Walton, specifically the decline?” joke, but I really enjoy
underclassmen, who under different this one too: A Roman walks
circumstances I might not be able to into a bar, holds up two fingers,
interact with as much. I also love and says, “Five drinks, please!”
being involved with the service
projects and activities every month!
Any favorite memory?
I’ve always enjoyed coming to Latin
Convention at our beloved home,
Rock Eagle 4-H, to take tests, hang
out with my Latin buds, and meet
new Latin scholars from other
schools, but my favorite memory is
probably auditioning and performing
for That’s Entertainment with my
friend Maggie! It was an exciting
experience and just a great way to
push me out of my comfort zone
while having fun!
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it's lit!
"SUSTINERE EST DIFFICILIUS QUAM AGGREDI."
- AQUINAS
To endure is harder than to attack.

nota bene
#1081
Don’t forget to
sign up and “Hey, do you
turn in money have a quid on
($4 each) for you?”
the NLVE and “A what?”
the NLCE!

Upcoming Dates
3/12- National Latin Exam

acta diurna
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