DE REBUS

ILLUSTRIBUS

SPRING. 2020
1
 in hoc opere
3 Verba Editoribus
Grace Shen and Abhinav
Kona

4-5 Missing StateCon and What

to Expect Next
Megan Reddy

6-7 Mario Kart Tournament Abhinav Kona

8-9 Topical Study Tidbits: Disease in

Ancient Rome
Pranav Malladi

10-11 Lupercalia Snow Day Abhinav Kona

12-14 Arm Wrestling Contest Grace Shen

15 A Word on the NLE and Medusa

Mythology Exam
Grace Shen

16-17 Increase Your Participation in the JCL Grace Shen

18 Officer Interview: Ajay Nathan Abhinav Kona

19 Officer Interview: Cynthia Ruan Grace Shen

20 Officer Interview: Rebecca Lee Grace Shen

21 Acta Diurna

staff
Grace Shen
&
Abhinav Kona

2
 editoribus
Salvete! We've missed you all since we've last
published. I hope that this issue brings you a
lot of nostalgia as we cover the happiest
memories from this spring semester before
COVID-19. Although we missed State
Convention, there are still things to look
forward to for our JCL. Stay tuned for our
last issue soon!

Grace Shen

This year in Latin has gone by so quickly, with

school closing down so early because of
verba

quarantine and the chaotic nature of online

classes and having to keep up with all my
assignments. Even then, I’ve still enjoyed so much
of my time in those first two months of this year in
Latin and always love to reminisce on old
memories that fill me up in replace of the
cancelled State Convention this year. As soon as
quarantine ends, I look forward to finding exciting
challenges to do and live my life to the fullest!

Abhinav Kona

3
 MISSING STATE CON AND
When that time of year came
around, you knew it. Some
people started talking about the
projects they were gonna wait till
last minute to do. Others talked
about the all the food they were
gonna bring and if there was
gonna be enough space for a
water boiler. It was State
Convention time. The excitement
buzzing around to chant “Peel
Banana” and “Farns-worth” lit up
the Latin room every day.
As that day grew closer, that
excitement only grew. This was
the experience I felt for the last
two years. I awaited it to come
this year, only that never
happened. There would be no
screaming till your throat hurt,
no running to try to make it to
things on time, and no ramen-
making.
"State Convention
was canceled."
4
State Convention gave me some
of my greatest memories. Taking
shots of coffee creamer, tripping
and then falling, getting lost
trying to get to an event, and
singing at roll call are just 4 of
the most fun times I have had in
my life. I know we have all gotten
the phrase “what a nerd” for
telling people that we were
missing a school for the State
Latin Convention. But all of that
was worth what I gained from
State Convention.
I gained a lifetime of friends who
literally would not let me leave
till I was better when I fell. I
gained the memories that would
make me laugh and cringe
thinking about how we could
have gotten lost. Most good
things are once in a lifetime
experience. Luckily for me, it’
would be a five-time experience,
but now just a four-time
experience. State Latin
convention and all the fun that
came with it would have to wait
for another year.
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
Written by Megan Reddy
in this time of sadness, there was
only one more thing that could
cheer me up: National Latin
Convention. My sadness about
missing State Convention
converted into my hype for
National Convention. Now I had
only been once (last year in
North Dakota), but my week
there was the best week of my
life. I never really talked to
people out of Walton, but
National Convention changed
that. I met an amazing 7th
grader from California who was
definitely smarter than me, a
talented violinist who won the
talent show, and many, many
more amazing kids.
Megan R shares a laugh in
FargoDome with a friend.
I thought State Convention was
my best life experience, but
National Convention might just
have topped that. I was
surrounded by thousands of
Latin nerds from all across the
country, and it was one of the
best experiences ever. Even
now, as I write this in quarantine,
thinking about these memories
puts a smile on face. National
Latin Convention is thankfully
still on (Editor's note: as of the
date of this publication) and will
hopefully become one of my
best memories.
Photo (both): Rebecca Lee
the During National Convention at NDSU,
Megan participated in the Service Project.
5
 Abh
M
inav
A
R
Kon I O
a T K
O A
U R
R T
It was the month of January, coming back N
from winter break, and the Latin room was
A
M
filled with joy and excitement with a new E
N
Mario Kart contest. The players (Ajay, Steven, T
Josh, Srikar, Nick, Aric, Levi, Aisulu), all geared
up and prepared, promptly signed up to
compete against each other in intense races
of each round, and the bracket quickly filled
There were cheers for every contestant in the
up with everyone crowding around the
background: the Latin III class cheered on
Recordex to eagerly watch the game ensue.
Josh and Aric, IV for Ajay, and II for Levi.
Starting the round, players picked their karts,
As soon as the first round started, players
each given their own unique ability; dashing
had already tried to use their inventory to get
through the first ring, mushroom boosts had
each other to crash as soon as possible. With
been given to all players leaving no chance for
every player both crashing and getting a lead
a contestant to be left behind. It was only
on other drivers throughout the race, each
going smooth for everyone, until SPLAT!
round was filled with many banana peels,
bombs, and ink splatters left on the track.
A banana peel approached Aric’s kart from in
With each round continuing, each player was
front, proceeding to spin his kart around
eliminated as they got lower places in the
three times, creating an advantage for both
race than others, until a final four remained
Josh and Levi. Josh and Levi furiously faced off
of Josh I., Ajay N., Levi, and Aric T.
in an intense race to the finish line, which was
only meters away along the track, and to the
There were cheers for every contestant in
flash of everybody’s eyes, both karts seem to
the background: the Latin III class cheered on
have crossed the finish line at the same time!
Josh and Aric, IV for Ajay, and II for Levi.
The console rewinds the scene, only to leave
Starting the round, players picked their karts,
a draw behind the phenomenal race by Josh
each given their own unique ability; dashing
and Levi. Looking up at each other and
through the first ring, mushroom boosts had
smiling, happiness enters the air between the
been given to all players leaving no chance
both of them as they are declared the
for a contestant to be left behind. It was only
winners by tie for Walton JCL’s 2020 Mario
going smooth for everyone, until SPLAT!
Kart tournament.

6
 R I O
A
M

N T .
C O
A R T
K
The fondest times and highest entertainment
was presented during these winter festivities;
pleasing memories can be related to the
words, “Mario Kart.” From the crowd cheers
of “Yay” for the fan favorite to the chants of
“Boo” to any opposing contestant, the Latin
spirit went beyond the classroom but around
the hallways as other students gathered
around the glowing screen.
Congratulations to Josh and Levi for creating
a match that will be very memorable in
Walton Latin! Also, congrats and respect to all
contestants that battled each other, using
great gameplay, in high spirits; this
tournament has enlightened the Walton Latin
community to create a club full of joy, fun,
and delight! Amusing entertainment is an
activity that has kept not only our modern era
in smiles, but the Romans too! From gladiator
fights to discus throwing, Romans have
started the first form of many activities that
still remain today!

Encouragement being a major component of

Walton’s Latin Club had to be present within
the tournament; club members who had not
known previously to play the game were
taught and incited to compete for the fun of
it; crowds put pressure behind every player to Photo: Rebecca Lee
elevate and beat out others for first place;
and contestant who had been beaten were
shown sportsmanship and told to play again
next year for another winning title. Fairness,
encouragement, and excitement created an
unforgettable environment within WJCL
during the Mario Kart tournament.
WJCLers play an intense game of Mario
Kart.

7
 D Y
T U
L S :
C A I TS
P I DB OM
E
D
I

O I R A
LL

T T T A

N
M

E
V
I C R
A
N
A

AN P

IN
SE
EA
IS
D

8
While the public health crisis of COVID-19 has Tuberculosis is an extremely contagious
shaken up the modern world, let’s look back at disease that was probably common in the
diseases in Ancient Rome. The lack of health ancient world. However, the vagueness of
knowledge and technology made it harder for recorded tuberculosis symptoms make it
Romans to deal with various ailments such as harder than malaria to distinguish. The
malaria and tuberculosis. It is hard to pinpoint existence of TB in the Mediterranean supports
the many diseases that the Romans may have the idea that this disease also ended up in
suffered, but the descriptions written by Rome. The crowded and dense city most likely
ancient doctors like Galen (AD 129 - c. 200 AD) made it easy to transmit tuberculosis.
helped us figure out some of these diseases. Furthermore, according to studies, Italians
have a genetic trait linked to TB resistance.
Malaria is thought to have led to the decline of This means that their ancestors most likely had
the Roman Empire. First off, Galen recorded exposure to the disease.
periodic fevers that are similar to the
symptoms known today. Also, child mortality Public health’s improvement over time has
rates in places where malaria is endemic. helped us against malaria and tuberculosis.
Burial sites of children dated to c. 450 BC were Although the Romans struggled against these
studied and showed evidence of the disease. diseases, the majority of us living in core
Not only were there many bodies, but the countries haven’t had to worry about them. In
short time span that they were buried in was the current day, following health guidelines
evidence that malaria had struck that about COVID-19 is much more important. It is
population. Since younger children have no vital that everyone stays safe.
immunity to the malaria parasite, they would
naturally be more likely to succumb to the
disease. Evidence suggests that malaria could
have been endemic to Rome. This is supported
by the fact that the environment around Rome,
including the riverbanks of the Tiber, the
humid gardens, and open drainage system,
was probably welcoming to mosquitoes
carrying the disease.

9
LUPERCALIA Abhinav Kona

Snow Day
Finally, excited to host a certamen
tournament at the start of the 2020
school year, the WJCL was super eager to
greet other schools and prepare for the
competition by organizing desks and
classrooms as well as other events such

Photos: Rebecca Lee

as Kahoot trivia and service projects at a 
one of a kind Latin meetup.

That morning, teams from all over the

state gathered at Walton, where they
were filled with both excitement and
anxiousness as they diligently studied
and watched the other teams they were The NGJCL Advanced team looks
competing against. Walton had its very on in anticipation.
own Certamen teams from all different
Latin levels, who were each looking
forward to win and buzz quickly to
answer each question in these fast-paced
rounds.

Soon, the tournament started, with all of

the readers heading into their designated
classrooms and each Certamen team
doing their last minute studying before
facing the intense rounds of the day. Walton's Advanced team listens
intently during a round.
However, after a few questions had been
read and about half the round had
finished, something peculiar occurred,
especially in the state of Georgia.
10
Photos: Rebecca Lee
WJCL Praetor Ashley K beams
with snowflakes falling around
her.
WJCL Secretary Ajay N. looks up
at the falling snow.
Certamen is hard to play when
you know there's snow outside!
"Snow!"
Snow! There was snow all around
Walton, with bright, white snowflakes
falling softly onto the ground; for
some students, there was excitement
and joy of having a snow day in the
rather hot state of Georgia.
For others, it was a feeling of
disappointment and worry as they
had studied and worked so hard for
this Certamen tournament, on for it
come to an end on a snow day that
should have happened any other day
of the week but that fateful Saturday;
for me and other Walton Latin
students, there was a bit of sadness
that our only tournament that we
hosted was cancelled. This chaotic but
joyful snow day on Lupercalia is one to
remember, and we hope to host
another Certamen tournament next
year.
11
 WJCL'S ANNUAL
Grace Shen

ARM WRESTLING
CONTEST

February was one of our more eventful months, and one of the events we had
during this month was the Arm Wrestling Contest. When prompted, brave JCLers
stepped forward to the whiteboard to sign up. The brackets were separated by
gender, considering the physical differences. At the time of sign-ups, the Latin
room was still full of chatter and laughs, along with JCLers asking for another slice
of cake (the answer was probably yes). When the officers began to organize the
tables for the arm wrestlers, the Latin Club’s interest was piqued; people fell
quiet, and they started to make room for the first round’s candidates.  The boys’
bracket started first, with each candidates’ grade levels cheering and whooping
for their representative. This first rounds’ male participants, in no particular order,
were Josh I., Jack X., Pranav R., Steven M., Srikar S., Caleb L., Aric T., and Will (last
initial unknown). Qiqi T. later joined as well. The girls’ bracket had less
participants, but nevertheless it was not short of JCL spirit; these participants
were Vivi L., Anita S., Aisulu M., and Faith X.

Some of the most enjoyable and amusing moments were when the
upperclassmen had a chance to arm wrestle, as this would guarantee a slew of
enthusiastic cat-calls, whooping, and excitement in general. The younger grades’
support for their friends were encouraging to hear, but they were also no match
for the power of the Latin V’s and the AP’s. As Qiqi T. rolled his sleeves up to
prepare against Josh I., the Latin V boys comically jeered at him to expose more,
to the laughter of everyone in the JCL.

12
When I made a comment supporting my fellow Latin III student, I remember being
rebuked: “No, but Qiqi is actually kind of built, though.” Other episodes from within
the boy’s bracket include two Latin IIs (Caleb L. and Srikar S.)  duking it out for
several minutes, reversing the tides on each other quite a few times before a victor
was called. Time was extended for them, since oftentimes it was too hard to tell who
had moved the other arm more.  Eventually, to prevent their match from holding up
other matches, time was actually called; Srikar S. advanced.

For the girl’s bracket, Vivi was already favored to win. With her history of having won
last year’s tournament, along with being renowned for her athletic
accomplishments, she was rather intimidating in the brackets. However, the other
girls put up good fights as well. After alternating the gender brackets for their
respective rounds, the winners were settled: Vivi L. for girls, and Qiqi T. for boys.
Traditionally, the champion for the male bracket would have to face Mr. Farnsworth,
but he was not present for that meeting; as a result, Qiqi got to keep his title. At the
end of the meeting, Vivi and Qiqi faced off against each other, and the air of
competition arose as Vivi pushed to defeat Qiqi. Unfortunately, the difference in
strength was staggering; even with the use of both hands, Qiqi couldn’t be beaten!

Finally, congratulations to all

participants, and I commend all for
their gracious attitude in both defeat Just a reminder..
and victory. This tournament proved
the WJCL’s drive to win, along with our
great sense of sportsmanship. Mr. Farnsworth
Hopefully, this tournament will happen
next year with the same sense of
enthusiasm and fervor.
will claim his
rightful crown
next year!

13
 Photos: Cynthia Ruan
Caleb L. and Srikar S.,
equally matched, go back
and forth in their match;
Two (former) GJCL officers neither seemed to be able
duel against each other! to defeat each other.

Vivi L. gives her best

efforts to overpower
Qiqi T.

14
On the NLE and Medusa
Myth Exams
This year before school was released,
all who paid for the National Latin
Exam took it. The levels available were
Latin I, II, III, III/IV Prose, III/IV Poetry,
and V+. With the exam focusing heavily
on the entire year’s preparations and
even a little bit more, the NLE could
have been challenging for those who
didn’t prepare adequately, or forgot to
touch up on a few concepts.
Congratulations, however, to everyone
who participated. This exam is
beneficial in keeping Latin concepts
fresh in the memory, and its many
possible awards make working hard
tempting and rewarding.
The 2020 NLE exams and answer
keys are provided on the NLE website
currently, for those who want to
refresh themselves and see what
they got right. For those who don’t
necessarily remember everything
they marked, going over the exam
can still be useful, since there has
been a lack of class to do so. In
addition, the class results have been
posted on the club website.
These past few weeks, we have been
preparing for the Medusa Mythology
Exam, with the theme being “Family
Feuds.” 15
Grace Shen
Mr. Farnsworth has been working hard
to put up PowerPoints and Goal:Zero’s
for us to prepare, and hopefully the
interesting nature of each story will
stick in each students’ memories. In
past years, the exam would have been
taken earlier in the semester, however,
certain changes were implemented,
resulting in the later exam date.
It is certainly recommended for Latin
students to challenge themselves and
pay for both of these exams in the
coming years, along with certain digital
exams as they please. Because
Walton’s Latin program is strong, most
students who take these exams do
well enough to earn an award.
Although we don’t have to worry about
much after the Medusa Myth Exam,
the urge to venture out and about can
be tempting. Students without school
in a state with lighter restrictions can
lead to danger of illness and more. As
a reminder to you all, I would like to
quote question #17 of the 2020 Latin
III NLE:
n ēt e do m ī ,
"Ma
amīcī!"
 I N C R E A S E

Y O U R

participation

I N T H E

J C L

State Convention’s cancellation was

probably one of the most disappointing

events for most WJCLers this year. Some of

you may be thinking, “Wow, I never really got

to do anything for Latin this year! I’m so sad!”

While those thoughts hold some merit, since

all of us were waiting to have a blast at

StateCon, here are some ways to increase

your participation in the JCL for next year

and make the entire year fulfilling.

16
 1 P A R T I C I P A T E I N S E R V I C E P R O J E C T S !

It’s easy to pass by that big collecting box in the back of Mr.

Farnsworth’s classroom or think no more than twice about that

GoFundMe, but service drives the JCL forward. It really is

fulfilling to donate what you can. Plus, you can make friends

while participating in service projects at Fall Forum, StateCon,

and even NatCon!

2
S T A Y F O R T H E E N T I R E L A T I N C L U B

M E E T I N G ( I F Y O U H A V E T H E T I M E ! )

I’m serious. Some of you guys just get cake and leave without

hanging around to see the fun. By sticking around, you can get

to know upperclassmen and people younger than you. There’s

nothing like bragging to a freshman, but it’s also great to have

a conversation with one of the AP Latins or Latin Vs. Get to

know your WJCL. Plus, the board members don’t bite, either.

3 C H E C K O U T J C L M E D I A !

And spread it to your friends! Walton’s newsletter is the De

Rebus, but you can also read the GJCL’s Alae Mercurii, and

the NJCL’s Torch. You can also go through scrapbooks, watch

videos from Historians, and check out the social media of

JCLs. You can also submit to various contests, like Photo of the

Month and meme contests. I would highly encourage these

submissions!

S H O W U P O N A F R I D A Y .
4
This might be the hardest for sleep deprived high-schoolers,

but hear me out. Friday mornings are Certamen days for

eighth-graders, and it really is rewarding to get to know them

as they get to know you. This will also help our club in general,

since you’ll be able to convince them to talk about your own

great JCL experiences. It’ll mean a lot to the eighth graders as

well. 17
 Q&A w i th
AJAY WJCL Secretary
Abhinav Kona
What inspired you to choose
Latin?
I was first interested in Latin since my sister took Although this year's convention was cancelled, I'm
it, and she really enjoyed being a part of the WJCL looking forward to attending next year if the pandemic
community. Going into high school, I was unsure of has subsided by then. Also, the meetings, while hectic,
what classes and clubs I would be doing, but I still solidify the WJCL experience. Out of all the
always knew that I would be continuing Latin meetings we have every year, I think grape eating is
pretty neat, since we get to watch several of our WJCL-
throughout my four years. Mr. Farnsworth and the
ers peck at grapes competitively.
rest of my class make Latin the period I most look
forward to throughout the day - I've made so many
great memories through Latin that I wouldn't trade
Best Latin Joke?
for the world. Additionally, Latin is also just an
incredible language to learn. The history and I don't know if this counts as a joke, but for the longest
traditions of the Roman people are quite time in 8th grade I kept hearing ablative of means as
uncommon today, and it is very fascinating to learn ablative of memes so I just went with it.
how one of the greatest civilizations in the world
ran back in the day.

How has the WJCL impacted

you? Any favorite memories or
meetings?
Having been in Latin since 8th grade, the WJCL has
been an integral part of my high school experience.
It is a community that connects people who would
otherwise not be close and really brings people
together. When I think of the times during my high
school years that I have really enjoyed, anything
Latin-related first comes to mind. In particular, like
most people, I enjoy state convention. There's just
something spectacular about the three days that we
spend at Rock Eagle every April, walking around
campus with friends and entering various contests.
Fellowship is always a great way to end the day,
and it is always the worst feeling when I have to
leave every year.

18
 Q&A w i th
CYNTHIA WJCL Historian
Grace Shen
What event this year What is one thing you
did you enjoy taking would say to an
photos of most? aspiring Historian?
I loved taking photos at the Focus on the content of the picture
Walton-Wheeler Ultimate Frisbee captured rather than the quality.
Tournament. It was fun taking
great action photos of the
members catching and throwing
frisbees. Taking photos of the
captains being pied in the face
was the best.
What was your favorite
part of making this
year's scrapbook?
My favorite part of making the
scrapbook was going back and
seeing all the wonderful members
the WJCL has made throughout the
year.

19
 Q&A w i th
REBECCA
WJCL Historian + GJCL Parliamentarian
Grace Shen
First off, congrats to our If you could live
new GJCL Parli! What anywhere in the
are you most excited Roman Empire, where
about implementing for would it be?
the coming year?
I would like to live in Athens
Thank you! I'm really excited to because I'd get to see all of the
plan a new Fall Forum workshop amazing architecture like the
for younger students to help them Propylaea and the Erechtheum on
get more involved in the JCL earlier the Acropolis!
on. I'm keeping my fingers crossed
that everything will be back to
normal by then!
What was your favorite
part about being
Historian?
My favorite part about being
Historian was, as obvious as it
sounds, taking pictures at Latin
events. It's been such an honor to
capture the best moments of WJCL
and share it with everyone :)

20
acta diurna
Dum spiro, spero.
- Cicero
WHILE I BREATHE, I HOPE.

Upcoming Dates:

5/6 Medusa Mythology Exam!

nota bene:
Don't skimp out on your Latin work :)

SENIORS - stay tuned on Edmodo. Our last

issue will feature your choice of school, and we
are also planning something if you want to
make up for your senior speech that was
supposed to happen at Convention!
21