Message from the State Chairs

Salvete magistri magistraeque!

We welcome you all back to another exciting school year! This year promises to

be an improvement over the last as we can once again look upon our students and have

our JCL chapters meet in-person. While our future may still present challenges, it also

provides opportunities for the New Jersey Junior Classical League and its members. We

hope that both you and your students are eager to participate and join the fun and

fellowship the NJ-JCL has to offer.

The past year has ushered in many changes both in our personal and

professional lives. And the NJ-JCL, too, is undergoing some important changes.

Unfortunately, there has been confusion in the past in which some chapters were

registering with the National Junior Classical League but not the NJ-JCL, or vice versa,

which can have adverse effects on scholarships and honor societies.

To avoid these dilemmas going forward, our process has changed to simplify

matters for both you and the NJ-JCL. Starting this year, chapters will no longer register

with the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) and our state organization (NJ-JCL)

separately. To register a New Jersey chapter and its members with the NJCL, it must be

done concurrently with the registration for the NJ-JCL through our membership form;

advisors have the option to pay their American Classical League dues with their NJ-JCL
& NJCL registration, as well. Chapters will pay both their state and national dues to the

NJ-JCL, and the NJ-JCL in turn will pay those chapter and membership fees to the

national organization. Management of member records, however, will still be handled

by each chapter’s advisor.

Furthermore, many of us are wondering whether this year’s regional certamen

(usually hosted at Princeton University) and state convention will be in-person events.

At this moment, there are many ifs to consider, most of which are beyond the scope of

our control and require us to adopt a wait-and-see approach. We, and our potential

host sites, hope to have a clearer picture of what can feasibly be arranged by January.

We please ask for your patience as we navigate the uncertain road ahead. If we are

unable to provide these events in-person, we will again plan virtual alternatives in their

place. Our certamen and convention coordinators put together fantastic virtual events

last year and they are again up to the task, regardless of what circumstances we plan

for.

It is our sincerest hope that you and your students will join us on another year of

NJ-JCL adventures, awards, and good times. Please keep checking our social media

pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as our website and e-mail

announcements for registration materials and updates about future events.

Cura ut valeas!

State Chairs: Craig Jacobs

Krystal Kubichek

Nora Smaldore