Alius Classics dies modo transivit!

Williston Latin students returned for yet another year of PVCA Classics Day at UMass Amherst. Other than Williston students, more than 250 middle and high school students from all over Western Massachusetts joined for workshops and sharing.

The event, which took place in the UMass campus center auditorium on Tuesday, April 2, at 9:15, began with a welcoming and orientation, and then officially started with a workshop.

“Holding History in Your Hands” by Tony Tuck introduced students to an in-depth presentation about archaeology; students were given first-hand experience with a selection of ancient artifacts.

Other exciting events included Certamen, oral interpretation, costume contests, and judged art contests. Along with scheduled events, students got the chance to roam around the campus and explore whatever they were interested in.

The costume contest required students to represent a mythological or historical character. They then gave a one-minute speech about their creation. By recreating a roman battle scene, seniors Nick Sobon and Stella Gordon won the first prize for Williston.

The art contest included a variety of different entry openings, such as mosaic, sculpture, painting, and many more. Entries specifically were creative, well-researched and beautifully crafted. Williston won multiple prizes in each art category (painting and drawing, sculpture, models, mosaics, digital art, military art, and posters), and also did well in other contests.

In total, Williston won 15 prizes, more than any other school, including our rival, Amherst Regional High School.

However, as Ms. Beatrice Cody, Williston’s Latin teacher, said, “Last year we beat Amherst by nine prizes, and this year by only one, so we will need to work even harder next year if we want to stay in the lead.”

Of course, more importantly, Cody added that “Classics Day isn’t just about the competitions; we attend workshops, build community, and learn a lot about the ancient world just by attending. But Williston students are fueled by purpose, passion and integrity, and we love to win!”

Freshman Emma Hwang created a beautiful drawing of an Athenian vase using just colored pencils and paper, taking 2nd place in the Painting & Drawing entry.

“It was very fun, I got to learn all sorts of new things in the Classics area!” Emma said. “I spent a lot of time on my drawing too, so I’m very excited that I got a prize.”