Colonial Middle School Latin students celebrate language and culture awards

A recent celebration at Colonial Middle School (CMS) honored 55 Latin students for receiving awards from The Philadelphia Classical Society’s 87th Annual Latin Week Competition and the National Latin Exam. 

Seventh grader Evan Edghill, who won a Magna Cum Laude certificate for his performance on a competitive exam during Latin Week, recognized the value of studying the language. 

“I’m really excited to learn more about Latin so I can understand English better,” he said. “It’s also exciting to learn about the culture and where it comes from.”

The Latin language and culture were on full view at the ceremony. A display included the CMS entries in the literary and traditional arts categories for the Latin Week competition — including six pieces that were judged Summa Cum Laude, or Best In Show for their categories. Students crafted stories, poems, drawings, paintings, sculptures and models, jewelry, and even full-size military costumes. 

Eighth grader Maeve O’Connell received a Cum Laude certificate for a bust of Athena that she sculpted out of cardboard and paper mache. 

“She’s the Roman goddess of wisdom,” said Maeve. “I thought it would be fun to represent the culture that we learned about in class in my project.”

On the National Latin Exam, 17 students earned awards, including a Maxima Cum Laude certificate with a silver medal for seventh grader Jamieson Wholey and Summa Cum Laude certificate with a gold medal for eighth grader Katherine Dvali. 

“I was aiming for it, but I didn’t think I’d get it,” said Katherine. “So this is really nice.” 

CMS Latin teacher Colleen Marengo loves that the competitions allow the students to explore the language and culture in creative ways that go beyond studying vocabulary and reading stories. 

“It really gives every kid a chance to shine and to find something that excites them,” she said. 

Congratulations to all of the winners!