A Crossroads of Culture
In an illustration of great dedication, Junior Classical League members woke up before the sun on Nov. 12 to arrive at Crossroads School in Santa Monica at 8 a.m. sharp for SCRAM, the annual Southern California Regional Amicii Madness. The day traditionally begins with an hour of academic tests but the rest of SCRAM is a full day of engaging activities centered around the Latin language and the classics.
“SCRAM is a great way to get to know your peers better and to learn new things about the language we all love,” sophomore Paige Czepiel said. “Being part of J.C.L. is awesome because it’s a way to get involved in the community and to help yourself and your classmates have fun and thrive in Latin!” Freshmen Sunny Gupta agreed, “I really enjoyed SCRAM. I thought it was a great opportunity to experience new things and it was really fun.”
SCRAM is always a fun day for Latin students but this year it took on a special importance in that it will be Lance Novotny’s last SCRAM ever as he is retiring at at the end of this school year. Looking back on his time with J.C.L, Mr. Novotny reflected on the great asset SCRAM is for Latin students.
“I firmly believe that the J.C.L. is best utilized and viewed as a cornucopia of opportunity for young men and women,” Lance Novotny said. “Most teenagers need comfortable places where they can find less vulnerability and more confidence, where they can be themselves with joy and hope. The J.C.L. gives its participants simple and easy access to leadership, friendly social settings, competitions (in athletics, art, academics, etc.), many ways to put into practice what they are learning as students of the Classics.”
Everyone from first year Latin students to students not taking latin at all participate in SCRAM, but it has a special spot for veteran Latin scholars.
“…My first J.C.L. event was SCRAM, so I had no idea what to expect,” J.C.L. First Vice President Justin Sung said. “But through that one event, I found out what it truly meant to be a member of the J.C.L. and knew that it was something I wanted to continue.”
Many dedicated Latin students will go on to continue experiencing Latin through classes and events such as SCRAM but Mr. Novotny bids farewell to the language that has been close to his heart.
“J.C.L. and its conventions (like SCRAM) mean so much to me because they have come to mean so much to my former and current students,” Novotny said.
“Our participation in the most recent SCRAM was especially touching and meaningful to me,” Mr. Novotny said. “It was bitter and sweet because of its nostalgia as my last SCRAM ever, but it was mostly an evocative and emotional day for me because of the quality of the young Sage Hill J.C.L. delegates who planned and organized the outing (the Sage Hill J.C.L Board), and those who attended, as both parties showed such great maturity, enthusiasm and team camaraderie. These are the wonderful people who will continue to grow and make Sage Hill a wonderful place, and I will miss them.”
