Last week, Mount Greylock’s Junior Classical League (JCL) traveled to Boston University for the annual Classics Day event. JCL aims to promote the Classical, Roman, and Greek studies in the modern era. Every year the JCL participates in three main events: Kickoff, Classics Day, and State Convention. The Classics Day event revolves around appreciating and learning about the classics.

At Classics Day, JCL members chose two hour-long workshops, ranging from wine in Roman culture to sacrifices. Professors and past JCL members alike run these workshops. In the sacrifice workshop, professors spent a small portion of their time explaining the specific ritual, but the majority of the time focused on an interactive element. The professor took volunteers from the audience to humorously re-enact the ritual.

Another key component of Classics Day was performing and watching school skits. Every year participating schools prepare a skit for the themed skit contest. Greylock students performed a skit about sacrifices, which was in accordance with the Classics Day theme of ancient rituals, festivals and celebrations in the ancient world. Adding to this lighthearted fun, one school dressed in their best bee costumes and proceeded to rap about bees, following the national JCL theme that was inspired by a motto about bees.

According to first VP and JCL member Sam Trybus, the experiences at events like Classics Day are memorable, and the club members play a large role in this. “From catapults and pumpkins painting at kickoff to lectures at classics day to the weekend spent away for state convention, the people I spend this time with are the ones who make these memories so great,” said Trybus after the event.