The Classics Club at UCC is back! After a brief hiatus, the club has come back stronger than ever, driven by a renewed passion for the ancient Greco-Roman world. According to Club Head Andrew Romundt, student interest in classics has spiked over the past year or two resulting in the club’s resurgence. The club focuses on engaging students through the study of the Latin language, ancient history, mythology and literature, it aims “to provide a space to really nurture and cultivate that interest,” Andrew adds. The Classics Club meets every Tuesday during flex time in room 138 and is a place where students can further explore the ancient world, extend their learning and prepare for competitions. But it’s not all about textbooks and translations, “our main goal lies in strengthening the future of UCC classics and Latin,” Andrew emphasizes. The club’s content and goals remain fluid, however, “we want to broaden the horizons of all of our members beyond the curriculum: oratory, performative and contests, we offer opportunities for everything which a classics-inclined individual may enjoy,” Andrew reiterates.
The club’s biggest event of the year is the Ontario Students Classics Conference (OSCC), taking place from May 8th to 10th at Brock University. It’s a thrilling gathering where classics enthusiasts from secondary schools across Ontario come together to compete in classical-themed events. From chariot racing and discus throwing to vocabulary tests and oratory competitions, the OSCC is the pinnacle of classical competition. The club spends the year preparing for this event, where UCC’s passion for classics truly shines. Recently, club members have been working hard on crafting a chariot and a UCC Classics standard (banner).
Club activities also include discussions which often explore “contemporary interpretations of ancient literature, such as the new Odyssey movie,” Andrew states. The time commitment is flexible, allowing members to participate weekly or just drop in for contest preparation. Mandatory meetings are only held when contest deadlines approach.
Currently, the Classics Club is primarily open to students taking Latin. However, this may change in the near future. With enough interest, the club could expand to include ancient Greek, which would open the club to a wider range of students. With Mr. Roy certified to teach ancient Greek, the future holds the potential for even more engagement with classical languages and culture.
If you are interested in joining please contact Andrew (andrew.romundt@ucc.on.ca) or Mr. Roy (sroy@ucc.on.ca).
avete atque valete!
The Blue and White 