Project 1 "Shitty First Draft" and Notes from the meeting with Mat

Flashes of rich purple and shiny gold. Flowy white cloth marching. Leather sandals tied around feet. Ornate crowns carefully crafted from laurel leaves. Passionate voices and shouts of brothers and sisters come together in unison.

Despite what you may envision, what I am describing is not some extravagant congregation in ancient Rome but one of a kind of “Roman descendants” who proudly carry on that honorary torch of the great ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome in celebration of their literature, language, and arts, The National Junior Classical League.

Many years ago, when I was just a small spare sixth grader, I was faced with what one would consider at that age to be an important choice to be made, a turning point of sorts. I was faced with the decision of which language out of three I would want to take for the next two years of my life possibly even four considering high school class requirements. It felt like every Pokemon game I had played as a child where the beginning of the game I was faced with three choices that would determine how your game went. However, unlike my certainty in those situations, there was no clear choice for me this time. My supportive parents were split as well. One suggested I continue with Spanish after having it for all 5 years in Elementary school. The other insisted Latin would be the best choice and would help prepare me for my science classes and eventually as I hope I will become, a physician. In counter argument, Spanish was also a great skill to choose for a prospective physician. I cannot say that I remember for certain how I concluded this dilemma. There was no magical “aha” moment like there are in movies or some sort of suddenly realized clarity that literally or figuratively lit the path for me. However, what I do remember is that something kept drawing me to that little room at the left end of school. My heart felt pulled there and even without intending, I kept having coincidences that would lead to that same warm place. It felt like home. And, that is exactly what it is, a family.

The sky is clear. The day is hot. The seemingly never-ending line of togas continues forward. The air is full of excitement. Surrounded by our dearest friends, we raise our cheers, each one louder than the last.

The amounts of ways that Latin and Greek as well as this academic organization has helped me and shaped me are innumerable. It helped me hone my latent leadership skills, provided me with precious memories of fighting for victory with my friends, showed me how closely connected things in our world truly are, and welcomed me with open arms. This is the first group where I felt like I truly belonged and was heard. As a child with my background being halves of two different cultures, I always felt like I was both yet neither at the same time, and as an atheist, I didn’t have connections to any religious group for belonging. With my Latin Family as we call ourselves, we worked together as one, and everyone played an equal role.

Notes for improvement from the meeting with Mat:

add something more about me in the beginning like for Greek

ancient civilizations are not super great and inclusive but I feel accepted and its complicated

text is the physical coincidences or omens

show more

my friends from different backgrounds as me

what drew me to the room-example after school practices

Organization of diverse people

show don't tell

beginning, middle, end