On Friday, Leigh Doherty and I joined Latin teacher Eugénie Fawcett and English teacher Jim Fawcett during the Upper School’s annual journey to attend the Pioneer Valley Classical Association’s Classics Day at Mount Holyoke College. Berkshire Country Day School was one of nine schools in attendance. BCD’s Latin students, in grades seven, eight, and nine, enjoyed participating in workshops and contests with over 300 peers (in grades seven through twelve) from Academy Hill, Amherst Middle School, Belchertown, Herberg Middle School, Lenox Memorial High, MacDuffie, Reid, Pittsfield High, Taconic High and Williston.”
Every middle school and high school student present must attend a workshop and enter one of the contests. Individuals memorize and recite specific Latin passages for the Oral Interpretation Contest, make and wear a costume for the Costume Contest, or create a painting, mosaic, sculpture or model, with a Greek or Roman theme, for the Art Contest. Schools may enter teams of four in the Latin or mythology certamina, which are run like quiz bowls. In addition, docents at the Mount Holyoke College Museum hold workshops, during which students don gloves and handle and inspect ancient coins.
Lanna K.’s oil painting
Once again, thanks to Mrs. Fawcett (!), BCD’s students were well-prepared and demonstrated their advanced skills and passion for learning and Latin. Competing against students in grades 7-12, BCD students received the following awards:
CLASSICS DAY 2017 AWARD WINNERS
ART CONTEST:
Sculpture First- Lanna K. BCD
Paintings & Drawings First – Lanna K. BCD
Mosaics Second – Fiona F. BCD
Third – Esme L. BCD
Military Second – Anje C. BCD
COSTUME CONTEST:
First – Esme L. as Artemis BCD
Third – Julia M. as Persephone BCD
ORAL INTERPRETATION:
Intermediate First – Colby L. BCD
Second – Fiona F. BCD
Third – Beck M. BCD
Novice First – Keely O’G. BCD
Second – Chase V. BCD
CERTAMEN:
Latin 2 Second – BCD (Fiona F., Lanna K. Beck M., Gabe R.)
Latin 1 Second – BCD Blue (Cassius C., Colby L., Roberto B., Henry V.S.)