Irvine : University High’s Latin Club Wins State Honors

The Latin Club at University High School in Irvine is figuratively wearing the Roman laurel crown and chanting, “ Nos sumus optimi (we are the best).”

The club won top honors at the recent California Junior Classical League Convention in Orinda attended by 752 delegates from throughout the state.

“Club members worked very hard, and their efforts won them the Sweepstakes Trophy, which proclaims them the best overall Latin club in the state,” said Les Johnson, a club sponsor and Latin teacher at University High.

“This award is a first in the 31-year history of the state convention because no other school has ever won sweepstakes for three consecutive years,” Johnson added. He said the University High Club had won the top award in 1984 and 1985. The club’s co-sponsor is teacher Susan Weed.

To capture the trophy this year, University High Latin students won first places in such diverse contests as the “girl’s chariot race” and the “Latin II Pentathlon.” The events were a mix of athletic contests, such as those enjoyed by the ancient Romans, and brainpower competition, such as vocabulary, history and Latin derivatives.

Aaron Hayashi, a junior at University High and president of the school’s 208-member Latin Club, was elected state president of the Junior Classical League. Darren Turbow of University High was elected state corresponding secretary.