A group of Crown Point High School Latin Club members gathered at the 72nd Annual National Junior Classical League (NJCL) Convention from July 21-26, 2025. The convention was held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and competitors were also able to participate virtually. Attendees from CPHS included Seniors Nic Collier, Ashley Grindey, and Gibson Mehrle; Juniors Luke Waldschmidt and Asher McAlvey; Sophomores Annelise Jacobi and Kenneth Ouyang; and Freshman Lola Coil, along with Mr. Jeremy Walker, CPHS Latin teacher and Latin Club sponsor. 

The convention provides a place for students to creatively display what they learned in Latin Club throughout the year. Participants worked hard for months preparing crafts and studying information to share with attendees from all over the country. Students participated in a multitude of activities, including academic, graphic art, creative art, and athletic events, as well as the national Certamen tournament, a “Jeopardy!”-like game that demonstrates students’ knowledge on varying topics about the ancient world. 

These CPHS students earned these recognitions at the convention: 

• Senior Nic Collier: 1st place in Greeting Cards 11-12, 2nd place in Black Pencil 11-12, 3rd place in Decorative Stitching 11-12, and 6th place in Acrylic/Oil 11-12
• Senior Ashely Grindey: 1st place in Jewelry 12
• Junior Luke Waldschmidt: 7th place in Jewelry 11
• Sophomore Annelise Jacobi: 4th place in Drawn Charts 10, 5th place in Latin Oratory Level II, and 6th place in Greek Derivatives Level II
• Sophomore Kenneth Ouyang: 8th place in Hellenic History ½, 10th place in Drawn Charts 10, and 10th place in Drawn Maps 10
• Freshman Lola Coil: 3rd place in Pottery 6-9, 4th place in Costume Junior Individual, and 6th place in Decorative Stitching 6-9

Senior Gibson Mehrle and Junior Asher McAlvey also participated in the delegation, but did not place in the top 10 for any individual events. 

The Latin Club as a group received these recognitions:

• 1st place for Overall Club of the Month, Photo of the Month (December), entries organized by Nic Collier, and Miscellaneous Publicity, entry compiled by Gibson Mehrle
• 3rd place for Traditional Scrapbook Medium, compiled by Emilia Wilson
• 5th place in the Activities Contest, organized by Asher McAlvey
• 6th place in the Local Publications Contest with their publication Tempus Canis, organized by June Kilarski 

About the CPHS Latin Club: The Crown Point High School Latin Club is an after-school club that allows students to connect with peers while studying Latin. The club completes projects relating to events in the ancient world, participates in events within the community, and studies information for the National Convention.