Westlake Student Wins National Position in Classics Organization

Samantha Buck, a senior at , is the first student in the history of the Latin program there to get elected to a national office within the Junior Classical League.

This summer at the conclusion of the national convention at Eastern Kentucky University, Buck took the reins as national parliamentarian, voted in by Latin students from all over the country.

“I was really excited,” Buck said. “I was sitting with my state and everyone else was really excited [too].”

The National Junior Classical League’s mission is to “encourage an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome and to impart an understanding of the debt of our own culture to that of Classical antiquity," According to their website.

But if your impression is that the NJCL is all business, think again. General assemblies are filled with students waving silly props and chanting cheers for their state. Crazy costumes are not rare and often help states win the much sought after spirit prizes.

States compete in academic, artistic, and athletic competitions in this annual, week-long event. Hand-sewn mythological outfits are entered into the costume contest, moving dramatic recitations are performed, and state kickball teams go head-to-head. Inspirational speeches rooted in the messages of classical authors compel students from all over the country to convene and share their love for the timeless language.

Buck will travel to North Carolina this fall to attend a planning meeting for the next national convention, which will take place at Wake Forest University. As parliamentarian she is responsible for revising the organization’s constitution, helping state parliamentarians write and amend their constitutions, and looking for candidates to run next year. 

“I really like the whole constitutional amendment process,” said Buck. “It’s really interesting and fun.

Buck has already served as the Ohio Junior Classical League president, so she’s looking forward to getting involved at an even higher level. “I had already made so many friends all over the country from JCL that it seemed like the next best step to take,” Buck said.

In order to get the position, Buck had to campaign, go through a question and answer session in front of delegates from each voting state, and give a speech in front of 1,600 students on why she was more qualified than her opposition.

Even though she was on a no-soda diet, she allowed herself a diet coke to celebrate the win. A soda and a hug from her parents was enough praise for her.

Right now Buck has a loaded schedule in addition to her national parliamentarian duties: four AP classes, marching band, drama club, National Art Honors Society, WHBS radio. Not to mention she’s co-president of National Honors Society and co-consul of Westlake Latin Club.

Amidst her busy schedule, Buck has started looking at colleges. Kenyon, Ohio University, University of Chicago, The College of Wooster and Williams College are all schools that interest her. She wants to study Classics or English, her dream job being a teacher.

While Buck’s favorite classical author is Ovid, her favorite quote is by Publius Syrus, “Stultum est timere quod vitare non potes.” Translated it means, “It is foolish to fear that which you cannot avoid.” The saying was the theme of the Ohio convention she presided over.

“[The Junior Classical League has] definitely gotten me more comfortable with speaking in front of people and being a leader,” Buck said.