Latin is alive at St. Bernard Prep

The so called “dead” Latin language may be a bit challenging for high school students, but several students at St. Bernard are  bringing  it back to life by not only learning the language, but having a clearer understanding of the English grammar, as well as a foundation that will open up their options as they enter college.

Recently, Latin instructor, Br. Leo Borelli was notified by the American Classical League that three of his students had won gold medals for their performance on the National Latin Exam which was taken the first week in March.  Two freshmen – David Schartung and Samuel George;  along with sophomore, Kimie Garcia. 

Other students who won certificates for scoring above the national average on the test were:  Freshmen:  Mary Grace Vinson, Lesley O’Donnell, Anna Gongre, Aaron Crawford, Greer Cauthen, and Christopher Woods.  Sophomores were Ayleana Mami, Nicholas Schweers, Tomas Russell, Bree McPherson, and Megan Butler; Junior, Gabriel Pautler; and Seniors, Nathan Denson and Sean Moriarty.

The National Latin Exam is offered under the joint sponsorship of the American Classical League and the National Junior Classical League.  More than 149,000 Latin students from all fifty states participated this past year, as did  students from thirteen foreign countries, including Australia, Mexico, Belgium, Canada, China  Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. This year for the first time, students from Bulgaria and Mozambique also took the NLE.

Photo cutline:  Gold medal winners are from left:  Samuel George, Hanceville;  Kimie Garcia, Cullman; and David Schartung of Decatur.