National Junior Classical League
The National Junior Classical League, or NJCL, is an organization of junior and senior high school students sponsored by the American Classical League. Founded in 1936, the NJCL is comprised of Latin, Greek, and Classical chapters worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, and Australia. With over 50,000 members, the NJCL is the largest Classical organization today. Its 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." Each year the NJCL hosts a convention, where hundreds of students compete in written tests and creative categories (such as art competition and oral Latin recitations). Another competitive component of the NJCL convention is Certamen (Latin for "Contest") which is similar to Academic Bowl, except the content of the questions are Latin grammar, Latin vocabulary, English derivatives, and Classical history and culture. The NJCL's website is at njcl.org.
NJCL Song:
Seeking the best, the highest our goal
Working for greatness through glories of old.
Searching the realms of the golden past,
We follow the classics' truths that last
In knowledge, truth, and fellowship, we're growing everyday
The friendly hand of J. C. L. aids in every way.
In Rome's proud steps we're marching on,
with every true colleague,
And for ever we'll hold to the Purple and Gold,
of the Junior Classical League.
NJCL Creed:
We the members of the Junior Classical League, covenant to hand on the torch of classical civilization in the modern world.
We believe an acquaintance with the civilization of Greece and Rome will help us understand and appraise this world of today, which is indebted to the ancient civilization in its government and laws, literature, language and arts.
We affirm the JCL experience develops responsibility, fosters brotherhood, promotes enthusiasm, encourages competition, inspires dedication and enriches our total growth.