THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409070169
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
ALTHOUGH LATIN IS a dead language, classical studies at Franklin High are alive and well.
After attending the Virginia Junior Classical Convention two years ago, six Franklin students competed this summer in the 41st National Junior Classical League Convention at the University of Tennessee. The event was from July 31 through Aug. 5.
``The National Junior Classical League, which has 5,000 members, is the largest academic youth organization in the world,'' said Latin teacher Sandra Spengeman, ``and Virginia is one of the more active states in the country. There are 105 chapters with 6,000 members.''
Last December, 20 Franklin students excelled at the state convention by receiving second-place in the publicity contest and placed 27 times in academic and creative arts competition, Spengeman said.
To cover their travel expenses to the national convention, the students raised $1,000 through doughnut sales and by operating concession stands at the Franklin Fall Festival, community concerts, Little Theater performances and local dance recitals.
Spengeman was also one of three recipients of a Miller Fellowship Award, which covered her convention expenses. The award is presented annually in honor of Rhea Miller, a lifelong friend of the League.
Spengeman, who has attended NJCL meetings and workshops for several years, received the award due to her dedication to the chapter and her promotion of the Latin language.
Spengeman drove her students to Tennessee in her van, where the group stayed in a dormitory for the week. Packed among their luggage were books, charts, posters and pottery to be entered in competition. These entries represented several months of planning and preparation. And all were ribbon winners.
``Last fall, we got together in the art department and researched ancient pottery,'' Spengeman said. ``We created pottery that the Romans would have made.''
Receiving graphic arts awards were sophomores Bryce Bigger and Amber Hollowell, fifth-place ribbons; Thomas Coffelt, fourth-place ribbon, and Justin Spengeman and Jennifer Ashby, third-place ribbons.
Olympika winner Amy Gay, a senior, received first-place in girls' shotput and a second in girls' discus.
``There was competition between the states in track, field and swimming events that would have been held in ancient Greece or Rome,'' Spengeman said. ``They also added tennis and basketball.''
During the week of activities, the students dressed in Roman garb for a ``Day in Old Rome.'' They also enjoyed a Roman banquet, a barbecue dinner, and talent show.
``We made our own togas and had a procession across the campus,'' Spengeman said. ``There were 1,500 people involved from the United States and Canada.''
``The students made friends from all over the country. By getting involved in contests, the organization provides leadership opportunities and a chance to excel beyond the classroom. Since Latin is perceived as a dead language, we work harder.''
A teacher at Franklin High for the past nine years, Spengeman received a bachelor's degree in classical studies at the College of William and Mary in 1969 and a master's degree in classical studies in 1972.
``Studying Latin helps with English and is a discipline which carries over into other studies,'' Spengeman said.
Spengeman enjoys walking, reading and attending classical meetings. She is married to Don Spengeman, principal of J.P. King Elementary School. They have four children. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Sandra Spengeman received the Miller Fellowship Award for her
dedication to the local Junior Classical League chapter and her
promotion of Latin.
by CNB