This story was submitted by middle school Latin teacher Lisa Masoni.
At this summer’s National Junior Classical League Convention, held at Indiana University from July 20-26, 15 upper and middle school students, chaperoned by debate teachers Lisa Masoni and Nik Slivka, comprised nearly half of the California delegation. The California novice and intermediate certamen (quiz bowl) teams were made up entirely of Harker eighth and ninth graders. Demi Zheng, grade 12, Shreyas Karnam, grade 11, and Ethen Weyn, grade 10 made up most of the Advanced team, qualifying for semifinals and placing eighth overall.
Between them, the 15 students tried out just about every type of activity on offer, from Ludi chess to Olympika swimming, all the academic contests, graphic arts, costume contest, spoken Latin, workshops and more. Evelyn Shen, grade 8, danced in the talent show, for which only 10 acts were chosen; Claire Alpha, grade 9, worked with a student from Orinda to present California’s Roll Call skit at a general assembly, and they placed third overall. Individual top ten awards are listed below.
Shreyas Karnam, grade 11 was elected NJCL editor, coming off a brilliant year as California JCL editor that saw the Nuntius Californiensis take first place in the Publications contest.
All five national officers from California in the last five years have been Harker students. Senior Ameera Ramzan was busy helping run the convention as they finished out their year as National Communications Coordinator. Previous officers were Felix Chen ’2 (2024-2025 editor), Trisha Iyer ’24 (2023-2024 Historian) and Rupert Chen ’23 (2022-2023 first vice president).
In recognition for her many years of dedication and success in Harker’s debate programs, Masoni was presented with a Silver Bowl Award, which is given to teachers who have attended 20 national conventions. She was also commended for serving as the California JCL treasurer for nearly 20 years, working on the Pegasus National Myth Exam committee and as a certamen writer and moderator at nationals, in addition to teaching and supporting six Harker students who would go on to be national officers.
Individual Top Ten Awards:
Mili Agarwal, grade 8, Level 1: seventh in Mottoes, seventh in Reading Comprehension, ninth in Latin Grammar, 10th in Latin Vocabulary, fourth in Dramatic Arts, eighth in Sight Latin Reading, ninth in Latin Oratory, fourth in Ludi Chess
Claire Alpha, grade 9, Level 2: second in Reading Comprehension, third in Latin Oratory, third in Sight Latin Reading, third in Dramatic Interpretation, third in Dolls, fifth in Cartoons, fifth in Charcoal, fifth in Mosaics, sixth in Decorative Stitching/Textiles, eighth in Acrylic/Oil, eighth in Chalk/Pastel, eighth in Colored Pencil, eighth in Jewelry, eighth in Small Models, ninth in Greeting Cards, 10th in Ink, eighth Overall in Creative Arts
Shiven Bhargava, grade 8, Level 1: third in Latin Grammar, third in Latin Vocabulary, fifth in Reading Comprehension, 10th in Greek Derivatives, second in Latin Oratory, third in Dramatic Interpretation, fifth in Sight Latin Reading, seventh Overall in Creative Arts
Ayden Bi, grade 8, Level 1: ninth in Roman Life, 10th in Ancient Geography
Natasha Chatterjee, grade 9, Level 2: seventh in Hellenic History, 10th in Greek Life and Literature, seventh in Essay
Yehong Fan, grade 10, Level 3: third in Pair Costume, second in 100 m. backstroke, second in 100 m. freestyle, second in 100 m. medley, second in 200 m. freestyle, second in 50 m. backstroke, second in 50 m. butterfly, third in 50 m. breaststroke, third in 50 m. freestyle, seventh in shot put, fifth Overall in Olympika
Jason Huo, grade 8, Level 1: second in Classical Art, fourth in Roman Life, fifth in Reading Comprehension, sixth in Latin Literature, ninth in Greek Life and Literature, 10th in Ancient Geography, 10th in Hellenic History, first in Modern Myth, sixth in Dolls, seventh in Mosaics, 10th in Small Models, 10th Overall in Creative Arts
Shreyas Karnam, grade 11, Level 4: fourth in Academic Heptathlon
Joshua Lin, grade 9, Level 2: second in Long Jump, fourth in High Jump, seventh in 100 Meter, seventh in 200 Meter, eighth in 400 Meter, ninth in Marathon
Ameera Ramzan, grade 12, Level 5+: sixth in Sight Latin Reading, seventh in Latin Oratory
Evelyn Shen, grade 8, Level 1: fifth in Reading Comprehension, third in Essay
Jeannie Song, grade 8, Level 1: third in Latin Vocabulary, fourth in Reading Comprehension, eighth in Latin Literature, ninth in Latin Derivatives, 10th in Academic Triathlon, fourth in Charts, first in Long Jump, fifth in 400 Meters
Ethan Weyn, grade 10, Level 3: second in Ancient Geography, second in Greek Derivatives, second in Greek Life and Literature, second in Reading Comprehension Poetry, fourth in Classical Art, fourth in Classical Greek, fourth in Mottoes, fifth in Hellenic History, sixth in Reading Comprehension Prose, seventh in Academic Heptathlon, ninth in Latin Grammar, ninth in Latin Vocabulary, 10th in Mythology, third in Pair Costume, third in Essay, fifth in Slogan, seventh in Sight Latin Reading, eighth in Dramatic Interpretation, first in Charts, fifth in Decorative Stitching/Textiles, fifth in Dolls, fifth in Games, fifth in Pottery, sixth in Computer-Enhanced Photography, sixth in Weapons and Armor, seventh in Illustrated Quotes, seventh in Mixed Media, seventh in Sculpture, eighth in Digital Art/Poster, ninth in Off the Wall Classical Art, ninth in Small Models, 10th in Chalk/Pastel, fourth in Shot Put, fifth in high Jump, eighth in Overall Creative Arts
Jessica Xu, grade 10, Level 3: fourth in Reading Comprehension Prose, sixth in Reading Comprehension Poetry, seventh in Pottery, ninth in Acrylic/Oil
Demi Zheng, grade 12, Level 5+: third in Reading Comprehension Poetry, sixth in Greek Life and Literature, sixth in Hellenic History, eighth in Academic Heptathlon, ninth in Latin Vocabulary, 10th in Latin Derivatives, 10th in Reading Comprehension Prose, first in Vocal Performance, fourth in Sight Latin Reading, seventh in Essay
Students who earned more than one gold medal on NJCL online contests earlier in the year could apply for monetary awards; it was announced at convention that Leo Zhang, grade 9, won a $250 award and Natasha Chatterjee, also grade 9, won a $500 award.
