2008 National Latin Exam Winners
By: Magistra Nicole Curry
"Our three high achieving students in Latin, competing among peers at a National level, exemplify the academic excellence that is a hallmark of our PAMS program and convey how it is possible for all of our students to strive to achieve their personal best," said Phoenixville Area Middle School Principal Dr. Troy Czukoski. "We are so very proud of their accomplishments!"
Please join me in congratulating the following discipuli (students) for distinguishing themselves as top performers on the 2008 National Latin Exam (www.nle.org), which 37 PAHS students bravely completed in mid-March:   Latin I Eric (Cicero) Carr [earned Cum Laude award]   Latin II Paul (Lucius) Deichmann [earned Silver Medal-Maxima Cum Laude award] Jeremy (Tiro) Witcher [earned Magna Cum Laude award] Michelle (Diana) Wisely [earned Cum Laude award]   Latin III Prose Marybeth (Melissa) Krause [earned Silver Medal-Maxima Cum Laude award] The following Latin III discipuli earned Cum Laude awards Liz (Caia) Beckerman; Kate (Tullia) Casaday; Kelly (Claudia) Foedinger; Colin (Furius) Small; Theresa (Clara) Wisely   Latin IV     Heather (Flora) Bastian [earned Magna Cum Laude award]        The exam was a rigorous competitive exam assessing a student’s knowledge of grammar, culture, derivatives, mythology, and history that was taken by over 134,500 students from all 50 states and from 11 foreign countries such as Australia, Canada, England, Japan, Italy, New Zealand,  and for the first time, students from Brazil.             I appreciate that many of you and many members of the community have encouraged these students to do their best on this exam.  I also am grateful that you talk to our students concerning the importance of knowing about the classical language from which the Romance languages evolved and about the lasting impact of the ancient Romans’ contributions to architecture, law, science, and medicine, whether or not students are interested in becoming lawyers, scientists, or doctors.            Multās gratiās vōbīs agō prō auxiliō vestrō institutī Latinī/Thank you very much for your support of the Latin program!        Special thanks to Magister Tell, Magistra Ballantine, Domina Malonoski, Domina Vance, Domina Shoemaker, Domina Vontor, Domina Mentzer, Domina Peters, Magistra Krenicky, Domina Sauser, the Guidance Consiliatores, Magister Seel, Magistra Havrilla, Magistra Waltz, Magistra Black, Magister Bombick, Magistra Moak, Magister Gross, the World Language Magistri, Magister Hoffman, Magister Stavenski, Sr., Magister Burns, Magister Coyne, Magistra Weinstein, Magister Rutchauskas, Magister Chiofolo, Magister et Magistra Jenkins, Principes Gentile, Kaskey, and Parkinson, and Doctores Noyes and Schwab!