Lake County Gazette

Collinsville High School Latin Teacher James Stark reported that his students earned a total of 28 academic, artistic, and performance awards at the Illinois Junior Classical League (ILJCL) 2025 North Convention in Chicago.

"Our delegation also got first place finishes for school spirit every day thanks to their creative outfits and passionate cheering!" said Stark. "The outfits were organized and created under the leadership of the Latin Club art chair: Rose 'Vera' Vargas. "

Stark highlighted several other achievements:

"CHS Senior Gavin Leech served as the 1st Vice President for the organization this year. He did a phenomenal job filling the program with engaging and fun activities from Roman Jackbox games to ancient Pictionary, and in general, I'm intensely proud of his leadership both before and during the entire event. I received numerous compliments from parents, teachers, and even random people at our restaurant pitstops about how kind, positive and helpful our CHS students were. At the end of the day, this is the most important thing for me and my students, and I'm very proud to have such students here at CHS!

CHS Alumna Amber Vargas also attended the convention to assist as a Senior Classical League volunteer. Amber currently studies Classics at Purdue University, and she made herself invaluable throughout the convention!"

Sixteen CHS Latin Club members competed in this year's ILJCL North Convention.

Awards Earned by CHS Latin Students:

Academic Arts

5th Place

Level 1

Mythology - Lily "Rhea Silvia" Berg

Grammar - Lily "Rhea Silvia" Berg

Level 2

Latin Derivatives - "Avanius" Dietrich

Phrases Mottoes & Quotes - "Avanius" Dietrich

Latin Grammar - "Avanius" Dietrich

Latin Literature - Mia "Octavia" Harris

Art & Architecture - Torrence "Taura" Gregory

Latin Literature - Torrence "Taura" Gregory

Upper Level

Latin Reading Comprehension - Gavin "Cucuphas" Leech

4th Place

Upper Level

Phrases Mottoes & Quotes - Joseph "Iosephus" Reilly

3rd Place

Level 1

Latin Reading Comprehension (tie) - Celeste Perrin & Sophia "Inepta" Crawford

Roman Private Life - Lily "Rhea Silvia" Berg

2nd Place

Level 1

Latin Literature - Celeste Perrin

Greek Derivatives - Lily "Rhea Silvia" Berg

Level 2Roman Private Life - "Avanius" Dietrich

1st PlaceLevel-2Art & Architecture-"Avanius"DietrichLatin Literature-"Avanius" DietrichCreative Arts4 thPlaceTorrence"Taura"Gregoryfor her Modern Myth short story:"Why Shadows Roam"2 ndPlaceBram"Cucurbitas"Malsbury&Brandon" Aviculus"Welchfor their costume of Cassandra and Trojan HorsePhotos of Some Award Winners with Visual Arts Projects