In April, 83 Latin students from the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District attended the annual Classics Day hosted by the Pioneer Valley Classical Association (PVCA) at UMass Amherst. The event provided a vibrant platform for students to celebrate their knowledge of Latin and the ancient Mediterranean world through academic competitions, artistic presentations, and dramatic performances.
One of the most impressive showings came in the highly competitive Certamen (Latin academic trivia) tournament. Amherst teams triumphed at every level:
- 1st Place in Novice (ARMS)
- 1st and 2nd Place in Intermediate (ARHS)
- 3rd Place in Advanced (ARHS)
- 1st Place in the special Middle School Mythology Certamen
These achievements highlight the strength and depth of the Latin curriculum across the district. With 12 schools competing, Amherst students outperformed teams from strong programs across the region, including Williston, MacDuffie, and Northampton.
Beyond Certamen, ARPS students collected numerous awards:
- A sweep of the top three spots in the Advanced Poetry Oral Interpretation category
- 3rd Place finishes in both the individual and group Costume Contests
- Awards in Art, including 1st and 2nd place prizes for sculpture, digital art, military models, and more
“Our students’ passion for ancient history, language, and culture reminds us that the humanities are alive and thriving in our schools. I am in awe of their scholarship and proud of the way they represented our district with curiosity, confidence, and heart,” said Superintendent Dr. Xi
The district commends the students for their hard work and enthusiasm, and thanks Magister William Roundy and Magistra Olivia Blais for guiding students through this memorable learning experience. Congratulations to all who participated—Eugepai! (Well done!).