From July 21 to 26 this past summer, Miramonte Latin students, along with chaperone Matt Davis, attended the annual Latin Convention. This year, the event took place at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. At the convention, Miramonte Latin students participated in Latin-related competitions at a national level.
The annual convention includes various competitions for students to choose from, in areas they’d like to participate in. The competitions offered include art, sports, and academic testing. Students began preparing for the competitions of their choosing as early as a year in advance, and many students take part in smaller Latin competitions more local to them to prepare for national competition. Competitions are either independent or team-based. Noah Thaler, a junior, attended the competition for the second time this summer.
“The academic competitions can be more intimidating, as often you have no teammates; it’s just you working on an insanely difficult test. “Certamen” is a Quiz Bowl-style game where teams compete to answer questions first, and that can be very nerve-wracking to play, but it’s very exciting to watch,” Thaler said.
The environment of the convention gives Latin students from schools across the nation the opportunity to interact, and, of course, compete with one another. During the week of the competitions, students live together and spend most of their days together while at the convention.
“I got closer to students from Miramonte and California, but I also made friends from far-away states like Georgia and Alabama. Just by living, eating, and competing together for a week, we all form a close bond and friendship. 2025 was my second convention, and even though a whole year had passed since the last one, I instantly connected with all my old friends and teammates,” Thaler said.
Students were able to build connections with students, not only from Miramonte, but throughout the nation.
Matt Davis, a Latin teacher, as well as a chaperone for this year’s convention, helps students prepare beforehand for the convention.
“We prepare throughout the year by hosting study sessions and certamen practice,” Davis said.
Miramonte Latin does whatever it can to ensure that the students who participate in the convention are well-prepared for competition. Students prepare on their own as well, whether this is by practicing sports with their teammates, putting together their own original piece of art work, or studying for tests.
There are various awards presented at the convention within each category. Miramonte Latin students who were presented with awards included: Christophe Davis, who won 1st place in Small Models HS 11-12; Sean Gupta, who won 4th Place in Mottoes, Quotations, Abbreviations II and 3rd Place in Constitution Contest; and Lily Kalmar, who won 3rd place in Oil Painting HS 11-12.
“I am so pleased with how the convention went!” Davis said.
The annual national Latin Convention is a great opportunity for any Latin student interested to attend and represent Miramonte Latin. If you are interested in competing at the 2026 convention, speak to Matt Davis for more information on how to participate. Vale!
