Activities - NJCL Convention - 1999 - Daily Highlights - Thursday, August 5

Thursday is the last full day of NJCL Convention, and while there are still some ongoing competitions, the general mood is one of celebration as the Roman banquet and procession, awards assembly and farewell dance lie ahead. The day, however, starts with the grueling Academic Decathlon examination. The highest scorer on this test receives a cash award of $500 donated to NJCL by an anonymous benefactor.

The Day in Old Rome was definitely the highlight of the day. Toga-clad delegates met first in Ruby Diamond Auditorium for the fourth general assembly. The major item of business at this assembly was the election of next year's officers. As ballots were counted, Peter Sommer, NJCL President, announced the Ludi winners, the NJCL Chorus gave its presentation, and next year's host state of Oklahoma extended their formal invitation to attend the 2000 NJCL Convention in Norman.

After ballots were counted, the 1999-2000 NJCL officers were announced as follows:

• President: Chris Olry, IN
• 1st VP: Pankaj Kumar Agarwalla, DC
• 2nd VP: Doug Landry, LA
• Secretary: Lauren White, NY
• Parliamentarian: Philip Zeyliger, CA
• Historian: Linda Yang, NC
• Editor: Jennifer Bussell, SC

With assembly adjourned, state delegates filed out of the auditorium for their procession across campus. As expected, the 1500+ Roman-garbed delegates drew many glances from FSU workers and students as they chanted their way from Ruby Diamond auditorium to Tully gymnasium where the Roman banquet was held. In a departure from past conventions, the banquet was held at lunchtime to mitigate the effects of the afternoon heat.

The early feast also left delegates with a full afternoon to view graphic arts projects, attend the competitive certamen finals, finish up a Ludi Chess match, catch that final seminar session, or get that last bargain souvenir at the bazaar.

Highlights of the evening were the awards assembly and the farewell dance. For those more rhythmically challenged delegates, a karaoke night was also held in the Club Down Under.

Convention Ear, Thursday, August 5, 1999 (requires Adobe Acrobat)