Activities - NJCL Convention - 2000 - Daily Highlights - Wednesday, August 2

Day two of convention began bright and early on a sunny Wednesday morning as conventioneers trekked (or bussed) their ways to the Lloyd Noble Center at the edge of campus for the second General Assembly of the convention.

Much of the second assembly is dedicated to the Roll Call of States in which each state cleverly presents the number of JCL, SCL, and adult attendees. This year saw, among the many skits, takeoffs of The Sixth Sense - I see Latin people - and the Survivor television series. Texas, with 247 delegates, was the largest state delegation, while at the other end of the spectrum, Mr. Jim Gillison, attending his first convention, represented the long-absent state of Montana.

Events for the rest of this morning included Open Certamen registration, Ludi Volleyball, the essay contest, and the first seminar session, which included an overview of an ongoing terrestrial and underwater archaelogical dig at Casarea Maritima presented by Dr. Farland Stanley of the University of Oklahoma.

Postprandial activities crossed the various categories of competition at convention. Ludi Chess participants met for the first of their several matches in the Walker Lobby directly after lunch. The academics among the attendees were treated to not one, not two, not three, but four exams at the second contest session, once again held at Dale Hall. English Oratory, one of several Creative Arts contests, was also held this afternoon.

Evening activities included Ludi Basketball and the first-ever Impromptu Art contest. In this popular activity, participants were given an assortment of materials, including yarn, plastic foliage, and a photocopy of the Prima Porta statue, to assemble into a work or art. Swimming Olympika were held at the Sells Swim Complex across from the dormitories. Michelle Blumsack, a delegate from Florida, distinguished herself by earning one second place and seven first place finishes.

In other activities tonight, competitive certamen participants got their first taste of competition as the initial rounds of play were held in Dale Hall. A few buildings away in Kaufman Hall, Creative Arts aficiandos got another stab at competition as the Dramatic Interpretation contest was held. Gabrielle Rapke took top honors in the Girls 1/2 and I division and was asked to present her entry at the Awards Assembly on Saturday evening.

A full day of events out of the way, convention goers kicked back a bit at the Jungle Jam held in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. For the saltatorially-challenged, one alternative was taking in the cult-favorite flick Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Convention Ear, Wednesday, August 2, 2000 (requires Adobe Acrobat)