Garden City High School students excel at annual Certamen competition at Yale University
Sixteen Garden City High School students attended this year's annual Certamen (classical Quiz-bowl) competition at Yale University. Latin and non-Latin students alike worked in teams of four to answer challenging questions about Latin language, mythology, history, culture and literature, pitted against top schools from across the nation. This year, Garden City sent one intermediate team and three advanced teams, with one advanced team moving up a competitive bracket due to their semifinals placement last year.
Additionally, GCHS brought eight students to Harriton High School located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania for a newly started Certamen Autumnale competition, with both intermediate and advanced teams winning second and third place, respectively, against other Latin students from competitive schools in the mid-Atlantic region (New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey). Students enjoyed the experience and look forward to the next set of elite competitions, set for February and March.
Many students who have attended in-person Certamen events have also joined a new group this year called The Latin League. This is an online competition pitting teams of five students against other schools in their region in a timed 100-question multiple choice exam; it has an expanded syllabus including topics in Greek history, classical art and architecture, explicit Latin grammar and reading comprehension, alongside the typical certamen questions. After three competitive rounds this year, GC JV has one win under their belt, and GC Purple is 2-1.
*This is a student-produced piece, written by Emily Cook (Garden City High School Class of 2025).
