Mastering Latin and Greek

Winners (from left to right): Silver medal winners this year included: current 10th graders, Wilson Russ, Grant Curry, Ben Levine; 9th grader, Hudson Graham.

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Did you know that the musical instrument known as a dulcimer is derived from a Latin adjective meaning “sweet?”  If you were one of the four Episcopal students that medaled on this year’s examination of the National Classical Etymology Exam, this was probably one of the easier questions you faced. 
 
Administered in October 2016, the NCEE is based on English vocabulary words that are derived from Latin and Greek, with emphasis on academic and SAT vocabulary words.
 
The exam, organized by the National Junior Classical League, tests a student’s ability to handle both Latin and Greek derivatives and their usage in the English language.  This is the seventh year of the exam and over 5,400 students from around the country participated.
 
The study of the Classics continues to flourish at Episcopal .  The Upper School chapter of the Junior Classical League, sponsored by US teacher Micheal Posey,  boasts more than 35 members.  This year’s NCEE winners all earned Silver medals at the Intermediate Level (grades 9 & 10).  
 
Winners (from left to right): Silver medal winners this year included:  current 10th graders, Wilson Russ, Grant Curry, Ben Levine;  9th grader, Hudson Graham.