Every other Tuesday at lunch, Room 104 hosts the members of Sturgis East’s Latin club, Certamen! Coming from the Latin word for “contest” or “competition”, Certamen is the ideal club for those who wish to stay involved in the language but are not too keen on dressing up in bedsheets for togas. With added advocacy, most notably from the CAS Fair, Certamen has over fifteen regular members and is always welcome to newcomers.
Although having recently begun to work in tandem with Junior Classical League, the club maintains its own unique atmosphere. Certamen works almost like a Latin trivia or quiz club, with members being tested on mythology, history, vocabulary, and more! They can earn points as well as candy prizes, and they can even attain the ultimate reward; bringing their team glory, of course. You don’t need to be a Latin genius to join! Certamen is open to students of all levels of Latin, and even those who longer take the language but still wish to stay connected to it or simply test their skills.
Three years ago, hardly any Sturgis student even knew about Certamen. It hosted a mere six members and was on the verge of extinction, at risk of disappearing from Sturgis East’s extracurricular activities for good. Yet thanks to the dedication from members interested in not only the club but the language itself, Certamen experienced a revival at Sturgis. While most people still cannot pronounce the club’s name, Certamen is now actively attracting members as well as increasing interest in the subject.
While Latin may not be everyone’s raison d’être, Certamen is a great place for those who have at least some love for the language. It hopes to attract even more members in the future! It’s a fun, enjoyable way to spend a Tuesday afternoon while learning new skills or increasing preexisting ones. If you even have a tiny interest, feel free to stop by. New members are always welcome!