dies veneris

On Wednesday afternoon students had cookies and juice with the president of Randolph Macon at Brock Commons. President Lindgren generously gave each student a RMC t-shirt and a firm handshake. That evening students watched the Coen brothers' O Brother Where Art Thou?, a hilarious modern adaptation of Homer's Odyssey. 

On Thursday the discipuli discipulaeque traveled to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. There they split into their ordines and embarked upon a petenda (scavenger hunt) that led them to various works of art inspired by Classical mythology. Students used their new knowledge from Magistra Carroll's Transformationes class to analyze the artwork. Afterwards they were given a tour of the museum's Roman and Roman-inspired pieces. Then the students had two hours of free time to explore the galleries as they wished. 

Many visited the special exhibit "Posing Beauty" which displayed photographs of African Americans throughout history, ranging from everyday people to such figures as Michelle Obama. That night, Dr. McCaffrey, a past GLA and Randolph Macon professor, spoke to the students about the values of pursuing a classical education. The students also got to hear about how their teachers joined the classical realm. Students participated in an intense game of CERTAGON following the presentation. After multiple rounds of battle consisting of questions concerning material from all of the classes team Europa (Andrew, Needhi, and Jane) won the game and praemia fabulosa (fabulous prizes) of books on Ancient Rome. 

Friday afternoon students had their final gym time and they used this opportunity to swim in the pool one last time and play one last match of squash. After the final Cena Latina the staff and students attended the dress rehearsal for the Academy's play Rudens.

Quotes:

"Bloodbath and beyond."   -Grace on certagon

"Everyday, all over the world, people are speaking Latin, they just speak it so badly." -Dr. McCaffrey

The play on Saturday

A final clarification/confirmation regarding the play Saturday: 

The play will BEGIN at two o'clock in the PM.

Doors (to the theater) will open at 1:45.

The play will take place in the exact same theater (in Blackwell auditorium) where the academy opening ceremonies took place.

I would like to remind parents that early is on time and on time is late, especially when there is an interstate (and more importantly often interstate traffic) between your homes and Ashland. 

Afterwards there will be a reception, all are invited! 

VMFA !

dies mercurii

Most students have now completed their Roman mosaics and Greek vases, and each ordo has chosen two or three pieces to put on display this weekend to show the parents. Everyone had their penultimate set of Greek classes today, and following these lessons (and lunch!), Dr. John Miller came to speak about the story of Flora in Ovid's Fasti. Dr. Miller has presented at every Latin Academy, and today, he and the students had a fascinating discussion about Botticelli's "Primavera" painting. This afternoon, students will have secunda mensa (dessert) with Randolph Macon's president; they will watch O Brother, Where Art Thou? later tonight.

dies martis

Last night, Magistra Wilkins taught students about the evolution of Roman pottery. She explained ancient kilns and described different patterns and vase shapes. After the presentation, students got to make their own Greek vases from terra cotta flower pots! This morning in Latina Pro Vicis (conversational Latin), everyone got to visit the local grocery store and purchase some snacks for the rest of the week. Yum! Students examined artists' interpretations of Ovid's "Apollo and Daphne," even looking at images of the Bernini's famous statue. During Vates Vortit Anglice, everyone compared Shakespeare's Coriolanus to Livy's version of the story and its translations. They drew connections between Coriolanus and Achilles from The Iliad. Tonight, students will practice their Latin-speaking skills at another Cena Latina (Latin dinner).

Quotes of the Day - Cavedo special!:

"Gosh, I hate my hair."

"If we had Prince or David Bowie or the Jackson 5, I would shake that boogie down to the ground."

- Magister Cavedo

Important mail reminder for parents

Salvete!

Please remember as Academy comes to a close that mail received after 4 PM on July 11 will be discarded. 

Valete!

Painting Greek vases

Aleida painting her Greek vase whilst siting on the table

Tori (standing) posing with Sallie while everyone else works

Students sketch designs for their Greek vases

Grace B.'s sketch of a Roman chariot

A pot depicting Achilles healing one of Patroclus's wounds

The notorious Schliemann makes an appearance on Yonsei's vase

Wyatt's pot shows Schliemann bombing the tomb of Agamemnon