The MMXIII Latin Academy enjoyed a very auspicious beginning today with all students arriving on time and settling in quickly. The academy owes a debt of gratitude to Greg and Cathy Daugherty for all their hard work in organizing the process. Special thanks to all our parents as well for overcoming the weather and other obstacles.
Academy began with opening ceremonies in Blackwell Auditorium. Thanks to RMC Provost Franz and Dr. Lisa Harris of DOE for their support of and inspiration to the academy. Afterwards, students gathered in the dorms and bid farewell to their parents. The academy experience then truly began, as Magistri Perry and Wilkins distributed the academy t-shirts while only speaking Latin. Students then dispersed into their familia groups to take a tour of campus and learn the pomerium. Everyone then adjourned to the Brock Commons Center to better learn their fellow academians with rousing renditions of the name game and qui estis. After their first meal in Estes, students returned to Brock where Dr. McCaffrey introduced the students to ancient rhetoric and David presented an overview of the academy's offices. Students then divided into factions (optimates and populares) to nominate candidates for our cursus honorum. Students ended their first day with a dorm meeting to clarify rules and expectations and an opportunity to begin work on their campaigns. More word on the elections on Tuesday!
