Sarah Sherry, a junior English and classics major from Niles, presented a paper last month in Philadelphia at the national convention of Eta Sigma Phi, the national classics honorary society. Ten other classics students recently earned high marks on the National Latin Exam.

Entitled "Percussion in the Ancient Worlds of Greece and Rome: Idiophones and Membranophones in the Cults of Cybele and Dionysus," Sherry’s paper was one of three selected through a highly competitive process among colleges and universities throughout the United States.

"I was ecstatic when I found out my paper was chosen," said Sherry. "After the excitement wore off, the reality set in of how much more work I had to do in order to create a good presentation. I am no novice to public speaking, but knowing that I had to present in front of people who are highly educated in the classical field made it much more challenging. In the end, it was a really good experience that has given me a glimpse of the classics circuit."

The convention was attended by eight MC students, including Richard Harrod, a junior from Annapolis, Md., who was recognized for his work during the past year as the society’s national vice president.

"Especially fun was the Certamen and listening to the three papers," said Harrod, whose VP title in Greek is "megas hyparchos." He added, "It was pleasing to see so many schools petitioning for new chapters at the second business meeting."

Junior Brian Wilcoxon of Philo, Ill., and freshman Robert Grafsgaard of Minnetonka, Minn., earned summa cum laude honors for their performance on the National Latin Exam and were awarded a gold medal. Senior Nathan Brown of Little York and junior Brad Brooks of Atlanta, Ill., earned magna cum laude honors and six students scored at the cum laude level: senior Michael Heaton of Canton, juniors Jesse Barlow of Heidelberg, Germany, Ben Sauer of Elgin and Andrew Viscariello of Brookfield, sophomore Mark Shoemaker of Monmouth and freshman Laura Dumont of Chicago.

The Monmouth group was joined by more than 134,000 students from all 50 states and 13 foreign countries as they participated in the National Latin Exam, which is given for levels I through VI. Students in each level answer 40 questions, including 20 on Latin grammar and 15 on mythology, Roman life, history, geography and derivatives. Five questions are based on a Latin reading passage.