Published by Eta Sigma Phi - Monmouth College

in their zeal. We are the future of Classics,and a society such as Eta Sigma Phi aids usin our pursuits by providing for us a solidfoundation upon which we can rise farand above an academic degree and makesteady the path for future generations ofClassicists.When I’m not beating myself over thehead with a Latin dictionary, I enjoy agreat number of activities. These includebaking, singing, playing random instrumentsin a band called “O Fortuna,”working at Ben and Jerry’s, playing boardgames, eating cereal, playing softball andvolleyball, spending time with family,and reading. I also love musical theater,sunflowers, anything Italian (especiallythe food), dinosaurs, Gator sports (shallI mention our 3 back-to-back championships?),N64, and local music. I am alsohighly active in Reformed University Fellowshipat UF where I help lead worship. Imust also add that I have a puppy namedNapoleon (after the historical figure, NOTthe movie) and two parakeets, Caligula(“Bootsie”) and Elphaba.I believe that Eta Sigma Phi allowsstudents to connect with other Classicsmajors nation-wide and share their passionfor the history, literature, art, and languagesof Antiquity. Together we have theopportunity to build a strong foundationfor the future of Classics while expandingour knowledge and fellowship within theClassics community. Eta Sigma Phi hasgreatly benefited me in my undergraduatestudies and I strongly believe it can do thesame for others.Megale GrammateusElizabeth TorressonZeta Beta at Temple UniversityElizabeth.R.Torresson@temple.edu oretorresson@yahoo.comI was born and raised in Lansdale, Pennsylvania,a northern suburb of Philadelphia,incidentally in the same house my motherwas raised in. Over those years I had theexperience of being educated in a privateschool, home school, and public schoolsetting.When I reflect on previous years, I realizethat I was always on the road to studyingClassics. My mother used to say thatI am a Classics major because my fatherwas learning Ancient Greek while shewas pregnant with me. I was raised by amother, who always expected me to do myvery best, and a father, whose knowledgeof science, Ancient Greek, theology, andhistory, amongst other things, never ceasedto amaze me. Due to his multiple, verydifferent degrees, his avid reading, and hislove of knowledge, I would have to sit forhours, when I was younger, and want tosit for hours, when I was older, listeningto him talk about some religious, classical,or any other topic. I do not think thatthere was any one point in my life that Iinstantly became interested in Classics.My official study of Classics began ineighth grade when I started Latin. Fromthe first class in eighth grade to the finalclass my senior year in high school, I lovedlearning this language. The language ofCatullus and Horace, to name a few, andthe fictional ancient history books I beganreading further sparked my interest inClassics. I loved it so much that in a toughdecision between my interest in medicineand my interest in Latin, I chose this areaof study. After graduating from NorthPenn High School in 2005, I headed off toTemple University with great expectationsand excitement about what I was going tolearn.Over the years I have found the studyof Classics to be one of the most rewardingexperiences in my life. For me, Classicshave improved my study in all otherareas. Whether I am reading a book andcome upon a word I do not understand orstudying for a science class, I can alwayslearn more quickly and more efficientlydue to my knowledge of Latin and AncientGreek, which I still believe to be minute.In addition, the study of Classics hasincreased my interest in other areas suchas art, architecture, history, music, andeven at times, politics.Eta Sigma Phi is important to mebecause it enables me to express myinterests and ambitions to similar-mindedpeoples. I am happy to be a part of a groupin which I can talk about ideas, languages,and ancient history. Eta Sigma Phi isimportant to the Classical world because itallows for a union of motivated individualsto not only gather together and converse,but also give something back to and evenbroaden the Classical world.At present, I am just about to embarkupon my junior year at Temple University.In the first semester I will be teachingsecond semester Latin alongside Dr. Davis.Indeed, teaching is my ultimate goal. Mycurrent ambitions are to obtain a Master’sin Education and a Bachelor’s in Classicsbefore teaching Latin at the secondarylevel. However, after teaching at the secondarylevel for a few short years, my ultimategoal is to go to graduate school forClassics and teach at the collegiate level.Lately, due to each book I read and howinspired I can become from the smallestthings, I also increasingly aspire to write.When I am not studying Classics,which is pretty rare for a Classics studentwhen you think about it, I am hangingaround with my friends or family in goodole L-dale. I am also currently attemptingto learn Italian. I took on a minor in thelanguage two semesters ago, and my concentrationon learning a modern languageis obvious as I speak it as much as I can,even to my shih tzu, and listen to musicin Italian. In my spare time I enjoy playingthe piano, which I started when I was five.I also play mallets and drums. I enjoy goingto art museums and traveling in general.I love seeing different cultures, especiallythe uniqueness of these people and places.When I am not doing any of the above, Iam probably admiring nature in some wayor reading. I will read anything you putin my hands, but my favorite authors areWalt Whitman and Alice Walker.Eta Sigma Phi offers a great opportunityfor like minds to unite and engage in thestudy of Classics. The study of Classicsbuilds a bridge between the past and thepresent, providing for modern peoplesa perspective of ancient cultures and abetter understanding of our society. Themore people are interested in Classics andthe more the ancient world is studied,the stronger the bridge and the greaterthe understanding of our modern world.Within the Classical world the mysteriesare boundless, the opportunities to learnnew things illimitable, and the potentialfor insights endless.5