Vol. 82, No. 2, Summer 2008 - Monmouth College

About the 2008–2009 OfficersJesca ScaevolaMegale PrytanisJesca Scaevola, Alpha Mu at theUniversity of Missourijrgd6c@mizzou.eduNote: Jes Geary recently had her namelegally changed to Jesca Scaevola.I grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri andthus was able to attend the excellent Latinprogram found at the local high school. Ihad an interest in Classics at a young ageand was exposed both at home and in elementaryand middle school. I was placedin an advanced program in elementaryschool that allowed students to expandtheir knowledge base outside of the regularcurriculum and found that of my options,the studies of ancient Rome, Greece, andEgypt were my favorites. As I continuedmy education, I was allowed the option totake a short introductory Latin course inmiddle school, which spurred me on to thehigh school’s Latin program.In high school, I took on severalextracurricular activities and was quiteactive in our Latin Club (now a branch ofthe National Junior Classics League), oneof few winners for the NJCL translationcontest my sophomore year, as well as thesecretary my junior year.After all of this, what could I dobut join the Classics department at theUniversity of Missouri. In my course as anundergraduate, I have striven to attain asmuch knowledge of the ancient Mediterraneanas possible. This course of study hasled me into history, philosophy, and manyother fields. I feel a strong base in Classicsand the associated subjects has allowed meto flourish in many different departmentsand encouraged my lust for knowledge.When I am not studying or participatingin university-related activities, I’m anavid player of video games ranging fromrole-playing games to war games to simulatedscenarios. I also love literature of allkinds, ancient coin collecting, and writing.Previous to my national presidency, Ihave been both the vice-president andpresident of the Alpha Mu chapter, as wellas national vice-president. I am blessed tohave such wonderful officers at the AlphaMu chapter and together we have tried tocreate an awareness of our home departmentas well as a place for students to cometogether in their pursuit of knowledge.I believe that, on a national level,Eta Sigma Phi is an integral part of anyClassics student’s undergraduate life,offering numerous scholarships to aidin educational experience and allowingthem to meet students from all over thenation who hold the same interests. I havewitnessed Eta Sigma Phi inspire up andcoming Classicists, create a strong fellowshipof students, and help build the futureof Classics and I am proud to be a part ofsuch an organization.Megale HyparchosMaryBeth Banovetz, Eta Delta atHillsdale Collegembanovetz@hillsdale.eduI was born in Chicago, Illinois and grewup in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. From anearly age I professed an interest in oldthings; my parents tell me that at theage of eighteen months I wanted to be apaleontologist. My interest in the Classicsbegan when I discovered a book onGreek mythology in a dusty corner of myelementary school library. I reveled inthe tales of gods and goddesses, heroesand magical creatures. When I ran out ofbooks on Greek mythology, I moved onto Greek history and eventually to Greekphilosophy. I even dressed up as AthenaMaryBeth Banovetzfor Halloween one year and on anotheroccasion I donned an Asclepius costumecomplete with home-made Caduceus.I had no opportunity to take eitherGreek or Latin until my freshman year ofcollege, but I knew that I wanted to majorin the field of Classics. My parents, bothemployed in the medical profession, supportedme and helped me to find a schoolwith a good Classics department. I cameto Hillsdale bright-eyed and eager, andwaltzed into an introductory Greek classmy first day freshman year. I cannot saythat I waltzed out again that day, but I soonfound my stride. I have never looked backon my decision to study the Classics; everyday I find something new from the pages ofHomer or Plutarch or Cicero or a host ofother authors that inspires me to continue.I am now finishing up my sophomoreyear of college and am on track to graduatewith a double major in Philosophy andClassics. I joined Eta Sigma Phi during myfreshman year, and the honorary societybeen of great benefit to me It has providedme with the opportunity to share my loveof the Classics with other college studentsas well as the faculty of Hillsdale Collegeand members of the community. I havehad the opportunity to volunteer as a peertutor, spending my evenings once a weekin our Classics Reading Room helping myfellow Hellenists. Through communityoutreach projects, such as our DictionaryProgram, I have visited local elementary8