Last July, Reesey Lai ’26 was elected president of the National Junior Classical League at the organization’s annual National Convention—an honor determined entirely by students from across the country. National officers are selected through a delegate-based election, with student representatives from state chapters casting ballots following a formal nomination process that includes candidate forums and preparatory meetings. Officers assume their roles immediately at the convention’s close, stepping into national leadership positions shaped by the trust and confidence of their peers nationwide.

The NJCL president’s role centers on leadership and coordination: chairing the Executive Board, presiding over meetings of the Board of Directors and the National Convention’s General Assemblies, and ensuring that all NJCL activities and officer duties are fulfilled.

“I have the incredible opportunity to represent over 45,000 passionate student members that comprise the NJCL,” Reesey says. “I am in charge of helping to plan the convention and get to pick the theme for the year!” She chose a theme she feels is the “main driving force” behind her presidency and the JCL—Concordia parvae res crescunt (In harmony, small things grow), a phrase attributed to Sallust, the earliest known Roman historian to write in Latin.

In addition to her extensive constitutional duties, Reesey has expanded her leadership through Epistulae, a Latin pen pal program that pairs JCL members from different states to write to one another in Latin. She has created an officer guide to aid future officers, as well as a fundraising guide to encourage schools and states to help out other chapters and keep in touch with the state presidents. 

It can be challenging to manage all these responsibilities while being a senior, applying to college, and taking academically rigorous classes, but Reesey equates leadership with meaningful service—and she began serving on the board in her freshman year. “I wanted to be able to give back to the community that has done so much for me,” she says. “When I went to my first NJCL convention, I was amazed by the incredible JCL community. I was inspired to see a Virginian on the NJCL board, and began thinking about making an even bigger impact on the national scale.” 

Through her work with the NJCL, Reesey has come to see leadership as something built through relationships. “My NJCL experience has helped me understand how leading is about building communities,” Reesey explains. “Some of my greatest memories are running activities where we bond with one another, and I think it’s very important to create those kinds of connections with the people you lead. I’ve also learned the impact of guiding and mentoring others so they feel confident in their roles as well as focusing on supporting and cheering on all of their successes to continue to build our community
and show how much I care and appreciate their
hard work.”

Reesey’s election reflects her sustained commitment to classical studies as well as her leadership within a national, student-governed organization—one in which students actively shape the league’s direction and voice.

That leadership momentum was on full display at the Virginia Junior Classical League Convention, held November 23–24 in Richmond, Va. A delegation of 32 Saints took on visible leadership roles throughout the weekend—as voting delegates, presenters, workshop leaders, and candidates—and contributed to competitions, creative arts, and service initiatives.

Saints students stepped into leadership roles throughout the convention. Reesey and Sabrina Khanna ’26 led the spirit competition; Natalie Newton ’27 and Ella Jakupovic ’26 served as voting delegates; and Chloe Lehman ’28 and Julia Stimson ’28 presented roll call, with Khanna also introducing the school’s candidate for office.

Khanna also led two standing-room-only sessions of Jeopardy Mythologica, drawing more than 60 students per session with new questions spanning dramatic myths, eternal punishments, and Zodiac symbolism.

Cecil Gregg ’27 concluded his term as VJCL communications coordinator, supporting board meetings and building excitement for the convention through social media, while raising funds for Joy for Hospice during Coin Wars. Arleigh Womack ’26 wrapped up his service as VJCL parliamentarian by recruiting candidates and overseeing elections—and memorably capped the fundraiser with a spirited performance at the Valete assembly.

Most notably, Jackson Sipple-Asher ’27 won election as VJCL president, marking the third time in four years that a Saint has served on the state board. He will lead officer meetings throughout the year and represent Virginia at the national convention this summer. During the convention, Reesey—fresh off her election as National Junior Classical League president—also extended an official invitation to Virginia students to attend the 2026 national convention, where she will preside.

Across academics, creative arts, and Certamen, Saints earned numerous individual awards, placed second overall in the spirit competition, and narrowly missed finals in Street Certamen—finishing just five points short. Together, the weekend reflected not only strong performances, but a depth of engagement and leadership that now spans both the state and national levels.

GABE MURPHY ’26 | ALL-IAC

SSSAS RECOGNIZED BY THE NIAA

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) recognized St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes as a 2025 NIAAA Quality Program Award recipient at the Exemplary Level. SSSAS was one of only 65 schools nationwide honored this year. This recognition reflects our commitment to best practices and to continuous improvement and growth in our athletic program. Athletics Director Stephanie Koroma accepted the award on behalf of the school at the 56th National Athletic Directors Conference in Tampa, Fla.