Arthur F. Stocker Latin Essay Contest

Each year the Classical Association of Virginia gives students, who are up to the challenge, the opportunity to write an essay in Latin on a specified topic or on their own choice. Winning students will be recognized for their outstanding submissions. This contest is named in honor of Dr. Arthur F. Stocker, Professor of Classics at the University of Virginia, who had a passion for Latin composition.

Topics and Descriptions for 2025

(Topics for the 2025-2026 school year will be announced in September.)

Topic for All Levels: “Ceres (Demeter) et Proserpina (Persephone)”

or

Any Story on Any Topic: Freely interpreted as the student wishes

  • First Year: 100-200 words
  • Second Year: 150-250 words
  • Third Year and Above: 200-300 words

N.B. Students in Latin III and above may write about the topic under the Advanced level. If the number of contestants warrants it, there will be separate competitions and awards for the students in fourth and fifth year Latin, but this shall be entirely at the discretion of the judges.

Participation & Cost

  • The contest is open only to students in high schools and preparatory schools in Virginia whose teacher is currently a member of the Classical Association of Virginia and whose dues for the current school year have been paid in full at the time when the entries are submitted.
  • There is NO FEE for essays entered in the Latin Essay Contest.
  • All entries must be submitted through the Latin teacher, with clarification of the student’s level of Latin and years studying Latin.


Formatting and Rules

  • The first page of each entry shall be blank, except for:
    A) the full name of contestant
    B) the level of Latin the student is currently in
    C) the full name of the contestant’s Latin teacher
    D) the name and address of the school in which the contestant is enrolled
  • The contestant’s name shall appear in the upper right-hand corner of every page submitted, except for the first page.
  • The name of the Latin teacher and the name of the school shall not appear anywhere except on the first page of the entry.
  • The limitations of the number of words for each subject should be carefully observed.
  • No help from any person is permitted in the preparation of this essay. Reference books on Roman literature, Roman life, Roman history, Roman religion, Latin dictionaries, and Latin grammar may, of course, be used, but a bibliography identifying books that have been used should appear at the end of the essay.
  • Judging will be based both upon the content of the essay and on Latin usage, but the correctness of the Latin will be the most important factor. Contestants should make a conscious effort to incorporate new syntactical features of the Latin language that they have encountered for the first time on the level of Latin for which they are currently enrolled. The syllabi for Latin I, Latin II, and Latin III that have been prepared for students taking the Latin tournament examinations should be consulted for reference.
  • The names of the winners in each competition and of those receiving honorable mention will be announced at the spring meeting of the Classical Association of Virginia.
  • All entries become the property of the Classical Association of Virginia, and will not be returned to the writer after judging. Contestants who want to keep a copy should make one for themselves before submission. The decision of the judges will, in all cases, be final.
  • N.B. Teachers should inform students that by entering this competition, they are giving the CAV permission to publish their names in any of its official publications. This permission is given unless the students make written requests to the contrary.

How to Submit

Teachers should either send student entries as a pdf or MS Word document or a physical copy to:

Dr. Andrew Becker
Director, CAV Arthur F. Stocker Latin Essay Contest
Virginia Tech, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
220 Stranger Street (0225)
Blacksburg, VA 24061

andrew.becker@vt.edu

All submissions are due by TBA

Results of the 2025 Contest

Beginning (Latin 1)

First Place: Tyler Whitlock, Rockbridge County High School, Patrick Bradley
Second Place: Natasha Shorter, Rockbridge County High School, Patrick Bradley

Intermediate (Latin 2)

First Place: Zae Ramsey, Rockbridge County High School, Patrick Bradley
Second Place: Reeva Khan, Heritage High School, Lindsay Herndon
Third Place: Shelby Strode, Rockbridge County High School, Patrick Bradley

Advanced (Latin 3 and above)

First Place: JoAnn Morris, Colonial Forge High School, Stephanie Buckler
Second Place (tie): Liam Courtney Collins, Rockbridge County High School, Patrick Bradley
Second Place (tie): Sara Tun, Heritage High School, Lindsay Herndon
Third Place: Lillian Parker, Clover Hill High School, Lexi Harrell