During the 2024-2025 school year, Latin students and others with a strong interest in Classics participated in four national exams —  including the National Latin Exam, CAMWS Translation Exam, National Classical Etymology Exam and the Medusa Mythology Exam — with many winning awards at the highest level. Several students earned remarkable distinctions, which were honored with special recognitions.

“Students who take these exams are required to demonstrate a wide range of Latin skills and content knowledge, including Roman history, geography, mythology, and etymology,” Middle School Latin Instructor Colleen Girouard said. “These topics are an integral part of our Latin courses here at Ravenscroft, which enable our students to make connections between the ancient and modern worlds."

Congratulations to all who participated for their hard work and dedication!

Of special recognition are Yuhang (Henry) Zhang ’25 and Ellene Warner ’26. 

Henry caps off his Latin career with an outstanding showing, achieving the highest score on the CAMWS Exam and a perfect score on the National Latin Exam, earning his fifth gold medal on the National Latin Exam.

Ellene won a Special Book Award for earning her fourth Gold Medal on the National Latin Exam.

CAMWS Translation Exam

The Classical Association of the Middle West and South (CAMWS) Latin Translation Exam requires students to “translate as literally as possible without violating English idiom,” while being responsible for core Latin vocabulary defined by Dickinson College Commentaries. 

Advanced Exam, Cash Award Winner: Yuhang (Henry) Zhang ’25

National Classical Etymology Exam

National Classical Etymology Exam (NCEE)  tests “a student's ability to handle both Latin and Greek

derivatives and their usage in the English language.”

“The writers of the National Classical Etymology Exam have adapted it over the past fifteen years or so to become significantly more difficult,” Upper School Latin Instructor Jonathan Avery said. “For that reason, our students' performance is especially remarkable, demonstrating their passion for understanding language and dedication to finding its roots. Kudos to our medalists!”

Intermediate Level

Silver Medal: Trey Messier ’27, Grace Parker ’28

Bronze Medal: Tanya Gehlot ’27

Advanced Level

Gold Medal: Yuhang (Henry) Zhang ’25

Silver Medal: Addison Diener ’26, Sachin Lakshman ’25, Elijah Smith ’25

Bronze Medal: Shrutav Deshpande ’26, Ethan MacLaren ’25, Ellene Warner ’26

National Medusa Mythology Exam

Given to over 3,000 students each year, the National Medusa Mythology Exam “allows students worldwide the opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and excellence in the field of Greco-Roman mythology and to be recognized accordingly for them.”

Summa Cum Laude: Yuhang (Henry) Zhang ’25

Magna Cum Laude: Xueming (Shirley) Yang ’25, Trey Messier ’27

Cum Laude: Kingston Lowman ’27

National Latin Exam

The National Latin Exam is an annual measure of proficiency and knowledge offered to students on seven levels. Ravenscroft students performed very well on this exam, with dozens earning distinctions across various levels. 

Introduction to Latin

Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal): Wesley Hall ’30, Whit Leps ’30, Elliot Parr ’30, Aidan Selig ’29

Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal): Justin Crenshaw ’30, Silver Qian ’31

Magna Cum Laude: Reagan Shuma ’30, Yuxi (Charlotte) Cao ’31

Cum Laude: Basil Westbrook ’30

Beginning Latin

Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal): Knox Musante ’29

Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal): Mingyue (Sophia) Dong ’30, Henry Marlowe ’29, Nolan Ward ’29

Magna Cum Laude: Avery Carter ’30, Lukas Hessler ’30, Amar Mehta ’29

Intermediate

Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal): Keller Bucy ’30, Hudson Perdue ’29, Reed Shuma ’28

Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal): James Cooke ’28, Amy Guo ’29, Carter Overcash ’28

Magna Cum Laude: Emily Roth ’28

Cum Laude: Chance Beattie ’27, Jackson Stansell ’28, Chloe Wolborsky ’28

Intermediate Reading Comprehension

Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal): Grace Parker ’28, Carys Thomas ’27

Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal): Tanya Gehlot ’27

Magna Cum Laude: Brendon Hopkins ’26, Kingston Lowman ’27

Cum Laude: Emma Hessler ’27

Advanced Prose

Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal): Ellene Warner ’26

Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal): Addison Diener ’26, Nicholas Herbert ’26

Magna Cum Laude: Samantha Brock ’26

Cum Laude: Hayden Shoemaker ’26, Owen Taylor ’26

Advanced Reading Comprehension

Summa Cum Laude (Gold Medal): Yuhang (Henry) Zhang ’25 (perfect score)

Maxima Cum Laude (Silver Medal): Elijah Smith ’25

Magna Cum Laude: Mia Atasoy ’25, Sachin Lakshman ’25

Cum Laude: Kaleb James ’25, Xueming (Shirley) Yang ’25