BY HANS HINEBAUGH

When thinking of Saturdays in the fall, many students enthusiastically picture themselves sleeping past one in the afternoon, or maybe sleeping only just before noon in order to have energy for a mid-afternoon nap.  Whatever someone’s goals for Saturday might be, it’s unlikely they’re very similar to those of a Mariemont Latin Quiz Team member.

“Certamen, or Latin quiz team, is basically Academic Team but with Latin,” says co-consul of Latin Club, junior Sarah Blatt.  In order to pass onto the final round, teams must compete through three rounds of a jeopardy-like game style, where participants buzz in with answers to questions on Latin language and culture.

Kyle Matz, a not-yet-official Latin Club co-consul and key member of the quiz team, has pointed out flaws in this system.

“Tino Delamarced likes to play the buzzer game,” says Matz of one of Ohio’s most involved Certamen competitors.  “He buzzes in before the question is finished, guesses what the question is asking, and hopes to get it right.”  The problem for the Mariemont team is, this style of gameplay is very effective.

According to Blatt, some teams practice this strategy.  “Summit Country Day’s team is by far the most intense, they take first nearly every time.  They anticipate the question being asked before the proctor even finishes it because they practice so much so they can figure out what they are being asked.”  In addition to this, Blatt says Summit also holds a summer camp, as well as weekly practices.

This year’s consuls are looking to combat the Certamen powerhouses of Shaker Heights and Indian Hill.  Junior co-consul Evan Doran feels that the Indian Hill team is carried solely on the back of a sophomore.  Co-consul Blatt hopes to combat opponents like these by increasing Certamen enthusiasm here at Mariemont.

Blatt has tried to hold practice sessions for new and old members to familiarize them with questions and the format of the quizzes.  According to freshman Latin Club member Will Hobart, the practice quizzes have been helpful.  He will be entering his first Certamen match now with a better understanding of the finer points of the game.  As for Doran, all he needs for success is his lucky t-shirt.

 Matz identified himself and fellow senior Ally Nichting, as well as juniors Ryden and Evan, as key members in the building success of the program.  “Usually,” Doran says, “we do horrible, but the past couple years have been improving.”

So while students answer questions like, “Who is the song of Danae?”, feel confident that the Mariemont Latin Quiz Team will be fighting for victory.