43 Latin Students Shine on National Latin Exam

MICDS Latin students in seventh through twelfth grade took the National Latin Exam in early March. According to the NLE syllabus, the exam provides “an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of Latin and the Roman world on a test consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions. The exam focuses on the student’s ability to read and comprehend Latin as outlined in the American Classical League’s Standards for Classical Languages.” Learn more about the exam here and check out how our students scored below!

Middle School NLE Awards

Grade 8

Gold Medal (Summa Cum Laude)
Anna Ko ’28
Sanjay Malhotra ’28
Dane Joyce ’28
Wyatt Schuckman ’28
Eleanor Kline ’28

Silver Medal (Maxima Cum Laude)
Mabel Dando ’28
Yusuf Siddiqui ’28

Magna Cum Laude
Kethan Doshi ’28
Tommy Kastor ’28

Grade 7

Gold Medal (Summa Cum Laude)
Katherine Speckhals ’29

Silver Medal (Maxima Cum Laude)
Brody Branson ’29
Sloane Schwendinger ’29
Stella Ciaramita ’29

Magna Cum Laude
Luke Westre ’29

Cum Laude
Inaya Majeed ’29
Skyler Dastgah Bradford ’29
Ashton Constantine ’29
Fallon Parks ’29
Caroline Westre ’29

Upper School NLE Awards

The National Latin Exam was also conducted in the Upper School. Congratulations to the following Upper School awardees:

AP/Senior:

Carter White ’24, Cum Laude

Latin 400

Sanjana Gandhi ’25, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude

Aniket Joshi ’25, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude

Norah Wright ’25, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude

Nina Schuerer ’25, Magna Cum Laude

Yash Malhotra ’25, Cum Laude

Latin 300

Oscar Sun ’26, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude
Gabriel Sedighi ’26, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude
Abhi Madala ’26, Silver – Maxima Cum Laud
Zoe Dickherber ’26, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude
Narya Phatak ’26, Magna Cum Laude
Sophia Ashley-Martin ’26, Cum Laude
Savannah Channel ’26, Cum Laude

Latin 200

Shil Penilla ’27, Gold – Summa Cum Laude

Navya Reddy ’27, Gold – Summa Cum Laude

Lola Compton ’27, Gold – Summa Cum Laude

Cam Cozad ’27, Gold – Summa Cum Laude

Catherine Cai ’27, Gold – Summa Cum Laude

Bryce Kundel ’27, Gold – Summa Cum Laude

Josie Ciaramita ’27, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude

Grace Maher ’27, Silver – Maxima Cum Laude

Charlie Krieger ’27, Magna Cum Laude

Tara Sadasivam ’27, Magna Cum Laude

Christopher Kline ’27, Cum Laude

Several of our Middle and Upper School Latin students commented on the exam experience:

“I thought that the NLE was an amazing experience, and I got a chance to show everything I know. It was a great challenge for me, and I am so glad that we got the opportunity to take it.” ~ Katherine Speckhals ’29
For me, the accomplishment really meant a lot to me. It was a showcase of my hard work, my abilities, and the perseverance I had to show everyday to get to this level.” ~Oscar Sun ’26
“The NLE is a test on which you can’t anticipate what is going to show up, which makes it a great way to test your knowledge in different contexts and very enjoyable yet challenging to do.” ~ Anna Ko ’28
“The NLE taught us what our knowledge is regarding the Latin language and Roman history and culture.” ~ Kethan Doshi ’28
“Taking the NLE was an opportunity to show everything you have learned all year, and it was so cool to get a certificate and medal.” ~ Stella Ciaramita ’29

There’s so much for our 43 Latin students to be proud of! “The National Latin Exam exists to help students track their proficiency and celebrate their achievements in the language and the ancient cultures it gives us access to,” explains Upper School Latin Teacher David Armstrong. “Our MICDS Latinists have much to be proud of on both fronts!”

Thank you to Middle School Latin Teacher Natalie Griffin and Mr. Armstrong for all of the wisdom you’ve shared with these students and the entire Latin program here at MICDS. Congratulations, Middle and Upper School Latin Students!