MEET THE BOARD
Daniel Newgarden
President
Class of 2021
School: Northside College Prep
He/Him
Daniel Newgarden is a rising senior at Northside College Prep and is the 2020-2021 ILJCL President. He has taken Latin since seventh grade, and will be taking Latin V next year. He has attended state convention three times and national convention twice(once physically, once virtually)! Aside from Latin, he enjoys playing tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, and playing video games. He also participates in several activism and political organizations around Illinois, and hopes to make activism a part of his life.
Likes: Theater, NPR, volunteering in political campaigns
Favorite Latin Quote: "Sibi quisque ruri metit" -Plautus
Taylor Sellars-Varela
1st Vice President
Class of 2022
School: Whitney Young Magnet High School
He/Him
Taylor is a junior at Whitney Young. He has been taking Latin since kindergarten at Decatur, and is the Treasurer of the Whitney Young Certamen Team. He is also in the Chicago Children's Choir's Voice of Chicago ensemble, and is on the board of his school's pride club. As well as Classics, he is passionate about English and Film and in his spare time enjoys singing and creative writing.
Likes: Cats(not the movie), singing, storytelling
Favorite Latin Quote: "Amor omnia vincit"
Eva Basa
2nd Vice President
Class of 2021
School: Whitney Young Magnet High School
She/Her
Eva is the 2nd vice president of the Illinois junior classical league. she handles the service projects and runs spirit for state and nationals. Eva first started taking Latin her freshman year of high school, and has been to three state conventions. Outside of Latin, she plays violin in her school’s chamber orchestra and is on the girls varsity tennis team.
Likes: Iced coffee, listening to spotify, musical theater, spending time with her two older sisters
Favorite Latin Quote: “Inventas vitam iuvat excoluisse per artes” -Virgil
Michael Beirne
Communications Coordinator
Class of 2021
School: Benet Academy
He/Him
Michael is a rising senior at Benet Academy. He's been taking Latin since freshman year and plans to continue in college. He is the first chair drummer in his school's jazz ensemble and combo sextet, while also participating in the pit orchestra, pep bands, and marching band. Michael is an active member of Benet's debate and volleyball teams. When he can get time away from school, he enjoys hanging out with friends, gardening, and spending time with his dog, Oodie.
Likes: Gardening, 'The Moth' podcast, and old episodes of 'Law and Order'
Favorite Latin Quote: "Nec Iovis ira nec ignis ... poterit abolere" -Ovid
Joseph Giambrone
Parliamentarian
Class of 2023
School: Northside College Prep
He/Him
Joe is the Parliamentarian of the Illinois Junior Classical League. He is in charge of upholding the constitution and proposing amendments to it as needed. He also manages the election process for next year’s board. Joe is a sophomore at Northside College Prep, and he has taken Latin since kindergarten. Joe is excited to attend his third national convention this summer, and his fifth state convention next February. He has played as the grammarian on Certamen since sixth grade, and is excited to continue in the upcoming years.
Likes: Latin (obviously), math, linguistics, vexillology, cartography, video games (LoZ: BotW and SSBU are his favorite), long walks on the beach, and jorts.
Favorite Latin Quote: "Quod Erat Demonstrandum"
Fouzaan Amjad
Historian
Class of 2022
School: Hinsdale South
He/Him
Aside from learning Latin and competing on the certamen team, Fouzan also enjoys writing for his school newspaper. He's a member of the speech team, mock trial, Science Olympiad, and the Football team. In his free time, Fouzan likes to hang out with friends and watch movies.
Likes: football, journalism, and public speaking.
Favorite Latin quote: "Audentes fortune iuvat" - Virgil.