PWHS Latin students celebrate regional and national awards
PWHS Latin students celebrate regional and national awards
Left to right: Back row – Mr. William Blubaugh, Alexander Rase-Blackwell, Agustin Santos, Ikemefuna Okeakpu, Oliver Nasatir, Lincoln Smith, Maxwell Baron, Kevin DiMarco. Middle row – Zoe Walinsky, Madeline Kavalow-Huie, Jillian Sinese, Christian Aleman, Zack Seiders, Armin Hasheminasab, Mark Kelly. Front row – Maeve O’Connell, Katherine Dvali, Aaratrika Sarkar, Chase Copestick, Charles Callahan, Reem Ahmed.
The Latin Club at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School recently celebrated the more than 25 Latin students who received awards from the 2026 Philadelphia Classical Society competition and from their performances on the 2026 National Latin Exam.
2026 National Latin Exam award recipients include:
- Cum laude – Ikemefuna Okeakpu, Ryleigh Lawler, Avery Fritts, Aaratrika Sarkar, Reem Ahmed
- Magna cum laude – Abigail Timer, Mark Kelly, Oliver Nasatir, Armin Hasheminasab, Madeline Pomager
- Maxima cum laude (silver medal winner) – Christian Aleman, Maeve O’Connell, Zack Seiders, Lincoln Smith, Chase Copestick, Kevin DiMarco, Maxwell Baron, Charles Callahan, Christopher DiBona
- Summa cum laude (gold medal winner) – Katherine Dvali, Thea Kupersmith, Madeline Kavalow-Huie, Jillian Sinese
Gold medalist Katherine Dvali tried her hand at past exams to get ready. “From taking those practice exams, I was able to predict what would be on the test this year so I could be prepared. That’s why I think I got a good score,” said the PWHS ninth grader. “It’s exciting to win a medal, because I really wanted to try to push myself and make my family proud.”
2026 Philadelphia Classical Society competition award recipients include:
- Cum laude – Alexander Rase-Blackwell
- Maxima cum laude – Zoe Walinsky
- Summa cum laude – Madeline Kavalow-Huie, Agustin Santos
PWHS junior Charlie Callahan finds learning a different language and different culture interesting and credits Latin for giving him a larger English vocabulary. “I can understand a lot more English words because I take this class,” he said. “I can just interpret what a word means just from hearing it, because of my understanding of Latin.”
PWHS offers five levels of Latin, as well as Advanced Placement Latin. Latin 5 and AP Latin are Dual Enrollment courses, where students can earn three credits for each course from the University of Pittsburgh.
Gratulationes victoribus!