# Ontario Student Classics Conference

The Ontario Student Classics Conference (OSCC) is an annual event committed to the promotion and appreciation of studies in Classics. It is a four-day competition that occurs in early May at Brock University of St. Catharines, Ontario. Initially, the Conference was established as an extension of the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) but has since expanded and grown to become one of the largest and most popular conferences in Ontario, with over 500 students attending each year from 15-20 schools. The conference is dedicated to the study of Classics; students compete in over 100 academic, athletic, and creative competitions all based on aspects of Classical life.
In addition to competitions, students also participate in different classically themed events, one of these being the "Pompa" (Latin for "Parade"). For this event everyone is required to dressed appropriately in classical attire, namely togas, and line up with their school to parade around the campus before attending a celebratory banquet and awards ceremony.
The OSCC is not affiliated with the Ontario Classical Association (OCA).

## Competitions
### Academic contests

These competitions are designed to challenge students' knowledge of the cultures of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece through the writing of a wide variety of contests. Most contests are offered at three different levels: Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The Greek Derivative and Greek Oral Reading tests only have two: Junior and Senior. Quaerite Summa does not have levels. Levels in some contests are determined by the years of language study while others are based on grade level or a combination of the two. The Academic Pentathlon consists of all five of the 'cursus' contests where Pentathletes' total score is determined by their total score achieved in all five contests.
* Cursus competitions
* Academic Pentathlon
* Latin Vocabulary (Written by all participants)
* Latin Derivatives (Written by all participants)
* Roman Life
* Roman History
* Mythology
Other competitions :
| Latin Sight Translation | Greek Oral Reading |
| Greek Sight Translation | Roman History |
| Latin Comprehension and Grammar | Greek History |
| Latin Derivatives | Classical Geography |
| Greek Derivatives | Oral Mythology |
| Latin Oral Reading | Quaerite Summa: Roman Life |

### Athletic contests

The athletic competitions are modeled on the Ancient Olympic Games of Ancient Greece. Most events are divided by age and gender. The Relay Race, Slinging, the 50 meter freestyle race and the 100 meter freestyle race are divided only by gender. Discus Ultimus and the Chariot Race are open to everyone together.
Field events :
| Chariot Race | Mini-Marathon |
| Tug-of-War | 100m Dash |
| Discus Ultimus | Frisbee Toss |
| Relay Race | Slinging |
* Water events
* Swimming
* 50m Freestyle
* 100m Freestyle Relay
* 100m Mixed Medley Relay
* Certamen Navale

### Creative contests

Students complete in a variety of creative events and competitions that feature the production of both ancient and modern art forms. Listed below are each of these events; the number in parentheses following the event indicates how many entries each school may submit. Also, the winner of the Best Costume event is awarded no points.
Creative events :
| Archaeological Dig (1) | Miscellaneous (2) |
| Audio-Visual (2) | Mosaic (2) |
| Best Costume (2) | Painting (2) |
| Chariot Design (1) | Posters/Charts/Maps (2) |
| Computer Presentation (2) | Pottery (2) |
| Drawing (2) | School Display (1) |
| Fashion Show (1) | Scrapbook (1) |
| Illustrated Notebook (2) | Sculpture (2) |
| Jewellery (2) | Skit (1) |
| Large Model (2) | Small Model (2) |

### Awards

Listed below are the trophies for each of the various OSCC competitions, which are given in addition to ribbons recognizing the top 5 placements in each event. University of Toronto Schools has won the Phyllis Morgan Trophy — generally considered the top prize — every year since 1996 (as of 2016); York Mills Collegiate Institute had won nine straight years before 1996.
ACADEMIC :
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
| Junior Pentathlon Trophy and Medal | Awarded to the top Junior Academic Pentathlete; Dedicated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Intermediate Pentathlon Trophy and Medal | Awarded to the top Intermediate Academic Pentathlete; Dedicated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Nancy Karrandjas Trophy and Senior Pentathlete Medal | Awarded to the top Senior Academic Pentathlete; Dedicated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Latin Sight Contest Trophy | Formerly (1968 ff.) awarded to the winner of the North York Latin Sight Competition; Presented by the North York Board of Education, 1975 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Classics Conference Greek Sight Translation Trophy | Inaugurated in 1987 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Ron Walters Award: Senior Student Latin Derivatives | Inaugurated in 1993 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Ontario Student Classics Conference Greek Derivatives Trophy | Inaugurated in 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Senior Latin Oral Reading Trophy | Donated by Dr. Katarina Cicogna through the generosity of the Consulate of Italy in 1998 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Gordon Brooks Trophy for Latin Oral Reading | Awarded to the school with the highest total number of points in Senior, Intermediate, and Junior readings; Inaugurated in 1978 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Senior Greek Oral Reading Trophy | Dedicated through the generous support of the Consul of Greece in 1996 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The John Dixon Memorial Trophy for Roman History | Awarded to the individual with the highest score on the Written Roman History Competition; Inaugurated in 1975 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Classics Conference Greek History Trophy | Awarded to the individual with the highest score on the Written Greek History Contest; Inaugurated in 1988 Current Winner: Markham District High School, University of Toronto Schools |
| The Dorothy Loch Trophy for Mythology | Awarded to the school with the most points in Junior, Intermediate and Senior Oral Mythology; Inaugurated in 1980 Current Winner: Markham District High School |
| Classics Conference Quaerite Summa Roman Life Trophy | Inaugurated in 1987 Current Winner: Markham District High School |
| John Bell Memorial Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement | Plaque and medal; Awarded to all students who place first in five academic competitions, three of which must be single events, or, if no student has won five academic firsts, to the highest-scoring student among those with three or four academic firsts; Donated by Shademan Akhavan, May 14, 1988 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Academic Medal of the Ontario Student Classics Conference | Awarded to the student with the greatest number of academic points; Donated by Michael Bales and the Toronto French School, June 2002 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Latin Conference Academic Award | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in academic competitions; Inaugurated in 1973 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Rocky Yeung Memorial Trophy for Top Academic Points Per Capita | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points per capita in academic competitions; Inaugurated in 2004 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| ATHLETIC ||
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
| The James Lynd and Stephen Low Swimming Trophy | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in swimming competitions; Inaugurated in 2005 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| The Jeff Maybee Trophy for Field Events | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in field events, excluding the Chariot Race; Inaugurated in 2005 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Chariot Race Trophy (formerly the SCI Chariot Races Trophy) | Awarded to the school with the fastest chariot race time ; Inaugurated in 1968 Current Winner: Humberside Collegiate Institute |
| Girls' Chariot Race Trophy | Awarded to the school with the fastest girls' chariot race time ; Inaugurated in 2006? Current Winner: St. Clement's School |
| Discus Ultimus Trophy | Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Discus Ultimus competition; Inaugurated in 2006 Current Winner: Humberside Collegiate Institute |
| O.S.C.C. Certamen Navale Trophy | Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Certamen Navale/Rafting competition; Inaugurated in 2012 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Ontario Student Classics Conference Top Athlete | Awarded to the student with the greatest number of points in individual athletic competitions; Inaugurated in 1988 Current Winner: Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, University of Toronto Schools |
| Latin Conference Athletic Award | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points in athletic competitions; Inaugurated in 1974 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Top Per Capita Athletic Trophy | Awarded to the school that achieves the greatest number of points (per capita) in Athletic competitions; Inaugurated in 2004 Current Winner: Branksome Hall |
| CREATIVE ||
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
| Chariot Design Trophy | Awarded to the school with the highest score in the Chariot Design Competition (New or Refurbished); Inaugurated in 2003 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Moushmegh Bouzbouzian Memorial Scrapbook Trophy | Donated by the London Family whose daughters attended York Mills Collegiate; Inaugurated 1998 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| School Display Trophy | Awarded to the school with the highest score in the School Display Competition; Inaugurated in 2003 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| J.F. Kett Trophy for Archaeology | Presented in his memory by the Chippewa Latin Club in 1977 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Barrie North Classics Drama Award | Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Skit Competition; Inaugurated in 1980 Current Winner: Toronto French School |
| Margaret-Anne Gillis Award for Fashion Show (formerly the Classics Conference Fashion Show Trophy) | Awarded to the school that achieves first place in the Fashion Show competition; Donated by the Barrie Central Classics Club in 1997; Inaugurated in 1998 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Sheila M. Ellison Creative Student Award | Donated by Margaret-Anne Gillis and Elizabeth Ellison in memory of their mother, Sheila M. Ellison; Awarded to the student with the greatest number of points in individual Creative events; Inaugurated in 2003 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Mary Wase Creative Award | Mary Wase was a teacher of English and Latin at Barrie Central Collegiate who donated the award to recognize the school with the greatest number of points in Creative events; Inaugurated in 1988 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Top Per Capita Creative Award | Awarded to the school that achieves the greatest number of points (per capita) in Creative events; Inaugurated in 2004 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| OVERALL ||
| Award (as of 2016) | Description |
| Phoenix Animus Ludorum | Awarded to the school which best demonstrates the "spirit of the games" through adherence to the Conference mission statement "mens sana in corpore sano"; Inaugurated in 2006 Current Winner: St. Clement's School |
| Thomson Award | Awarded to the school with the highest points per capita at Classics Conference; Presented by David and Mary Thomson C.I. in 1991 Current Winner: Elmwood School |
| Phyllis Morgan Trophy for Overall Excellence at Classics Conference | Awarded to the school with the greatest number of points overall; Inaugurated in 1972 Current Winner: University of Toronto Schools |
| Ontario Student Classics Conference Host Trophy | Awarded to the school hosting the next OSCC; Inaugurated in 2005 Current Winner: North Toronto Collegiate Institute, Toronto French School |
| Minerva Award | Awarded to any individual who in at least one individual event receives placements each in Creative, Athletic and Academic competitions; Inaugurated in 2007 Current Winner: Humberside Collegiate Institute, Markham District High School, North Toronto Collegiate Institute |

## Conferences by year

Listed below are the locations, hosts and themes for each of the past OSCC conventions (as of 2016).
| Year | Location | Host | Theme |
| 2020 (52nd Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute, Waterloo Collegiate Institute | "plus insciens quis fecit quam prudens boni" ("A person has done more good unknowingly than knowingly") Plautus, Captivi, prologue 45 |
| 2019 (51st Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | University of Toronto Schools | "forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit..." ("Perhaps, someday, we shall be glad to remember even these things...") Virgil, Aeneid I. 203 |
| 2018 (50th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Innisdale Secondary School, Elmwood School | It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, but because we do not dare that things are difficult |
| 2017 (49th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | North Toronto Collegiate Institute, Toronto French School | "γνῶθι σεαυτόν"+"μηδέν άγαν" ("Know thyself"+"Nothing in excess") Inscription at Delphi |
| 2016 (48th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | St. Clement's School | "The wise indeed learn much from their foes" |
| 2015 (47th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute | "ubi concordia, ibi victoria" ("Where there is harmony, there is victory.") Publilius Syrus, Sententiae |
| 2014 (46th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Humberside Collegiate Institute Branksome Hall | "ἴωμεν, ὅπως ἐπεγγελάσωμεν. ξείνων δ᾽ εὖ πρασσόντων ἔσαναν αὐτίκ᾽ἐσλοί". ("Come let us laugh! When friends are successful the noble immediately smile.") Plutarch, Moralia (Dialogue on Love) and Pindar, Olympian |
| 2013 (45th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute | "serit arbores quae saeclo prosint alteri" ("He plants trees to be useful to another generation") Caecilius Statius |
| 2012 (44th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Barrie Central Collegiate Institute | "faber est suae quisque fortunae" ("Each person is the creator of his/her own destiny") Appius Claudius Caecus |
| 2011 (43rd Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | The Linden School | "haec res et iungit iunctos et servat amicos" ("This is how to make friends and keep them made") Horace, Satires |
| 2010 (42nd Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Waterloo Collegiate Institute | "Citius, Altius, Fortius" ("Swifter, Higher, Stronger") Pierre de Coubertin, Olympic motto |
| 2009 (41st Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Markham District High School Banting Memorial High School | "Regia res est succurrere lapsis — δόσιs δ'ỏλίγη τε фίλη τε" ("It's a kingly act to help those who fall — the gift is still precious though be it small" Ovid, Epistulae ex Ponto and Homer, The Odyssey |
| 2008 (40th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | St. Clement's School | "Festina lente" ("Make haste slowly") |
| 2007 (39th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | University of Toronto Schools | "ὃ τι καλόν φίλον άεί" ("A thing of beauty is a joy forever") Euripides, The Bacchae |
| 2006 (38th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Elmwood School | "De his factis in perpetuum dicant" ("Let them speak of these deeds forever!") |
| 2005 (37th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | North Toronto Collegiate Institute Toronto French School | "χαλεπα τα καλα" ("Fine things are difficult") Plato, Hippias Major |
| 2004 (36th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Barrie Central Collegiate Institute | "Fides et pietas" ("Faith and piety") |
| 2003 (35th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Humberside Collegiate Institute | "Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas" ("Happy is he who is able to know the causes of things") Virgil, Georgics |
| 2002 (34th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Leaside High School | "Mirabile dictu" ("Marvellous to speak of!") Virgil, Georgics |
| 2001 (33rd Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Elmwood School | "σε θυμω τερψομαι εισοροων νεον αλλοθεν ενδον εοντα" ("Let me feast my eyes on the wanderer just home") Homer, The Odyssey |
| 2000 (32nd Annual) | University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario | University of Toronto Schools | "Bona iam peractis iungite fata" ("Link happy destinies to those already past") Horace, Odes |
| 1999 (31st Annual) | University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario | Bishop Strachan School | "Facilis descensus Averno" ("Easy is the descent to the underworld") Virgil, Aeneid |
| 1998 (30th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | Barrie Central Collegiate Institute | "Multas per gentes et multa per aequora" ("Across many lands and across many seas") Catullus, Catullus 101 |
| 1997 (29th Annual) | Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario | O'Neill Collegiate | "Vivamus atque amemus" ("Let us live and let us love") Catullus, Catullus 5 |
| 1996 (28th Annual) | Queen's University Kingston, Ontario | Leaside High School | "Integer vitae" ("The upright life") Horace, Odes |
| 1995 (27th Annual) | Queen's University Kingston, Ontario | Barrie Central Collegiate Institute | "Fortuna fortibus favet" ("Fortune favours the brave") |
| 1994 (26th Annual) | Trent University Peterborough, Ontario | Banting Memorial High School | "Mens sana in corpore sano" ("A healthy mind in a healthy body") Juvenal, Satires |
| 1993 (25th Annual) | Trent University Peterborough, Ontario | Branksome Hall | "Ad astra" ("To the stars") Virgil, Aeneid |
| 1992 (24th Annual) | University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario | Elmira District High School | "Amor omnia vincit" ("Love conquers all") Virgil, Eclogues |
| 1991 (23rd Annual) | University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario | David and Mary Thomson Collegiate | |
| 1990 (22nd Annual) | Queen's University Kingston, Ontario | Elmwood School | |
| 1989 (21st Annual) | Queen's University Kingston, Ontario | Bishop Strachan School | "Pax Romana" ("The Roman Peace") |
| 1988 (20th Annual) | Barrie North Collegiate Institute Barrie, Ontario | Barrie North Collegiate Institute | |
| 1987 (19th Annual) | Barrie North Collegiate Institute Barrie, Ontario | Brantford Collegiate Institute | "Feste Romana" ("A Roman Festival") |
| 1986 (18th Annual) | Havergal College Toronto, Ontario | Havergal College | "Nunc aut numquam" ("Now or Never") |
| 1985 (17th Annual) | Banting Memorial High School Alliston, Ontario | Banting Memorial High School | |
| 1984 (16th Annual) | Barrie Central Collegiate Institute Barrie, Ontario | Barrie Central Collegiate Institute | The Olympic Games |
| 1983 (15th Annual) | York Mills Collegiate Institute Toronto, Ontario | York Mills Collegiate Institute | |
| 1982 (14th Annual) | Park Street Collegiate Institute Orillia, Ontario | Park Street Collegiate Institute | |
| 1981 (13th Annual) | Banting Memorial High School Alliston, Ontario | Banting Memorial High School | |
| 1980 (12th Annual) | Barrie North Collegiate Institute Barrie, Ontario | Barrie North Collegiate Institute | |
| 1979 (11th Annual) | Chippewa High School North Bay, Ontario | Chippewa High School | "Annus liberorum" (UNESCO - "Year of the Child") |
| 1978 (10th Annual) | Banting Memorial High School Alliston, Ontario | Banting Memorial High School | |
| 1977 (9th Annual) | | |
| 1976 | No conference was held this year. | | |
| 1975 (8th Annual) | Chippewa High School North Bay, Ontario | Chippewa High School | |
| 1974 (7th Annual) | Chippewa High School North Bay, Ontario | Chippewa High School | |
| 1973 (6th Annual) | Barrie North Collegiate Institute Barrie, Ontario | Barrie North Collegiate Institute | |
| 1972 (5th Annual) | | | |
| 1971 (4th Annual) | Chippewa High School North Bay, Ontario | Chippewa High School | |
| 1970 (3rd Annual) | New Liskeard High School Temiskaming Shores, Ontario | New Liskeard High School | |
| 1969 (2nd Annual) | Korah Collegiate Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario | Korah Collegiate | |
| 1968 (1st Annual) | | | |