The Torch
A deep dive into classical education
On Friendship, Summer Style
On Sunday, June 4th, our Nova Classical community gathered in the gymnasium to celebrate the graduation of the class of 2023. Two of our graduating seniors, Isabella Arco and Meg Johnston, read the following passage from Cicero’s de Amicitiā (“On Friendship”) in Latin and English. The English translation was provided by our own Dr. Burrows, and is as follows (with the Latin at the bottom of this newsletter if you’re interested!):
“Seeing that the manner of life and our nature has been so ordained that another generation should forever arise, you should choose, as you are able, to reach your finish with those your same age – those same ones with whom, as they say, you were sent forth from the starting line. But because the human condition is fragile and failing, we must always seek out others still whom we may love and by whom we may be loved. For a life lacking charity and kindness is bereft of all contentment.”
- Cicero, de Amicitiā, 101-102
This passage has been sitting in my brain for weeks, and last week I realized why. In my younger years, summer was always a time for friends: going to the pool, running through the sprinkler in someone’s backyard, and the greatest gift of them all… the summer sleepover! However, when I ask our students if they are excited for summer break, some of them say that they are not- mostly because they are away from their friends. My heart hurts for those students but I do understand that summer can be lonely.
So how do we care for the lonely and disconnected in our community? Cicero tells us that we should seek out others we love and who love us- and the word I love in that encouragement is “seek”. “Seek” is a very active concept- it requires effort on our part. This effort will look different for each member of our community: perhaps it’s a neighborhood sprinkler party or a backyard tent sleepover, or maybe it’s a long-overdue phone call with a friend (remember phone calls?) or an invitation to afternoon coffee.
While volunteering at Sholom Home back in January, some of the residents mentioned that their favorite part of their days is watching our students play outside, so I am especially thinking about their summer loneliness. Many senior care facilities in our metro area have volunteer opportunities through the summer, so I will add that to the list!
I encourage our community to seek these opportunities to demonstrate charity and kindness not because Cicero told us to, but because these chances to care for our community members are our Nova Classical virtues in action, and they make a significant difference to those who feel alone. I cannot think of a better gift we could give!
May we extend our love to those who are lonely,
Dr. Missy Johnson
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2021-2022 The Torch
2022-2023 The Torch
quoniamque ita ratio comparata est vitae naturaeque nostrae, ut alia aetas oriatur, maxime quidem optandum est ut cum aequalibus possis, quibuscum tamquam ē carceribus emissus sis, cum isdem ad calcem, ut dicitur, pervenire. sed quoniam res humanae fragiles caducaeque sunt, semper aliqui anquirendi sunt quos diligamus et a quibus diligamur; caritate enim benevolentiaque sublata omnis est e vita sublata iucunditas.
As a teacher and student of Latin and Greek, the classical model was a natural choice for me as an educator. I hold the teaching of grammar, logic, rhetoric, and virtues in high regard for learners of all ages and backgrounds. Nova Classical’s community model is inspiring, and I hope to bring thoughtfulness and openness to the Great Conversation.