Oak Knoll Students Earn National Latin Exam Awards

During the last general homeroom of the Upper School 2021-22 academic year, World Language teacher Victoria Burmeister announced that five Upper School students earned placements in The National Latin Exam

The NLE is a test given annually to Latin students across the United States and around the world and is an opportunity for students to receive reinforcement and recognition for their accomplishments in the classroom. Depending on their score, students earn certificates, and medals, and may even qualify for scholarships.

Oak Knoll School offers a National Latin Exam student club during the school year as an enrichment opportunity for those enrolled in Latin.

Kaitlin Wincko ’26 of Morristown earned a Silver medal and Maxima Cum Laude certificate for her second-place win in the National Latin Exam.

“This award recognition is so important to me because it shows how much I have grown over the course of the past year,” said Wincko. “Oak Knoll helped me to become more confident in myself and take risks, such as completing the National Latin Exam. Oak Knoll also showed me that with hard work, I can accomplish great things.” 

The following Oak Knoll students earned Cum Laude certificates for fourth place in the National Latin Exam Awards: Aleena Ahmed ’24 of New Vernon, Heidi Pearce ’24 of New Vernon, Samantha Petrucco ’22 of Short Hills, and Gianna Mazzoni ’27 of Berkeley Heights.

“The National Latin Exam gives students at all stages of learning Latin an opportunity to test out their skills and be recognized for their efforts and growth as students,” Burmeister said. 

“The exam also lets students taking Latin celebrate their personal accomplishments in a setting unrelated to grades. It also helps to introduce students to the wider classics community by engaging with an annual test taken by fellow Latin learners from all over the world, not just here at Oak Knoll,” she said.