Only 11 schools (out of 30) returned the "official" evaluation form.  Two additional schools submitted evaluation letters, and a couple of others sent brief e-mails.
 
1. Spirit Contest -- This received the lowest marks out of all of our events.  Of course, the student officers are in charge of this, but it is certainly true that I didn't do much to help them with it.  It's probably no secret that this isn't one of my top priorities; nevertheless, we'll try to do a little better next year.
 
2. Academic Testing -- No one made this comment, but I made a mistake in overestimating the time needed for the spirit procession and the chariot race.  Next year, we'll schedule the proctoring meeting immediately after the general assembly so that we can be ready to roll as soon as the chariot race is completed.  Also, there weren't any complaints about reducing testing to one single session.  (BTW -- A grand total of two students actually needed the "bonus time.")
 
3. Roman Costume Requirement -- A few sponsors would like to see this requirement reinstated.  My general impression, though, is that most of the students were happy just to wear their chapter T-shirts.
 
4. Thursday Night -- Only two sponsors said "YES" to bringing back this part of convention. 
 
5. Olympika -- Five sponsors identified the Olympika situation as "DEVASTATING."  I understand that this is a controversial subject, and I understand the concerns of these teachers.  Personally, I would like to be able to offer Olympika, but I'm not sure that TJCL is really equipped to handle it.
 
6. Sweepstakes Policies -- There were a couple of complaints about the divisions, including one from someone who said in so many words, "We can win a school sweepstakes award much more easily if we compete in the two lower divisions.  Don't I have an incentive, then, to bring fewer students to convention?"  Yes . . . if your goal is simply to win a school trophy.  In my opinion, however, this convention is all about promoting our classical heritage, motivating students, and generating enthusiasm for the study of Latin, and as a teacher, I would want to share this kind of experience with as many students as possible.  At any rate, I do realize that there is really no "fair" way to draw these divisions up, and I also realize that a school like MUS -- not to take anything away from our delegates -- has some very unfair advantages (e.g., a Latin requirement, combined middle school and high school programs, etc.) over some of the other delegations.
 
7. Overall Convention Experience -- In spite of the complaints, 10 of the 11 rated the overall experience as either "VERY GOOD" or borderline "VERY GOOD / GOOD."  The other one rated it simply as "GOOD."
 
8. Level of Pain For Teachers -- In response to the question about whether the convention was, all things considered, well-organized and painless for teachers, only one person did not circle "YES."  Instead, he / she wrote, "It is never painless for teachers, but it was still good."  Amen.
 
All in all, I hope that the convention was a good experience for you and your students.  If you have any other comments, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to send them in, and we'll discuss them at our fall meeting.