When we began teaching Latin online in 2004 on SeniorNet.org, the world of internet Latin instruction was a different place. We were, and remain, a pro bono project, and we began with three retired faculty members, who, in response to wistful remarks like "I wish I could have taken Latin but it's too late for me," decided to try to teach Latin, and later, Greek, online, and to make the experience we had all loved in person transfer to the online classroom if at all possible. Eight years, several hundred students from 13 countries, and some national presentations later, thanks to the incredible dedication of our students, staff, teaching assistants, and volunteers, our continually expanding and evolving collaborative project has succeeded beyond our wildest dreams, and we now are the very proud possessors of six very healthy and impressive levels of Latin which we believe are the equal of any anywhere.

WE knew we were good, so we dared in 2010 to prove it in a statistical way by taking the National Latin Exam for the first time.

More than 150,000 students at all levels including the university level took the National Latin Exam in 2011, from all 50 states and 12 countries, including Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, England, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Zimbabwe, and for the first time, Iran and Malaysia.

In 2010 17 of our courageous and daring students broke the ice by taking the National Latin Exam from our program, in levels Introduction to Latin III. One entry was lost in transit from Canada. Of the 16 that were received, all 16 won awards. In 2011 we had 5 students again try and all 5 received top awards. This puts our average to date at 100 percent awards, which is unheard of. 7 students from our programs made perfect scores which is also unheard of.

We are very proud of all our students, those who took the test and those who did not: all share in this wonderful achievement which helps exemplify a dedication to lifelong learning and the strength of our program.

Our winners deserve to be recognized. Following are our students listed in alphabetical order by Exam, 2010 first.

Introduction to Latin:

Cielolama: Introduction to Latin: First place: Blue Ribbon of Outstanding Achievement

MelandraII: Introduction to Latin: First place: Blue Ribbon of Outstanding Achievement


Latin I:

Anne Allen: Certificate of Oustanding Achievement: Magna Cum Laude

Bow_Belle: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

Hidaroupe: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

Jim Farmer: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

Joan Roberts: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

Sandy Reese: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

Susan: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude


Latin II:

Asterix: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

Christymo: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

Janet: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

LucyLibr: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude


Latin III:

HelenP: Gold Medal Summa Cum Laude

Pedln: Gold Medal: Summa Cum Laude

SandyRose: Silver Medal: Maxima Cum Laude

Perfect Scores

At the Introductory Latin Level, only 795 students out of over 18,800 in 13 countries who took the 2010 Introduction to Latin, National Latn Exam, achieved a perfect score. Our students Melandra II and Cielolama were included in this select group. At Levels I-V, VI, out of 138,000 students, only 568 students achieved the great distinction of a perfect score and three of them are ours: Christy Molzen, Hidaroupe and Jim F.

Introduction to Latin:

In the Introduction to Latin we had three placing first. Congratulations to:

Mogamom: First place: Purple Ribbon (they don't give gold medals for the Introduction but this purple and gold ribbon is absolutely gorgeous, I want one) and Certificate of Outstanding Achievement

Roxania: First Place: Purple Ribbon and Certificate of Outstanding Achievement

Yvonne Miller: First Place: Purple Ribbon and Certificate of Outstanding Achievement

Latin I:

Cielolama: Gold Medal, Summa Cum Laude

MelandraII: Gold Medal, Summa Cum Laude

Perfect Scores

In addition two of our students got Perfect Papers. Only 328 students out of over 18,100 who took this level achieved this distinction.

Congratulations to Mogamom and Roxania for this incredible feat!

Congratulations, all! We are proud of all of you and delighted to be creating, with your help, such a vital, viable program.