The results are now in for the 110 AHS students that took the National Latin Exam (NLE) back on March 17. One student, sophomore Robert Truong, received the highest honor, a perfect paper. He is the third student in AHS history to accomplish this. He will receive a special certificate for his perfect paper, as well as a gold certificate and gold medal for having a top score.

“I’m extraordinarily proud of Robert. This is the first time a level III Latin student has received a perfect score here at AHS. The other two [perfect score receivers] were level I and level II, and level III is very difficult,” Latin teacher Mary Morgan said.

A total of 24 students will receive awards for their test scores. Four students will receive silver medals for having second place scores. Also, ten magna cum laude (which in Latin translates to “with great honor”) winners will receive certificates for third place scores, and nine cum laude (which in Latin translates to “with honor”) winners will also receive certificates for fourth place scores. All of these students range from Latin I to Latin III. AHS receives an award as well, which is a NLE Certificate of Merit just for participating in this exam.

“There were parts of [the exam] that were really difficult, I felt ready for it though. There were three parts to the exam, grammar, history and reading. Reading was the hardest, because you have to translate it in your head, and then answer some comprehension questions,” sophomore Jessica Strong said. She took the Latin II exam and received a magna cum laude score.

Many students took this optional test because the exam can go towards collage applications, students can receive awards for outstanding scores and senior students who receive gold medals can apply for a $1,000 dollar scholarship, given by the NLE. Unfortunately, Truong cannot apply for a scholarship, because he is not a senior. However, his outstanding achievement will be recognized on his permanent record.