At Wellington, student passions are nurtured and celebrated, creating opportunities for growth that extend far beyond the classroom. Nora Raab ’26, a student with a deep love for history, language, and culture, exemplifies this. With encouragement from her teachers and the flexibility to pursue her interests, she explored Latin and discovered a vibrant community through the Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL). Now serving as First Vice President of OJCL, Nora has stepped into a leadership role that initially felt daunting but was made possible through the support she received at Wellington. Inspired by her experiences, she’s using what she learns at Wellington as a foundation to deepen her knowledge of languages, explore new perspectives on history, and connect with others who share her passions.
Nora participated in a summer trip to Greecy and Italy led by Emelie Indeerhees P '33 '35, Wellington's Latin teacher
Q: Why did you choose to study Latin at Wellington?
A: Half of my family is from Germany, so I’ve always been surrounded by different languages. My grandma, who taught German, suggested I take Latin since it’s a foundation for European languages. So, I decided on Latin — and I loved it! It isn’t just about the language. We also study Roman history, culture, and even the collapse of the Republic. That mix made me love both history and language even more.
Q: You’ve mentioned a love for languages — what else have you explored?
A: I’ve taken Arabic lessons outside of school, and I’ve studied German independently. My dream is to study the Ottoman Empire and its influence on Eastern Europe. I’m especially interested in countries like Albania and Bosnia. Turkish, which I hope to learn eventually, connects to what I’ve already studied — one-third of its vocabulary is rooted in Arabic, and its grammar is similar to German. Right now, I’m really interested in Trinity College in Dublin. If I go there, I’d like to continue learning German on the side.
Nora and the Wellington contingent at a Ohio Junior Classical League convention
Q: What inspired you to participate in the Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL)?
A: I didn’t go to the convention at first because I was nervous about going alone. Last year, I convinced my Latin friends to come with me, and it was amazing! I went to workshops, like the one on Roman curses, where we etched Latin phrases into copper leaf and learned how curses were buried near enemies. Everyone there was so into Latin, just like me. It felt like I found a community I didn’t have before outside Wellington.
Nora, who leads the Upper School Theatre's costume department and has a passion for historical clothing and textiles, sewed her own toga, using beetroots as a natural dye to achieve an authentic Roman look.
Q: How did you become First Vice President of the OJCL?
A: The position opened up after the elections at last year’s convention because the person elected moved up to the national board. My teacher, Ms. Inderhees, encouraged me to apply, but I was hesitant — I thought, ‘This is my first year attending, and I’m not qualified.’ She convinced me by saying it would be a good way to get my name out there for future roles like editor or historian. I applied, thinking I wouldn’t get it, but to my surprise, I was chosen. It’s been a learning curve, but I’m getting the hang of it.
Q: What do you do as First Vice President?
A: I’m responsible for connecting new members and schools with the OJCL, which includes setting up chapters and inviting teachers to conventions. I also work on promoting diversity in classics — highlighting women, people of color, and other underrepresented voices in Roman history.* One of my big ideas is to start a TikTok account for OJCL to expand our reach. My goal is to make the OJCL more inviting, so more students feel comfortable joining, like I did last year.
Nora in Capri as part of a Wellington led summer trip to Italy and Greece
Q: Can you share a favorite memory from your time with OJCL?
A: Last year’s convention was incredible. I even won Best in Show for a Roman costume I made! I hand-dyed linen with beet juice and looked at museum photos to make it historically accurate. It took forever, but it was worth it. I also loved meeting people who shared my passion for Latin — it was such a welcoming community.
Q: What’s next for you with OJCL and beyond?
A: I’ve enjoyed being First Vice President, but next year, I’m really excited about applying for editor or historian. I think those roles would let me focus on storytelling and preserving OJCL’s history. Staying involved is important to me, and I want to keep making a difference while also balancing senior year and college applications.
*Editor’s note: You can follow Nora’s work on the OJCL Instagram