On January 22, the Upper School library came alive during B block. Students and teachers gathered to watch the second annual Latin II class reenactment of an ancient Roman wedding ceremony – a short play inspired by a story in their textbook.
Spectators from both the Middle and Upper School gathered for the performance. All the seating in the library was filled; many stood or sat on the floor.
This year, the wedding featured a new introduction by Upper School Latin teacher Stella Bowman. She described the adventures of the two love interests, Sabina and Alexander, using some creative language.
“People were telling me that an intro could give context for the non-Latin speakers watching our play. I also thought it would be fun [and] helpful to engage high schoolers with familiar phrases that would help information stick,” Ms. Bowman explained.
Those “familiar phrases”? Pure brainrot. Nobody expected to hear the words “gigachad,” “rizz,” or “lit” coming from a teacher – much less in an introduction to a Roman-style wedding.
The procession started with classical ceremonial music from a Chromebook, and the library fell quiet as the performers entered.
Throughout the imaginative ceremony a makeshift torch was passed, two imitation Romans were married, and a fake pig was slain, all in quick succession.
After the wedding, the library echoed with shouts of “Feliciter!” – a saying to wish the married couple good luck and long-lasting happiness.
Some audience members said they were glad to see the Roman Wedding back for another year.
“I liked it, because I knew what was going on, because I learned about it myself,” Senior Lara Hams ’26 said. Lara previously took the class, and easily understood the parts of the wedding.
Sophomore Payton Spurell ’28, a wedding guest, connected the event to her love of theater.
“I thought it was really cool and creative to see how everyone embodied different and important roles within a Roman wedding,” she said. “Almost like a short scene!”
Payton said the part of the wedding she enjoyed the most was “when Henry pulled the knife out and stabbed the pig, it was just kinda cinematic. But, like, humorous at the same time.”
Many appreciated the length of the ceremony. Upper School history teacher Laura Whitehead said she “liked its brevity,” and Junior Caleb Kurlantzick described the event as “short and sweet.”
Others wished it were longer.
“Too short. I wanted to see more,” said junior Luci Wagner ’27.
Before the wedding began, Meddy Oyunega ‘27 had repeatedly remarked on how excited she was. She said the reality left her deflated.
“[The] wedding was not it,” said Meddy.
Bowman shrugged off the naysayers.
“[I] can’t be all things to all people,” she said.
Besides, Bowman said, the wedding was “way less expensive than a modern wedding,” which is certainly a bonus.
The performers had a different outlook on the event. Sophomore Jesse Frazier was the priest and torch carrier. He describes feeling a “sense of giddy and worry” as he walked across the library to his spot in the center. As he married Sabina and Alexander, he “tried to keep composure” and remember his lines.
The feeling of seeing the school and all his friends around put a smile on his face and nerves in his stomach. Jesse said he tried to prepare beforehand, but even so, he didn’t feel ready for pressure like this.
“I found I was nervous towards the start of the wedding, and it died down as it went along,” he said. “But it’s weird, cause I’m never nervous like this during basketball games.”
The wedding was a memorable experience for all who attended and participated, leaving many excited to watch again next year – and some hoping to see more.
