Drew Warchut

DSA 2024

virtutis enim laus omnis in actione consistit

For of virtue, all the glory rests in action. —Cicero, De Officiis 1.6.19

The Distinguished Service Award is annually awarded to someone who has made significant and meaningful contributions to the work of the Classical Association of Connecticut.

This year the quote chosen for the Silver Bowl comes from Cicero’s De Officiis: virtutis enim laus omnis in actione consistit. Our esteemed president, Andrew, helped me to alight upon this phrase and it is apt. Virtue is a fine trait, but it really shines when put into action.

This year’s recipient began laying some of the foundation of that virtus while still in high school when they began their study of Latin at a Connecticut high school esteemed for their program. I wonder, but have not been able to verify whether they participated in Connecticut State Latin Day even then.

They did not, however, rest there. They continued their study of classics at the university level and then pursued a Masters and Teaching degree in Classics. During their work towards that graduate degree, they were recognized by their classics department in recognition for their Latin prowess.

When this individual returned to Connecticut, their first position was to help rebuild a program that had previously been disbanded. This individual was challenged to create their own curriculum as this district was strictly textbook free. Not only did they create a curriculum, they worked with students to create a critical edition of the Latin text they had read together and secured funding for a limited print run for each of the editors.

A life of philosophy and instruction was not enough for this year’s recipient. This individual put their virtue in actione by joining the committee for Connecticut State Latin Day, as it was then known. No act of virtus can escape its laus, or glory, and this individual eventually found themselves as co chair of the committee. 

This individual had to maintain strength ad astra per aspera as they experienced the role of the co chair of the rechristened Connecticut State Latin & Greek Day committee during the 2020 pandemic. Their challenges included not only canceling not one, but two years’ of events with all the logistics that entails, but also then rebuilding the event to the delight of students and teachers alike.

Drew has modeled for us so many of the elements of virtus: steadfastness, wit, integrity, sincerity, and a desire to avoid the laus we are bestowing on him today. Please, a round of applause for this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, Drew Warchut.

—Katy Ganino Reddick, Immediate Past President

Delivered at the 2024 ClassConn Annual Meeting, Yale University, 11/9/24