A Stamford High School student has received a Certificate of Commendation for her entry into the Lytham St Anne’s Classical Association Competition.Congratulations go to Sophie F, Year 10, who entered a 15 minute video discussing what the Plague of Athens could teach us about the current pandemic. Please scroll down to watch her full video.We spoke to Sophie about her experience. She said: "The engaging competition involved both writing and delivering a presentation on which day in ancient history I would like to travel back to. I loved the process of brainstorming my ideas and having the opportunity to produce a coherent speech and PowerPoint, allowing me to share my choice with the audience."I chose to do my presentation on the day the Plague of Athens was eradicated as, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic, our society can learn invaluable lessons from the stoicism of the Athenians. Despite not having any knowledge of germ theory or a diagnosis for the virulent disease, they eventually managed to unite as a society and successfully combat it. An Athenian writer, Thucydides, documented the plague and its symptoms but scientists still do not have a definite answer as to what caused it. It was also particularly harrowing as it coincided with the Peloponnesian War so the citizens of Athens were struggling with both a war against a virus and against the Spartans."Currently, I am doing GCSE Latin and my wonderful teacher, Mrs Wilson, mentioned the opportunity to enter the Lytham St Annes competition in a lesson before Christmas. Although I have never actually studied Classics, due to only starting at Stamford last year, I thoroughly enjoyed researching and learning about fascinating ancient history. I already had a passion for public speaking, having done years of debating and having won the Rotary Youth Speaks competition with fellow SHS pupils last year, but through entering this competition I was challenged to use visual aid and consider my audience much more, as they were likely to be watching through a distant YouTube screen!"For more news from Stamford High School, please click here.
