Magazine of Latin School of Chicago

Celebrating Latin's school spirit at Romans Fest

The Latin community is invited to participate in the annual Romans Run, enjoy food from a selection of food trucks, take part in a multitude of family-friendly games, and cheer on the home teams at the Upper School athletic games during Romans Fest on Saturday, September 28.

Romans Fest will be held from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Wilson West Turf Field and the Montrose Turf Field in Lincoln Park.

We look forward to spending the day celebrating our school with students, faculty and staff, families, friends and alumni. This event is part of a fun-filled Homecoming Week that also features dress-up days, a pep rally, a community engagement event, and the Upper School Homecoming Dance and Alumni Reunion Cocktail party.

Below you can find more information (e.g., lists of activities, times, locations, etc.) about Romans Fest. You can also click here to access a map, directions and details about parking and public transportation.

Romans Run (at the Wilson West Track)

  • Tots Dash, 50 meters on the track, 11 a.m.
  • JK run, 1 lap on the track, 11:10 a.m.
  • SK run, 1 lap on the track, 11:20 a.m.
  • 1st grade run, 1 lap on the track, 11:30 a.m.
  • 2nd grade run, 2 laps on the track, 11:40 a.m.
  • 3rd grade run, 2 laps on the track, 11:50 a.m.
  • 4th grade run, 2 laps on the track, 12 p.m.
  • MS and Adult Run, 4 laps on the track, 12:15 p.m. 

Activities and food
Enjoy food trucks, inflatables and family-friendly activities/games in the park. Be sure to bring water bottles and sunscreen.

  • 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Bounce House, Hair Spray Table and Tattoo Table at the Wilson West Turf Field.
  • 1 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Mechanical Bull, Cornhole Game, Tug-of-War, Limbo, Hockey Goal Challenge, Inflatable Sumo and Curling at the Wilson West Turf Field.
  • 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Food Trucks: Aztec Dave’s, Billy Bricks, Cheesie’s, Mey Delicias and Pretty Cool Ice Cream.

Upper School Athletic Games

  • 8 a.m. JV Orange Boys Soccer vs. Francis W. Parker, Wilson West Turf Field
  • 8 a.m. JV Orange Field Hockey vs. Oak Park and River Forest, Montrose Turf Field
  • 9:30 a.m. JV Blue Boys Soccer vs. Francis W. Parker, Wilson West Turf Field
  • 9:30 a.m. JV Blue Field Hockey vs. Francis W. Parker, Montrose Turf Field
  • 11 a.m. Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Francis W. Parker, Montrose Turf Field
  • 1 p.m. Varsity Field Hockey vs. Francis W. Parker, Montrose Turf Field
  • Alumni
  • Around the School
  • lower school
  • middle school
  • upper school
Celebrating Latin's school spirit at Romans Fest

The Latin community is invited to participate in the annual Romans Run, enjoy food from a selection of food trucks, take part in a multitude of family-friendly games, and cheer on the home teams at the Upper School athletic games during Romans Fest on Saturday, September 28.

Romans Fest will be held from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Wilson West Turf Field and the Montrose Turf Field in Lincoln Park.

We look forward to spending the day celebrating our school with students, faculty and staff, families, friends and alumni. This event is part of a fun-filled Homecoming Week that also features dress-up days, a pep rally, a community engagement event, and the Upper School Homecoming Dance and Alumni Reunion Cocktail party.

Below you can find more information (e.g., lists of activities, times, locations, etc.) about Romans Fest. You can also click here to access a map, directions and details about parking and public transportation.

Romans Run (at the Wilson West Track)

  • Tots Dash, 50 meters on the track, 11 a.m.
  • JK run, 1 lap on the track, 11:10 a.m.
  • SK run, 1 lap on the track, 11:20 a.m.
  • 1st grade run, 1 lap on the track, 11:30 a.m.
  • 2nd grade run, 2 laps on the track, 11:40 a.m.
  • 3rd grade run, 2 laps on the track, 11:50 a.m.
  • 4th grade run, 2 laps on the track, 12 p.m.
  • MS and Adult Run, 4 laps on the track, 12:15 p.m. 

Activities and food
Enjoy food trucks, inflatables and family-friendly activities/games in the park. Be sure to bring water bottles and sunscreen.

  • 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Bounce House, Hair Spray Table and Tattoo Table at the Wilson West Turf Field.
  • 1 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Mechanical Bull, Cornhole Game, Tug-of-War, Limbo, Hockey Goal Challenge, Inflatable Sumo and Curling at the Wilson West Turf Field.
  • 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Food Trucks: Aztec Dave’s, Billy Bricks, Cheesie’s, Mey Delicias and Pretty Cool Ice Cream.

Upper School Athletic Games

  • 8 a.m. JV Orange Boys Soccer vs. Francis W. Parker, Wilson West Turf Field
  • 8 a.m. JV Orange Field Hockey vs. Oak Park and River Forest, Montrose Turf Field
  • 9:30 a.m. JV Blue Boys Soccer vs. Francis W. Parker, Wilson West Turf Field
  • 9:30 a.m. JV Blue Field Hockey vs. Francis W. Parker, Montrose Turf Field
  • 11 a.m. Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Francis W. Parker, Montrose Turf Field
  • 1 p.m. Varsity Field Hockey vs. Francis W. Parker, Montrose Turf Field

Explore Our News & Stories

Post-Season Successes for US Athletics

Cross Country
Boys and girls teams delivered top performances at their state meets. The boys earned a spot on the podium with a third place finish, while the girls claimed fifth overall. Mia K. took fourth individually, and Francesca M. finished 17th, with both earning All-State honors for their efforts.

Varsity Volleyball
The team’s playoff journey concluded in the Elite 8 after a hard-fought match against Timothy Christian. Both sets were tightly contested, with scores of 23-25. Senior captain Emma D. was named Player of the Year and the coaching staff was named Coaching Staff of the Year for the ISL.

Varsity Swim
At sectionals, the team achieved a solid fifth place finish, with several swimmers setting personal records. Greta T. continued her great season with PRs in the 100-yard butterfly (second place) and 500-yard freestyle. 

Boys Soccer
The team had an impressive season, finishing second in the ISL and advancing to the regional finals, where they faced a tough matchup against St. Ignatius. The team’s dedication and sportsmanship, which were evident all season, earned them the ISL Sportsmanship Award. This season showcased the team's resilience and cohesion, and set a high standard for seasons to come.

Boys Golf
Boys golf enjoyed a great season, highlighted by Jack Z’s impressive performance at the state championships, where he finished 13th overall. Jack's achievements didn’t stop there—he was also named ISL Boys Golfer of the Year, recognizing his skill, consistency, and dedication throughout the season. The entire team showed remarkable improvement and teamwork, setting a solid foundation for future success.

Girls Tennis
Girls Tennis wrapped up their season on a high note at sectionals, where our 1-doubles team secured a spot in the state tournament! Malia Chen '25 and Nicola Kupczyk '26 won their first three rounds before a tough fourth-round match ended their impressive run.

Girls Golf
Girls golf showed consistent strength and teamwork, with Caitlin C. and Gillian H. both qualifying for sectionals. They represented the team well, competing with determination and adding to a season of growth and success.

Field Hockey
The team reached new heights this season, securing their first-ever spot in the final four with a thrilling victory over Loyola Academy in the IHSFHA sectional final. In the state semifinals, they faced a strong New Trier team, coming up short in a tough matchup. The team then battled Glenbrook South in the third place game on Saturday, ultimately finishing fourth in the state. The season was filled with standout achievements, including Abby K. being named ISL Defensive Player of the Year and Joey F. earning Co-Goalie of the Year honors. Additionally, our coaching staff was recognized as the ISL Coaching Staff of the Year, a testament to their amazing leadership.

 

  • Athletics
athletesoftheweeknov15

Congratulations to our three Athletes of the Week for Oct. 26 - Nov. 15!

  • Mia K. led the girls cross country team at the state tournament, earning all-state honors with an impressive fourth place finish. Despite it being her first race of the season, she also secured second place at sectionals. Congratulations, Mia, on an outstanding season!
  • The girls varsity volleyball team had an outstanding postseason, winning both the regional and sectional championships in dominating fashion. Their hard work and teamwork propelled them to the super sectionals, where they lost a well-played match against Timothy Christian. 
  • Greta T. shined at the ISL Championship for girls swimming and diving, placing second in the 100-yard butterfly with a season-best 1:06.11; dominating the 500-yard freestyle, finishing 54.37 seconds ahead of the field with a 5:49.22; leading the 200-yard freestyle relay to a second place finish with a 26.86 split; and setting a season PR in the 400-yard freestyle relay. 
athletesoftheweeknov15

 

  • Athletics
7th grade boys soccer

Latin’s Middle School athletics program had an exciting and eventful fall season that featured the continued growth and development of our student-athletes. Below are some of the highlights. 

Boys Soccer: The boys soccer team had an impressive season that was punctuated by excellent teamwork and resilience on the field. They finished with several exciting wins and continued to improve their skills with each game. (Seventh grade team pictured above, eighth grade team pictured below.)

8th grade boys soccer

 

Girls Field Hockey: Our girls field hockey team demonstrated determination and growth throughout the season. Their hard work paid off with a series of well-fought matches, and their defense was a standout aspect of their game play.

Girls Volleyball: The volleyball team’s season was marked by dedication and impressive teamwork. From powerful serves to well-coordinated plays, the team showcased their skills in each match and celebrated several key victories.

JV girls volleyball

MS JV Girls Volleyball

Coed Cross Country: This season, our cross country team embodied endurance and a strong team spirit, achieving personal bests and competing hard in every race. They consistently supported each other, contributing to an atmosphere of camaraderie and achievement.

Coed Water Polo: The coed water polo team tackled every match with energy and enthusiasm, growing stronger as the season progressed. Their commitment to learning and teamwork was evident as they capped off the season with a number of well-played games.

We want to congratulate our fall teams on their achievements.

Follow the Latin Athletic Department's Instagram page for the latest updates.

  • Athletics
  • middle school
Bob Balaban

Nominated by a fellow Roman, Latin alum Bob Balaban '63 is well-known in the industry of theater, television, literature and film. At Latin, Bob participated in drama programs which served him well in his artistic journey. Balaban is most known for his appearances in Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), and in the films The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) and The French Dispatch (2021). 

Balaban also directed three feature films, and was one of the producers nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture for Gosford Park (2001). He is also an author of children's novels.

Check out the next installment of Roman Rockstar in December at latinschool.org. You can also read the first Roman Rockstar, for William Bowe '60, retired Executive VP & General Counsel at Encyclopaedia Britannica, by clicking here.

Bob Balaban

 

  • Alumni