When did you start swimming?
My parents got me in swim lessons at around three years old. It’s been a big part of my life since then.

You’ve been a part of Latin Aquatics since 2017 - what’s kept you coming back?
We’ve always had really good coaches here who know how to keep you motivated and inspire you to keep going. They've allowed me to push myself and become a better swimmer because of that. They want to see you thrive and get better.

How have you improved as a swimmer over the years? How has your role on the team evolved?
As a swimmer, I’ve improved by being able to focus more in the pool and on setting my own goals. Having goals in your mind helps you remember why you’re doing this.

We had a very welcoming community my freshman year. The seniors and juniors that year - Hugh and Julian - took me under their wing and provided me with the ground rules on how to lead. I learned that it’s not always the athletic skill that helps you connect with other people and lead. I’ve wanted to be a captain since day one. 

This year, we have a much smaller team than we’ve had in the past. A lot of it is just making sure people still feel connected to the sport. You should take it seriously, but focus more on your personal best and having a team that’s connected and enjoys each other’s company. I make sure we all want to put our best into the season. 

What’s something you’ve learned from your teammates over the years?
Nate Weldon, prestiged breaststroke record holder and captain last year, taught me a lot about work ethic. I did both Latin and club swimming with him. Seeing him put in the work to achieve his goals pushed me and led me to have the mindset that anything is possible. Nate was super valuable to my swimming career.

Hugh also made a difference for me as a person. He helped me destress and acclimate to Latin as a freshman.

How do you feel being in your last year at Latin and your last season with the team?
I’ve enjoyed my time at Latin and I’m definitely excited for college. I’m also bummed to leave, but know the guys will continue to do great things in and out of the pool. 

How have you contributed to the swim team culture at Latin?
Our focus this year was making the team feel “wholesome” and “whimsical.” Emillio and I have done that as captains by encouraging team bonding outside of the pool - shoutout Dave’s Hot Chicken - and helping with the girls season in the fall by timing meets and attending practices.

I also help my teammates understand what they’re there for - to swim, yes, but also to make friends and enjoy the community. We really try to be as supportive of one another as possible.

Why do you enjoy swimming?
Swimming is like an art form. It’s both an individual and team sport. Seeing your own progress but also motivating your teammates is really rewarding. There are no downsides. JOIN THE SWIM TEAM!

Every time I’m done with practice or a difficult set, I’m always grinning ear to ear. I’m having a good time. It’s easy for me to romanticize swimming. It's a blissful event in my life.

What event(s) do you swim? Do you have a favorite?
I swim 200 IM - individual and relay, 100 backstroke, and 400 relay.

My favorite is the 100 backstroke. I get to breathe the entire time and it is the easiest to process. Shoutout Coach Logan for engraving the bpm to Staying Alive while in backstroke.

Who has contributed to your swimming journey at Latin? Who would you like to thank and why?
The obvious - Coach Danielle! She’s coached me since I was 7 years old. She’s been a huge factor in my life. She has allowed me to appreciate swimming more and has also made me infinitely better. As a kid, I didn’t have a competitive edge. Now, I want to beat our competitors. If you have the opportunity to work with her, she’s fantastic. She's one of the greatest coaches you can ever have. 

Coach Ryan, who took over during Coach Danielle’s maternity leave my sophomore year, gives the most legendary pre-meet pep talks. They are engrained into my mind, specifically “it’s you versus you.” That sticks with me at meets. Big ups to Coach Ashlyn, too.

From Latin Aquatics, Coach Logan, a force to be reckoned with, and Coach Nick, relentless guy who really knew his stuff. 

Coach Jon got me to love swimming as a kid, gave me all the fundamentals, and let me be myself and enjoy life.

What are three words your teammates would use to describe you?
Whimsical, determined, LOCKED-IN

Favorite warm-up song?
Gliding Through Everything by Four Tet

Goldie by A$AP Rocky

What is your favorite part about being on a team at Latin?
Being a part of a team allows you to find a community who have a shared interest. You’ll never find a better bond than after a brutal practice. It’s the easiest way to connect with anybody and there’s instantly a friendship connection there.

Swimming is the most rewarding sport you can do. 

What do you enjoy doing at Latin outside of swimming?
I like sewing a lot. I’m trying to get more into that. I enjoy DJing with friends and watching TV, particularly anything with Danny McBride.

What’s next after Latin?
I will be class of 2030 at Babson College in Massachusetts, studying entrepreneurship and literary and visual arts. I’m very excited. 

What is a favorite memory you have from being on the swim team at Latin?
When Nate broke Latin’s breaststroke record, we were all huddled around his lane cheering at Sectionals. That moment is forever solidified in my mind.

Any upcoming swim meets that you want to shout out for fellow Romans to come to and cheer on you and your teammates?
We’re hosting ISLs at home this year on Saturday, February 7, which would be great to have people at.

I’m the only senior this year, but I’ll plug our team’s Senior Night, AKA Clark Night, on Wednesday, February 11, since it’s the final home meet of the year. 

We asked Latin Aquatics Director and Varsity swim coach Danielle Carlson a few questions about Clark’s swim journey at Latin…

How long have you coached Clark?
Clark has been a part of Latin Aquatics since 2017, and it’s been an honor to be a part of his swim journey for the last decade. 

What do you enjoy about having Clark on the team and in Latin's swimming program?
Clark is a really fun athlete to coach. It has been a privilege to celebrate his successes with him each year. 

I am really appreciative of how Clark shows up for this team. As a senior and team captain this year, he consistently demonstrates both the dedication and resilience needed to be a successful varsity swimmer. He keeps the atmosphere light and whimsical, even through the most challenging sets and practices. He is personable, funny and knows how to connect with everyone, creating a really inclusive environment in the pool. 

How could other players learn from Clark?
Clark has found a way to maintain wonderful balance as a student-athlete. He is dedicated both to the sport and his team, while also accomplishing success in his academics and his other passions, including the arts and community service. While Clark makes it look easy, this balancing act can be very difficult!

The latest Roman Rockstar is Ron Pen '69, Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky.

Latin was a formative experience for Ron that shaped how he thinks, writes, listens, and lives his life. He calls his education remarkable and classic, noting that it has strengthened his critical thinking, refined his writing, built his confidence as a speaker, and deepened his engagement with the arts.

Ron defines his time at Latin as stimulating, centered on the pursuit of excellence and focused on community. He fondly remembers the impact of teachers like Isabelle Lawrence, Dick Dolezal, John Austin, Mary Maj, Louis DeGryse, Ellie Lambrakis, Muriel Anderson, Courtlandt Gilmour, and Humphrey Cordes. He shares that their teaching methods fostered a way of engaging with the world that has stuck with him.

One of Ron’s most vivid memories of school life was the annual mock debate between Dr. Gilmour and Dr. Dolezal over the proper pronunciation of “Adeste Fideles.” This highlights what Ron describes as a serious joy in learning. Ron also recalls community traditions like the full school singing “Let There Be Music,” “Quaecumque Sunt Vera,” the school anthem by Mary Maj and Isabelle Lawrence, and “In Loyal Song We Praise Thee Alma Mater.”

Ron embraced the many opportunities to explore his interests at Latin. As a student, he was involved in numerous clubs and activities: Chief Justice, Chorus, The Forum, Football, Basketball, Drama Club, Science Club, Senate, and the Lettermen’s Club.

After Latin, Ron pursued music academically and professionally, earning a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky and building a career as a musicologist, educator, author, and cultural steward. Over decades at the University of Kentucky, he served as Professor, Associate Director of the School of Music, Director of Appalachian Studies, and longtime Director of the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, helping to preserve and elevate American folk, Appalachian, jazz, and traditional music on a national and international scale. His scholarship, teaching, and public humanities work earned numerous awards and left an indelible mark on students, colleagues, and communities.

Ron continues to reflect on his experience at Latin, including the power of language, the joy of shared music, and a community that believes in ideas. We are grateful to Ron for sharing these reflections and the impact Latin has had upon him well beyond graduation. 

When did you start playing basketball?

I played on club basketball teams in elementary school and at Latin starting in Middle School.

What are your goals for this season? What are your hopes for the Latin basketball program?

We’ve made it further in the playoffs the past couple of years, which I think has helped change the narrative about Latin basketball. One of my main goals is to keep that narrative going by helping younger teammates understand that we’re a team that can win big games.

I was out last year early in the season due to an injury. I worked hard in the offseason, so my individual goal is to contribute on both sides of the ball this year.

How has your role on the team evolved over the years?

As a freshman on the varsity team, I was focused on learning from my teammates and cheering people on.

Last year, with my injury, I led more from off of the court. This included watching a lot of game film and giving my teammates tips.

This year, I’m combining both of those experiences and using the things I learned from older players as a freshman and while watching from the bench when I was injured. I am going to use communication, my performance and positive energy to be a leader on the court this season. 

What has basketball taught you?

One of the biggest things basketball has taught me is that good performance comes from proper preparation. The work you put in is the improvement that you’ll see. I try to apply that mentality to school, as well.

What is a favorite memory you have from basketball at Latin?

This season, we had a really cool win in a close game against Montini, a big school with great basketball players. 

Also, when we went to super sectionals my freshman year, having a bunch of fans drive two hours to come support was really memorable. Even though we didn’t win, that memory pushes me to get our team back there in the playoffs.

Do you have any pre- or post-game rituals, routines, or snacks?

It’s not quite a superstition, but one time someone offered me Twizzlers before a game and I played really well, so I have Twizzlers before every game.

What are three words your teammates would use to describe you?

Dedicated, leader, supportive.

What is your favorite part about being on a team at Latin?

The bonds you develop with your teammates. I’ve been able to build friendships with teammates in all different grades over the years.

Favorite warm-up song?

Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Migos before games. 

What are you involved in at Latin outside of basketball?

I run on the varsity track team at Latin. Three of my teammates and I set the school record for the
4x100 meter relay my freshman year.

I also serve as the junior prefect of Student Government and am on Latin’s SAAB.

Great segway! You’re a member of Latin’s first Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) - what has that experience been like for you so far?

It’s been a really cool experience to talk about ways to improve teamwork and leadership in Latin’s Athletics programs. 

You recently attended the IHSA Leadership Conference with fellow SAAB members…what was that like? What stood out to you?

I got to meet students from across the state and talk to them about the challenges we face in Athletics and ways to approach them.

What stood out to me is the fact that we’re from all over, yet we have similar experiences with our sports teams. It was cool to bond over that and learn from other students about how they lead their team and build teamwork.

Who would you like to thank for contributing to your journey as an athlete and why

First, my parents. My mom and dad are very supportive of me. 

I’m also thankful for our coaches at Latin - Justin, Harris, Loomey, and our former coach DeNard. I’ve built really strong relationships with them while on the team. They push me to be the best possible version of myself.

Any particular games that you’d like to shoutout for fellow Romans to come cheer you and your teammates on at?

After we come back from winter break, we’ll have a lot of conference games. Fans at any home or away game against an ISL school will help us get those tough wins and get that ISL title!

And, of course, the Big Games on January 30. 

Coach Halloran, you’ve coached Rohin since his freshman year on varsity. What do you enjoy most about having him on the team?

Rohin is a joy to coach. He cares deeply about the program, and brings great energy and a competitive spirit every day. He has adapted to new roles and stepped up to new challenges each year, and always does everything he can to help the team win. 

This year, Rohin is a vocal leader on top of being our leading scorer and rebounder. His commitment level is something that other players can learn from. Last year, he suffered an unfortunate injury that caused him to sit out the majority of the season; and, to his credit, he still showed up every day with positive energy, cheered on his teammates, and found ways to help the team.

Mark your calendars for January 30, as Latin’s varsity basketball teams take on Parker in the annual “Big Games” at UIC’s Credit Union One Arena. The girls team plays at 5 p.m. and the boys team plays at 6:30 p.m.

Our latest Roman Rockstar is Joey Letchinger ‘11, Executive Vice President at JDL Development.

Joey spent 10 years working in restaurants and food and beverage at prestigious establishments such as Graham Elliot and L20 in Chicago, and Restaurant DANIEL, Maialino, and Del Posto in New York. During this time, he simultaneously ran a wine brokerage and became a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Joey is a Latin “Lifer,” having grown up at Latin from JK through senior year. He views his time in the Upper School as the most impactful period of his life. It was the first time he had the freedom to explore interests beyond the core curriculum, guided by teachers who encouraged not just curiosity, but real depth of discovery.

It was at Upper School that Joey solidified his passions, curating his own independent studies centered on food, cooking, food science, and even food in literature. Through these explorations, Joey learned how to use independence to pursue passion in a focused and productive way, an approach he has carried into his professional life.

It was this drive that enabled him to make a successful career switch, as he returned to Chicago and joined the family business, JDL Development. Here he has helped develop One Chicago, North Union, and other major projects.

Joey describes his time at Latin as curious, supported, and formative. He credits Jeff Windus as one of his favorite and most influential teachers and fondly remembers the “Reindeer Games” as his favorite tradition.

We look forward to following Joey's continued success!