Students raced chariots bearing Latin mottos, deciphered Latin clues in a scavenger hunt, and introduced themselves with the names of mythological gods while dressed in togas - all while reading a daylong program of events written in Latin.

This constituted the New Jersey Junior Classical League State Convention, which brought together 300 to 400 Latin students from schools including Gateway and Clearview in Gloucester County and Collingswood and Cherry Hill West in Camden County.

Early in the day came the chariot races, with each containing one rider pulled by two students toward the finish line. Some chariots were made of wood, while others were improvised materials.

"We had some structural issues, but gray tape is our friend," joked Judy Janansky, an Egg Harbor Township High School sophomore.

Egg Harbor's chariot was constructed of odds and ends, including what appeared to have once been a baby stroller. The sign on the back of it read "Death on Wheels" - in Latin, of course.

The rider of this chariot, whom Janansky called "the bravest and the lightest," was prepared for possible disaster. She wore wrist- and knee pads and a helmet.

The crowd went wild cheering for their schools. Unfortunately for the Egg Harbor team, its chariot flipped at the very end, but with all of the rider's extra protection, she walked away happy and unscathed.

Shortly after the chariot race, about a dozen students competed in costume. Dana Roberts, a junior from Penns Grove High School, donned a purple outfit with gold trimming as she took on the role of Hebe, cup-bearer of the Greek gods. Following the Hebe story, Roberts "spilled" the cups, which she had filled with confetti, calling out, "Please don't banish me from Mount Olympus!"

Roberts won third place in a video contest by recounting the myth of Diana and Actaeon. In another part of the school, an art exhibit showcased hours of work resulting in a Roman colosseum, the three-headed dog Cerberus, a Trojan horse, and other Latin-related works.

Among dozens of other events were the Certamen, or academic contest, and "Olympic" events including volleyball, track and Frisbee. Students performed miniature skits on such topics as "Zeus on Valentine's Day" during improvisation games.

About 100 students from Gateway Regional made up a large percentage of those in attendance.

"I have really talented kids this year that I knew could pull this off," Latin teacher Penny Cipolone said. She and the students had been planning the event since fall.

The state president of the Junior Classical League, Conn Wiseman of Woodbury Heights, ran unopposed for reelection.

"At times it's stressful, but in the end it's worth it," Wiseman, a Gateway junior, said of his many responsibilities. He spent the day monitoring the activities to make sure they all ran smoothly.

Wiseman listed the reasons to study Latin. Foremost, Cipolone always reminds students that if they want good SAT scores, knowing Latin will help, he said.

"Look at the medical field. Look at the legal field," he added, saying that Latin is still used in many ways today.

Wiseman said there were many purposes for the state convention, too, one being "to promote and foster the classics." Also, he said, "people come here and make friends" and leave with great memories. He finished his list with a smile, saying another point is "to prove to everyone that Latin is not a dead language."