Falcon Four Finish Second at Baylor Latin Day Certamen

Four FWCD students turned an early-morning March trip to Baylor University into a memorable day of competition, finishing second in the annual Baylor Latin Day competition.

Burkley Massey ’29, Mars McWaters ’29, Owen Campbell ’29 and Hudson Parcells ’28 – calling themselves the Falcon Four – arrived on the Waco campus before the start of the school day to compete against teams from across Texas in the fast-paced Latin quiz competition. The tournament featured an open division, meaning students could face competitors from any level, including advanced and AP Latin students. The Falcons opened the day with a strong win over All Saints’ Episcopal School before defeating Great Hearts Western Hills and Vanguard College Preparatory School to earn a spot in the championship round.

Between matches, the group had time to explore campus, stopping at the fountain, visiting Baylor’s bear habitat, and grabbing lunch at one of the university dining halls before returning to afternoon competition. 

As the tournament’s top seed heading into the final round, the Falcon Four faced a strong team from Great Hearts Irving. The contest remained close until the final moments, with the Falcons finishing in second place.

“Our students demonstrated both scholarship and sportsmanship throughout the day,” said Upper School Latin teacher Bryan Carlson. “They supported one another, respected their opponents, and represented FWCD exceptionally well.”

The strong finish capped off a full day of academic competition, highlighting the students’ dedication to Latin studies and campus exploration.