John Herald is learning a little bit of Latin and about ancient Rome in the fifth annual Crown Point Latin Summer offered at Crown Point High School.

The weeklong summer school program is designed for children who have completed fourth, fifth and sixth grade at elementary schools in Crown Point and the surrounding area. A master summer class is offered to students who previously have attended the beginning Latin summer program.

John, 10, who will be a fifth-grader at Solon Robinson Elementary School this fall, also is learning about classical mythology and Roman culture and history.

He is one of 38 students attending the summer school program.

The children also get an opportunity to participate in conversational Latin as well as artistic and group activities.

Latin teachers Jeremy Walker and Ryan Collier are leading the program.

Student teacher Kathryn Kukla, who will be a Crown Point High School senior this fall, dressed up as a gladiator, complete with gold sandals, to teach youngsters about the events during the age of the Roman Empire.

Kukla, along with several other high school students, are working with Latin teacher Jeremy Walker as instructors.

"I love Latin," Kukla said. "One reason is because we've got an awesome teacher. I've made many new friends since I've been in the Latin program. I intend to run for a national office when I attend the convention in a few weeks," she said.

Kukla also will be among several Crown Point High School Latin students who will represent Indiana July 24 to 29 in the National Latin Certamen Tournament during the National Junior Classical League Convention at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.