*Please read in a British accent

Bloody…

We have actually done it- all those free periods spent studying under my invisibility cloak in the restricted section of the STA library, all those skipped Quidditch practices have finally paid off- Gryffindor has finally stolen its second twiz victory from Slytherin.

Because you Muggles may not understand what I am talking about, here’s the spell: after the two Latin III classes scored so poorly on our first “twiz” (in between a quiz and a test) at the beginning of first semester, Latin teacher Sue Marquis decided to create a competition where the class with the highest average twiz score would receive brownies the next day. Soon, my class dubbed ourselves “Gryffindor,” and the other class naturally took the name “Slytherin.” From then on, it was the battle of the houses.

Not only does this competition motivate students to study more for tests, but it also decreases the chance of cheating between classes. As a member of Gryffindor, I know for a fact that when we have the first class on a twiz day, no one says a word to Slytherin students. If anything, a Gryffindor member will tell Slytherin the twiz is easy and there is no point in studying (no comment). All in all, I am actually pumped up on a monthly twiz day, knowing that there is a possibility of delicious brownies in my near future, as long as I study hard and encourage my classmates.

Besides the brownies, I know that victory itself motivates the Dumbledore out of me. In my two and a half years at STA, I have never seen a class bond like Gryffindor, not to mention the fact that all of our twiz scores have increased since the first competition. If one little competition has made such a difference in one class, what might it do in other classes? No, this type of incentive is not

going to help everyone, but I know that it actually makes tests and assignments more exciting for me. We work so hard at STA, I don’t think a little reward every once in a while will hurt.

So teachers – I suggest following Marquis’ example and adapt some sort of competition into your classes, such as awarding a piece of candy to the class or students with the highest score. And for those teachers who may not want to spend their nights after school baking brownies or buying candy: all I know is that this small competition has turned into a huge, exciting battle that probably saved my first semester grade. Although it is sometimes sad to say, STA is a very competitive school; we thrive off of competition, and enjoy doing it. So try something different- like giving out extra credit, or letting the winning class watch a short, fun video at the beginning of class. You never know what your classroom atmosphere may turn into – I’m sure Marquis didn’t expect her Latin scholars to turn into Hogwarts wizards.

And so what if Slytherin has won six out of eight twiz battles? Look out, we have been practicing in the Room of Requirement and are making a dramatic come back.

Avada Kedavra, Slytherin.

House lists:

• Professor McGonagall- Sue Marquis
• Harry Potter– Celia O’Flaherty
• Ron Weasley- Cara McClain
• Hermione Granger– Chelsea Birchmier
• Ginny Weasely– Caroline Mendus
• Lily Potter– Olivia Schueler
• Sirius Black- Rosemary McGraw
• Godric Gryffindor– Katelyn Ehrnman
• Lavender Brown– Mayme Marshall
• Nearly Headless Nick– Stephanie Hampel
• Rubeus Hagrid– Paige Wendland
• Neville Longbottom– Hannah Haywood
• Fred Weasley– Megan Lewis
• George Weasley– Erin Twaddle
• Dobby– Ava Jurden

• Professor Snape– Sue Marquis
• Draco Malfoy– Kate Needham
• Vincent Crabbe– Maggie Cussen
• Gregory Goyle– Annie DeRuyter
• Tom Riddle– Mary Kate Jenks
• Bloody Baron– Katie Waller
• (S)he-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named– Abby Uche
• Pansy Parkinson- Grace Crowe
• Daphne Greengrass– Rachel Shedd
• Millicent Bullstrode– Logan Kembel
• Bellatrix Lestrange– Alex Greathouse
• Narcissa Malfoy– Theresa Murphy
• Lucius Malfoy– Lucia Maschler
• Salazar Slytherin– Nicole Wemhoff

Do you think you would be motivated to do better in your classes if teachers provided incentives? Give us your feedback in the comments box below!