St. Augustine, FL—March 26, 2024 — Demetra Manaris, a 14-year-old from Dix Hills, New York, is recognized for her exemplary submission to the 2024 Metropolitan Iakovos Memorial Greek Language Scholarship Essay contest. The contest was organized by the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine with the assistance of Athina Filippou-Katehis of the Archdiocesan Greek Education Department. The Shrine essay contests are open to individuals between the ages of 13 and 19 years of age.

The topic of the 2024 Greek language essay was: "It is often difficult to maintain our ethnic, cultural, and religious heritage in this multicultural environment, which is America. How important is this to you and your family? How do you plan to keep your religion and culture alive and well, both now and in the future?"

Mrs. Dianna Christakos, the chair of the St. Photios National Shrine Essay Contest, commented on Demetra's essay, "Impressive language for a 14-year-old Greek-American child. The essay is well-written, with excellent grammar and structure. Demetra's writing style is similar to that of a college student. Her involvement in the Greek culture is noteworthy and deserving of high praise."

Demetra is a Greek-American, with heritage from both Spartan and Kastorian ancestry. She is an outstanding student who has excelled in the first three levels (A1, A2, and B1) of the Ellinomatheia exam, a globally recognized certification of Greek language proficiency. Demetra is currently in her second year of serving as a teacher's assistant in the afternoon Greek School program at St. Paraskevi Shrine located in Greenlawn, NY. An eighth-grade student on the high honor roll, she is the daughter of Drs. Anastasios and Antigone Manaris and the sister of Nicholas.

Demetra will receive a $1,000 prize and a Certificate of Participation signed by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

Photos: St. Photios