With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Archdiocesan District Department of Education held its Annual Spelling Bee at Archdiocese Headquarters. Archdiocesan District Chancellor Fr. Elias Villis and Fr. Evagoras Constantinides from Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral in Brooklyn welcomed the students and offered a prayer. Associate Director of the Department of Education coordinated the event and Assistant Principal of St. Demetrios School in Astoria Helen Karagiorgos and Krysta Cicio, English Teacher, The Cathedral School, New York were Pronouncers. Also in attendance was District Youth Director Constantine Pantelias and teachers. 

Eleven students from six parochial schools in New York City participated in the Spelling Bee.  After a number of exciting rounds of spelling, Maria Sotiriadis from A. Fantis School of Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral in Brooklyn was announced the winner and Melina Kakopieros from The Cathedral School of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City was the runner-up.

Remarking after spelling the final word correctly, Maria said that she felt proud to represent her school.  She also said that although she had participated in the Spelling Bee before, today was even more special because her brother Elias competed with her. Maria has been studying with her father each night since December for this opportunity.

 

Congratulations to all the participants!

Maria Soteriadis and Elias Soteriadis (A. Fantis Parochial School, Brooklyn)

Luka Chomakhidze and Anastasios Garyfallos (D.K.G. School of Holy Cross, Brooklyn)

Petar Tasic and Sofia Papaelias (Greek American Institute, Bronx)

Kleopatra Nikita and Amelie Tonescu (St. Demetrios Greek-American School, Astoria)

Melina Kakopieros and Mila Economou (The Cathedral School, New York)

George Lafasakis (W. Spyropoulos Day School, St. Nicholas, Flushing)

Photo: GOARCH