ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
ANNUAL SPELLING BEE COMPETITION FINALS
The Archdiocesan Spelling Bee Finals for the students of the District’s Greek-American Day Schools were held on Thursday, January 19th, at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Elias Villis, Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District, welcomed and gave a prayer to the students. Upon the completion of the competition, Fr. Villis presented each student with a “Certificate of Award” and congratulated them for their hard work. Mrs. Athina Filippou-Katehis, Assistant Director of the Greek Education department was coordinating the competition. Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Gregory Stamkopoulos, Assistant Director of the Greek Education, as well Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Evagoras Constantinides were also present and supported the participants.
Nine students participated this year: 5 finalists and 4 runner-ups from five NYC Parochial Day Schools. Mila Lyssikatos, an 8th grade student of St. Demetrios Middle School in Astoria was the winner of the Archdiocesan Spelling Bee finals. Michael Skulikidis, an 8th grade student of W. Spyropoulos School of St. Nicholas in Flushing was the runner-up. The winning word was “edification.”
Mr. John Attanas, principal of the Greek American Institute in the Bronx, and Mr. Gregory Gounardes, from the office of the Chancellor, pronounced the words.
Following are the names of all the contestants and their schools:
A. Fantis Parochial School, Brooklyn: Maria Sotiriadis
Greek-American Institute, Bronx: Theodora Pavlounis, Alyssa Michialis
St. Demetrios Greek-American School, Astoria: Zoe Sherring, Mila Lyssikatos
The Cathedral School, New York: Mila Mei Economou, Aourelia Zomopoulos
W. Spyropoulos School of St. Nicholas, Flushing: Michael Skulikidis, Maria Daskalopoulos
The Greek Education Department offered each participant a gift card. Mr. Nick Katsoris, Esq., President of the Loukoumi Foundation, sent the latest book of Loukoumi “Inspiring Stories that Make a Difference” to each student.
The US Spelling Bee competitions are sponsored by The E.W. Scripps Company. They are open to boys and girls, in grades 5 through 8. In New York City competitions are sponsored by SCHOLAR SKILLS.
The Office of Greek Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese selects the words and coordinates the competitions among the New York City Parochial Greek-American Day Schools.
Photos: GOARCH
