The Archdiocesan Spelling Bee Finals for the students of the District’s Greek-American Day Schools were held on Thursday, January 10th, at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
12 students participated this year: 6 finalists and 6 runner-ups. Demetra Chudley, a 7th grade student of The Cathedral School in Manhattan was the finalist. Gabriel Tramontana, a 7th grade student of A. Fantis Parochial School in Brooklyn was the runner-up. The winning word was “earthenware.”
Mr. John Atanas, assistant principal of the Greek American Institute in the Bronx, and Ms. Helen Karagiorgos, college advisor of St. Demetrios School of Astoria, pronounced the words.
Following are the names of all the contestants and their schools:
| SCHOOL | FINALISTS | RUNNER-UPS |
| W. Spyropoulos Greek-American School, Flushing | Tatiana Markou | Arietta Xylas |
| St. Demetrios Greek-American School, Astoria | Sophia Kikis | Elena Fiorentinos |
| Greek-American Institute, Bronx | Taylor Medina | Emmanuel Perselis |
| Cathedral School, New York | Demetra Chudley | Apostolia Pritchard |
| A. Fantis Parochial School, Brooklyn | Lily Torre | Gabriel Tramontana |
| D.G.K. Parochial School of Holy Cross, Brooklyn | Matthew Feinsilver | Kosta Serlis |
On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America, His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia welcomed and gave a prayer to the students. Upon the completion of the competition, His Grace Bishop Apostolos presented each student with a “Certificate of Award” and thanked the parents and teachers for their hard work and support.
Mr. Nick Katsoris, Esq., President of the Loukoumi Foundation, on behalf of the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund, which sponsors the Archdiocesan District Spelling Bee Competition, offered each participant a check of $100 and $250 to the finalist.
The 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 the newspaper DAILY NEWS.
The Office of Education of the Direct Archdiocesan District selects the words and coordinates the competitions among the New York City Parochial Greek-American Day Schools.