Miss Greek Independence 2007 Is Crowned
Fordham University junior Lina (Eleni) Paxos, 20, of Westchester County, won the

Photos ETA Press Miss Greek Independence 2007, Lina Paxos, 20, (l.) with 2006 title winner Georgia Lilikas, moments after the coronation ceremony at the Federation of Hellenic Societies in Astoria on March 11.

Miss Greek Independence 2007 title in a pageant competition held March 11 at the Stathakion Center, Federation of Hellenic Societies in Astoria, home to a vibrant and thriving Greek community. More than 200 people attended the event, the largest number ever. The event included

a musical interlude, food and refreshments.

Paxos, representing the Greek island of Chios, said she did not expect to win. "I was shocked but at the same time extremely happy. Every girl deserved to win as much as me," she said. "It's a great opportunity for me to spread Greek culture as best I can." At Fordham, Paxos majors in business administration with a double minor in legal and ethical studies, and economics. She teaches Greek dance, plays soccer and serves as vice president of Fordham University's Bronx campus Hellenic Society.

Federation President Nick Diamantidis (c.) is flanked by Miss Greek Independence 2007, Lina Paxos, the contestants and (far r.) 2006 winner Georgia Lilikas and Junior Miss Anna Zarkas.

The second and third runner-ups are, respectively, Evangeline Podara, 19, of Astoria (Miss Peloponnese), a political science student at Yale University, and Stavroula Kavalieratos, 20, of Bayside (Miss Cephalonia), an education student at Queens College.

Participating c o n t e s t a n t s included Eftihia Argyrou (Miss Mathraki); Agatha Catechis (Miss Othoni); Dimitra Malamateniou (Miss Paros); Maria Sorvani (Miss Peloponnese); Stamatia Theotokatou (Miss Cephalonia); Rachel Verdina (Miss Crete); Natasha Xenou (Miss Zakynthos); Avyerini Catechis (Miss Ionian); Maria Catechis (Miss Erikoussa); Lara Haschek (Miss Corfu), and Christine Polios (Miss Laconia). Regions such as Peloponnese and Cephalonia are geographically extensive and can have more than one entrant in the pageant. A panel of nine judges based their votes on the contestants' knowledge of Greek history, religion, an opinion question and their appearance. Since the late 1950's, this event has been organized annually by the Federation's Cultural Committee, and is part of the cultural events leading up to the Greek Independence Day parade. Committee chairman Panagiotis Pavlou is co-organizer of the event.

The 2006 winner, Georgia Lilikas of New Jersey, was all too familiar with the anxiety and anticipation that comes with the competition. "I might say goodbye to you today as Miss Greek Independence but not as a Greek-American who loves Greece and will always help to preserve Greek culture in America," she declared.

Federation President Nick Diamantidis greeted the guests and contestants and told the contestants' families: "Your children are the pride and beauty of our Greek community and your presence here today honors the Federation and the Greek community of New York and the tri-state area."

Paxos and all 13 contestants will lead New York's 76th annual Greek Independence Day parade up Fifth Avenue from 60th to 79th Streets. on Sunday, April 15, starting at 1 p.m., and will represent the federation throughout the year. More than 100,000 participants and spectators from the New York and tri-state area are expected to attend the parade. Honored guests include Greek and U.S. government officials, celebrities, the elite Greek Presidential Guard and the Hellenic Navy Band. For the first time in the history of the Greek Independence Day parade, the Fox TV Network will broadcast the parade in a two-hour telecast hosted by FOX news anchor Ernie Anastos and weatherman Nick Gregory.

The New York Greek Independence Day parade is the largest in the country and commemorates the 186th anniversary of Greek independence from Turkish Ottoman rule, tyranny and oppression. It honors Greek forefathers who valiantly sacrificed their lives to preserve the ideals of freedom, democracy, and independence. This year, the parade is dedicated to the cause of religious freedom.

The Federation, comprised of nearly 200 civic, cultural, regional and professional organizations, is the main organizer of the annual parade. The not-for-profit organization's mission is to preserve and promote Hellenic culture and heritage throughout the five boroughs of New York City.