Students dancing a kalamatiano. The Greek Club and POA Modern Greek Language Honor Society of the Languages and Literatures Department under the auspices of the St. John’s University Department of Multicultural Affairs held a Greek folk dancing workshop on November 17 under the auspices of International Education Week. The workshop concluded with a demonstration on making Greek frappe coffee. Refreshments were served. Admission was free.

Bridget Fotiou Barry, president of the POA Modern Greek Honor Society of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America served as program moderator and Nashia Wittenberg was keynote speaker. Dafnonas Chios Youth Society President Markella Mallas, Greek Club President Constantine Gurlakis, and Barry presented Wittenberg with an award. Father Gerasimos Ballas of Sts. Anargyroi, Taxiarchi and Gerasimos Church of Greenport was honored for his exceptional services to Modern Greek since 2004. Tsamiko, kalamatino and hasapikos were enjoyed by more than 50 students. Philip Haralampopoulos performed professional Tsamiko acrobatics as seen in the mass media and Maria Catechis prepared and served Greek frappe coffee.

Markella Mallas, president of the Dafnonas Chios Youth Society, and (l. to r.): Bridget Fotiou Barry, president of the POA Modern Greek Honor Society of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America, Father Gerasimos Ballas of Sts. Anargyroi, Taxiarchi and Gerasimos Church of Greenport, Nashia Wittenberg and Greek Club President Constantine Gurlakis. Wittenberg was presented with an oil painting of a scene from a Greek island for her achievement and phil-Hellenism. Dr. John G. Siolas of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America presented leadership awards to students Eleni Charitou, George Damalas, Bridget Fotiou Barry, Dennis Moshopoulos, Constantine Gurlakis and Markella Mallas. Appreciation awards for helping make this event possible were conferred on Katerina Kaloumenos, Tammy Halkias, Maria Catechis and Franco Stavrinou.

Scholarship winners Peter Dilis (first from l.), Paul Pavlatos (second from l.), Christina Kostaras (fourth from l.) and Thomaitsa (Tammy) Halkias (sixth from l.) with Nashia Wittenberg (eighth from l.), Father Gerasimos Ballas, Catherine Tsounis and Dr. John G. Siolas. Father Ballas presented special awards from his community to Peter Dilis, Christina Kostaras, Tammy Halkias and Paul Pavlatos. “It is my honor as Protopresbyter of Sts. Anargyroi, Taxiarchis and Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church of Greenport to present these awards to worthy students who have taken Modern Greek classes and achieved excellence,” he said. “Prof. Catherine Tsounis and Dr. John G. Siolas, distinguished Modern Greek educators with an international reputation, have our complete support. Their scholarship and education expertise is the only reason we are here today.

“We have been informed by the Greek Club that the Hellenic Studies Program has been practically eliminated, with one class offered,” he continued. “This is regrettable, since the American heritage and values are based on Hellenic philosophy and democratic values. We can only educate our leaders of tomorrow with ethics and moral values if they have the opportunity to study Modern Greek. We congratulate the youth for an outstanding Modern Greek Culture workshop during International Education Week.”

Special thanks were extended to Gurlakis, Halkias, Joanna and Eleni Handras, Christina Vagenas and the students, parents and friends of the Modern Greek Class 13, Greek Club and POA Modern Greek Honor Society of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America.