Washington, DC, October 18, 2021 — The Washington Oxi Day Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Philotimo Scholarship Competition. Once again, the Foundation received dozens of competitive submissions from Greek-American students across the country.
Students were asked to watch the Foundation’s “Greek Secret” video on the subject of philotimo and answer one of the following questions:
▪ What does philotimo mean to you?
▪ What are some extraordinary examples of philotimo that you have seen?
▪ What are the things you can do in your daily life to exhibit philotimo?
▪ How can philotimo improve your life?
The first place essay was submitted by Anastasia Stratakis a high school senior in Manhasset, NY. She will receive a $4,000 scholarship and be featured as part of the Foundation’s 11th Annual Oxi Courage Awards on October 28. The Honorable B. Theodore Bozonelis, Trustee of the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation and Secretary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Archdiocesan Council, will present the scholarship at the awards program.
Stratakis’ winning essay focused on how philotimo serves as our moral compass.
She wrote, “Philotimo is an inscrutable Greek word, but also a unique part of our history; a moral compass that has been passed down to us from our ancestors. One that has guided our people through conquest, occupation, revolution, and pandemic. And as we followed this compass, that led us to where we are today, we have been enlightened with the love of honor, decency, and grace, that truly encapsulates the meaning of philotimo.”
The two second place winners, each of whom will receive a $2,000 scholarship are Demetrios Koularmanis a high school senior in Totowa, NJ and Alexanna Mouskondis a high school senior in Las Vegas, NV.
The two third place winners, each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship are Anna Papakirk a high school junior in Cincinnati, OH and Grace Fitzwilliam a high school junior in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to all who participated in the 2021 Philotimo Scholarship Competition. The Foundation thoroughly enjoyed reading each essay.