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July 23, 2015
Hellenic
Birthright 2015 Concludes
A
life-changing experience for all
On
July 19, 2015, our Hellenic Birthright participants began their
journeys back to the States upon completing our cultural enrichment
and educational program, Hellenic Birthright. This program
allowed them to visit some of Greece's most prominent cities and
sites, in conjunction with receiving 3 transferable college credits.
In our ongoing blog, students noted the wondrous scenery, the Greek
food, and their emotional reactions to their ancestral homeland.
Their countless experiences have allowed them to feel compassion and
a sense of belonging to a country they can now call their own.
From the sight of the Parthenon to walking the streets of Athens,
students marveled at their experience because it was, as many of the
students described, "surreal."
Maria
Arianas states, "How amazing is it that the Parthenon still
has so much of the original building standing after all the time and
history it has gone through, including conversion into different
places of worship and being bombed several times over the years. Its
resilience emulates that of Greeks in that no matter what has
happened to that nation over the course of history, Greek people and
culture have always prevailed."
"For the first time in my life I am experiencing firsthand
the homeland of my yiayia and papou. It took about 2-3 days to
sink in for me that I am actually here. It has been amazing to
just walk around the city and explore everything that I possibly
can. In 3 days, I had been everywhere from the White Tower to a
concert on top of the castle at the city walls at night, and I even
got to attend an Orthodox Church service...In Greece!!! It's
hard to explain the beauty here in Thessaloniki, and pictures don't
do it justice. I am so thankful that I am here getting this
absolutely incredible experience,"
exclaims Jacob Gaetanos.
With
the immeasurable support of our benefactors, the Foundation has
managed to grant these students an opportunity of a lifetime. "This
experience is more than just an educational awakening for our
participants-it is a homecoming of sorts. Each young Greek-American
student has developed a newfound love for Greece, the culture and
heritage. Every year we see the profound impact this program
has had on our youth, and we look forward to offering this
life-changing opportunity to more of our youth in the future," said
founder and Chairman, Chris Tomaras.
Please
visit our blog
to read more about this life-changing experience from our students!
We would like to thank the following donors for making this
journey possible:
Premier Founding Sponsors: $25,000+
Stavros Niarchos Foundation (2012)
Mr. Chris P. Tomaras (2012, 2013, 2015)
Founding Sponsors: $5,000+
Mrs. Roula Alakiotou (2015)
Mr. & Mrs. Ted Argeroplos (2015)
Ms. Helen Tomaras-Astin (2012, 2013, 2015)
The Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation (2013)
The Violetta Kapsalis and Robert Andrew Buhler Family (2012, 2013)
Tassos F. Chronopoulos Family (2015)
Mr. Angelo Loukas (2013)
John and Mary Pappajohn Scholarship Foundation (2013)
In Memory of Yiannis Skarpathiotis - Given by Dr. George
Skarpathiotis Family (2013)
Preserving Sponsors: $2,500+
TGS EPSILON INC. - Mrs. Erika Spyropoulos
Sustaining Sponsors: $1,000+
Anonymous
Helen Abadji & Theodore Vakrinos
Mr. Gregory Skarantavos
Supporting Sponsors: Under $1,000
Mrs. Helen C. Bekrakis
Miltiades Bolaris Family
Ms. Vassia Doumas
Mr. & Mrs. Kimon Proussaloglou
Poulos & Bayer C.P.A.
Elena and Anthony Poulos
Psistaria Greek Taverna
Michelle & Petritt Sakolari
Sokratis & Erasmia Sukru
Fr. & Presvetera Demetrios N. Treantafeles
Mr. Angelo Velliotis
Ms. Dorothea K. Zikos
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