Koraes Elementary Vasiliki Mitrakos Preschool Vasiliki Mitrakos was one of two stu- dents chosen to represent the United States in the Vouli Ton Efivon, or Youth Parliament, pro- gram sponsored by and held at the Greek Parliament annually. Winners Sotirios Malamis were chosen based on an essay Sotirios P. Malamis was ordained to written in Greek. the Holy Diaconate by His Eminence Vasiliki wrote about a then recent issue The Koraes Elementary Preschool was Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago in of reckless violence amongst fanatic dedicated with an Agiasmos service March. The sports fans. In January, Vasiliki joined and a ribbon cutting ceremony in April. ordination took about 300 students representing Greece Koraes Elementary operates under the placed at Saint and various other countries in Athens. auspices of Saints Constantine and Demetrios Greek She participated in program events Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Orthodox Church such as holding group discussions on Hills, Ill. The preschool was started by a in Elmhurst, social issues and participating in mock gift given in memory of Constantine G. Ill., the deacon’s parliamentary bill-passing elections. Drugas, who helped many members in hometown. She also wrote a speech about pressing the Greek community throughout his Deacon Sotirios has achieved academic issues regarding drug use and presented career as an attorney. Mrs. Joan Drugas, prowess at York High School, DePaul it in front of the president, prime min- wife of the late Constantine Drugas, is University, Holy Cross School of ister and other government officials. pictured at the ceremony with students, Theology and the University of Athens. Vasiliki is currently a junior at staff of Koraes Elementary Preschool He is currently the pastoral assistant at Northside College Preparatory High and the clergy from Saints Constantine Holy Trinity Hellenic Orthodox Church School in Chicago where she is on the and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. in Chicago and the spiritual advisor A Honor Roll and a member of the at the Hellenic American Academy in National Honor Society. She plans to Deerfield, Ill., where he teaches religion Georgia Mitchell pursue a career in International Law. and Byzantine music. In February, Georgia S. Mitchell was honored as “Hellene of the Year” by James Ascot the Ypapanti Society during its annual Athena Katerina Xidis dinner The Speaker of the Illinois House of Second grader Athena Katerina Xidis dance at the Representatives Michael J. Madigan won an Outstanding Author award for Chateau Ritz appointed James Ascot to the Election her book, Julia eats too much. Athena, Banquets Day Voter who attends in Niles, Ill. Registration Hynes Elementary Georgia is Commission as Georgia Mitchell, joined by her School in Morton renowned in its Commissions daughters Marta Gambaccini Grove, Ill., was and Alexis Bratsakis and her the Greek- Chairman. James one of two stu- husband Dr. Nicholas Mitchell American is president of dents to receive community Ascot Realty this honor from for her musical and artistic skills. Group Inc. and the Young Author At 13 years old, she began studying former congressional candidate in the program, which aims to motivate stu- at the American Conservatory of 2006 Democratic Primary. The Election dents to read and write books via a Music in Chicago. In high school she Day Voter Registration Commission statewide effort that is endorsed by the discovered a new musical passion: the was created to study and report to Illinois Reading Council. Her book music of the Greek Orthodox Church. the State Board of Elections and the was also performed by Chicago-based Georgia has received numerous awards, General Assembly on the possible Child’s Play Touring Theatre at the including the Cross of Saint Paul from implementation of Election Day voter school assembly. In addition, the book the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the registration. The Commission con- is now available in the Hynes library top lay award given by the church and sists of four members of the General for all students to check out and read. the Patriarch Athenagoras Medal of Assembly and four public members. Athena is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Achievement. Anthony Xidis.

46 • summer 2008 • GreekCircle • Faye T. Pantazelos Saint Demetrios Greek Demetrios Giannaros Faye T. Pantazelos, chairman of Chicago- Orthodox Church Demetrios Giannaros, president of the based NCB Holdings, Inc., and president World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox and CEO of its subsidiary New Century Association, has been named deputy Christian Church in Libertyville, Ill., Bank, has won the speaker to the held the Door-Opening of its new first-ever Donor Connecticut church sanctuary of Distinction House of in April. The new Award from the Representatives. sanctuary was University of Deputy Speaker constructed to fit Illinois at Chicago Giannaros has the geographic (UIC). A life- been elected needs of the long Chicagoan, seven times to the growing Greek Pantazelos graduated from UIC in 1977 Connecticut House of Representatives Orthodox com- and has more than three decades of since 1994 and is the first Greek-born munity in the area. Saint Demetrios banking and real estate lending expe- elected official in his state and the Church was established in 1929 and rience. Her passion for educational first foreign-born deputy speaker. serves the Greek Orthodox Christians excellence keeps her connected to and Giannaros is an economist with a wide in Waukegan and greater Lake County. investing in the future of UIC. She cur- range of academic and international The sanctuary covers 9000 square feet rently serves on the College of Liberal experience. He is also a long-time of floor space and seats almost 500. The Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors and member of the Greek/Cypriot commu- church is built in the traditional “cross- is a member of the Presidents Council. nity and participates in lobbying efforts in-square” Byzantine architectural style in Washington D.C. on issues related to made famous by the construction of Cyprus, Greece and Hellenism. University of Patras Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. To share your good news with GC readers, send an email with details and a photograph to [email protected] by July 15.

His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto; John G Rangos Sr; Prof. Vassilios Makios, Corallia, Hellenic Technology Clusters Initiative; Edward D. Miller, dean of Johns Hopkins Medicine; Dr. Dimitrios Dougenis, vice rector, University of Patras; Dr. Charalambos Gogos, University of Patras, and Dr. Myron L. Weisfeldt, director, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md., established a formal educational agreement with the University of Patras to collaborate on research and host student and faculty exchanges. The schools began their collaboration in April when representatives from the Greek institution visited Johns Hopkins to sign the agreement, championed by John G. Rangos, Sr., a member of the Johns Hopkins Medicine Board of Visitors and a benefactor of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Also celebrated, the dedication of the new John G. Rangos, Sr. Building which will anchor the redeveloped Science and Technology Park at Johns Hopkins. Rangos’ philanthropic organization, the John G. Rangos, Sr. Family Charitable Foundation, funded its construction.