WASHINGTON, DC - The National Hellenic Student Association's Fall Convention included a weekend of panels, presentations, networking, scholarship awards, and socializing. Portes Magazine Editor Anthe Mitrakos, and actor Yanni Metaxas served as co-emcees, while the weekend's signature conference kicked off with words from NHSA Chairman Konstantine Ouranitsas, and Advisory Council Chairman Alexander Thomopulos, as well as Director of the Modern Greek Program at Georgetown University, Professor Ismini Lamb.
“I have the privilege and the honor of welcoming the future of Hellenism...you, the future ambassadors of Hellenism to the world,” Lamb said. “Our heritage is a great value to the human spirit...it is a gateway to what is true and beautiful...it can be influential, transformative and can have great global impact," she said.
An Advocacy Panel titled “Bridging Community and Government” featured President and CEO of the American Hellenic Institute, Nick Larigakis; President of Manatos & Manatos, Mike Manatos; and Global Press Secretary at Airbnb, Nick Papas.
An International Relations Panel titled “Forging Strategic Partnerships” then followed, with Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S., Marios Lysiotis, and Ambassador of Greece to the U.S., Haris Lalacos, while the conference concluded with a Culture Inspires Panel titled “The Hellenic Identity and Philhellenism,” featuring Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Greek at the University of Maryland, Polyvia Parara, and Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University, Harris Mylonas.
In addition, NHSA this year partnered with Ariston Foundation to award three academic merit scholarships of $1,000 each to Panayiotis Vandris pursuing a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Comparative Literature at Stanford University; Christiana Metaxas pursuing a Master of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University; and Helena Patricia Lysandrou, pursuing a Doctor of Medicine at The Ohio State University.
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WORDS: Portes Magazine
PHOTOS: Ashley Melton