top

Orthodox Observer - April 20, 1997

Archdiocese District Holds GOYA Pageant

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. ― Twenty-two Goyans recently took part in the biennial GOYA Pageant of Achievement before an audience of nearly 400 from throughout the Archdiocese District.

SURPRISE! — Stephanie So- teriou registers her reaction upon hearing that she and her fellow Goyan, Stephen Casil, won the 1997-98 Mr. and Miss GOYA title for the Archdiocese District.

(Orthodox Observer photo)

St. Demetrios Church of Merrick, Long Island was the sponsoring parish. The community is home to Mr. and Miss GOYA 1995-96, Nicholas Pappas and Anastasia Vahaviolos.

Contestants were evaluated by a panel of judges based on their knowledge of the Greek Orthodox faith, personality, church and school activities, a written essay, and personal appearance.

Part of the criteria included an impromptu verbal response to a question about the Nicene Creed and its witness to the truth in their lives.

| Representing Archbishop Spyridon was Michael Pappas of the Archdiocese Office of Youth Ministry, who told the audience that the pageant "challenges young people to excel in the faith."

Winning the title of Mr. and Miss GOYA 1997-98 were Stephen Casil and Stephanie Soteriou of Resurrection Church in Glen Cove, N.Y. Both are high school juniors. Their pastor, Fr. Emmanuel Gratsias, was on hand to congratulate them.

THE CHAIRMEN cut the cake. Mary Vasilakos and Joanna Galanis, event co-chairmen, assist Fr. Paul Palesty of St. Demetrios Church, Merrick, as Mr. and Miss GOYA 1996-97, Ana- stasia Vahaviolos and Nicholas Pap- pas, look on. The two Goyans present- ed impressive farewell addresses in Greek and English.

(Orthodox Observer photo)

Four other finalist couples were Despina Hartofilis and John Sfakianos of St. Demetrios, Astoria; Dennis Kokenos and Eleni Pettas of Holy Trinity, Bridgeport, Conn.; Nicholas Vahaviolos and Katerina Mountanos of St. Demetrios, Merrick; and John Neamonitis and Ralia Malakidis of Archangel Michael in Roslyn.

Other contestants and their communities were: Effie Katsaros and Chris Ioannou, St. John's Church, Blue Point, N.Y.; Katerina Dinas and George Kantlis, St. Nicholas, Flushing; Arthur P. Montauredes and Krissie Kallinikos, St. Paul Cathedral, Hempstead; Panagiota Tiglias and Alex Fiorentino, Holy Trinity, Hicksville; George Pavlou and Anastasia Paridis, St. Barbara Church, Orange, Conn.; and Efrosini Moschokarfis and Nicholas Pappas, Holy Cross, Whitestone.

Event chairmen were Mary Vasilakos and Joanna Galanis of St. Demetrios, Merrick. Andrew Yiannakos of Brooklyn was master of ceremonies.

[ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 62, No. 1127 - April 20, 1997 - p. 7 ]