The final round of Psychico College’s Howland Oratory Competition, open to high school seniors and IB2 students, was held on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Winner of the HOWLAND Prize for academic year 2022-2023 is Dimitrios Kotsovilis.

The contestants’ speeches were on the following theme:

The warm, dynamic and beneficial presence that the Greeks of the Diaspora demonstrated to provide help to their country of origin is a compensation for their absence from the geographical boundaries of home.

-Why in your opinion do Greek expatriates constantly feel the need of giving to their country?

-As you yourselves may consider living abroad in the future, how do you think you could ensure keeping ties with your home country?

The panel of judges was comprised of:  His Eminence Archbishop of Smyrna Mr. Bartholomew, journalist/strategic communications consultant and Supreme Court lawyer Mr. Charalampos Konidaris ’85, and conductor-lyrics writer and holder of the 2007 HOWLAND Prize Ms. Nefeli Liouta.

Students who qualified for the final round of the competition were:

1. Vergou Maria

2. Voudouri Sofronia Efrosyni

3.    Kapellari Dimitra Rafailia

4.   Kotsovilis Dimitrios

5.    Yfantis Ioannis

In addition to the above, the following students qualified for the semi-finals:

1. Gkogkou Chrysa

2. Karantoni Konstantina Eleni   

3. Petropoulou-Botsiou Maria Eleni

4. Rigou Amfitriti Kalliopi

5. Chaldaiaki Evangelia Virginia

Congratulations to all the students who made it to the finals and semi-finals of the competition.