ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

The 27th Annual St. John Chrysostom Archdiocese National Oratorical Festival took place at Holy Trinity Cathedral on Saturday, June 5.

The first place speaker in the Senior Division (grades 10-12) and the recipient of a $2,000 college scholarship was Emmanuel Maginas from the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church in Aliquippa, PA. Second place, and a $1,500 college scholarship was given to Anne Elise Dimas from the Annunciation Church in Kansas City, MO. Third place, and a $1,000 college scholarship was given to Clint Montgomery from Annunciation Church in Mephis, TN.

Receiving first place honors in the Junior Division (grades 7-9) and a $2,000 college scholarship were Alexandra Walsh, from St. George Cathedral in Hartford, CT. Second places and a $1,500 college scholarship was awarded to Elios Selimos from St. Demetrios Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Third place and a $1,000 college scholarship was given to Nicholas Bilotto from the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church in Aliquippa, PA.

The Cathedral Host Committee Co-Chairs Fr. Frank and Presvytera Haidee Marangos, along with Fr. Vasilios Bassakyros, Steve Hantzarides, Antonia Antonopoulos, Herbert Butler, Effie Butler, Carol Contos, Angela Giannopoulos, Jim Golding, Karen Kalkines, Eleni Karatzas, Ted Klingos, Pauline Kotsilimbas, Kirsten MacDonald, George Makrinos, Catherine Moutoussis, Stella Pantelidis, Yanni Paulus, Dorothy Poli, Antoni Saravanos, Alexandra Scuro, Eleni Thomas, Viola Valvis, and Christina Zachariadis worked tirelessly to assure that the entire weekend would be perfect. A Paraklesis Service and a dinner/social were held at the Cathedral on Friday evening. One of the special guests for the entire weekend was Mike Emanuel, who spoke candidly about his own participation in the Oratorical Festival and his early days in broadcasting to now being the White House Correspondent for FOX News.