Join the NHS as Dr. Haris Vlavianos, Professor of History and Politics at the American College of Greece, discusses significant events throughout Greek History, beginning with the Revolution of 1821 and concluding with present day Greece.

Join the NHS as we speak with Vassy, an award-winning Greek-Australian singer, songwriter and producer whose career started after winning an Australian radio contest. Since then, Vassy’s records have gone Gold and Platinum and her song “Lost” with Afrojack has been on the top of the Billboard Charts worldwide, with her current new single, “Oxygen” #2 on Billboard’s Dance Charts. Vassy’s work as a composer is prolific in television, film, commercial and even video game productions.

Mark Arey, a devoted Philhellene, was a priest for 34 years of the Greek-Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He served for seven years in different positions at the Archdiocese including as Director of the Department of Interchristian and Interorthodox Relations. He also served as spokesman for St. Nicholas church at Ground Zero and he had many times appeared in the American Press including the New York Times. His love of wisdom – philosophy, biblical Greek, the art of translation, and story-telling remain undiminished. He now spends his writing books.

Kathryn B. Yatrakis is the retired Dean of Academic Affairs in Columbia College and the Senior Associate Vice President in the Arts and Sciences. As Dean of Academic Affairs, she was primarily responsible for overseeing the curriculum of the College, especially the Core Curriculum. Before assuming administrative positions, she was a member of the faculty of the Barnard Department of Political Science and Director of the Urban Studies program. She continued to teach the Urban Studies Junior Colloquium on Contemporary Urban Issues every spring semester, and her academic areas of specialty include American politics, political participation, and the politics of cities.

A decade ago a group of Greek-American business leaders met to discuss an idea about the establishment of a new model Greek-American organization unlike others: one shying away from Church, politics, and foreign policy, yet one that embraces Hellenism’s values, ideals, and culture with the hopes of perpetuating the same. The group recognized that there is a clear nexus between the inherited heritage and legacy and impact on individual and collective successes, happiness, balance, and well-being. Moreover, the group believed that it is imperative to pass on this heritage and legacy to future generations, albeit as a symbol of the recognition of the sacrifices and efforts their forebears faced to ensure their dreams for all of us came true. 

The envisioned organization would comprise accomplished individuals of the highest caliber in terms of integrity, character, and dedication. They would be invited to join and in doing so would find opportunities to meet with one another, to celebrate the hallmark joie de vivre of a collective Greek spirit and work towards developing programs that support efforts that really make a difference.

National Hellenic Society Chairman Drake Behrakis appears on the cover of the December issue of NEO Magazine.  The feature article inside the issue focuses on the NHS' Heritage Greece and Heritage America Programs and the impact they have on the students that participate in them.  Check out the full article here!

This year, the NHS placed two interns from Greece, Andreas Gkioumes and Fotis Prokopos in a marketing internship with ECOS and Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President and CEO of Earth Friendly Products. They participated in a week long internship following the Heritage Weekend & Classic and gave a final presentation on ECOS Brand Positioning. Special thanks to ECOS, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, and the American College of Greece for helping us make this happen!