THIRD ANNUAL HERITAGE AMERICA PROGRAM A SUCCESS

WASHINGTON D.C. -  The 2018 Heritage America Program, sponsored by the National Hellenic Society and Manatos & Manatos, hosted 20 accomplished Greek-American students from across the country July 18-21 in Washington D.C.
 
Now in its third year, this unique and proprietary program reconnects college-aged Greek-American students with their roots, heritage, culture, and Hellenic identity through the prism of the American experience. Throughout the four-day program, students met with over 40 prominent Greek-Americans who will also serve as future mentors and career guides for Heritage America alumni.

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Meetings included: the first US Director of National Intelligence and former Deputy Secretary State John Negroponte; the first female President of American University and former US Secretary of Health and Human Service Sylvia Mathews Burwell; on Capitol Hill with all five Greek-American Members of Congress and several senior Greek-American Congressional staffers; at the White House complex with eight senior Greek-Americans in the Administration and with numerous former high-ranking Greek-Americans in the Administration, as well as with the Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Haris Lalacos and the heads of several national Greek-American organizations including AHEPA, AHI, HAWC and the Washington Oxi Day Foundation.
 
Students also received VIP tours of the the White House, the influence of Greece on architecture in Washington, DC, and the Harvard University Center for Hellenic Studies.
 
“Every meeting we went to, every interaction I had left me even more inspired. I am more motivated now then ever to pursue my goals, to put in all my hard work, and to never give up,” said Program participant Eleni Piliotis.
 
“The Heritage America Program was a unique experience like no other where I was able to connect to my Greek roots and forge new friendships that will last a lifetime,” said Panayioti Logothetis before expressing his desire to have an effect on future Greek-American youth in the future. 
 
Paulina Pedas summarized it best when she said “I leave this program invigorated, excited, and hopeful for my future endeavors.”

For more information on the Heritage America Program, including complete lists of the Greek-Americans students met with and pictures from the program, please visit the Heritage America Program at www.nationalhellenicsociety.org.