A Greek-American high school senior in Somerset, Massachusetts won a scholarship after winning the competition by Washington’s The Oxi Day Foundation to best describe the difficult-to-translate Greek term “philotimo.”
Lindsey Arruda will receive a $2,000 scholarship and attend the Foundation’s 9th Annual Oxi Courage Awards Gala at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on October 24. The Honorable B. Theodore Bozonelis, Trustee of the Nicholas J. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation and Secretary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Archdiocesan Council, will present the scholarship at the gala.
Philotimo is a Greek noun which is sometimes translated as “love of honor.” However, it is almost impossible to translate the term adequately, since it describes a complex array of what are considered traditional Greek virtues.
Arruda’s winning essay focused on extraordinary examples of philotimo she has seen – ranging from the shores of Lesvos to the Boston Marathon finish line. To read the full essay, please click here.
She wrote, “Philotimo is an elusive word, yet it is known to all Greeks, young and old. It transcends race, religion and culture. Its meaning is defined by the actions and good deeds shown to others, while expecting nothing in return. Philotimo resides within all of us and has the power to protect, preserve and to heal human life.”
The two second place winners, each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship are Rafaella Foteni Lambrinos a high school sophomore in Freehold, NJ and Melina Piperis a high school sophomore in Omaha, Nebraska.
The two third place winners, each of whom will receive a $500 scholarship are Michaela Gregoriou of Massachusetts and Dimitrios June an eighth grader in Seal Beach, California.
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