QUICK FACTS

Date: March 11, 2012.

Time: 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Place: Social Hall (Jr. Div.) & Church (Sr. Div.)

Total No. of Speakers: 18

Results: See below.

Congratulations to our students who participated in our parish Oratorical Festival and delivered speeches!

They are all winners!

JUNIOR DIVISION SPEAKERS (Grades 6 & 7-9)

[Legend: Speaker Order No., Speaker Name, Topic No.]

6th Grade: (in preparation for next year) 3 out of 3 students delivered speeches:

11. Chrysanthe Patselas - (Topic 5)

12. Sophia Gibson - (Topic 1)

6. Gregorios Papaefthymiou - (Topic 5)

7th Grade: 3 out of 9 students delivered speeches:

4. William Hauck - (Topic 3)

7. Athina Res - (Topic 4)

13. William Kiningham - (Topic 3)

8th Grade: 2 out of 4 students delivered speeches:

5. Athena Chapekis - (Topic 5) - Finalist

9. Frank Bairactaris - (Topic 3)

9th Grade: 4 out of 8 students delivered a speech:

1. Juliana Patselas - (Topic 2)

2. Anastasia Gibson - (Topic 1)

3. Jackie Stokes - (Topic 5)

10. Angelos G Bairactaris - (Topic 1)

TOPICS: JUNIOR DIVISION (Grades 7-9)

1. Many times in the New Testament, we see Jesus caring about the blind, the paralyzed, and others with physical disabilities (for example, Matthew 9:2 and 9:27–29). Following Christ’s footsteps, discuss the Christian attitude toward disabled people.

2. Discuss the lives of Sts. Cyril and Methodios and their missionary work. How can we follow their example by responding to Christ’s commandment to “go forth” (Matthew 28:19)?

3. In the Old Testament, we see many stories involving disagreements among siblings. What can families learn from these stories today?

4. Discuss one of the Great Feasts of the Church. How has this feast become important to you and your family?

Pascha (the Feast of Feasts)

The Twelve Great Feasts:

| Nativity of the Theotokos | Annunciation of the Theotokos

| Elevation of the Holy Cross | Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem | Presentation of the Theotokos | Ascension of the Lord | Nativity of the Lord | Pentecost | Theophany | Transfiguration of the Lord | Presentation of the Lord | Dormition of the Theotokos |

5. In our day, when people’s lives have become more and more scheduled with events, how might we reclaim our understanding of Sunday (the Sabbath) as a day of rest and honoring the Lord?

SENIOR DIVISION SPEAKERS (Grades 10-12)

[Legend: Speaker Order No., Speaker Name, Topic No.]

10th Grade: 1 out of 9 students delivered speeches:

4. Samantha Stokes - (Topic 1)

11th Grade: 5 out of 11 students delivered speeches:

1. Erica Theros - (Topic 3)

2. Nick Kokkales - (Topic 3)

3. Yan Theros - (Topic 2) - Finalist

5. Christopher Mitropoulos-Rundus - (Topic 3)

6. Lee Petropoulos - (Topic 3)

TOPICS: SENIOR DIVISION (Grades 10-12)

1. In Leviticus 19:33, we read, “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him.” Immigration has always been a source of growth and change in American society. What should be the attitude of an Orthodox Christian toward immigration and immigrants?

2. Discuss the prayers and Biblical references of the Sacrament of Holy Unction in the Orthodox Church (James 5:14–15). What does the sacrament tell us about faith, healing, and our relationship with God?

3. In Matthew 18:21–22, Jesus tells Peter that one should forgive one’s brother not just seven times but “seventy times seven.” Discus how and why we should forgive wrongdoers, even when something within us cries out for justice—especially if we’re the injured party.

4. Discuss the famous speech of St. Paul in Athens (Acts of the Apostles 17:22–31). Why is the speech meaningful, and what is its relevance for others today?

5. Stress and anxiety seem to be inevitable nowadays, in our every relationship and activity. How are we as Christians supposed to act in times of worry and uncertainty?

SPECIAL THANKS

Vicki Kiningham - Oratorical Festival Chair

Peter Balios - Judge - JrDiv

Theane Balios - Judge - JrDiv

Presvytera Helen Karamanos - Judge - JrDiv

Artemis Alex - Judge - SrDiv

Cleopatra Mihalopoulos - Judge - SrDiv

Petros Polychronis - Judge - SrDiv

Nick Chapekis, Jr - Timekeeper, Teacher 8-9 Grades

Penelope Filyo - Guest speaker, Topic Development

Dani Nadra - Advisor, Topic Develop., Teacher 2-3 Grades

Anastasia Mitropoulos-Rundus - Advisor, Topic Develop.

Jennifer Patselas - Photography, Teacher K-1 Grades

Kurt Radwanski - Video, Teacher 6-7 Grade

Deno Prokos - Video, Teacher 10-12 Grades

Tony Mihalopoulos - Room Mgmt, Teacher 6-7 Grades

Pam Petropoulos - Room Mgmt

Stacey Garris - Hospitality

Athena Papageorgiou - Hospitality

Niki Wardner - Hospitality

Theresa Chapekis, Teacher 8-9 Grades

Maria Papaefthymiou, Teacher 10-12 Grades

Photios G. Ioannou - Church School Director

Rev. Fr. Nikolaos Kotsis - Proistamenos