Congratulations to the entire Oratorical Festival Committee under the guidance of Voula Koulouris and her dynamic team. Everyone departed after the conclusion of the end of the speech festivities energized, inspired, and hopeful for a future that is bright and promising with many youth success and activities. Everyone worked hard even many volunteers who did not officially belong to the committee. The kids young and older rocked the room with their speeches and laughter. The bar has been set higher than before and the expectations of next years event already has everyone looking forward to an even more dynamic event. Please read the note that was sent by one of the guest judges. It is short, but it is reflective of the positive and uplifting energy that permeated the entire room while the festivities were taking place.
ORATORICAL FESTIVAL PARISH LEVEL
METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
The Metropolis of Atlanta Oratorical Festival took place this past week at the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral in Birmingham Alabama. This year two children; Jimmy Pitenis and Cindy Samaan from Saint Demetrios were se-lected by the conference judges to move on to the Metropolis level. At the metropolis level usually there are fourteen junior and senior speakers totaling to 28 participants who present their speeches. One speaker from each level only will move on to the final stage on the national level. All the speakers were awesome, and their speeches were fantastic. I was at awe as I listened to these rising young men and women who spoke so genuinely and profound-ly about their faith and challenges as they carry the task of preserving their heritage of Orthodox faith and culture intact. Huge thank you is due to all the parents on all the levels throughout the Metropolis of Atlanta who made this event possible, successful, and inspiring. Thank you to all the Saint Demetrios’ families and Oratorical Festival team that made it possible for our children to reach the Metropolis level. Also a huge thank you from Cindy Samaan goes to an anonymous donor that donated the cost of her flight to Alabama. I had initially planned to drive along with Cindy to Birmingham, AL but an anony-mous donor called the church office and altered these arrangements into flying. Cindy was honored and appreciative in the face of such a gracious gesture. I am thankful for your love and generosity. May God bless thiss goodhearted person and re-ward him/her with abundance of divine grace and mercy.
METROPOLIS ORATORICAL FESTIVAL AT SAINT JOHN THE DEVINE IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA MAY 2014