In a packed room at the Gavrio Elementary School in Andros, Stella Kokolis presented her new book My Journey and the poetry collection Mist of Memory. With roots in Andros, Kokolis, the President of the Federation of Hellenic-American Educators and Cultural Associations of America, logically chose “the diamond island with the lemon and the vines,” as she said, for the presentation of her latest book and her poetry.
Kokolis, who has been a teacher for years in the US, was at home in the school setting. Among the honored guests attending the event were locals and members of the expatriate community, including Dr. Ioannis Efthimiopoulos- the Director of the Greek Education Department of the Archdiocese of America, Athanasia Efthimiopoulou, Mayor of Andros- Dr. Theodosis Sousoudis, and City Councilor for Tourism and Development in Andros- Lena Politou.
“A trip with dreams and a destination for Hellenism in America,” Dr. Efthimiopoulos told the National Herald about Kokolis’ work, noting the journey made crossing the Atlantic to reach Andros for the event.
“It is an honor for Andros that Stella Kokolis chose her native soil for the event,” Mayor Sousoudis said. Efthimiopoulou noted the great turnout and the “dedication of the attendees and especially the young people.” Politou concluded that the event “contributes to the development of education on the island” and that it is important for the expatriates of Andros to be a “beacon for the local culture.”
Also in attendance at the event, prominent Greeks and Greek-Americans, including New York State Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, a “rising star” in American government as Kokolis described her, Vassilis Venetis- Honorary President of Piraeus Bar Association, the actress Tania Kapsali, Vasiliki Filiotis- President of the Hellenic PAIDEA of America, and via telephone US Senator Leonidas Raptakis from Rhode Island.
Particular mention was made by the speakers of Kokolis’ close association with the late Archbishop Iakovos, former presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, current Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and Antonis Diamataris publisher and editor of the National Herald, in the context of Education, Orthodoxy, public policy, and the media.
The recitations and songs from John Filias, Stella Markou, George Liakos, with Kostas Reklitis, added a special touch of emotion to the event.
Kokolis expressed her enthusiasm about the event, and particularly thanked the Mayor for granting permission to use the hall at the newly built Gavrio Elementary School. “I am touched that after 51 years I can tell my story to the people of my island. How I left as a schoolgirl from my homeland and always kept it in my thoughts and loved it, and how I got here today,” she said.
Kokolis went on to express her gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Efthimiopoulos, who made the event possible, and thanked Vasiliki Filiotis, her son Spiro, who briefly left patients for the event in Andros, all who came from America, and those who attended from the local community. Finally, she thanked the National Herald, “which is always beside me,” she said.
Stella Kokolis, distinguished and honored for her educational and charity work, and for her church, community, and political activities, was born in Andros, and studied at Panteion University in Athens. Subsequently, she immigrated with her family to the United States, settling in New Jersey, where her father had already settled.
Photos and Greek text by Achilleas Kouremenos