In light of this year’s challenges, the National Hellenic Student Association of North America (NHSA) will host its first virtual convention this fall on November 14 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM (ET). With an aptly-selected convention theme Embracing Change and Innovation, the convention will feature several guest speakers who will share their views on overcoming unprecedented hurdles in education, government, business and personal well-being, among other areas of focus.  

Keynote speakers will include Greece’s Minister of Tourism, Harry Theoharis; CEO of Earth Friendly Products, Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks; and the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, among other esteemed guests. Returning to this year’s virtual stage, Anthe Mitrakos and Yannis Metaxas will serve as event emcees. 

To be announced and honored during the event will be the two recipients of the 2020-2021 Ariston Foundation-NHSA Scholarship who will each receive $1,000 in support of their continued education in North America. In addition, the 2020 Ariston Honor Society of ten students will also be honored.   

“Spearheaded in 2018 by NHSA Past President Alexander Thomopulos and Ariston Foundation Co-Presidents Anthe and Vasiliki Mitrakos, the joint scholarship initiative was designed with the purpose of supporting students of Hellenic descent in reaching their academic and career goals,” said NHSA Director of Communications Dimitris Mouchlidis. “In awarding these scholarships, which are supported by donations from the broader Hellenic community, we aim to inspire the younger Greek generation to work hard not only to better themselves, but to also develop a stronger and more united Hellenic diaspora,” he said.  

Traditionally, NHSA hosts bi-annual convention weekends in various cities across North America, including Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, Washington, DC. and New York, bringing together hundreds of students, young professionals, mentors, and speakers for an intellectually and socially charged weekend. “Despite the lack of in-person networking, organizing a virtual convention gives NHSA an opportunity to have a greater reach,” said NHSA Chairman Konstantine Ouranitsas.  

“Although the virtual conference format is a departure from our usual convention weekends, hosting it on a virtual platform allows us to bring together speakers from across the United States, Canada and even Greece, while engaging with a larger audience of young Hellenes,” Ouranitsas said.  

Registration for the virtual convection is free but required in order to participate, and will be hosted via Zoom. For more information on how to register, visit www.nhsaofamerica.org.  

Based in New York, NHSA is the largest Hellenic student and young professional organization in North America, with over 50 member chapters, promoting Hellenism, education, mentorship, and overall unity of the Hellenic community.