ST. NICHOLAS PHILOPTOCHOS HONORS GRADUATES

The following college and high school graduates are recognized and honored by our Philoptochos acknowledging their achievements. We are grateful to our Philoptochos for their kind and generous gesture. This year’s graduates are:

 

LAW SCHOOL

JENSEN, MARY (PRESBYTERA). June 2007. Juris Doctor, Law. Duquesne University. Awards and Honors: Graduated Summa Cum Laude, Production Editor for Law Review, Gibson Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy. Future Plans: I will clerk for the Honorable Kay Woods in federal bankruptcy court for the Northern District of Ohio.

KAPPAKAS, ELIZABETH. May 2007. Juris Doctor, Northwestern University School of Law. Future Plans: Working for Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago, IL.

VELISARIS, NIKKI. January 2007. J.D. and MBA from Duquesne University School of Law and John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business. Awards and Honors: ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the study of Labor and Employment Law (2006). CALI Excellence for the Future Award for Excellent Achievement in the Study of Criminal Law (2004). Future Plans: Associate Attorney at Rothman Gordon, PC in Pittsburgh, practicing in corporate and business law, estates, tax, and labor and employment.

MASTERS

HATZILABROU, LABROS. December 2006. MBA in Management, Youngstown State University. Awards and Honors: Recipient of the Jeffrey L. Francis Scholarship, Youngstown State University MBA Program, Scholarship for Graduate Studies by the Bodossaki Foundation, Member of the Beta Gamma Sigma (ΒΓΣ) Business Honor Society, Member of the Phi Kappa Phi (ΦΚΦ) Honor Society, Member of the Sigma Chi (ΣΧ) Research Society. Activities: Board of Directors, Akron Chapter of American Foundry Society, Vice Chairman Elect, Div. 8 – Melting and Materials, American Foundrymen’s Society, Chairman, Induction Coreless Committee of the American Foundrymen’s Society, Executive Committee, Electric Furnace Divisiojn of the Iron and Steel Society of AIME. Future Plans: Employed by Ball Food and Household Products as Corporate Continuous Improvement Engineer.

MCCANN, CHRISTINA. December 2006. MBA from Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, in Information Systems. Awards and Honors: Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society. Future Plans: Received a position in PNC’s Management Associate Program.

NYCHIS, GEORGE P. May 2007. MS from Carnegie Mellon University in Information Networking. Future Plans: To pursue a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon. George is currently employed as a researcher in their School of Computer Science.

COLLEGE

KAPPAKAS, SARAH. B.S. in Marketing, with a Minor in International Business, Psychology and International Studies from Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus. Graduated with distinction, Dean’s List 7 semesters. Future Plans: Working for DHL as a sales associate in New York City, NY.

KLEISSAS, DEAN. May 2007. B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Rochester. Awards and Honors:: Magna Cum Laude in both Mechanical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Phi Beta Kappa – National Honor Fraternity; Helmut Weymann Prize for skill and ingenuity in engineering research; Tau Beta Pi – Engineering Honor Society; Golden Key International Honor Society. Future Plans: Accepted a position with Northrop Grumman Corporation as a multidiscipline Engineer in the Professional Development Program.

LARIMER, ANNE. May 2007. B.A. in Journalism (journalism with concentration in sports writing) from Pennsylvania State University. Awards and Honors: Greek Sorority Woman of the Year. Activities: President, Panhellenic Council; Cabinet of Student Leaders; Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority; Greek Week Overall Chairperson; Homecoming Captain; Dance Marathon Dancer. Future Plans: Moving to Chicago to pursue a career in public relations.

NYCHIS, STACEY. April 2007. B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. Awards and Honors: Dean’s List. Future Plans: Currently seeking employment and planning to attend graduate school for and MBA.

STAMOOLIS, CATINA. May 2007. B.S., Neuroscience with a minor in French from Allegheny College. Awards and Honors: Alden Scholar, Lamda Sigma Honor Society, Phi Sigma Iota – Foreign Language Honor Society. Activites: Neuroscience Club (President), Civic Symphony, Chamber Strings, Allegheny Service Leader, Intramural Soccer. Future Plans: Graduate School.

HIGH SCHOOL

ANTONUCCIO, NICOLE. June 2007. Shady Side Academy. Awards and Honors: Most Valuable Player - Soccer Season Fall 2006; All WPIAL – Soccer, senior year; All Section Soccer – sophomore, junior and senior years; Post-Gazette Soccer All Star – senior year; Cum Laude Society, Shady Side Academy Chapter; Josiah L. Goldsmith Prize – excellence in French. Activities: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Lacrosse, “Untucked” Committee (all school community fundraiser), French Exchange Program. Future Plans: Cornell University, College of Human Ecology.

DAUGHERTY, BRIDGETTE. May 2007. Oakland Catholic High School. Awards and Honors: Medallion Ball participant/Joan of Arc Medallion recipient; inducted into the National Honor Society; recipient of the Presidential Award of Academic Excellence; graduated with highest honors in the top 5% of class; selected by peers to head debate team through the University of Pittsburgh. Activities: Volunteered at the Carnegie Science Center as an exhibit presenter totaling 400 hours; worked at the Allegheny County prothonotary; GOYA Vice President (2006 – 2007); Academic Debate Team through the University of Pittsburgh. Future Plans: Attending Siena College in Albany, double majoring in political science and psychology; recruited into Siena’s Model UN through Harvard College; hopefully pursuing law school/some graduate school after completing undergraduate studies.

KACHULIS, CHRISTINA. June 2007. North Allegheny High School. Awards and Honors: Student Excellence Award (9th – 12th); Scholar Athlete (9th – 12th); Presidential Excellence Award. Activities: Varsity Girls Basketball; Student Council; National Honor Society; SAAD; Orchestra and Golden Strolling Strings. Future Plans: Pennsylvania State University for Biological Sciences. Christina plans to pursue a career in the medical field, possibly dealing with genetics.

KEFALOS, KATIE. June 2007. Woodland Hills High School. Activities: Field Hockey, Band, Swim team, Frisbee (Ultimate), Greek dancing, basketball and volleyball. Future Plans: University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg to become either a marine biologist or OB/GYN (pre-med).

MATHEWS, ALISA. June 2007. Sewickley Academy. Awards and Honors: McKallip Award – academic improvement award; Silver Award – Girl Scouts. Activities: Tennis; softball; Chamber singers/chorus; Tour Guides; Peer counselors; Teen Leadership Council; GOYA (5 years), served as corresponding secretary and vice president. Future Plans: Attend College of Wooster in Ohio to pursue a degree in Education.

LARIMER, KATHERINE. June 2007. North Allegheny. Awards and Honors: North Allegheny Federation Teachers Scholarship; Pgh. Post Gazette Outstanding Young Citizen (2007); voted Most School Spirit, class of 2007. Activities: Junior and Senior Class President; National Honors Society; North Allegheny Strategic Planning Cmt.; Second grade tutor; Varsity Girls Golf – 4-year letterman; GOYA President. Future Plans: Penn State – Main Campus; College of Education.

STAMATELOS, MICHAEL A. June 2007. Quigley Catholic High School. Awards and Honors: Senior Class President, National Honors Society, High Honors; Received awards in Literature, Math, Science all four years; Presidents Award: Outstanding Academic Excellence; Outstanding citizen nominee; Male leader KAIROS Religious Retreats; PJAS Botany – 1st Place; PA Free Enterprise Week Scholarship; Who’s Who Among High School Students; National Student Leadership Conference; Impromptu Speaking. Activities: Loves Greek Dancing and has inspired friends at school to learn; altar boy, St. Nick’s; student council; drama, soccer, forensics (fresh. and soph. years); student mentor; helps STRAND Theatre, Zelienople; helps Dad with business; math tutor; likes to play piano and compose own pieces; has button company since 6th grade. Future Plans: Duquesne University – Business Entrepreneur (right now).

THOMAS, CASSANDRA. June 2007. Shaler Area High School. Awards and Honors: National Honor Society, National Student Leadership Conference (non essay contest to put wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), Action Potential Science Experience (Junior Member at Penn State for four weeks), Accepted into Honors College at Northeastern University. Activities: GATE (gifted and talented education), Latin Club, Drama Club, Play – “ Peter Pan,” Musicals – “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Grease.” Future Plans: Attend Northeastern University in Boston for a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Physics. I hope to work for the FBI or NSA someday.

TSAMITIS, ELENI. May 2007. Oakland Catholic High School. Activities: Pre-college art program at Carnegie Mellon University, Marketing intern at Carnegie Mellon, Pro-life Club, Olympic Dancers, Metropolis of Pittsburgh, Cheerleading (4 years), Figure skating (6 years), Volunteer at St. Clair Hospital. Future Plans: Attend Duquesne University, with a Major in Integrated Marketing Communications and Studio Art.

Photos