Hellenic News of America invited to the 2021 awards dinner
Sunday, May 1, 2022 is a unique moment in Greek-American society. This marks 35 years of the Hellenic News of America’s (HNA) work as a unifying force in Hellenism. The 35th anniversary celebration will be held at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, New Jersey. The event will include a reception starting at 5:00 p.m., an awards ceremony and dinner at 6:00 p.m. and Greek entertainment at 7:00 p.m. RSVP is required to attend, no tickets will be sold at the door. Visit www.hellenicnews.com for more information.
The program includes: Master of ceremonies; Larry Michael, voice of Fight Sports Television Network; The evening’s honorees include Kathy Bizoukas, grand president of the Daughters of Penelope; Ilias Katsos, EMBCA, president of the Hellenic Cultural Commission of AHEPA, member of the board of directors of Saint-Nicolas; Thomas Paschos, Esq., Thomas Paschos & Associates; James Polos, commissioner of the New Jersey Police Training Commission; Alex Theodosiou, president of the PGEI of America Charitable Foundation; Sevasti Ziogas Vartimidis, executive director of the Athens Academy of Greek Education, and Eirini Xakousti, president of Amaryllis Chapter 421, Greek Daughters of Penelope.
“In this 35th year of existence, we aspire to meet the professional demands of the 21st century,” explains the publisher. “Our publication is bilingual and is aimed at Greeks throughout the United States and abroad. We connect, engage and inspire. It’s up to us to keep the flame alive. It is our duty to promote our Hellenic heritage. The person behind these achievements is Paul Kotrotsios. He is a Greek-American known for being a creator of opportunities. His supportive family and friends worked with him to bring business, business and professional opportunities to the American public.
Amalia Spireas (left to right), Linda Kotrotsios and Nancy Papaioannou at the 2021 awards dinner
A Congressional proclamation previously issued by the Hon. Robert E. Andrews of the United States House of Representatives, First District of New Jersey, said: “Since 1987, the Hellenic News of America has championed Hellenic-American interests, strengthened ties within the Hellenic-American community and educated Greek-Americans. and Philhellenes on current national issues relevant to their communities; and Whereas, the Hellenic News of America promotes higher education through scholarships awarded to promising young people in the Hellenic-American community; and Whereas, the Hellenic News of America celebrates its 25th anniversary after a quarter century of serving its readers. Mr. Kotrotsios’ role as a political activist is to attempt to foster peace and harmony in the turbulent world of 2022 through business and educational opportunities.
Senator John P. Sarbanes of Maryland’s 3rd District believes that “since 1987, the tireless efforts of Paul Kotrotsios have developed and strengthened the journalistic qualities of the Hellenic News. Today, in its 20th year of existence, the Hellenic News has grown in stature and prestige and occupies a well-deserved place as one of the finest and most informative newspapers of the Greek-American community.
The American Hellenic Institute presents an award to Paul Kotrotsios at the 2021 dinner
He goes on to say, “Through its energetic outreach efforts, Hellenic News has helped strengthen the Greek-American community by hosting a multitude of business networking events, informative discussion forums as well as promoting other collaborative matters. Hellenic News deserves our support for all its good efforts, so that we can ensure that the next 20 years will be even more successful.
Edward G. Rendell, former governor of Pennsylvania, said: “Our unique heritages and diversity contribute to our rich cultural fabric and make the freedoms of expression and association we enjoy as Americans so extraordinary. As globalization advances, it has never been more important to foster unity and pride within a community of those who share a common heritage and to bridge the gap that exists between diverse cultures. The HNA has seen the Greek-American community go through enormous changes and has played an important role in its preservation and development. The HNA has helped many Greek-Americans stay connected to Greece, establish valuable financial ties between America and Greece, and develop social connections around the world.
Elias Tomazos, president of the Hellenic Paideia Society, believes that Hellenic News is a “fountain of wisdom and strength of the Greek language.” Everyone knows your great love for your family which represents a model of traditional Greek values in America. Thank you for your support of the Hellenic Paideia Society which has encouraged our growth.
Anthony C. Skoutelas, former principal of Odyssey Charter School in Wilmington, Delaware, said, “The contributions of the HNA over the years and particularly in the promotion of Paedeia are indeed appreciated. You have often reported on our school activities and achievements and this fact has not gone unnoticed.
Yiorgo Chouliaras, director of the Greek Press and Communications Bureau in Washington, DC, adds that “Hellenic News’ community news reporting is an honor for the Hellenes who are struggling to make their community a success. You encourage young people to continue to promote the goals of their community.
University Youth leaders believe in the mission of the Hellenic News of America. Georgia Pyrros, past president of the Hellenic University Club of Wilmington, Delaware, says “HNA’s contributions over the years have been felt in improving our overall communications within and between different organizations. On behalf of the members of the Wilmington Hellenic University Club, I thank you for your excellent service to the Greek community and wish you continued success.
“The youth of a nation are the repositories of posterity,” said Benjamin Disraeli, British politician and author. We belong to the business and education sectors that strive to keep Hellenism and our ethics alive. We must not assimilate and forget our roots,” Kotrotsios said. “Today more than ever, we must work more intensely to perpetuate our traditions and our youth. »
“On behalf of the City of Philadelphia, I congratulate Paul Kotrotsios and the Hellenic News of America…” former Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter said at a previous event.
From 1980 to 1987, Paul served as general manager of the Greek Radio Network of America and became a founding member of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce; founding member and former president (elected May 1, 2010) of the National Hellenic-American Council of North America, the umbrella organization of all Hellenic American federations; and in 2000, he became a founding member of the Greek American Business Advisory Council of Greater Philadelphia.
International journalist Alex Rigas praised Paul Kotrotsios for “keeping the banner of Epirus visible in Greek-American life.” You remember your birthplace and honor the Epirotian men. Your efforts to overcome obstacles and progress are exceptional. Thousands of people have deep love and friendship with you in America and Greece.
National reporter George S. Larmour, writing in The News of Delaware County, Havertown, August 1, 2002, wrote a remarkable description of the mission of The Hellenic News. “The Hellenic News of America has been keeping Greek-Americans informed about developments in their home country as well as their local community since 1987,” he said. “Mr. Kotrotsios realized that there was a gap in the community. The introduction of a bilingual Greek newspaper was a resounding success. It was a connection to Greece. Hermes Expo was founded in 1992. It is named after the Greek god of commerce and communication. The Expo is an annual event held in late spring in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The main objective is to promote commercial relations between Greece and the United States of America.”
The editor was born in the village of Parakalamos, Ioannina, Greece. “Kotrotsios traveled from Greece to the United States in 1979 after earning a degree in economics from the University of Thessaloniki,” Larmour states in his article. “I (Kotrotsios) never knew I would get into the publishing business.” Paul Kotrotsios started the newspaper in 1987 with the help and advice of a handful of friends. He earned a master’s degree in commerce from St. Joseph University in 1984.”
Linda Kotrotsios has been the force behind the Hellenic News of America for thirty-five years. She raised three exceptional daughters, Aphrodite, Stavroula and Ioanna, while supporting her husband Paul in his businesses. She is the mentor of her family, the glue of this unique business.
The Kotrotsios family has the same determination and drive to succeed. “When you help and uplift your community, you help uplift yourself. It was a guiding principle that influenced and inspired me to get involved and give back to my community,” said Aphrodite Kotrotsios, CEO and publisher of Hellenic News of America.
Aphrodite has been an editor since 2018 and also founded the Hermes Young Professionals Initiative as an outreach effort to preserve Greek heritage and traditions among the younger generation in 2007 with her sister Stavroula. Aphrodite was born in the world of the press. She has seen the shift from paper publishing to digital publishing. Factual reporting is its mission. She is one of the few journalists in America and the world with a master’s degree in biomedical sciences. His Greek is fluent. She is loyal and believes that “to have a friend, you have to be a friend.”
During the 2020 pandemic, she began broadcasting podcasts with singer Kalomira and many young Greek-American business leaders. The editor has a natural gift for interviewing people, which propels her to become a major interviewer. Ms. Kotrotsios’s kind and sensitive personality is evident. Its dynamic “synergy” has brought a new and innovative approach to Greek-American podcasts.
I have been following the work of Paul Kotrotsios since the mid-1990s. He is a humble and self-taught person. He helped immigrants and Americans seeking economic opportunities. It reflects the many supporters of Hellenism who came from the mountains of Epirus (including the Mother of Alexander the Great). The 35th The anniversary of Paul Kotrotsios’ work shows his unique mission of keeping Hellenism alive. Aphrodite accepts and passes on the torch of Hellenism to her generation.
For more information and ticket reservations, visit www.hellenicnews.com or email aphrodite@hellenicnews.com 
