Mr. Louis Kokkinakos, Chairman of the Board of Plato Academy Schools and Vice Chairman Mr. John Petalas, recently traveled to Athens Greece, and met with Rhode Island State Senator and President of the World Hellenic Inter-parliamentary Association Mr. Leonidas Raptakis, participating at the opening of the 15th General Assembly of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA) which brought together legislators of Greek heritage and international supporters in Greece.
Hosted at the Hellenic Parliament with welcoming remarks from President Nikitas Kaklamanis and greetings from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Assembly featured key discussions on global Greek public diplomacy, regional energy, and education.
The conference delivered significant outcomes through resolution adoptions and three major panel discussions. Attendees heard from Maira Myrogianni, Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who addressed public diplomacy strategies and Greece’s relationship with its diaspora communities. Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros N. Papastavrou presented on Greece and Cyprus’s growing influence in regional energy geopolitics.
The education panel drew particular attention, featuring Deputy Minister of Education Konstantinos Vlassis alongside prominent educational leaders: Professor Spiros N. Pollalis from Athens College, Edward Wingenbach of the American College of Greece, Dr. Peggy Pelonis from the American Community Schools, Louis Kokkinakos who chairs Plato Academy Schools in Florida, and PADEE-WHIA representatives. This diverse group examined how Greek language and educational systems operate both domestically and in international Greek communities.
Mr. Kokkinakos in his speech, emphasised the challenges of hellenic education in the USA and detailed the remarkable transformation of Plato Academy since its establishment in 2004: What began as a single educational institution in Florida has expanded into a comprehensive network of public charter schools, now serving students across the full spectrum from kindergarten through tenth grade across three Florida counties. The schools, which now serve more than 4,000 students, have distinguished themselves by integrating Greek language instruction as a core component of their curriculum rather than treating it as an elective course.
“Our program is designed to cultivate a lifelong love and appreciation for the Greek language.” Kokkinakos told parliament members. “We believe that through language, students come to understand who they are, where they come from, and how they are connected to something greater than themselves.”
The schools operate on foundational Greek principles of paideia (education), arete (virtue and pursuit of excellence), and philotimo (inner drive to do the right thing). This philosophical framework guides both academic instruction and character development throughout the Plato Academy Schools system.
The presentation highlighted crucial support from Greek institutions, particularly the Ministry of Education and the Greek Consulate in New York. Through the J1 visa program, Greek educators travel to Florida to teach at Plato Academy schools, bringing contemporary perspectives and authentic cultural connections to students.
These partnerships extend beyond staffing arrangements. The schools have developed collaborative relationships with organizations like Project Connect and Adopt A Ship, initiatives that introduce students to Greek maritime culture and global commerce through hands-on learning experiences.
Perhaps the most notable partnership described during the parliamentary address involved the Acropolis Museum. The museum provided five Educational Kits to Plato Academy, allowing students to engage directly with Greek historical artifacts and cultural materials.
Students at the Tarpon Springs campus participated in creative projects using these resources, producing work that impressed museum officials. The Acropolis Museum subsequently requested permission to feature photographs of student activities and their final projects in an upcoming publication, a rare honor that demonstrates the quality and authenticity of the educational program.
To formalize and expand these cultural exchange efforts, Plato Academy established the Plato Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Hellenism, Greek language instruction, and cultural partnerships. The foundation actively seeks collaborations with Greek universities, ministries, and private organizations.
Kokkinakos emphasized that the foundation views Hellenism as more than historical preservation. “The spirit of Hellenism transcends ancestry,” he explained. “It is embraced through character, cultivated through thoughtful inquiry, and expressed through a deep sense of responsibility to others and to the world.”
The parliamentary presentation underscored how Plato Academy differentiates itself from conventional educational approaches by emphasizing character development alongside academic achievement through Greek culture and ideals. Students learn to approach leadership through the lens of Greek philosophical traditions, developing critical thinking skills and ethical reasoning capabilities.
This educational philosophy reflects broader trends in charter school innovation, where institutions seek to combine rigorous academics with distinctive cultural or philosophical frameworks. Plato Academy’s success in maintaining both high academic standards and authentic cultural programming has made it a model for similar efforts in diaspora communities.
The visit to the Hellenic Parliament represents more than ceremonial recognition. It signals the potential for expanded institutional relationships between Greece and Greek-American educational organizations, creating pathways for continued cultural exchange and educational innovation.
As Greek communities worldwide navigate questions of cultural preservation and adaptation, institutions like Plato Academy demonstrate how traditional values can be integrated into contemporary educational frameworks, ensuring cultural continuity while preparing students for modern challenges.
