PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The familiar strains of “Mythodia” hymns filled the air as students bearing flags entered the assembly area at Plato Academy Pinellas Park. What followed was an elaborate celebration of Olympic tradition that the students and staff have developed into an annual showcase of Greek cultural education.
The March 28 event featured two separate sessions to accommodate the school’s full student body, with morning performances by kindergarten, second, fourth, seventh and eighth grades, and an afternoon program featuring first, third, fifth, seventh and eighth grade students.
“We’re connecting students with traditions that span thousands of years,” said Greek teacher Maria Mylonakou who along with her colleagues Katerina Kapetaneas, Angela Orfanos, Nicholaos Giokas, and the music teacher Mr. Keating organized this event.
Eighth-grade students took ceremonial roles typically reserved for Greek priestesses in the actual Olympic Games, lighting an Olympic flame that served as the centerpiece for both sessions. They performed a choreographed entrance while “Priestesses Dance” played, followed by a torch relay set to “Chariots of Fire.”
The ceremonies balanced Greek traditions with American patriotism. Fourth graders performed the Greek National Anthem during the morning session, while kindergarteners countered with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Similar pairings occurred in the afternoon session with third and first graders.
Cultural performances dominated both programs. Kindergarteners performed “Thalassaki mou,” a traditional Greek dance, while second graders demonstrated Olympic sports and displayed the Olympic flag. Fourth graders performed both American songs and “Zonaradikos,” a traditional circle dance from northern Greece.
The afternoon program featured first graders dancing to “Αν όλα τα παιδιά της γης” (“If all the children of the world-held hands and danced”) and fifth graders performing “Zeibekiko” a key part of the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
“These performances represent weeks of preparation,” said Ms. Mylonakou. “Many students begin learning these dances in earlier grades and build their skills each year.”
Eighth graders appeared in both sessions, performing “Milo mou kokkino,” demonstrating the cultural proficiency they’ve developed during their years at the school.
The Olympic ceremony has become a signature event at Plato Academy Pinellas Park, which, like the rest of Plato Academy campuses, integrates Greek language and cultural education with standard curriculum.
The ceremony included several demonstrations of Olympic athletic competitions. Students showcased miniature versions of classic Olympic events including sprinting, discus throws using lightweight plastic discs, and simulated javelin competitions, along with gymnastics routines.
These athletic presentations, performed to “The Final Countdown,” gave spectators a glimpse of the sporting traditions that have defined Olympic competition since ancient times. Parents and visitors noted how the physical demonstrations complemented the cultural performances, creating a comprehensive representation of both the athletic and artistic elements of Olympic tradition.
Both ceremonies concluded with Mediterranean music, leaving students and their families with a deeper sense of connection to the cultural heritage, at the core of their educational experience.
