After a warm welcome from Senior Class President Danielle Rohan, this year’s Alumni Insights Session kicked off as alumna and panelist Dimitra Capas relocated herself from the panel at the front of the room, amongst the students to pose a philosophical question, “what are we?”

“A community,” a senior offered.

“Human beings,” said another.

“Exactly,” Ms. Capas underscored.

“We are human beings, not human doings. What you do does not define who you are as a person. All you have to do is use what the school and your family has given you to make the best of life.”

As the panelists shared their experiences and perspectives, each from different decades, careers and even countries, it was inspiring for the Seniors to hear just how much the experience of attending ACS Athens empowered each alum through their journeys. From learning how to think outside of the box to finding a sense of self in the diverse ACS Athens community, each alumnus shared how their time at ACS Athens helped prepare them for life.

Speaking truth to the axiom that “the only constant is change,” the alumni speakers reminded the Class of 2024 that change and unpredictability is something positive to expect and embrace. 

Mr. Dimitirs Georgakopoulos gave students a framework to integrate change in how they see and work toward their future,  Dr. Peter Papageorgiou encouraged them to obtain skill sets that would help them facilitate the many opportunities to pivot that they will find on their paths, and Ms. Capas underscored that what makes you happy might be different at different times in your life, and that is exactly as it should be. 

Tapping into what brings you joy was another area that the alumni encouraged students to consider as they begin to embark on their journeys beyond ACS Athens. Artist Halid Eleggan Chrisinas leveled with the Seniors that there will be moments where you feel like you are one person in a crowd, and in these instances it is up to each person to find ways to tap into what each person is passionate about so they can shine. Finding what you are passionate about and maintaining a sense of curiosity is what Maria Kulukundis encouraged the students to tap into. 

Just as present in the alumni’s advice to the Class of 2024 was the reality of failure. In sharing her unique journey since graduating ACS Athens, Dr. Mariam Elgabry described failures she was grateful for, which varied from not being accepted to her preferred school (like Ms. Capas) to learning how to ask for help instead of bowing to her ego. Although he had not originally planned on participating as a panelist Thanos Fragkogiannis Matsas closed the presentations with an eloquent approach on difficulties saying:

“Tough situations are challenges for us to evolve. In these difficult situations, ask ‘what am I supposed to learn from this?’ and make the challenge a lesson.”

After Dr. Papageorgiou and Lydia Skampavia introduced the Seniors to the two new networking sub-groups within ACS Athens Global, the Entrepreneurs Group and the Art Collective, the Seniors in attendance rewarded the panelists with an engaging Q&A that carried over into the networking reception where students encircled each panelist asking questions and advice. 

One of the fun parts of the morning was when some of the students and Ms. Capas enthusiastically shared their loyalty to the Seventeen brand with Mr. Fragkogiannis Matsas, whose company Hellenica owns the beloved cosmetics brand. In a fun twist, Senior Niki Manta booked an audition to model for Seventeen. 

Judging from the smiles, laughter and overall buzz in the room, the 2024 ACS Athens Global Alumni Insights Session achieved the goal of connecting alumni with the Seniors and empowering the Class of 2024 to begin thinking beyond exams and graduation toward the incredible journeys that await them.

We owe tremendous thanks to our panelists, Ms. Dimitra Capas, Mr. Dimitris Georgakopoulos, Dr. Peter Papageorgiou, Mr. Halid Elaggan Chrisinas, Ms. Maria Kulukundis, Dr. Mariam Elgabry and Mr. Thanos Fragkogiannis Matsas, as well as Ms. Maria Michaelidis and Mr. Nick Katsoris, both of whom joined the event for the networking reception. 

Click HERE to visit the event photo gallery.

We look forward to continuing this tradition again in 2025!