In the weeks leading up to the ACS Athens Global London Gathering on April 27, 2024, we caught up with Ariel White-Tsimikalis to hear from her about what ACS Athens means to her, what  inspired her to organize the gathering, and what she hopes to accomplish with the event taking place in Holland Park at Vori | Modern Greek Taverna. Here’s what she shared… 

What inspired you to organize a gathering for ACS Athens alumni in London?

I had a great time at ACS Athens, and I thought that this would be a nice way to give back to honor the memories and the platform the school gave me and helped me become who I am today. 

I have so many wonderful memories from ACS Athens and now I want to help create even more with fellow alumni. There are so many alumni in different parts of the world. London just seemed like the perfect place to bring us together.

What has ACS Athens meant to you?

There is truly something special about the bonds you forge at ACS Athens. Our collective experience at such a unique and enriching school acts as a special glue which for me has held strong even 24 years after graduating from ACS. 

For instance, Faye Palmqvist was the first person I met at ACS in the 6th grade as she was tasked to be my buddy and show me around the school on my first day. We remain buddies, and she was a “koumbara” at my wedding.

My best friends from Middle School, Angelina Garefis and Nicole Eliopoulos, remain my best friends today. I was honored to be their “koumbara” at their respective weddings. I am also godmother to Angelina's son, Markos, and she is godmother to my son, Noah. Angelina and Nicole even flew over to London to throw me a baby shower when I was pregnant. Faye, who is a professional patisseur, made the cake for both my wedding and baby shower! Just last week, I flew through Washington D.C. to see Nicole and her two daughters on my way to Orlando for a work event and flew back to London in time to grab my son and hop onto the Eurostar to meet Angelina and her kids who were over in Paris!

Despite the fact that we live in Washington D.C., California and London, we speak regularly and even try to coordinate summer holidays every year to see each other and ensure our children carry on our friendship.

I felt similarly connected to many teachers, too. As an example, my English teacher from the 9th grade and supervisor for the school newspaper, William Papatassos, remains a good friend to this day. He attended my wedding and the baptism of my son, and I was thrilled to welcome him in London when he visited with his son. 

What are you hoping to accomplish with the London gathering on April 27, 2024?

First and foremost, I am hoping that this event enables ACS Athens alumni in the U.K. and beyond to rekindle that feeling of connection. 

Of course there will be reminiscing, but I see this as an opportunity to come together and support each other, personally and professionally, building on the foundations we all have in common in our ACS Athens experience.

I hope to see you all there!

When are you planning on visiting ACS Athens?

I am hoping to visit this coming May. I have been invited to speak at the Law Library (Νομική Βιβλιοθήκη), and it seems like the perfect opportunity to visit the campus, and of course, the soccer field. I hear there’s astro turf there now, but I have scars on my legs from the gravel that I was all too familiar with from my soccer days. 

All ACS Athens alumni are eagerly invited to the London Gathering on Apr 27, 2024, which will take place at Vori | Modern Greek Taverna.

Learn more and register HERE!

You can also learn more about Ariel, her time at ACS Athens and her esteemed professional accomplishments in the original Who’s Who article that was published in June 2020.