New York City's annual "Miss Greek Independence" competition crowned a new winner on Saturday, March 30th, 2024.
In a departure from traditional beauty pageants, the "Miss Greek Independence 2024" competition celebrated intellect and cultural heritage as expatriate Katerina Karandrika clinched the coveted title at the Greek Cultural Center of the Archdiocese of America in Astoria.
The event, held at the "Thespis" Theatre, marked a notable shift from its former focus solely on physical appearance to a platform highlighting the contestants' knowledge and connection to Greek heritage and the Greek-American Community.
Organisers opted for a change in venue this year, relocating from the Stathakio Cultural Center to the "Thespis" Theatre, and enlisted Alexandros Ammochostianos as the artistic director to infuse a fresh perspective into the event's production, promising a unique experience for attendees.
This year saw an impressive uptick in participation, with 12 Greek-American women vying for the prestigious title.
The esteemed panel of judges, comprised of Dimitris Filios, Ioulia Kokkosi, Yannis Stroumbakis, Eleni Psara, and Athanasia Filiou, faced a tough decision in selecting the winner. After a tie emerged between Karandrika and Eleni Tsiouri, an additional question was posed to determine the ultimate victor.
Ultimately, Katerina Karandrika was crowned "Miss Greek Independence," with Eleni Tsiouri securing the title of first runner-up and Elaina Poulou as second sunner-up. Other contestants were recognised for their representation of various regions, including Jenny Daska as "Miss Athens," Ariana Siotopoulou as "Miss Macedonia," and Nikoletta Arlota as "Miss Olympia," among others.
The event's success was attributed not only to the contestants but also to the dedicated efforts of the Cultural Committee members Sophia Strubaki and Spyridoula Tsoukala, along with the talented artists who entertained the audience during the suspenseful moments leading up to the announcement of the winners.
(Source: In.gr)
