Kudos are in order for Ellie Martin, who received a Propeller Club scholarship in cooperation with the American College of Greece in order to continue her studies in Marketing Management at DEREE, after which she will be working for the LIBRA group at their educational programs in New York – beginning in September 2014.

Congratulations also to Maria Sarantopoulou, a junior studying international tourism and hospitality management at DEREE, who received a Propeller Club award from George Koumoutsakos Greek MEP (Member of the European Parliament) and President of the European Transport Committee, during an Award Ceremony at the Propeller Club’s Annual Pita Cutting on February 16th in Athens.

Since 1990, DEREE students have received 18 scholarships and six awards from the International Propeller Club of the United States (Port of Piraeus).

While at DEREE, Ellie Martin successfully completed an internship at the LIBRA Group’s US Hotels (under ACG’s International Internship & Study Abroad Program, IISAP) and undertook study abroad semesters at both Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in Atlanta as well as Stanford University.

In a thank you letter to the Propeller Club’s Board of Governors, Ms Martin writes:

“In the past few years, the only thing certain has been financial uncertainty ahead, so this scholarship provides me with the much needed comfort and reassurance that I can complete my degree. The Propeller Club Scholarship is the ‘lifeboat’ that will carry me to the final ‘port’ of graduation despite the growing financial roadblocks my family is faced with. It is people like you that make it possible for students who are willing but not always able to progress in higher education and their subsequent life goals. Please extend my deepest gratitude to all members of the board.”

Several Propeller Club Awards were also given to students from other institutions, while the Propeller Club Donation was awarded to charity ELEPAP in order to continue to take care of the Club’s adopted child Athanassia, who is now in first grade of ELEPAP’s school.

The President of the Propeller Club, George Xiradakis, kicked off the Award Ceremony proceedings, highlighting the fact that the Propeller Club supports meritocracy and transparency, rewarding excellent students and students in financial need, while he also urged shipping and business executives who share the same vision to enroll as new members and enjoy the friendly spirit of the Club.

Representing the American College of Greece during the Ceremony were ACG President David G. Horner, Olga Julius – PIERCE Principal, Mary-Irene Triantafillou – ACG’s Executive Director of Development, John Kladas – Deputy Director of PIERCE Lyceum, Hara Kakatsou – Director of the PIERCE Gymnasium, and Katerina Tsioufi – PIERCE Dance Instructor.

Joining them, the Propeller Club’s Board of Governors and members as well as guests, celebrated the winners.

Guests included Mr. Athanasios Christopoulos – Secretary General of the Ministry of Shipping and the Aegean, Mr. David Lippeatt – Economic Counselor, as representative of the US Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Vassilios Michaloliakos – The Mayor of Piraeus, Mr. George Koumoutsakos  – Member of the European Parliament and President of the European Transport Committee, Mr. Efthymios Mitropoulos – former General Secretary at the IMO and Chairman of the ‘MARIA P. TSAKOS’ international Foundation, and others.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, the Dance Group of the American College of Greece performed folklore dances from around the Aegean islands.

DEREE’s Maria Sarantopoulou was one of the night’s big winners, winning one of the “flouria” or coins in the pita, in addition to her Propeller Club Award!