The young expatriate, student Katerina Karandrika – originally from Crete and Agrinio was crowned “Miss Greek Independence” 2024, in the beauty and knowledge contest of the Federation of Greek Associations of Greater New York which took place on Saturday, March 30, at the Greek Cultural Center of the Archdiocese of America in Astoria (Thespis Theatre).

The pageant – which is a parallel event to the March 25th anniversary parade on 5th Avenue – does not, in fact, have the character of a beauty contest, but is more connected to the knowledge and perspective of each candidate towards the Greek heritage and its relationship with the Greek-American Community.

This year, according to a publication of the expatriate newspaper “Ethnikos Kyrykas”, there was, for the first time after several years, a greater interest in participation, as a total of 12 Greek-American women took part in the competition, who received positive comments for the presence and responses their.

As the expatriate site “Memories” typically writes, although the competition lacked the glamor and effects of Hollywood competitions, the bright faces and beauty of the contestants managed to cover this difference.

According to the final announcements, Katerina Karandrika was named “Miss Greek Independence”, Eleni Tsiouri first alternate, Elaina Poulou second alternate and followed in order of announcement: Jenny Daska (“Miss Athens”), Ariana Siotopoulou (“Miss Macedonia “), Nicoletta Arlota (“Miss Olympia”), Maria Theodorellou (“Miss Peloponnese”), Maria Potamousi (“Miss Aegio”), Urania Bozou (“Miss Pieria”), Alexandra Gel (“Miss Arcadia”) and Stamatoula Fitzgerald (“Miss Dodecanese”).

It is noted that next Thursday, April 5th, the last pan-generational work gathering will be held for the organization of the parade that will be held on Sunday, April 14th on 5th Avenue.