• By Observer Staff
  • March 1, 2020

Information: Press office
Tel: (212) 570-3530
pressoffice@goarch.org
 
PRESS RELEASE
 
EOCS Offers Scholarships for Orthodox Scouts
 
The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS] is offering up to two $1,000.00 scholarships to Orthodox Christian scouts who demonstrate love of God and the Orthodox Christian Faith through their service, scholarship, leadership, and practical citizenship in their churches, schools, scouting units, and communities.

Eligible scouts must be registered active members of an EOCS-recognized scouting program –Scouts BSA, Venturing, Exploring, Girl Scouts of the USA, Trail Life USA, American Heritage Girls, and Camp Fire — and communicants of parishes recognized by the Assembly of Bishops, having earned the highest award of their EOCS-recognized Scouting program (e.g., Eagle, Gold).  Explorers and Venturers must have also attained Eagle Scout.  Scouts also must have earned the EOCS Alpha Omega Religious Award and be enrolled in the final year of an accredited high school. Regularly homeschooled students should contact the Scholarship Chairman for guidance in completing the application.

Detailed information and application forms are available online and are due by May 1, 2020. Because of the closure of many high schools in Spring 2020, if this date presents an obstacle to you, please consult with the Scholarship Chairman (mekotsonis@gmail.com). Awards are contingent upon acceptance to an accredited four-year college or university.    

The most recent recipient from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is Valassia Antigone (Noni) Theocharides, in June 2019. She and her family are communicants of Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Holmdel, NJ.  She attended Colts Neck High School and was a member of Girl Scout Troop 337. Among her many distinctions were outstanding scholarship, creative and sustained service to the community, and significant commitment of time and effort to her church. Noni now attends Rutgers University, where she is studying for her Pharm.D. degree.

The EOCS is an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America and the officially recognized Eastern Orthodox Christian religious committee for all scouting organizations in the USA.  It provides support, programs, and recognition of service and faith development to scouts and scouters of the Eastern Orthodox faith via the religious award program, adult recognition for volunteer scouters and clergy, scholarships, retreats, camporees, and associated activities.  

Please direct all inquiries to Dr. M. E. Kotsonis, EOCS Scholarship Chairman, mekotsonis@gmail.com.