Next in our National Poetry Month series, we feature a young Greek poet from Koraes Elementary School in Palos Hills, IL. Read her sage — and often forgotten — words.
National Poetry Month: Poet from Koraes Elementary School
Since we love to nurture and encourage young writers, this year’s National Poetry Month series features young Greek poets from Chicago’s Greek Orthodox Parochial Schools. We’ve selected one poet from each school to share with you. This week, we continue with a profound and mature piece from Mia Maniatis, a 7th grader at Koraes Elementary School in Palos Hills, IL.
Check out her poem, and learn a bit about her school. Thank you, Mia, for this reminder. Bravo!
‘The Three Keys’ by Mia Maniatis
Laughter is the key,
To every heart’s content,
And sharing laughter with you,
Is laughter definitely well spent.
Living is the key,
To every life’s fulfillment,
And living life with you,
Is worth it every moment.
Loving is the key,
To every person’s happiness,
And to be happy and in love with you,
Is why I feel true heartedness.
About Koraes Elementary School
For more than a century, Koraes Elementary School at SS Constantine & Helen Church in Palos Hills, IL has imparted a love of learning while instilling pride in Orthodoxy and Hellenism. The school was founded in 1910 to pass our Orthodox Faith, Greek language, and rich cultural heritage to the next generation.
Today, Koraes serves more than 155 students in preschool through 8th grade. The fully accredited school is the only Greek Orthodox Parochial School in Chicago’s South Suburbs.
Over the last several years, Koraes has revamped their curriculum to meet the ever-changing needs of our modern society, and fully integrate the Illinois Learning Standards. It’s a close-knit school and community, which provides a unique opportunity for students — they’re not only are instructed in academics, but also in Greek language, history, and culture, and the Orthodox Faith. The school is fully recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and the Ministry of Education of Greece.
Koraes’ provides an academic experience equal to or greater than its public counterparts. The curriculum is enriched with STEM initiatives, and students access a computer lab to facilitate research and technology learning. All students in 3rd-8th grades have access to their own Chromebook and utilize Google Classroom. Students transition easily to high school, as they utilize many of the same programs, technologies, and assessment as their peers. Among the extra-curricular offerings is a very active student council and students have access to activities beyond the school day such as Greek Dancing, art club, chess, Tae Kwon Do, Greece Geography, Typing and Coding, Sign Language and more. Like many other 7th and 8th graders, Koraes students take a class trip to Washington, DC.
Chicago’s 2nd oldest Greek Orthodox Parochial School continues to thrive in a safe, nurturing, faith and family-based environment.
More Young Greek Poets
Next week, we’ll continue our National Poetry Month series featuring another young Greek poet, this time from Hellenic American Academy in Deerfield, IL.
Learn more about Koraes Elementary School, including their upcoming gala: website, Facebook
Read more about Koraes Elementary School:
Koraes Elementary School: Where Students Live their Culture & Faith Everyday
More National Poetry Month Young Greek Poets:
Young Greek Poets – ‘Oh Sports’
Maria A. Karamitsos
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Bravo to Mia Maniatis for her lovely poem. Also, Maria , what a great thing for you to have done in encouraging these young people to write a poem. A lost art.
It’s been so much fun working with the schools. The kids are so enthusiastic about writing. Love it!