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conscious citizen, exemplifying the virtues of leadership as explained in the 2003 publication titled The 7 Heavenly Virtues of Leadership by Carolyn Barker.1 Following in her footsteps, is a group of student members with their leaders who also share this strong sense of justice and fairness through community work. They have applied and demonstrated the virtues of leadership throughout the year and are dedicated and devoted to continue doing so! Both the members and the leaders have displayed the kind of discipline and tenacity that has allowed them to reach and achieve our school-wide purpose of sending conscious citizens out into the world, turning global goals into a local reality.
Leadership Through ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ (KINONÓS) by Evelyn Pittas, KΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ Advisor, Academy, English Faculty Chasiotis, Konstantinos (KΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ Leader 2019-2020) Ghoneim, Raneem (Leader of the Economic and Finance Committee) Gregoriou, Alexandra (Leader of the Interaction Committee) Soulanticas, Emma (Leader of the Fundraising Committee) Srouji, Marios (Leader of the Presentation Committee)
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he ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ (Kinonós) school-wide service club was founded by Lydia Pinirou, ACS Athens graduate, Class of 2019. It was her humility, her inner strength, and her drive to accomplish greatness that became her driving force to create change and make a positive impact on our community and society at large, while remaining humble in her leadership but not afraid to stand up for what is right. Thus, ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ came to be in 2018. Lydia stands as a bright example for the ACS Athens community of what it means to serve humanity while leading as a
The first quality of leadership, according to Barker, is to lead with humility. This means that one does not allow his ego to get in the way of doing what is right or use his position for his own good. When one leads with humility one accepts the position given to him, and uses it on behalf of others. Humility is the virtue of being able to put others before you. The significance of this virtue is vast, as it is the driving force of a leader, who needs to be able to take into account those around him, rather than just himself. Being humble does not mean degrading yourself by any means; rather it means wanting to benefit more than just yourself. Humility unites people and is the silver lining that allows people to see the good in others. Individuals who possess this virtue are those who are sympathetic towards those around them, and who are truly genuine, caring people. This virtue is what embodies ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ. The global pandemic has allowed us to reflect on priorities and things we took for granted. Humility is what subconsciously drove us to donate Easter eggs to the homeless, and to promote numerous clothing and food drives. The sustainable development goal of “Good Health and Well-Being” represents the objective of ΚΟΙΝΩΝΟΣ, ensuring that the homeless are cared for. During a pandemic, when times can be very uncertain and scary, a small gesture such as offering Easter eggs during a religious holiday is a simple act that speaks volumes. Taking into account the well-being of others is truly a noble principle to live by. The club has shifted my perspective of the world, and the way I choose to interact with people I meet. Taking the time to truly connect and sympathize with those who are less fortunate, and being given the opportunity to help them, even through a weekly clothing and food drive, is truly eye-opening. The virtue of humility is found within all aspects of our lives, and by accepting it, and choosing to live by it, makes the world a better place filled with individuals who strive to lift each other up. Humility means that one pursues a noble dream in a noble way! To do this, it often takes the second of the virtues – courage (Alexandra Gregoriou, Leader of the Interaction Committee). Courage is about doing what one believes to be the right thing despite the consequences. It is not about
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Barker, Carolyn. The 7 Heavenly Virtues of Leadership. McGraw-Hill, 2003. Print.
