Boys and girls between the ages of 12-18 are welcome to join the G.O.Y.A.
Various athletic, social and religious activities are held as well as other programs.
The G.O.Y.A. meets once a month on Thursdays.
G.O.Y.A. News
This year's G.O.Y.A. Board:
Eleni Backos - President
Stella Kovoros - Vice President
Elias Marcopoulos - Treasurer
Kristi Marcopoulos - Recording Secretary
Alicia Pallikaropoulos - Corresponding Secretary
As our GOYA year concludes, we reflect back to all the many events that took place through the year. It has been a busy but truly enjoyable year. From the volleyball games, basketball games, Sights and Sounds, to the Social Dances and Religious Retreats, to raising money for Hellenic Relief, Benjamin’s Hope 4 the Future Fund and Jeans for Teens; it has all been a lot of work but at the same time valuable experiences that we will always cherish.
In April, our GOYA sponsored Bridges, a program where all the GOYAns from nearby churches came to our church and organized meals and care packages for the needy. The following day, Senior GOYA representatives along with our advisors went to Newark and distributed the meals and care packages. It was truly a life changing experience. One that made us realize how fortunate we are as Greek Orthodox Christians.
The month of May is one of our busiest months! On May 3rd, we competed in the Annual Soccer Tournament. Congratulations to our hard working soccer players who played very well. They truly displayed teamwork and good sportsmanship. This year, we had a new Senior dance for grades 10-12th. This dance was held in Holmdel on May 9th. We also had Indoor Olympics at St. Demetrios in Perth Amboy. All the GOYAns helped set up the tables for our church and many volunteered their time during the St. Athanasios Church festival.
The month of May also holds one of the most awaited GOYA events of the year, the Olympics. The annual Junior Olympics will be taking place on Memorial Day Weekend at Monmouth University from Saturday to Sunday. Therefore, we will be practicing and preparing for the events that we are participating in. Jr. Olympics have always been a great way to end the GOYA year. We always have a great time working together and cheering on our fellow GOYAns. After Olympics comes, our last month of GOYA, June. We are looking forward to Graduation Sunday and a fun end of the year trip.
In conclusion, I would like to say on behalf of the graduating seniors: Emmy Aspras, Nikoleta Dafnos, Sofia Koutsoumbis, Katie Miras, Kristiana Marcopoulos, Jacqueline Paizis, Nicholas Salemme, James Smith, Tommy Stepas and myself, that these past years of GOYA have been life changing and incredible. We will always cherish the memories, experiences, friendships, and knowledge that we have gained through the St. Athanasios GOYA. We had a phenomenal final year as seniors and I am very proud to be a part of this community and to be able to call myself both a member of, and the president of The Saint Athanasios GOYA.
With Christ’s Love,
Eleni Bakogiannis