St. Sophia School says ‘Oxi!’ to drugs

For the second year now, the Greek Orthodox school combined its drug, alcohol and bullying prevention program with a celebration of Greek holiday Oxi Day on Oct. 27. Both traditions are all about standing up for oneself and saying no to harmful things.

"[Oxi Day] is one of the most celebrated things in the Greek community," Development Coordinator Jody Mulligan said.

The holiday commemorates Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas' refusal to let Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's troops occupy Greek soil during World War II, even under threat of attack. He famously replied, "Oxi (no)! Then it is war."

St. Sophia's students learned from Metaxas' example that they can stand up to people more powerful than themselves--whether a bully or someone trying to pressure them to take drugs, Principal Dana Easton said.

"It's important to do what's right, even if it is scary," one student said.

The school's Oxi Day celebration included Greek dances, the Greek anthem and "God Bless America" performed by classes. Individual students recited in Greek and English the stories of Oxi Day and of several American heroes such as George Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr.

"We learned that you don't have to be a giant to accomplish great things," Greek language teacher Carrie Pappas said.

The school also presented its Freedom Award to Margo Sotiriou, one of the school's three founders. The award is given once a year to someone in St. Sophia's community, Greek or not, who values education and contributes to the school.

About half of the families at St. Sophia are of Greek heritage, and seeing their children celebrate Oxi Day in America means a lot to them.

"They love to watch the kids carry on the tradition," Easton said.

The non-Greeks there enjoy it just as much though, because their children are participating in another culture, and learning the importance of diversity, she said.