Twin Sisters Tie for Top Grades at Greek School in NYC

Three exceptional students at St. Demetrios Greek American School in Astoria are closing their high school chapters with achievements that reflect years of dedication and hope for what's next.

Maria Kokoliou, 18, earned valedictorian honors and will study international business at the American College of Greece in Athens. Born in Greece and returning there each summer, she's ready to experience life from a fresh perspective before eventually coming back to the U.S. for graduate school.

"It's definitely bittersweet," Kokoliou told The National Herald. "You're starting something new and reaching that point where it's important to kind of go into new things."

Twin sisters Antigone and Dimitra Katsaras achieved something remarkable: they tied for the exact same GPA, becoming co-salutatorians together. Antigone wasn't surprised by the matching achievement.

"I work alongside her all the time," she explained. "A point I lose from a test compared to her is one I gain over her elsewhere."

Antigone will attend Rutgers Honors College to study neuroscience, following in her mother's footsteps as an alum. She chose the field because she wanted work that creates real impact in people's daily lives and emergencies.

Her twin sister Dimitra will study physical therapy at Ithaca College. Though it was the first college to accept her, she took time to explore what the school offered before making her final decision.

The Ripple Effect

All three students credited St. Demetrios' small, caring community for supporting their success. Antigone emphasized that the school isn't just a system but real people who genuinely care about helping students thrive.

The graduating seniors are part of a class that spent countless nights studying and stressful days preparing for tests, but they're walking away with memories that will last a lifetime. Their graduation takes place on June 8.

Each student is heading in a different direction, but all three share the same foundation: hard work, supportive community, and the courage to pursue meaningful goals. They're proof that dedication opens doors to exciting futures.