Top prize in ‘Philotimo’ competition goes to Massachusetts high-school senior

The Washington Oxi Day Foundation, a nonprofit focused on commemorative events promoting Greek culture and history, has announced the winners of its Philotimo Scholarship Competition, in which it asked Greek-American students across the United States to describe the Greek word "philotimo."

With more than 70 entries submitted, the winner is Lindsey Arruda, a high school senior in Somerset, Massachusetts. Arruda will receive a $2,000 scholarship and attend the Foundation's ninth Annual Oxi Courage Awards Gala at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on October 24.

"Philotimo is an elusive word, yet it is known to all Greeks, young and old... Its meaning is defined by the actions and good deeds shown to others, while expecting nothing in return," she wrote in her essay.

Sharing second place and each slated to receive a $1,000 scholarship are Rafaella Foteni...