Summer is a great time to experience new things with friends, travel with new people, and have fun with your family. While the financial crisis is limiting Greek teenagers that live in Greece from doing much during their summer, Greek teens here in America have their own plans.

By Despina Evangelopoulos

Swimming, diving, and going to the beach are everyone’s summer ideas. Demetrios Tsitsios is 14 and lives in Broomall, PA. So far this future 9th grader has gone to the beach, the pool, and hung out with his friends. It’s only July, and he has already achieved his goals for the summer. Not only does Demetri keep up with his summer activities, but finds time to learn about the Greek economy. Demetri expressed his thoughts on the controversial matter, “I think that it is great that we are more independent and now Greece can be happier.” Demetri hopes to have as much fun as possible this summer.

Vasiliki “Vickie” Ofidis lives in West Deptford, New Jersey. Vickie is 15 and will be going into 10th grade. Vickie is involved with Marching Band, Dance, Drum Corps International (DCI), and helping incoming kindergarteners learn about safety. Although she doesn’t spend a lot of time with her friends, (because she is always so busy), she hopes to improve her skills with Marching Band and DCI. Just like young adults in Greece, Vickie is concerned with what’s happening and knows that Greece will be back on it’s feet sooner than ever and will recover just like it always has. Greece has gone through so many challenges and obstacles, but every time it got right up and pushed through all the hardships, just like it will again.

Fun is a non-objective word. While some people like going to the beach, some people like Christopher Dawson like spending their time playing sports. Chris is a basketball player that lives in Ridley township and is 15 years old. This soon to be junior, likes to hang out with his friends and practice basketball. Chris will be attending Camp Good Shepherd (CGS) with his brother and cousin. Chris plans to spend his time with his family and friends. Not only does he have time to play ball, he also has time to check in with Greek news. Chris believes that Greece should have said yes because it would have helped them support themselves and their people. Greece’s financial crisis has a lot of different ways to look at what’s happening, and saying yes or saying no is all very subjective.

Despina Nakos, age 17, is excited to be going into her senior year of high school. Despina currently lives in Upper Darby, PA with her brother, two sisters, and parents. She spends most of her time at her family’s store, Royal Pizza, working. Despina plans to work and hang out with her friends as well as making time to go to church. When Despina isn’t working, she is reading a book or catching up with the news about the Greek economy. Despina said, “With the stories I hear in Greece, it looks like they can live with the money they have right now, they just need to keep on fighting.” It looks like there’s hope and Greece needs to know that people all around the world support it.

Teenagers in America are trying to have the best time this summer just like teens in Greece are too. No matter the economic situation that has taken away some of their freedom, they are trying to make the most out of it. The kids in both countries are very much alike, they are all young people that want to have fun. Although Greece is in a tight spot, at the end of the day, kids just want to be kids.