Summary

On September 11, 2026, Mayor Charalampos Koukianakis presented awards to two outstanding students at a ceremony held at Vamos High School following the traditional start-of-year blessing. The top-scoring student in the 2026 national university entrance exams received a €5,000 cash prize, while a second student — last year's top scorer, now in her second year of university — received the second instalment of her €5,000 scholarship. The programme has become a permanent fixture of the municipality's commitment to rewarding academic excellence and supporting student families.

Apokoronas backs its brightest: €5,000 awards for top students

The new school year in Apokoronas began with more than prayers and pencil cases. On September 11, 2026, Mayor Charalampos Koukianakis stood before students, families, and community leaders at Vamos High School to hand over two awards worth €5,000 each — a clear signal that the municipality puts its money where its values are.

What was awarded

€5,000 cash prize to the student who achieved the highest score across the entire municipality in the 2026 Panhellenic university entrance exams

€5,000 second scholarship instalment to last year's top scorer, now studying in her second year at university — the municipality continues to support her beyond graduation

More than a one-off gesture

This is not the first time Apokoronas has done this, and it will not be the last. The programme has become an established institution within the municipality, designed both to recognise exceptional hard work and to ease the real financial pressures faced by student families.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Koukianakis said: "With a modest but meaningful gesture, we honour today the integrity, dedication, and hard work of two young women of our region who fill us with pride. The Municipality of Apokoronas stands firmly beside the younger generation, offering practical support for their efforts to learn and grow."

A community occasion

The awards were presented immediately after the traditional blessing that marks the opening of the school year. Metropolitan Titos of Kydonia and Apokoronas was present and offered both students his blessing and warm encouragement, urging them to always advance with integrity, faith, and focus. Vamos High School principal Paraskevi Kafé also attended — the school where both award recipients completed their secondary education.

PRESS RELEASE – Apokoronas invests in its children – Excellence is rewarded, the new generation is supported.

September 11, 2026, 2:01 PM

In an atmosphere of emotion and genuine recognition, the award ceremony for the two distinguished female students of the Municipality of Apokoronas was held today at the General Lyceum of Vamos, following the conclusion of the blessing of the new school year, by Mayor Charalampos Koukianakis.

As part of the ceremony, the cash prize of €5,000.00 was presented to the top-of-the-top student who achieved the highest score in the 2026 Panhellenic Examinations. At the same time, confirming the steady commitment of the municipal authority to supporting young people throughout the entirety of their studies, the second instalment of the scholarship (also amounting to €5,000.00) was presented to the student who came first in last year's examinations and is now in the second year of her university studies.

Particular honour and joy was lent by the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Titos of Kydonia and Apokoronas, and of the Principal of the General Lyceum of Vamos, Ms Paraskevi Kafé, the school attended by both distinguished successful candidates. His Eminence Metropolitan Titos extended warm paternal wishes to the two students, blessing the beginning and continuation of their academic journey, and encouraged them to always advance with integrity, faith, and dedication to their goals.

The Mayor of Apokoronas, Charalampos Koukianakis, stated in this regard:

"With a modest and meaningful gesture, we honour today the integrity, dedication, and hard work of two young women of our region, who fill us with pride. The Municipality of Apokoronas remains steadfastly beside the younger generation, offering practical support for the effort towards learning and development. I warmly congratulate the two students, their families, and the educational community of Vamos Lyceum, which stood as a pillar throughout their journey. I wholeheartedly wish them good progress and every success in their academic and personal dreams."

This initiative now constitutes an established institution for the Municipality of Apokoronas, confirming the municipal authority's ongoing concern for encouraging academic excellence and easing the burden on the families of students.