Panayiotis Xenakis '18 Recruiting Profile

As a son of a Greek immigrant born in Brooklyn NY, I was exposed to a variety of overlapping cultures from an early age that helped develop the values and standards I live by today.  One particular institution that greatly affected me was the Greek Orthodox Church, which played an enormous role in shaping my character and principles. As I have been developing as a person, I have established the general areas I would like to focus on and most likely major in at the university level; those being philosophy, political science/international relations, and theology.  One aspect of me that is easily visible is that I consistently, since maturing as a student, have been extremely driven both academically and athletically to achieve my goals and have thoroughly understood that nothing in this world comes for free. Hit with minor obstacles in my Freshman year academically, I was forced to cope with adversity and have since been excelling.   Similarly, challenged by a line-up that didn't fit my style of play over the summer into my Junior year, I forced my coaches to change the entire system in order suit me through my determination and relentlessness. Despite my achievements, I am well aware that the road ahead of me requires dedication and character and understand that it is my work ethic that will get me to wherever it is I plan to go in life, not merely my talent. In conclusion, I believe that what differentiates me from the bunch is the refusal to accept defeat and inferiority conjoined with a well-rounded character that reflects my upright and morally-rooted upbringing.