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Miss USA is proud of her Greek origin

20 September 2015 / 01:09:49  GRReporter
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The new Miss USA, 21-year-old Miss Georgia Betty (Vasiliki) Cantrell, is proud of her Greek origins. She stunned the contest jury and the audience by singing the "Tu, tu piccolo Iddio" aria from Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly.

John Stefero, bishop of her parish, spoke to Ethnos about Betty's commitment to music, as well as to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Macon, Georgia. He is of Russian-Ukrainian descent, but knows personally everyone from the 70 Greek families in his parish.

 

Father John says Betty has been involved with music since the age of three – not just in church, but also at school. She acted on stage as well.

The middle one of three children, Betty was raised in a family where everybody sang and was a member of the church choir. According to Father John, parishioners called them "the Von Trapp Family" (from The Sound Of Music).

 

Performing for the Greek community

Betty's mother, Tasi (Anastasia), who is of Greek origin, but was born in the US, told Ethnos her daughter had never visited Greece, but the family was now planning a trip to the historical homeland.

Tasi Cantrell is actively involved in the church's charitable activities and chairs the parish board. Her ancestors hailed from Samos, Mytilene and the Peloponnese.

Father John says that Betty highlighted her Greek origin as well as the fact she was named Vassiliki after her grandmother in all her TV appearances.

 

Betty's relationship with Orthodoxy is so close that shortly before the contest she paid Father John a visit. They prayed together and he gave her his blessing.

In addition to her participation in the church choir, Betty Cantrell has been active in all parish events, such as the Greek Festival held every year, and in organising children's camps and Sunday school. Having grown up on a farm, she is well acquainted with agricultural work as well.

This way of life and her parents' business as physiotherapists stand at the basis of her platform in the American beauty contest,"healthy Children, strong America." Betty now says she will collaborate with the FNV non-governmental organisation to promote more fruits and vegetables in the Americans' daily diet.

 

In her capacity as Miss USA, Betty will make a tour around the country in the coming months as a goodwill ambassador for the Miracle network of children's hospitals.

Tags: Betty Cantrell Miss USA Greek origin Father John Stefero
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