HomePancretan Youth Association

PANCRETAN YOUTH OF AMERICA (PYA)

The purpose of the Pancretan Youth Association is and always shall be:

1. To promote and develop social and cultural relationships among Cretans and their descendants in the United States and Canada.

2. To promote and develop education through scholarships and other education initiatives.

3. To inspire philanthropic endeavors, including raising voluntary contributions and funds to distribute to recognized philanthropic institutions in the United States, Canada, and Crete.

4. To encourage patriotism among its members, including obedience to each member’s respective constitution and laws. The PYA also aims to instruct and encourage members that are not citizens to become citizens of their respective country.

5. To offer moral encouragement and legal assistance for the welfare of PYA members in need.

6. To cooperate with the PAA by promoting its activities and programs.

7. To encourage individuals who no longer qualify for membership to the PYA to become members of the PAA.

Please email pya_president@pancretan.org with questions about the organization, membership, or event suggestions.

In the meantime, please visit our Instagram (@pancretan_youth) or visit our Facebook page

CLICK HERE for a complete listing of all past PYA Presidents! Thank you for your service!

Vanessa Balis, President PYA 2023-2025

Vanessa Balis is a member of the Cretan Youth of Chicago. She has been a long-standing member of the Pancretan youth, starting with her participation in the local dance troupe as a young child and growing up to attend multiple Cretan dances, youth conferences, and PAA conventions. She can’t imagine her world without her Cretan παρέα and dancing to her favorite Cretan music. Vanessa’s passion for the Cretan culture has only continued to grow with her involvement in the organization’s executive board – she has now been a part of the executive board for 6 years.

Vanessa’s goals as President of the PYA are to grow membership, increase the communication between the chapters, to unite the youth nationwide, and provide the PYA youth with the opportunity to experience Crete for themselves. In line with her Rethymno roots, Vanessa aspires to bring the φιλοξενία of Crete to the States throughout her term by highlighting what she believes is the best part of the organization - the love the members have for their culture, heritage and for one another.

The Pancretan Youth Board 2023-2025

Vanessa Balis, President

Dimitri Karandrikas--VP East Coast

Vangelis Moutsos--VP West Coast

George Exarchakis--Treasurer

Chrysoula Stefandonakis--General Secretary

Georgia Katakis--Fundraising Chair

John Nikols--PR Chair

Anthony Katsanevas & Kostas Kambouris--Cultural Co-Chairs

Steven Priddy & Niko Gianos--IT Co-Chairs

Marina Maropis--KRI-KRI Editor

Kiki Karahalios--Philanthropy Chair

Olga Markogiannakis--PYA East Coast Youth Supervisor

Tasia Manassakis--PYA West Coast Youth Supervisor

PYA Winter Conference
January 17-19, 2025
Hosted by the PYA Youth of Salt Lake City, Utah
The Minotavros Youth

CLICK HERE to view photo highlights!

PYA Fall Conference
November 14-17, 2024
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the PYA
Hosted by the PYA Youth of Sacramento, California
H PSYXH THS KPHTHS

CLICK HERE to view photo highlights!

PYA Winter Conference
January 12-15, 2024
Detroit, Michigan

CLICK HERE to view photo highlights!