By Katherine Skaris

Not only is it a club, but together with Dr. Harry J Psomiadis they founded the Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies center; however it does not stop there. In the past years, Ikaros has worked with the Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies Center to promote the major and minor to the Greek and non Greek students of Queens College. They have also worked together to co-sponsor events where key speakers (poets and politicians), funded by the Onassis Foundation have offered lectures. While the center, under the leadership of Dr. Chris Ioannidis, coordinates the events, Ikaros promotes the high student attendance. The importance of these lectures is evident; the speakers not only talk about issues in Greece today but also include the Diaspora, working hard to involve and educate everyone on the subjects. It is also important to note that not only Ikaros was the largest attending Greek Club at the Greek Independence Day Parade, but it is also the only Greek club, in the New York Tristate area to celebrate Easter with a huge lamb roast; I was fortunate enough to attend it this year.

Walking to the Student Union, where the Annual Easter Lamb Roast (also called Arni Day by the many members) celebration is being held, the sounds of klarina begin to fill my ears. The smell of arni overpowers my senses, as I come closer to reaching my destination. The DJ is playing Kalamatiana and the arni is roasting on the spit. The Ikaros club members, distinguished by their bright blue T-shirts, are running around making sure the food is set up right, and that everything is in order. The courtyard is filled with tables, as well as students that are eating, laughing and thoroughly enjoying their time.

Why does Ikaros hold this event? As Peter Markou, former Ikaros President, explains, “the annual lamb roast is significant to Ikaros because it symbolizes a cultural celebration that goes on in Greece and Greek households worldwide during Pascha.” However the day does not only have a cultural side; “Ikaros also functions as a club representing Orthodox Christians, and as the sole Orthodox Christian club on campus we feel that it is our duty to represent Eastern Christendom at Queens College,” Markou adds. However, it is not to say that the Annual Easter Lamb Roast is simply a day of eating and dancing; a lot more goes into the event.

“Planning began in September and continued up until this moment” John Koroneos, President of Ikaros states; “There is a lot of paperwork, checks, signatures that goes into setting up the event.” Finding a caterer and a DJ are the easy parts; getting approval from the school and funding requires a lot more. Fortunately there are a group of people that continue to support Ikaros. The biggest contributors on Queens College campus have been the MSA (Muslim Student Association), Catholic Newman Center, and the Hillel. In addition, Zenon Taverna in Astoria, caters the event for Ikaros every year. In fact they have done so for the last five years, and there is no surprise as to why; the lemon potatoes, spanakopites and pasticcio are always a hit. The DJs for the event are students that volunteered to play for Ikaros free of charge, and the T-shirts that every club member is wearing, were sponsored by Pearl of Bayside this year. In essence, this event has turned into something more than simply Greek; the entire campus wants to be a part of it as well.

“This event is what attracted me to the Greek Club my first semester at Queens College,” Koroneos states. “Not only is it the biggest event that is held by the Greek Club, but it is a great success due to the large number of Greek students attending Queens College.”

I am interrupted by Matina Katsihtis, Treasurer of Ikaros, passing around red eggs; I pick mine out with an exceptional scrutiny and wait for the tsougrisma to begin. Sadly I was not amongst the winners, but still laughed at those who pouted and whined about their “weak” eggs. Once again the DJ begins to play Kalamatiana, this time with about 20 students holding hands and dancing around in a circle. As spectators begin to stop their route to class, I am amazed to see how many people, Greek and non Greek, are part of this event. “It is great how all the Greeks came together, not only to have a good time, but to show the rest of Queens College our culture and traditions,” said Zoe Saviolis, while Koroneos sums up: “The Annual Lamb Roast is an event to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, our culture, the end of the semester and an end to another great year for the Ikaros Greek Club.”