Stephania
“Never give up. Believe that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication. Tune out the voices that keep telling you to give up because you will accomplish your goals, and you will achieve things that you have wanted to achieve your whole life.”
Stephania is incredibly hard-working and driven. When it comes to achieving her goals, she never gives up. This determination began at a young age when she decided she wanted to become an Olympian. Six years later she made her first national team. Now she is the first Greek woman to be competing in the Olympics for any team USA sport. She is a passionate and dedicated athlete who values staying grounded above anything else. She is a strong role model who continues to fight for her dreams, navigating her successes with pride, but also graciousness. Meet Stephania. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
S: My name is Stephania Haralabidis and I come from Athens, Greece. My nationality is Greek American and I am competing in the Olympics. I am the first Greek woman to be competing in the Olympics for any team USA sport.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words
S: Driven, workaholic, perfectionist, goal oriented, and can be stubborn at times
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
S: I never give up, I fight to accomplish my goals. I have wanted to be an Olympian since the age of 9 and now I get the chance to play in the Olympic games. When I was growing up in Greece I was told to quit playing water polo and to commit full time to school. The Greek system doesn’t help athletes succeed. I had to make a lot of sacrifices and I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for my mother and twin sister. I have learned that hard work and dedication can make anyone’s dreams come true.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
S: When I was 15 years old I made my first national team. I thought I was above everyone else. I thought I could treat my family how I wanted but my mother took me to the side and taught me a very important lesson. There is always going to be someone out there that wants to beat you, be better than you, so you must keep fighting and be humble. You must treat people right and no one is ever above anyone else. She helped me see who I was becoming if I continued down that path and I am a better person for it.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
S: Never give up. Believe that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication. Tune out the voices that keep telling you to give up because you will accomplish your goals, and you will achieve things that you have wanted to achieve your whole life.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
S: I feel pride. Women go through so much and must overcome a lot more obstacles in life to succeed. Being a woman entails being strong and assertive while yet being compassionate. It entails being sensitive and vulnerable toward the people we care about without feeling weak. It entails pursuing our objectives despite any obstacles we may face along the road.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
S: One woman that inspires me is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If she were still alive, standing in front of me, I would thank her for fighting for women’s equality and women’s rights. For giving women the chance to prove to the world our greatness. One of my favorite quotes by her is, “My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.”