Elias Hionides Associate in Arts Florida Community College, Class of 2008

Following Family Traditions

Elias Hionides
Associate in Arts
Florida Community College, Class of 2008

Born and raised in Atlantic Beach, Elias Hionides saw both his sisters succeed at Florida Community College and decided to continue the family tradition. But he admits to having one other good reason to choose FCCJ: “It is a great school!”

Of Greek heritage, Elias also follows two other family traditions — humility and hard work. “I come from a family of very hard-working people,” he said. “My Dad and Mom both taught me to be humble and to work hard to achieve all of my goals. I would say staying humble is the greatest thing they have taught me.”

Elias now focuses that hard work on his major field of study, business marketing. After FCCJ, he plans to attend the University of Miami to study international marketing and finance. “My ultimate goal is to live overseas and do global branding for a company that is just beginning to expand into European markets. After that, I want to move back to Jacksonville and become a real estate developer.”

Those are ambitious goals, but with the help of FCCJ, Elias is well on his way to achieving them. “My favorite thing about FCCJ is the helpfulness of all the teachers and tutors,” he said. “Not one teacher seems to be rushed or unwilling to help. I have had many situations in which I have gone to a professor multiple times to discuss class material, and I have never once been rushed or pushed aside.”

Elias’s interest in marketing followed earlier plans to become an emergency room doctor. Inspired by the television show “ER,” he dreamed of being the person who jumped out of the medical helicopter and started doing CPR on the patient.

Outside the classroom, Elias enjoys music. “Singing has always been a real important part of my life. From when I was younger, I would constantly be humming, whistling or singing something. Since I discovered my talent at a young age, I was able to develop my voice, eventually becoming involved in my high school chorus.”

In every endeavor he undertakes, Elias keeps the lessons taught by his parents firmly in mind. “Growing up, I saw my Mom and Dad both become extremely successful people but still maintain the humble values of their immigrant upbringing.”

With his humility, his hard work and his family traditions to rely on, it’s easy to see great things ahead for Elias at FCCJ and far beyond.