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Bronxville High School senior Simos Dimas has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts with the Westchester Youth Service Award. The award honors juniors and seniors for their leadership and service with a social justice lens to their community. 

Dimas – who is described as a critical thinker, team player and self-starter – founded Granted USA, a nonprofit organization to sponsor no-cost college campus visitation to first-generation, low-income college-bound students. Since he founded the organization in his junior year, he has made nearly 350 student-campus visits to nine colleges.

“His work is absolutely phenomenal and inspiring,” said guidance counselor Dr. Alyssa Levy, who nominated him for the award. “The fact that a young man has the organizational skills, business acumen and the perspective to have created this nonprofit organization speaks volumes to his incredibly bright future.” 

In addition to his involvement in the nonprofit, Dimas has an exceptionally high GPA, an outstanding list of extracurricular activities and has received notable awards. He is a classical violinist and a key member of the Bronxville honors orchestra and varsity soccer team. He is also a dance therapy instructor for special needs students, president of the Young Entrepreneur Club and a committed member of his church. 

“Simos’ ability to balance his rigorous course load while operating at such a high level outside of the classroom is remarkable,” Levy said. “He is a standup young man who consistently demonstrates maturity, compassion and dedication to all he does. The growth and unyielding work ethic that he has demonstrated in the classroom, and within the community, has stood out and is incredibly impressive.”