Student With Leros Roots Excels in National Exams

A student with family roots in Kalymnos and Leros achieved one of Greece's highest scores in the 2026 national university entrance examinations, earning a place at Athens Medical School.

Michaela Kasti, 18, a final-year pupil at the First Arsakeio General Upper Secondary School in Psychiko, scored 19,200 points for the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens medical course.

Her result was among the highest nationwide in the science and health studies group and secured entry to her first-choice course at Athens Medical School.

National examination marks

Biology: 19.8.
Chemistry: 19.8.
Physics: 19.0.
Modern Greek language and literature: 18.2.

The result crowned years of systematic and creative work and reflected the commitment, persistence and consistency that had characterised her education.

Family roots in Kalymnos and Leros

Michaela has deep family ties to the Dodecanese. Her mother's family comes from Kalymnos and her father's family from Leros.

She is the daughter of Katerina Anaplioti, a respiratory and tuberculosis specialist from Kalymnos, and Giorgos Kasti, a research department director at the Academy of Athens who comes from Leros.

On her mother's side she is the granddaughter of merchant navy captain Michalis Anapliotis and Eleni Olympiti-Anaplioti, who live permanently on Kalymnos and followed their granddaughter's progress with great emotion.

Thirteen years at Arsakeio

The year carried a second significance for Michaela. On Thursday 25 June 2026 she formally completed 13 years at the Arsakeio Schools in Psychiko during an emotional graduation ceremony.

The event was attended by the school community, graduates' families and Arsakeio president and university professor Georgios Babiniotis, who congratulated pupils on their work and achievements.

A sustained record of excellence

Her national examination success was consistent with an already distinguished school career. In the previous academic year, with an exceptional overall mark of 19.9, Michaela received both an excellence award and a special first-place award as the top pupil at her school.

She also received a special ethics and solidarity award, recognising not only her academic performance but her wider presence and contribution to the school community.

Those who know her describe consistency, kindness, teamwork and a desire to contribute as qualities present throughout her work.

Flag-bearer and community contribution

During the 2025 to 2026 school year Michaela was selected as her school's flag-bearer and represented the First Arsakeio General Upper Secondary School in the official 28 October 2025 pupil parade at Syntagma Square.

She has also won distinctions in subject competitions, painting and music, while taking an active role in solidarity initiatives supporting vulnerable social groups.

Artistic talent

Alongside her academic achievements, Michaela has a strong artistic character. She has painted from an early age and regards art as both a form of expression and a source of creative balance.

At just 14 she impressed observers with a mural depicting the Kalymnos provincial government building, revealing a natural talent that she continues to develop.

An achievement celebrated across the Dodecanese

Michaela Kasti's journey offers a bright example to younger people, showing that effort, consistency, cultural development and social awareness can coexist and lead to outstanding results.

Kalymnos and Leros had every reason to feel proud of a young woman from their island communities as she began a new chapter at Athens Medical School.