OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
- Antonio Tsialas Foundation
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
The Power of ONE (Our Network of Empathy)
Please help us honor him by taking ONE action to lead with compassion and prevent hazing.
Mother Teresa once said: "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop were not there, I think the ocean would be less by that missing drop".
Growing up, Antonio always had a love for being number ONE. As our first child, he naturally wanted to step forward, help others, and lead the way! For Antonio, ONE meant more than winning. It meant being the first to step up and serve with compassion. As a talented goalkeeper, he wore the number one on his jersey and strived to live up to the number. For him, that meant having the discipline to practice with his teammates “till the lights went out.” Being a goalkeeper, wearing the number ONE was more than a title, Antonio felt the responsibility to be there to protect, to listen, to support and to stand behind his team. Antonio was the last line of defense and the first source of support and guidance for his teammates. He was the ONE who they trusted to defend the goal and hold them together. John says that Antonio often shared with him that he always will tell the team to “go out and play boldly, because he had their back.” John always adds “it was too bad that no one had Antonio’s back the night of his passing.”
This October 24, 2025, marks the 6th anniversary of Antonio’s untimely passing. ATLF was born from this tragedy, and it has evolved to reflect Antonio’s compassionate being, and supportive nature. We honor Antonio’s life and legacy by inspiring young adults to practice compassionate leadership and prevent hazing.
ONE act of kindness creates ripple effects that fuel positive change. To honor Antonio, and to build safe and inclusive communities through compassionate leadership, ATLF is creating OUR NETWORKS OF EMPATHY (ONE) in action. Today, in Antonio’s memory, we urge you to take ONE action.
Offer ONE act of kindness to a stranger
Start ONE conversation about hazing and compassion
Make ONE donation to the ATLF to support our efforts to fund education
Plant ONE seed to help heal our environment
Give ONE compliment to a friend or colleague
Be present for ONE friend who is hurting or suffering
Cook ONE meal for a local homeless shelter or a neighbor in need
Look for ONE way to make your community, group or school a better place
When we act as ONE, each individual’s actions are not single drops in the ocean, but the ocean itself.
Together as ONE, we lead with compassion.
Visit AntonioTsialasFoundation.org to learn more.
Did you see this wonderful story about ATLF in the Coconut Grove Spotlight? Reporter Jenny Jacoby did a great job of capturing the spirit of our ambassadors and our organization!
ATLF Ambassadors’ Corner
"The Antonio Tsialas Leadership Foundation's message really resonates with me. It takes a lot of time to understand that your own bucket has to be full so that you can fill others’ and these meetings have helped me take some time to improve myself and be better prepared to better the world. At the end of the day, your life is about your legacy and after thinking about that concept for a while I have realized that I want my legacy to be leaving the world a better place which perfectly aligns with the mission of the Antonio Tsialas Leadership Foundation."
Phaedra Haralambides
ATLF Junior Ambassador
ATLF Partners' Corner
Please take a moment to read this powerful op ed piece by one of our partners and amazing collaborator, David Bianchi.
2025 ATLF National Hazing Awareness Week (NHAW) Roundatable
Our deepest gratitude to all our amazing speakers for making the ATLF NHAW Round Table a success. We are so grateful to Meredith Stewart from StopHazing.org, Jill Maurer from the Gordie Center, David Bianchi and Carol Goraczco from STFBC for their willingness to share their expertise in hazing prevention and for their continued support.
We extend a special thank you to Leslie Lanahan, Gordie’s mother, for joining us, and kindly sharing Gordie’s life and legacy. Also, thank you to Dr. Christine Lay, neurologist at the University of Toronto, for engaging so thoughtfully in the discussion.
Nearly 50 participants joined the call and began taking meaningful steps toward recognizing the signs of hazing and leading with compassion. By attending our event, they empowered themselves to prevent hazing and to create safer, more compassionate communities!
Together as ONE, we lead with compassion!
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