AHEPA E-News
Volume 19, Issue 12 | Wednesday, March 26, 2025
AHEPA Family Celebrates Greek Independence Day at White House
Members of the AHEPA Family were honored to attend the Greek Independence Day Celebration hosted by President Donald J. Trump at the White House on Monday, March 24th. The President welcomed the "hardworking Greek American patriots" in the audience to the White House and acknowledged the Greek-American lawmakers and members of his administration in attendance. Following his welcome remarks, President Trump signed a Proclamation to officially recognize March 25, 2025 as the anniversary of Greek Independence Day.
This annual celebration brings together members of the Greek American community from across the United States, and AHEPA is thankful for the opportunity to have been able to participate.
Watch a video of the Event! | View the Proclamation!
Houston AHEPA Members Launch The Empty Chair Project
As an AHEPA Family, we honor the values of education, civic responsibility, and family—ideals deeply rooted in our Hellenic heritage. The Semander family of Houston has exemplified these principles for decades, leading with strength and community spirit. Their story, however, is one of both tragedy and resilience.
In 1982, their daughter Elena was brutally murdered, shaking their world. Yet, from unimaginable loss, matriarch Harriett Semander emerged as a tireless advocate for justice—not just for her daughter but for all families. She fought to prevent the release of her daughter’s killer, exposing flaws in the justice system and ensuring other lives would be protected.
Now, in 2025, the Semander family continues their mission by sharing their story through The Empty Chair, a proof-of-concept pilot for a potential TV series. Written by John Semander and directed by Andrew Shebay—both proud members of Alexander the Great Chapter 29 in Houston, TX—this project brings their fight for justice to a wider audience.
The pilot is available on AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play. Please take some time this week to learn about the Semander Family, watch the pilot, and support this impactful project at www.theemptychairmovie.com. The family and filmmakers hope to garner enough interest to turn the proof of concept into a limited narrative series for TV. Your sharing of the film's website, spreading awareness on your social networks, and watching the 22-minute pilot is a huge support to the family and is much appreciated! Together we are stronger as a community!
Supreme President gives Keynote Address in Fort Lee, NJ
Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Hellenic Civic Club of Fort Lee, New Jersey's annual Greek Independence Day celebration on Saturday, March 22nd.
The sold out event that was attended by almost 500 people took place at the Lewis F. Cole Intermediate School and followed a flag raising ceremony the previous day at Fort Lee Borough Hall. It featured a performance by the Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey and Greek Folk Dancers from other regional churches.
District 2 AHEPA Family on Parade in Tarpon
On March 23rd, the AHEPA Family of District 2 marched in the Greek Independence Day Parade in Tarpon Springs, Florida. It was a wonderful turnout from the entire community as members marched from St. Nicholas Cathedral to the sponge docks. Thousands of people lined each side of Dodecanese Boulevard as multiple Greek and American organizations participated in the parade either by marching or riding on a beautifully decorated float. Additionally, many dignitaries and priests from the Greek Orthodox community were present, including local city leaders and Congressman Gus Bilirakis, to celebrate Greek Independence Day and Hellenic Heritage Month.
Journey to Greece Application Deadline Nears
We want to remind you that the application deadline for the 2025 AHEPA Journey to Greece Program is fast approaching! This incredible four-week experience, running from June 15 to July 11, 2025, offers students the opportunity to earn up to six college credits while immersing themselves in the rich history and culture of Greece. Since its founding in 1968, this program has helped thousands of students connect with their heritage, and we look forward to welcoming another group of eager participants. If you haven’t applied yet, be sure to do so before the April 30, 2025, deadline. Full program details, including costs, schedules, and course offerings, can be found on our website by clicking the links below.
Thanks to generous donations, including a $200,000 contribution from the George W. Rentschler Foundation, AHEPA has continuously been working toward creating a $1 million endowment to ensure this program remains accessible to future generations.
The earlier applications are submitted, the better we can accommodate students and continue expanding opportunities for even more participants. Don’t miss out on this life-changing experience—apply today and take part in a journey that promises lasting memories, valuable connections, and a deeper appreciation for Hellenic culture!
Click to Learn More about Journey to Greece!
Click to Apply to Journey to Greece!
Application Station!
Don't miss out on any of the exciting opportunities AHEPA has to offer students in the upcoming months
AHEPA Educational Foundation Scholarship
Applications Due March 31
Download AEF Scholarship Application
John George Tsitsos Scholarship
Applications Due March 31
Download John George Tsistos Scholarship Application
AHEPA Athletics Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame Application
Applications Due March 31
Download AHEPA Athletics Hall of Fame Application
AHEPA Scholar Athlete Scholar Athlete Application
Applications Due April 15
Download AHEPA Scholar Athlete Application
AHEPA Journey to Greece Program Application
Applications Due April 30
Click to learn more about and apply to Journey to Greece!
AHEPA National Banquet Sponsorship Available!
Join the AHEPA Family in Washington, DC on May 21, 2025 for our 2025 AHEPA National Banquet, to be held at the historic Mayflower Hotel! This event will be held in conjunction with AHEPA Capitol Hill day, which is scheduled for May 22, 2025 at 10am.
AHEPA is currently selling tickets by way of full table sponsorships. Each table seats ten individuals. For more information about available sponsorships, ticketing, and reserving your hotel room at the Mayflower, visit the links below!
Become a Banquet Sponsor!
Click Here for more Information!
National Publications Awards Program
The National Publications Committee has opened submissions for the National Publications Competition, which awards District and Chapter publications throughout the AHEPA domain. The awards will be distributed at the 2025 AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, July 21-26, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.
If your District or your local Chapter wishes to have their publication considered, please email Brother John Melonopoulos to request a questionnaire. Once received, applicants will have until March 30, 2025 to submit the properly executed questionnaire as well as two copies of the newsletter they would like considered.
Email electronic copies to john.melonopoulos@comcast.net
Mail hard copies to:
John Melonopoulos, PDG
88 Scott Swamp Road, Unit 328
Farmington, CT 06032
Awards will be given in the following categories:
District Publications
Newspaper/Magazine Electronic Version
Newspaper/Magazine Hardcopy Version
Chapter Publications
Newspaper/Magazine Electronic Version
Newspaper/Magazine Hardcopy Version
A winner’s representative must be present at the Supreme Convention to accept and receive the award. Should more information be required you may call 860-938-6262 or email: john.melonopoulos@comcast.net
E-Mail John Melonopoulos
The Winter 2024 AHEPAN is Here!
Hot off the electronic press! The Winter 2024 issue of The AHEPAN is here! Read the latest issue of The AHEPAN today!
Read the Issue!
Save the Date! Supreme Convention 2025
Dust off your Mickey ears, The Order of AHEPA is going back to the happiest place on earth, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida!
We’ve got a week full of fun for the whole family that you’re not going to want to miss out on! Join us once again at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, where we’ve secured a special convention rate for our attendees starting at $199/night plus tax. You know the deal, these rooms are going to sell out quickly, so book now!
Click to Book Your Hotel Room!
Click to Book Your Airport Shuttle!
Click to Visit the Supreme Convention Page!
Click for Discounted Park Tickets!
Publicize Your Chapter & District Events!
Is your Chapter or District hosting an event you want publicized on a National Level? Starting this week, you can submit your event to have it posted on the AHEPA Website!
Fill out the form linked below with your event information to have it publicized. Remember that this information will be public on our website, so keep that in mind before you submit personal phone numbers or home addresses. We recommend listing an email address as a point of contact rather than a telephone number.
Submit Your Events!
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
March
30 | National Publications Committee Awards Submission Deadline
31 | AEF Scholarship Submission Deadline
31 | John George Tsistos Scholarship Submission Deadline
31 | AHEPA Athletics Hall of Fame Nomination Application Submission Deadline
April
15 | AHEPA Athletics Scholarship Application Deadline
30 | AHEPA Journey to Greece Program Application Deadline
30 | Sons of Pericles Scholarship Application Deadline
June
1 | Delegate/Alternate Reporting Forms Due
15 | Early Bird Supreme Convention Registration Ends
Greek American News Digest
Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members
Greece's Santorini welcomes first cruise ship after quakes
Reuters (March 24)
Greece's tourism jewel, Santorini, welcomed its first cruise ship of the year on Sunday after thousands of small earthquakes in February created a state of emergency, forced thousands to flee and had locals fearing the season would be lost. Millions of tourists flock to Santorini every year, squeezing along its whitewashed cobbled streets to view its famous cliff-top sunset. The increased seismic activity - unprecedented even in a country as quake-prone as Greece - had prompted authorities to shut schools, halt construction and dispatch rescuers to the island. read more
New wave of African dust sweeps over Greece
Ekathimerini (March 24)
A new wave of dust from the African continent is sweeping across Greece, blanketing many regions, including Athens. Air quality in affected regions has been significantly impacted, obscuring the skyline. According to weather forecasts, the dust will linger over the wider Athens area, keeping the skies hazy, until at least Thursday. After that, expected rainfall will gradually clear the atmosphere, bringing relief from the dusty conditions. read more
March 25: Greece, Hellenism Worldwide Celebrate Independence Day
To Vima (March 25)
Military and pupils’ parades took place throughout Greece and in cities around the world with a large ethnic Greek presence on the occasion of the 204th anniversary of the symbolic commencement of the Greek independence struggle on March 25, 1821. March 25 is the date given for the uprising in the southern-most Peloponnese against dour Ottoman rule, although military action had begun a month earlier in the Wallachia province of northeast Romania by a contingent of Greek volunteers. read more
Will British Museum Return Stolen Parthenon Marbles to Greece?
National Herald (March 25)
The rollercoaster story of whether the British Museum will return to Greece the stolen Parthenon Marbles is continuing after Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who was open to the idea – appointed a trustee to the museum who isn’t. Starmer named Tiffany Jenkins, an academic and author of a book opposing Greece getting back the national treasures created 2500 years ago and ripped off the Parthenon by a Scottish diplomat, Lord Elgin. read more
Greece: Listen to the acoustic version of “Asteromáta”!
Eurovision Fun (March 25)
A few weeks before the Eurovision Song Contest takes place, the contest’s official YouTube channel is releasing videos from the “A Little Bit More” series, featuring exclusive performances, remixes and covers of songs by the participants who will be performing this year on the ESC stage in Basel. Today’s video includes Greece’s representative, Klavdia. In this new video, the Greek artist performs an acoustic version of Greece’s entry “Asteromáta”. read more
Click the link above for the latest in Greek American Sports News!
This is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
For more information visit AHEPA's official website, www.ahepa.org.
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