AHEPA news

 

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300 E-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org   Thursday, July 30th Brothers & Sisters, The 104th AHEPA Supreme Convention is now well on its way here in historic Philadelphia. In so, we held the AHEPA Family Awards brunch today, taking the opportunity to honor excellence within our AHEPA community. Tonight guests will gather for one of our most unique events of the week, the "Bouzoukia on the Battleship," celebration on the Battleship New Jersey. This event will honor several AHEPA Veterans for their years of dedicated service to the United States Armed Forces. Tomorrow, we will host our annual Grand Convention Banquet. This is one of our most luxury events of the week, gathering the largest share of the convention of any event. In addition to dinner, a dance and drinks, the banquet will honor several outstanding individuals for their contributions to their communities and Hellenism. The honorees and their respective awards are as follows: Pantelis Boumpouras: AHEPA Defender of Hellenism Award, Pete Pahides and the late Gus P. Pahides of blessed memory: Academy of Achievement in Business Award, and Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: AHEPA Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award. See you all there! Day 4 Philadelphia Convention Re-cap: Several Celebrations and Many Honors Last night, we hosted our AMERICA 250 Celebration at Liberty View at the Philadelphia Independence Center, convening hundreds of convention-goers for a evening of honors and fun. The event began with several buffets and a cash bar as attendees mingled and viewed all the various exhibits in the center. The awards section of the program then ensued as various AHEPA leaders spoke, including AHEPA Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson, Supreme Vice President Dr. Zenon Christodolou, Daughters of Penelope Grand President Antoinette Marousis-Zachariades, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Basili Ronstadt and Maids of Athena Grand President Stephanie Owens. AHEPA Board of Trustees Vice Chairman George Horiates, PSP, then spoke and introduced the honoree of the evening, Dr. Elias Iliades. Dr. Iliades was awarded the AHEPA Hellenism Award for his lifelong contributions to Hellenism as well as for serving his community, aiding many young Hellenic professionals in their advancement throughout his career as well as virtually all Hellenic organizations. Today, July 30th, we additionally hosted the annual AHEPA Family Awards Brunch. The awards brunch is a special occurrence during the convention, convening all four orders for a celebration of one another before they break for official delegate meetings and votes. During the brunch, Past AHEPA Board Chairman and Past Supreme President Nicholas A. Karacostas served as the MC for the event. The event began with a presentation from the District Five AHEPA Family Cancer Research Foundation, where its Chairman, Sammy Thomas, introduced Dr. Edna Cukierman, PhD from Fox Chase Cancer Research Center who educated the audience on the importance of early detection in cancer treatment. Then, MC Karacostas, PSP introduced MOA Grand President Owens, followed by SOP Supreme President Ronstadt, who presented the SOP Centennial Coin #18 to Lee Millas, the 18th SOP Supreme President. Following Ronstadt, DOP Grand President Marousis-Zachariades addressed the crowd, followed by remarks from Supreme President Kaitson who awarded the following honors: Chapter of the Year Marathon #2, Charlotte, N.C. District of the Year Empire District #6 District Governor of the Year Andrew Eliopulos Ahepan of the Year Michael Pantel The Supreme President's Award of Excellence Supreme Secretary Themistocles Frangos AHEPA Athletics Luncheon, Awardees and Honorees Today, AHEPA Athletics held their annual Luncheon event, gathering the convention this afternoon for a meeting and celebration of some of the most notable athletes from across the AHEPA domain. This includes recognition for the National Athletic Awardees, the AHEPA and DOP Scholar-Athletes and the Hall of Fame inductees. The program began with greetings from Chris G. Atsaves, Supreme Athletic Director, Supreme President Kaitson, Grand President Maroussis-Zachariades and President/Chairman of AHEPA National Housing Corporation, Ike Gulas, PSP. The luncheon then moved to recognize its National Athletic Awardees. The Awards were as follows: The Harry Agganis Award: Most Outstanding Hellenic Amateur, College or Professional Worldwide Athlete: Trevor Zegras, Professional Hockey, Philadelphia Flyers The William G. Chirgotis Award: Most Outstanding College Athlete: Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers Uuniversity, Professional Football The Agganis Family-Galatis Award: Most Outstanding High School Ahtlete: Jack Louridas, High School Basketball From there, the following scholar athletes were recognized with the respective awards: John Peter Vlahos High School Scholar-Athlete Award: Constantinos Charlie Theokas PSP Franklin R. Manios Scholar-Athlete Award: Constantine Coines Anthony Leondis Memorial Scholarship Award: Yianni Balafas PSP Phillip T. and Tula K. Frangos Scholar-Athlete Award: Zacharias Poulos Ranglas Family Scholar-Athlete Award: Elias Fisher & Anna Tsirambidis Vassiliadis Family Scholar-Athlete Award: Marianna Drapas & Andreas Tsikouris AHEPA National Housing Corporation Scholar Athlete Award: Konstantin Pantazopoulos & Christos Stefanopoulos AHEPA Supreme President Scholar-Athlete Award: Demetrios Tarasov AHEPA National Headquarters Scholar-Athlete Award: Polixeni Tsiotos PSP Anthony Kouzounis Memorial Scholarship Award: Konstantinos Hantsoulis & Skevos Tsikouris Zoe Cavalaris Scholarship Award: Katerina Tarasov The following individuals were then inducted into the AHEPA National Athletic Hall of Fame: Steve Kiorpes Bulpett, National Basketball Association Journalist Patrick Calathes, College Basketball, Saint Joseph's University Frank Klopas, Professional Soccer & United States Soccer Team Jason Palumbis, College Football, Stanford University James Rappis, College Basketball, University of Arizona Tomorrow's Schedule Arrival Information Kit Full Week Schedule (Subject to Change) We look forward to celebrating with you in Philadelphia 104 years of promoting Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family, and Individual Excellence! Fraternally,   Basil Mossaidis Executive Director American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association For Immediate Release | July 30, 2026 Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202.232.6300 E-mail: ahepa@ahepa.org AHEPA Mourns the Passing of Brother, Past Supreme Treasurer Demetrios Kirkiles Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson expresses deep sorrow on behalf of the entire Ahepa Family on the passing of Past Supreme Treasurer Demetrios Kirkiles of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Brother Demetrios passed away on July 28th early in the morning at 5 AM. Demetrios was attending the AHEPA Supreme Convention in Philadelphia. He served AHEPA in many capacities on the local, district and national levels.  Kaitson stated, “Our deepest sympathies go out to his lovely wife Effie and his family. We will always remember Demetrios for his dedication to service and commitment to community.”  May his memory be eternal. Sincerely, E. Chris Kaitson Supreme President Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.  AHEPA's mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.  For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.