| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
| Hellenic News of America | |
| 26 West Chester Pike Havertown, PA 19083 | |
| tel: 610-446-1463 fax: 610-446-3189 | |
| Contact us |
Velas Tours
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
an incoming tour operator based in Greece with 34 years experience in both, tours and holidays
velastours.com
2008 GAHOA Scholarships Opened New Avenues for YouthThey came to stay. They wanted to become part of America and perpetuate their Greek culture, language and religion. Struggle to become part of mainstream America was their challenge. Patriotism and an intense love of America is evident, as well as remembering the country of their birth. How do you become an American and not lose your heritage? The Greek American Homeowners Association (GAHOA) accomplished this unique feat in the following way: generosity. They have given generously to New York City philanthropic causes. Their support of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in perpetuating Hellenism, Orthodoxy and Education is exemplary. On Wednesday evening, January 9th, the Greek American Homeowners Association awarded sixteen scholarships to college students at their annual Vasilopita in their center at 23-49 31 St. in Astoria, New York. Over two hundred persons attended with standing room only. Eight thousand dollars were granted to outstanding college students. The scholarship winners are as follows: Nikolaos Drakopoulos; Dennis Moshopoulos; Michael Lydakis; Constantine Delis; Elias Thanopoulos; Evangelos Efstathopoulos; Pantelis Giannoutsos; Kalliope Pappas; Julia Kourkoumelis; Christopher John Scoufaras; Sophia Matafias; Spiros Nicholas Vagelatos; Harry Haralambous; Theodora Koulas; Bill Diomis and Ioanna Georgantzikis. The funds were raised by members and matched by businessman/philanthropist Mr. George Fakiris. The following members made donations: Nicholas Pantelatos, $500; Geoge Kitsios, $500; George Alexiou, $500; George Stavroulakis, $300; Mike Arapis, $200; Georgia Bamboula, $200; Regina Katopodis, $200; John Hatzigeorgiadis, $100; Fran Kanakaris, $100 and Steve Xanthoudakis, $100. . “Our organization has been awarding scholarships to St. Johns University students since April 2002,” said President George Kitsios. “Tonight, we have included students from other colleges. We are perpetuating our Greek tradition in our organization. Our members are pleased with the success of our college scholarship initiative. I understand the struggle of the young to educate themselves. I attended and graduated Columbia University. It is my obligation to support wholeheartedly this scholarship program. Tonight I share the same emotions of joy and success as the scholarship winners.” George Alexiou, Public Relations Chairperson of GAHOA said “the Scholarship Program began seven years ago with the cooperation of Prof. Catherine Tsounis, who is doing very fine work at St. Johns University, having embraced our youth as a mother. Every June we give additional scholarships to the students of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.” The St. Johns Modern Greek Language and Literature Scholarship Program has been encouraged by Dr. Nicholas Toscano, Chairman of the Languages and Literatures Department of St. Johns University. Recognition certificates were bestowed upon: President George Kitsios; George Fakiris; George Alexiou; In Memory of Athanasios Alafogiannis; George and Irene Moustakos; John Milas; Peter Stathatos; Irene Vasilakos; Anastasia Zois; Mike Arapis; Peter Pliakas; George Delis and Dennis Syntilas. Mr. Alexiou continued saying, “annually, I award each scholar the book Gates of Fire, by Steven Pressfield, that describes the Battle of Thermopylae. This book highlights their life as soldiers, where only the hard and strong call themselves Spartans. Their profession was war. Spartan women ran the household, the economy and country with expertise while the men away. Gates of Fire shows Spartan women as strong and worthy of their men. As long as I am a member of GAHOA, I will support our college scholarship program.” Rev. Apostolos Koufallakis of Sts. Demetrios and Catherine Churches of Astoria cut the annual Vasilopita (New Years Bread). “It is my pleasure to converse in Greek with every scholar tonight. One keeps ones ethnic group alive by speaking ones language. I congratulate Prof. Catherine Tsounis for being a heroine who is struggling to keep the Greek language alive. As long as I am a member of GAHOA, I will support our college scholarship program.” Rev. Apostolos Koufallakis of Sts. Demetrios and Catherine Churches of Astoria, cut the annual Vasilopita (New Years Bread). “It is my pleasure to converse in Greek with every scholar tonight. One keeps ones ethnic group alive by speaking ones language. I congratulate Prof. Catherine Tsounis for being a heroine who is struggling to keep the Greek language alive.” The Greek American Homeowners Association is the real winner of this event. A $250 scholarship in 2001 was transformed into a nationally recognized scholarship program that has raised thousands with the assistance of Mr. George Fakiris. The young remember those who aided them in their quest for success. One day they will return to the GAHOA and continue their unique legacy. Photo 1 – Dennis Moshopoulos (left) with Michael Lydakis, 2008 GAHOA scholars. Photo 2 – GAHOA President George Kitsios (left to right) with Prof. Catherine Tsounis and Public Relations chairman George Alexiou, architects of the 2008 Scholarship Program. Photo 3 – Scholars and members in a standing room only GAHOA hall. Photo 4 – Philanthropist/Benefactor George Fakiris ( left) congratulating scholar as Board members look on. Photo 5 – Anna Fakiris (left) presenting scholarships, on behalf of her grandfather George Fakiris. Photo 6 - Christopher John Scoufaras, of a prominent Chian-American family, awarded a scholarship by President George Kitsios (right) as Prof. Catherine Tsounis looks on.
|
Print Article© 2010 Hellenic News of America, Inc. - All Rights Reserved