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:
From there, the following scholar athletes were recognized with the respective awards:
The following individuals were then inducted into the AHEPA National Athletic Hall of Fame: