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!