The Ahepan Fall 2019 - 14

Supreme Treasurer Savas Tsivicos, Wayside, N.J.; and Supreme
Counselor Louis G. Atsaves, Esq., Lake Forest, Ill.
The nine Supreme Governors are: Region I: Demetrios C.
Kirkiles, Esq., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Region II: George Papaspyrou,
Riva, Md.; Region III: Tom Dushas, Rye, N.Y.; Region IV: Jack
Isaac, New Britain, Conn.; Region V: Alex Anderson, Springfield,
Ohio; Region VI: Peter Lekas, Chicago; Region VII: Chris Kaitson,
Houston; Region VIII: Alexander Soles, Yorba Linda, Calif.; and
Region X: Phanos Pitiris, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Sons of Pericles National Advisor is Nick Kavadas, Schereville,
Ind.; and Supreme Athletic Director Chris Atsaves, Glenview, Ill.

AHEPA Family Elections

AHEPA FULFILLS $1
MILLION COMMITMENT TO
REBUILD SAINT NICHOLAS
AHEPA proudly fulfilled its $1 million donation to rebuild Saint
Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at World
Trade Center with a presentation of the remaining pledge balance to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at
the 97th Grand Banquet, July 5, 2019.
Then-Supreme President George E. Loucas, and Chairman
of the Board Nicholas A. Karacostas, PSP, who also served as
the chairman of AHEPA's Capital Campaign to rebuild Saint
Nicholas, presented the donation to Archbishop Elpidophoros.
"Since 1922, AHEPA has stood by the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America thus creating the 'Twin Pillars of
Hellenism' in America that we see today," Loucas said. "We are
deeply grateful to the AHEPA family; to our amazing grassroots
network of districts, chapters, and dedicated members, all of
who made this landmark donation a reality."
Karacostas added, "We are proud to be the only secular
organization to make and fulfill a one-million-dollar donation
to this campaign. I echo the sentiments of Supreme President
Loucas in conveying our sincere appreciation to all our donors."
Additionally, Loucas and Karacostas expressed confidence
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine
will be rebuilt and both hope AHEPA's fulfillment of its pledge
will provide the springboard for the additional support the
project needs.

THE AHEPAN · Fall 2019

The organizations that comprise the AHEPA family also held elections. Celia Kachmarski, Calgary, Alberta, was elected Daughters
of Penelope Grand President; Paul Pavlakos, New York, N.Y.,
was elected Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Theodora
Ronstadt, Chicago, was elected Maids of Athena Grand President.

Five Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame
Five standouts in athletic competition and the sports industry
were inducted into the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame.
The 2019 Class of the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame
includes: Lt. Colonel Thomas Bellairs, Denver, Colorado, College
Basketball; Valorie Kondos Field, Sacramento, California, College
Women's Gymnastics Coach; Peter Laskaris, Swampscott,
Massachusetts, College Basketball; Adam Rand, Niantic,
Connecticut, College Lacrosse; and George Veras, Columbus,
Ohio, Emmy-award Winning Television Producer.
In addition, Major League Baseball player Cody Bellinger, James
Sotos, and George Fefles were recipients of the Harry Agganis
Award, William Chirgotis Award, and a Special Recognition Award,
respectively. Moreover, eight scholar-athletes and DOP athletic
honorees, were announced (see Athletics, page 27).
Conventioneers enjoyed a diversity of programs and presentations. The National Educational Foundation hosted its National
Hellenic History Tournament, which has become an annual convention event. The "Spartans" from Toronto won the tournament.
The Hellenic Cultural Commission hosted a panel on the topic
of the Pontian Genocide as its 100th anniversary was commemorated. Archons and Ahepans John Manos and Gus Pablecas presented on the topic, "Religious Freedom and Christian Persecution
in the 21st Century." The AHEPA Service Dog for Warriors program also presented on its latest developments to help veterans
who have PTSD, which included K9 for Warriors Founder Shari
Duval, Veteran Bill Smith, and his service dog, Athena, made

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http://www.ahepa.org

The Ahepan Fall 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Ahepan Fall 2019