SJU Holds 3rd Greek Independence Day Program
BY MARLA FILIPPATOS

Master Antonis Loupakis with his academy.

On Thursday evening, February 22, members of the Greek community, students, and faculty gathered to honor St. John's University's third annual Greek Independence Day Program. St. John's University Council Hall was bedecked with blue and white colored flags and the exclamation "Zito i Ellada" was heard throughout the hall. The night proved to be a successful joint effort of the Modern Greek Language and Literature Program of St. John's University, the St. John's Greek Club and Geros Tou Morea NY Chapter #1 of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America. One hundred fifty persons attended.

A lecture concerning Greek Independence, telling the history of how Greeks attained their independence after a 400-year battle against the Ottoman Turks was presented. Heroes such as Theodore Kolokotronis made Greek freedom and independence possible. The boldness, courage, heart, and strength that Greek ancestors put into fighting for their freedom must be remembered. The Pan Arcadian Federation of America, Kolokotronis' descendants, contributed greatly to the program by providing a grant to cover expenses. Sir H. James S. Maine said, "Except for the blind forces of nature, nothing moves in the world which is not Greek in origin."

Master Antonis Loupakis (5th from l.) with son (6th from l.) receiving awards with Dr. John G. Siolas and (l. to r.) Moderators Spiros Kostaras, Irene Zouroudis, Haroula Scoufaras, Yvonne Cassimatis and Prof. Catherine Tsounis.

Several people and organizations were honored. The Chian Federation awarded a scholarship to Antonios Katsigiannis for excellence in the study of Modern Greek. Contributions of Greek societies which have awarded scholarships to students of the Modern Greek Language and Literature Program from 2000- 2007 were recognized. They have raised $79,150 in scholarships. The list of donors includes the Athanasiades Foundation; Cephalonian Association AENOS; Chian Federation; Greek-American Homeowners Association; HYPE, Memory of Archie Mavromatis; Kefalos Cephalonian Association; Stephen Cherpelis Enterprises: Sotiria Cherpelis; Syllogos Evrytanon "To Karpenisi" Society; George Fakiris; Greek Afternoon School of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church; Panchiaki Korais Society; Pan Cyprian Association of America; Pan Gregorian Enterprises, Inc.; Olympic Torch Contracting Inc.; St. Nektarios Philoptohos; Peter Balodimas; Steve Tsernikas; Anastasios C. Kokaliaris; George Katsihtis; New York Physical Therapy Sports Rehabilitation; Scholarship in Memory of Stamatis Sklavos; Odisseas Skountzos; Tom Tsongas; the George and Kay Malafis Scholarship, and the Varis Family Scholarship.

President Petros Kasimis and Cultural Committee Chairperson Dimitris Stavropoulos of Geros Tou Morea NY Chapter #1 of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America with Dr. John G. Siolas.

Dr. Christos Ioannides, director of the Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies Center, Queens College, pledged a continuous effort between both programs in the advancement of Hellenism. Amy Litis Vasilakos was recognized for her generous donation of Greek language DVDs for the study of Modern Greek in the language lab. Others were also honored throughout the night, including the graduating seniors of the Modern Greek Language and Literature Program. The award recipients were Yvonne Cassimatis, Maria Mitidis, Spiros Kostaras, Christina Constantinou and Ann Marie Renaldo. Special service awards were given to two outstanding members of the Greek Club and Modern Greek Language and Literature program who have accomplished exceptional work in the public relations of the event, Faith Lawson and Dennis Moshopoulos. Parents honored for their participation in the successful events were Mary Anne Cassimatis, John Cassimatis, Laura Kostaras, Christoforos Kostaras, Dina Mitidis, Theodore Mitidis, Pangiotis Tsagkaris and Spiros Kaloudis.

The following persons donated: President Petros Kasimis and Cultural Committee Chairperson Dimitris Stavropoulos of Geros Tou Morea NY Chapter #1 of the Pan Arcadian Federation of America; Dr. John G. Siolas; Panagiotis Tsagkaris; Andreas Moshopoulos; Family of Dennis Moshopoulos; Amy Litis Vasilakos; Spiros Kaloudis; Faith Lawlor; SJU Greek Club; Ann Marie Renald of the SJU Italian Club; Vivian Vescovacci; Yvonne A. Montesantos; Geoffrey O'Brien; Tom Kalaritis; Penny Kalaritis, and Stavroula Raia.

Dr. John G. Siolas presented the audience with a special guest appearance for a spectacular performance: Master Antonis Loupakis and his Academy. Loupakis was a Greek champion who competed in the 1964 Olympics in Japan. He is currently a sixth degree black belt and a Grand Master in Tae kwon-Do. He has received honors from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and has an academy located in Astoria. The former Greek Olympics participant and his academy have received more than 30 gold medals in Pan-American Competitions.

Refreshments were served with traditional Greek hospitality by St. John's students. Bouzouki songs such as Melina Mercouri's 1960s classic "Pote Thn Kuriakh" entertained all. The night concluded with the words of Professor Catherine Tsounis, who said "We must never forget the blood of our ancestors, who were ordinary persons that wanted to be free to practice their way of life by willingly giving up their lives for an ideal. Zito to 21. Long live 1821!"