2008 GAHOA Scholarships Open New Avenues for Youth

Scholars and members in a standing room only GAHOA hall.

The Greek American Homeowners Association (GAHOA) has 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 9, the Greek American Homeowners Association awarded $8,000 in 16 scholarships to college students at their annual Vasilopita in their center at 23-49 31st St. in Astoria. More than 200 persons attended.

The scholarship winners are: 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 George Fakiris. The following members made donations: Nicholas Pantelatos, $500; George 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.

Chian-American Christopher John Scoufaras is awarded a scholarship by GAHOA President George Kitsios (r.) as Prof. Catherine Tsounis looks on.

"Our organization has been awarding scholarships to St. John's University students since April 2002," said Kitsios, GAHOA president, said. "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."

Alexiou, GAHOA public relations chairperson, said, "The Scholarship Program began seven years ago with the cooperation of Prof. Catherine Tsounis, who is doing very fine work at St. John's 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. John's Modern Greek Language and Literature Scholarship Program has been encouraged by Dr. Nicholas Toscano, chairman of the Languages and Literature Department of St. John's University. Recognition certificates were bestowed upon Kitsios; Fakiris; Alexiou; George and Irene Moustakos; John Milas; Peter Stathatos; Irene Vasilakos; Anastasia Zois; Mike Arapis; Peter Pliakas; George Delis; Dennis Syntilas, and in memory of Athanasios Alafogiannis.

Every year, Alexiou presents each scholar with Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield, a book that describes the Spartans and Battle of Thermopylae. "Their profession was war," Alexiou explained. "Spartan women ran the household, the economy and country with expertise while the men were 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."

The Rev. Apostolos Koufallakis of Sts. Demetrios and Catherine Churches of Astoria cut the annual Vasilopita (New Year's Bread). "It is my pleasure to converse in Greek with every scholar tonight." he said. "One keeps one's ethnic group alive by speaking one's 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 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.