'To Karpenisi' Grants Scholarships

The scholars Nikolaos Georgostathis, Sophia Orfanidis, Nicole Georgakopoulos of the Modern Greek Language and Literature Program of St. John's University. (Fourth from l.) honored for unique achievements, as Aleka Tsinias (l. to r.), Constantine Katsanos, St. John's University Prof. Catherine Tsounis, adjunct instructor of the Modern Greek Language and Literature Program and Stephen Cherpelis (seventh from left) look on.

"The finest of our youth from the Greek heartland are being honored today," said Aleka Tsinias, president of the Enosis Evrytanon Amerikis "To Karpenisi" on Sunday, March 30 at Mythos Restaurant in Flushing, The scholars were Nicole Georgakopoulos, Sophia Orfanidis and Nikolaos Georgostathis of the Modern Greek Language and Literature Program of St. John's University.

"We have tripled our scholarships since 2007,"said Costas Katsanos, public relations chairperson. "Enosis Evrytanon Amerikis 'to Karpenisi' helped to initiate the St. John's University Modern Greek Scholarships in 2000 through the suggestion of Stephen Cherpelis, one of the original donors. The two of us forged ahead. We have continued to support this unique program for nine years."

2008 Membership of the Enosis Evrytanon Amerikis "To Karpenisi" .

Stephen Cherpelis is one of the founders of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing, its Greek Afternoon School and Dikaiophylax of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. "Enosis Evrytanon Amerikis 'To Karpenisi' is an organization with energetic, young members progressing forward in America," he said. Part of the legacy of Katsanos, Cherpelis, Tsinias and "To Karpenisi" Society of Evrytania is keeping alive the St. John's University Modern Greek Language and Literature Scholarship Program from 2000-03, when it was failing from lack of community support. After nine years, Evrytanon Amerikis "To Karpenisi" Society continues to support the grant outreach effort, inspiring others to follow their example.

"Today we are honoring a young scholar, Sophia Orfanidis, who is marrying a Karpenisioti from my village," said Secretary Maria Vartholomeos. Kostas Katsanos gave a free 2008 membership to St. John's University scholar Orfanidis. Their aim is to recruit youth, keeping their Society alive. The major fundraising event is a fabulous outdoor lamb barbecue with continuous Greek entertainment every July. Top entertainers from Greece make the event memorable. Their membership is from New Jersey and New York.

General Secretary Maria Vartholomeos commending Sophia Orfanidis, a Karpenisiotisa by upcoming marriage and new 2008 member, for achievement.

The 2008 Board of Directors includes: Aleka Tsinias, president; Christopher Fillos, first vice president; Apostolos Katsanos, second vice president; Maria Vartholomeos, general secretary; Nicholas Tavantzis, assistant secretary; Eleni Kontogiannis, treasurer, and Aspasia Tsiamtsouris, assistant treasurer.

Karpenisi is a city in the prefecture of Evrytania in central Greece. Ravaged by invading armies for 2,500 years, it is the gateway to Athens. The local population has suffered extreme hardship from the W.W. II Axis Powers who leveled the area to the ground. The final blow to the local communities was the Greek Civil War from 1945-49. These events precipitated a mass emigration overseas. The villages swell in the summer from returning members. Hardship, suffering and extreme anguish has solidified their community spirit. Many members have built churches, schools, societies and non-profit organizations in the tri-state area.

2008 Evrytania is primarily known for its natural beauty, ski resorts and the Monastery of the Virgin Mary Proussiotissa. For more information, visit the following Internet links:

www.mlahanas.de/Greece/Regions/Evritania.h tml

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evrytania

en.agrotravel.gr/agro/site/AgroTravel/tdoc page?sparam=stereaellada&doc=/Documents/A grotravel/landmark/Evritania/prousiotisa&subna v=Lodgings