Evritanos “To Karpenisi” and Greek News Give Awards

Syllogos Enosis Evritanon Amerikis ‘To Karpenisi’ and Greek News awarded two St. John’s students scholarship awards for excellence in Modern Greek on Sunday, April 3^rd afternoon at St. Nicholas church in Flushing, N.Y. Greek News, through the sponsorship of Apostolos Zoupaniotis awarded $500 to Grace Holinski, a second generation Greek-American. Syllogos Enosis Evritanon Amerikis “To Karpenisi” bestowed a $500 award to Christos Stavropoulos, a Psychology/Theology student.

The Awards Ceremony took place at the annual meeting of the Society. This is a vibrant organization composed of persons from New York and New Jersey who are engaged in philanthropic and cultural projects. The 2005 elections were held. The new officers include: Fanis Tsiampouris, president; Alexandra Tsinias, 1^st vice president; Marina Vartholomeou, secretary; Christopher Fillos, treasurer; Eleni Kontoyiannis, 2^nd treasurer.

Constantine Katsanos, expressed the sentiments of “To Karpenisi” society and Greek news by saying, “we are granting awards for Greek Letters. Our organization supports all projects that seek to perpetuate our Greek heritage. We are one of the original donors to the Modern Greek language and literature Program of St. John’s University from 2000 to the present day.” Mr. Katsanos, a community leader and philanthropist, has aided in keeping the Greek Awards program strong. His enthusiasm represents the dedication of the members to keep further the expansion of Modern Greek in the American education system. The Greek News is a benefactor of community causes. Mr. Zoupaniotis presented a lecture before seventy students during the Fall 2004 semester. The newspaper is a new sponsor, whose support for events is appreciated by the Greek-American community.

“We are happy to see the young take over the organization,” said Helen and Bill Condos, who are original founders from 1974. Helen Condos remembers her brother “George Apostolopoulos who drafted the original constitution. We had picnics and dances. Now a new group is in control who wants to trace the society’s roots to the 1970’s.” Presently, four hundred members are in the society. They have a vigorous recruitment effort.”

George Melikokis, is an educator of over forty years. His family came from the villages of Aniada and Klapsi near Karpenisi. “Our society has aided the education, and social programs of the United States and Greece. Evritania has some of the best ski resorts in Europe. Evritanes are industrious persons. They take the work ethic in their adopted lands,” said Melikokis. A Panagyri is planned for July 2^nd, in City View, L.I.C., and New York. Barbecued lambs, clarinet players from Greece in a small town atmosphere will be experienced by all. Admission is $50.

Evritania is one of fifty-one prefectures of Greece. Its capital is Karpenisi with 32,000 inhabitants. The prefecture is covered with mountains. The region has seen foreign invasions, devastation and exploitation throughout history. It is located in central Greece. For more information, go on the internet to www.answers.com/topic/evritania and www.evrytan.gr .

2005 Online photos