AHEPA District 5 (DE, NJ)

AHEPA Districts 5 and 6 Hold First Ever Combined Convention

Atlantic City, NJ - Members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) from the John G. Thevos District 5 of New Jersey and Delaware held the first ever combined convention with neighboring District 6 of New York. The Combined Conventions were held June 8th and 9th in Atlantic City, NJ. Supreme President Gus James addressed the delegates and described AHEPA's accomplishments during the past two years and its challenges for the future. His remarks focused on the national recognition of AHEPA's 85th Anniversary and the growing influence in Congress of the Hellenic Caucus. He urged all members to make it a priority to urge their Congressional representatives to join the Caucus.

Special honors were bestowed on the Convention floor to past District Governors and past Chapter Presidents by AHEPA Board of Trustees Chairman Lee Millas. The continuing importance of education to AHEPA was recognized by presentations of District scholarships by AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope to graduating high school seniors. Recipients were honored at the Daughters of Penelope luncheon held on Saturday, June 9th.

A highly successful Grand Banquet was used to mark the end of this historic convention, with Master of Ceremonies Savas C. Tsivicos of AHEPA Thomas Edison Chapter No. 287, and attendance from all the Supreme Lodges of the AHEPA Family. The dignitaries that addressed the Grand Banquet included AHEPA Supreme President Gus James, AHEPA Chairman of the Board of Trustees Lee Millas, Daughters of Penelope Grand Secretary Barbara Stavis Wolf, District 5 Governor Sons of Pericles Haralambos S. Tsivicos, and Maids of Athena Grand President Maria Panayotou. In their last official acts, presentations were made at the Grand Banquet by outgoing Governors for AHEPA District 5 - Ted Vittas, and District 6 - George Kalyvas; Daughters of Penelope District 5 - Antoinette Marousis, and District 6 - Helen Kohilakis. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D) was honored at the Grand Banquet of the Combined Districts for his leadership in supporting Hellenic affairs and for advancing the membership of the Hellenic Caucus.

AHEPA District 5 presented its prestigious AHEPAN of the Year Award to George Constantinou of Thomas Edison No. 287 of Asbury Park, one of the host chapters for this year's convention. District 5 honors for Chapter of the Year went to Ramapo No. 453 of Wyckoff, President of the Year to George Diamantidis of Morris County No. 300, and Secretary of the Year to Jim Knicos of Trenton No. 72. Supreme President James emphasized the importance of supporting the 2008 AHEPA Supreme Convention to be held in Greece in July of 2008. The groundwork for this historic Supreme Convention has been laid over the past two years through AHEPA excursions to Greece, Cyprus, and the Patriarchate.
District 5 adopted recommendations to support the creation of Charter Schools on both a local and national level. This followed upon the heels of the tremendous success during the first year of the Odyssey Charter School in Wilmington, DE started by AHEPA Chapter 95.

The newly-elected Members of the District Lodge and their home chapters are Governor Chris Diamantoukos (Camden), Lieutenant Governor Ted Fanikos (Trenton), Secretary Phil Vogis (Ramapo), Treasurer George Horiates (Camden), Marshall Savas Tsivicos (Thomas Edison), and Warden Bill Harrison (Hudson).

The newly elected Daughters of Penelope District 5 Lodge is led by Governor Demi Thomas, Lieutenant Governor Karen Marousis, Secretary Robin Papagiannis, and Treasurer Donna Karpodinis.
Incoming District 5 AHEPA Governor Christopher Diamantoukos looked back on the Convention as one that exemplified the brotherhood and sisterhood that is at the foundation of the values that are held dear by the AHEPA Family. He commented on his outlook for the coming year to continue and reinforce the educational, cultural, and philanthropic programs that have met with great success throughout the District during recent past administrations.