AHEPA Family District #10 Michigan Hosts 75th Convention

AHEPA District #10
Celebrates 75th Annual Convention

Troy, MI - 75th AHEPA Annual District Convention for the State of Michigan was held this past weekend, June 10th at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Troy, MI. Delegates and guests came from through out the state, from as far as, Saginaw and Flint. The day began with a joint AHEPA family opening in the Fellowship Hall. Governors Dean Roopas and Elena Kerasiotis, welcomed delegates to the event. A prayer was offered requesting support and guidance in meeting deliberations.

Following morning meetings, luncheon festivities commenced with Prayer. St. Nicholas' newly contracted catering service, Kosch Catering, provided excellent accommodations for the event. Following the buffet luncheon, District Governor for the Daughters of Penelope, Elena Kerasiotis, began the program by introducing and acknowledging the 2005-2006 District Lodge, Penny Khorraminia, Lisa Lange, Dorothea Williams, and Peggy Collias for their outstanding contribution over the past year. In addition, to the local Lodge, Ms. Kerasiotis, acknowledged and thanked, Grand Secretary, Karen Stamatiades for her attendance and her assistance as Liaison. Mrs. Stamatiades is from Atlanta, Georgia. Also at the dais for the Daughters of Penelope, was Kiki Sekles, Chairperson for this year's District meetings. Also recognized in attendance were the Maids of Athena Junior order presidents, Maxie Roumanis, Anastasia Chapter, Ann Arbor, and Kristina Anoyiannakis, Tri-Beta Chapter, Grosse Pointe Woods. Additional accolades were offered to Maids of Athena District Contact, Natasia Kouskoulas for her contribution, and inspiration for a very successful Date Auction fundraiser, hosted this past February by both chapters, which raised $1800 for Colon Cancer research.

Awards were then presented to the outstanding Daughters of Penelope Chapter, Thamyris of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, whose total contribution to philanthropies over the year equaled $10, 600.00, a per capita contribution of $122/member. Thamyris also surpassed all chapters for new member initiations. Ms. Kerasiotis asked that immediate past President, Olga Tecos step forward to receive the award for the chapter. All members were then asked to rise for a round of applause, Ms. Kerasiotis reported that total contributions for all District Chapters, exceeded $18,000.

Stepping out of the usual mode, Ms. Kerasiotis, advised that although the most coveted award was normally presented at the Grand Banquet, that today's award for outstanding Penelope of the Year, would be presented at the luncheon, due to commitments on the part of the recipient. Ms. Kerasiotis, advised that this year's worthy recipient has been a member of the Thamyris Chapter for the last 5 years, and that she has held the position of Chapter Recording Secretary for the last 4 years. In addition, she had also held the Chairmanship of the 2004 Festival of Tables. During her chairmanship, a relationship with Van Elslander Cancer Center was developed, which has resulted in the chapter electing to donate $10,000, over the last two years. After much intrigue, Ms. Kerasiotis announced that this year's Daughter of the Year was awarded to Dori Daskas. Ms. Daskas, stepped forward and accepted her award, and thanked her chapter for their vote of confidence and support.

Taking a quick breath, Ms. Kerasiotis, advised guests that the at this time the Past District Governors would be honored for their past contributions and continued support of the Daughters of Penelope. She described the recipients as dedicated and committed to the perpetuation and success of the organization. Each Governors name was read, those in attendance were asked to step forward and receive their certificates and gifts. 14 of the 22 Past Grand Governors were in attendance. Each received the newly designed signature Daughters of Penelope scarf and a pin generously contributed to the event by Ethnigraphics,LLC.

Following Ms. Kerasiotis' statements, District Governor of the AHEPA, Dean Roopas, introduced his District Lodge, Chris Bekiares, Peter Tecos, Dr. John Mehelas and Advisor, Tony Manolias. He introduced visiting Supreme Governor, Tony Capranica. Also at the dais was AHEPA Convention Chair, John Chinonis. Mr. Roopas also awarded Past District Governors certificate plaques to AHEPA Governors. Pictures were taken of both groups; all agreed that the event was a resounding success.

Breaking from luncheon festivities, the groups retired to their individual meeting rooms. The Maids of Athena were pleased to advise that they were holding initiation for a new member, who would be a part of the Anastasia Chapter in the fall, Christina Vallianatos. Ms. Vallianatos was also a recipient of one of the scholarship awards being presented later that evening. All were pleased to see the younger group making such progress and improvement over the last year.

Traditionally, during the afternoon sessions, election of officers is held, and this year was no exception. The Daughters are pleased to announce this year's 2006-2007 District Lodge: Governor, Penny Khorraminia, Lt. Governor, Olga Tecos, Secretary, Lisa Lange, Treasurer, Dorothea Williams, Marshall, Peggy Collias, and Maids of Athena Advisor, Dori Daskas. The immediate Past District Governor, Elena Kerasiotis, is automatically appointed to the position of District Advisor.

AHEPA's newly elected Lodge includes: Governor, Tony Manolias, Lt. Governor, Peter Tecos, Secretary, Chris Bekiares and Treasurer, Dean Roopas. In addition, to the announcement of their District Lodge, AHEPA advised that next year's convention would be hosted by the ALPHA Bloomfield Chapter, much welcomed news.

The evening Grand Banquet and Scholarship Award Presentations began promptly at 6:30pm. Panos and Manos provided entertainment. On hand, to MC the event was John Manolis. His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, opened the event with a prayer. He congratulated the AHEPA on its efforts to promote Hellenic Heritage and thanked the group for its dedication to our youth. He especially acknowledged the scholarship recipients for their outstanding achievements. Visiting dignitaries, Grand Secretary, Karen Stamatiades, and Supreme Governor Tony Capranica provided brief comments. Also addressing the audience was newly elected Daughter of Penelope District Governor, Penny Khorraminia, and immediate Past AHEPA District Governor, Dean Roopas.

MC Manolis, then turned the festivities over to Educational Foundation Executive Secretary, Milton Gust. He presented scholarships to 19 worthy applicants. They included: Alexandra Penz, Peter Milonas, Amalia Tolios, Michael Malis, Daphne Lambropoulos, Penelope Papalambros, Christina Vallianatos, Apostolos Alexandridis, Patrick Dietzel, Elitsa Nicolaou, Andreas Karatsinides, Heidi Sittas,
Panayiotis Mareskas, Margo Souchock, Eleni Tsiros, Sylvia Zannis, Vasiliki Sova, Gregory Tamanini, and Derek Drelles. Accepting the award for all of the participants was the highest scholarship recipient, Alexandra Penz. Her statements reflected the entire groups appreciation for being acknowledged for their scholastic achievements. She thanked the Foundation, for their efforts to support and assist graduating seniors with their advanced educational endeavors. Mr. Gust closed the event by requesting that all present participate and support the Foundations 30th Anniversary celebration, this coming fall, October 14, 2006, at the Hellenic Cultural Center, St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Westland, MI. He was pleased to announce, that along with honoring past scholarship recipients, the evening festivities would be highlighted by the guest speaker appearances by authors, Nicholas Gage and Eleni Gage. He encouraged everyone to attend and support the funding of a new college level scholarship fund to benefit college students through out their college careers.

Mr. Manolis then introduced the evening's special guests, the Kyklos Dance Group, under the direction of John Peppes. The colorfully costumed dancers wove their intricate patterns for the crowd's enjoyment and opened dancing for the evening.

Malista wishes to congratulate the AHEPA Family for their continued dedication to Hellenism and wishes the newly elected lodges much success in their upcoming year.

Malista!