HYDE PARK, NY –
Delegates and guests from the AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, and Maids of Athena chapters from across New York State gathered on June 7 at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum in Hyde Park, NY, for the 89th Annual District Convention, hosted by the Manhattan-based AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25. The location was of particular significance given President Roosevelt’s longtime membership in the Order of AHEPA, Delphi Chapter 25.
The convention kicked off on June 6 with a welcome night at the Eveready Diner in Hyde Park, co-hosted with the AHEPA Poughkeepsie Chapter 158. Attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner buffet and Greek music while greeting brothers and sisters who had traveled in for the convention.
On June 7, the convention began with a wreath laying ceremony at the Museum’s Rose Garden, the gravesite of President Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Led by the U.S. Marines Reserve Forces Color Guard Unit from New Haven, CT, the delegates, braving the rain, solemnly processed to the Rose Garden. After the laying of two wreaths, one by District 6 Governor Michael Labatos, and one by AHEPA Delphi 25 Chapter President Andreas Christou, a Trisagion service was offered by Rev. Fr. Jason Dickey of Kimisis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie. Fr. Dickey was the official representative of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Remarks were offered by William Harris, Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Museum, and Louis Katsos, Past Delphi Chapter President and Past District 6 Governor, who offered stirring remarks entitled AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25, and The Story Behind the Beloved Bust of Our Brother President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The convention then officially began with the Opening Ceremonies, the Color Guard presentation of the Colors and the Greek and U.S. National Anthems sung by Christina Fileas (Greek) and Dessa Kavrakis (U.S.).
Remarks were delivered by Fr. Jason Dickey, Convention Chairman Konstantinos Prentzas, Chapter President Andreas Christou, and District and National Officers in attendance. Of particular importance, approximately 40 members of the Sons of Pericles (SOP) and Maids of Athena (MOA), representing the future of the AHEPA Family, were in attendance and held their own convention deliberations.
In addition to the District Lodges and more than 150 attendees from AHEPA Family Chapters across New York State – the Convention was also honored by several National Officers of the AHEPA Family. In attendance were AHEPA Supreme Secretary Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, Supreme Treasurer Themistocles Frangos, Supreme Counselor Demetrios Kirkiles, Supreme Governor Region 3 Dean Moskos, Daughters of Penelope (DOP) Grand Governor Zone II Effie Kirkiles, Grand Governor Zone I Lainie Damaskos-Christou, SOP Supreme President Alec Economakis and SOP Supreme Governor George Antonellis. Successful and productive convention meetings were held by all four orders.
A highlight of the convention was the Annual Scholarship & Awards Luncheon, where the AHEPA District 6 and Daughters of Penelope District 6 Scholarship Foundations were awarded to several deserving high school graduates and college students. The scholarship recipients from AHEPA are Panagiotis Kaloudis, Maya Ito-Chihaia, Nina Misantonis, Dessa Kavrakis, and Gianna Massas. DOP scholarship recipients are Tatiana Athanasia Markou, Niko Alexander Sarantakos, and Michael Joseph Surgit. AHEPA, DOP, and MOA also each presented awards to distinguished members to honor their commitment to cultural promotion and philanthropy.
The Governor then Presented the two Governors Meritorious Service Awards to the District 6 Director of Athletics, Paul Macropoulos, Vice President AHEPA Gold Coast Chapter No. 456 Manhasset, Long Island, NY and Anastasi Stampolis, District 6 Warden and President of AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 Hempstead who were also Chairman and Co-Chairman and put together this year the AHEPA District 6 sponsored SOP Flag Football league which consists of members Jamie Spanopoulos, Dr. John Lagonikos, Jimmy Papageorgiou, Aris Papangelopoulos, Harry Yanakis, Paul Pavlakos, Georgios Cosmas and Peter Cosmas. Also in attendance were members of SOP Lord Byron #233, Hempstead, Long Island, NY, SOP from Astoria Omega #88, and SOP from New Rochelle, Perseus #322. Governor Mike Labatos personally congratulated and presented them with Award Certificates at the District 6 Convention.
Presentations highlighted the strength of the Hellenic youth in the AHEPA Family during the year, with the MOA successfully building a sensory room for the children at St. Basil Academy and the SOP raising thousands for their philanthropic efforts and SOP 100 campaign. Delegates were also offered complimentary admission into the Presidential Museum. Many convention attendees also took the opportunity to visit the Bust of President Roosevelt donated by AHEPA Delphi Chapter 25 in 1945.
During the afternoon session of the convention, the AHEPA delegates elected the new 2025-2026 AHEPA District 6 Lodge as follows: District Governor Gus Constantine, Lt. Governor Konstantinos Prentzas, Secretary Harry Yanakis, Treasurer Stephan Ramerini, Marshal Gregory Tsougranis, Warden Anastasios Stampolis, Director of Athletics Paul Macropoulos, and Executive Secretary Christopher Pappis.
The delegates of the Daughters of Penelope elected the new 2025-2026 DOP District 6 Lodge as follows: District Governor Marina Patelos, Lt. Governor Alexandra Davis, Secretary Eugenia Skevofilax, Treasurer Demetra Versocki, Marshal Tatiana Stampolis, DOP Advisor Joanne Pappas, and MOA Advisor Maria Patelos.
In addition, the MOA District 6 Lodge officers were elected: District Governor Sophia Theodorou, Lt. Governor Michelle Papandrea, Secretary Styliani Rallis, and Treasurer Evie Kapassakis.
After the installation of new officers, the weekend concluded with delegates visiting the Poughkeepsie Greek Festival, and attending Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning at the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church.
“We thank all of those who attended the District Convention and congratulate the newly elected District Officers of the Empire District 6 AHEPA Family,” the District said in a statement.
