Cleveland, OH – October 24, 2024 – Fifty years after a transformative journey, five lifelong friends have reunited to reflect on the momentous events of the summer of 1974.
Karen Korellis Reuther (Hammond, IN), Maria Pappas Krispinsky (Campell, OH), Steve Steffas (Euclid, OH), Byron Yankou (Toronto, Ontario), and Lee Zapis (Rocky River, OH), who were high school students at the time, joined together once again in Cleveland to celebrate the profound impact of their shared adventure on the AHEPA Educational Journey to Greece.
In the summer of 1974, these five friends and 35 other students and chaperones from across the United States embarked on a four-week tour of Greece. Organized by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the trip aimed to immerse students in Greece’s rich cultural and historical legacy. However, the summer of 1974 would prove to be far more dramatic than any of them had imagined.
Their journey coincided with a turning point in modern Greek history, as the country witnessed the fall of the military Junta government, which had ruled Greece since 1967. Just days after the regime’s collapse, Turkey launched an invasion of Cyprus, igniting geopolitical tensions that reverberated around the world. As these young students experienced the fall of Greece’s military junta and the geopolitical crisis in Cyprus firsthand, another historic event unfolded in the United States: President Richard Nixon resigned from office amid the Watergate scandal. This momentous event added to the sense of living through a globally transformative period for those on the AHEPA Educational Journey.
For Karen Korellis Reuther, the former Global Creative Director at NIKE and currently on the faculty at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, the reunion has been an opportunity to reflect on both the personal and broader cultural impacts of that summer: “The friendships we formed were special, but we also gained a deeper connection to Greece and a passion for civic engagement that’s carried through our entire lives.”
The five friends, who have stayed in touch over the years, credit that summer for inspiring lifelong friendships, commitments to philanthropy, leadership, and their respective careers. Maria Pappas-Krispinsky, a now-retired school administrator, credits the trip for paving her educational career path.
Steve Steffas, a veteran airline professional, also noted that the educational journey fostered a deep appreciation for understanding one’s roots and identity in global affairs.
Byron Yankou, a Canadian insurance executive, noted how the experience broadened their understanding of global events at a young age: “It was, without a doubt, the best summer of my life, with friends I met 50 years ago, several of whom I still keep in touch with today.
“Ah, the summer of ’74—what a wild, sun-soaked adventure that was! Greece wasn’t just a destination; it was a revelation,” laughed Lee Zapis, a semi-retired media executive. “Not only did we soak in the stunning scenery, but we were right there, living through a turning point in history, and we made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Who could ask for anything more?”.
Long Live AHEPA!
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Additional Notes:
Maria Kripsinsky is currently a member of The Daughters of Penelope Hera Chapter #31 in Warren, Ohio, and is also a Past District Governor.
Byron Yankou is a 30-plus-year member of AHEPA Lord Byron Chapter CJ1, the Mother Lodge of Canada in Toronto. Brother Byron brought the Hellenic History Tournament for High School Students to District 23, which is Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. They have been very successful in Toronto and Ottawa for five years, and next year, they will be in Montreal, Quebec. He has also participated in four International Tournaments at Supreme Conventions.
Lee Zapis has been a member of AHEPA chapters Cleveland #36, Atlanta #1, and currently, North Royalton, Ohio #480
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