By Catherine Tsounis
“It is a pleasure to be here. I am honored to recognize and award these deserving students and wish them success in the future,” said Harry Monoudis, Chairman of the 2026 Constantine and Carol Cassis Scholarship Committee.
The AHEPA Family of Hempstead came together as a community to present the 2026 Constantine and Carol Cassis Scholarships at its dinner gala on Sunday evening, April 19. The event was held at Jonathan’s Restaurant in Garden City Park.
The 2026 scholarship recipients are Anastasi Vani, Jonathan Versocki, Sophia Georgatos, and Aurora Shields. The scholarships were generously sponsored by members of the Cassis family, including Elaine Cassimatis; Nick and Tina Cassis; Manuel Cassis; and Patricia Cassis.
AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter No. 141 Scholarship Committee included: Harry Monoudis, Chairman; Paris Zaferiou; Louis Yeostros; Kenneth Anderson; Joanne Pappas; Anton Skrivanek and Anastasios Stampolis.
The evening was opened by Anastasi Stampolis, President of AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170, and Tatiana Stampolis, President of Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter No. 141. The invocation was delivered by Father Demetrios Kazakis of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Paul.
The four scholarship recipients expressed their sincere appreciation for the honor. A representative of the Cassis family conveyed their continued support for the scholarship programs of AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 and Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter No. 141. “Thank you,” said the Cassis family through their representative. “We recognize and appreciate the hard work you do through our church, our faith, and our families. Thank you for keeping our father’s memory alive.”
“We’re very proud of our students, who are being awarded scholarships through AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 and Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter No. 141,” said Father Kazakis. “AHEPA continues to focus on our Hellenistic culture, education, and incorporating various things of our faith. The youth that are being honored this evening and awarded scholarships. are bright examples of the future we have at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul, as they serve our parish, as they serve our county and all the families of our state.
“We give out scholarships on a large scale, as you see tonight, that we do for four wonderful recipients.” said Anastasi Stampolis, AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. 170 president. We do this all together with Pasithea chapter No.141. And we thank you, everybody, including my wife, who had just taken over as president.” Louis Yostros, vice president of St. Paul’s Parish Council and scholarship Committee explained “we look at it a whole variety of factors in selecting scholars. We are proud of AHEPA.”
“It is wonderful to see everyone here tonight. Please enjoy the evening. We are very grateful for the community’s support,” said Tatiana Stampolis, President of Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter No. 141. “We deeply appreciate the continued support of the Cassis family. You have always been our strongest supporter. Please enjoy the evening and have a wonderful time.”
“The Daughters of Penelope Pasithea Chapter No. 141 joins AHEPA Constantine Cassis Chapter No. each year,” said former President Joanne Pappas. “We submit applications from various seniors and trade schools. The committee reviews the applicant’s submissions, under the guidance of Harry Monoudis. We come to decisions. We produce our winners, with the partnership of the Cassis family. We’re very grateful to the Cassis family.
“I wasn’t born Greek,” said Kenny Anderson, Scholarship Committee member. “I am a Christian. One of the things I asked my mother-in-law when I got married was whether she could speak Greek to the children, so they would also have a Greek-speaking home in addition to English. We found that attending Greek school and receiving a Greek education has been very beneficial for them in their daily lives. They have been to Greece twice, are able to communicate in Greek, and still have Greek friends with whom they stay in touch and socialize. They remain connected to their Greek heritage.” The AHEPA Family of Hempstead 2026 Constantine and Carol Cassis Scholarship honorees are bright examples of the future. For more information, email [email protected].
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