Port Jefferson AHEPA Chapter 319 Awards Scholarships in Memory of Bobby Gemelas

PORT JEFFERSON, NY:. – Port Jefferson AHEPA Chapter 319 on May 4 awarded two students at Stony Brook University’s Center for Hellenic Studies $1,000 each for their winning essays in a scholarship competition sponsored by the chapter.

Four years ago, George Kallas of AHEPA 319 and Dr. Stella Tsirka of Stony Brook University, partnered together to create a scholarship competition targeted for students of the Center for Hellenic Studies. The theme of the essay competition was developed by Dr. Tsirka and each participant interviewed several elderly Greek residents and documented how they were received and blended into the American culture, learned the language, and became established in the community as citizens of the United States. Correlations were encouraged to be drawn to the current immigration environment.

Last year, the scholarship was renamed as the AHEPA 319 Bobby Gemelas Scholarship, honoring the chapter’s late brother Bobby Gemelas, past Vice President and one of the founders of the chapter, who passed away in April of 2023.

The ceremony took place at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson, following the church services, including the two-year memorial for the late Gemelas, presided over by Fr. Lou Nicholas.

AHEPA Region 3 Supreme Governor Dean Moskos attended the ceremony and informed the parishioners of his close ties to the Port Jefferson and the Stony Brook communities as he lived in Port Jefferson during the late 1970s and early 1980s while working and attending both Suffolk County Community College and Stony Brook University. At SBU, he recalled an assignment by his sociology class where he interviewed two older Greek and Armenian ladies about their lives emigrating so young from Kozani and Constantinople, respectively. He congratulated the SBU Hellenic Studies Department faculty, the two scholarship recipients, and the AHEPA Port Jefferson Chapter officers and members for their support of education and for all their efforts in promoting Hellenism.

AHEPA New York District 6 Lieutenant Governor Gus Constantine was also present and spoke briefly about how Gemelas was instrumental in reactivating a chapter that had been inactive for many years. He mentioned how Bobby had a love not only for AHEPA, but for his family, that Bobby’s memory will be kept eternal through his scholarship at Port Jefferson’s AHEPA chapter, and that God willing, Kalligrace and her children will one day receive the AHEPA scholarship that was dedicated to her father.

George Kallas, AHEPA 319 Chapter President, began the ceremony with a summary of AHEPA’s origins, and how its mission changed from helping Greek immigrants blend into American society to now helping 2nd and 3rd generation Greek-Americans appreciate their Hellenic culture and heritage. You don’t have to be Greek to become a member of AHEPA, Kallas went on to say, referring to the many mixed marriages in the United States. Kallas also emphasized that AHEPA is not a “men’s club,” referring to the four parts of the AHEPA Family: The Order of AHEPA (for men over 18), Daughters of Penelope (for women over 18), Sons of Pericles (for young men ages 14-27) and Maids of Athena (for young women ages 14-27).

Kallas spoke about the scholarship competition, thanking Peter Tsantes, who was the primary benefactor of the SBU Center for Hellenic Studies, founded by Dr. Stella Tsirka, Distinguished Professor at SBU. At the end of his presentation, Kallas encouraged the students and members of the parish to become members of the AHEPA Family, and join in the perpetuation of Hellenic ideals, donating money or volunteering the time and energy needed to provide all in our communities with the much-needed assistance they so rightfully deserve.

Dr. Tsirka announced the two winners of the scholarship, Eleftherios Boudouris, and Anna Kokoris, who were both awarded $1,000 each. Boudouris presented a short speech to the parish, thanking AHEPA for the opportunity and the award, and commenting on what his main take away was from the experience interviewing the Greek immigrants and writing the essay with his commentary on the current immigration environment. Kokoris was unfortunately not able to attend, and her acceptance speech was delivered by Professor Simos Zenios, Peter V. Tsantes Endowed Professor in Hellenic Studies at SBU.

The students were encouraged to join the Maids of Athena or the Sons of Pericles, helping to carry out AHEPA’s mission of promoting the ancient Hellenic ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.

Eleftherios Boudouris was born in Greece and moved with his family to New York at the age of 10. He graduated from Wantagh High School on Long Island with honor and was a member of both the National English Honors Society and the Italian Honors Society. He is currently a first-year student at Stony Brook University, majoring in Health Science. He chose this path because it combines his passion for science with his desire to help those in need. Shaped by the values given to him by his family, he consistently strives to give back to the community and support those facing challenges. For three years during high school, he volunteered as a teacher assistant at St. Nicholas Greek afternoon school of Babylon, helping children learn the Greek language in an enjoyable way. He is fluent in English and Greek and has basic proficiency in Italian. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and tennis.

Anna Kokoris, born in 2004, grew up in Syosset, NY. Her family hails from Laconia. She is currently a third-year student at Stony Brook University, pursuing a double major in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and Statistics, with a minor in Communication and Innovation. Anna is enrolled in the university’s five-year combined BS/MAT program, through which she will earn her master’s degree in teaching mathematics. Beyond her academic work, Anna is actively involved in campus life. She serves as Vice President of the Greek and Cypriot Student Association, Treasurer of the Sigma Beta Honor Society, and Treasurer of the Future Teachers Association. She is also a parishioner at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Hicksville.

Source: The National Herald
Link: https://www.thenationalherald.com/port-jefferson-ahepa-chapter-319-awards-scholarships-in-memory-of-bobby-gemelas-2/
Photo: John Damaskos

Photo: Port Jefferson AHEPA Chapter 319 awarded its 2025 scholarships on May 4, left to right: Michael Kontonicolas, George Kallas, John Hanges, Paul Zaferiou, Fr. Lou Nicholas, Anthony Papadopoulos, Cristian Apostol, Peter Tsantes, Gus Constantine, Dean Moskos, Dr. Maria Athanasopoulou, Dennis Morris, Dr. Simos Zenios, Sam Zubalake, John Tsunis, Dr. Stella Tsirka, and Eleftherios Boudouris.