NEW YORK – AHEPA New York Empire State District 6 announced on July 2 that George Zouvelos was awarded their highest honor as 2020’s Ahepan of the Year. The District’s statement follows:

We are honored to announce that, AHEPA Hermes Chapter 186 Brother George Zouvelos was awarded Ahepan of the Year, the District’s highest honor, at the AHEPA New York Empire State District 6 Convention held this past weekend, held virtually for the first time in New York. The award reads, “In Recognition of Outstanding Leadership, and Devoted Services, As Well As His Unselfish Contributions, Toward the Advancement of the Programs and Progress of the Order of AHEPA.”

Zouvelos, an Ahepan for nearly 30 years, has just been re-elected New York State District Warden, is immediate past president of the AHEPA Hermes Chapter No. 186, in Astoria; and, is past New York State District Marshall for New York. All are elected positions in the chapter, and/or across all 62 counties of New York State. This past December 2019, Zouvelos was also awarded the AHEPA New York State Governor’s prestigious Golden Eagle Outstanding Service Award for exceptional community and civic service, while maintaining and demonstrating, through programs and his efforts, the highest ideals of the Order of AHEPA and its founding principles.

“I am truly humbled, honored, and proud to be the one selected to receive this year’s prestigious Ahepan of the Year award, and that I was selected unanimously from all the chapters across all 62 counties of the State of New York. I am the 98th person to receive this highest honor and award since the founding of AHEPA here in New York. I will always strive to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism,” said Zouvelos. 

The plaque presented by AHEPA New York Empire State District 6 to George Zouvelos, Ahepan of the Year for 2020. (Photo by George Zouvelos)

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is a fraternal organization founded on July 26,1922, in Atlanta, GA. AHEPA was founded to fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the KuKluxKlan. It is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe. 

Shrine Chapter 500 of Greenlawn Long Island, was awarded Chapter of the Year, it is the newest reactivated chapter in the New York State AHEPA domain. AHEPA Brother Bobby Gemelas of Port Jefferson, and Brother Mike Labatos of Syracuse were each awarded this year’s Exceptional Service Award.