ALBANY, NY – Education is deeply embodied in the identity and mission of the Order of AHEPA and since the inception of the scholarship Albany AHEPA Chapter 140 has awarded thousands of dollars to worthy college-bound students. The scholarship committee presented the 2021 awards on August 15 following church services at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Albany.

The AHEPA Scholarship Award is given to an active Sons of Pericles college student who demonstrates academic achievement and community service. To honor the founder of this award, the Order of AHEPA Chapter No. 140 renamed the scholarship the Arthur P. Takes AHEPA Scholarship Award.

Arthur P. Takes was initiated into Albany Chapter No. 140, of the Order of AHEPA in 1946, and was elected Chapter President in 1949. Over the years, he was a dedicated and loyal Ahepan, holding many chapter offices and serving on various important committees. In 1983, Takes was awarded Ahepan of the Year. He offered the original motion establishing the Sons of Pericles AHEPA Scholarship in 2000 and served as chairman of the committee until his death. In September 2006, shortly after his death the members of AHEPA Chapter 140 voted to rename the scholarship in his honor. May God rest his soul and may his memory be eternal. Arthur will forever be in our memories.

At the presentation of the scholarships at St. Sophia Church in Albany, left to right: George Tsakalakos, Rev. Fr. Patric Legato, DOP Alope Chapter 158 President Maria Neal, and Nia Cohen. Photo: Chris Pappis

This year’s scholarships were awarded to Nicholas Kalogridis attending SUNY Albany, George Marinopoulos attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Christo Melas attending Siena College, Christopher Moutopoulos attending Russell Sage College, Nicholas Moutopoulos attending Babson College, and Michael Neal attending Loyola University.

In addition, the Daughters of Penelope Alope Chapter 158 scholarship committee presented the 2021 awards to Elizabeth Cohen attending SUNY Cortland and Maria Tsakalakos attending Emory University. We wish everyone the best of luck and success in their future endeavors!