BINGHAMTON, NY – Leonidas AHEPA Chapter 77 hosted the 85th Annual AHEPA District 6 Convention June 18-20. About 40 delegates attended in-person with another 35 joining remotely. The convention was held at the Riverdale Banquet Hall located in Endwell, NY. Supreme Governor Tom Dushas was in attendance representing the Supreme Lodge. The Convention Chairman was Past District 6 Governor Ted Stamas. AHEPA Supreme President George Horiates delivered remarks remotely.

The events began on Friday night at the Park Diner & Restaurant in Binghamton, NY. Owners James Papastrat, Past Chapter President and Secretary, and Chris Papastrat, current Chapter President, welcomed everyone and provided dinner and hospitality along with fireworks to end the evening. Following a continental breakfast at the Riverdale Banquet Hall on Saturday morning, the convention meetings began and continued until the 2021 Scholarship Luncheon and Awards.

Left to right: Candace Hoag and Chris Pappis, who was honored with AHEPA’s Exceptional Service Award at the District 6 Convention. Photo: Anastasios Stefos

Scholarship recipients Emily Kalyvas, Demetra Bobarakis, and Julia Ragoussis were in attendance with their parents while Zoe Eleni Tzivas and Brian Kim-Koutsis attended remotely. In addition, District 6 Governor Lou Katsos presented the 2021 District 6 Awards to Argyris Argitakos as Ahepan of the Year, Port Jefferson 319 for Chapter of the Year, and Christopher Pappis with the Exceptional Service Award.

District 6 Lt. Governor Dean Moskos presented the Empire State District 6 Appreciation Award to Lou Katsos who served as District Governor from 2019-2021. Convention delegates elected the new 2021-2022 AHEPA District 6 Lodge which includes District Governor Dean Moskos, Lt. Governor Chris Pappis, Secretary George Zouvelos, Treasurer Peter Ragoussis, Marshall Bobby Gemelas, Warden Michael Labatos, and Director of Athletics Costa Papademetriou.

Left to right: AHEPA District 6 Warden Michael Labatos, Supreme Governor Tom Dushas, District Governor Dean Moskos, Lt. Governor Chris Pappis, Secretary George Zouvelos, and Treasurer Peter Ragoussis. Photo: Anastasios Stefos

Later in the evening, Leonidas Chapter 77 held a dinner dance. Live Greek music was provided by the Aegean Duo, Steve Tavelaris and Nick Mouganis from Rochester, NY. Chapter and district officers attended Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Vestal, NY on Sunday presided over by Rev. Dr. Michael Bahlatzis. The Chapter was established on July 12, 1925 and reactivated on May 27, 2018. The first District Convention was hosted by the Leonidas chapter in 1936 at the Arlington Hotel in Binghamton, NY.

AHEPA District 6 Convention delegates at the Riverdale Banquet Hall in Endwell, NY. Photo: Anastasios Stefos

As the AHEPA brand journeys to its 100th Anniversary in 2022, chapters continue AHEPA’s mission of promoting the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.

Left to right: Past District 6 Governor Demi Pamboukes, John Ragoussis, Peter Ragoussis, Julia Ragoussis, Gina Bianchi, Steve Bobarakis, Demetra Bobarakis, Emily Kalyvas, Erika Kalyvas, Christos Kalyvas, Bessie Kalyvas, George Kalyvas, and Director of Education Mike Papaphotes at the AHEPA District 6 Convention. Photo: Anastasios Stefos

Left to right: Steve Eoannou, John Melithoniotes, Dean Moskos, Cookie Patelos, Marina Patelos, and George Zouvelos. Photo: Anastasios Stefos

Left to right: Chris Papastrat, Lou Katsos, Tom Dushas, Mike Papapanu, Ted Stamas and Dennis Kiriazides. Photo: Anastasios Stefos

Left to right: Louis Diamantakos, Voula Diamantakos, Bessie Anastos, Steve Anastos, Rev. Dr. Michael Bahlatzis and Presbytera Kimberly Bahlatzis. Photo: Anastasios Stefos