Prior Recipents

2016 Scholarship Recipients

The Hellenic Society of Constantinople is delighted to announce the 2016 scholarship award winners.

We proudly present this year's scholarship recipients with our wholehearted congratulations as follows:

In Memory of Vasiliki Triyandafilou

John Stravropoulos

John Stavropoulos is currently a sophomore attending Northwestern University where he majors in Economics. In college, John developed the Honors College website, presided on the Investment Association Executive Board, and is on the boxing team. He has been awarded the title of National Merit commended Scholar.

In Memory of Mr. Yannis Skarpathiotis

Isabella Abbott

Isabella Abbott is currently a freshman at the University of Maryland, working towards a degree in Chemical Engineering. She has joined the competitive swim club and is a member of the Hellenic Students Association. Isabella graduated from Glenbrook North High School in June 2016, where she was a four year varsity swimmer, a four year member of the Orchesis Dance Company, and an active four year representative on class board. She was also a member of National Honor Society and a Peer Group Leader. Isabella has been active in Greek Orthodox Youth Association through her church, and attended Ionian Village this summer following many years of participating in Fanari Camp. She has also been a frequent participant in the Chicago Metropolis Junior Olympics earning over 30 medals in swimming, track and volleyball.

In Memory of Mr. Chris Tomaras

Christina Adams

Throughout high school, Christina Adams was extremely dedicated to her studies, taking all AP classes and earning the recognition of Top 5% of her class. Out of the classroom, she was dedicated to various philanthropic works. The summer before her junior year of high school she, along with three friends, co-founded a kickball tournament to raise money for pediatric brain cancer. Together they raised over $10,000 in two years with over 100 participants. Continuing with her passion for finding a cure for cancer, Christina was a co-chair for her school’s Relay for Life, helping organize the town’s Relay for Life, which raised over $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. Another passion of Christina's is politics, which she pursued as an intern at the Bruce Rauner for Governor Campaign. Ms. Adams currently majors in Accounting and Finance at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

In Memory of Mr. George Lukidis

Michael McFarland

Michael McFarland is currently attending Notre Dame University and is a member of the Roosevelt and Walt Street clubs. Past accomplishments include a 5.0 grade point average with AP & Honors courses, a 36 ACT score, two 800 scores on the SAT subject tests. He has earned numerous awards such as: National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Glenbrook Scholar with Distinction, National Honors Society, US Lacrosse Academic All American, Illinois State Scholar, Central Suburban League Scholar Athlete, Glenbrook Science Achievement Award. He has volunteered at Bessie’s Kitchen, PADS and Feed My Starving Children. He also is co-founder of “Lax 4 Leukemia” which donated $50,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

In Memory of Dr. Stanley Fistedis

Demetra Arianas

Demetra Arianas is a Junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago pursuing a dual degree in Biological Sciences and Psychology with a Pre-Optometry goal. Throughout her time at UIC, Demetra has maintained high academic standing, making the Dean’s list while remaining enrolled in the Honors College. Demetra also serves as President of UIC’s Hellenic Student Association, conducts research through the Honors College, competes on the club tennis team, and now works as an Optometry Technician.

Scholarship Committee

Eva Harisiadis - Ariana Thomas - Angie Harisiadis

Benefactors

Dr. George Skarpathiotis was born on December 11, 1949 in Constantinople and attended Zografio High School in the Pera District of Constantinople. In 1964, Dr. Skarpathiotis' family left Constantinople and immigrated to Greece. In Athens, he attended the University of Athens Medical School where he earned his Doctorate in Medicine. He practiced for two years on the island of Santorini as a general practitioner. Dr. Skarpathiotis came to the United States in 1982. He enrolled and completed his pediatric residency at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago. He is currently practicing general pediatrics with offices in Palos Heights and Chicago.

He is Board Certified in Pediatrics and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Chicago Medical Society. He is also a Board Member of the Paideia Foundation.

We thank Dr. Skarpathiotis for his continued dedication to our Society and to the pursuit of higher education.

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Dr. Stanley Fistedis was born in Constantinople in 1925, he immigrated to the United States in 1947. His academic accomplishments included a B.S. from Robert College of Istanbul in Civil Engineering; an M.S. in Structural Engineering; a PH.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Prior to his retirement in 1985, Dr. Fistedis was Manager of the Engineering Mechanics Program, Reactor Analysis and Safety Division at Argonne National Laboratory. During his 28-year association with Argonne, Dr. Fistedis distinguished himself as an outstanding engineer, prolific writer and manager, which earned him several local and international honors and awards.

Dr. Fistedis was also an avid supporter of the activities and ministries of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois; and had special fondness for the Greek School Program. He was a true believer of Hellenism and the Hellenic ideals and lectured at his parish on topics including ancient Hellenic Philosophy and how it influenced Christianity. Dr. Fistedis was a believer in the education of the mind and the importance of nurturing the soul to follow the “righteous paths” as taught to us by our Orthodox Christian Fathers.

We are thankful for the unremitting support and generosity of his wife, Jeanne Fistedis, who together with The Hellenic Society of Constantinople are pleased to offer this scholarship in his honor.

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Mr. George Lukidis - This scholarship is offered by Vina Lukidis, in loving memory of her husband, George Lukidis, who was her companion for over two decades. He came from Constantinople and through hard work and an enterprising spirit found his good fortune in his beloved second motherland. The spirit of this scholarship is to promote the same traditions, values, and energy to the younger generations that propelled him to success.

We thank Mrs. Vina Lukidis for her generosity, continued support and dedication to our Greek youth and our Society.

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Mr. Chris Tomaras was born in Piraeus, Greece. He moved to the U.S. in 1957, while attending the Athens Graduate School of Economics and Business Sciences.

Mr. Tomaras' successful entrepreneurial businesses led to the establishment of “Kronos Foods” the largest Greek food products manufacturer in the U.S. After selling the company in 1994, Mr. Tomaras founded Tomaras Investments, Ltd., a private investment firm.

Mr. Tomaras was a philanthropist with significant contributions to several Greek institutions that support Greek education and offer assistance and services to the various Greek communities. In 2008, he donated $1,000,000 to the St. Iakovos Camp and Retreat Center of the Metropolis of Chicago.

We thank Mr. Tomaras for his dedication to our society's mission. His memory is honored through this scholarship.