ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
PHOTO: Robert A. Buhler, chairman and Trustee of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation, addresses the attendees at the Saturday night Gala at the Chicago Hilton.
A weekend in Chicago highlighted the organization’s growing impact through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development—including recognition of 57 outstanding students nationwide. General Andrew Poppas received the Foundation’s 2026 Paradigm Award and served as the keynote speaker. It was another proud moment for Helleniscope as my second-born son Nicholas was among the recipients (and also distinguished himself in singing and dancing!)
By Nick Stamatakis
The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation once again demonstrated this past weekend why it has become one of the most effective and impactful organizations in the Greek-American community during its 2026 Awards Weekend in Chicago.
For more than two decades, the Foundation has done far more than provide financial assistance. Through scholarships, mentorship, leadership development, networking opportunities, and alumni engagement, it has created a national platform to identify and nurture the next generation of Greek-American leaders. This year alone, the Foundation awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to 57 exceptional students from across the United States, each selected for their academic achievement, leadership, character, and commitment to service.
The weekend’s events brought together more than 800 attendees, including scholarship recipients, alumni, mentors, donors, clergy, and community leaders. A cornerstone of the program was the 10th Annual Mentorship Luncheon, where students connected with accomplished professionals from a wide range of fields. The Foundation’s commitment to mentorship continues to distinguish it from many scholarship organizations, creating opportunities that extend well beyond financial support.
As someone who has spent many years covering the Greek-American community through Helleniscope, I have witnessed firsthand the impact this organization has on young people and their families. This year’s event was particularly meaningful for my family, as my son, Nicholas Stamatakis, was among the 57 scholarship recipients honored during the weekend. Seeing Nicholas recognized alongside so many talented and accomplished young Greek Americans reinforced the importance of organizations like the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation and the role they play in encouraging excellence among our youth. Please link here to see the names and photos of all 57 recipients.
PHOTO: Nicholas Stamatakis receives the Panhellenic Award.
The celebration culminated at the Hilton Chicago, where scholarship recipients were recognized for their achievements and where the broader Greek-American community came together to celebrate the future of Hellenism in America.
A special highlight of the evening was the presence of retired U.S. Army General Andrew P. Poppas, who received the Foundation’s prestigious 2026 Paradigm Award. General Poppas, one of the most accomplished Greek Americans ever to serve in the United States military, was honored for a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades. His example of leadership, service, integrity, and dedication to country provided a powerful message to the students being recognized that evening. For many in attendance, his remarks and presence served as a reminder that achievement is best measured not only by professional success but also by service to others and commitment to one’s values.
PHOTO: General Andrew Poppas
AB Elpidophoros was present at several events, congratulated the scholarship recipients, and praised the Foundation’s continuing efforts to strengthen education, leadership, and Hellenic identity throughout the United States. We learned “from the grapevine” that the Archdiocese offered to sponsor some scholarships. This is a positive change, I believe, as we are used to the Church being involved in events and organizations to ask for money and never to give.
Among the notable takeaways from this year’s event:
• Fifty-seven outstanding students received scholarships.
• More than $250,000 was awarded in educational support.
• The 10th Annual Mentorship Luncheon expanded opportunities for professional guidance and networking. The mentorship program was widely acclaimed by all attendees.
• General Andrew P. Poppas received the prestigious 2026 Paradigm Award.
• The Foundation continued to demonstrate why it is one of the premier Greek-American organizations dedicated to developing future leaders.
A NOTE ON THE SUCCESS OF THE PANHELLENIC SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
One of the impressions I came away with from Chicago was the contrast between the Greek-American community there and the one in New York. The Chicago Omogeneia appears to have cultivated a stronger culture of unity, civic engagement, and collective purpose. Its leaders and organizations have learned to work together toward common goals, often placing the community’s interests above individual considerations.
In New York, by contrast, organizations too often become fragmented by competing personal agendas, internal rivalries, and external political and geopolitical influences. As a result, energy that could be directed toward strengthening the community is frequently dissipated in divisions and disputes. The Chicago community offers an example worth studying and emulating. Congratulations to its leaders for fostering this spirit of cooperation, and may they continue to preserve and strengthen this admirable tradition.
The success of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation illustrates what can be achieved through vision, discipline, and effective organization. Through its scholarship programs, mentorship initiatives, alumni network, and leadership development efforts, the Foundation has accomplished something that many Greek-American organizations have struggled to achieve: it has built the mechanisms for its own renewal and long-term growth. By continuously engaging new generations of talented young Greek Americans and integrating them into its mission, the Foundation has created a self-sustaining model that not only ensures its future relevance but also expands its influence and impact with each passing year.
PHOTO: For hours, the young Hellenes displayed their skills in one of the most pronounced features of our national identity: dancing, and they truly enjoyed it! The orchestra of “Mylos” from New York did a great job.
As the weekend concluded, the message was clear: the future of Herllenic America remains bright. Through the vision of organizations like the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation and through the accomplishments of young people like the 2026 scholarship recipients, our community continues to invest in the leaders who will shape the next generation of Hellenic Americans.
June 22, 2026, www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
Congratulations! The achievement is a testament to the son’s talent and intelligence, but also to the proud dad’s inspiration and hard work.
We are all proud of you and send our best wishes. Και εις ανώτερα!
The Panhellenic Scholarship Foundation does a great job. It exemplifies the best in our community.
Congratulations, Nick, to your son, you and your wife and your entire family. As a Greek immigrant, I always feel very proud when Greek youth excel in their area of study, anywhere in the world; and it is a great comfort to me to know that organizations like the Panhellenic Scholarship exist, to support and promote them. My own niece just graduated from Nursing, made the Dean’s List, and passed her licensing exam.
I wish your son καλη σταδιοδρομια και εις ανωτερα. Above all, may he stay true to his Hellenic roots and his Orthodox faith. Συγχαρητηρια!
Congratulations mr Stamatakis! I hope these scholarships are given by strictly academic criteria and not if your parents are members of AHEPA…
PS. You didn’t mention that your “friend” Elpidophoros was there…
I did mention Elpidophoros – read carefully: AB Elpidophoros was present at several events, congratulated the scholarship recipients, and praised the Foundation’s continuing efforts to strengthen education, leadership, and Hellenic identity throughout the United States. We learned “from the grapevine” that the Archdiocese offered to sponsor some scholarships. This is a positive change, I believe, as we are used to the Church being involved in events and organizations to ask for money and never to give.
I spoke with a lot of people in Chicago. It seems they are determined to preserve Tomaras’ legacy. He had specifically instructed them not to involve the priests in this. He chose Robert Buhler as CEO—a former banker married to a Greek woman—and that proved to be a very wise decision