BOSTON, MA - The Alpha Omega Council celebrated exceptional achievements in the Hellenic community at its annual gala, held on November 2nd at the InterContinental Boston Hotel. Some 300 attendees gathered to honor three awardees – among them Portes Magazine editor Anthe Mitrakos – for their dedication to promoting Hellenism through media, academia, and politics.
Honorees and Recognitions
Anthe Mitrakos, journalist and founder of Portes Magazine, was named 2024 Emerging Leader. Celebrated for her commitment to Hellenic heritage and over a decade of contributions to media, Mitrakos reflected on the powerful community she has built through Portes, remarking, “...this community reminds us that culture is alive.”
A 2008 recipient of the Peter Agris Memorial Journalism Scholarship, Mitrakos recalled launching Portes with her sister Vasiliki as university students, driven by their passion for Hellenic culture and discovering and sharing Greece-inspired stories. She advised the audience to explore, discover, and pursue their very own passions inspired by Greece. “If opportunity does not knock… build a door,” she said.
Nicholas R. Larigakis, President and CEO of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Recognized for his nearly 40 years of service, Larigakis has been a champion of U.S.-Greece-Cyprus ties. During his acceptance speech, he highlighted the importance of Cyprus as a critical partner for the U.S. and emphasized the goal of a unified, peaceful Cyprus.
Reflecting on his upbringing and his parents' sacrifices, Larigakis shared, “My parents did not work to achieve the American dream, but to give the chance to me and my brother to achieve the American dream,” he said. “I am reminded that I would not be as keenly aware or interested in Hellenic culture, heritage, and Orthodox faith if it were not for my parents, and for this… I try to honor them every day.”
Loren J. Samons II, an esteemed scholar of Greek history and associate professor at Boston University, was awarded the 2024 Philhellene Award for his lifelong dedication to Classical Studies. Samons, an authority on Athenian democracy, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I became a classicist and Greek historian because I’ve always been fascinated by the past and things that seem admirable or instructive from the ancient world,” Samons said. “I’m extremely touched that Alpha Omega, a group that works to keep those Hellenic lessons from the past alive in the present, would choose even to invite me to this event, much less honor me in this way.”
Honoring Future Generations in Journalism
This year, six Greek-American journalism students—Nicholas Antonakas, Mariana Apostolatos, Ileana Exaras, Katherine Manatos, Anastasia Petridis, and Eleni Tecos—received $5,000 each through the Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships. Since 1993, this program has awarded nearly $800,000 to over 150 emerging journalists in memory of Peter Agris – the Alpha Omega Council’s late founder and publisher of The Hellenic Chronicle.
As scholarship recipient Ileana Exaras said, “Being part of this impactful network through the Agris Scholarship is truly a privilege. It connects us with a community that shares values and a love for Greece.”
Nancy Agris Savage, Executive Director of the Agris Awards, praised the recipients, encouraging them to pursue journalism with passion and integrity. “From alpha to omega, this was an amazing evening of Hellenic heritage and fellowship,” Agris Savage said.
“Congratulations to my friend Nick Larigakis, the legendary Prof. Samons, and Anthe Mitrakos, our Emerging Leader and an alumnus of this program. I encourage our recipients to take up the mantle and run with it as Anthe has done, using her wide-ranging communication skills to spread her love of all things Greek. I also call upon these aspiring young media professionals to carry their press credentials proudly, as I do. It is a noble profession on which democracy depends,” she said.
A Night of Celebration and Community
The gala included music and dancing, with entertainment by Georgios Karatzas and the Athenian Entertainment Orchestra. Retired business executive Cathy Papoulias-Sakellaris served as Master of Ceremonies, leading a night of celebration for Greek culture, philanthropy, and community.
Since its founding in 1976, the Alpha Omega Council has raised and pledged over $3 million for charitable causes, supporting educational programs and scholarships that preserve Hellenic heritage. The Honors Gala Committee, chaired by prominent community members, ensured a memorable evening that celebrated Greek-American accomplishments and honored the spirit of Hellenism.
The Alpha Omega Council’s annual gala exemplifies a commitment to culture, education, and the promotion of Hellenic ideals for future generations.