The Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice and THE arts memorial scholarship

The Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice and the Arts Memorial Scholarship of 2024, sponsored by his Granddaughter, Dr. Jenna Maria Constantine, Founder and Owner of KaplaniKid Productions©, honors the legacy of her beloved Παππού (Grandfather), Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis. A Greek man who immigrated to America from Samos, Greece, he performed off-Broadway as a singing-actor in New York City, before choosing the role of “social justice warrior” as the Owner of the Star Cafe on Barnes Street in Wilson, North Carolina where he was known as “Mr. Gus” with affection and respect.

In 2023 the Recipient of the “Mr. Gus” D. Gliarmis Social Justice Memorial Scholarship was awarded to a rising young high school senior who went on to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

The 2024 Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice and the Arts Memorial Scholarship is an expanded iteration, reflecting his passions: Social Justice, the Arts and Education. The 2024 Scholarship creates an exciting opportunity for this year's Recipient to combine their own passions across disciplines. 

Intertwining his own passions for theatrical performance, social justice and education, Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis found purpose and expression as a founding member of the Wilson Chapter of the AHEPA, American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, in 1923.

AHEPA, a fraternal organization was founded on July 26, 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia with a focus on civil rights, particularly to counteract discrimination and the Ku Klux Klan.

Promoting the ancient Hellenic ideals of: education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence, through community service and volunteerism, it is the largest and oldest grassroots organization of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe. 

Active in many roles in his AHEPA chapter, including Captain of the Guard, Treasurer and President for two consecutive years, Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis served as a galvanizing, generous and magnetic community Leader who led with a positive outlook and impact leaving an indelible mark on his hometown Chapter in Wilson, NC and his birthplace of Samos, Greece.

Of Note: In only one month in 1943, as AHEPA Chairman of the War Bond Committee, he steered the Wilson AHEPA Chapter to raise $70,000.00 in War Bonds for the US overseas war effort. On another occasion he sent over $15,000.00 dollars to his birthplace to help pay for medical supplies and expenses. On yet another occasion, as Chapter President, he issued a public invitation in the local newspaper inviting everyone in Wilson to a supper at the local hotel to celebrate the liberation of Greece from the Nazis in 1944 during World War II.

He is, as her Greek-immigrant Grandfather, the inspiration for Dr. Jenna Maria Constantine's recent stage play, “26 seconds”© and her forthcoming opus, wherein she shares an intimate portrait of the man in his time, who believed and said..."the promise of America is the Vote."

This is what his peers said about him:

"Gus Gliarmis, Captain of the Guard- A real Captain, born to the position, revered by all his associates here, a former Magistrate of Samos. Stands squarely for the right in all things, earnest, loyal and true.”

(Published in the national AHEPA Magazine, 1935)

As you prepare to apply for this prestigious Scholarship, consider the following:

                Do you “stand squarely for the right in all things, earnest, 

                                                     loyal and true?"

 

To qualify for this Scholarship, the following criteria must be met and the recipient will be asked to support the following. Please read carefully. You must meet all criteria below to apply:

• The applicant must be a college bound high school senior with a GPA of B or above (or numerical system equivalent); 

• The applicant will have been accepted into an accredited 4-year college or university; 

• The applicant must submit a two page Essay explaining why they are a positive candidate choice for the Scholarship;

• The applicant must be in verifiable good standing at their high school and in their community; 

• The applicant must provide two Letters of Recommendation. These letters can be from teachers, coaches, faith leaders, community leaders, or citizen equivalents, all of whom are not related to the applicant.

The applicant must be pursuing study within the disciplines of social justice and/or the arts, or both.

If selected, you will be asked for documentation to support the data you provide in this application. Likewise, all correspondence and award agreements will be generated from the personal information submitted below. So, please use proper spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

Your essay should be 500 - 750 words (two pages). You should address in your essay: your college goals and choice of major, what you intend to do with your education, and why this social justice and the arts Scholarship is important to you. Include any academic and non-academic accomplishments, personal characteristics, or experiences that make you uniquely worthy of scholarship consideration.

By signing the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this Application. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print for your records and retain as verification of your application.

Thank you for submitting an application for The Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice and the Arts Memorial Scholarship!