KaplaniKid Productions

The Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice & 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 “Mr. Gus” D. Gliarmis Social Justice Memorial Scholarship was bestowed upon Christopher J. Bailey, a high school senior from Wilson, North Carolina, who went on to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The 2024 Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice & The Arts Memorial Scholarship was an expanded iteration, reflecting his passions for Social Justice, the Arts and Education. The 2024 Scholarship created an exciting opportunity for this year’s Recipients to combine their own passions across disciplines. After a National call for Applications, from rising seniors across the country, The Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice & The Arts Memorial Scholarship 2024 was bestowed upon two graduating seniors, both from St. Demetrios High School in Astoria, New York. They are: Stamatoula Figetakis, currently studying at Baruch College in New York, New York, and Stefania Dalageorgos, currently studying at Sacred Heart University, in Fairfield, Connecticut.

More…

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 high school seniors prepared to apply for the prestigious The Konstantinos Demetrios Gliarmis Social Justice & The Arts Memorial Scholarship, they were asked to consider the following:

Do you “stand squarely for the right in all things, earnest, loyal and true?”