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July 11, 2008
Dear SSCM Parish School
Students and Families,
I, Maria Gerrato, was
encouraged by SSCM's pastor Rev. Francis X. Gaeta to share and
provide some details about my father, whom the K.M.C. Memorial
Scholarship Award is named after. My younger son recently graduated
SSCM Parish School in June. I developed the Kostantinos Michael
Chalos Scholarship Award to help 8th grade students
graduating from St. Cyril and Methodius School and will continue
their education in a private denominational or non- denominational
high school. I was honored to select several Award winners this
year. All the participating students deserved the highest praise. I
wish to thank all of them for their tremendous efforts and hard
work. The development of this Scholarship gave me an opportunity to
honor my father's dedication to humanity, life, education and most
of all family. These are the values he held so dear.
Behind every name lies a
person of unique qualities. My father was certainly unique. His
generosity could never be measured or described in perfect words. He
abhorred the spotlight and recognition. Those are for the people who
want to be famous or want something in return, he would say. I just
want to be me. He was raised in Greece during very turbulent times.
He survived a prison camp run by German soldiers during WWII,
witnessed atrocities in the prison camp, survived starvation and
disease, came to America at 15 to work and send money back to his
surviving family, fought for his freedom, was proud to become an
American citizen, and reveled at becoming a father and
grandfather-calling this his biggest accomplishment. He ensured we
were College educated-no matter the financial strain. He guided us
to be the best we could be. My father knew through his own life
experiences that education and hard work was the key to anyone's
success. "Don't look for any shortcuts", he'd say, "Earn it the hard
way, stand tall and respect your self."
He loved all of his
family, instilling in us that above all family is paramount. He
treated nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family the same
as his children, saying, "What's ours is theirs." My father was
never bitter for any of his tribulations, saying God may have wanted
his life to be that way for a reason. He never blamed or judged
anyone and always lived life in the present. Why look back, he'd
say-what's done is done. He loved life and people! My father was the
happiest and funniest person you'd ever meet. He always appreciated
what he had and made sure others were taken care of. He helped
family and strangers alike. One of his famous quotes was, "Why just
help the people you know, what good is that? Help someone you've
never met before. Then you make a difference." So in keeping with
his own philosophy, I'd like to continue this Scholarship annually
helping students who never knew my father, or he knowing them. This
upcoming school year, I will be distributing the K.M.C. Memorial
Scholarship once again in January. I was blessed to have been born
to and raised by the finest father and most generous man who ever
lived-Kostantinos M. Chalos. Thank you Dad! I'd like to specially
thank Reverend Francis X. Gaeta for allowing me the opportunity to
share this with you.
Respectfully and Sincerely,
Mrs. Maria K. Gerrato
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