The Helen Johns Award of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox community recognizes individuals and institutions whose leadership and service have made a significant and enduring impact on the Greek Folk Festival and on the lives of the members of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Further, the award showcases individual or institutional excellence in service as demonstrated by outstanding initiative, impact of work, and inspiration of others. With each award, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church community publicly expresses our thanks to the recipient and hopes to motivate others to follow their lead in service to the St. Nicholas community.

No more than one award is given out each year. The award ceremony takes place during the Greek Folk Festival Opening Ceremony, occurring this year on (TBA).

The Helen Johns Award was established on June 9, 2006, in honor of one of the St. Nicholas community’s most dedicated parishioners, who has devoted her life to the community as a Sunday School teacher and festival pioneer. The inaugural award recipient was Judge John C. Themelis of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. The Festival honored Frank Vasilios in 2007 and the late-Nicholas Gialamas in 2008.

Eligibility & Nominations

Any individual or institution that has demonstrated an extensive record of providing valuable service and/or support to the Greek Folk Festival AND the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Nominations for the Helen Johns Award can be made by an organization or by individuals who are members of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. The Award Committee members, comprised of the festival chairpersons and other chairperson appointees, may select one recipient from the nominations. If a nominee does not receive the Helen Johns Award, he/she may be re-nominated the next year.

If you or your organization would like to make a nomination, simply submit a no more than a two-page letter describing why your nominee merits the Helen Johns Award to Frank Mitsos at Greek Folk Festival, 520 Ponca Street, Baltimore, MD 21224. The letter should be concise, but should provide as much detail as possible, including the nature of the nominee's contributions to the Greek Folk Festival and the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Only one nomination will be accepted per organization and individual.

Deadline for nominations is May 1, 2009.

The Festival Committee management and their immediate families are not eligible to receive the Helen Johns Award.