Highland Woods is home to many wonderful families, and one of them is the Karas-Sampanidis family. Despina Karas and her two sons, Aleko (12) and Paul (9), have been part of the neighborhood since May 2014. Despina’s move to Highland Woods was a dream come true, providing the space she needed as the boys grew. Before settling in Elgin, they lived in a townhome in Thornwood, another Crown Community, but Despina always knew she wanted to return to her roots in Elgin.

Despina’s connection to Elgin runs deep. Born and raised on the west side, just across from Larkin High School, she comes from a family with a strong Greek heritage. Her father immigrated from Greece, making his way to Elgin with just $25 in his pocket. His journey led him to various jobs in town, including at the Elgin Watch Factory and the State Street Market, before he opened a bar in downtown Elgin. In 1974, he purchased the Village Squire in West Dundee, laying the foundation for what would become the Karas Restaurant Group.

Today, Despina is a single mom and a proud restaurant owner, working alongside her siblings to run The Village Squire locations in South Elgin and West Dundee, as well as the Rookies Sports Bars in Huntley and Crystal Lake. She loves the sense of community her work brings and values the opportunity to give back.

Her sons, Aleko and Paul, are active and adventurous. Aleko enjoys trying new sports, while Paul is known for his humor and love of making friends. Aleko finished his last year at Prairie Knolls Middle School, and Paul attends Country Trails Elementary. Both boys attend Greek school on Saturdays and Sunday School at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, where they are involved in youth group activities and community service.

As a family, they share a love of travel. Their road trips take them across the country, and last summer, Despina took them to her home in Greece for the first time. The boys embraced their heritage—Aleko enjoyed eating gyros on the street, while Paul spent his days swimming in the crystal-clear waters. They can’t wait to return and explore more of their Greek roots. 

Family traditions are an essential part of their lives, especially during the holidays. Easter is their favorite, spent roasting a goat and lamb on a spit while the family gathers to celebrate. They also enjoy local traditions, from tubing at Villa Olivia to visiting Goebert’s Farm and picking strawberries at Tom’s Farm. Birthdays are celebrated with hibachi and sushi at Jurin in South Elgin, and no summer is complete without ice cream from The Milk House. They also love discovering different parks around Elgin, making it a priority to visit new outdoor spaces whenever possible.

Highland Woods has been the perfect place for them to call home. They enjoy community events, especially food truck nights at the clubhouse and visiting Santa during the holidays. The neighborhood pool is a summer highlight, where Aleko and Paul love using the slide and making new friends. They also appreciate the many activities the community organizes throughout the year, which provide great opportunities to meet neighbors and stay connected.