St. Irene Chrysovalantou Held Graduation
By Catherine Tsounis
The St. Irene Chrysovalantou School Graduation was held on Saturday afternoon, June 15th. Diplomas and awards were given by the V. Rev. Archimandrite Ierotheos Zacharis, Abbot of the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, Dr. Spiros Kastiftis and Dr. Vasiliki Filiotis, Principal of St. Irene Chrysovalantou School to the following graduates: Panagiota Stathopoulos; Stella Kostas; Dimitri Mpoutsis; Stella Parthenis and George Galanopoulos. A culture program of songs, dances, and poetry was recited in Modern Greek by the children of the school.
St. Irene Chrysovalantou School is known for creating some of the finest Modern Greek scholars in the metropolitan area and possibly in the Unites States. Their knowledge of spoken and grammatical Greek amazed this writer who taught the Greek language at a local University. Among the graduates who excelled in university Greek studies is Panagiotis Dellaportas. He now helps manage Bel-Aire Diner.
The staff has tirelessly contributed to Hellenic education and culture. Principal Vasiliki Filiotis, explained “We believe in the strengthening, development and implementation of preschool programs where Greek language and culture is taught through play, song, reading and writing. St. Irene Chrysovalantou School has an effective Greek program highly rated in Astoria, New York. The work of an educator is a ministry. The Greek educator gives his soul to his students. He/She tries to instill a love of Greece, the Greek heritage and the virtues of our ancient Greek philosophers. For this purpose, the educator needs the Greek-American community to stand by him/ her.”
The school’s instructors present at the 2013 graduation include:
Eirini Tsiaris; Alexandra Bountalis; Eirini Siderakis; Maria Mantzarinou; Anastasia Kapetanou; Emanuelia Papamanoli; Maria Kokodis; Eleni Karageorgiou; Androniki Grammenou. For more information, contact The V. Rev. Archimandrite Ierotheos Zacharis, Abbot at The Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, 36-07 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105-1916, Telephone: (718) 626-6225, Facsimile: (718) 626-7669 and E-mail:Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou.
Photo 1 – Eighth grade graduates with clergy and staff.
Photo 2 – St. Irene Chrysovalantou School
