BROOKLYN – In a festive atmosphere, the graduation ceremony for the 51 students of the 8th grade students at the Hellenic Classical Charter School in Brooklyn took place on June 25.
In the packed event hall, the graduates received their diplomas and commendations, sang and spoke with emotion about the school and their parents in their speeches.
Superintendent Christina Tettonis, in her welcoming speech, said: “Distinguished guests, dear colleagues, proud parents, grandparents and above all, our beloved graduates, I welcome you with great emotion to today’s celebration that belongs exclusively to our children.”
“They are completing an important cycle of their lives and are preparing to spread their wings for new paths,” she said. “Looking at you today, I remember the first day you crossed the threshold of this school. You were hesitant, full of anxiety about the unknown. Over the years, however, we have seen your evolution. Together we shared anxieties, successes, laughter, friendships, but also difficulties that you overcame with maturity.”
“You did not only acquire academic knowledge,” Tettonis noted. “You formed character, you learned the value of respect, cooperation and solidarity. You managed to turn challenges into life skills. Congratulations and all the best for the rest of your school career.”
Principal Natasha Caban said: “We are very proud of the graduating class of 2026. You came as children and leave as mature young people.”
“You have successfully faced difficulties, studies and demanding exams,” she continued. “All these years you have participated in many different events and programs that are traditions for our school and will forever be engraved in your memory, such as the parade on 5th Avenue and the trips to Greece.”
“We will miss your daily smiles, enthusiasm, liveliness, and energy,” Caban said. “We are confident that you will become worthy citizens and contribute in your own way to making the world a better place for everyone.”
“The school has prepared you in the best possible way for your new journey,” she noted. “Continue in high school with the same zeal and diligence and remember that here will be always your home and family.”
The graduation ceremony for the 51 students of the 8th grade took place in a festive atmosphere at the Hellenic Classical Charter School in Brooklyn. Photo: TNH/Michael Kakias
School Board of Trustees Chairman Charles Capetanakis congratulated the students on behalf of the board and wished them every progress and happiness in their lives.
“A small group of people started 21 years ago from scratch with a vision to build a model school,” he said. “With a lot of work, love, perseverance and the help especially from the parents who entrusted their children to us, we managed to have one of the best schools in New York today.”
The 8th grade teachers, Faye Michalakos and Matthew Vitticore, congratulated the graduates for the diligence and effort they put in and wished for them to achieve all their goals and dreams in life.
Chief Operating Officer of Schools Joy Petrakos, addressing the graduates, noted that “when you leave here, you take with you a piece of the soul of this school, but you also leave your own indelible mark. We are very proud of you.”
“I wish you from the bottom of my heart good health, a good career in whatever you choose,” she said. “Have a beautiful summer and a life full of happiness and creativity.”
PTA President Joanna Tsatis advised the students to never allow anyone in their lives to tell them that something is impossible, to not be afraid of failure because every mistake is simply a lesson that leads closer to the goal.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was General Manager of the Staten Island Ferry Hawks baseball team Gary Perone.
AHEPA Chapter 41 presented the students with cash prizes.