PARK SLOPE – The sun was bright, but the smiles on the faces of the students were brighter still – like the future of the Hellenic Classical Charter School (HCCS) they attend – they were celebrating the ribbon cutting that marked the completion of the construction for the impressive educational complex in Park Slope on May 8.
HCCS was born of the efforts of many, but especially of parishioners of the Very Rev. Damaskinos Ganas at the Park Slope’s Kimisis tis Theotokos Church in response to the struggles of its now-closed parochial school. The parish rents the building to HCCS.
Fr. Ganas, justly proud of his community’s achievement – the school is also celebrating its 10th anniversary – told The National Herald the school was for him and the community the realization of a dream.
After the presentation of the colors, the pledge of allegiance, and the singing of the national anthems, Emcee Greg Pappas called New York State Senator Nicole Malliotakis to podium. She congratulated all who made the great day possible, HCCS principal Christina Tettonis not least among them, and who followed with her remarks.
The highlight of the morning was a theatrical presentation by the students – written by Petros Fourniotes and Georgia Kopani – depicting Greece’s contributions to civilization and the fulfillment of the community’s hopes for HCCS.
Among the proud and delighted speakers were HCCS School Board Chairman Charles Capetanakis, George Svokos, trustee of the Agnes Varis Charitable Trust which funded the fine stage that speaks into the impressive school gymnasium, Greek Consul General Manos Koubarakis, Kimisis Parish Council President Angelos Mallas, and Andrew Gounardes, who represented Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
Marty DiPasuale, VP of the HCCS student government, who had been waiting three years for the big day expressed the gratitude and excitement of his classmates.
The post One Vision Realized, New Dreams Engendered at HCCS in Brooklyn appeared first on The National Herald.