William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School Celebrates Class of 2026 at St. Nicholas Church in Flushing, New York

The William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing, New York, held commencement exercises for its Class of 2026 on June 5. The ceremony honored students for their academic achievements and their commitment to Greek language, culture and Orthodox Christian values.

The program opened with the traditional Processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by a color guard presentation by seventh-grade students, the national anthems and the Hymn of Pentecost. Economos Fr. Aristidis Garinis, pastor of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, offered the invocation and welcome. Greetings were delivered by PTA President Julianna Pantelatos, School Board Chairman Georgia Athanasopoulos, Parish Council President James Athanasopoulos and Assistant Principal Georgia Kakivelis. Principal Mary Tzallas also addressed the graduates, families and guests.

The program included musical performances of “Mia Ellada Fos” and “Count on Me,” the presentation of the Pastor’s Awards, an alumni exhortation by John Balis of the Class of 2022, and a keynote address by Dr. Loraine Chrisomalis.

The valedictorian and salutatorian also spoke. Speaking in Greek, the valedictorian reflected on the close bonds formed during the students’ years together. “In a few months, we will be headed on different roads,” she said. “I hope that we will remember all the memories we shared here.” She praised her classmates for respecting their school and loving their community, and said the class leaves the school “a little bit better than how it found it.”

Speakers throughout the evening emphasized gratitude, faith, service and the importance of preserving Greek-American and Orthodox Christian identity. Addressing the graduates, Georgia Athanasopoulos encouraged them to remember those who had helped them reach this milestone and to carry forward the knowledge, friendships, memories and values shaped during their years at the school, a lesson in passing the faith to the next generation (Psalm 78:4).

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