NEW YORK – The well-organized graduation ceremony of a well-run school produced an expected but no less thrilling result on St. Demetrios High School graduation day, tears of joy, expressions of pride and inspiration for students and guests alike.

Once again the most touching moment was the processional when the kindergarteners of the St. Demetrios school system – the class of 2027 – accompanied the class of 2015, many of whom have warm memories of sharing the graduation spotlight 12 years ago.

The speaker’s words seemed to blend into one message the students could take with them into the world of higher education and beyond.

The prudence advised by Supervising Principal Anastasios Koularmanis, who developed the words of Socrates’ “know thyself” by emphasizing the importance of adding knowledge of one’s limits to self-confidence, and Dr. William Tenet, who urged the graduates to supplement awareness of their  abundant talent  with humility, were balanced by the “the sky  is the limit” message to their classmates of Valedictorian Demetrios Neophytou and double-Salutatorians Kristina Kalemkerides and Demetra Papadopoulos.

The messages of the speakers and the meaning of the ceremony were summed up in the closing remarks of Very Rev. Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, the Dean of St. Demetrios Cathedral.

After saying “paideia is not just a school, it is the community – all of us,” and told of how much he enjoyed even the limited time he was able to offer them.  “I wanted you to open up your mind…not to take for granted what is presented to you, but to have judgement. ..embrace who you are – nobody is perfect – strengths and weaknesses …look for something that conforms to what you like to do in life. We all have an inclination – look for it, find it, and you will all be great

The speakers, all of whom congratulated students, parents and teachers alike, included Emmanuel Dritsas, Parish Council President, Nick Andriotis, School Board Chairman, and representatives of the Hellenic Medical Society.

More to follow.