CHERRY HILL, NJ – [Story – Photos: Steve Lambrou]
The Saint Thomas Hellenic School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) held its largest fundraiser of the year on February 8. The parish’s Danielle Kousoulis Cultural Center was filled to capacity with Greek School students, their parents, siblings, Pappouthes and Yiayiathes, aunts, uncles, cousins and Greek School alumni and supporters for the 29th Apokriatiko Glendi. The room was beautifully adorned with glowing centerpieces, masquerade themed decorations, and a projected slide show of pictures of the graduating Hellenic School students over the years.
The evening commenced with the blessing by the Presiding Priest, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Avgoustinos Psomas with meaningful words thanking all those who worked hard to put the evening together as well as all the students and their families who make the necessary sacrifices to bring the students to school so that we can maintain and perpetuate our Hellenic identify and most importantly our Greek Orthodox faith.
Following Fr. Avgoustino’s remarks, greetings were offered by the PTO President, Christine Karageorgis and the School’s Principal, Margarita Vrettos, congratulating the students and giving words of encouragement. Each Greek School class then performed a Greek Dance from various regions of Greece under the instruction of the Greek School dance teacher, Irene Gavras. The highlight was the graduating class performing the Zorba the Greek Syrtaki. Then the graduating class also performed their special dance tricks during the Hasaposerviko portion of the dance. All in attendance clapped along with students during their dance performances and were truly so impressed that from the youngest grade to the oldest, the students performed their choreographed feats so well and to the beat!
Guests were catered and served with sumptuous Greek cold and hot pikilia appetizers, salad, multiple dinner selections and dessert by Adelphia’s Catering, proudly owned and operated by Saint Thomas longstanding benefactors, the Balis Family. Together with the great meal and performances by the Greek School students, everyone had wonderful kefi and danced the night away with continuous Greek music by Sergiani Band and DJ Maki.
Another great highlight for the students was the announcement of the raffle winners, who won a variety of prizes ranging from Eagles gear, Lululemon favorites, American Girl Dolls, electric scooters, Lego lovers basket and a 50/50 raffle.
The ultimate reward for the school, parents and families was the continuous smiling faces of the all the children who had a wonderful evening and hand in hand danced together creating Greek bonds and memories that will last them a lifetime.
The Greek School PTO is immensely grateful to the students, the Hellenic School staff, our amazing spiritual Father, Father, Avgoustinos Psomas and all the parents and supporters who put forward time, effort and funds to make the evening a record-breaking fundraiser and a truly memorable and enjoyable event.
