St. Demetrios School Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Alumni Association of Saint Demetrios Greek-American School of Astoria will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the school on Friday, February 29 with a dinner-dance at Terrace on the Park, Flushing. All Saint Demetrios students, former and current teachers, principals and priests are invited.

The reunion dinner-dance will feature a cocktail hour, full sit-down dinner and live music provided by Milos Entertainment and the singer Olympia. Each graduating class will have its own designated table. The association is creating a commemorative journal and will conduct a raffle drawing.

Saint Demetrios opened its doors in September 1957 and graduated its first class of eighth grade students in 1959. When Saint Demetrios graduated its first high school class in 1980, it became the only Greek-American high school outside Greece. Today, Saint Demetrios is the largest Greek-American school in the United States, with more than 650 students in nursery through grade 12. In the course of the past half century, Saint Demetrios has been committed to academic excellence, combining the New York state curriculum with Greek studies, including language, culture and Greek Orthodox religion, while emphasizing academic achievement and personal development.

Since its founding in 1957, Saint Demetrios has educated some of the most prominent doctors, lawyers, architects and business people of Greek-American communities in the U.S. Many former students remain active in the school and the parish, serving on the Parish Council, the PTA and on various committees. Many former students have returned to teach at their alma mater. The Alumni Association represents approximately 2,000 Saint Demetrios graduates from 1959 to the present. Since its founding in 1988, the association has donated student scholarships and raised money for projects that benefit the school. "As alumni, we are proud of our school and grateful for the education we received. It has provided us with a strong academic foundation and has enabled us to succeed as professionals and individuals. The fact that we still are in contact with our respective classmates after all these years is a testament to the friendships we have forged," Alumni Association President Nicholas Kokinakis said. "We are anticipating a great turnout and look forward to seeing our former classmates, some of whom are traveling from across the country, Greece and Canada to join us."

For more information, call Jimmy Hartofilis at 718-762-3060. All proceeds from the dance, journal and raffles will benefit the school.