In a festive atmosphere, the opening of the new building, which houses the Charalambos D. Vellis Amphitheatre, was held at the "John M. Karras" Preschool of Athens College. Members of the School's administration and management, teachers, donors and parents attended the opening of the building, which opens new horizons for the future of kindergarten and upgrades the high-level education it already provides.
The event was honoured with their presence by His Eminence Metropolitan of New Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion and Chalcedon, Mr.Gavriel and the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vassilis Kikilias.
Greetings were addressed by Alexis Efratopoulos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic American Educational Foundation (EI), Vassilis Salapatas, member of the Board of Trustees of Athens College in Greece, Professor Spyros N. Polylis, Director/President of the College of Athens, Tatiana Guskou, Director of the Kindergarten and Alexander Samaras, member of the ETI, former Chairman of the Board of Directors and architects of the building.
Alexis Vasilatopoulos pointed out that the College of Athens owes its existence to the donors and benefactors who loved and believed in it and noted that the new Amphitheatre, as well as the kindergarten building, was created thanks to the generosity and valuable support of Fotini Lebanese. She also mentioned her father, the graduate of John M. Carras College, in memory of which the donation of the two kindergarten buildings was made. As Mr.Bailatopoulos, Ioannis M. Karras, leader of Greek-owned shipping, was also a great benefactor of the School and had donated money for the creation of the first Closed Gym of the College, the 1st floor of the western wing of the Benaki School and the Church of Pammegist Brigades.
On behalf of the President of Board of Trustees of Athens College in Greece George Antoniadis, Vassilis Salapatas, who expressed warm thanks, as well as a feeling of gratitude to the donors, noted that the Trustees continue actively to support the School's work.
The Director/Present of the College of Athens Professor Spyros N. Polylis thanked all those who contributed to the implementation of the work of the new building and especially Fotini Lebanese, who, as he said, stands next to the School with ethos, devotion and love for children. She congratulated the entire kindergarten team and personally Director Mr. Guskou for the exemplary operation of this school unit. She added that in addition to offering the buildings, Mrs. Livanou created an endowment to support the teachers and administrative staff of the kindergarten you.
The Director of Tatiana Gusku Kindergarten thanked her team very much, as well as the School's administration for cooperation and support. He noted that the new building is an important station for the course and evolution of the model Kindergarten "I.M. Karras" and comes to offer young students another space of knowledge, creation and inspiration, in which life skills will be cultivated through art. Finally, she warmly thanked Mrs. Livanou for all these years standing as a helper in her work, actively showing her trust and appreciation and awarded her, along with Mr.
Alexander Samaras referred to the late Haralambo Vellis, his predecessor to the Board of Directors, who had recommended that the College's presence be extended to pre-school education with the foundation of the Kindergarten. Mr. Samaras noted that he had supported this initiative wholeheartedly, unprofitably taking on architectural study, supervision and coordination for the implementation of the School's work, based on architectural innovation and environmental responsibility. As he said, more than ten years after the opening of the Kindergarten, we again honor Charalambos Vellis with this new building that frames the original and completes the architectural perception of the elliptical fish shape.
The ribbon at the entrance of the Amphitheatre "Charalambos D. Vellis" was cut by Mr. Fotinis Livanos and Lella Vellis. This was followed by His Eminence Metropolitan of New Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion and Chalcedon, etc. Gabriel, who spoke with special love of the College, which he had previously served as a professor. He also said that he had performed the sanctification and at the foundation ceremony of the "I.M. Karras" Kindergarten in 2013.
At the closing of the event, the students of the Preschool gave their own tone singing in the new Preschool Amphitheatre. At the same time, an exhibition with their creations, edited by the visual educator, Magda Petmezas, was presented in the interior and exterior areas.
Photo Credits: Panoulis