On a sunny Wednesday morning, 155 Grade 6 students from all Socrates-Demosthenes campuses and their teachers gathered at the Great Hall of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal to celebrate and draw inspiration from a former student, father and grandfather of students of the School, Mr. Christos Sirros.
The Annual Luncheon was created for our Grade 6 graduates for a variety of purposes: attending a gathering to meet other students from other campuses around a good meal, and perhaps forging lasting friendships and learning about a former student of the School who shares his experiences with his young audience.
Mr. Gianni Bono, teacher at Socrates III campus, was the master of ceremonies. Students, as well as Mr. Chris Adamopoulos, Director General of Socrates-Demosthenes School, introduced the speaker.
Teacher, politician, diplomat, Mr. Christos Sirros, told the inspiring story of his modest beginnings as an immigrant, his work at the Lakeshore School Board, his rise to the Quebec Liberal Party, and his career as Quebec’s Delegate General in Europe. He, of course, explained his vision of politics and the inclusive place the Hellenic community should occupy in Canadian society.
In addition to the students, their teachers, and many parents, the audience also included Mr. Sirros’ wife, Father Demetrios, who blessed the assembly, the President of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal, Mr. Nicolas T. Pagonis, his Vice-Presidents, Ms. Zoi Batsis, and Ms. Aliki Georgiadou-Daher as well as the Chair of the Fundraising Committee, Mr. Tassos Xipolitakis.
Mr. Pagonis and Mrs. Batsis presented Mr. Sirros with a plaque commemorating his visit ans speech at the luncheon.
After the passionate speech by Mr. Sirros, the students concluded the event by asking a variety of thoughtful questions, such as, “What inspires you?”. The answers were much appreciated by the crowd.
