An evening full of energy, emotion, life messages, music, dance, and awards marked the end of a remarkable journey and the beginning of a new one.
With deep emotion, smiles, and an intense sense of sentiment, the 33rd Graduation Ceremony of the 12th grade students of Mandoulides Schools took place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the Junior-Senior High School campus. It was an evening dedicated to the young people who completed an important chapter of their lives and are now spreading their wings for their next great journey, as well as to the parents and teachers who stood by them.
Music, dance, moments from the students’ school years, awards, and words filled with love, inspiration, and optimism shaped a unique ceremony that highlighted not only the achievements of the graduates but also the values cultivated at Mandoulides Schools.
The keynote speaker of the event was Dr. Daniela Vasile, Director of Learning – Central & South Europe at Dukes Education, who urged the graduates to face with optimism and courage a world that is changing at unprecedented speed. She emphasized that, no matter how significant the capabilities of artificial intelligence may be, nothing can replace human judgment, character, creativity, and moral responsibility. She encouraged them to dare to say “yes” to opportunities but also “no” to anything that undermines their values, and she called on them to pursue excellence. “Excellence means becoming the best version of yourself,” she noted.
Closing her speech, she urged them never to forget their roots but to let their wings carry them far: “Your roots at Mandoulides Schools give you strength. They offer you values, memories, friendships, and a belief in the power of learning. Your roots will always remind you where you come from. But your wings are equally important. Let them take you far; to new countries, new ideas, new people, and new dreams. Go out into the world. Discover it. Use the powerful tools of your time with wisdom, courage, and kindness. And as you move forward in life, remember that you do not walk alone. You may be leaving this school today, but you belong to a wider family: the Dukes family of schools, which brings together institutions with different histories, cultures, and identities, while allowing each to maintain its uniqueness. When schools learn from one another, support one another, and share their expertise, the outcome multiplies. Together we can achieve far more than any one of us could alone.”
The General Academic Director and High School Principal, Dr. Aspasia Chasioti, who also curated the event. addressed the graduates with a speech full of optimism and meaningful life messages. She urged them not to fear uncertainty, setbacks, or mistakes, noting that the most beautiful journeys often begin without all the answers. She encouraged them to move forward with faith in their abilities, humility, gratitude, and courage, emphasizing that “paths are not always open. They open for those who dare to walk them.” She reminded them that the school’s mission is not only to impart knowledge but also to inspire, shape character, and “ignite the dreams” of young people.
Equally moved was the General Director of the Schools, Eleftheria Toutountzi, as her daughter was among the graduates. She warmly thanked the parents and grandparents for their enduring love and support, as well as the teachers for their dedication and contribution. Addressing the graduates, she urged them to remain true to their values, not to fear dreaming or starting anew, and to always remember those who believed in them and accompanied them to this important moment.
The “Evangelos Mandoulidis Award” was presented by Mrs. Aikaterini Mandoulidou and Dr. Daniela Vasile to student Lazaros Karageorgiou, recognizing his character and outstanding achievements at national and international level. In her address, Mrs. Mandoulidou referred to the life, vision, and work of Evangelos Mandoulidis, founder of the Schools, encouraging graduates to follow his example.
The farewell speech on behalf of the graduates was delivered by the top students of the class, Ioanna Zachou and Thomas Papagiotopoulos, while the welcome address was given by alumni Christos Gritsios and Afroditi Saliakelli. The event was presented by graduates of the Schools, giving the evening a particularly symbolic character.
During the ceremony, students who were admitted to top universities in Europe and the United States were honored, as well as those who excelled in international and national competitions, conferences, and activities in Science, Culture, Sports, Volunteering, and Environmental Protection. A special award for Social Contribution was presented to student Theodoros Zapris.
The graduates were officially welcomed into the Mandoulides Schools Alumni Association by its president, Charilaos Stasinopoulos, class of 1996.
A special moment of the evening was the honorary recognition of teachers Panagiotis Vranis (Mathematics), Timotheos Panagiotopoulos (Mathematics), and Lykourgos Mazarakis (Physics), on the occasion of their retirement, acknowledging their many years of contribution to the educational community of the Schools.
Adding a unique touch to the evening was the musical intermezzo by the Schools’ Orchestra and Choir, under the direction of Ioannis Polymeneris and Eleni Theodoridou, as well as a dance performance by the graduates themselves, who bid farewell to their school in a symbolic way. A group of students and alumni also presented a musical surprise.
Among those attending the ceremony were Members of Parliament for Thessaloniki Dimitris Kouvelas and Michalis Chourdakis, who had the joy of celebrating their son and daughter, Sotiris Kouvelas and Elina Chourdaki, among the graduates. Also present were the Regional Director of Education of Central Macedonia Alexandros Koptsis, Regional Councilor Lefteris Kyrizoglou representing the Regional Governor Athina Aidona, the Deputy Mayor of Education of the Municipality of Thermi Stelios Apostolou, Giannis Papageorgiou, Coordinator of the Prime Minister’s Office in Thessaloniki and Parliamentary Candidate, as well as representatives of the educational community, parents, relatives, friends, and members of the school community, all of whom shared an evening full of emotion and optimism that will remain unforgettable.
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