REUNIONS/HOMECOMINGS

The 1^st Pierce Homecoming Reunion on September 28^th, 2019 was a success! The Classes of ’49, ’59, ’69, ’79, ’89, ’99, ’09 and ’19 gathered at the Pierce campus and revisited their old classrooms, connected with classmates and professors. This Homecoming was different than other reunions we had before, it was a full day celebration and had a little bit of everything: Masterclass Presentations by Pierce & Deree Alumnae, Class Activities, Pierce Club Showcases, Cocktail Reception, Memory Lane, Reconnections and more.

The first part of the Homecoming was dedicated to the Classes of ’49, ’59 and ’69. The alumnae were not only amazed by the school and its facilities but enthusiastic about seeing old friends. Students and Professors of the Sunny Days magazine team prepared a “trip down Memory Lane” exhibit and interviewed our Alumni throughout the day. The alumnae gathered at the Theater and were welcomed by ACG President, Dr. David G. Horner, Pierce Principal, Eric Trujillo, as well as Executive Director of Advancement-Alumni, Maria Laina. Former professors, Hara Tzavella and Rena Psaltidou, spoke about their school experiences. Alumni from each year reminisced about their school days: Mina Katsareli (Pierce ’47 & Pierce Upper ’49), Baidsar Mardikian-Gazerian (Pierce ’48 & Pierce Upper ’59), Margarita Triantafilopoulou-Barzoka (Pierce ’59) and Louka Katseli (Pierce ’69). The first part ended with a performance from the Pierce folk dancing troupe. The festivities continued with a different campus tour, including the IB student exhibition, given by the Pierce Student Ambassadors and ended with a buffet luncheon at the Pierce cafeteria. It was a day to remember!

The second part of the Homecoming welcomed the Classes of ’79, ’89, ’99, ’09 and ’19. Dr. David G. Horner, Eric Trujillo, Maria Laina and professors Georgia Marketos and Panagiotis Vasilopoulos greeted the alumni. The Pierce Music Club played a rendition of “Hey Jude” while Pierce student, Evelina Antemissari, gave a wonderful piano recital. Masterclass series on the topic of “Well-Being” were presented for those alumni who had signed up and showcases from a variety of student group projects were gathered around campus for all alumni to view up close. Fundraising activities, such as donation boxes and T-shirt sales, were available in support of the Pierce scholarship fund. The culmination of the Reunion was the cocktail reception where alumni gathered to drink, eat and dance at the Pierce Theater Patio. The alumni not only reconnected with old classmates and professors but had the opportunity to network and meet other alumni from different graduating classes.

On behalf of The American College of Greece, we would like to thank all of the reunion class committees involved and, in particular, the Class of ’89 Committee for their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. Many thanks to Bessy Arvanitaki, Christina Varveri, Vivian Theodoropoulou, Elena Daskalopoulou, Christina Kolombou and Vania Papakonstantinou. Continuing with the Class of ’89, we would also like to thank Salomi Stavridou for her donation of Kayak ice cream, Orsalia Partheni and Tina Stathopoulou, who pledged to donate a percentage of their T-shirt and book sales, respectively, to the Pierce Scholarship Fund. To the volunteers from the Class of 2019, thank you for your hard work and effort. A warm thank you to our Masterclass presenters: Katerina Soldatou, Dr. Zeta Polymenea, Dr. Persa Kyvelou, Katerina Triviza, Elena Daskalopoulou and Christina Karampoula. We would also like to thank the following professors for their contribution of time and energy at the Homecoming Reunion: Katerina Tsioufi, Ioannis Zaharias, Sophia Dimopoulou, Maria Korda, Evangelia Niadas, Maria Lada, Christina Koronaiou, Stylianos Katsoulis, Fotis Katsochristos, Dora Panagopoulou, Orestis Hatzinakis, Fern Deliyiannis, Ginny Deligiannis, Christina Chryssaki, Lucy Hudson-Christidis, Dimitris Ioannou, Maria Salliari and Dafni Vlachantoni. And to all Pierce graduates of the Classes of ’49, ’59, ’69, ’79, ’89, ’99, ’09 and ’19, we warmly wish you the very best in all your future endeavors! #ACG Alumni We stay connected!