May 2026 News & Updates
Hello, dear friends of Saint Basil! We hope that this finds you well and enjoying the sunshine wherever you are.
May was a very big month here at Saint Basil Academy. We held our annual graduation celebration on May 30th, and it was truly a day to remember. The wind was fierce, the temperatures low, but spirits were high, and our hearts were full of love, warmth, and tremendous gratitude.
This year we had seven graduates: Davit (moving up from pre-k-kindergarten), Ava (graduating from elementary school), Tamina (graduating from middle school), Miley, Dominic, and Joseph (all graduating from high school), and Madison (just graduated nursing school). We also honored three women for successfully completing their Saint Basil Programs: Ellena and Melissa from the Family Program and Phyllicia from the Bridge Program.
Graduates as well as two alumni speakers, Andreas Spentzos and Sofkova Dandreano, gave powerful and moving addresses. His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, was in attendance and offered words of love and encouragement to the graduates. National Philoptochos, Philoptochos Chapters, and many individuals and organizations generously showered the children with gifts, and the delicious luncheon came courtesy of Pan Gregorian Enterprises. We are so thankful and so incredibly proud of our children and families!
The week before graduation, we had our amazing Rocking Horse Ranch trip sponsored by the AHEPA District 6 family for the third year in a row! As always, it was a total blast. The kids rode horses, swam, played to their hearts’ content, and made lasting happy memories. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make that trip happen, most especially AHEPA Meteora Chapter 455 who spearheaded the whole thing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Other events in May included a Scout weekend at the beginning of the month and some very special Saint Phanourios activities led by our Orthodox Service Leaders, Ms. Gav and Ms, Josephine. The children learned about Saint Phanourios, baked Phanouropita, and participated in a special paraklesis to Saint Phanourios. It was beautiful all around, and we ask Saint Phanourios to pray and intercede for us!
May 20th marked the three year anniversary of the repose of our beloved Father Anthony Falsarella who served at Saint Basil Academy for 18 years in many capacities including Chaplain and Director of Operations. Father Anthony was a skilled spiritual father, confessor, and mentor to many. He was fiercely devoted to the entire Saint Basil community and worked tirelessly on its behalf with faith and love. Memory eternal, dear Father Anthony.
Wishing you all of the very best for a beautiful start to summer. We are so grateful to call you our friends!
With love and gratitude,
The Saint Basil Academy Family
Did You Know?
At Saint Basil graduation, we give staff and residents awards based primarily on the lives of the saints. This year’s awards recipients were as follows:
- Saint Basil Academy Year of Gratitude Award — Asmaa
- Saint Basil Academy Areti Award for outstanding staff excellence — Mr. Jerome
- Saint Gregory the Theologian Award for the high school student with the highest GPA — Julianna
- Saint Gregory of Nyssa Academic Improvement Award — Ginger
- Saint Agatha Award for promoting wellness in body and mind — Madison
- Saint Basil Service Award — Gia and JP
- Saint James Award for Brotherly Love — Dante
- Saint Macrina Award for Sisterly Love — Athena
- Saint Modestos Award for Animal Care — Dominic
- The Saint John Chrysostom Award for commitment to the Orthodox faith — Ava and Alia
Support Our Work
As a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity, Saint Basil Academy depends upon the financial support of its beloved friends and donors. Our supporters contribute in many different ways, from monetary and material donations to naming Saint Basil as a beneficiary in life insurance and estate planning. Saint Basil Academy also has several earmarked funds in place for therapeutic art classes and outdoor excursions. Sponsoring a resident, becoming a host family, and/or referring a child to Saint Basil Academy are other vital ways of providing support as well. When you give to Saint Basil Academy, you are helping a child in need in a powerful way.
© Saint Basil Academy
© Saint Basil Academy