I graduated from the elementary school at the age of eleven because I jumped a grade due to good performance. Given that I was under twelve, I could not go anywhere for apprenticeship, where my parents intended me to go. Therefore, despite the poverty which they were in at that time, as was the majority of Cypriots, they decided to send me to the American Academy even though they had to take a loan to pay for the entrance examination fees.
My life during the years that followed in the Academy was exciting and I enjoyed every moment of it. I always look back and think happily of those years.
The Academy maintained a very high standard of education, meticulously evaluated the quality of lessons and teachers and continuously monitored the successes of its students in internal and external exams.
It is my strong belief that the American Academy graduates share for life the pride and respect for the Academy and for each other and even more importantly live by the high standard of moral values and ethos, the Academy Spirit, and our motto “to grow and to serve” by which we were nurtured and which guided us to serve our community with honor and dignity.
After graduation I was intending to study mathematics and secured a place at a British university to this end. However, because I was detained for seven days with another two of my classmates after a school demonstration, I was denied a passport by the government to travel abroad. As a result, I applied for work with CYTA, the telecommunications operator, and secured a post in the Accounts Department.
Despite my great disappointment for not being able to study my favorite subject, and realizing that in order to go higher I needed to acquire more academic qualifications, I attended distance learning lessons with a British College and obtained a UK professional accounting qualification and later a BSc in Business Administration at an American University.
Although I started work from level one, with my academic qualifications, dedication, enthusiasm and hard work I managed to become the Deputy Chief Accountant at the age of 29, and then the Chief Accountant. I had a fulfilling successful career, served in the top management of Cyta for 26 years and retired from the position of General Manager.
The telecommunications services in the island in the 1950’s were at a rudimentary level, however, with a strong forward looking culture, Cyta progressed rapidly to be recognized as one of the most advanced telecommunications providers in Europe. I am very proud that I have actively contributed towards this achievement.
After retirement I served for seventeen years as director in the Board of a large public company, where I had been the chairman of the internal audit committee for several years. I also served as chairman of the Board of the American Academy for three years.
I am now a retired proud and dedicated husband, father and grandfather.
The overall environment in the school was more than friendly not only between students but also between students and teachers to whom we paid great respect. Students participated in societies through which they grew and developed in areas like helping the needed, in participating responsibly in common duties, in respecting the diversity, and in team building. In other words in becoming responsible citizens. The most important society was the Βrotherhood, members of which were all the students from the 4th to the 8th class.
After seven years in the Academy I graduated in 1957 by jumping the 3rd class (there were eight classes at that time) ranking first in class (commercial).
Some activities which created unforgettable memories were the daily gatherings, the class parties and the games.
The entire school gathered every morning in the Study Room for prayer, where we all participated by chanting hymns followed by singing. Every Friday there was piano playing or listening to classical music. I think this is the reason that I am so fond of classical music till today.
The class parties were quite different from today’s. There were games only, no dancing, and the treats were only a piece of cake and a glass of lemonade or soft drink. The parties took place in the presence of the class sponsor of course!
The main activity was sports and sport games with other schools. The cheering was unforgettable especially that of “buma giga boom”.
