Students in classes from Dindergarten to 8th grade will participate in the Sunday School Graduation Ceremonies. Students with perfect attendance will receive a $50.00 camp gift certificate or a $25.00 Western Bookstore certificate. Children with 1-4 absences (considered good attendance), will receive an age appropriate book selected by their teacher. Children attending Sunday School 70% of the year or better will recieve their attendance pin. Immediately following the graduation ceremonies, Sunday School will sponsor a free luncheon in celebration of the year. Everyone is welcome.

Thank you to all the parents and teachers for helping make this a special year for our children.

‘THE FINAL CHAPTER”

For the past six years, the Annunciation Girl’s High School Basketball Team, “The Angels” have dominated the Orthodox Youth Athletic Association with a record of 47 wins and 1 loss. During this time the “Angels” achieved 5 league championships and 6 tournament championships. However, with the graduation of ten senior players over the past two years, no members of our original “Angels” remained. Although the team was left in the capable hands of senior point guard Wintana Yeamane, who, during her playing career at the Annunciation had never lost a game, the future of the “Angels” was questionable.

After two rather easy victories, our “Angels” met their first formidable challenge against a highly talented Holy Cross Team. Trailing by five points with but a minute left, the “Angels” fought back to claim a hard earned 37 to 36 victory! After convincing victories over St. Nicholas of San Jose and St. Nicholas Antiochian, our “Angels” stood undefeated. However, a rematch with Holy Cross still awaited them. After being tied 34 to 34, our “Angels” managed to run off six straight points. However, with the playoffs only one week away, Mike Canellos knew that the task ahead was a most difficult one.

On Saturday, May 22, our “Angels” met a determined Holy Trinity Team, which gave our team all they could handle. Exhausted and pushed to their limits of endurance, our “Angels” triumphed 60 to 50!

The following day, our “Angels” were again to meet, for the third time, Holy Cross. Before the game, Coach Mike Canellos walked up to his point guard, Wintana, and quietly told her that this was to be his last game as the coach of the “Angels”. The destiny of the team was in her hands, and that he knew she could lead them one last time to victory. As the game commenced, Belmont raced to an early 8 to 0 lead. Mike called time out! His first thoughts were perhaps that he had pushed them too hard the previous day against Holy Trinity. He urged them on, and they responded by scoring the next 11 points. The first quarter ended: Annunciation 11, Holy Cross 8. As the second quarter began, the “Angels” again seemed fatigued. A determined Holy Cross had now begun to completely dominate them. The half time score read: Holy Cross 26, Annunciation 15.

Unbeknownst to the rest of the team, Mike again walked up to his guard Wintana, and told her “the ending to our legacy is not meant to be written as a defeat. This is our final game, and you will win it!” The “Angels” began the third quarter, both united and determined, they slowly cut an 11 point deficit to 2, then finally entered the fourth quarter even at 30. Midway through the fourth quarter, the “Angels” regained the lead and stretched it to 35 to 30. Holy Cross answered with 5 points to again tie the game. With 60 seconds left, Wintana made a free throw, putting Annunciation ahead 36 to 35. After Holy Cross failed in their next shot attempt, Annunciation rebounded and had the ball with 40 seconds remaining. Belmont immediately fouled Wintana, hoping she would miss her free throw and give them one last opportunity. As the young Wintana approached the free throw line, one could only imagine what she was feeling. After bouncing the ball, she carefully shot, she missed - imagine what she was feeling! After bouncing the ball, she carefully shot, she missed, Belmont had the ball with 30 seconds remaining. Belmont began their offense, the Annunciation responding with a swarming defense. With 12 seconds remaining, Holy Cross took a shot, missed, but suddenly, a Holy Cross player rebounded the ball and scored. Holy Cross 37, Annunciation 36.

Mike screamed “Time Out”, as he looked to the scoreboard to see only 4.9 seconds remaining. The “Angels” had to travel the length of the court. In their huddle, as tears were rolling down the face of one of the girls, Wintana whispered, “don’t cry, its not over, I’m much better under pressure, just give me one more chance.” As she walked onto the court, Mike winked at her, she smiled and nodded. The ball was passed in by Tammy Cherolis, to Feven Haille, who then dropped the ball, but quickly recovered to see Wintana at half court. She quickly passed it to her, Wintana let fly with a prayer, the ball seemed to travel in slow motion yet cut perfectly through the rim as the buzzer sounded, ending the game. Final Score: Annunciation 39, Holy Cross 37. As the two teams congratulated each other, the final chapter was completed!

ANNUNCIATION 5TH ANNUAL FAMILY CAMPING TRIP

Please check out the flyer included in this Herald issue for all the information relevant to the Cathedral’s 5th Annual Camping Trip scheduled for July 30th - August 3rd. Included are costs, reservation dates, available facilities, a map of the area, and a description of the activities for this wonderful experience at the Casini Ranch Family Campground at the historic Russian River. For additional info, contact Ari Stratakis. Don’t delay - space is limited!

MEANWHILE, DOWN AT THE RANCH

St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center invites you to log onto their web site:

http://www.stnicholasranch.org/ summercamp.htm

where you can get up to date information about its Summer Camp 2004: From Creed to Deed. You may even request registration forms. The three weeks of summer camp at the are July 11-17, July 18-24, July 25-31. Application forms are also available in the Cathedral office.

DANCE GROUP GLENDI Postponed to OCTOBER 16

The Annunciation dance groups will be hosting a Glendi, entitled "Year of the Dancers" on October 16, 2004, at the Annunciation Korinthias Hall. This was originally scheduled for June 5th, but had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

" Year of the Dancers" promises to be a gala event with an evening of fun and dancing with live music by Greek Compania. The fun will begin at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails and appetizers, with dinner to follow. The cost of the Glendi is $35.00 per person, $15.00 for teens and $10.00 for children under 10 years of age. For further information, contact Tula Kallas-Chase at or Athena Stavrakaras.