Candidate for
Council Member; Town of Moraga

I was born in Greece in 1948. In 1954, my family arrived at Ellis Island. Words cannot express seeing the Statue of Liberty for the very first after leaving a war torn European continent. It was truly a sight to behold.

I obtained my United States citizenship in 1968. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. I graduated from Fremont High School in 1966. Initially, I obtained a full scholarship to attend University of California at Berkeley. But because of family responsibilities and considerations, I had to declined this wonderful opportunity. Instead, I attended California State University at Hayward majoring in art, French, and education. I graduated in 1970 and went immediately to work for Hayward Unified School District. I was assigned the task to create and implement the first year-round early childhood program in California history. Additionally, I enrolled at Cal State Hayward in the master's in education program. I completed my master's program in 1975 and obtained my lifetime K-12 multiple subjects credential from the State of California. In 1982 and after many years, I decided to open my own early childhood program. Since then I have either created or renovated no less than 10 early childhood schools in the Northern California area.

Continuing my passion for education, in 1993 I decided to run for a seat on the Moraga School Board of Trustees. However, I was unsuccessful. In keeping with my belief of public service, I ran once again for the school board. This time it was for the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) in 1997. I served until 2002 accomplishing the opening of the Soda Swim Center at Campolindo and restructuring the advanced placement classes at all AUHSD schools.

But not all was not for happiness and good fortune for myself and my family. In 1998, our family suffered a disaster that no family should have to endured. We lost our home to a landslide in the El Nino of 1997-98. It was a total uninsured loss. But during this time, I could only think of other members of my family who lost their homes to war and had to start over. Life has a way of testing all of us to achieve our fullest potential. It was no different for myself and my family. This is what makes us Americans. To be able to face adversity and challenges and become better citizens and individuals is what we are. I hope to bring this kind of determination, if elected, to the Moraga Town Council. I thank you for taking the time to learn a little about myself and how I can help to make you and your family's life a little better in this home called Moraga.