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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 16, 2004

AGBU LAZAR NAJARIAN-CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN SCHOOL CELEBRATES 50th
ANNIVERSARY: LA ALUMNI RAISE CLOSE TO $30,000

The largest Armenian preparatory school in the Diaspora, the AGBU
Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian School celebrated its 50th
Anniversary with special events in Aleppo, Syria, while members of
the institution’s Los Angeles Alumni sponsored a gala this past spring
which raised close to $30,000 for their alma mater.

Anniversary Celebrations in Aleppo

Some 4,000 gathered in Aleppo this fall, to celebrate five decades of
dedicated service and achievement at AGBU’s largest school. Attended by
local government officials along with hundreds of Najarian-Gulbenkian
alumni from around the world, groups of graduates-beginning with
the Class of ’62-filed into the sports arena of the city’s Municipal
Youth Palace under banners indicating their graduating class.

The ceremony began with a performance by the AGBU AYA Scout
Marching band, and was followed by speeches from the Armenian
and Arab principals of the school who both spoke about the
institution’s continuing success at upholding the highest educational
standards. Sixty of the school’s past and present teachers were
recognized for their contributions with awards during the event. Guests
were also treated to a presentation by the city’s newly formed AGBU
AYA Antranig Dance Troupe.

A smaller formal event at AGBU’s Aleppo center took place the next
day and the messages of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicosate
of the Great House of Cilicia, and AGBU President Berge Setrakian,
were read to those in attendance. The special guest speaker for
the commemoration was former principal, Yervant Agishian (1956-69),
who currently resides in the United States. During the event, the
generosity of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was acknowledged
for the success of the school; the Lisbon-based Foundation funded the
building of the new Najarian-Gulbenkian school building inaugurated
last year. The Foundation’s Director of the Armenian Section, Zaven
Yegavian, has been a long-time supporter of Najarian-Gulbenkian and
its commitment to excellence in Armenian education.

The three-day anniversary celebrations concluded as AGBU leaders,
members, and guests participated in the Divine Liturgy at St. Kevork
Church which included a memorial service for the souls of the school’s
benefactors, principals and alumni.

Alumni Banquet in Los Angeles

Attended by 300 guests, the Los Angeles alumni banquet at the Brandview
Collection Banquet Hall in Glendale, California, included special
invited guest current Principal Hagop Mikayelian, former teachers,
and graduates who spoke about the contributions of the School to
generations of Armenians.

AGBU’s Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian School has an active and
energetic L.A. Alumni Association, chaired by Hovsep Nalbandian. During
the last 15 years, the L.A. Alumni Association has stayed true to its
mission to support the ongoing financial needs of the School, providing
funds for student scholarships and other grants on a near annual basis.

Guests of honor for the L.A. Gala were Class of ’77 graduate, Adam
Kablanian, and his wife Rita. In appreciation of the value and positive
impact the school played in the Kablanians’ lives, the couple made
a $10,000 donation to the Aleppo school.

Founding member of the L.A. Alumni Association, Vahe Ekmekjian (Class
of ’73) commented, “I would like to thank the Organizing Committee,
our guests of honor, and many friends for making this event possible.
I congratulate the School on its 50th anniversary and hope for another
50 years of success.”

Established in 1954 with 80 students, AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste
Gulbenkian School today educates 1,550 students from pre-kindergarten
to high school, with many students benefiting from financial aid
every year to further their education.

For more information on the AGBU Lazar Najarian-Calouste Gulbenkian
School, visit their web site at , or visit Global AGBU
on the AGBU homepage,