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PRESS RELEASE

Friday, June 24, 2005

AGBU ARMEN QUÉBEC-ALEX MANOOGIAN SCHOOL CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY

New York, NY – Marking its 35th anniversary on June 19th, 2005, AGBU
Armen Québec-Alex Manoogian School held graduation ceremonies for over
120 kindergarten, sixth-grade elementary and eighth grade high school
students with special guests AGBU President Berge Setrakian, His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian and AGBU Central Board Vice
President, Founder and Chairman of the School Board Dr. Arshavir
Gundjian present.

Addressing a capacity crowd of 800 community members, proud parents,
friends and supporters, Dr. Gundjian recounted the history of the
School and its many scholastic achievements, honoring dedicated staff
members and teachers who have served the School for 25 years or
more. Setrakian then paid tribute to Dr. Gundjian, whose vision and
initiative in the early ’70s along with the support of the late Alex
Manoogian built what is today one of the largest Armenian schools in
North America. Manoogian underwrote the entire cost of the
construction of the School and the surrounding complex of buildings,
which houses the AGBU Community Center and the Tekeyan Cultural
Center.

School Principal Robert Kechayan proudly presented the graduating
classes with their diplomas praising the students for their many
achievements. Setrakian commended all graduating classes and with
special parting words to the eighth grade class, urged them to carry
on the values instilled in them by the School to preserve and promote
the Armenian identity and heritage, stressing the importance of giving
back to the community.

Prior to the graduation, Setrakian attended a reception hosted by AGBU
Montréal at the Alex Manoogian Community Center visiting with the
Chapter’s Committee, members and youth.

Founded in 1970 in Montréal, Canada, AGBU Armen Québec-Alex Manoogian
School offers instruction to over 500 students from kindergarten
through eighth grade. For more information on the AGBU Armen
Québec-Alex Manoogian School, please visit

For more information on AGBU and its Schools, please visit