Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
July 7, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA INTERNS GATHER IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL FOR
INTENSIVE GRASSROOTS TRAINING PROGRAM
Washington, DC – Now in its 21st year, the Leo Sarkisian Summer
Internship has brought together interns from across the nation and
Canada, providing them an opportunity to hone their grassroots
activism skills by attending seminars, participating in an
intensive lecture series and working on specifically designated
projects, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA.) The eight-week program is geared to provide proven student
leaders with the skills they need to effectively advance Armenian
American concerns in their hometowns and campuses around the
country.
The interns were chosen by the ANCA Eastern and Western Region
Boards, from a pool of applicants, based on leadership and academic
merit. The Leo Sarkisian Internship Program is an integral part of
the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, which provides Armenian Americans
greater opportunities to explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the
U.S. Foreign Service and key Washington, DC foreign policy think
tanks. Now approaching its third year, that year-round program is
designed to help university students and graduates find internships
and permanent positions in Congressional offices, government
agencies and policy groups by providing temporary housing and
assistance in transitioning from student to professional.
This year’s Leo Sarkisian interns, under the supervision of the
intern coordinator Megan Young, are Khajak Boghossian, Felicia
Garver, Talin Gregorian, Nazareth Markarian and Tamar
Meguerditchian.
“This year’s intern group – hailing from throughout the U.S. and
Canada – is a testament to the exceptional pool of Armenian
American student leaders committed to strengthening U.S-Armenia
relations and increasing Diasporan grassroots political power,”
said Young, a recent political science graduate from Roger
Williams University. She is a member of the Providence Homenetmen
and an executive member of the Providence AYF.
Coming from different backgrounds and bringing unique skill sets,
each intern aspires to gain a clearer perspective on Hai Tahd
activism.
Khajak Boghossian, from Toronto, Canada, is in his third year at
the University of Toronto where he is specializing in political
science. As the former vice president of the Armenian Students’
Association at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus, he
has helped create awareness of Armenian history and culture on
campus. Also, as a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Youth Organization of Canada and a frequent aid to the Canadian
Armenian Network, Khajak works to further advance the Armenian
cause. “I am grateful to the ANCA for affording me this excellent
opportunity. Working in a grassroots environment is a wonderful way
to instill activism, and to get the youth directly involved in the
American political process,” Khajak said.
Talin Gregorian, a recent communications studies graduate of the
University of California, Los Angeles, is from Glendale, CA. She
serves on the executive committee of the Scouting Division of
Homenetmen Glendale “Ararat” Chapter, where she manages the Cub and
Brownie troops. She has also interned at the ANCA’s Western Region
office. “The opportunity that I have been given by the ANCA is one
that will be an experience of a lifetime. I plan on using the
knowledge that I gain during my time in Washington to further my
activism at home,” she said.
Another Californian, Felicia Garver is going to be a freshman at
King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, where she will study
neuroscience. She was a member of the Homenetmen Los Angeles
Chapter and a member of the local AYF chapter of Glendale. “This is
such a wonderful experience. I am very pleased and honored to have
this opportunity to come to Washington, DC and work directly with
the legislators. I strongly encourage all Armenians to participate
and get involved,” Felicia said.
Nazareth Markarian, a native New Yorker, is a deacon at St.
Illuminator’s Armenian Church. He is a senior history major with a
minor in political science at Queen’s College. “The Leo Sarkisian
Internship has given me the opportunity to work with Armenians who
share a similar interest, as well as gain insight into the lobbying
and activism process in the nation’s capital,” he said.
Tamar Meguerditchian, a native of New Orleans, LA, is entering her
second year at Louisiana State University where she is doing her
master’s in mass communication with a concentration in public
relations. She is an active member of the growing Armenian American
community in Louisiana where she serves as the church secretary and
has aided in getting the new church and community involved on the
national level. “As a summer intern, I have a unique opportunity to
get my community involved in the legislative process and the
Armenian American cause, networking with some of the most
influential individuals present on Capitol Hill,” Tamar said.
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PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Intern_group.jpg – ANCA 2005 Leo Sarkisian interns – Khajak Boghossian,
Felicia Garver, Intern Coordinator Megan Young, Talin Gregorian, Tamar
Meguerditchian, and Nazareth Markarian.
Intern_group_work.jpg – ANCA interns gather around Executive Director Aram
Hamparian during the first of the summer lecture series on Armenian
American legislative concerns. Pictured from left to right: Khajak
Boghosian, Tamar Meguerditchian, Talin Gregorian, ANCA Exec. Director Aram
Hamparian, Nazareth Markarian, Felicia Garver and summer high school
volunteer Claire Semerdjian.