PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: info@armenianprelacy.org
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Contact: Iris Papazian

SIAMANTO ACADEMY GRADUATION

NEW YORK, NY-The graduation ceremony for three Siamanto Academy students,
Emma Biramian, Mardo Piranian and Berj Tenguerian, took place on Saturday,
June 25, 2005, at the St. Illuminator’s Day School in Woodside, New York.
Family, faculty, ANEC and ARS representatives and guests attended the
year-end celebration that highlighted the 1600th anniversary of the Armenian
Alphabet.
A musical interlude and recitations by the students preceded the
official bestowing of the diplomas and gifts.
Emma Biramian recited “Khosk Im Vortoun” by Silva Gaboudikian; Antranig
and Arshag Haidotsian performed a Toccata by Bach and a segment of the 1st
concert by Mendelssohn on the piano; Arpi Shetilian played “Perpetum Mobile”
by Novacheck; Mardo Piranian recited Moushegh Ishkhan’s “Hye Lezoon Doonen
eh Hyoon” and Berj Tenguerian read a popular segment from Khatchadour
Apovian’s “Lezoon.” The graduates then read their heartfelt farewell
messages to the attendees.
In his opening remarks, Dn. Krikor Lakissian gave an overview of the
programs the students were involved in the last academic year. He commended
all those involved in the success of the program from the students to the
parents, the administration, teachers and guest lecturers.
Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, chairperson of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC) spoke about the importance of the Siamanto Academy mission
in preparing well-rounded citizens well equipped to serve their communities
and commended the ANEC Executive Director as the driving force behind ANEC’s
progress. Mrs. Anais Tcholakian, the representative from the “Mayr” chapter
of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) emphasized the Christian and Armenian
values imparted at the Academy and urged the graduates to translate these
into a life of service and dedication to their community.
At the conclusion of her remarks about the individual graduates and the
three year curriculum they completed, the Executive Director of ANEC, Ms
Gilda B. Kupelian reiterated the unique nature of the education they
received at the Academy and the diploma they were about to receive and the
necessity to maintain and share their culture. She commended the faculty,
especially Mr. Lakissian and Mrs. Hera Atamian, and the guest lecturers such
as Dn. Shant Kazanjian. She had special words of praise for the parents and
singled out an “ABC” parent (Armenian By Choice), Mrs. Gine Tenguerian,
whose dedicated service to the Siamanto Academy was deeply appreciated and
recognized in a plaque that was given to her. Mrs. Tenguerian was happy to
uphold her husband’s culture and help transmit it to their children. She
thanked everyone and urged all parents to send their children to the
Siamanto Academy for the enriching program it offered. The treasurer of
Siamanto Academy, Mr. Zaven Varjabedian, was also recognized, in absentia,
for his many years of volunteer service to the Academy.
The program concluded with closing remarks by Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian,
who represented the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Fr. Shetilian
underscored the dual nature and importance of the Armenian American identity
and encouraged the graduates to strive for the best, following in the
footsteps of all those Armenians who left their mark.