Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933
PRESS RELEASE ~ October 22, 2006
(617) 923-1933
AYF-YOARF Holds Successful Annual Junior Athletic Games
WATERTOWN, Mass. – From September 29 to October 1, junior and senior members
of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Eastern Region gathered in New Jersey
for the annual Junior Athletic Games (JAG), which brings together
participants from the Mid-Atlantic and New England districts.
AYF junior members hailing from New York; New Jersey; Philadelphia; Boston;
Providence; Washington, D.C.; Worcester; and North Andover took to the pool
and track for heated competitions. Attendees, staying at the Marriot in
Saddlebrook, N.J., were divided into two groups, with older juniors ages 10
to 13 competing separately from those in the 14 to 16 age group.
Over 250 members, parents and supporters gathered at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday
for the swimming events. By 1:00 p.m., participants and observes alike
traveled to where the track and field events got underway. Juniors
participated in six track events, as well as team relay races and the field
events of long jump, shot put and baseball throw.
The New Jersey Arsen chapter, who supplied sandwiches, snacks and manned a
concession stand at the track all day, hosted the event. That evening, the
chapter held its Fall Ball at St. Vartanantz church hall, where athletes and
AYF seniors danced to the music of the Aravod Ensemble. During the event,
the New Jersey community provided a kebab dinner, the awards were given out,
and the chapter winners announced.
The Philadelphia chapter finished in third with 61 points, followed by New
Jersey in second with 133 points, and the Greater Boston juniors placed in
first, for the second year in a row, with 165 points. High scoring athletes
were also awarded trophies: Nina Shahikian from Philadelphia for the older
girls (age 14 to 16); Araxi Krafian from Greater Boston for the younger
girls (age 10-13); Katchig Karayan from Albany, Kapriel Cholakian from New
York and Raffi Sarajian from New Jersey for the older boys; and Aram
Tramblian from Washington, D.C., and Armen Arakelian from Boston for the
younger boys.
JAG began in 2000 as an annual event combining the New England and
Mid-Atlantic Summer Olympics featuring only track and field, which were done
separately previous to JAG. The event was held at Camp Haiastan for many
years with the use of local tracks. Swimming events were later added to the
weekend, after feedback from the juniors.
"This year JAG was moved to a different local and given a new flavor. It was
modeled more like the AYF Midwest Summer Olympics. We tried to incorporate
the parents and family into the weekend, bringing it back to AYF tradition,"
said AYF Central Junior Council chairperson Angela Deese. "We had lots of
new parents and many AYF alumni bring their kids to the weekend. It was a
great success and a fantastic effort by the New Jersey community."
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) serves as the youth
organization of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (YOARF). The AYF
stands on five pillars that guide its activities: education, political
awareness, fellowship, athletics and culture. Moreover, the AYF promotes a
fraternal attitude of respect for the diversity of ideas and individuals
amongst its membership. Unity and cooperation are essential traits that
allow members of the organization to work together and realize its
objectives.