ARMENIAN REPORTER
PO Box 129
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Tel: 1-201-226-1995
Fax: 1-201-226-1660
Web:
Email: [email protected]
July 14, 2007 — From the community section
To see the printed version of the newspaper, complete with photographs
and additional content, visit and download the pdf
files. It’s free.
1. Drumroll…. We are proud to present the Armenian Class of 2007
2. Homenetmen Navasartian Games come to a close (by Nyree Derderian)
* Organizers say attendance was record-breaking
3. An outsider’s perspective of the Navasartian Festival (by Lory Tatoulian)
* A non-Armenian and a non-Diasporan explore the festival grounds
4. The "world’s longest-serving Homenetmen scout" is always prepared
to help the cause (by Arin Mikailian)
5. All that glitters: The Navasartian Victory Ball (by Tamar Kevonian)
6. Crime Beat: In gang-related shootings, police get little
cooperation (by Jason Kandel)
7. At the U.S. Olympic Training Center, gymnast Eduard Azarian spins
straw into Olympic gold (by Lory Tatoulian)
8. Ground is broken for new Fresno school (by Sarah Soghomonian)
9. Could you forgive your son’s murderer? (by Brandon Lowrey)
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1. Drumroll…. We are proud to present the Armenian Class of 2007
PARAMUS, N.J. — Armenian day schools throughout the eastern U.S. held
graduation ceremonies this June, as the culmination of the 2006-07
academic year. Formal ceremonies marking the students’ graduation from
high school, middle school, elementary school and Kindergarten showed
that Armenian education in America not only contributes to the life of
the community, but invests in its future.
At Greater Detroit’s AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School, 25 high
school graduates claimed their diplomas on Monday, June 4, in a
ceremony in St. John’s Armenian Church hall. State Representative and
former mayor of Farmington Aldo Vagnozzi delivered a keynote address,
stressing the need for active participation in the political process
by the young members of an increasingly global society.
Speeches were also delivered by School Board chair Dr. Richard
Marburger, high school principal Dr. Hosep Torossian, head teacher
Judith Kadri, graduating class salutatorians Lisa Shekerdemian and
Oleksandra Goysan and valedictorians Maria Yuhana and Darisha Cope.
Lower school principal Dyana Kezelian recognized this year’s donations
to the Manoogian School by the Special Projects Group, Cultural
Society of Armenians from Istanbul, PTO Board, Daughters of Vartan,
and the Detroit Armenian Women’s Club. The class president, Lisa
Shekerdemian, presented the graduating class donation.
Manoogian School’s high school graduating class of 2007 included
Monica Alkasmikha, Lavan Antoon, Tamar Avakian, Zaven Bush, Ivan
Castorena, Halyna Chaykivska, Darisha Cope, Tamar Djaridjian,
Oleksandra Goysan, Ziad Hamama, Arminohi Inofak (Krikorian), Sahar
Jerjes, Renee Kallabat, Sosi Krikor, Kazimier Lukowski, Inna Marynyak,
Simon Melkonian, Sherelle Nabors, Yuriy Pikh, Lisa Shekerdemian,
Maryna Skoblyak, Alyssa Strain, Alexandra Terhune, Vasyl
Vegerzhynskiy, and Maria Yuhana.
Woodside, N.Y.’s St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School held its
end-of-the-year hantes on the evening of June 8, at the Armenian
Center in Woodside, Queens.
School Board chair Dr. Herand Markarian addressed the gathering, as
did Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of Manhattan’s St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, and Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the
Prelacy.
The school had three graduates from Kindergarten this year: Bedros
Wannes, Ani Rakoubian, and Makar Makarian.
In Watertown, Mass., St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School
completed its 23rd academic year on June 14 (for Kindergarten
students) and 15 (for the graduating 5th-grade class). Both occasions
took place in the presence of parents and friends of the school, as
well as local dignitaries including the pastors of the St. Stephen’s,
St. James, Armenian Memorial, and First Armenian churches.
Principal Houry Boyamian spoke on both occasions, extolling the
achievements of the students; thanking the faculty, staff, PTO, parent
volunteers, school board and committees; and announcing a large
donation to the school from the Khatchig Babikian Fund that will be
used to further promote excellence in education.
In closing remarks, St. Stephen’s pastor Fr. Antranig Baljian
expressed appreciation for the dedication and effort that goes into
the school.
The June 14 Preschool and Kindergarten exercises presented dances,
songs, and mythological and historical figures from Armenia. The 24
graduating students included Hovanes Aroyan, Avo Bazarian, Melanne
Ghahraman, Anelga Hajjar, Tatiana kelloyan, Armen Michaelian, Mia
Moumdjian, Arman Movsesian, Juliana Rizza, Samuel Sagherian, Narek
Sahakian, Nareg Stepanian, Karyl Achjian, Mary Boyajian, Arsen
Cunningham, Natalie Gebeyan, Adrineh Guzelian, Mark Haroutunian, Arek
Kaya, Sanan Maroukhian, Garo Melkonian, Moushegh Monteiro, Daniel
Seraderian, and Daniel Yardemian.
The elementary school graduation on June 15 was dedicated to the
15th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi, and included a video
presentation of the annual 5th grade class trip to Armenia (chronicled
in the June 30 edition of the Reporter). The 16 graduating 5th graders
included Haig Aboyan, Lia Aftandilian, Margaret Babikian, Jeannine
Balabanian, Ida Barsoumian, Daniel Bedrosian, Natalie Eskiji, Arden
Fereshetian, Natalie Kazazian, Ani Khachatourian, Nairi Krafian, Shant
Maroukhian, Talene Sagherian, Samuel Tenkerian, Haig Torosian, and
David Vehapetian.
Fourteen 8th-grade students were the focus of the graduation
ceremony at the Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor, Pa., on the
evening of June 15, in the school’s Hovsepian Activity Center.
Principal Sister Louisa Kassarjian welcomed the attending clergy,
family members, and graduates, noting that 2007 marks the 40th
anniversary of the inception of the academy. Each graduate delivered a
personalized message in Armenian and English.
Commencement speeches were delivered by Academy alumni Arpie
Zerounian (Class of 1980), a Philadelphia public school teacher, and
Aram Megerian (Class of 1984), a Florida attorney, whose nephew was
among this year’s graduates.
The graduating 8th graders included Andre Andoun, Michael Ballard,
Amanda Budzilowicz, Garo Cannuscio, Maxine Fereshetian, Vahe
Frounjian, Anna Hoplamazian, Garen Kaloustian, Rita Komrokian, Gregory
Megerian, Aram Mouradian, Chloe Norian, Aram Panosian, and Jorin
Schug.
Sister Louisa presented all but one graduate with a diploma: in the
case of Aram Panosian, she asked his mother Tamar, a dedicated
Armenian teacher on the faculty, to present the diploma to her son.
The image was a touching testimony to the strong connection among
parents, faculty, and the Armenian sisters, in the cause of advancing
Armenian education.
School Board chair and alumnus Richard Keshgegian congratulated the
students, after which a commemorative musical slide show presented
photos of the grads in all phases of their growth.
In Bayside, N.Y., Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS)
celebrated the 40th anniversary of the school and its 25th
commencement exercises on a breezy June 22 evening, during which the
school’s nine graduates received their diplomas from an equal number
of school alumni.
The 6th-grade graduating class of 2007 included Vahe Atakhanian,
Hagop Bezjian, Priscilla Canals, Nicole El-Zokm, Gregory Kircikoglu,
Gia Marino, Movses Pogosyan, Deanna Tashchian, and Aleene Voskerijian.
Three poems — "If" by Rudyard Kipling, Vahan Tekeyan’s "Armenian
Language," and "Friends" by Moshegh Ishkhan — provided the motif for
the graduation program. Attorney John Megerian (HMADS Class of 1993)
was the alumni guest speaker, and Peter Kougasian, an assistant D.A.
in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, provided a heart-warming
keynote address.
Also speaking and receiving the warm applause of the crowd was
Principal Zarminé Boghosian. Fr. Vahan Hovanessian, the pastor of Holy
Martyrs Church, blessed the graduates and all the attendees, and also
conveyed a special message from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.
A week earlier, on June 15, HMADS Kindergarten graduated nine
students: Melanie Andreopoulos, Nikolas Aprahamian, Danielle
Ashbahian, Bryan Bibicheff, Anoush Bezjian, Alin Kheimian, Nicole
Khrimian, Cedric Nahas, and Edward Nemtzian.
At the Hovnanian School in New Milford, N.J., the end of the
academic year took place over the weekend of June 23-24. The school’s
21 kindergarten students had their graduation ceremonies, followed by
an Early Childhood hantes, on the afternoon of Saturday, June 23.
The Kindergarten class of 2007 included Haig Aghjayan, Colette
Arslanian, Aren Arslanoglu, Armen Aslanian, Naira Baltaian, Lori
Baronian, Tvene Baronian, Sayat Bekarian, Jack Dadian, Lara
Derjangociyan, Rasha Dermesropian, Olivia Hagopian, Alec Kalfaian,
Kalina Mesrobian, Tatiana Mesrobian, Gary Qassabian, Talaar
Rastguelenian, Alex Rashduni, Lori Samuelian, Ari Semerciyan, and
Sophia Simonian.
Principal Anahid Garmiryan presented the class, whose members,
dressed in white cap-and-gown, received their diplomas from teachers
Kathryn Mojzsis, Domenica Lo Schiavo, Silva Mesrobian, and Hera
Varjabedian.
For the 8th grade graduation exercises on Sunday, June 24, Executive
Board member Iris Papazian was the Mistress of Ceremonies. Principal
Garmiryan related fond memories of the time the graduates had spent in
the school, congratulated the students for their achievements, and
wished them success in the future. English teach Hilda Aynejian
distributed student awards.
The 14 members of the Hovnanian School graduating class of 2007
were: Patile Arabian, Meghri Baronian, Aren Dabaghian, Anthony Daoud,
Stephanie Gondelen, Christine Ingilizyan, Lora Kesenci, Patille
Kiledjian, Sylva Ohanian, Naira Setrakian, Shushy Setrakian, Shoushig
Tenguerian, Talin Tuestad, and Talar Varjabedian.
Keynote speaker Prof. Hratch Zadoian, vice president emeritus of
Queens College, reminded the graduates that they "come from a long
line of people whose gift for self-reliance insured our survival as a
nation," and that service to the community "will be your own path to
satisfaction and fulfillment."
Naira Setrakian and Talin Tuestad gave the co-valedictory speeches
in English and Armenian, and Aren Dabaghian gave the salutatory speech
in English. Also speaking were students Lora Kesenci, Christine
Ingilizyan, and recent alumnus Ani Ohanian (Class of 2003). Anthony
Daoud read the parent appreciation message.
Mr. and Mrs. Vahak and Hasmig Hovnanian were invited to distribute
the diplomas, where Mr. Hovnanian conveyed his congratulations to the
graduates and their families.
Fr. Vazken Karayan, representing Archbishop Khajag Barsaman, offered
an opening prayer, and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan delivered a message
about the importance of Armenian schools as a benchmark for Armenian
identity.
Graduation ceremonies also took place at the Armenian Sisters
Academy of Lexington, Mass., which includes Kindergarten, elementary
and middle school programs. Photos and details were not available at
press time.
* * *
For information on the schools listed in this article, contact them
AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School
Southfield, Michigan
Pre-K through 12th grade
Armenian Sisters Academy
Lexington, Massachusetts
Pre-K through 8th grade
Armenian Sisters Academy
Radnor, Pennsylvania
Pre-K through 8th grade
Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS)
Bayside, New York
Pre-K through 6th grade
The Hovnanian School
New Milford, New Jersey
Pre-K through 8th grade
St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School
Woodside, New York
Pre-K through 6th grade
(718) 478-4073
St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School
Watertown, Massachusetts
Pre-K through 5th grade
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2. Homenetmen Navasartian Games come to a close
* Organizers say attendance was record-breaking
by Nyree Derderian
* For plenty of pictures see the pdf version of the newspaper at
and for even more visit
r/
VAN NUYS, Calif. — The 32nd annual Navasartian Games began on May
19th and closed on Saturday, June 7, with a record number of
participants at the annual Navasartian closing ceremonies and final
night of the 5-day festival.
In athletics, 436 teams and 2,882 individual athletes participated
in the games. Rallying for each of the teams were friends, family
members, and the public, who gathered at Birmingham High School to
enjoy the athletic competitions and the accompanying festival.
More than 50 vendors set up a makeshift marketplace at the high
school to attract new customers and reach former customers attending
the games from as far north as the Bay Area and as far west as Nevada.
The festival was also an opportunity for many Armenian entertainers,
including the rock band Red Snow, Maxim, Elon, and Karnig Sarkissian
to showcase their talents and entertain families in an open-arena
setting.
Also participating at the festival were dozens of community
organizations, several financial and banking institutions, record
stores, and media outlets like the Armenian Reporter.
As in previous games, Homenetmen representatives and supporters from
all over the world came to the 32nd annual games.
Former athletes, fans, and Homenetmen representatives from Syria,
Lebanon, Canada, Northern California, and Arizona all made their
annual treks to support the athletes and the Navasartian Festival.
* The games
Seven different gymnasiums were packed with cheering fans, parents,
siblings, and friends of Homenetmen teams.
Athletes ranging in age from seven to 60 participated in seven
different sports.
With basketball being the most popular, soccer, volleyball, track
and field, swimming, table tennis, and tennis were on the schedule of
matches and games.
For those who are more cerebral than physical, there was also a
chess competition that took place alongside the athletic events.
* Closing day
The finals of a majority of the sports were played on Saturday, July
7, and the closing ceremony began at 6:30 that same evening.
The gymnastics team from Glendale’s "Ararat" chapter entertained the
crowd during the pre-show of the closing ceremonies.
The Navasartian Torch was carried into the stadium by Levon Tashjian at 7 p.m.
Tashjian, a star athlete and professional photographer from Lebanon,
had come from the Middle East as a special guest, representing the
Homenetmen of Lebanon.
The start of the closing ceremonies was marked when Tashjian lit the
Navasartian Flame.
Some of those seated in the grand stands received gifts that were
thrown by members of the Closing Ceremonies committee.
Masters of Ceremonies Nora Tchaparian and Ara Keshishian announced
that the ceremonies were officially open and invited a delegation of
special guests, accompanied by the Regional Scout Council.
The delegation included Western Prelate of the Armenian Church,
Archibishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Honorary President of the 32nd
Navasartian games, Varouj Bedikian, Exemplary Homenetmen Member Nigol
Arzoumanian, and Homenetmen Western Regional Executive Chair Steve
Artinian.
The Homenetmen Western Region marching band marched onto the field
and entertained the audience before the presentation of the colors.
Nareg Badalian from the Regional Scout Council commanded the scouts
who carried the flags of the United States, the State of California,
the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, the
Homenetmen Western Region, and the Navasartian Games.
The national anthems of the United States and the Republic of
Armenia were sung by K. Nanor Hindoyan and Yvana Grigorian from the
Glendale "Ararat" Chapter.
The marching band played the Homenetmen anthem.
Master of Ceremonies Simon Manoucherian took the stage, recognizing
the dignitaries present at the ceremonies, including Archbishop
Mardirossian, Sahag Sarkissian Vice-Consul of the Republic of Armenia
in Los Angeles, Homenetmen Central Executive Members Karnig
Megerdichian (chair), Mher Tavidian, and Manuel Marselian.
Manoucharian continued by recognizing the Homenetmen 32nd
Navasartian Games Honorary President Bedikian, Exemplary Member
Arzoumanian, ARF Western Central Executive Representative Hagop
Tufenkian, ARS Central Executive Chairwoman Hasmig Derderian,
California Assembly member Paul Krekorian, City of Glendale Mayor Ara
Najarian and council member Bob Youssefian, Glendale Unified School
District chair Greg Kirkorian, and representatives of sister
organizations.
Manoucharian also noted that the 2007 Navasartian trophies were in
remembrance of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
One of the keynote speakers for the Closing Ceremony was Steve
Artinian, chairperson of the Homenetmen Western Regional Executive.
Thanking all the volunteers, coaches, and parents, who helped with
the Navasartian games, Artinian announced that Homenetmen had
purchased a new regional headquarters in Eagle Rock, Calif., and a new
campground.
Karnig Megerdichian of Homenetmen’s international executive body
lauded the Navasartian Games.
Archbishop Mardirossian said that the athletes should be proud of
themselves for participating whether or not they had a trophy in hand
or a medal around their necks. The ultimate victor was Homenetmen and
Armenian traditions, he averred.
* The winners
Next came the moment that all the chapters were awaiting: the
announcement of the overall accomplishment trophies. These trophies go
to teams with the highest, second highest, and third highest overall
points in their divisions and sports. They come with bragging rights
for the year.
Members of the Regional Athletic Coucil and the VIP delegation
participated in the disbursement of the trophies. Your correspondent,
Nyree Derderian, as chair of the Regional Athletic Council,
congratulated all of the athletes and coaches, and thanked the
volunteers for their hard work to make the 32nd Navasartian games a
success. She also thanked the parents who brought their youngsters to
the games for the past nine weeks and supported the teams throughout
the tournament.
Next, amid great fanfare, came the march of athletes and scouts.
Seventeen chapters marched with a majority of their athletes and
scouts. The march was concluded by the Homenetmen Camp Committee.
Surprises awaited those who were present at the closing ceremonies
Scouts in white shirts carrying candles helped escort two survivors
of the Armenian Genocide, Sirvart Markarian and Ghazaros Ketamian, to
the arena. They represented the Armenian people’s will to survive. The
presence of these survivors raised emotions in the audience.
And at the end, Karnig Sarkissian sang, raising emotions further.
Streamers were shot into the darkening sky.
* Hail to the victors
Even though the games had officially come to an end, there were two
important games left: The A women’s upper Basketball championship and
the 1A men’s Basketball championship. Fans rushed to the main gym of
Birmingham High School, filling it to capacity, forcing security and
the Regional Athletic Council to shut the doors, leaving many outside.
The A Womens’ Championship featured the San Fernando Massis team and
seven-time champions Los Angeles. The game was close throughout its 40
minutes. But when the buzzer sounded, it was Massis beating the
reigning champions.
The final and most eagerly awaited match of the 32nd Navasartian
Games was the 1A men’s final. Reigning champions Ararat 1 against Los
Angeles was a repeat of the finals of the 30th Navasartian Games, and
again lefts fans on the edge of their bleachers. Ararat 1 was up by 10
points with three minutes to go, when Los Angeles made an 8-0 run down
by 2 with a minute left in the game.
Baskets were exchanged when Los Angeles made a defensive stop and
tied the game. With seconds left, Los Angeles made a free throw to
take the lead. Ararat 1 grabbed the rebound and with it a last chance
to win the game.
Zareh Avetian got the call from the coach Fred Babajanian to take
the final shot. With two seconds on the clock, he took the shot, which
turned out to be a heartbreaker for him and his team, as it bounced
around the rim once time had expired.
Coach Carlo Honanian and the veterans from the LA chapter had done
it again, against a younger Ararat 1 team to win their fourth
Navasartian 1A men’s championship with the final score 41-40.
The athletic portion of the 32nd Navasartian Games and Festival had
come to an end 3-1/2 hours after the closing ceremonies.
Organizers have already started to plan next year’s Navasartian Games.
* Overall trophy standings
Basketball
1st Place Glendale "Ararat" Chapter
2nd Place Los Angeles Chapter
3rd Place Crescenta Valley "Shant" Chapter
Soccer
1st Place Los Angeles Chapter
2nd Place Glendale "Ararat" Chapter
3rd Place Pasadena "Azadamard" Chapter
Volleyball
1st Place Santa Clara "Ani’ Chapter
2nd Place Glendale "Ararat" Chapter
3rd Place San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter
Track and Field
1st Place Pasadena "Azadamard" Chapter
2nd Place Crescenta Valley "Shant" Chapter
3rd Place San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter
Swimming
1st Place San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter
2nd Place Santa Clara "Ani" Chapter
3rd Place Crescenta Valley "Shant" Chapter
Tennis
1st Place Glendale "Ararat" Chapter
2nd Place Santa Clara "Ani Chapter"
3rd Place Tie Los Angeles and Walnut Creek "Gars" Chapters
Table Tennis
1st Place Glendale "Ararat" Chapter
2nd Place Crescenta Valley "Shant" Chapter
3rd Place Pasadena "Azadamard" Chapter
* Armenian Reporter raffle winners
We are pleased to announce the winners of the Armenian Reporter’s
raffle, drawn at the conclusion of the Navasartian Games.
The round trip to Armenia with accommodations went to Chake Ajamian
of Glendale, Calif.
Krikor Megerian of Glendale, and Sosi Kasbarian of Glendale each won
a subscription to Armenia TV on Dish Network.
Tickets to the Kohar Symphony went to Sevag Kolonjian of Glendale,
Mourad Topalian of Glendale, Harout Keosian of Reseda, Calif., and
Betty Bairmanian of Glendale.
Tickets to the Hollywood Bowl Spirit of Armenia Concert on July 29th
went to Mr. Ananian, West Hills, Calif., Lousazin Abdosian of La
Crescenta, Calif., Garbis Kouyoumjian of Pasadena, Calif., Palig
Demirjian of Van Nuys, Calif., and Karine Abramyan of Glendale.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and participated!
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3. An outsider’s perspective of the Navasartian Festival
* A non-Armenian and a non-Diasporan explore the festival grounds
by Lory Tatoulian
VAN NUYS, Calif. — For many Armenians, the Navasartian Games and
Festival are synonymous with other Armenian festivals — rife with
Armenian music, familiar faces, and down-home Armenian food.
But to those who have never attended the Navasartian Games and the
accompanying festival, especially if they are non-Armenian, the event
may seem, well, weird.
As a sort of cultural science experiment, I wanted to journey
through the Navasartian Festival with two individuals who have not
before been exposed to Southern Californian Armenian culture.
I wanted to observe their raw reactions as they navigated through a
festival full of cultural nuances that may seem foreign to an
outsider.
My two eager, twenty-something and very friendly subjects were
Jessica Tuttle and Shaghik Kanderian (not their real names).
Jessica and Shaghik are both 20-something college graduates, who
were visiting Southern California for the July 4th weekend.
Jessica is a Midwesterner living in Arizona, and Shaghik is an
Armenia native, who works in Yerevan.
These two women had never been to the Navasartians or anything
similar, so we were ready to explore Birmingham High School, the
Navasartian Games, the festival grounds, and all the cultural oddities
and idiosyncrasies.
* Let the experimenting begin
Two beautiful women, friendly, well-traveled, confident, educated,
pleasant, and with promising futures, find themselves fully submerged
into the ethnic Armenian cultural experience.
From their first step into the high school grounds, they are
confronted by burly men, the festivities, the food, the music, the
families, sounds, scents, and sights of all things
California-Armenian.
The Navasartian Festival acts as a bastion of culture, representing
everything from the kitsch to the cool, from T-shirts that read "Proud
to be Hye" to jewelry from a business that calls itself "Armenian
Secret Society."
The two young women are hurled into this suspended reality of Armenianness.
Yes, they are in the Valley, "like oh meh gawd," the San Fernando
Valley, the Valley of that gave birth to the Valley Girls of the 80s,
the Valley from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
But inside the confines of this high-school campus, an oasis has
been created, if only for five days.
Inside this oasis, burgers and fries are replaced with the charred
scents of kebabs drifting like a sweet elixir in the midsummer air.
Instead of Duran Duran and the GoGo’s, Nune’s songs blare from the
speakers suspended above.
Instead of torn sweats, à la Jennifer Beals in Flashdance, wide-eyed
children float amongst Gucci-clad moms and Adidas-sporting dads.
Shaghik’s first reaction is a question, "Are these people all Armenian?"
The Armenian from Armenian is surprised to see so many Armenians
gathered in one place outside the homeland.
"It’s astonishing to see that almost every single person here is
Armenian," she says, "except maybe the person over there." She points
to the security guard.
"I guess we build little Armenias wherever we go," she says.
Jessica’s initial reaction is excitement and curiosity.
"The only thing I knew about Armenians came from my friend," says
Jessica. "I knew that Armenians were the fist Christian nation and
that her dad made us kebab at one in the morning."
Jessica says the Navasartians are a solid example that the culture
is more than just kebobs and Christianity, that there is a culture
that’s thriving.
The booths lining the picnic area sell everything from books in the
Armenian language to children’s CDs and DVDs.
There are professional societies represented here, political action
committees, community-service organizations targeting autism and the
elderly, and even a doctor selling Lasik eye surgery for reduced
prices.
Jessica points out young girls in basketball shorts walking with their dads.
"It reminds me of when my dad used to accompany me to my basketball
games," she says. "Those sweet moments seem to transcend all cultural
boundaries."
* The athletes and athletics
Our next quest for musings was out on the soccer field.
Ten-year-old boys are displaying their fancy footwork.
Nearby, the stereotype of crazed soccer moms gearing up for a fight
is somewhat shattered by the doting Armenian moms.
"It’s sort of funny," says Jessica. "When I go to kids’ soccer
games, I’m used to hearing parents screaming names like Brian or Todd.
Here, it’s a symphony of names like Hagop or Raffi."
After the one of the teams wins, the coach of the winning team
roars, "We should make one more goal, so everybody knows that we are
the winners."
The women start giggling at his comments. Shoghik adds, "We can
never be too proud."
Shopping Trip
What’s a Navasartian Festival without spending money on Armenian trinkets?
I lead the women to the booths. Jessica is drawn to a booth with
hundreds of evil-eye charms hanging inside the ten-by-ten tent.
The vendor tells us that one of these charms around her neck would
fend off the lethal tongue of gossipy neighbors.
Jessica decides to buy an evil-eye charm to adorn her Chihuahua’s collar.
Who knows what supernatural evils a Chihuahua has to battle!
Jessica says the charm is cute and her dog will love it. "She’ll be
protected from getting run over by a car or getting stepped on by
humans," she jokes.
* Time for food
Finally, what better way to be introduced to a culture than to
taste-test its cuisine?
Jessica and Shaghik fine-tune their epicurean tastes by sampling a
few of the foods that are being sold at the Festival.
Each chapter of Homenetmen has set up a booth, and each sells a
unique dish: a sandwich, a dessert, yogurt tahns, or jahlab drinks
with pinecone seeds.
Shoghik comments on how the foods at the games are not all
specifically Armenian.
She points to the nachos and some of the Middle Eastern fare.
What surprises me is that the Yerevani has never tasted zekhter (or zahtar).
Jessica becomes an instant fan of the manayish with zekhter.
"I love this stuff," she says. "It looks a little strange, but it’s
addictive. This is something I would want to put on pizza. I love the
zing of the first taste, and then I like how it coats the throat with
olive oil. What a brilliant concoction. They should sell this at Whole
Foods."
After the food comes the coffee, because there is no better way to
chase down Armenian food than with tepid Armenian coffee.
"It sort of tastes like cappuccino, but a little more muddy," says Jessica.
The downside about cappuccino is that you can’t read your fortunes
from your cup after you are done drinking it.
I tell the women that Armenian coffee is not only a beverage, but it
also functions as a crystal ball in which fortunes can be revealed.
"How can coffee grinds reveal my future?" asks Jessica.
I explain that the thick puddle left at the bottom of the coffee cup
is like the Rorschach test; you have to read the coffee grinds like
they are inkblots. Then you translate the images into future events.
I explain that women in the Eastern Hemisphere have been practicing
this social activity for hundreds of years.
Before there was "Days of Our Lives," there were coffee cup
readings, I say. Women would thread together exaggerated episodes of
future fortunes, dramatic tales that would rival that of any
modern-day television soap opera.
I explain that there is a lingua franca of coffee-cup reading, an
understood set of symbols that can be interpreted into forthcoming
events.
For example, I say, birds mean good news is coming. Snakes suggest
evil is lurking.
"I see a sea turtle," Jessica says as she reads my cup. "I see sea
turtles and hippopotamuses dancing," she continues.
I tell her that’s impossible, because sea turtles and hippos don’t
really exist in the menagerie of Armenian animal symbols.
I tell her to look for sheep and roosters.
* Pictures, souvenirs and T-shirts
We take turns taking pictures. Group shots. Individual shots. Couple shots.
We’ve eaten, fended off evil spirits, watched muscles in action,
kids tripping over soccer balls, and old women baking bread on upside
down woks — makeshift toneers.
We’ve eaten, drank, danced, bought souvenirs and T-shirts, watched
people, cheered the winning teams, and booed the referees.
Now it’s time to call it a day and get ready for the next big
Navasartian Festival.
What may seem to me the same-old, same-old festival accompanying the
annual Navasartian Games is still apparently full of awe, interest,
new tastes, and also familiar dynamics.
The athletes may be different every year, but friendly faces never run out.
Old friends resurface, new friends are made, and what may seem stale
and never-changing is still refreshing and new.
******************************************** *******************************
4. The "world’s longest-serving Homenetmen scout" is always prepared
to help the cause
by Arin Mikailian
GLENDALE, Calif. — Maro Keshishian might very well hold the record
for being the world’s longest-serving Homenetmen scout. She’s been
involved with the group since before she reached the minimum eligible
age.
At three, Keshishian began going to scout meetings in her hometown
of Anjar, Lebanon, with her mother, who was a scout master at the
time. Being a toddler hardly stopped her from interacting with the
scouts.
"Everyone was good to me," said Keshishian. "They didn’t make me
feel ashamed. I was not afraid of going to that place, and because of
that I loved scouts."
Keshishian picked up an important lesson from the scouts that would
eventually lead to her non-stop involvement within the organization.
"I believe in the goals of Homenetmen," she said. "It educates young
people and makes them exemplary citizens."
After her early years in Anjar, Keshishian packed her bags and
headed for school in Bourj Hamoud.
She graduated with a degree in Armenian language studies from St.
Joseph’s University in 1975, and subsequently took her involvement
with the community to a new level by becoming a teacher at a local
elementary school in Bourj Hamoud.
While Keshishian taught arithmetic in the classroom, she also
lectured about nature and other life lessons in an outdoor setting as
a scout master.
But both sides of her life achieved the same goal for her.
"I love dealing with kids," she said. "I love to educate them, and
I’m the kind of person that always has to be active and doing
something good."
In the mid-1980s, like many other Armenians, Keshishian migrated to
California to seek out her own version of the American Dream. After
arriving in the Southland in 1984, she put her teaching career on
hold.
A few months after her arrival, Keshishian took a job at the Asbarez
newspaper as a translator. In her first years there, she moved up the
ranks in the newsroom, became a reporter, and eventually served on the
editorial staff.
In the meantime, she transitioned her participation in Homenetmen
from Anjar to L.A., and became active in the Los Angeles chapter.
"I’m always in scouting," she said. "The best way to help the youth
is with scouting, because they will become our leaders. That’s why I
stuck with it."
With her new career as a journalist, Maro blended her professional
life and personal lives by acting as the Homenetemen beat writer and
covering any news regarding the organization.
Keshishian said she felt as though she had to take it upon herself
to bring more stories about Homenetmen to the Armenian public eye.
"It’s very dear to my heart," she said. "I can’t live without
Homenetmen. I decided there was a need to write something about it. I
tried it and I hoped I’d be successful in it."
Now 20 years after she crossed her fingers, she can rest a little
easier. She’s still writing story after story for Asbarez. And she’s
also amassed a vast collection of pictures from the stories she’s
written about Homenetmen.
But besides the rewards of her professional life, Keshishian said
she’s most proud of what she’s done for Homenetmen.
As she moved up through its ranks, she was eventually invited to the
western region’s scout council, on whose executive board she still
sits.
And though she resides in Los Angeles, that didn’t prevent
Keshishian from reaching out to other chapters in need of her help.
Throughout the 1990s she helped other cities establish their own
chapters, including Santa Clara and even Las Vegas.
For Keshishian, her relentless effort and enthusiastic demeanor
share a common motivation. "It’s the same as getting a million dollars
for me," she said. "When there are kids, I’m there."
She’s also done her bit for the Navasartian Games by helping to
organize the annual event and serving as an occasional announcer for
the games.
* Chance of a lifetime
Despite her lengthy resume, Kehishian says she has no problem
pinpointing the highlight of her Homenetmen career. In 1990, she and
several other representatives traveled to Yerevan for the first time
in order to aid the capital city in establishing its own chapter.
But after arriving in a country burdened by years of communist rule,
Keshishian said some Armenian natives were a little hesitant to join a
new organization.
"It was not easy to make them understand the goals of Homenetmen,"
she said. "They hadn’t forgotten the rules of Communism; they couldn’t
believe they were free to join."
People eventually became more accepting of Homenetmen over time, and
the chapter began to serve Yerevan as it would any other community
throughout the world.
The following year, Keshishian returned to Armenia with a group of
scouts from America on what would be the first encounter between
American scouts and scouts from the homeland.
"They saw a lot of differences between them at first," she said.
"But then they realized that all Armenians are the same around the
world. And they loved it."
Today, Maro Keshishian serves as secretary for Homenetmen’s Western
Region Executive Board and has begun helping fellow Armenians
full-time by taking a job with the Armenian Relief Society.
Keshishian said she looks forward to another chance of a lifetime
this September, when she and 10 other representatives from the Western
Region will go to Armenia to attend a world meeting of all Homenetmen
chapters, to discuss important issues and to suggestions for the
organization’s future.
Regardless of where life takes her, Keshishian said she will always
strive for Homenetmen, because there the job of securing a bright
young generation never ends.
"Helping fellow Armenians is setting a good example for our youth,"
she said. "It’s our blood."
************************************ ***************************************
5. All that glitters: The Navasartian Victory Ball
by Tamar Kevonian
STUDIO CITY, Calif. — The Homenetmen Navasartian Victory Ball took
place on Friday evening July 6, 2007 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel,
high on the hill in Studio City, California. It is the culmination of
the four days of festivities that tool place during the July 4th week,
followed only by the parade, award ceremony, fireworks and a concert
by Karnig Sarkissian on Saturday.
The Victory Ball is the formal event of Navasartian and, after a
week of perspiring in the unusually hot weather, it was a pleasure to
see both young and old dressed in their finery, glittering in the
lights. The crowd was sparse at the 7 o’clock starting cocktail hour
but soon the room quickly began fill as elegantly dressed couples
began to arrive.
The appetizer buffet overflowed with the usual Armenian/Middle
Eastern delicacies: hummus, kufte, string cheese, and beureg were
amongst the featured items. It may seem odd to see and eat these items
in such a mainstream setting as the Sheraton but the staff there is
used these Armenian gatherings and the crowd expects the catering to
their taste.
The highlight of the cocktail hour is not the food but the people,
those that were together just a few hours before at the festival and
those that had not seen each other in months or years. Drinks in hand
people mingled in clusters, floating from one group to the next. As
the sun began its descent the weather cooled to a comfortable
temperature as people wandered outdoors to enjoy the starry night.
Eventually the banquet hall doors were opened and the six hundred
guests were called to dinner. The planned program was brief but
informative. Ms. Lina Davidian from the banquet committee started with
the opening remarks, stating that "Homenetmen is a family
organization, always has been. It is a tradition that is passed on
from generation to generation." In fact there were many in the crowd
who could attest to this fact as multiple generations participated in
all the organization has to offer. In fact, it is the only
organization that has successfully brought together twenty thousand
Armenians through their scouts to athletics programs.
Mr. Peklar Pilavjian, as Master of Ceremonies, thanked the crowd for
their support throughout the years and explained that "Homenetmen is
an organization dedicated to the youth. We are here to teach the youth
to be generous, competitive and forgiving and to instill family
values."
The Chairman of Homenetmen’s Western U.S. Region, Mr. Steve
Artinian, presented Mr. Nigol Arzoumanian with the 2007 Homenetmen
Exemplary Member lifetime achievement award. He then explained the
accomplishments of this year’s executive committee. The two main ones
being the purchase of 8500 sq ft. building in Eagle Rock, California
to house the offices and the first ever Homenetmen museum and the
acquisition of Camp Tecuya in Frazier Park, California which is
located sixty miles north of Glendale. The campground is a 24 acre
property with a pool, hiking trails and many other features which they
will use to introduce the kids to nature and the Homenetmen
experience.
In addition to the brief summary of their activities, Artinian also
introduced this year’s Honorary President, Mr. Varouj Bedikian.
Bedikian, along with his daughters, is an active member in the
organization. He coaches his daughter’s basketball team and plays in
the league himself. He began by congratulating all of the chapters for
all they’ve done but stressed that it was not enough to be satisfied
with the present situation. "We must be prepared for the future," he
stressed. He described how there was a dire situation with the present
youth who lead purposeless lives. He explained that "The purpose of
Homenetmen is to bring them into the fold and prepare them to go
forward." In addition to giving fifty thousand dollars in his role as
Honorary President, Bedikian also is donating a phone system and video
conferencing system for the new center valued at fifty thousand
dollars. "It’s so all the chapters could communicate for better,"
joked Artinian.
The program concluded with Pilavjian comparing Homenetmen to the
once vast British Empire. "Just as the sun never set on the Empire,
the sun never sets on Homenetmen and will never set on Homenetmen."
The night went on with the band playing the crowd favorites, from
Armenian music to an international mix. More and more young people
filled the banquet hall and the club next door to celebrate with
friends into the wee hours of the night. It was another successful
evening for the 2007 Homenetmen Navasartian Festival.
*************************************** ************************************
6. Crime Beat: In gang-related shootings, police get little cooperation
by Jason Kandel
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — About 4:30 p.m. on April 26, Marat Manukyan
and his younger brother were having coffee at a Starbucks in North
Hollywood when two 18-year-old men and a 17-year-old boy who they knew
showed up, police said.
An argument broke out. Somebody disrespected somebody else. There
was some pushing and shoving. Somebody threw a chair. Then they broke
up the fight and agreed to meet later to try to resolve their dispute,
police said.
A few hours later, the group, and several more, ages 17 to 25, had
their second meeting at a local park. They didn’t settle their
problem. So they agreed to a third meeting, this time on the quiet,
industrial Raymer Street in North Hollywood, said Los Angeles Police
Detective Martin Pinner.
About 10 that night, Manukyan and Davit Ksachikyan, 23, arrived in a
blue Infiniti G35 that belonged to one of their uncles. Others pulled
up in a new black Cadillac Escalade.
Guns were drawn and shots were fired. Manukyan was hit. Everyone took off.
About 30 minutes later, Manukyan, who was 18, was dead. Detectives
were on the case. Members of the Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force
— comprising federal, state, and local police — were called to help
detectives with translation and contacts in the Armenian community.
Weeks later, arrests were made. Police believed they had their
suspected triggerman — a 17-year-old boy – held on murder charges at
Juvenile Hall. He was not identified because he is a minor.
An 18-year-old man was booked on assault charges for throwing the
chair at Starbucks. Ksachikyan who was in the G35 with Manukyan and
called the police from a gas station after the shooting, was arrested
the next day in connection with being an accessory to murder, Pinner
said. Others were questioned.
But the Los Angeles District Attorney declined to file charges —
not enough evidence to successfully convict the alleged triggerman.
Witnesses wouldn’t cooperate, Pinner said.
The case remains unresolved.
"They’d rather not cooperate and allow killers to roam the streets
than to put themselves in a position where they’d have to testify,"
Pinner said. "The system doesn’t work that way. The government
recognizes the fact that we need general, everyday community members
to make the system
function properly. Without that cooperation, we end up with cases like this."
The Manukyan case is one of several shootings involving Armenians
that have occurred in North Hollywood and Glendale in the last two
months.
On July 3, gunmen carrying 9-millimeter and 40-caliber pistols
walked up to 19-year-old Arayik Tsarukyan and fired at close range
striking him nine times as he stood in the driveway of a friend’s
house on Burton Street in North Hollywood, police said. Tsarukyan was
hit in the chest, right arm, both legs, and the back and was in
critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Police have no
witnesses or suspects.
Los Angeles Police Detective Rich Wheeler, a supervisor of the
homicide unit at the North Hollywood Division, said Tsarukyan had no
criminal record that police were aware of, was good with computers and
had gone to a friend’s to help fix a computer problem. He happened to
be outside by himself when gunmen walked up and shot him, Wheeler
said, adding that police had yet to interview him because he had been
in and out of surgery.
"It does sound like he was targeted, but I don’t know if he was
targeted or if it was a case of mistaken identity," Wheeler said. "We
need to talk to him. Hopefully he can provide a little insight. Just
because he doesn’t have a criminal record, doesn’t mean he was
involved in criminal activity."
Police were looking for suspects in the June 8 shooting death of
28-year-old Armen Tomanyan whose body was found outside a nightclub
off Foothill Boulevard, north of Glendale.
And police were also looking for witnesses to the fatal shooting
March 12 of Akop Akopyan, 24, whose body was found on Mulholland Drive
March 12.
Police had no suspects and the motive was unknown.
Glendale police recently announced the arrests of two men in
connection with a June 26 shooting at Brand Park.
Harutyun Abrahamyan, believed to be at the wheel of a white sport
utility vehicle, allegedly got into an argument with three Armenian
males in their late teens to early 20s, then allegedly pulled a gun
and started firing, police said. No one was hit, but several rounds
hit a car with people inside, police said.
Abrahamyan, a suspected member of the Pasadena Armenian Downers
gang, and Haroutioun Aivazian, 19, of Glendale, were being held on
attempted murder charges at the Los Angeles County Jail, said Glendale
Police spokesman John Balian.
Balian said it was fortunate no one was hit. Police hold out hope
that the witnesses will cooperate.
In gang-related shootings, Balian said, police "generally don’t get
cooperation."
"It’s very frustrating. It’s tough to get these guys to cooperate with us."
Marcia Daniel, a deputy district attorney in the L.A. District
Attorney’s organized crime unit, said some crooks, especially those
from former communist countries where police corruption was rampant,
threaten witnesses out of testifying in court even if the cases make
it to the prosecutor’s office.
"They also use intimidation, saying, ‘We have the police in our
pocket. We can pay them off because that’s how it worked in the old
country,’" Daniel said. "They lead them to believe that’s how it works
here too. And that’s one of the ways they instill a certain amount of
fear."
* * *
Jason Kandel is a reporter at the Los Angeles Daily News. For the last
four years, he has been following the activities of Russian-Armenian
crime groups operating fraud schemes, burglaries and murders occurring
in L.A., Glendale and Burbank.
**************************************** ***********************************
7. At the U.S. Olympic Training Center, gymnast Eduard Azarian spins
straw into Olympic gold
by Lory Tatoulian
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — In the verdant coastal plain of Aliso Viejo,
Eduard Azarian has created a state-of-the-art U.S. Olympic Training
Center, where young gymnasts are leaping, swinging, and cart-wheeling
their way to Olympic gold.
The Azarian U.S. Olympic Training Center is the culmination of one
of the many lofty goals Eduard Azarian has set for himself throughout
his life.
Azarian’s name is eminent in world gymnastics. Eduard Azarian is a
two-time world cup winner and three time world champion gymnast.
Throughout the 1970s he proved his athletic prowess by wining medals
and championships for the USSR gymnastics team.
In 1980 he vaulted to athletic glory when he was won the gold medal
in the Olympic games in Moscow.
But victory turns out to be a generational characteristic in the
Azarian family. (Perhaps the gymnastics gene is encoded in their DNA?)
Eduard had been exposed to the world of gymnastics since his
childhood. His father Albert was a three time gold medalist in the
1956 and 1960 Olympics.
Reflecting on the early development of his legendary father, Eduard
says, "My father started doing gymnastics in Vanadzor; he trained
there until he was 16 years old, and then he went to Yerevan so that
he can train at the Physical Institute."
"He trained really hard and then joined the National Team of the
Soviet Union."
Not only did Albert Azarian win some of the world’s most coveted
titles, he also left his mark on the world of gymnastics by creating
the extremely challenging still rings moves called the "Azarian Cross"
and the "Azarian Roll." Both of these moves are recognized in the
International Code of Points.
The still rings competition is regarded as one of the most difficult
routines to perform. The gymnast must maneuver his body in contoured
positions on the rings, while maintaining extreme strength,
concentration, and sinuous dexterity. Albert Azarian so dominated the
rings that he took on the nickname, "King of the Rings."
Eduard carried forward the torch of his father, and kept the Azarian
legacy alive in the Olympic domain.
Beginning when Eduard was a toddler, his father would take him to
the training center and let him explore the gym. "When I was two years
old, my father would take me to his gym in Yerevan, and I would jump
on the trampolines and play with all the equipment in the gym. For me
at the age it was just fun."
But as he became older, Eduard learned to approach the gym with
greater reverence, and decided to take up the arduous life of a
professional gymnast.
His intrinsic talent combined with intense training propelled him to
win medals at the Junior National Championship and the World Cup
Championship. Ultimately he won the world’s most coveted honor: the
Olympic Gold Medal.
* From victor to mentor
Still, Eduard Azarian did not want to rest on his laurels. He had
always dreamed of having his very own gym, to be able to share his
athletic gifts with aspiring gymnasts.
In October of 2006, he opened the Olympic Training Center in Orange
County. The facility is an expansive space with soaring walls, fully
equipped with the latest gymnastics apparatus.
"It has been my dream to have my own gym for many years. My father
had his own gym in Armenia, and it is still exists in Yerevan. Now, I
wanted to continue the tradition here in America."
The Azarian U.S. Training Center is a large undertaking for Azarian.
Aside being the founder and president of the facility, he is the head
coach for the Boys Region I Team that competes in numerous local and
international competitions.
"We have about 50 kids on our teams, and every year we compete in
about eight local and international competitions," he says.
On July 9, Eduard took three select gymnasts of the Region I Team to
Japan to attend a gymnastics training camp. One of his star athletes
is 15-year-old Donathon Bailey. Donathan has already won the Pommel
Horse National Championships for two years in a row, and this August
he will be competing in the Visa Gymnastics Championships, which is
the biggest gymnastics competition in the U.S.
Eduard feels proud to have imparted his skills to the athletes he
trained, and he acknowledges that his work goes beyond the duty of
coach. He also finds himself playing the roles of counselor, big
brother, and a father-figure.
"With 45 different kids, I have to be able to communicate
effectively with 45 different personalities and 45 different families,
and make sure each athlete will be able to succeed."
The Training Center also features a catalogue of programs from
recreational classes for children and adults to a variety of cheer and
dance classes. Children as young as 18 months can begin to hone their
gymnastics skills.
* Little champions, big aspirations
A large section of the Azarian facilities is devoted to the
development of much younger athletes. It’s called the "Little
Champions Gym": where little kids can play on the equipment, sing
songs, and participate in games.
As children between the ages of 5 and 8 become accustomed the
gymnastics environment, they are introduced to Olympic routines like
the uneven bars, vaults, trampolines, floor exercises, pommel horse,
and rings — among many others.
Azarian not only plans to produce top-notch athletes, but he is
deeply concerned about the health and welfare of his athletes. He
hopes his gym will serve as a venue, where kids can keep fit and
exercise holistic health.
Mostly, he wants to share his wealth of experience with all who come
to the training center — whether they have their eyes on the gold, or
are just trying to keep fit.
"I’m not only thinking about making successful gymnasts, I am also
thinking about the health of our kids in our society. I have over 500
kids who attend this gym and I hope to give all of them the
opportunity to be healthy."
Eduard also hopes to see more young Armenians involved in
gymnastics. "The Armenian people are very talented. In the last 20
years, Armenia has had 12 Olympic champions. It’s really respectable,
considering it’s a small country."
As a world-renowned athlete and a nurturing coach, Azarian’s advice
about life is also golden.
"If you want to achieve something, you have to work hard and
commit," he says, with the confidence of a champion. "If you dedicate
yourself a hundred percent, you will always achieve your goal!"
************************************* **************************************
8. Ground is broken for new Fresno school
by Sarah Soghomonian
FRESNO, Calif.- After 30 years of being the guest in someone else’s
house, the Armenian Community School of Fresno has its own home.
Parents, students and local supporters got their first look at the new
location of the school during a groundbreaking ceremony held July 1.
The day’s celebration represents a complete turnaround from the
Armenian Community School’s (ACS) situation four months ago. The
school’s future was uncertain. Their landlord, the Catholic Diocese of
Fresno, had decided not renew the lease of the St. Therese Cathedral
campus the school occupied.
Relief came in the form of a generous donation from Southern
California philanthropist Charlie Keyan. His donation of $685,000
allowed the financially stricken school to purchase property. The new
location in Clovis, which borders Fresno on the north and east, was
previously used as a church facility.
"It is a dream come true," said Dzovig Kutumian, the daughter of the
school’s founder Rev. Kourken Yaralian. "It’s something we’ve wanted
for years and now we have a permanent home for our kids."
Kutumian, who has two children enrolled in ACS hopes ownership of
the school’s facility will benefit ACS financially through increased
enrollment and newfound community support. "To be honest I don’t know
why we haven’t had our own school considering we have so many
Armenian’s here," she said.
The groundbreaking ceremony held on the 2.3-acre property, brought
out more than 200 supporters. Clergy members from five local Armenian
churches blessed the soil and prayed for the school’s continued
success.
It was also announced that the school would be renamed to honor
Charlie Keyan. The new name will be the "Charlie Keyan Armenian
School."
Board members hope the change in location signals a new birth for
ACS. "There’s been a gradual decrease in enrollment for the past six
years," said Randy Baloian, past ACS board president and current
treasurer. "Essentially, the new location gives us the opportunity to
reverse this downward trend."
The school’s previous location was near Fresno’s downtown, which
isn’t in close proximity to the areas in which most students live. "We
anticipate that the enrollment of our nursery and pre-kindergarten
class will really benefit from the Clovis location," Baloian said.
"Most parents need some form of daycare and we think the new site will
be closer and more convenient for families living in the north part of
town."
Now that ACS has property, construction of new buildings is the next
goal. Classes, which resume in September, will temporarily be held in
portable classrooms. "We estimate the school will need approximately
$1.5-2 million to begin construction," Baloian said. "Charlie has
given us a new direction, but there’s still a long way to go until
we’ve reached our destination."
This means fundraising efforts will be stronger than ever, Baloian
said. The school is looking for monetary donations along with
donations of building materials, school supplies and equipment.
"The best form of support is for families to send their children to
the school," Baloian said. "The Fresno Armenian school offers a
quality alternative to overcrowded public classrooms."
ACS educates children from nursery to sixth grade. Classroom sizes
are small because the school only averages about 90 students.
Berj Apkarian attended the groundbreaking ceremony with his family.
He says he chose to send his three children to ACS because of its
reputation for academic excellence. ACS regularly performs highly on
standardized tests, such as SAT 9. "Scholastically the school is very
good," Apkarian said. "Socially it allows my children to learn about
their heritage and culture in a safe-environment.
Many alumni attended the groundbreaking ceremony. They reminisced
about the time they spent at ACS. "I cherish my six years at this
school," said Viky Yaralian-Mitrovich, who now lives in San Diego,
Calif. "My heart is going to always be with this school."
Yaralian-Mitrovich began attending ACS the year it opened, in its
first home, at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. "It was very
personal and family oriented," she said. "We learned a lot about what
it means to be Armenian."
While ACS is the only Armenian school in the Central Valley,
Yaralian-Mitrovich says there isn’t an Armenian school in San Diego.
"It’s a jewel. I encourage all he Armenian parents to send their
children here," Yaralian-Mitrovich said. "I’m jealous. I wish I could
send my son here."
************************************* **************************************
9. Could you forgive your son’s murderer?
by Brandon Lowrey
PASADENA, Calif. — Leticia Aguirre never got to throw her son his
18th birthday party.
On May 5, 2000, Raul Aguirre, 17, didn’t come home from school.
Leticia Aguirre grew worried as she began making dinner. The school
called, saying he had been hurt.
Raul was stabbed once in the back and twice in the heart by teenage
Armenian gang members as he tried to break up a fight involving one of
his friends. He died just a few hours after his family rushed to the
hospital.
Raul was not involved with gangs.
During his sentencing, one of the young killers begged Leticia’s
forgiveness. And for just a moment, she put herself in his shoes — he
was scared, and practically a child. The 19-year-old, who was 15 at
the time of the murder, was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Justice was served, and it was time to forgive him, she told
listeners Saturday at the Forum on Forgiveness.
The forum operated on a simple principle: In order to break the
cycle of violence, one must learn compassion, sympathy, and
forgiveness.
Father Vazken Movsesian, a priest at Saint Peter Armenian Church and
Youth Ministries Center, founded the group as a way of dealing with
the Armenian Genocide.
Armenians, Movsesian said, have been caught up in seeking
recognition for their genocide.
"In a sense, we don’t need the recognition. We already know it
happened," he said. Meanwhile, the atrocities in Darfur are ongoing.
"It’s the only genocide we can actually do something about."
His group looks beyond political or ethnic lines to provide relief
to fellow human beings.
"We’re trying to help anyone who suffers," said Father Movsesian,
"and the reason is because we at one time suffered, too."
Perhaps 150 people attended the forum on Saturday. The significance
of the date — 7-7-7 — came from the words of Jesus, the group said:
"Lord, how many times must I forgive someone who has hurt me? Not
seven times, but seven times seventy-seven times."
Among the speakers featured was Ben Kayumba, field activities
coordinator for Solace Ministries, which tends to orphans and widows
in the devastated African nation of Rwanda. He had lost 152 members of
his family, including both of his parents, during the 100-day
genocide. But he said that forgiveness has allowed him to cope with
his pain.
The forum was hosted by In His Shoes, a group founded by young
people, who in light of the Armenian Genocide, say that those who have
suffered evil have a responsibility to take action against injustice
to others.
Artist Gregory Beylerian photographed each of the forum’s
participants in a stance symbolic of forgiveness, which he will use to
patch together a piece of art in honor of the event’s theme.
Armenian rock star Gor Mkhitarian played his signature blend of
modern and Armenian folk music for the crowd at the forum.
On Friday, the group showed the film Sand and Sorrow to an audience
of more than 200. The documentary, produced by Paul Freedman — who
attended the event — and narrated by George Clooney, explores the
atrocities currently unfolding in Darfur. An estimated 2.5 million
people have been displaced there, and more than 400,000 have died so
far.
And the filmmakers also examine the international community’s failure to act.
In addition to examining historical atrocities, the group has
focused on trying to draw attention to contemporary tragedies, like
those taking place daily in Darfur.
The Pasadena-based In His Shoes is dedicated to anyone who suffers
for any reason, including all of those affected by genocide, war, or
other strife. It recently joined an antiwar protest in Los Angeles,
lamenting the fact that nearly 4 million Iraqis have fled their homes
since the war’s start.
He said that instead of sending in "peacekeeping" troops with guns
and bombs, those who seek peace should instead try to place themselves
in the shoes of those who are suffering.
"We tried it in Iraq and it didn’t work," he said. "You can’t just
send in troops anywhere you have problems."
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