PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

July 24, 2007
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DIOCESE AWARDS SEVERAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) has awarded college
scholarships to 32 young Armenians this year. The total amount of money
awarded totaled more than $15,000.

This year 58 students from 15 states applied for the scholarships, which are
made available thanks to endowments created by donors. The scholarships are
presented to those students with financial need who have shown an active
interest in their parish life.

"We’re glad to see such amazing young people wanting to be a part of the
life of our Armenian Church," said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate.
"And indeed these scholarships are truly investments in our future. For
these young students will go on to be our delegates, parish council leaders,
and, hopefully for some, priests."

The Diocese encourages others to establish scholarship funds by contacting
Berjouhi Saladin at the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, via e-mail at
Berjouhi@armenianchurchendowmentfund.org.

HOLO PIGIAN MEMORIAL FUND

Receiving funds from the George Holopigian Memorial Fund, the largest
scholarship fund distributed by the Diocese, were:

Vache Astourian, 18, son of Hrair and Silva Astourian of the St. Thomas
Church of Tenafly, New Jersey. A sophomore at St. Joseph’s University in
Philadelphia studying business, he has been treasurer of his parish’s ACYOA
chapter, a Sunday School teacher, and involved in his campus’ peer ministry
program.

Talar Aydin, 18, daughter of Simon and Ani Aydin of the Church of the Holy
Martyrs in Bayside, New York. A freshman at Hofstra Unviersity studying
early childhood education, she is a graduate of the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum
program. She has also taught Armenian School in her parish, sung with its
choir, been active in its ACYOA chapter and been a counselor at the parish’s
Vacation Bible School. She has also performed with her parish’s Hye Bar
Dance Group, the AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble, and the Arousiak Papazian
Theatre Group.

Vartan Babikyan, 18, son of Jirair and Carol Babikyan of the St. James
Church of Watertown, Massachusetts. A freshman at the University of
Massachusetts studying engineering, he is a sub-deacon who was valedictorian
of his Sunday School class and an active member of his parish’s ACYOA Jrs.
chapter. He has also attended the St. Nersess Summer Conferences for many
years and sung in his parish’s choir.

Erika Belezarian, 17, daughter of Kevin and Nancy Belezarian of the St. Mark
Church of Springfield, Massachusetts. A freshman studying forensic science
at Pennsylvania State University, she has served as the secretary of her
parish’s ACYOA Jrs. chapter and graduated from the Association of Armenian
Church Choirs of America’s Junior Choir Leadership Development Program.

Laurie Dabaghian, 18, daughter of Garbis and Takouhie Dabaghian of the St.
Thomas Church of Tenafly, New Jersey. Pursuing both her bachelor’s and
medical degree from the College of New Jersey, she has sung with her
parish’s choir and served as secretary and vice chair of the parish’s ACYOA
chapter. She has also attended the Diocesan Khrimian Lyecum program and
performed with the Shushi Dance Ensemble for seven years. She has also
volunteered with the Armenia Fund USA Telethon.

Alexa Diranian, 20, daughter of Richard and Karen Diranian of the St. James
Church of Watertown, Massachusetts. A junior at Providence College studying
pre-med, she has been involved as an assistant teacher in her parish’s
Sunday School and as chairman of her parish’s ACYOA Jr. chapter and a
delegate for its ACYOA Seniors chapter.

Haik Gazarian, 18, son of Lavrenti and Karina Gazarian of the St. Thomas
Church of Tenafly, New Jersey. A freshman at Babson College in
Massachusetts, studying entrepreneurial business, he has served as treasurer
of his parish’s ACYOA chapter.

Justine Karanian, 20, daughter of Robert and Andrea Karanian of the St.
George Church of Hartford, Connecticut. A junior studying chemistry at
Merrimack College in Massachusetts, she has been a counselor-in-training and
counselor at the St. Vartan Camp, treasurer of her ACYOA Jrs chapter, and
delegate to the ACYOA National Assembly.

Jacqueline Kazarian, 19, daughter of Michele Kazarian of the Sts. Sahag and
Mesrob Church of Providence, Rhode Island. A junior at Barnard College in
New York City studying classics and English, she is active in the St. Vartan
Cathedral ACYOA Chapter while in school and her home parish before leaving.
She has also been a volunteer at the Nubarashen Orphanage in Armenia, a
Sunday School teacher in Providence, and a member of her home parish’s
Nazeli Folk Dance Group.

Mark Kazanjian, 18, son of Mark Kazanjian of the Armenian Church of Hye
Pointe in Lawrence/Haverhill, Massachusetts. A freshman at Rollins College
in Florida studying business, he has served on his parish altar for several
years and as chairman of his parish’s ACYOA chapter.

Tamar Mikaelian, 18, daughter of Hagop and Sylvana Mikaelian of the St.
Thomas Church of Tenafly, New Jersey. A freshman at the College of New
Jersey studying business and economics, she is a graduate of the Diocesan
Khrimian Lyceum program and has danced with the St. Vartan Cathedral Shushi
Dance Ensemble for many years. She has served her parish as an assistant
Sunday School teacher, member of the choir, and ACYOA member.

Katherine Norris, 20, daughter of Anne and Robert Norris of the St. Mary
Church of Washington D.C. She will receive both her bachelor’s and master’s
degrees in accounting through a five-year program at James Madison
University in Virginia. She has served as secretary of her parish’s ACYOA
chapter. As a volunteer organist for the parish for eight years, she has
participated in the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America’s
Junior Choir Leadership Development Program.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

Several other endowment funds also provide money for college scholarships.
They include the Adrina Movsesian Scholarship Fund, the Armine Dikijian
Journalism Scholarship Fund, the Mabel Fenner Scholarship Fund, Dikran and
Nevart Dadourian Scholarship Fund, Joseph and Eve Gorvetzian Scholarship
Fund, Louie Cefalu Scholarship Fund, and the Astrid Hatabian Zolas
Scholarship Fund. Receiving money from those funds this year are:

Tina Arutunian, 18, daughter of Armen and Mariam Arutunian of the St. Sahag
and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. A freshman studying
fashion industry management at Philadelphia University, she has been an
active ACYOA Jrs. member for several years.

Gabriella Cartiglia, 17, daughter of Carmen and Linda Cartiglia of the
Church of the Holy Ascension in Trumbull, Connecticut. A freshman at
Johnson and Wales University studying culinary arts, she has been involved
in the ACYOA Jrs. and the junior choir of her parish.

Gregory Dalakian, 21, son of Martin and Nancy Dalakian of the St. Mary
Church of Livingston, New Jersey. A senior at University of Delaware
studying music education, he is a sub-deacon and graduate of the AACCA’s
Junior Choir Leadership Development program. He has helped organize
music-oriented events at his parish, including a talent show and Sunday
School Christmas pageant. He has also served as a counselor at St. Vartan
Camp and attended the St. Nersess Summer Conferences.

Athena Davis, 18, daughter of Anahid Khachoyan of the St. George Church of
Hartford, Connecticut. A freshman studying music education and performance
at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, she served as vice chairman of her
ACYOA Jrs. chapter and has sung in her parish’s choir. She has also
participated in the St. Nersess Summer Conferences for many years.

Anoush Froundjian, 23, daughter of Varoujan and Suzanne Froundjian of the
Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, New York. A senior studying dramatic
writing at Purchase College, she has volunteered in Armenia through the
ACYOA Armenia Service Program trip, and serves her parish as a Sunday School
teacher and supporter of the Arousiag Papazian Acting Troupe.

Talene Jermakian, 18, daughter of Brenda and David Jermakian of St. Mark
Church of Springfield, Massachusetts. A freshman studying journalism at the
University of Massachusetts, she has been chairman of her parish’s ACYOA
chapter, a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and counselor-in-training at
St. Vartan Camp.

Emran Baret Klbacak, 19, son of Garo and Jilda Kilbacak of the Armenian
Church of Atlanta, Georgia. A student at Southern Polytechnic State, he has
served his parish as an acolyte

Taleen Kupelian, 20, daughter of Gilda Buchakjian Kupelian. A junior
studying humanities at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, she is
a graduate of and has assisted at the Armenian Religious Educational
Council. She is a graduate of the St. Gregory of Datev Institute and the
Siamanto Academy.

Lori Manukian, 19, daughter of Berch and Talin Manukian of the Holy Cross
Church of Union City, New Jersey. A junior at Babson College in
Massachusetts studying accounting and finance, she is the founder and
president of her school’s Armenian Students’ Association. She is also a
graduate of the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum program.

Tamara Martirosyan, 20, daughter of Ashot and Ashkhen Martirosyan of the
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, Rhode Island. A junior at Rhode
Island College studying general management and marketing, has sun in her
parish’s choir, served as its assistant director, attended the AACCA’s
Junior Choir Leadership Development Program, and she has learned to paly the
Kanon (an ancient Armenian stringed instrument). She was the valedictorian
of her Sunday School class and has taught for her parish’s Armenian School.

Valerie McQueen, 20, daughter of Eric and Arpine McQueen of the St. Stepanos
Church of Elberon, New Jersey. A junior studying communications and
religion at Boston University, she has been active in her college’s Armenian
Club and served as vice president of her parish’s ACYOA chapter.

Ani Nalbandian, 19, daughter of Fr. Untzag and Yn. Setta Nalbandian of the
Church of the Holy Ascension in Trumbull, Connecticut. A junior studying
history and pre-med at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, she
is a graduate of the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum program and has served as an
ACYOA delegate. She has been parish organist in Trumbull and Worcester,
Massachusetts, and has attended the Junior Choir Leadership Development
Program offered by the AACCA.

Christina Oscherician, 18, daughter of Dn. Sebuh and Rita Oscherician of the
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. A junior education major at
Bergen County Community College, she has been active in her parish’s ACYOA
chapter and is a graduate of the parish’s Sunday School.

Juletta Palyan, 26, daughter of Vosky Malkhasian of the St. Kevork Church of
Houston, Texas. She is a sophomore studying international studies and
political science at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.

Ryan Patino, 18, son of Haiganoush and Francisco Patino of the St. Mary
Church of Hollywood, Florida. A freshman studying law at Florida State
University, he has been president of his parish’s ACYOA and served on the
altar as a tbir. He has also served as a counselor-in-training at the
Diocesan Hye Camp.

Harout Sahagian, 19, son of Hagop and Ani Sahagian of the St. Leon Church of
Fair Lawn, New Jersey. A sophomore at Montclair State University studying
medicine, he has served on the parish altar and been an active ACYOA member.
He has also been a counselor-in-training and staff member for St. Vartan
Camp.

Lisa Salbashian, 19, daughter of Nazareth and Azniv Salbashian of the St.
Thomas Church of Tenafly, New Jersey. A junior at Rutgers University
studying psychology and sociology, she has been involved in her parish’s
Armenian Club.

Aram Sarkisian, 21, son of Edward and Anna Sarkisian of the St. John Church
of Southfield, Michigan. A senior at the University of Michigan studying
Russian and East European languages, he is a sub-deacon and leader of the
University of Michigan Armenian Students Cultural Association. He also took
part in a parish trip to Armenia in 2006 to build homes through Habitat for
Humanity.

Haiig Topjian, 17, son of Mania Missirian-Topjian of the St. Mary Church of
Washington, D.C. A freshman studying marketing at the University of
Maryland, he has been an active member of his parish’s ACYOA and its Bible
study program.

Azadani Yepremian, 18, daughter of Berj and Rita Yepremian of the St. Sahag
and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. A sophomore at Immaculata
Univesrity in Pennsylvania studying pre-med biology, she has been active in
her parish’s ACYOA chapter.

— 7/24/07