St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel: (617) 926-6979
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
February 9, 2009
Mirak Family Pledges $200,000 Leadership Gift to St. Stephen’s Armenian
Elementary School
WATERTOWN, MA–The Mirak Family Foundation has generously pledged a
leadership gift of $200,000 to the St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School
of Watertown, MA. Following a meeting between Robert Mirak and Julia Mirak
Kew and school principal Houry Boyamian, the Miraks offered to support the
school’s mission to educate a second generation of Armenian Americans.
The Mirak Family was enthusiastic about the quality of bilingual education
at the school, the low student to teacher ratio, the quality of the teaching
staff, and that since 2003 the school has been accredited by the Association
of Independent Schools in New England.
Upon accepting the first installment of the five-year gift, Principal
Boyamian emphasized, "we are honored that the Mirak Family has made such a
generous commitment to our school. This leadership gift will help ensure
that generations of Armenian Americans will continue to be able to access a
quality bilingual bicultural education."
Since its establishment in 1984, more than 400 students have been educated
in Armenian language and history and 177 students have graduated from St.
Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School. Students in several grades score in
the top 10-15 percent nationwide on the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills
for Language and Math, and graduates have attended prestigious universities
with full scholarships and gone on to become community leaders.
Dr. Mirak is the son of the late John and Artemis Mirak, who were survivors
of the Armenian Genocide from Arapkir. His book, "Torn Between Two Lands:
Armenians in America, 1890 to World War I" was published by Harvard
University Press. As a scholar and community leader, he expressed the
importance of preserving an Armenian identity in the diaspora. "As the son
of Genocide survivors, I understand the challenges of bicultural living and
identity in America," explained Dr. Mirak. "Our family is grateful that St.
Stephen’s School is investing resources in educating young people in
Armenian language and history."
Dr. Mirak’s granddaughter Christina Kew attends the school, and daughter
Julia, trustee of the Mirak Family Foundation and the Armenian Cultural
Foundation, has commended the staff and school leadership for providing a
nurturing environment and helping her family preserve their Armenian
heritage. "My sister Jennifer Mirak Leach is also part of our family
foundation, and she is envious that I can send my daughter to St. Stephen’s
School," Julia confided. "I can speak for all of us when I say our family is
proud that we can help the school upgrade its existing space, keep tuition
affordable, and enhance the school’s library so students will have access to
cutting edge resources."
"Our goal is to continue recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and
administrators, building and maintaining a growing enrollment, ensuring the
school’s long term sustainability, and creating the best possible school
campus," explained Principal Boyamian. "The commitment of the Mirak Family
gives us great hope that we will be successful. We are currently
implementing a multi-year strategic plan for growth, and we hope the Mirak
Family gift will also inspire others to invest in our unique programs."
The Mirak Family has supported a number of charitable and education
institutions, including Arlington’s hospital, libraries and the preservation
of historic structures, the Armenia Tree Project, and the Armenian Cultural
Foundation in Arlington, MA.
St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School is a private pre-kindergarten
through grade five school dedicated to educational excellence in an
environment rich in Armenian culture.
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Caption: Mirak Family Foundation Trustee Julia Mirak Kew, daughter Christina
Kew and SSAES principal Houry Boyamian