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PRESS RELEASE
Monday, March 30, 2009
AGBU High School-Pasadena’s Second Annual Dinner Dance Scores a Major
Success
On February 28, 2009, the AGBU High School-Pasadena held its second
annual dinner dance, which was attended by 225 administrators, parents,
students and guests. The event, which was organized by the school’s
Parent Support Group (PSG) and Father’s Club, took place at the Anoosh
Ojakh Restaurant in North Hollywood, California.
"I am pleased to announce this evening that AGBU High School of Pasadena
received full and independent accreditation from the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges," said Vice Principal Talin Kargodorian in her
remarks at the event. She added that the WASC report stated, "Students
seem to thrive academically in this environment, which features small
class sizes and a caring relationship between adults and students on
campus."
The announcement was received with elation by all those in attendance.
The news set the exceptionally celebratory mood of the evening and
proved what many had already known, that the school had achieved many
great things in its short three years of existence.
In his remarks, School Principal Hagop Hagopian expressed his joy for
the accomplishments of the school, thanking the parents for their trust
and continued support, and the faculty and staff for their dedication
and commitment to the school’s mission. He acknowledged the presence of
scores of students in attendance, calling them our "AGBU High
School-Pasadena Scholars." He added, "Our school was founded through the
foresight of the AGBU leadership, which had the clear vision that this
school would become a unique educational institution within the Armenian
school system of Southern California to meet the needs of high
school-age students by imparting them a college preparatory and quality
education in a safe and caring environment and instilling in them an
enduring sense of their national identity, good citizenship and moral
values in order to be well prepared for the many challenges of the
future."
The evening was emceed by the school’s Director of Operations Levon
Keshishian, who announced that the two support groups have embarked on
establishing a "Tuition Scholarship Program" to assist deserving and
needy students to register and remain at AGBU High School-Pasadena. This
gesture was received with loud applause and many individuals came
forward during the evening to make donations towards the fund.
Mayda Altounian, PSG Chairlady, and Nazaret Moukhtarian, Chairman of the
Fathers’ Club, made brief remarks which reiterated their committees’
continued support towards the improvement of the school in the academic
and extra-curricular fields.
In addition to many members of the school’s administration, several
members of the AGBU leadership were on hand for the event. The Central
Board was represented by Chairman of the School Board Sinan Sinanian;
the Southern California District Committee by Berj Shahbazian, Chairman,
and Tony Keusseyan, an Advisor to the District Committee. Also on hand
were Silva Karayan, Chair of the school’s Education Committee, and
members Berjouhi Koukeyan and Taline Boyajian. AGBU veterans who played
a major role in the founding of the school were also present, namely
Yenovk Balikian, Karnig Karayan, Samuel Ilanjian and Besilios Besos.
The official part of the evening ended with Sinan Sinanian’s
congratulatory remarks directed to the school administration and faculty
for the school’s many achievements to date. Regarding AGBU High
School-Pasadena earning WASC Accreditation, he said, "While other
schools take more than ten years to reach such a milestone, thanks to
the persistence and professionalism of the administration and the high
caliber of the faculty, our school received independent accreditation in
such a short period of time." He reiterated the fact that although AGBU
High School-Pasadena was originally founded as a satellite campus of
AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park and enjoyed its umbrella
in curricular and administrative matters, as an independently accredited
campus it now has its unique identity and purposes to meet the needs of
high school-age students in the San Gabriel Valley.
Upon the conclusion of the formal part of the program, parents, guests
and students were invited to socialize and celebrate their achievements
through music and dance.
Founded in 2006, AGBU High School-Pasadena () is a grade
9-12 co-educational facility which serves the Armenian community of the
San Gabriel Valley. The school is AGBU’s second day school in Southern
California, and its mission is to cultivate the potential of every
student in a safe and nurturing environment, maintaining high
expectations and promoting academic excellence for all students.
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