TEWKSBURY STUDENTS STUDY ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
By Albert S. Movsesian
sbury-students-study-armenian-genocide/
on April 9, 2009
TEWKSBURY, Mass.-Efforts to introduce an Armenian Genocide curriculum
throughout high schools north of Boston is gaining momentum with
the lectures and discussions held at Haverhill, North Andover and
Wilmington High Schools, and Hovig Donabedian’s success at Westborough
high school.
The latest school to take part is Tewksbury High School, where the
faculty has developed a Global Awareness Program. This month-long study
is intended to heighten the students’ awareness of global crisis,
economics, politics, environmental issues, history, current events,
the state of our world, our globe, our international, national and
local issues. It is intended to help children realize there is so
much more happening in the world that affects them and that they,
in turn, can affect.
On March 19 and 26, Tewksbury sophomores, juniors, and seniors
attended lectures and discussions on the Armenian Genocide. On March
19, Dro Kanayan, Albert Movsesian, and Tom Vartabedian lectured to
approximately 120 students on Armenian issues from the genocide to
history, geography, the Armenian community in America and Armenian
contributions to world civilization.
On March 26, another 150 students from the sophomores, juniors, and
senior class students attended a lecture by Professor Levon Chorbajian,
a professor of sociology at UMass Lowell, and Sayon Souen of the Light
of the Cambodian Children, Inc. of Lowell, to discuss the history of
their genocides, and help students understand the long term effects
genocide can have on the civilization.
Professor Chorbajian spoke about the history of the Armenian genocide
and how the lack of recognition led to the continuation of the other
genocides throughout the 20 and 21 centuries.
Sayon Souen spoke to the students on the Cambodian genocide of the
1970’s and how he was treated when he was taken from his family, and
the psychological effects of what the Cambodian government’s actions.
Tewksbury is interested in continuing to develop a specialized section
on the Armenian Genocide within their Global Awareness Month, and is
interested in speaking with Facing History and Ourselves regarding
their genocide curriculum and how it can be used within Tewksbury’s
framework.
Planting the seed are members of the Armenian Genocide Curriculum
Committee of Merrimack Valley, headed by Dro Kanayan, who laid out
the groundwork at the schools.
Twelve other high schools in the area have been contacted by
letter. Programs have already been initiated in North Andover,
Haverhill, and Wilmington with return engagements planned.
"It is very important that the non-Armenian community understands the
effects of these crimes against humanity, to help prevent them from
happening in the future." said Kanayan, the grandson of famed Armenian
freedom fighter General Dro. "We will continue to work with our school
districts to develop an educational program on the Armenian Genocide."
The newly formed curriculum committee has the support and endorsement
of area churches and organizations, including Armenian legislators
and noted educators.