Masquerade ball raises funds for Armenia schools
Annual event successful despite economic crisis

Published: Tuesday February 23, 2010
masquerade-ball-raises-funds-for-armenia-schools

Detroit – Michigan is one of the hardest hit states in the country
with unemployment rising above the national record. Yet that provided
a challenge and added incentive for the Detroit Chapters of the
Tekeyan Cultural Association and Armenia Democratic Liberal (ADL)
organization, which jointly organize annual programs, to double their
efforts to make this year’s Masquerade Ball a success. Months of
painstaking planning yielded its positive results on Saturday February
13, 2010 that combined Masquerade Ball celebrating Paregentan and
Valentine’s Day at an elegantly decorated hall of St. John’s Armenian
Church.

The masks and other decorative items reflected the artistic taste of
Diana Alexanian, Angelina Smith and Marina Arakchyan. A gourmet dinner
was served with a premier open bar. The Montreal-based Arthur Apkarian
Band teamed with celebrity Jazz singer Zara from Armenia to entertain
the guests through an array of songs and music with an international
scope, creating an atmosphere of dance and merriment.

The young generation of Tekeyan/ADL was in charge of most of the program.

Douglas Smith presented the opening remarks highlighting the
significance of the event and its purpose, which is to raise funds for
five Tekeyan schools in Armenia and Karabagh as well as the Orphans’
Higher Education Program administrated by Dr. Nani Oskanian.

Dr. Raffy Belian, with a commanding voice and humorous remarks, called
for the costume parade, while the jury members, Nora Azadian, Mike
Arzoumanian and Debbie Daghlian, took their seats at the dais. Three
categories of costumes were awarded prizes; single males, single
female and couple. For the most authentic costumes winners were
Douglas and Angelina Smith (Caesar and Cleopatra), Ara Belian
(medieval knight) and Marina Arakchyan (Bedouin girl).

Chair Hagop Alexanian and his wife Diana ran the raffle which brought
gifts to lucky winners. And Tekeyan chairp Nora Azadian, presented a
special gift on behalf of the committee to the hardest working member,
Hagop Alexanian.

A tastefully designed program book by Stepan Dallakian featured a list
of the contributors and pictures from Tekeyan Schools in Armenia. The
hard work of the following members of the committee paid off
handsomely; Nora Azadian, Ara Belian, Hagop Alexanian, Diana
Alexanian, Edmond Azadian, Sebouh Avedikian, Zabel Belian, Stepan
Dallakian, Margo Davydova, Barbara Haroutunian, Karen Koundjakian,
Shoushan Minassian, Hagop Minassian, Angelina & Douglas Smith.

As stated by Douglas Smith in his opening remarks, the purpose of the
Masquerade Ball was to entertain guests while "putting a smile on the
faces of underpaid teachers and destitute orphans in Armenia." Those
purposes were indeed met and the guests departed in the early hours of
the morning, after enjoying a medley of Armenian patriotic songs at
the conclusion of the program.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress