TATEVIK BABAYAN TO INTERN AT THE ARMENIAN EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Maureen Sullivan

Watertown TAB & Press
April 15 2010
MA

WATERTOWN — NATICK — For about eight weeks, Natick High School’s
Tatevik Babayan will be learning about international relations as an
intern at the Armenian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

"I think this is a huge coup," said Lisa DePalo, head of the Career
Center at the high school.

Babayan, who also goes by "Tasha," was born in Armenia and moved to
Natick with her parents about six years ago. She also has Watertown
ties: She attends church here and belongs to a dance troupe based here.

She speaks three languages (Russian, Armenian and English) and has
established her own charity, Hye Helping Hands, to help orphaned
children in her homeland. She went back to Armenia two years ago,
and plans another visit this summer.

The internship came about after DePalo wrote a letter to the Armenian
ambassador, Tatoul Markarian, about Babayan and her interests.

The news that Babayan had been accepted came in mid-March.

"They’re very excited to have her," said DePalo. "She will be learning
about visa and immigrant issues, youth issues … the president of
Armenia will be coming for a visit in April…"

Babayan will do more than look over people’s shoulders for her 80-hour
internship. She will be required to keep a journal and write an essay,
and her internship supervisors will write an evaluation of her work.

Living in Washington can be expensive, but Babayan will be staying
with friends who are fellow members of the Sayat Nova Dance Company,
an Armenian dance troupe based in Watertown.

In addition to school, Babayan is also active in her church, St. James
Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown.

Babayan said she plans to attend Suffolk University in major in
international relations.

While DePalo is beaming about this internship, she said she’s proud
of all those who have attained internships so far.

"I think this program is outstanding," she said. "We’ve got kids going
to Boston College, Northeastern, interning in occupational therapy
and restaurants … the kids have worked hard. They need some skills,
they need some experience for the job market."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress