During a ceremony on June 6, the second class of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western United States Central Committee’s Gars Academy graduated having completed three trimesters of classes aimed at enhancing the participants’ organizational skills.

The certificates were presented to the graduates by ARF Western U.S. Central Committee co-chair Dr. Carmen Ohanian who congratulated the participants who emphasized the importance of the Gars Academy and the role it plays in the community.

After the short ceremony, the participants took in their last educational and celebrated their accomplishments during a reception.

“I learned a great deal in a short period of time,” said Gars graduate and a long-time member of the Armenian Relief Society.

Another graduate, Donig Donabedian praised the effort expressed his gratitude to all those who delivered lectured and led class discussions.

The director of Gars Academy is former Chamlian Armenian School principal Vazken Madenlian.

Gars Academy opened its doors in September 2017, and was conceived by the ARF Western US Central Committee, which believed that community organizations were in need of professional and capable leaders, who are well-versed in issues of concern to the community, our collective national interests, which require the proper historic context and an in-depth knowledge of challenges facing our nation and community.

“The Gars Academy is a unique opportunity for our activists to gain information and perspective on issues that concern all Armenians,” Dr. Ohanian said at the time of the academy’s opening. “We are providing cutting-edge information that will help our organizational leaders to make the proper decisions when advancing their respective missions.”

The pertinent subjects covered by the Gars Academy include international political affairs, US governmental structures, ARF ideology and history and leadership skills taught by professionals specialized in the subjects.