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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 18, 2011
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
A FAMILY AFFAIR - BRINGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS TOGETHER
The age-old question 'so how did you two meet?' is typically what everyone
wants to know as they look upon a happy couple in love. The answer often
leads to the most captivating stories, and no matter what stage in life, the
audience wants to know what circumstances brought these two people together.
For Leslie Azarian and Alex Karapetian, the opportunity arose on a warm
sunny day in Washington, D.C., on June 5th, 2002. The cherry blossom trees
around the tidal basin and Lincoln Memorial lived up to their reputation and
there was a buzz of excitement in the air. The Armenian Assembly of
America's annual Thomas-Terjenian Summer Internship Program was set to
begin. Over 20 young Armenian-Americans from all over the world would embark
on a journey that, for these two in particular, would be life changing.
Alex Karapetian (Easton, PA) and Leslie Azarian (Old Tappan, NJ) had both
just finished their sophomore years in college and were thrilled to be
Assembly interns for the summer. Azarian, who attended George Washington
University in Washington, D.C, was ecstatic to spend the summer living in
Georgetown and intern on the Hill for New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell,
Jr.
Karapetian, who hailed from Lafayette College, could not wait to take part
in the political process and meet fellow Armenians his age. He interned for
his Congressman, Patrick Toomey, who is now the U.S. Senator from
Pennsylvania.
The Armenian Assembly of America was not something new to Karapetian and
Azarian. Alex's family, the Acopians, have been longtime supporters of the
Assembly. Following the devastating earthquake in 1988, the late Sarkis
Acopian and his wife Bobbye donated over $1 million toward the Assembly's
earthquake relief efforts. That following year, Sarkis led an Assembly
delegation to Armenia aboard his private aircraft to discuss earthquake
rehabilitation efforts and continued to financially support the organization
throughout his lifetime.
Azarian's maternal grandparents, Sam and Barbara Hagopian of Sugar Land,
Texas have also been longtime supporters and activists of the Assembly. They
were fellow trustees of the organization and Mr. Hagopian was on the Board
of Directors. He was also the first ever Regional Council Chair for the
Southwest. Both the Hagopians and the Acopians were among the first
participants of the Assembly's Mission Trip to Armenia in 1991.
Further, Leslie's uncle, Sam Hagopian Jr., was part of the first Assembly
internship program in 1977. Her cousin, Raffi Manoukian, was an intern in
1996 and was later the internship Program Manager. Her younger brothers
Michael and Adam Azarian were also summer interns in 2006 and 2008
respectively.
Due to their family's involvement and encouragement, Alex and Leslie applied
to the internship program and were accepted as highly qualified candidates.
"Leslie was the first person I met on the program. She was my next door
neighbor and we became friends instantly," said Karapetian. "Quickly we
developed a nightly after-work ritual," Azarian chimed in, "where we would
sit on our shared patio overlooking the Potomac River and discuss the day's
events while listening to our favorite music." It was the beginning of a
relationship that would grow between these two over the next few years
despite travelling abroad, remaining college years, starting off careers,
and living in different cities.
Both often reflect on the Armenian Assembly program, which exceeded their
expectations in a number of ways. Each has cherished the excitement and
stimulation of living and working in the nation's capital. For Leslie, she
found great value in her experience, despite being a former marketing
student and pursuing a career in the financial industry where she is
currently a Director of Operations at Morgan Stanley: "Seeing firsthand how
our government works is knowledge you'll always take with you, on whatever
path you choose. I immensely enjoyed corresponding with constituents,
attending briefings on behalf of the Congressman, working on projects with
the legislative assistants, and learning what legislation the Congressman
was supporting."
For Alex, the program provided even more career opportunities, as he was
offered the Assistant Grassroots Director position with the Assembly during
his senior year of college: "I still keep in close contact with members of
my internship class and fellow alumni. Without my summer internship
experience, none of this would be possible." Although Alex left the Assembly
to join his family at Acopian Technical Co., he still lends his support as
the current Pennsylvania Armenian-American Action Committee (ARAMAC) State
Chair and helps organize Young Professionals events in New York.
Despite differences in their experiences, both Alex and Leslie agree it was
also an amazing opportunity to learn more about their Armenian culture and
heritage. "The Assembly organized a number of educational and social events
outside of the workday to engage the interns in current affairs. We even
took a field trip to the future Genocide Museum and met with various U.S.
ranking officials who supported the organization," Alex commented. "We both
credit the Assembly internship program as a game-changing experience and we
are forever grateful for the experiences we've had, as well as our family's
encouragement to participate in the program," Leslie added.
To show their appreciation, these former interns, who are set to marry on
November 19th 2011 in Manhattan, New York, have decided to donate to the
Assembly's Terjernian-Thomas Internship program on behalf of all of their
guests. They believe this is a fitting tribute to a program that will
celebrate 35 years of service to the Armenian American community in 2012.
"I wish other diasporan Armenians could have the wonderful experience Leslie
and I did in Washington, both professionally and socially". "The Assembly
not only helped pave my career path, but I found the love of my life. Not
too bad for an 8-week program," added Karapetian with a smile.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
Photo Caption 1: Alex Karapetian and Leslie Azarian with Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr (center) in 2002
Photo Caption 2: Alex Karapetian and Leslie Azarian, 2011
###
NR#: 2011-50
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 18, 2011
Contact: Press Department
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
A FAMILY AFFAIR - BRINGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS TOGETHER
The age-old question 'so how did you two meet?' is typically what everyone
wants to know as they look upon a happy couple in love. The answer often
leads to the most captivating stories, and no matter what stage in life, the
audience wants to know what circumstances brought these two people together.
For Leslie Azarian and Alex Karapetian, the opportunity arose on a warm
sunny day in Washington, D.C., on June 5th, 2002. The cherry blossom trees
around the tidal basin and Lincoln Memorial lived up to their reputation and
there was a buzz of excitement in the air. The Armenian Assembly of
America's annual Thomas-Terjenian Summer Internship Program was set to
begin. Over 20 young Armenian-Americans from all over the world would embark
on a journey that, for these two in particular, would be life changing.
Alex Karapetian (Easton, PA) and Leslie Azarian (Old Tappan, NJ) had both
just finished their sophomore years in college and were thrilled to be
Assembly interns for the summer. Azarian, who attended George Washington
University in Washington, D.C, was ecstatic to spend the summer living in
Georgetown and intern on the Hill for New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell,
Jr.
Karapetian, who hailed from Lafayette College, could not wait to take part
in the political process and meet fellow Armenians his age. He interned for
his Congressman, Patrick Toomey, who is now the U.S. Senator from
Pennsylvania.
The Armenian Assembly of America was not something new to Karapetian and
Azarian. Alex's family, the Acopians, have been longtime supporters of the
Assembly. Following the devastating earthquake in 1988, the late Sarkis
Acopian and his wife Bobbye donated over $1 million toward the Assembly's
earthquake relief efforts. That following year, Sarkis led an Assembly
delegation to Armenia aboard his private aircraft to discuss earthquake
rehabilitation efforts and continued to financially support the organization
throughout his lifetime.
Azarian's maternal grandparents, Sam and Barbara Hagopian of Sugar Land,
Texas have also been longtime supporters and activists of the Assembly. They
were fellow trustees of the organization and Mr. Hagopian was on the Board
of Directors. He was also the first ever Regional Council Chair for the
Southwest. Both the Hagopians and the Acopians were among the first
participants of the Assembly's Mission Trip to Armenia in 1991.
Further, Leslie's uncle, Sam Hagopian Jr., was part of the first Assembly
internship program in 1977. Her cousin, Raffi Manoukian, was an intern in
1996 and was later the internship Program Manager. Her younger brothers
Michael and Adam Azarian were also summer interns in 2006 and 2008
respectively.
Due to their family's involvement and encouragement, Alex and Leslie applied
to the internship program and were accepted as highly qualified candidates.
"Leslie was the first person I met on the program. She was my next door
neighbor and we became friends instantly," said Karapetian. "Quickly we
developed a nightly after-work ritual," Azarian chimed in, "where we would
sit on our shared patio overlooking the Potomac River and discuss the day's
events while listening to our favorite music." It was the beginning of a
relationship that would grow between these two over the next few years
despite travelling abroad, remaining college years, starting off careers,
and living in different cities.
Both often reflect on the Armenian Assembly program, which exceeded their
expectations in a number of ways. Each has cherished the excitement and
stimulation of living and working in the nation's capital. For Leslie, she
found great value in her experience, despite being a former marketing
student and pursuing a career in the financial industry where she is
currently a Director of Operations at Morgan Stanley: "Seeing firsthand how
our government works is knowledge you'll always take with you, on whatever
path you choose. I immensely enjoyed corresponding with constituents,
attending briefings on behalf of the Congressman, working on projects with
the legislative assistants, and learning what legislation the Congressman
was supporting."
For Alex, the program provided even more career opportunities, as he was
offered the Assistant Grassroots Director position with the Assembly during
his senior year of college: "I still keep in close contact with members of
my internship class and fellow alumni. Without my summer internship
experience, none of this would be possible." Although Alex left the Assembly
to join his family at Acopian Technical Co., he still lends his support as
the current Pennsylvania Armenian-American Action Committee (ARAMAC) State
Chair and helps organize Young Professionals events in New York.
Despite differences in their experiences, both Alex and Leslie agree it was
also an amazing opportunity to learn more about their Armenian culture and
heritage. "The Assembly organized a number of educational and social events
outside of the workday to engage the interns in current affairs. We even
took a field trip to the future Genocide Museum and met with various U.S.
ranking officials who supported the organization," Alex commented. "We both
credit the Assembly internship program as a game-changing experience and we
are forever grateful for the experiences we've had, as well as our family's
encouragement to participate in the program," Leslie added.
To show their appreciation, these former interns, who are set to marry on
November 19th 2011 in Manhattan, New York, have decided to donate to the
Assembly's Terjernian-Thomas Internship program on behalf of all of their
guests. They believe this is a fitting tribute to a program that will
celebrate 35 years of service to the Armenian American community in 2012.
"I wish other diasporan Armenians could have the wonderful experience Leslie
and I did in Washington, both professionally and socially". "The Assembly
not only helped pave my career path, but I found the love of my life. Not
too bad for an 8-week program," added Karapetian with a smile.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
Photo Caption 1: Alex Karapetian and Leslie Azarian with Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr (center) in 2002
Photo Caption 2: Alex Karapetian and Leslie Azarian, 2011
###
NR#: 2011-50