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TEEN ACTIVIST EMBRACES GENOCIDE SURVIVORS
Tom Vartabedian
April 27, 2012
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/04/27/teen-activist-embraces-genocide-survivors/
ARLINGTON, Mass.-Ever since she was old enough to remember, Anahis
Araxy Kechejian always accompanied her parents to the statehouse
commemorations in Boston.
Sixteen-year-old Anahis Kechejian outlines her program at the
statehouse commemoration where 40 people stood up for their survivors.
She heard the speeches, listened to the music, met some of the most
prominent people in legislature, and came away inspired.
But nothing caught the youngster's eye more than a cluster of elderly
people huddled together as survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Each year at these observances, she drew an obvious conclusion:
The crowd was getting smaller and smaller.
"As I graduated St. Stephen's Elementary School and got older, the
realization sunk in that so few of our dear survivors are left,"
said the 16-year-old. "After all, the youngest possible age this year
would be 97 if they were born in 1915."
As the years rolled on, Anahis missed being an active participant of
the event and wondered if other youth felt the same way.
She approached Armenian churches, youth groups, and schools,
encouraging members to simply scan a photo of their beloved genocide
survivor and e-mail it to her, along with a name, birthplace and
current town.
The idea evolved into a program called "Stand Up for Your Survivor."
Thirty-eight individuals stepped forward, resulting in 50 photos that
were displayed this year at the statehouse. Among them was her own
great-grandmother Araxy from Gurin, after whom she is named.
When it came time to recognize these survivors, loved ones stepped
forward and displayed the photographs. Taking particular notice were
five survivors in attendance-a vast number considering their ages.
All this was done without any cost to participants as the Kechejians
absorbed all expenses for the project. As a token of their
appreciation, families got to keep the enlarged photos.
With the help of ANC activist Tsoleen Sarian, Anahis made her own
pitch, organizing a website, contacting churches throughout the
state, and gallantly passing the word. Through word of mouth, the
response grew.
Pictures touched the gamut from childhood to adult. The sight of
youngsters holding these mementoes was extremely compelling.
"Each poster represents the unbreakable bond between genocide survivors
and their descendants," she said, "a pledge that we will continue their
struggle for justice. The posters also represent our current presence
in the many communities of our beloved state of Massachusetts."
Anahis is the daughter of Lynda and Stephen Kechejian. She attends
Saturday Day School at St. Stephens and is a junior at Arlington High,
where she plays tennis, field hockey, and runs track. She's a member
of the Greater Boston AYF Chapter and has gone to Camp Haiastan the
past five years. She got to visit Armenia six years ago with her
school. Hopefully, there will be other times.
"It's a privilege for people my age to become involved in such a very
important chapter of our history," Anahis said. "When the remaining
genocide survivors see the youth taking part, they can rest assured
their heritage is in good hands."
The intent is to have this project grow with each ensuing year leading
to the centennial in 2015, when Anahis hopes to have 100 individuals
stand and be recognized with their survivor posters.
And a promise that April 24th events will not die with the very
last survivor.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Tom Vartabedian
April 27, 2012
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/04/27/teen-activist-embraces-genocide-survivors/
ARLINGTON, Mass.-Ever since she was old enough to remember, Anahis
Araxy Kechejian always accompanied her parents to the statehouse
commemorations in Boston.
Sixteen-year-old Anahis Kechejian outlines her program at the
statehouse commemoration where 40 people stood up for their survivors.
She heard the speeches, listened to the music, met some of the most
prominent people in legislature, and came away inspired.
But nothing caught the youngster's eye more than a cluster of elderly
people huddled together as survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Each year at these observances, she drew an obvious conclusion:
The crowd was getting smaller and smaller.
"As I graduated St. Stephen's Elementary School and got older, the
realization sunk in that so few of our dear survivors are left,"
said the 16-year-old. "After all, the youngest possible age this year
would be 97 if they were born in 1915."
As the years rolled on, Anahis missed being an active participant of
the event and wondered if other youth felt the same way.
She approached Armenian churches, youth groups, and schools,
encouraging members to simply scan a photo of their beloved genocide
survivor and e-mail it to her, along with a name, birthplace and
current town.
The idea evolved into a program called "Stand Up for Your Survivor."
Thirty-eight individuals stepped forward, resulting in 50 photos that
were displayed this year at the statehouse. Among them was her own
great-grandmother Araxy from Gurin, after whom she is named.
When it came time to recognize these survivors, loved ones stepped
forward and displayed the photographs. Taking particular notice were
five survivors in attendance-a vast number considering their ages.
All this was done without any cost to participants as the Kechejians
absorbed all expenses for the project. As a token of their
appreciation, families got to keep the enlarged photos.
With the help of ANC activist Tsoleen Sarian, Anahis made her own
pitch, organizing a website, contacting churches throughout the
state, and gallantly passing the word. Through word of mouth, the
response grew.
Pictures touched the gamut from childhood to adult. The sight of
youngsters holding these mementoes was extremely compelling.
"Each poster represents the unbreakable bond between genocide survivors
and their descendants," she said, "a pledge that we will continue their
struggle for justice. The posters also represent our current presence
in the many communities of our beloved state of Massachusetts."
Anahis is the daughter of Lynda and Stephen Kechejian. She attends
Saturday Day School at St. Stephens and is a junior at Arlington High,
where she plays tennis, field hockey, and runs track. She's a member
of the Greater Boston AYF Chapter and has gone to Camp Haiastan the
past five years. She got to visit Armenia six years ago with her
school. Hopefully, there will be other times.
"It's a privilege for people my age to become involved in such a very
important chapter of our history," Anahis said. "When the remaining
genocide survivors see the youth taking part, they can rest assured
their heritage is in good hands."
The intent is to have this project grow with each ensuing year leading
to the centennial in 2015, when Anahis hopes to have 100 individuals
stand and be recognized with their survivor posters.
And a promise that April 24th events will not die with the very
last survivor.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress