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NAVASARTIAN GAMES CLOSING CEREMONIES ELEVATES COMMUNITY TO NEW HEIGHTS
asbarez
Friday, July 13th, 2012
The Homenetmen Marching Band enters the field during the Closing
Cermonies Parade (photo by Berj Djamdjian)
VAN NUYS-Of the many events that surround Homenetmen's Navasartian
Games, the closing ceremony, held each year on the last day of the
festival, represents the pinnacle of the achievements of Navasartian.
This year's closing ceremony of the 37th Navasartian Games was held
on Saturday, July 7 at Birmingham High School before thousands of
Homenetmen members and supporters, who enjoyed a performance by singer
Harout Hagopian prior to the start of the official ceremony.
At 7 p.m., members of the Regional Scouting and Athletic Councils led
the procession, whereby His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Honorary President Mr. & Mrs. Gagik and Madine Gevorkian, 2012
Exemplary Homenetmen Member Maro Kechichian, the 35th Navasartian
Games' Honorary President George Jamgochian, and the Homenetmen
Regional Executive, led by Chairperson Garnik Abrahamian, entered
the field.
Homenetmen members Suzy Ohanian and Arman Kilijian addressed guests,
highlighting the accomplishments that have filled the 37 years of
Navasartian's history. Sevag Garabedian, an active Homenetmen member
who contributes to the organizing efforts of the Navasartian Games,
served as Master of Ceremonies the closing ceremony. He invited guests
to stand in a moment of silence to honor the memories of departed
Homenetmen members and the late Rima Abedi-Sagherian of the Regional
Executive, in particular.
Garabedian emphasized the spirit of volunteerism, which contributes
to the success of the Navasartian Games year after year and expressed
pride in its ability to draw together Armenian youth. "Homenetmen's
volunteers and a handful of employees have spent endless hours
organizing 668 basketball games, 90 plus soccer games, volleyball,
track, swimming, tennis, table tennis, and chess competitions; all
the while 17 chapters worth of volunteers sell a variety of foods,
along with 55 vendors, over a dozen entertainers and more," stated
Garabedian.
Following his remarks, attendees peered at the skies as four
parachuters plummeted through the air bearing the American, Armenian,
State of California, and Homenetmen flags. Accompanied by the
Homenetmen band, girl and boy scout flag bearers marched the field
as the anthems played.
Thereafter, Regional Executive Chairperson Garnik Abrahamian took to
the podium. First and foremost, he conveyed how fortunate Homenetmen
is to have Mr. & Mrs. Gevorkian as this year's Honorary President,
as well as an Exemplary Homenetmen Member such as Maro Kechichian.
Abrahamian affirmed the healthy and safe environment that Homenetmen
offers and the rapid growth in its ranks and supporters. He paid
special mention to all the parents, who continue to have faith and
trust in the organization.
Homenetmen Central Executive member Hagop Tufenkjian delivered a
message on behalf of the Board. He emphasized the organization's
ability to remain faithful to its mission, announcing the recent
establishment of Homenetmen's 103rd chapter in Beirut, Lebanon and
participation in a competition organized by the Republic of Armenia
Ministry of Diaspora during which Homenetmen placed in the first
three categories.
Archbishop Mardirossian delivered his blessings and encouraging words,
stating "May you continue on with the same dedication and resolve we
have witnessed throughout the years, all the while staying true to the
beautiful motto of Homenetmen, 'elevate yourself and others with you,'
for the progress of Homenetmen, our community, and our people."
Following remarks, the much-anticipated parade commenced with Armenian
veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars marching at the forefront. A
special plaque of recognition was presented to honor each veteran,
including Robert Assadrian, Armen Babasloukian, Sarkis Boyajian,
Garo Kritikashian, Hovig Margossian, John Mergorian, and Ara Tamamian.
Spectators looked on as athletes and scouts of the region's 18
Homenetmen chapters marched and then collectively gathered on the
field. This parade was surely a source of pride for all the onlookers.
Once this procession ended and participants collectively gathered on
the field, the championship trophies were presented to the victorious
chapters with the help of members of the Regional Athletic Council, as
well as Honorary President Mr. & Mrs. Gevorkian, the exemplary member
Maro Kechichian, Central Executive member Hagop Tufenkjian, Regional
Executive Chairperson Garnik Abrahamian, Alec Araratian, Regional
Executive liaison to the Athletic Council; and Vicken Dakessian,
Regional Executive liaison to the Navasartian Organizing Committee.
The closing ceremonies' official program concluded with the traditional
presentation of the Navasartian flag to Honorary President Mr. &
Mrs. Gevorkian by Taleen Hindoyan, Regional Scoutmaster General,
as well as a performance by Karnig Sarkissian.
This year's championship trophies were dedicated to the memory of
Bedros Akpolat at the wishes of his wife Edna and son Alan.
After the end of the closing ceremonies, the festival continued on the
grounds of Birmingham High School until midnight with entertainment
and lively performances by Hayro Sarabian, Arsham, Sahag Sisslian,
Aram Baghgedjian, Antoine Bezdjian, and Harout Pamboukjian.
Overall Rankings
TENNIS 1st Place: Glendale "Ararat" Chapter 2nd Place: Fresno
"Sassoon" Chapter
TABLE TENNIS 1st Place: Glendale "Ararat" Chapter 2nd Place: Burbank
"Sipan" Chapter 3rd Place: Fresno "Sassoon" Chapter
SWIMMING 1st Place: San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter 2nd Place:
Burbank "Sipan" Chapter 3rd Place: Santa Clara "Ani" Chapter
TRACK & FIELD 1st Place: San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter 2nd
Place: South Bay "Arakatz" Chapter 3rd Place: Pasadena "Azadamard"
Chapter
VOLLEYBALL 1st Place: San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter 2nd Place:
Glendale "Ararat" Chapter
SOCCER 1st Place: Los Angeles Chapter 2nd Place: San Fernando Valley
"Massis" Chpater 3rd Place: San Francisco Chapter
BASKETBALL 1st Place: Glendale "Ararat" Chapter 2nd Place: Los Angeles
Chapter 3rd Place: Pasadena "Azadamard" Chapter
asbarez
Friday, July 13th, 2012
The Homenetmen Marching Band enters the field during the Closing
Cermonies Parade (photo by Berj Djamdjian)
VAN NUYS-Of the many events that surround Homenetmen's Navasartian
Games, the closing ceremony, held each year on the last day of the
festival, represents the pinnacle of the achievements of Navasartian.
This year's closing ceremony of the 37th Navasartian Games was held
on Saturday, July 7 at Birmingham High School before thousands of
Homenetmen members and supporters, who enjoyed a performance by singer
Harout Hagopian prior to the start of the official ceremony.
At 7 p.m., members of the Regional Scouting and Athletic Councils led
the procession, whereby His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Honorary President Mr. & Mrs. Gagik and Madine Gevorkian, 2012
Exemplary Homenetmen Member Maro Kechichian, the 35th Navasartian
Games' Honorary President George Jamgochian, and the Homenetmen
Regional Executive, led by Chairperson Garnik Abrahamian, entered
the field.
Homenetmen members Suzy Ohanian and Arman Kilijian addressed guests,
highlighting the accomplishments that have filled the 37 years of
Navasartian's history. Sevag Garabedian, an active Homenetmen member
who contributes to the organizing efforts of the Navasartian Games,
served as Master of Ceremonies the closing ceremony. He invited guests
to stand in a moment of silence to honor the memories of departed
Homenetmen members and the late Rima Abedi-Sagherian of the Regional
Executive, in particular.
Garabedian emphasized the spirit of volunteerism, which contributes
to the success of the Navasartian Games year after year and expressed
pride in its ability to draw together Armenian youth. "Homenetmen's
volunteers and a handful of employees have spent endless hours
organizing 668 basketball games, 90 plus soccer games, volleyball,
track, swimming, tennis, table tennis, and chess competitions; all
the while 17 chapters worth of volunteers sell a variety of foods,
along with 55 vendors, over a dozen entertainers and more," stated
Garabedian.
Following his remarks, attendees peered at the skies as four
parachuters plummeted through the air bearing the American, Armenian,
State of California, and Homenetmen flags. Accompanied by the
Homenetmen band, girl and boy scout flag bearers marched the field
as the anthems played.
Thereafter, Regional Executive Chairperson Garnik Abrahamian took to
the podium. First and foremost, he conveyed how fortunate Homenetmen
is to have Mr. & Mrs. Gevorkian as this year's Honorary President,
as well as an Exemplary Homenetmen Member such as Maro Kechichian.
Abrahamian affirmed the healthy and safe environment that Homenetmen
offers and the rapid growth in its ranks and supporters. He paid
special mention to all the parents, who continue to have faith and
trust in the organization.
Homenetmen Central Executive member Hagop Tufenkjian delivered a
message on behalf of the Board. He emphasized the organization's
ability to remain faithful to its mission, announcing the recent
establishment of Homenetmen's 103rd chapter in Beirut, Lebanon and
participation in a competition organized by the Republic of Armenia
Ministry of Diaspora during which Homenetmen placed in the first
three categories.
Archbishop Mardirossian delivered his blessings and encouraging words,
stating "May you continue on with the same dedication and resolve we
have witnessed throughout the years, all the while staying true to the
beautiful motto of Homenetmen, 'elevate yourself and others with you,'
for the progress of Homenetmen, our community, and our people."
Following remarks, the much-anticipated parade commenced with Armenian
veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars marching at the forefront. A
special plaque of recognition was presented to honor each veteran,
including Robert Assadrian, Armen Babasloukian, Sarkis Boyajian,
Garo Kritikashian, Hovig Margossian, John Mergorian, and Ara Tamamian.
Spectators looked on as athletes and scouts of the region's 18
Homenetmen chapters marched and then collectively gathered on the
field. This parade was surely a source of pride for all the onlookers.
Once this procession ended and participants collectively gathered on
the field, the championship trophies were presented to the victorious
chapters with the help of members of the Regional Athletic Council, as
well as Honorary President Mr. & Mrs. Gevorkian, the exemplary member
Maro Kechichian, Central Executive member Hagop Tufenkjian, Regional
Executive Chairperson Garnik Abrahamian, Alec Araratian, Regional
Executive liaison to the Athletic Council; and Vicken Dakessian,
Regional Executive liaison to the Navasartian Organizing Committee.
The closing ceremonies' official program concluded with the traditional
presentation of the Navasartian flag to Honorary President Mr. &
Mrs. Gevorkian by Taleen Hindoyan, Regional Scoutmaster General,
as well as a performance by Karnig Sarkissian.
This year's championship trophies were dedicated to the memory of
Bedros Akpolat at the wishes of his wife Edna and son Alan.
After the end of the closing ceremonies, the festival continued on the
grounds of Birmingham High School until midnight with entertainment
and lively performances by Hayro Sarabian, Arsham, Sahag Sisslian,
Aram Baghgedjian, Antoine Bezdjian, and Harout Pamboukjian.
Overall Rankings
TENNIS 1st Place: Glendale "Ararat" Chapter 2nd Place: Fresno
"Sassoon" Chapter
TABLE TENNIS 1st Place: Glendale "Ararat" Chapter 2nd Place: Burbank
"Sipan" Chapter 3rd Place: Fresno "Sassoon" Chapter
SWIMMING 1st Place: San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter 2nd Place:
Burbank "Sipan" Chapter 3rd Place: Santa Clara "Ani" Chapter
TRACK & FIELD 1st Place: San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter 2nd
Place: South Bay "Arakatz" Chapter 3rd Place: Pasadena "Azadamard"
Chapter
VOLLEYBALL 1st Place: San Fernando Valley "Massis" Chapter 2nd Place:
Glendale "Ararat" Chapter
SOCCER 1st Place: Los Angeles Chapter 2nd Place: San Fernando Valley
"Massis" Chpater 3rd Place: San Francisco Chapter
BASKETBALL 1st Place: Glendale "Ararat" Chapter 2nd Place: Los Angeles
Chapter 3rd Place: Pasadena "Azadamard" Chapter