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Two Decades Of Building A Strong Foundation For Children At Tavlian
Armenian Pre-School
asbarez
Saturday, March 10th, 2012
Shant Dimijian
PASADENA - Twenty years ago four little Armenian American children
became the first graduates of Tavlian Armenian Pre-School and
Kindergarten in Pasadena, California. For one of those students, Shant
Dimijian, the memories of the school, even two decades later, are
fresh reminders of a magical place that continues to deliver academic
excellence to new generations of children.
`Looking back at my time at the Tavlian Armenian Preschool and
Kindergarten in 1992, I can honestly say that this special school was
the foundation of my Armenian identity,' shared Dimijian during a
recent visit to his old school on Sinaloa Avenue. `This school was a
catalyst for the rest of my life. I remember the school being
distinctly Armenian. I also remember the meals prepared at the school,
with great love, by my grandmother,' the 23 year old added with great
pride.
Shant Abraham Dimijian was born in 1988 in Pasadena and was among the
first students to graduate from Tavlian in the summer of 1993. A
recent graduate from the California State University at Fullerton, he
is confidently moving forward with plans to become a Certified Public
Accountant.
During his recent visit to the Tavlian campus, Shant reflected on why
he believes the school laid the foundation for his Armenian identity.
`I remember that the teachers at the school were special,' he shared.
`The teachers at Tavlian would care and nurture me, not because they
had to, but because they treated me and my fellow students like we
were their own. It was a feeling of family at Tavlian, a feeling of
being at home, where the teachers loved the students and we, in turn,
loved our teachers. That is how special this school was and why it
remains, in my mind, so special today,' the school's first graduate
added.
Most probably because of his strong Armenian identity, begun at
Tavlian, Shant Dimijian recently joined the Pasadena `Shahan Shahnour'
Hamazkayin Chapter. He was drawn to the organization because of its
role in nurturing and safeguarding the Armenian language, Armenian
ethnic identity and the traditions and intellectual legacy of the
Armenian people. The chapter has an active core of young Armenian
Americans, like Shant, who have recently put together screenings,
photo and art exhibits featuring up and coming Armenian artists from
across the Diaspora.
As he reminisced last week about his special time at Tavlian, Shant
shared a vivid memory of the school. `I remember with great clarity
one distinct thing. Each time we would be let out for recess we would
all basically run out to the playground. I remember the running and
yelling the word `pahg' which means playground in Armenian. I remember
this, but I also remember how happy I was, happy to be at Tavlian,'
Dimijian concluded as he stepped off the campus and headed to work.
Among the many positive characteristics of the Tavlian Armenian
Pre-School is the fact that it is the only kindergarten accredited by
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
For knowledgeable parents, the NAEYC Accreditation has become the mark
of quality, helping parents find the best possible early childhood
experience. Tavlian received its accreditation from NAEYC in 2009, has
gone through the re-evaluation process this year and has granted this
class-worthy recognition through June 31, 2014.
On May 4 a broad and diverse number of dedicated Armenian Americans
will gather at a celebratory banquet to mark the 20th anniversary of
the Tavlian Armenian Pre-School. The banquet will be held at Armenian
Society of Los Angeles Additional information on the banquet may be
secured by contacting the school office by phone at 626-398-8199.
Background on the Tavlian Armenian Pre-School, which has served our
community with distinction for over two decades, may be found at the
school's user-friendly website: www.tavlianpreschool.org.
Photo caption: Shant Abraham Dimijian, part of the Tavlian Armenian
Pre-School and Kindergarten's first graduating class nearly two
decades ago, reflected on the wonderful memories he has of the school
during a visit to the campus last week.
Armenian Pre-School
asbarez
Saturday, March 10th, 2012
Shant Dimijian
PASADENA - Twenty years ago four little Armenian American children
became the first graduates of Tavlian Armenian Pre-School and
Kindergarten in Pasadena, California. For one of those students, Shant
Dimijian, the memories of the school, even two decades later, are
fresh reminders of a magical place that continues to deliver academic
excellence to new generations of children.
`Looking back at my time at the Tavlian Armenian Preschool and
Kindergarten in 1992, I can honestly say that this special school was
the foundation of my Armenian identity,' shared Dimijian during a
recent visit to his old school on Sinaloa Avenue. `This school was a
catalyst for the rest of my life. I remember the school being
distinctly Armenian. I also remember the meals prepared at the school,
with great love, by my grandmother,' the 23 year old added with great
pride.
Shant Abraham Dimijian was born in 1988 in Pasadena and was among the
first students to graduate from Tavlian in the summer of 1993. A
recent graduate from the California State University at Fullerton, he
is confidently moving forward with plans to become a Certified Public
Accountant.
During his recent visit to the Tavlian campus, Shant reflected on why
he believes the school laid the foundation for his Armenian identity.
`I remember that the teachers at the school were special,' he shared.
`The teachers at Tavlian would care and nurture me, not because they
had to, but because they treated me and my fellow students like we
were their own. It was a feeling of family at Tavlian, a feeling of
being at home, where the teachers loved the students and we, in turn,
loved our teachers. That is how special this school was and why it
remains, in my mind, so special today,' the school's first graduate
added.
Most probably because of his strong Armenian identity, begun at
Tavlian, Shant Dimijian recently joined the Pasadena `Shahan Shahnour'
Hamazkayin Chapter. He was drawn to the organization because of its
role in nurturing and safeguarding the Armenian language, Armenian
ethnic identity and the traditions and intellectual legacy of the
Armenian people. The chapter has an active core of young Armenian
Americans, like Shant, who have recently put together screenings,
photo and art exhibits featuring up and coming Armenian artists from
across the Diaspora.
As he reminisced last week about his special time at Tavlian, Shant
shared a vivid memory of the school. `I remember with great clarity
one distinct thing. Each time we would be let out for recess we would
all basically run out to the playground. I remember the running and
yelling the word `pahg' which means playground in Armenian. I remember
this, but I also remember how happy I was, happy to be at Tavlian,'
Dimijian concluded as he stepped off the campus and headed to work.
Among the many positive characteristics of the Tavlian Armenian
Pre-School is the fact that it is the only kindergarten accredited by
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
For knowledgeable parents, the NAEYC Accreditation has become the mark
of quality, helping parents find the best possible early childhood
experience. Tavlian received its accreditation from NAEYC in 2009, has
gone through the re-evaluation process this year and has granted this
class-worthy recognition through June 31, 2014.
On May 4 a broad and diverse number of dedicated Armenian Americans
will gather at a celebratory banquet to mark the 20th anniversary of
the Tavlian Armenian Pre-School. The banquet will be held at Armenian
Society of Los Angeles Additional information on the banquet may be
secured by contacting the school office by phone at 626-398-8199.
Background on the Tavlian Armenian Pre-School, which has served our
community with distinction for over two decades, may be found at the
school's user-friendly website: www.tavlianpreschool.org.
Photo caption: Shant Abraham Dimijian, part of the Tavlian Armenian
Pre-School and Kindergarten's first graduating class nearly two
decades ago, reflected on the wonderful memories he has of the school
during a visit to the campus last week.