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A GLOWING 55TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOR THE ARS ANAHID CHAPTER
A Glowing 55th Anniversary Celebration for the ARS Anahid Chapter
Thursday, September 26th, 2013
Members of the ARS Anahid Chapter
ENCINO, Calif.-With 300 members and supporters in attendance, the
Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA's Anahid Chapter, the
largest of the 27 chapters and one of the backbones of the Regional
Executive, celebrated its 55th anniversary on September 14, 2013, at
the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School's Avedissian Hall in Encino,
California.
Following the singing of the national and ARS anthems by Heghine
Harboyan, who was accompanied by Armen Aharonian on the piano,
mistress of ceremonies Arousyak Melkonian invited the Holy Martyrs
parish priest, Rev. Fr. Razmig Khachadourian, to bless the tables. Der
Razmig noted that the chapter is the pride of the community, since
the early days, when it helped the establishment of the San Fernando
Valley community spiritual and educational structures, Holy Martyrs
Church and Ferrahian School.
During her welcoming remarks, Arousyak Melkonian, who chaired the
organizing committee, noted the presence of ARS Central Executive
Board member Annie Kechichian, ARS Regional Executives headed by
chairperson Lena Bozoyan, Prelacy Executive Council chairperson Rima
Boghossian, Holy Martyrs Board of Trustees Chairman Zeron Titizian,
and representatives of the local community organizations: ARF Rosdom
and Arshavir Shiragian committees, and Hamazkayin Barouyr Sevag and
Homenetmen Masis Chapters. Melkonian thanked everyone for their
support of the ARS Anahid Chapter's humanitarian role in service
of the persevering Armenian people, advancing Armenia and inspiring
new generations.
ARS Anahid Chapter Executive Chairperson Silva Poladian provided a
brief overview of the history and accomplishments of the chapter,
which included other than establishing its own Saturday School in
Encino, but also that of the current ARS Sepan Chapter's Saturday
School and the Chapter itself in Glendale. Poladian noted the ongoing
scholarships to Ferrahian High School students, awards to public high
school graduates, funding for the Holy Martyrs ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian
Preschool, ARS Sosse Kindergartens in Artsakh, ARS Mother and Child
Clinic and Birthing Center in Akhourian, ARS Javakhk Fund and ARS
regional programs, including social and counseling services. She
noted that 30 new members joined the chapter in 2010 and the 60th
anniversary of Anna Nshanian's musical career was celebrated in 2012.
Poladian honored the memory of the ARS founding members and thanked
the Armenian people for funding and motivating the members to pursue
the accomplishment of all the programs.
ARS-WUSA Regional Executive's message was delivered by chairperson
Lena Bozoyan, who congratulated the chapter's 55th anniversary and
affirmed that the Anahid chapter has been and continues to be the
backbone of the Regional Executive. Bozoyan added that the chapter's
Saturday School teachers continue to pass on the Armenian language and
culture to the new generation, and hoped that these students will take
on leadership positions in the community. She noted that the region
is being faced by many challenges, such as the struggling economy, the
daily struggle for survival of the Armenians in Syria, and the upcoming
centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Bozoyan hoped that the chapter
would continue to flourish with a technologically advanced generation,
leading the region to new heights, serving for the betterment of
Armenia and the Armenian people. She handed a commemorative plaque
to the Chapter Executive chairperson Silva Poladian.
The program continued with the Hamazkayin Niari Dance Group's
performance of two dances. Seventy members and supporters participated
in candle lighting. Poladian was joined with the other members of
organizing committee, as well as Annie Kechichian, Lena Bozoyan
and Khatoun Shakarian as she cut the cake, then the Dark Eyes Band
enchanted the audience with familiar melodies making this a night
to remember.
A Glowing 55th Anniversary Celebration for the ARS Anahid Chapter
Thursday, September 26th, 2013
Members of the ARS Anahid Chapter
ENCINO, Calif.-With 300 members and supporters in attendance, the
Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Western USA's Anahid Chapter, the
largest of the 27 chapters and one of the backbones of the Regional
Executive, celebrated its 55th anniversary on September 14, 2013, at
the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School's Avedissian Hall in Encino,
California.
Following the singing of the national and ARS anthems by Heghine
Harboyan, who was accompanied by Armen Aharonian on the piano,
mistress of ceremonies Arousyak Melkonian invited the Holy Martyrs
parish priest, Rev. Fr. Razmig Khachadourian, to bless the tables. Der
Razmig noted that the chapter is the pride of the community, since
the early days, when it helped the establishment of the San Fernando
Valley community spiritual and educational structures, Holy Martyrs
Church and Ferrahian School.
During her welcoming remarks, Arousyak Melkonian, who chaired the
organizing committee, noted the presence of ARS Central Executive
Board member Annie Kechichian, ARS Regional Executives headed by
chairperson Lena Bozoyan, Prelacy Executive Council chairperson Rima
Boghossian, Holy Martyrs Board of Trustees Chairman Zeron Titizian,
and representatives of the local community organizations: ARF Rosdom
and Arshavir Shiragian committees, and Hamazkayin Barouyr Sevag and
Homenetmen Masis Chapters. Melkonian thanked everyone for their
support of the ARS Anahid Chapter's humanitarian role in service
of the persevering Armenian people, advancing Armenia and inspiring
new generations.
ARS Anahid Chapter Executive Chairperson Silva Poladian provided a
brief overview of the history and accomplishments of the chapter,
which included other than establishing its own Saturday School in
Encino, but also that of the current ARS Sepan Chapter's Saturday
School and the Chapter itself in Glendale. Poladian noted the ongoing
scholarships to Ferrahian High School students, awards to public high
school graduates, funding for the Holy Martyrs ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian
Preschool, ARS Sosse Kindergartens in Artsakh, ARS Mother and Child
Clinic and Birthing Center in Akhourian, ARS Javakhk Fund and ARS
regional programs, including social and counseling services. She
noted that 30 new members joined the chapter in 2010 and the 60th
anniversary of Anna Nshanian's musical career was celebrated in 2012.
Poladian honored the memory of the ARS founding members and thanked
the Armenian people for funding and motivating the members to pursue
the accomplishment of all the programs.
ARS-WUSA Regional Executive's message was delivered by chairperson
Lena Bozoyan, who congratulated the chapter's 55th anniversary and
affirmed that the Anahid chapter has been and continues to be the
backbone of the Regional Executive. Bozoyan added that the chapter's
Saturday School teachers continue to pass on the Armenian language and
culture to the new generation, and hoped that these students will take
on leadership positions in the community. She noted that the region
is being faced by many challenges, such as the struggling economy, the
daily struggle for survival of the Armenians in Syria, and the upcoming
centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Bozoyan hoped that the chapter
would continue to flourish with a technologically advanced generation,
leading the region to new heights, serving for the betterment of
Armenia and the Armenian people. She handed a commemorative plaque
to the Chapter Executive chairperson Silva Poladian.
The program continued with the Hamazkayin Niari Dance Group's
performance of two dances. Seventy members and supporters participated
in candle lighting. Poladian was joined with the other members of
organizing committee, as well as Annie Kechichian, Lena Bozoyan
and Khatoun Shakarian as she cut the cake, then the Dark Eyes Band
enchanted the audience with familiar melodies making this a night
to remember.