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February 27, 2015
AGBU Boghos K. Garmirian School Alumni Association Spreads Awareness about Road Safety in Lebanon
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Road safety demonstration with Lena Gebrane of Kunhadi. -
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Lena Gebrane of Kunhadi laying flowers in memory of Arine and Antranik.
On February 8, 2015, the AGBU Boghos K. Garmirian School Alumni Association gathered at the AGBU Demirdjian Center in Beirut to honor the memory of two former students, Arine Tchertchian and Antranik (Anthony) Kouyoumjian, who were both victims of car accidents. The event, which drew over 300 AGBU and AYA members and friends, marked a collaboration with Kunhadi, an organization that works to bring awareness of road safety to Lebanese youth through conferences and workshops.
Araz Tchertchian, Arine’s sister, delivered the opening speech and invited Lena Gebrane, vice presidentof Kunhadi, to speak about road safety in Lebanon and its impact on national development. Gebrane offered ways to lower the number of car accidents in the country, including wearing a seatbelt, refraining from texting while driving and avoiding driving while fatigued. “Everyone on the road needs to respect traffic laws and be responsible at all times to protect their own lives and the lives of others,” says Gebrane.
The event closed with tributes to Arine and Antranik. Sonia Deimenjian, one of Antranik’s relatives, described an ambitious life cut short: “Antranik loved living and enjoyed his life to the fullest. He never said no to anybody, loved helping people whether they were his friends or not. Now he is watching and guarding us from above.”
Arine Tchertchian (1990-2011) was born in Beirut and attended the AGBU Boghos K. Garmirian Intermediate School, the AGBU Tarouhy-Hovagimian Secondary School and the TLC Technical School. She was a student at Haigazian University when she passed away. Arine was an active member of the Antranik Youth Association and the AGBU-AYA Dance Group, renamed the Arine Dance Group in her memory. She was the founder of the Haigazian girls’ futsal team, group leader at the AGBU Demirdjian Summer Day Camp and an active member of the AGBU Boghos K. Garmirian Alumni Association. The Arine Tchertchian Fund has since been established to support the Arine Dance Group.
Antranik Kouyoumjian (1988-2014) was born in Beirut and attended the AGBU Boghos K. Garmirian Intermediate School and New Horizon Technical College in Beirut. After graduation, he worked as an information technology specialist, photographer and fitness instructor. Antranik was a scout leader for the AGBU-AYA Antranik Antelias Scouting Movement and worked as a volunteer firefighter.
For more information on Kunhadi and their road safety initiatives, please visit http://www.kunhadi.org/en/Home
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