High School-Pasadena's Second Annual Dinner Dance Scores a Major Success

On February 28, 2009, the AGBU High School-Pasadena held its second annual dinner dance, which was attended by 225 administrators, parents, students and guests. The event, which was organized by the school's Parent Support Group (PSG) and Father's Club, took place at the Anoosh Ojakh Restaurant in North Hollywood, California.

"I am pleased to announce this evening that AGBU High School of Pasadena received full and independent accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges," said Vice Principal Talin Kargodorian in her remarks at the event. She added that the WASC report stated, "Students seem to thrive academically in this environment, which features small class sizes and a caring relationship between adults and students on campus."

The announcement was received with elation by all those in attendance. The news set the exceptionally celebratory mood of the evening and proved what many had already known, that the school had achieved many great things in its short three years of existence.

In his remarks, School Principal Hagop Hagopian expressed his joy for the accomplishments of the school, thanking the parents for their trust and continued support, and the faculty and staff for their dedication and commitment to the school's mission. He acknowledged the presence of scores of students in attendance, calling them our "AGBU High School-Pasadena Scholars." He added, "Our school was founded through the foresight of the AGBU leadership, which had the clear vision that this school would become a unique educational institution within the Armenian school system of Southern California to meet the needs of high school-age students by imparting them a college preparatory and quality education in a safe and caring environment and instilling in them an enduring sense of their national identity, good citizenship and moral values in order to be well prepared for the many challenges of the future."

The evening was emceed by the school's Director of Operations Levon Keshishian, who announced that the two support groups have embarked on establishing a "Tuition Scholarship Program" to assist deserving and needy students to register and remain at AGBU High School-Pasadena. This gesture was received with loud applause and many individuals came forward during the evening to make donations towards the fund.

Mayda Altounian, PSG Chairlady, and Nazaret Moukhtarian, Chairman of the Fathers' Club, made brief remarks which reiterated their committees' continued support towards the improvement of the school in the academic and extra-curricular fields.

In addition to many members of the school's administration, several members of the AGBU leadership were on hand for the event. The Central Board was represented by Chairman of the School Board Sinan Sinanian; the Southern California District Committee by Berj Shahbazian, Chairman, and Tony Keusseyan, an Advisor to the District Committee. Also on hand were Silva Karayan, Chair of the school's Education Committee, and members Berjouhi Koukeyan and Taline Boyajian. AGBU veterans who played a major role in the founding of the school were also present, namely Yenovk Balikian, Karnig Karayan, Samuel Ilanjian and Besilios Besos.

The official part of the evening ended with Sinan Sinanian's congratulatory remarks directed to the school administration and faculty for the school's many achievements to date. Regarding AGBU High School-Pasadena earning WASC Accreditation, he said, "While other schools take more than ten years to reach such a milestone, thanks to the persistence and professionalism of the administration and the high caliber of the faculty, our school received independent accreditation in such a short period of time." He reiterated the fact that although AGBU High School-Pasadena was originally founded as a satellite campus of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park and enjoyed its umbrella in curricular and administrative matters, as an independently accredited campus it now has its unique identity and purposes to meet the needs of high school-age students in the San Gabriel Valley.

Upon the conclusion of the formal part of the program, parents, guests and students were invited to socialize and celebrate their achievements through music and dance.

Founded in 2006, AGBU High School-Pasadena (www.agbuphs.org) is a grade 9-12 co-educational facility which serves the Armenian community of the San Gabriel Valley. The school is AGBU's second day school in Southern California, and its mission is to cultivate the potential of every student in a safe and nurturing environment, maintaining high expectations and promoting academic excellence for all students.