The Consummate Volunteer
AGBU New England Chair Ara Balikian on the power of human connections
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April 11, 2011
Two AGBU Schools Host 12th Annual Student Exchange Program
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Students from AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park, California, and AGBU Marie Manoogian Institute in Buenos Aires gathered in Southern California for the 12th AGBU student exchange program.
This February marked the 12th year of a unique student exchange program that AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS) in Los Angeles and AGBU Marie Manoogian Institute in Buenos Aires started in 1999. This educational program was initiated with the vision of bringing Armenian youth from different countries closer together and to expose them to the common values that bind all Armenians together.
Program coordinator Miriam Tabakian chaperoned the group of 17 Argentineans, who arrived in California to participate in a rich, diverse educational program tailored by the Manoogian-Demirdjian School's faculty. Visiting students took part in classes in English conversation, writing and literature, Armenian, art, computer, dance, and sports. They enjoyed several outings to popular tourist attractions, including Disneyland, Universal Studios, the Norton Simon Museum, and Magic Mountain, and visited various AGBU landmarks, including the AGBU Pasadena Center and AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian High School. The group also visited the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and met with his Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
The three-week visit was capped off by an awards ceremony, led by MDS principal Hagop Hagopian, vice-principal Anahid Nalbandian, and program coordinator Vartouhy Kojayan. Prior to the awards ceremony, a "kochary" dance was presented, choreographed by students from the Marie Manoogian Institute. During the farewell event, MDS director of business operations Levon Keshishian reminded students of the message embedded in the AGBU anthem, stating, "Dear students both from Los Angeles and Buenos Aires, look around you here tonight and see how true the words of our beloved AGBU anthem are. All of you are the good news, there is no more sorrow, you are the new sun that has risen on our nation, and you and us holding hand in hand are rebuilding our nation and establishing new relationships."
After 21 educational and fun-filled days, the students from Buenos Aires returned home, having shared with their host students and families an experience that is sure to last a lifetime. AGBU Marie Manoogian Institute students will be reciprocating the exchange by hosting their AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School counterparts in the summer of 2012.
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