Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School Welcomes Benefactors for Easter Celebration

In honor of its benefactors' first official visit to the high school, a special Easter program took place at AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School in Pasadena, California. Hundreds of community members were on hand to witness the festivities held in honor of Vatche and Tamar Manoukian, which included an impressive showcase by students in dance, band, choir, and drama. Among those present were Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, AGBU Central Board member Sinan Sinanian, and SCDC representatives.

In her remarks, Vice-Principal Talin Kargodorian underscored the progress that the school has made since its inception just five years ago. Full and independent accreditation, rigorous college-preparatory content standards in all core subjects, a state-of-the-art technology program, a comprehensive performing arts program, and an Armenian language and culture "magnet" program were just some of the highlights she mentioned. Kargodorian was especially pleased to announce that members of the senior class had received college acceptances from various respected institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, numerous California State Universities, and the University of Southern California.

The Manoukian-Karayan families were the centerpiece of school board member Silva Karayan's message. She described Mr. and Mrs. Yeghishe and Siran Manoukian as well as Mr. and Mrs. Karnig and Angele Karayan as esteemed role models for their children and grandchildren. Silva Karayan highlighted the benefactors' contributions to the enrichment of Armenians worldwide, including funding the "Rome-Armenia" exhibition presented in 1999 at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity as its official state religion.

Student Council President Sevag Kazarian and Vice President Angela Gevrikyan spoke fondly of their experiences at AGBU Manoukian High School and thanked the Manoukians for their generosity. The youngest student enrolled at the school, Michelle Yaralian, then offered a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Manoukian. Students Talar and Sareen Habeshian presented her with a framed and signed Armenian flag that their father Levon had placed at the summit of Mount Ararat in 2008.

The performing arts showcase opened with an energetic performance by the Armenian dance students. The newly established band offered two pieces from its growing repertoire, and the choir moved the audience with its renditions of "Hay Yerk" (Armenian Song) and "Yerk Pakosi" (Song of Bacchus). The Armenian drama students then performed a timeless scene from satirist Hagop Baronian's "Baghdasar Aghpar" (Brother Balthazar).

Karnig Karayan offered his warm congratulatory remarks on the occasion. Mrs. Manoukian expressed her confidence that "determination, hard work, and dedication will lead the school to unprecedented success," and she encouraged students to make service a central goal in their lives. After emphasizing the importance of learning the Armenian language, Mrs. Manoukian ended her remarks with an apt reference to renowned poet Silva Gaboudikian's poem, "Khosk Eem Vortun." (Words to My Son).

The fitting conclusion of the Easter program was the holiday message offered by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, who likened the school to a Little Etchmiadzin. He reminded the audience that Easter is the "springtime of our spiritual renewal," and closed with the resounding words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God."