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L to R - Noubar Agopian, Silva Karayan, Artemis and Nazar Nazarian, Archbishop Derderian, Sinan Sinanian, Very Rev Fr. Dajad Yardemian and Fr. Shnork Demirdjian watch as students of the AGBU Manogian-Demirdjian School file in for the groundbreaking of the new AGBU Artemis Nazarian Preschool.
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Benefactors Nazar & Artemis Nazarian Break Ground for New AGBU School Expansion
| Date: |
9/17/2007 |
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| Contact: |
AGBU Press Office |
| Phone: |
212.319.6383 |
| Fax: |
212.319.6507 |
| Email: |
press@agbu.org |
Canoga Park, CA - A festive atmosphere was the mood on Thursday, September 6, 2007 on the campus of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. The day of groundbreaking for the long-awaited toddler facility of the AGBU Artemis Nazarian Preschool had arrived. On hand were AGBU benefactors Nazar & Artemis Nazarian, who, upon arrival at the school, were greeted by school officials and, after concluding a tour of the school facilities, were led to the grounds of the preschool where preparations had been completed for the groundbreaking ceremony.
School Board Chairman and AGBU Central Board member Sinan Sinanian welcomed the guests of honor that included the benefactors, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, AGBU Southern California District representatives, School Board members, current and former School PTO members, Booster Club members, parents, administration, teachers and students from the Preschool. The official program started with welcoming remarks by School Principal Hagop Hagopian, who thanked the benefactors for their generosity in the USA, Lebanon and Armenia, welcomed the guests and thanked everyone for their dedication to the AGBU in general and the school in particular. He stressed the fact that the program adopted by the Preschool is a fully accredited and complete educational program preparing 3- and 4- year-olds for their elementary education. Hagopian thanked the Preschool faculty for their dedication and expressed his gratitude to them. He paid special tribute to former and current PTO members for undertaking the project and supporting the school in general.
Preschool Director Tagoush Khodabakhshian took the podium and expressed the joy of all the students and faculty of the Preschool, for the day had come to witness the dedication and groundbreaking of the new toddler facility. On behalf of the entire staff, she thanked the benefactors for coming forward with their generous donation to turn a dream into reality.
A specially arranged student choir of the preschool and kindergarten classes then performed two songs, led by music teacher Marine Kelian.
Sinanian then thanked everyone and the benefactors in particular and invited Artemis Nazarian to the podium for her remarks. "Nazar came one day and said to me I am sponsoring the AGBU Preschool in your name as a birthday gift. I was elated and pleased that a preschool will be named after me since I have always been close to children and enjoy great satisfaction seeing them grow in a nurturing environment," said Mrs. Nazarian. She then told the audience about the realization of their dream and the enjoyment they get by giving back to the Armenian community in the Diaspora and in Armenia. She thanked the school for the opportunity and pledged further support when needed.
His Eminence Archbishop Derderian greeted the benefactors and praised their generosity, particularly to the Armenian Church and the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. The Archbishop then led the religious ground-blessing ceremony accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian, Vicar General, and Rev. Fr. Shnork Demirdjian, Pastor. Mr. & Mrs. Nazarian, Sinan Sinanian and Hagop Hagopian were also on hand for the ceremony.
The groundbreaking ceremony concluded with a reception in the AGBU School's Nazarian Center foyer.
Visit to the Diocese of the Armenian Church
Benefactors Nazar and Artemis Nazarian paid a visit to the Diocesan headquarters in Burbank upon invitation of Archbishop Derderian and were briefed on the building project of the Mother Cathedral and the various projects undertaken by the Diocese.
Upon the conclusion of the private reception by the Archbishop, Mr. Nazarian expressed his joy for the hard work and dedication of the Primate and the entire staff at the Diocese and wished them well in their future endeavors.
Visit to the AGBU High School and Center in Pasadena
Friday, September 7, was back to school at the AGBU High School in Pasadena, and Nazar Nazarian was the guest of honor. At 8:20 am, the students gathered in the Boyadjian Hall to start the second academic year. School Principal Hagop Hagopian welcomed the students, parents, and Mr. Nazarian, in particular, to the school. He introduced the newly appointed Vice Principal Talin Kargodorian and the new faculty. He thanked the dedicated efforts of the volunteer building committee for the new renovations.
Vatche Ghanimian, Student Council President, welcomed the students and promised a new beginning. His Eminence Archbishop Hovsepian was in attendance to bless the students and faculty and expressed his joy for the visit of Nazar Nazarian to the school and the community.
Mr. Nazarian, who is a member of the AGBU Council of Trustees and, formerly, longtime treasurer of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, then toured the entire property that includes the AGBU School and Center and was briefed on the major renovations and projects that have taken place as well as plans for the near future.
Upon conclusion of his visit, Mr. Nazarian hosted a luncheon in honor of AGBU leaders and his longtime friends and parted with the following quote: "I am truly impressed by what I saw during the past two days. Both the Manoogian-Demirdjian School and Pasadena High School and the Center are in tiptop shape and the job done is fantastic. I am happy and content for the work done."
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
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