On Saturday, February 24, 2018 “Boolghoorjian” Hall of Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School in Sherman Oaks was filled to capacity as students, educators, and parents, had gathered for the fifth annual Interschool Recitation Contest held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and organized by the Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools. Among those in attendance were Executive Council member Mr. Alec Baghdasaryan, Board of Regents Chair Mrs. Lisa Gaboudian and members Mrs. Sossi Hovsepian and Mrs. Lena Kortoshian.
Over sixty students from the following eight Armenian schools participated; Merdinian, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian, Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian, Ferrahian-Cabayan, Rose and Alex Pilibos, Vahan and Anoush Chamian, and Ari Guiragos Minassian. This year’s contest was dedicated to the centennial of the first Republic of Armenia, thus, the recitations represented this theme.
Mrs. Gaboudian welcomed the participants and guests, and invited Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian to read the Prelate’s message. His Eminence commended the Board of Regents for continuing this important initiative, and the students, teachers, and parents for their enthusiastic participation and encouragement. Addressing the students, the Prelate had written, “Through these recitations you are bringing to life the literary treasures of our revered writers, and it is your responsibility to keep these treasures alive. There will be winners announced, but in my eyes you are all winners; your participation today is a collective triumph for the spirit of our forefathers is honored through your expressed love for our language and culture, sspecially in this centennial year of independence. May you continue to uphold and promote our heritage and our national cause.”
Mrs. Kortoshian introduced the members of the jury; Grigor Ogaryan, Takouhi Arzoumanian, Sayat Baboumian, Kevork Bedikian, and Maral Varjabedian.
Subsequently the recitations began, in grade order starting from elementary to high school. Last year’s winner, Varant Chalekian, who placed second at the pan-Armenian poetry festival in Shushi last summer, shared his thoughts and experiences. Following each of the presentations, the students received two certificates of commendation, one from the Minister of Diaspora, which Mrs. Gaboudian announced were secured by the efforts of Mr. Alec Baghdasaryan, and the other from the Board of Regents. All participants also received gift bags which included a bag with embossed with Armenia’s coat of arms and Armenian CD’s and DVD’s.
The jury will deliberate and the winners will be invited to the Prelacy for the awards presentation in due time.