Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Anahid Valencia
Staff Writer
The Armenian Students Organization (ASO) held its first meeting of the fall semester on Wednesday, September 3. Elections for ASO officers took place and the following were elected: Grigor Terpogosyan (president), Anahid Valencia (vice president), Jordan Mazmanian (treasurer), Emily Sahakian (secretary) and Lara Habib (public relations).
Grigor Terpogosyan
President
When Terpogosyan transferred to Fresno State, he immediately wanted to get involved in an organization. He said that his cousin pushed him to join ASO and run for an executive position.
His main goal is to bring the Armenian community together. He recalled an event that he attended last semester that he perceived as “cliquey.”
“I just want the Armenian community to be more tight-knit,” Terpogosyan said. So far, being in ASO has helped him network with both professors and community members. “I’ve been able to reach out to other people, such as alumni, and the students as well,” he said.
In his spare time, Terpogosyan goes to the gym and spends time with his family.
Anahid Valencia
Vice President
Valencia has been involved with Hye Sharzhoom since her first semester at Fresno State, which encouraged her to officially join ASO and run for an executive position.
“I try to be as involved in the Armenian community as I can,” she said.
As Vice President, she aims to bring the Armenian youth together and make each individual feel welcome in ASO.
“Sometimes groups like this can be intimidating, so it’s really important that we have an inviting presence here,” Valencia said.
Since joining, ASO has provided Valencia with the opportunity to surround herself with like-minded people and grow in her Armenian culture.
“It’s so great to be able to talk about Armenian things and have people actually know what I’m talking about,” she said.
Outside of ASO, Valencia is the news editor at The Collegian and is currently interning for The Fresno Bee.
Jordan Mazmanian
Treasurer
Mazmanian joined ASO to become closer to Fresno State Armenians. As treasurer, she hopes to spread the word about Armenian issues and events to those who might not otherwise know.
“[I hope to] get more people involved and involve the Armenian community, especially freshmen and transfer students,” Mazmanian said.
Like Terpogosyan, Mazmanian said that ASO has provided her with the opportunity to meet new people. She said that, now, it is part of her responsibility to give others this same gift.
“I’m excited to meet new people because, we are, in a way, higher up and we should be the individuals who are leading everyone,” she said.
Outside of ASO, Mazmanian is involved with the Smittcamp Family Honors College and the business club on campus.
Emily Sahakian
Secretary
Sahakian joined ASO to make more friendships and meet more Armenians.
“I feel like it’s hard to meet Armenians in Fresno State,” she said.
Sahakian, like Mazmanian, said she wants to shine light on Armenian issues and include newer Fresno State students in the Armenian community. She said she wants to help freshmen feel like they have a family in ASO.
While being in ASO, Sahakian said she has learned more about what it is to be Armenian.
“I’ve learned so much more about our culture and our history through these lectures and classes,” she said.
In her spare time, Sahakian can be found skiing up at China Peak.
Lara Habib
Public Relations
Habib followed in her mom’s footsteps, who is a former ASO member, when it came to joining the organization. “She was telling me about it and she encouraged me to join,” Habib said.
As the public relations officer, Habib wants to reach as many people as possible regarding the Armenian Students Organization.
“I really hope we can try and do a lot of things for the Armenian cause and teach non-Armenians what it’s like with the Armenian culture,” she said.
In ASO so far, Habib said she has connected with the Armenian community, both inside and out-side the academic world. “So many other Armenians have come together to be part of this organization,” she said.
Outside of ASO, Habib is reaching big at Fresno State. One day, she hopes to become a Supreme Court judge and study abroad in Paris.