Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Katherine Arslanian
Staff Writer
The Armenian Student Organization (ASO) at Fresno State closed out a busy and eventful Fall 2025 semester, hosting a series of gatherings that highlighted student involvement, cultural exchange, and community presence on campus. From seasonal celebrations to multi-organization collaborations, ASO’s fall semester was busy but meaningful.
The semester began with ASO’s annual Halloween Party on October 23, hosted by the Mazmanian Family. The gathering offered students a chance to unwind during the mid-semester rush while enjoying seasonal activities. Members spent the evening pumpkin painting, decorating cookies, participating in karaoke, and socializing. The event’s atmosphere created an easy opportunity for students both long-time members and newcomers, to meet, talk, and engage with one another outside of academic settings.
On November 6, ASO hosted an Ampersand Ice Cream social that later shifted into a group outing to Nuovo for pizza. Students first met at Ampersand where members shared ice cream and caught up. The group then headed to Nuovo, where they had some amazing pizza. The night served its purpose, offering members an opportunity to interact and have a fun night.
Mid-November brought one of the semester’s most meaningful events, Fresno State Culture Day, held on November 13, in the Resnick Student Union, Room 207. Organized by Students for Palestinian Liberation (SPL), the event brought together several cultural student organizations, including SPL, MEChA de Fresno State, Neum NASA (Native American Students Association), the Hmong Student Association, and ASO. The goal of the event was to encourage cultural awareness and exchange through traditional clothing, food, and conversation. Students were invited to showcase their heritage, learn about the histories of other communities, and recognize the similarities that connect them.
ASO’s executive board reflected positively on the event, noting the value of participating alongside other cultural groups on campus. Vice President Anahid Valencia shared that the event pointed out unexpected overlaps across different communities, stating, “Holding cultural nights, especially where multiple cultures come together, is so important for Fresno State. It was really awesome to see everyone in their traditional clothing and trying the unique food! A lot of it reminded me of Armenian culture, we’re all more alike than we think!”
ASO President Grigor Terpogosyan expanded on that perspective, emphasizing the sense of shared history present throughout the event. He stated that it was meaningful to see different communities connect through common experiences, “Many of us carry histories marked by displacement, genocide, or discrimination, yet we still show up with pride and warmth. People welcomed us without hesitation, and that openness created genuine connections.
Experiences like this show how much we can learn from each other, and they make me hope for even more collaborative cultural events in the future.”
“Everyone was so kind and welcomed us with open arms, and I think it would be great to have more collaborative events in the future,” said ASO Secretary Emily Sahakian.
Following Culture Day, ASO held its annual “Friendsgiving” on Thursday, November 20, at the Khatchikian household, bringing members together for dinner and time to relax before the Thanksgiving break.
This year also marked the debut of ASO’s new crewnecks, which feature an embroidered Armenian flag on the sleeve, a design element that had not appeared in previous years. The sweaters are now available for purchase at upcoming ASO and Armenian Studies Program events. Students gathered for dinner, games, and conversation, taking part in activities like karaoke, foam axe throwing, and spending time around the fireplaces.
Another major highlight of the semester came with the campus visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. ASO executives were invited to attend a luncheon with His Holiness and accompanied him during his visit to the Armenian Genocide Monument at Fresno State.
Treasurer Jordan Mazmanian described the experience as deeply meaningful, stating, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the Catholicos first hand. When Prof. Der Mugrdechian asked the other board members and I to come to see him, I was so honored and I knew that I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.”
With a few additional events still in the planning stages for December, ASO concludes the fall semester with strong engagement and continued commitment to student involvement.
With a mix of social, cultural, and community-oriented events, ASO has expanded its campus presence and strengthened connections among its members and the broader Fresno State community.
Keep your eye out for upcoming information about it! You can follow ASO activities on Instagram @fresnostateaso.