Armenian Students Organization Holds Many Activities in Semester

Ruzan Orkusyan
Staff Writer

What better way to celebrate the end of an exciting aFall semester then with great food, lively music, excellent company, and a chance to dance into the night!

On Friday, December 21, 2012, ASO members and the Armenian community rejoiced and welcomed the holiday season with music, dance, and laughter at the ASO Christmas Party.

“It was one of my favorite ASO events and a nice way to end the semester,” stated Denise Altounian, a political science major. To add to the excitement, Santa Claus made an appearance, joining the dancers and showing them a move or two of his own. “It was a great time. I’m glad that ASO could host such an awesome event,” recalled Andrew Esguerra, a business major.

Another way ASO members got into the holiday spirit was by joining hundreds of Fresno families as they walked down Christmas Tree Lane on December 11. The group later attended Kay Kringle’s first Christmas Tree Ranch Kef Night—a special night dedicated to the Armenian community. To spread the joy of Christmas, members volunteered at the California Armenian Home, caroling and sharing their joy with the residents a few days before Christmas.  “Christmas caroling was a good way for us to support our Armenian community and to show appreciation for our elders,” explained Michael Rettig.

ASO members continued celebrating the holiday spirit on Armenian Christmas, January 6, when they got together at Hagop Ohanessian’s house for a potluck, played games, and enjoyed more dancing.

To keep busy during winter break, ASO organized several social events for their members, such as ice skating at the new outdoor rink in Downtown Fresno, and showed their Bulldog pride by attending a Fresno State men’s basketball game. When asked about the importance of the various events, ASO President Ohanessian remarked that the events “create a dynamic atmosphere for the students and allow the executives and members to participate in leadership by organizing different events.” Indeed, many of the events allow the members to interact and socialize with one another to preserve their culture, as well as share it with the Fresno State student body.

ASO kicked off what promises to be an eventful and exhilarating Spring semester with one of its favorite activities, “Bowling!” However, it was no ordinary bowling event, but also a “surprise going away party for one member, and a surprise birthday party for another.”

“We were all energetic and positive feelings were flowing through the air. We bowled without worrying if we were good or not…this wasn’t just a bowling night but a bowling party and everyone was involved and had fun,” commented ASO Vice President Marine Vardanyan.

The event was the final one Ani Grigoryan, who graduated in the fall; she returned to Russia and is waiting to hear back from graduate schools. “Ani was surprised because she wasn’t expecting anything,” explains Lilit Grigoryan, her younger sister. “She was sad and happy at the same time, and really glad she had been a part of ASO.”

Members also enjoyed an outstanding Armenian song and dance workshop in early February, led by the beloved Hasmik Harutyunyan, a member of the world renowned Shoghaken Folk Ensemble. They learned various dances including Kochari, Tamzara, and many more. Taking breaks between dances, they learned numerous folk songs ranging from lullabies to Komitas to “Hey Jan Ghapama”!

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the songs and dances, but what made the workshop even more unique and distinctive were the stories and history lessons that accompanied each song and dance, and depicted the traditions and customs of Armenians around the world.

In the coming weeks, ASO is busy getting ready for their annual Genocide Commemoration activities that will take place in April. They would like to not only raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide, but also celebrate the survival of the Armenian people.