Armenian Students Organization Holds Meeting to Start Semester

Ruzan Orkusyan
Staff Writer

With the dawn of a new academic year and the election of new executive officers, the Armenian Students Organization promises an exciting semester for its members. The Fall semester kicked off with the first ASO general meeting on September 7, 2012, and since then, ASO has volunteered at several functions and held various educational and social events.

Volunteering within the Armenian community is a favorite activity for many ASO members. On September 8, 2012 the ASO volunteered at the “Return to the Fabulous 50’s” fund-raising event for the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School held at the California Armenian Home. Members volunteered at varying game stations, entertaining the kids all afternoon.

“Interacting with the children and seeing a smile on their face when they won a prize was a rewarding experience,” said Vartush Mesropyan.

ASO represented Armenia on September 28 by selling Armenian delicacies at the “Passport to Fresno” event of Fresno Sister Cities, held at Woodward Park. Etchmiadzin, Armenia is a sister city with Fresno. The event’s goal was to expose attendees to the rich cultural diversity of Fresno, with each of the sister cities’ organizations preparing and serving food from their culture.

ASO also organized two campus activities: the first to celebrate the 21st anniversary of “Armenian Independence” on September 21, and the second a “Gurgen Margaryan Awareness Day” on September 26. On both days, ASO members came together to raise awareness about Armenian culture and history on the Fresno State campus, by distributing posters and fliers to students. On the “Gurgen Margaryan Awareness Day” a laptop was available where interested students could send a letter to President Obama urging him to condemn the injustices of the Azerbaijani government in freeing Ramil Safarov from life imprisonment.

Finally, the ASO organized several social events. On Saturday, September 22, members enjoyed the premiere of the new movie “My Uncle Rafael.” Many enjoyed the movie, finding it comical, and at the same time educational and heart-warming.

On September 29, ASO held its annual Game Day. ASO President Marine Vardanyan remarked that it was a successful event that helped “break the ice between the new members and to get everyone to know each other better.” The executives planned a wide array of games including charades, balloon toss, mafia, an ASO version of jeopardy, and a variety of other games. The best part, commented Vardanyan, was that the Game Day “allowed us to learn a lot about our members, even those who have been part of ASO for a long time.”

The semester is just getting started however, and the executives have a variety of events planned. ASO will be holding a car wash on Saturday, October 13, organizing a bowling night, a movie night for Halloween, and much more.

One of the biggest upcoming events will be International Culture Night at 7:00PM on November 17 at the Fresno State Satellite Student Union. The event aims to promote cultural diversity and awareness at Fresno State by presenting dances, songs, music, and fashion of the different cultural and ethnic groups.

This year ASO member Ani Grigoryan, along with a team of eleven students will be planning, coordinating, and organizing the entire event. ASO successfully participated last year and they hope to mesmerize the audience again this year with the unique sounds and sights of Armenia.