ASO Active in Community & Campus

Tatevik Hovhannisyan
Staff Writer

The Spring 2015 semester has begun with many educational and fun activities coordinated by the Armenian Students Organization Executive Committee. This semester is particularly extraordinary because the members are also actively participating in the community activities planned for the Centennial Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

On January 24, the ASO members attended the Sayat Nova Choir concert, organized by Hamazkayin of Fresno. The forty-four performers, who came from Los Angeles, sang selections from traditional folk music at the Fresno Armenian Presbyterian Church.

“I enjoyed the performance very much. I am always excited whenever there is an opportunity to connect with my culture. I am glad that I am a member of ASO, and I am fortunate that the officers genuinely take the interest in serving their members by informing them about events such as this,” commented Fresno State junior Aramayis Orkusyan.

Along with cultural events, ASO members demonstrated their Bulldog Pride on February 4, by attending the Fresno State vs. San Jose State Men’s Basketball game, with the Bulldogs taking home the win. Members enjoyed the game, which also included a half-time show by “Mutts in Motion” and fun music.

An event that has now become tradition for the ASO is the Spring semester bowling night, which took place on Saturday, February 14. Members came out to show their love for bowling while munching on pizza and enjoying the fun new features that have been installed in the bowling alley. Regardless of whether students made a strike or rolled the bowling ball straight into the gutter, the night was a refreshing time to relax from the already overwhelming semester and to enjoy one another’s company. It was a great opportunity to welcome new ASO members and to break the ice, helping new members to get to know each other.

On February 28, ASO members and friends gathered at St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church to learn how to bake simit (Armenian sesame cookies). The event was an opportunity to introduce members to Armenian baking, and also created treats for the Armenian Studies Program Banquet on March 1, where the 40th Anniversary of ASO was celebrated.

As the ASO continues to plan their semester events, including an upcoming trip to the beach during Spring Break, they are also dedicating time towards planning activities for the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The ASO Genocide Commemoration Committee has promoted its theme of “A Century of Rebirth” through a new Armenian Genocide t-shirt, which has an Armenian Genocide Centennial logo created by Fresno State student Christopher Orozco on the front, and the image of Mother Armenia with Ararat, Etchmiadzin, and Tsitsernakaberd on the back.

The Committee is working on preparing other commemorative events and performances for the week of April 24.