Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Tadeh Issakhanian
Staff Writer
It has long been said by many wise men, in many different iterations, that the youth is our future.
This is especially true when talking about a youth organization like the Armenian Students Organization (ASO), which constantly relies on incoming students to participate and take leadership roles.
The organization’s future is looking brighter than ever with the election of two freshmen, Molly Gostanian and Arthur Khatchatrian, into the ASO executive team.
Both Gostanian and Khatchatrian take on positions normally held by upper classmen and graduate students.
Gostanian, a freshman from Golden West High School in the Visalia area, is majoring in Business and serves as the ASO Secretary for the 2016-2017 school year.
She is no stranger to taking leadership roles and helping the Armenian community, both here in the Valley, as well as in Armenia where she recently spent a summer building houses with members of her family and other volunteers. Gostanian’s goal for the club this year is to get more students, especially freshmen, involved with ASO.
When asked to share three things about herself Gostanian answered “I played three sports in high school, I was in my school musical, and I love the show ‘Friends.’”
While at Fresno State Gostanian’s goals are to “further my education and find something that I love doing.”
Arthur Khatchatrian comes to Fresno State from the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) in Fresno, and will continue his technology-based studies as a computer science major.
Khatchatrian serves as the ASO Public Relations Officer, with a goal of increasing the club’s social media presence in order to attract more students.
In addition to being an ASO executive member, he is also on the executive board of the ACYO Seniors at St. Paul Armenian Church.
Khatchatrian is proud to state “I am Gyumretsi and will usually speak in that dialect.” Armenian was his first language and Armenian food his first love.
His favorite foods in the world are “Pasuts Dolma” and “Gata.” Khatchatrian’s goals include promoting the positive side of technology, while being an active Armenian community member and volunteer.
Both students have bright futures ahead and have shown the willingness and commitment to being leaders.
The next four years will afford them the opportunity to grow as students, as individuals, as well as Armenian youth leaders.