Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Randy Baloian
Eight months have passed since the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School moved into its new campus at 108 N. Villa Avenue in Clovis, but Principal Rosie Bedrosian says she still can’t believe her eyes every time she pulls into the parking lot and looks at what will be the school’s home for many years.
This September, in keeping with the school’s tradition, its youngest students—Salpi Kerkezian and Lily Baloian—rang the first bell to begin the Armenian Community School’s 32nd year.
It was only two years ago that the school faced an uncertain future. Its landlord at the time, the Saint Therese Catholic Church, had plans to make major renovations to the former parochial school facility and had given noticed that it did not intend to renew the lease.
Shortly after Hye Sharzhoom ran a story on the school in March 2007, Bedrosian received an unexpected call from philanthropist Charlie Keyan, who, two years before, had contributed $100,000 to the school to establish a scholarship fund for needy students. After exchanging greetings, Bedrosian informed the Coachella farmer of the school’s situation, and Keyan was more than ready to help.
The former Fresno native donated $685,000 to purchase the 2.5 acre lot, which the school’s board of directors had previously identified as the best available site for relocation. Unfortunately, shortly after the school acquired the property, the 82 year-old Keyan died without seeing the great impact of his generosity. In November 2007, the school’s General Assembly unanimously voted to rename the school to honor Keyan’s unprecedented donation.
While Keyan had single handedly turned around the fortunes of the school, the board still had a long way to go to convert the formerClovis Buddhist Church property into an educational facility. The parcel lacked adequate infrastructure, and other than a 2,200 square foot social hall/office, it was devoid of buildings.
In stepped Board Chairman Jerry Kutumian, proprietor of Kutumian Construction. With help from fellow board members Ara Karkazian, Vahe Nishanian, and Ralph Katchadurian, Kutumian obtained the city permits, improved the existing structure, put in new water and electrical systems, installed portable classrooms, and essentially transformed the largely undeveloped property into a school campus in just nine short months. Facing one of the worst building slumps in memory, theFresno homebuilder and general contractor provided the materials and his services at cost or, in some cases, free of charge to the school.
“There are many reasons to support the Armenian Community School, but for me, it’s reason enough to see how excited my two daughters get about going to class,” says Kutumian. “The other board members and I are always reminiscing about when we were young and how it was such a chore to go to a public school. We shake our heads and smile because our kids can’t wait to get to school.”
The new facility has expanded the school’s scope of activities. This past summer, the school held a four-week summer session, and with the updated kitchen and social hall, school nutritionist Zaruhi Karadanyan can now serve pilaf, mac & cheese, lahmajoon, and her other daily fares cafeteria-style from the kitchen window. Best of all, perhaps, is that the grass planted in late summer has grown, and for the first time in nearly eight years, the students at the Armenian Community School now have a large green playground area.
Of course, the staple of the school has been what happens in the classroom. For over thirty years, the school has provided its students with a quality education with an emphasis on Armenian language, culture, and history. In April, sixth grader Christine Idjian won first prize and fourth grader Nareg Apkarian placed second, in their respective divisions in the 24th Annual Saroyan Writing Contest.
Because of the poor economy as well as the costs of construction, which drained much of its cash reserves, the school is once again in a vulnerable state. While donations and fund raising events, like the upcoming Crab Feed, are necessary to keep the school operating, one board member hopes the community will not lose sight of the school’s purpose.
“Just like our name says, we are an institution that exists to provide a service to the community. A student who graduates from the Armenian Community School receives not only an exceptional education but is much more inclined to become involved in other community institutions such as the Armenian Studies Program and Armenian Students Organization, as well as church, social, and political organizations.”
For more information about the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, please contact the office at 559-323-1955 or visit its new website at ckacs.org.