Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
MARINE VARDANYAN – Editor
Hye Sharzhoom celebrates its 35th Anniversary with a look back and interviews with previous editors.
Randy Baloian
Editor: Fall 1985-Spring 1986
How did you become interested in joining the staff of Hye Sharzhoom? Why did you decide to become editor?
I realize that this doesn’t sound very idealized, but the truth is that I became involved in the paper at the urging—or rather through the arm twisting—of my longtime friend Vahe Messerlian. Because of a heavy course load, I really didn’t want to do it at first. Of course, in looking back, I’m glad that my old buddy did twist my arm a bit. Thanks Vahe.
How did your experience with Hye Sharzhoom impact your life?
After graduating from Fresno State, I moved on to UC Davis, where some fellow students and I formed an Armenian Students Association there. More recently, my two daughters have attended the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School. Additionally, I’ve served on the school board and even edited some issues of the CKACS newspaper Arekag. Without a doubt, my interest and participation in the Armenian community are direct results of my previous involvement in the Hye Sharzhoom, ASO, and ASP.
What were some lessons you learned by being on the staff?
As with writing in general, I’ve learned to read my stuff over and over again, then have someone else proof it. It’s important to minimize your mistakes, although in the end you have to accept that you’re going to make them no matter what you do. Nobody bats a thousand
What was your favorite part/best memory from writing for Hye Sharzhoom?
By far, the most memorable times were working with Vahe, Prof. Barlow, and all the other people that contributed to the paper. It was work, too, and yet even when I see our photographer Gary Kazanjian (who is arguably the Hye Sharzhoom’s all-time best photojournalist), he still makes me laugh the way he used to. There is something to be said for working shoulder to shoulder with your friends and comrades. This is what community is all about. This is what moves Hye Tad forward.
In what ways has Hye Sharzhoom changed since your time as editor?
It’s been a longtime since I was the editor—almost 30 years. Yet I really don’t see that many substantial differences in the overall product—it’s still very much a student newspaper. I suppose that with the advances in computer technology, the paper’s graphics have improved in that time.
I’d also imagine that the production of the paper is probably easier now than it was back then. In comparison with today’s computerized programs and templates for newspapers, the way we used to lay out the paper in that grimy Daily Collegian office back in the mid-1980s was akin to setting type for Gutenberg’s press. By present day standards, it was right out of the Middle Ages.
In your opinion, what does it take to be an effective editor?
Effort.
Tamar Karkazian
Editor: Fall 2010-Spring 2013
How did you become interested in joining the staff of Hye Sharzhoom?
When I decided to go to Fresno State, I knew I wanted to be part of the Hye Sharzhoom staff. Growing up, I saw my cousin’s articles, stories and pictures in Hye Sharzhoom and knew that I wanted to do it too.
Why did you decide to become editor?
I really enjoyed writing for the Hye Sharzhoom and when the opportunity came to do more with the newspaper I was glad to!
How did your experience with Hye Sharzhoom impact your life?
The way Hye Sharzhoom impacted my life was by showing me how connected we all are as a culture.
Whenever a new issue of Hye Sharzhoom would come out it would be followed by someone’s positive comments. Realizing how far of a reach it had was amazing.
What was your favorite part/best memory from writing for Hye Sharzhoom?
One of my very favorite memories with Hye Sharzhoom was when a group of the writers and I were folding the papers to send internationally.
I remember about half of the staff had come and we were working as a team to send them out. As we were stuffing the newspapers into envelopes, we started looking at the addresses.
We were amazed at how far our stories traveled, and who our stories were sent to.
I remember our excitement and awe, as a group, as how far our voices traveled through Hye Sharzhoom.