Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Randy Baloian
Special to Hye Sharzhoom
The 33rd Annual Banquet of the Keyan Armenian Community School brought together more than 250 community members for a night of music, song, and dance. The event took place on Saturday, November 6, at the St. Paul Armenian Church Berberian Hall and was made possible through the sponsorships of numerous individuals, organizations, and businesses, including The Shops and River Park, the CHMG Medical Group, Victor Packing, and the Pilibos Foundation.
Emcee Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Director of Armenian Studies at Fresno State, welcomed the guests and introduced the CKACS Band, which accompanied the audience’s singing of the Armenian National Anthem, Mer Hairenik. Student Body President Sosse Baloian and Vice President Hakop Martirosian led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Fr. Arshen Aivazian, Pastor of the St. Paul Church, gave the invocation.
Following dinner, CKACS Board Chairman Ara Karkazian spoke about the school’s place in the larger community. “Here in America, our school is a necessary tool to keep our unique language, history, cultural, and nationality alive. After all, aside from Sundays, where else can you go on a daily basis in Fresno and find 200 Armenians working and coexisting together? Where else can you find Armenian children learning and playing together day in and day out? This happens every day at the Armenian Community School.”
The entertainment portion of the program included three dances—Ani, Maran Mtank, and Puy Puy—by the Hamazkayin Dance Group. For the past 2 years, Group Director Lusine Haroutiounian has taught traditional Armenian dance to CKACS students through an after-school class supported by the Hamazkayin Cultural Society.
In his address to the audience, Professor Der Mugrdechian remarked on the school’s long-term value to the community.
“As the saying goes, a tree is known by the fruit that it produces. And the fruit of more than 30 years of labor and sacrifice are the outstanding graduates of the Armenian school. As the Director of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many of the school’s graduates, who constantly demonstrate their love of Armenian culture and education… They have taken leadership roles, both in the university’s Armenian Students Organization and in community activities after graduating from Fresno State.”
The CKACS Band played three selections—Eem Chinari Yaru, Kna Kna, and Sona Yar. Since 2006, orchestral music has been part of the basic curriculum at CKACS, and the band has made great strides under the direction of Danny Mendoza.
Principal Sophie Mekhitarian reported on new developments happening at the school and recognized the past and present support of the Sahatdjian and Hovannisian clans as well as the Garabedian and Lincy Foundations and the Armenian Relief Society. Mekhitarian also invited to the stage Nazik Messerlian and Vazken Sarkisian to acknowledge the $20,000 donation from the estate of their cousin Krikor Kotcholosian. Penny Mirigian and her daughter Mary Ekmalian received special thanks for their $25,000 contribution that will go to fund the school’s new library.
To conclude the evening, the audience sang along with the CKACS Band in its rendition of Giligia.
The banquet was organized by CKACS Board member Serpouhie Messerlian and her committee. Other event sponsors and contributors included the Fresno State Armenian Students Organization, the Hamazkayin Cultural Society, the ARF Tehlirian Gomideh, the Fresno State Hye Oozh Radio Hour, Armenian Radio Hour, Buchanan Armenian Club, and the CKACS Parent Teacher Club and Women’s League.