Detroit Committee Announces 6th Annual State-Wide Genocide Essay Competition

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.—As part of the Michigan Armenian-American’s community efforts to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015, the Armenian Genocide Committee of Greater Detroit this week announced its 6^th Annual Armenian Genocide Essay competition and call for entries. The competition, which is funded by the Hagopian Family Foundation and sponsored by the Knights of Vartan, Nareg Sharshavan Chapter, recognizes and awards Michigan high school students who have written a successful essay on the Armenian Genocide, often called “the forgotten genocide.”

This is the 6^th year that this state-wide competition has been offered to students, with the hope that it will stimulate a comparative study of the many aspects surrounding the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey with other genocides in the 20^th century.

Suggested themes for the essay competition include events that precipitated the Armenian Genocide and other genocides; actions and/or responses taken by individuals and governments in response to the Armenian Genocide and other genocides; and whether the U.S. government should formally recognize the Armenian Genocide. To view the complete guidelines, visit www.annualessaycompetition.com.

The Armenian Genocide Committee of Greater Detroit is made up of members of the Detroit metro Armenian community, including educators and business leaders. Its members are Edward Bedikian, Ray Boujoulian, Corinne Khederian, Paul Kulhanjian, Richard Norsigian, David Terzibashian, and Madeline Thomasian. The committee carries on the ideals of its founder, the late Edgar Hagopian, who felt that “this project was a critical and vital key to perpetuating the history of the Armenian people in the minds of students, as well as having them learn that a comprehensive study of the Armenian Genocide will aid and educate legislators and leaders to avert future tragedies.”

Instructors may submit their student’s essay entries to the Armenian Genocide Committee at 850 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009, on or before the deadline of April 10, 2015. All entries will be judged by a committee consisting of members of the metro Detroit Armenian community; winners will be formally announced on April 15, 2015. The awards will be presented at a 2015 Armenian Genocide Commemoration at the end of April.

The first-place award is $500; second is $250; third is $100. The teachers of those students who submitted a winning essay will also be given a $100 appreciation award.

For more information, you may contact the Armenian Genocide Committee by calling David Terzibashian at (248) 549-4946 or emailing Hagopian@aol.com.