CHELMSFORD, Mass.—One graduate looks to a career in medicine. Another is opting to become a nurse. A third has chosen English literature and biochemistry as possible careers. A fourth yearns to design video careers as his future, while a fifth student looks for a business degree.
Welcome to the Class of 2014 in Merrimack Valley, where five students were each honored with a $1,000 scholarship on Oct. 4 from the Sam Manoian Post #1, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell.
The ceremony took place at Sts. Vartanantz Church with some 240 guests in attendance during a 24th Annual Dinner and Dance. Among the gathering were clergy from the three area churches, along with members of their respective congregations.
Since 1990, more than $140,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 154 worthy candidates of Armenian-American descent in the community.
The students were recognized with the usual fanfare rendered to their presentations—a tradition that has been woven into the fabric of academic life in the valley. The scholarships memorialize Menas G. Boghosian, a one-time pillar of the organization.
This year’s contingent included Daniel Donabedian, Matthew Kochakian, Nairi Hovsepian, Robert Papazian, and Samantha Sarkisian.
“The academic standing and extra-curricular side sticks right out,” said Commander Richard Juknavorian. “They’re continuing their education at quality schools and look to enter wonderful careers. Hopefully, the scholarships we’ve presented will come back to enrich our community in some way. … Anything we can do to enhance their schooling is a mission we’ve taken very seriously. We try to make it very personal. Parents and siblings become part of the celebration.”
Samantha Sarkisian graduated from Westford Academy, where she was a member of the Spanish Club, played volleyball, and secured honor grades. She attends Massachusetts College of Pharmacy as a pre-med student, with a long-range goal of becoming a physical therapist.
Nairi Hovsepian, another Westford Academy grad, played varsity ice hockey when she didn’t involve herself with Project Purple , a cause against drug abuse among students. She, too, was an honor student and still reflects upon her trip to Armenia two summers ago when she volunteered to build homes in depressed areas. Among other personal highlights was winning an essay contest sponsored by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley.
Daniel Donabedian graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory in Brighton where he was Student Council president, participated in theater productions, and played soccer and track, all in addition to his role on the National Honor Society. He majors in English literature and biochemistry at Harvard University and hopes someday to become a science fiction writer.
Robert Papazian took honors classes at Shrewsbury High School and secured a second degree black belt in karate. He’s majoring in game design at Becker College and sees an open market in an already active society.
Matthew Kochakian was also an honors student at Middlesex School in Concord, where he participated in soccer, track, squash, and music. He also ran a voluntary program to help deaf students play baseball and, like Hovsepian, was a first-place essay winner in the Merrimack Valley Genocide Contest. He attends New York University’s Stern School of Business. Accepting on his behalf was his dad Rob.
Five veterans were honored with life memberships: Richard “Muggy” Juknavorian, John Amboian, John Balian, Haig Goodsoodian, and Jacob Ajemian.
For more on the veterans, visit www.armenianamericanveterans.org.
Tom Vartabedian
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