A Christmas Delight by Brooklyn Armenian School

NEW YORK—Thirty-two youngsters topped with Santa hats and dressed in the colors of the Armenian flag displayed their impressive talents before parents, teachers, and an excited group of churchgoers, on Sun., Dec. 21. They held hands, sang in unison, recited with passion, and danced their hearts out around a cheerfully decorated Christmas tree, delighting an after-church crowd at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City.

The school principal, Khoren Onanyan, warmly welcomed the large crowd, and explained that these children, ages 6-13, and their parents, had come to America from Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan. They meet once a week, every Sunday from 12-5 p.m. at the St. Gregory Armenian Mission Parish of Brooklyn, to learn the language and history, church studies, songs, dance, etiquette, and physical training of their ancient Armenian heritage.

Though the school has been in existence for 20 years, many of the youngsters arrived in America in the last few years.

The special surprise of the program came with the entrance of Santa Claus, who was greeted with cheers and yelps of joy. He passed out gifts to the youngsters, took photos with them, and joined in the circle dance with the students, parents, and teachers.

Several of the youngsters shared their excitement of being enrolled in the school. Nare Heboyan, 7, is anxious to learn Armenian so she can speak with his cousins in Armenia. For Ariana Abrahamyan, 8, the Armenian-language and dance classes are her favorites. “I love to dance,” she gushed. And 10-year-old Aram Sahakyan looks forward to the music classes, and has fervent hopes of becoming a singer in the future.

Special guests in attendance included the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, and Jacob Yehiahian, administrative director of the Diocese of the Armenian Church, who is also a member of the school’s Board of Directors.

The hardworking teachers of the school include Marina Sahakyan, Almast Tonoyan, Naira Mkrchyan, Tamara Grigorian, and Hripsime Harutyunyan.

The school’s Board of Directors is headed by Hrant Gulian, with members Khoren Onanyan, Tigran Sahakyan, Jacob Yehiahyan, Christina Davtyan, Marina Bagdasaryan, and Sergei Yesayan.