ARS Eastern Region Announces Winners of Essay Competition

WATERTOWN, Mass.—More than 120 students from Armenian schools across the eastern United States participated in the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA 's annual essay competition. The event encourages Armenian day and one-day school students to think about matters of importance to the Armenian people and how issues impact their young lives. This year’s essay topic was, "Trace your Armenian heritage back a century and tell us your family story. Where is your family from and what do you know about their lives?” The Essay Contest Judging Committee was comprised of Ungerouhis from the greater Washington region who were appointed by the ARS Eastern USA Board of Regional Directors. The ARS Regional Board liaison was Sevan Kolejian. The judges were Jemma Simonian, ARS “Satenig” Chapter; Lousine Hovannesian, ARS “Satenig” Chapter; Leeza Doukmejian, ARS “Satenig” Chapter; Tsoghig Hekimian, ARS “Satenig” Chapter; Suzi Tatarian, ARS “Satenig” Chapter; Eta Davis Nahapetian, ARS “Satenig” Chapter; Gina Mouradian, ARS “Satenig” Chapter; Sevan Simonian, AYF “Ani” Chapter; and Vana Kelijian-Heras, AYF “Ani” Chapter. The judges were impressed by the quality of writings for both the Armenian- and English-language essays and commended the students’ efforts, and the way they traced back their Armenian heritage and told us their family history. Participating Armenian one-day schools were Mourad Saturday School, Providence, R.I.; St. Stephen’s Saturday School, Watertown, Mass.; Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill.; Nareg Saturday School, N.J.; Zavarian Saturday School, Detroit, Mich.; and Haigazian School, Philadelphia, Pa. Participating Armenian day schools were Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass.; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Radnor, Pa.; and St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. All winners are awarded Amazon gift cards. One-Day Schools, Armenian Language Grades 3 and 4 1st place: Aram Karagouzelian, Nareg Saturday School, Ridgefield, N.J. Grades 5 and 6 1st place: Jianna Degermejian, Haigazian School, Philadelphia, Pa. 1st place: Arkena Mouradian, Nareg Saturday School, Ridgefield, N.J. 2nd place: Haig Emerzian, Nareg Saturday School, Ridgefield, N.J. 3rd place: Gohar Kalfaian, Nareg Saturday School, Ridgefield, N.J. 3rd place: Taline Chalekian, Mourad Saturday School, Providence, R.I. Grades 7 and 8 1st place: Taline Chaprazian, St. Stephen’s Saturday School, Watertown, Mass. 1st place: Nersis Donoyan, Mourad Saturday School, Providence, R.I. 2nd place: Ani Manjikian, St. Stephen’s Saturday School, Watertown, Mass. One-Day Schools, English Language Grades 3 and 4 1st place: Sevana Papazian, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. 1st place: Vana Dakarian, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. 2nd place: Talar Hovsepian, Haigazian School, Philadelphia, Pa. 3rd place: Arman Grigoryan, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. Honorary Mention: Leyla Hovsepian, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. Honorary Mention: Talar Simon, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. Grades 5 and 6 1st place: Ally Devedjian, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. 2nd place: Areni Artinian, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. 3rd place: Anahid Jerikian, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. 3rd place: Simon Sazian, Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill. Honorary Mention: Lauran Sickler, Haigazian School, Philadelphia, Pa. Grades 7 and 8 1st place: Emma Sourenian, St. Stephen’s Saturday School, Watertown, Mass. 2nd place: Armen Vartanian, ARS Zavarian Schools, Detroit, Mich. Everyday Schools, Armenian Language Grades 3 and 4 1st place: Sevana Stepanian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 2nd place: Ella Deirmendjian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. 2nd place: Christopher Besnilian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. 2nd place: Christ Ashjian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 3rd place: Alexander Nalbandian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 3rd place: Alique Stepanian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. Grades 5 and 6 1st place: Narineh Mahserejian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 1st place: Nathan Kefeian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 2nd place: Sona Bardakjian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Radnor, Pa. 2nd place: Rose Tenkjian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 2nd place: Ani Belourian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 3rd place: Nare Minassian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 3rd place: Talar Panossian, St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. Grades 7 and 8 1st place: Vahe Minassian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Radnor, Pa. 1st place: Aline Karakouzian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. 2nd place: Leah Mazmanian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Radnor, Pa. 3rd place: Mher Mardirossian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Radnor, Pa. Everyday Schools, English Language Grades 3 and 4 1st place: Taline Antoine; St. Stephen’s Elementary School, Watertown, Mass. 2nd place: Ava Pioli; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. 3rd place: Gabriella Minasian; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. Grades 5 and 6 1st place: Mardin Minasian; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. 2nd place: Adam Haytayan; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. 3rd place: Peter Koutoujian; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass. Grades 7 and 8 1st place: Lena Bardakjian; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Radnor, Pa. 2nd place: Adriana Minasian; Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, Mass.

ARS Eastern Region Announces Winners of Essay Competition

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