Olympic Queens: Maro Kachadourian and Shooshan Tutunjian

By Harry Derderian

The first female president of the Providence AYF, Olympic Queen Maro Varadian Kachadourian, had four brothers who all symbolized the spirit of the AYF and were named Olympic Kings: Mal, John, Haig, and Varad.

Queen Maro Varadian Khachadourian
Queen Maro Varadian Khachadourian

If there is any family name that symbolizes the AYF and Olympics, it is this. Collectively, these five children of a genocide survivor were consistent AYF activists who continued support of the organization and community in substantial manner throughout their lives.

They all “made it better than when they found it…”

The AYF Spirit Award is in the name of the Varadian family.

Maro joined the AYF, became truly active, and during World War II organized and implemented the Armenian care package and letter-writing campaign to Armenian soldiers overseas. Dedicated and productive, she also served as an AYF field worker, energizing communities as the young men were at war. Her community has been everything to her.

A founding member of Camp Haiastan, she dominated Olympic sprints and long jump, and in 1943 became the first Olympic high scorer with 15 points.

She is a lifelong ARS and Ladies’ Guild member and in her day-to-day community life has lent spirited encouragement to the youth, following in the footsteps of her late husband and brothers.

Maro’s late husband Jack, from Worcester, was a genuine inspiration in the Worcester AYF and a standout Olympic sprinter for the “Aram” chapter. Ironically, he ran sprints against Mal and Varad. He was named the first Olympic King in 1952 and, like his brother-in-laws in Providence, he “made it better than when he found it” in his native Worcester. As with the Varadians in Providence, the Kachadourian family members were consistent spirited forces in the Worcester community.

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Co-Queen Shooshan Kassabian Tutunjian was not only an Olympic standout but a leader in the Boston “Siamanto” AYF, as well as the larger community.

The Tutunjians
The Tutunjians

She served as an AYF chapter executive member and regional executive member several times. For many years now, she has volunteered at Camp Haiastan. She has been a Junior Olympic organizer and official, active ARS member, and church Ladies’ Guild member.

Shooshan scored 105.5 points during her Olympics career, and is currently 7th on the all-time women’s alumni scoring list. She was probably the most diverse athlete in AYF Olympic history, having placed 1st or 2nd in 12 different events including every individual track and field event (except for the high jump) as well as 1 swimming event. She held records in the shot put, javelin, 200 and 800; her 800 record lasted an astounding 33 years until being broken at the last Boston Olympics by Taleen Shahrigian of Detroit.

In this year of recognition for Shooshan, daughter Lynne concluded Olympic participation and became the all-time women’s top scorer with 153 points, and son Stephen ended his AYF Olympic participation by becoming the number 6 all-time scorer with 130 points.

Maro and Shooshan certainly participated in Olympics, but more so have made a difference in their local communities. By every measure, they have been role models for their children and extended family of youth.

For Maro and Shooshan, recognition well deserved!

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

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