This piece is for all those completing their final year in the AYF—from Boston to Miami, Washington, D.C. to Montebello.
It’s for all those who have served its ranks dutifully and enjoyed the very benefit of its tutelage, whether it was the educational front, political arena, athletics, or the social side.
Just when you thought the best years of your life are about to end, guess again. Fact is, they’re just beginning.
Consider this a piece for all those on the threshold of a new world, wondering what the AYF ever did for them. I can tell you in three easy words—give it time!
For some of us, we never really graduated. Oh yes, when our time came, we said goodbye, but never really left. The AYF has grown into an after-life. As an alumnus, I get to start all over again with others like myself inside an adult community, those I held membership with over my years in the Somerville “Nejdeh” Chapter and others along the way.
It was a good group as I recall. Being a late bloomer, I had just celebrated my 19th birthday and was well entrenched in college life when the invitation came. Come join, it said, and meet a whole new cadre of friends.
Now, here I am on the cusp of turning 70 and even to this day, the people I encountered back then—a half century ago—still impact my life.
Out of it came teachers, attorneys, accountants, writers, musicians, and business types. I see them week end and out in one form or another, making a legitimate mark on society with skills they learned in the AYF. That was the case with me and others like me who never took success for granted.
The kid they called Arsen was a pretty decent pianist. He couldn’t put a ball inside the hoop but could he ever tickle those ivories. He wound up becoming the organist at my church at a time when we were in dire need of one, and spent his working time giving lessons and teaching music.
Bob and Sandy were model members and became attracted to one another. He carved his niche in the accounting world while she devoted herself to education. Both are coming up on 45 years of marital bliss and devoted a ton of energy to FACS (Friends of Armenian Culture Society), which brings us Armenian Night at the Pops each June.
Another named Vahe was the chapter icon at the time—a sort of “father” figure who kept the membership in line and knew all about AYF protocol. We wound up at Boston University together and used our AYF skills to rejuvenate the Armenian Club there, before entering our professional careers.
He spent his working life as a Star Market executive and I ventured off into journalism after a long stint as the chapter scribe.
Today, we live a couple miles apart, socialize on occasion, and dote over our children and grandchildren. Somehow, the conversation always reverts back to “the good old days” and where we would be had it not been for the AYF.
People look at me now and say, “Not the same organization that it was years ago.” Well, I beg to differ. Principles never change. Individuals might, but not the breadth and scope of the AYF.
I think that belonging to an Armenian youth organization builds character, introduces us to positive outlets, builds a foundation toward maturity, and obviously increases ethnic awareness.
I cannot imagine what my life would have been without it. Certainly, I would not be writing this piece now or been so passionate about my heritage.
I think back to those halcyon days when less meant more, when an educational meant just as much as a basketball victory, and discipline was maintained. Our only crime at an Olympics was booking a room and keeping the door open to all who needed a place.
My last day in the organization was traumatic. It was like leaving home and venturing out on my own. For someone who joined the junior ranks at 10 and left after an extension, that was 18 years of membership.
My advice to you is keep the AYF flame burning in your hearts. Stay in touch with other alumni from your chapter. Strike up a correspondence with other members you encountered elsewhere. Get together periodically. Rekindle the experience and benefit from it in your jobs and family cycles.
Attend an Olympics or other events where alumni are apt to gather and give something back, whether it’s financially or morally.
In reality, the good old days wouldn’t be so old if more people lived them.
Tom Vartabedian
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Hye Tom, as parents who lived through the AYF years with our children, you said it all so well, for all of us and as well to our AYF current graduates. The connections our children made through the AYF
as well as Camp have been lasting and honest friendships throughout the USA, and more. Manooshag
Bravo Tom, Bravo. I could not have said it better. “Getseh AYF”. We all owe a great deal to our youthful experiences in the youth organization that molded so many of us. We must continue to pass this torch on to the next generation.
I implore all AYF Alumni to get involved. It is up to us to make sure the flame does not go out. Don’t wait to be asked or invited. It is your duty to give back . Our Junior & Senior chapters need our support, guidance and legacy memories. That is what makes this organization so unique.
Thank you Tom for reminding us!!
The AYF afforded us the opportunity to experience and develop skills that have been incredibly
valauble throughout our adult life. As teens and early twenty-somethings,we were organizing dances,
educational forums,seminars and demonstrations. We honed our writing skills in lobbying our politicians and our verbal skills in lectures and educationals. We were given responsibilities that matured our core talents. Today in the business world, working in a “team ” environment with”project
or program management” processes are considered essential building blocks and, in fact are taught at the undergraduate level. The AYF was teaching us these tools as teens ; while connecting us to our heritage. To understand the intensity of those bonds, simply attend an AYF Olympics and meet somone you haven’t seen in a few years. The AYF has done an excellent job in developing leaders for the Armenian community. Diocese, Prelacy, Political, Cultural or Athletics… you will find people who skills and passion for things Armenian were nutured in the AYF. Thanks, Tom for reminding us.
How could I possibly forget that (unger) Tom of 19? He was indeed mycounselor at Camp Haiastan! Inquisitive, intelligent and excited about being a part of the Armenian scene. I’ve had the pleasure of your friendship since and so have my children, nieces and nephews.
Have you ever looked around to see who the leaders in your Armenian Community are? They are made up predominantly of former AYFers. I came through the NY Hyortiks, 45 of the most intelligent, rambuctious, and fiery teens you’ve ever met in your life. They all turned out to be outstanding citizens with very responsible positions as adults. Our meetings took forever because we challenged everything. Heck, if it weren’t for those meetings I’d never be expert in Robert’s Rules of Order — a very handy thing to know in my post AYF days! We were the only organization where you had to study your history, demonstrate your loyalty and discipline, and prove yourself worthy of becoming a member. Trips to affairs out of town and meeting super kids and having an opportunity to return the favor made for lifelong friendships. My dearest friends to this day are those I met through AYF or at Camp. Now, we still go to Olympics, not to compete but to enjoy the organization that we loved so dearly by watching the next two and three generations after us enjoy what we did so vigorously a few decades ago. Our eyes smile when we see familiar faces from years past enjoying AYF but this time with their grandchildren, and who could possibly not get excited when they chance upon the ever present Tom Vartabedian replete with camera and beat up little notebook. Lest he forget even the slightest interesting tid-bit to publish.
Tom–all of us alumni owe so much to the AYF–how to properly run a meeting, how to organize an event, to teach us so many organizational skills that we all have used during our personal and business lives.
And then ,there are our lifetime friendships from our beloved AYF. I had to smile when I read those first names in your article since I knew exactly who they were even though you did not state their last names and even though I was in the Providence chapter. I also know most of those that submitted comments to your great article–all from belonging to the organization–how lucky!!
Finally, I must end with the fact that I met my wife ,Claire, at an AYF dance in Worcester–again, how fortunate.