Like Mother, Like Daughter

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.—In September 1978, the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School of Southfield sponsored its first Homecoming. The festivities commenced with the election of the Homecoming Court and concluded with a soccer game and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen. From a court of eight high school students, Dawn Arslanian was crowned Homecoming Queen by soccer captain and Homecoming King Raffi Sarafian during the half-time ceremonies.

Arslanian is a graduate of the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School, the Barbizon School of Design, and the University of Michigan. She is also a graduate of the St. Sarkis Sunday School. Arslanian is the proud working mother of Adi and Soseh, and is the office manager of her family’s business. She participates in many activities in the Armenian community through St. Sarkis and the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). She also contributes to the Bloomfield Hills School District assuming leadership roles at all levels.

In October 2009, 31 years later, lo and behold, Arslanian’s oldest daughter, Adi, was elected Homecoming Queen at Andover High School of Bloomfield Hills. She was also crowned from a court of high school students during the half-time ceremonies of the football game. Adi is an active student, participating in cheerleading, basketball, track, student leadership, and various clubs and organizations. She has also completed an internship with a nationwide publications company. Adi will graduate in June 2010 and further her education in college. She is a graduate of the St. Sarkis Sunday School and maintains an active role in the Detroit “Kopernik Tandourjian” AYF Chapter as a fourth-generation member.