Over 40 students from Armenian schools across the eastern United States participated in the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Eastern USA’s annual essay contest.
The ARS Eastern USA sponsors the event for Armenian day and one-day students to encourage them to think about topics of importance to the Armenian people and how issues impact their young lives.
The essay contest is open to all ARS-sponsored Armenian one-day schools and Armenian everyday schools. This year’s participants were asked to write on the following relevant topic: “October 10, 2009 was a historical day for Armenians all over the world. The protocols were signed by the Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers in Zurich. The signing of the protocols created much tension in Armenian communities worldwide. In your own words describe what the protocols were. Should Armenia‘s foreign minister have signed the protocols, and why? Also, tell us whether acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide must be the starting point of any impartial historical commission and what impact the protocols will have on both countries.”
Contest rules permit students to write their essay in English or Armenian. Essays written in Armenian and English are judged separately. Students compete according to their grade and day school or one-day school participation. The students’ names are not disclosed to the judges.
This year’s essay judging committee was comprised of three members who were appointed by the ARS Eastern USA Board of Regional Directors. They are Philadelphia Chapter members Anita Hovsepian, Linda Kakoyan, and Anahid Shirozian. The committee was led by ARS Eastern USA Board member Caroline Chamavonian.
Participating Armenian one-day schools were the Nareg Saturday School, New Jersey; St. Stephen’s Saturday School, Watertown, Mass.; and Taniel Varoujan School, Glenview, Ill.
Winners will be awarded a signed copy of Grigoris Balakian’s Armenian Golgotha. Honorable mention winners are awarded a certificate and an ARS bookmark for their hard work and participation.
The ARS Eastern USA Board of Regional Directors extends its congratulations to all the participants for devoting time and effort to the essay contest, and sends its continuing gratitude to the principals and teachers for their cooperation in this mutually beneficial educational effort.
The results of the essay contest follow.
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Armenian One-Day Schools (Language: Armenian)
Grades 5 and 6
1st place: Aghavni Khderlarian, Nareg Saturday School
2nd place: Anoush Kouyoumdjian, Nareg Saturday School
3rd place: Marina Tekeian, Nareg Saturday School
Honorable Mention: Sevan Assadourian, Nareg Saturday School
Grades 7 and 8
1st place: Aida Barsoumian, St. Stephen’s Saturday School
2nd place: Aram Kouyoumdjian, Nareg Saturday School
3rd place: Nayiri Assadourian, Nareg Saturday School
Armenian One-Day Schools (Language: English)
Grades 4and 5
1st place: Daron Asadryan, Taniel Varoujan School
2nd place: Natalie Hardy, Taniel Varoujan School
3rd place: Aleena Surenian, Taniel Varoujan School
Honorable Mention: Vadig Baghdassarian, Taniel Varoujan School
Grades 6, 7, and 8
1st place: Donna Baghdassarian, Taniel Varoujan School
1st place: Ara Talarian, Taniel Varoujan School
2nd place: Tiffani Alexanian, Taniel Varoujan School
2nd place: Daron Bedian, Taniel Varoujan School
3rd place: Arman Charkhetian, Nareg Saturday School
3rd place: Alec Sourenian, Taniel Varoujan School
Honorable Mention: Natalie Yacoubian, Taniel Varoujan School; Nicoline Kholamian, Taniel Varoujan School; Barkev Chaghlasian, St. Stephen’s Saturday School; Ani Khachadrian, St. Stephen’s Saturday School
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