Bandazian Scholarship Fund Announces 2011 Recipients

After her passing in 1997, the heirs of Virginia D. Bandazian—Ardemis B. Jerikian, her daughter, Melanie B. Kerneklian, her daughter, and Bedros C. Bandazian, her son, and their respective spouses, John M. Jerikian, Dr. Murad Kerneklian, and Estelle G. Bandazian—established the Virginia D. Bandazian Scholarship Fund.

Maria Aghguiguian of Silver Spring, Md., Sossy Bouroujian of Richmond, Va., and Talar Kachechian of Brooksville, Md. were each the recipients of $1,000 scholarships. Aghguiguian is attending the University of Maryland School of Business, while Bouroujian is attending the Virginia Commonwealth University studying business administration and management, and Kachechian is attending the University of Maryland majoring in general biology.

Their accomplishments to date have been extraordinary and future personal rewards and contribution to the Armenian community will surely fulfill expectations.

The scholarship awards are restricted to Armenian women whose legal residence is in the Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C. area, and who are active in various Armenian church and community activities. Active participation in the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA), and Homenentmen is desired but activity in similar Armenian organizations is acceptable for qualification, along with academic standards and financial need.

Requests for application forms for scholarship grants for the academic year 2012 may be obtained from either the St. James Armenian Church of Richmond, Va., the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church of Bethesda, Md., or the St. Mary’s Armenian Church of Washington, D.C. Applications may also be obtained from Ardemis B. Jerikian at (703-242-1755, ardemis@aol.com), Melanie B. Kerneklian (804-784-4002, MRSIAN@aol.com, or Bedros C. Bandazian (804-741-8107, bandaz@aol.com).

Applications must be submitted prior to March 31, 2012. Final determination by the Selection Committee of the recipients will be made prior to June 1, 2012.

The examples of Virginia D. Bandazian in her life can be a model for all to follow, thus the Virginia D. Scholarship Fund was established to honor her commitments. She was a true Armenian mother.