By Lana Kazangian
OAKLAND GARDENS, N.Y.—On Fri., Dec. 23, 2011, ‘twas two nights before Christmas’ and all was stirring at Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS). All 80 HMADS students—from the three-year-olds in nursery to the graduating seniors of the 6th-grade class—put on an unforgettable show, wowing parents, grandparents, friends, alumni, guests, and VIPs alike with song, dance, recitation, and comedy—all in two languages.
Starting the year, HMADS Principal Zarminé Boghosian knew it would be like no other: This year, the school is celebrating its 45th anniversary, and its 30th graduating class. “I am so proud of our students,” said Boghosian. “They exemplify what HMADS has accomplished through its 45 year history—providing the children of the community with a competitive New York state education and an unsurpassable attention to Armenian literacy.”
The program began with the opening prayer delivered by Fr. Bedros Kadehjian, the interim pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs. Rev. Archpriest Fr. Vertanes Kalayjian of Washington, D.C., the brother of Principal Boghosian, spoke briefly at the program’s conclusion, giving Christmas blessings to the school and all present. Also in attendance were St. Vartan Cathedral Choir Maestro Khoren Meikanedjian, HMADS Board members, volunteers, and members of the media.
The Christmas program was full of non-stop top-of-the-line entertainment. Students from the class of 2012 were the MCs for the evening. The nursery class’s nativity scene was as ethereal and spiritual as it was down-right adorable. Ballet buffs would surely agree that the American Ballet Theatre is no comparison to the kindergarten’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “Pas de Trois.” The students recited and sang in both English and Armenian old favorites like “Gaghant Baban Aha Yegav” and “Gaghant Baban Oosh e Munaster,” as well as new presentations like the avant-garde (not to mention quite comedic) “Couch Potato Santa” by the 5th and 6th graders.
The one-and-a-half-hour show was nostalgic, yet light and funny, full of Christmas cheer and the true joy of the season. The HMADS children shined on stage—in costume and their fancy attire–for their parents and all of the show’s guests alike.
The success of this very entertaining and celebratory evening was due to the combined efforts of HMADS faculty, including choirmaster Anahid Boghossian, pianist Nevart Z. Dadourian, Armenian language department teachers Houri Ghougassian, Anie Manuelian, and Socy Nigdelian, all the teachers of the individual grades N-6, and the strong leadership of the school’s principal.
Of course, no Christmas is complete without a visit from Gaghant Baba himself! A group of very generous, young representatives of the community came together to help Santa deliver personalized gifts for each child of the school. Mr. and Mrs. Dikran Cherchian, along with young representatives Jaque Minoyan, Roupen Aslanian, Tony Tahmisyan, and HMADS alumnus Allen Nisanyan, joined forces to make Christmas happen like no other year before. On their own initiative, these generous young men pooled funds, hand-selected gifts with the help of HMADS 4th grade teacher Talar Aydin, and wrapped and delivered them on the night of the Hantes to the HMADS children. They gave us all a reminder that the true spirit of Christmas is about giving-and, in this instance, giving back to their alma mater and to the education of the young.
HMADS was also the recipient of another generous Christmas gift from the proceeds of a traditional Annual Thanksgiving Eve Party that is sponsored by five young organizations in the community.
At the end of the program, the HMADS Parent Teacher Organization presented a Christmas donation to the school in the amount of $5,000 as a result of a year-long fundraising effort, parent volunteerism, and contributions. “We are very proud to be a support to HMADS,” said PTO co-chair Liza Andreopoulos, “because it gives so much to our children, and has given so much for the past 45 years.”
The school looks forward to its 45th anniversary celebration this year, commemorated with a gala concert in the Church of the Holy Martyrs on Sat., Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m., featuring the HMADS choir and a number of renowned artists from the Greater Metropolitan area. Tickets are almost sold out at a symbolic price of $45. A champagne cocktail reception will follow the concert in the Kalustyan Hall.
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