Gala Benefit Marks Major Anniversary for HMADS

By Lana Kazangian

OAKLAND GARDENS, N.Y.—On Sat., Jan. 28, the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) celebrated its 45th anniversary with champagne and music featuring well-known artists from the local community, as well as the HMADS Student Choir and alumni, at the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs. About 300 attended the sold-out event, including Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, the former Primate of UK Armenians, Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Barbara Peters, Mr. and Mrs. Noubar Mahdessian, and benefactors and representatives of organizations from the New York/New Jersey area. Other guest clergy included Fr. Bedros Kadehjian, interim pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, and Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Douglaston, N.Y.

“Our school’s anniversary is a community milestone,” said Zarminé Boghosian, the longtime principal of HMADS, whose name is practically synonymous with the school. “We are celebrating not only what HMADS has achieved through the years, but also the efforts of the parents, students, alumni, teachers, volunteers, and friends that have participated in its life for the past 45 years.”

The concert featured international prize-pianist Tania Gabrielian, area vocalists Anoosh Barclay, lyric soprano, Vagharshag Ohanyan, baritone, Hasmik Meikhanedjian, mezzo soprano, and contemporary artist Hooshere. A true highlight was the culminating trio performance of “Non Ti scordar di me” by Ernesto de Curtis, sung by Barclay, Ohanyan, and Meikhanedjian. Violinist Diana Vasilyan performed a moving trio of Gomidas’s “Dsirani Dsar” with two HMADS alumni violinists, Zovinar Aghavian and Nicole Mark, and accompanist Janet Marcarian.

At the conclusion of the program, the audience joined the HMADS choir, alumni, and guest performers in singing the “Hayr Mer,” led by Arch. Gizirian, who gave a moving speech congratulating the HMADS Family.

“The concert was beautiful to listen to, but was also meaningful and reflective considering the occasion,” said Mina Hovsepian, a 45th Anniversary Committee member, HMADS Friends Committee member, and past chairperson of the HMADS PTO. Hovsepian’s daughter Talar is a recent alumnus of the school and participated in the concert. “So much hard work by the 45th anniversary committee was involved,” she said. “Months of preparation leading up to the event, but it all paid off.” Literally, too. The gala raised $18,000 in net profit for the school.

“The event was a true success,” said Hovannes Malikyan, an HMADS Board member and Friends Committee chairperson. “It met all of our goals, and was an ideal way to commemorate this important achievement in the school’s history.”

The gala reminded the community that a school like HMADS can’t keep its doors open without the sponsorship and support of the community. “The school needs each and every one of us,” said HMADS Board member Lolita Babikian, “to keep the wheels turning and making HMADS better, stronger, and most importantly, of highest quality in education and discipline. No wonder that this school was ranked number one in Queens private schools based on their state tests.”

The event began and ended with a beautiful candlelight procession of 45 young HMADS alumni and students. The program included both Armenian and Western classical compositions, and was a true joy for all present.

Meikhanedjian, who gave a powerful performance of Verdi’s “Il Troubadore,” has two children in the school, Ani and Levon, and finds time to serve on the PTO of the school, and was a driving force in spearheading the concert. Barclay’s daughter Shushan is a current student, and daughter Zovinar just graduated. Both Meikhanedjian and Barclay sing in the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral Choir every Sunday. Hooshere, a new parent of “Hye Bardez” toddler Araxi, is also an alumnus of the school. Anahid Boghossian and Nevart Z. Dadourian are regular music teachers at the school; Diana Vasilyan is a visiting violin teacher; and Janet Marcarian is a retired HMADS sixth grade teacher who accompanied the artists. Nevart Zeronian, a piano accompanist in the concert, has been the principal organist of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs for the last 18 years.

A lavish reception with champagne, strawberries, and various hors d’oeuvres followed the concert in the HMADS Kalustyan Hall. One of the highlights was the cutting of an original cake donated for the event by New Jersey-based cake makers Keremo Cakes. The bakery’s original culinary creation featured the school’s Ararat mountain logo on a multi-tier cake surrounded by small individual cupcakes with the letters of the Armenian alphabet. The clergy and past and current chairs of the School Board joined in cutting the cake as HMADS Students sang the school’s song and “Happy Birthday.”

If 45 is the new 25, then HMADS is true to form, trying to stay ahead of the times: It has a web presence at www.hmads.org and a Facebook page to reach out to the community and, especially, the alumni and new students.

“The school’s Open House for Nursery and Kindergarten shouldn’t be missed by any local new parents,” says Liza Andreopoulos, HMADS PTO co-chair. “HMADS provides an excellent nursery school program and continues K-6 with a solid private school education.” The Open House for the year 2012-13 is set for Wed., Feb. 29. For more information or to RSVP, call the school office at (718) 225-4826.

HMADS was founded in 1967 as the Hye Bardez Nursery School, and then grew from only a nursery program to a comprehensive nursery through sixth grade elementary school, fully accredited by the New York State Board of Education. Its 265-plus students have graduated empowered with a competitive American education supplemented by the intense study of Armenian language, history, and culture.

Housed in the community center wing of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, HMADS is non-affiliated and is supported by various organizations, as well as individual benefactors. This year marks 45 years of its inception and the 30th graduating class. The HMADS 30th Graduation will be held on Fri., June 15.