NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.—Three different Apostolic churches throughout Merrimack Valley had much to celebrate with their youth this month. Different winners from each community shared $600 in prize money, along with certificates. Winning essays were published inside a program booklet distributed to more than 200 guests attending a 98th annual commemoration event on April 28 at North Andover High School.
Fourteen entries were received in all as a cadre of present and retired educators served as judges. The impressive showing was well received by members of the committee chaired by Sossy Jeknavorian, who was impressed with this year’s writing talent.
“They really stepped up with some remarkable papers that gave their impressions of the genocide,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for them to express their feelings about their heritage and take responsibility as they pass into adulthood. The future appears in very good hands.”
The contest was divided into two age levels, Grades 7-9 and 10-12. Capturing first prize in the younger division was Sarah Tavitian, 14, of the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, Haverhill, who approached the question, “If given an opportunity to interview a genocide survivor, what would you ask?”
In part, she answered, “I would first ask how that individual survived and how they found the courage, dignity, and strength to go on after losing family members. I would tell this survivor they are very special in that they walked in the valley of death, only to emerge as a shining star and inspirational example to present and future generations.”
Second and third place in this division went to Armen Hovsepian and Anna Shahtanian, both of St. Gregory Church, North Andover.
First place in the older category was won by Taleen Kalajian, 18, of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, who addressed the question, “How is the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide relevant to your generation?”
She answered, in part, “As the number of survivors decrease, their living testimony and our personal confrontation of the genocide reality also diminishes. Therefore, my generation must pass on the vivid stories and journeys of each family. My generation is the critical link that must not let the cry from our martyrs’ soul for justice and recognition go unheard. If we fail, so will coming generations.”
Second place in the older division went to Matthew Kochakian, a repeat honoree, St. Gregory Church of North Andover, followed by Irena Manukian, third, Sts. Vartanantz Church.
The afternoon’s observance included a concert featuring noted soloists Yeghishe Manucharyan, Victoria Avetisyan, and Knarik Nerkararyan, accompanied by pianist Levon Hovsepian; an update on the Lowell Genocide Memorial at City Hall by Armen and Ara Jeknavorian; a proclamation reading from the Town of North Andover by Albert S. Movsesian; and a memorial service featuring a combined choir from area churches led by Paul Ketchoyian, accompanied by Arsen Russian.
Co-celebrants were Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablian, and Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalian.
The area’s lone genocide survivor, Nellie Nazarian, attended the commemoration, having celebrated her 101st birthday last December.
Mistress of ceremonies Sossy Jeknavorian noted that $71,000 in net proceeds has been turned over to charities in Armenia over the past two decades. More than 100 donors contributed to this year’s fund.
Tom Vartabedian
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