WHS Students Remember Genocide, Help Rural Armenia

By Siran Tamakian

WATERTOWN, Mass.—Watertown High School (WHS) is the only public school in the United States that offers Armenian as a foreign language. Aside from learning how to read, write, and speak (in four progressive levels, Armenian I, II, III, and IV), and about Armenian culture and history, the students also strive to educate the entire student body and staff about issues important to Armenians. Each year, for example, the Armenian class prepares posters and bulletin boards to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, which remain on display in the main entrance of the school for the entire month of April.

The "Armenian Wall of Fame"
The “Armenian Wall of Fame” (Photo by Nanore Barsoumian)
At the center of the "Armenian Wall of Fame," these words.
At the center of the “Armenian Wall of Fame,” these words. (Photo by Nanore Barsoumian)

This year, WHS students have designed one wall that displays the countries that have acknowledged the genocide, and asks why the U.S. still has not. Other posters call for recognition and justice. Still another display, called the “Armenian Wall of Fame,” honors the contributions of Armenians in the fields of science, education, arts, medicine, and technology. At the center of the display is a statement asking viewers to imagine how many more inventions and contributions Armenians could have made had the genocide not been planned.

The majority of the Armenian-language class students are also members of the high school’s Armenian Club. In February, the club raised enough money to buy medical supplies and pay for doctors to go to two remote villages in Armenia this summer. Last year, the club was successful in supplying medical care to one village. The funds will allow these doctors to examine each and every villager with both physical and mental examinations, to supply medication as needed, to use portable X-ray machines, and to conduct lab tests.

WHS students have designed one wall that displays the countries that have acknowledged the genocide, and asks why the U.S. still has not.
WHS students have designed one wall that displays the countries that have acknowledged the genocide, and asks why the U.S. still has not. (Photo by Nanore Barsoumian)

In March, the Armenian Club participated in the annual diversity week activities held in the cafeteria. Students were able to look at Armenian art, listen to Armenian music, participate in an “Armenia Knowledge” quiz, and sign their names to a poster calling for international recognition of the genocide. The club plans on continuing its fundraising efforts and promoting awareness about Armenian culture and identity.

Siran Tamakian is the school’s Armenian-language teacher and Armenian Club advisor. Seta Sullivan has also played an important role in securing the medical supplies and arranging for the health check-ups of villagers in Armenia.

A poster, signed by dozens of students, urges "all nations" to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
A poster, signed by dozens of students, urges “all nations” to recognize the Armenian Genocide. (Photo by Nanore Barsoumian)

 

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Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

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