Mesrobian High School Junior Appointed Montebello Youth Commissioner

MONTEBELLO, Calif.—Armenian Mesrobian High School junior Alex Manoukian was sworn in as youth commissioner for the City of Montebello by Mesrobian Alumnus Councilman Jack Hadjinian on Jan. 14. Manoukian becomes the third consecutive Mesrobian High School student to serve in the position.

(L to R) Honorable Jack Hadjinian, Alex Manoukian, proud grandmother Loucine Beshdikian.

“The future for Alex is very bright,” said Councilmember Hadjinian during the oath ceremony, as proud grandmother Loucine Beshdikian held the Bible on which Manoukian gave his oath. Recently reelected to Montebello City Council, Hadjinian served as the first Armenian mayor of the City of Montebello last year.
Also joining Manoukian that evening were his proud parents Meline and Sako Manoukian, Mesrobian Principal David Ghoogasian, and Rev. Khoren Babouchian.
“It is a unique feeling to see a former student [Hadjinian] swearing in a current student to this type of position,” said Ghoogasian, who is himself an alumnus of the school.

(L to R) Principal David Ghoogasian, Honorable Mayor Art Barajas, Commissioner Alex Manoukian, Honorable Jack Hadjinian, Meline and Sako Manoukian (parents), Loucine Beshdikian, and Rev. Khoren Babouchian.

“I’m happy and proud as an Armenian to be represented in City Hall. I definitely want to tie in the Armenian community and cause into my work as I serve all Montebello area youth,” said Manoukian.
“I love politics and I’m happy to have been appointed even though I recently moved here,” said the 16-year-old; he moved to Montebello from Lebanon 3 years ago. In that short time, he has wasted no time putting himself in the service of the tight-knit Armenian community of Montebello and Southern California. In many ways, he represents the organic development of leadership at Mesrobian School.
Wise beyond his years and eager to serve, Manoukian is the vice-president of Mesrobian School’s Associated Student Body Student Council, the co-chairperson of the AYF Montebello “Vahan Cardashian” Junior Chapter at the Montebello Armenian Center, and an altar server at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Cathedral.