WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)—When a student at Watertown High School (WHS) walks by the bulletin board in front of the main office, they may just see a board and not think much about it. When they walk by the wall of flags, they may not understand its significance either.
But if students took just a few moments out of their day to comprehend what is on those walls, they would have a new perspective on the Armenian people.
First, starting with the wall of flags, I’m sure many people are unaware of the amount of countries that have not recognized the Armenian Genocide.
As for the wall of accomplishments—the “Armenian Hall of Fame”—there are many businesses and institutions that students interact with every day and don’t know who has created them. To find out that the people behind those institutions are Armenian (like Star Market, for example) is very interesting.
To this day, many people around the world do not know where Armenia is or who the Armenian people are. In Watertown, students are fortunate enough to know plenty about Armenia because of the large Armenian population here.
By taking the time to look at the Armenian walls in WHS, you can understand how successful Armenians have been in history and continue to be today. I am the only student in Armenian class who is not Armenian, and in my perspective I think the walls are very intriguing and educational.
There are many things that I’m still learning about Armenian culture and language, but the most important thing that I’ve learned is how hardworking and determined the Armenian people are. For those who do not know a lot about Armenia, take some time to look at the walls of WHS and I’m sure you’ll agree…
Mary Kate Griffin
Latest posts by Mary Kate Griffin (see all)
- The Armenian Walls of Watertown High School - May 3, 2018
I went through the schools of Watertown from Elementary to WHS while living on East Boylston St. then later Bellevue Road.
There were many classmates and close friends who I had as Armenians but we never catagorized ourselves as such. Closest friends were Irish, Italian, and Greek. As a second generation Armenian ( Grandparents on both sides came from Armenia) I didn’t speak the language nor go to the Armenian Church. I didn’t even know where in the world it was. In 1992 during a war with Azerbaijan, I got the call from a fax to all Surgeons of Armenian Ancestry to return and help out the growing wave of sick and wounded soldiers who defended the country.
I could not, not go and left in 2 days.
I have been returning twice a year since then, going back 55 times. Bringing multiple other eye surgeons with me, many of whom are not Armenian but who have joined me in our efforts to
make this little country a model of eye care for other countries.
One of them was Dr Sarkis Soukiassian who joined on the first trip and WENT TO WHS!! Small world.
Roger Ohanesian MD
I didn’t speak the language