WATERTOWN, Mass.—St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The gala will honor Houry Boyamian, who presided over the school as principal for 35 years until her retirement over a year ago. Boyamian led the school from its early days with a handful of students to a well-established educational institution.
SSAES alumni have gone on to a myriad of top colleges, including MIT, Tufts, Dartmouth and Northeastern. SSAES is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England. In addition to a challenging bilingual education, students are exposed to a variety of cultural and social events, culminating with the fifth-grade class trip to Armenia. The trip previously included a visit to Artsakh.
“My 35 years at the helm of SSAES were the most fulfilling and rewarding of my life. Serving the school was not a job — it was a mission. It is with great satisfaction that I have watched our students develop their sense of identity, grow, advance and succeed at SSAES and beyond. Their involvement, active participation and leadership role in the Armenian community, both in the U.S. and Armenia, has been a great source of pride for me. SSAES is a magical place. My wish is to see our community and the community-at-large cherish and protect this beacon of light and hope for many years to come,” Boyamian said.
The program will feature Dr. Mary A. Papazian, executive vice president of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, as keynote speaker. Papazian has been a noted leader of public universities, including serving as former president of San Jose State University, as well as Southern Connecticut State University. In addition, she was the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Lehman College. She is a scholar of renaissance and early modern literature.
Guest performer will be powerhouse vocalist Angelina Nazarian, who appeared on the NBC vocal competition program The Voice in 2023 and is currently a student at the Berklee School of Music.
Mistress of ceremonies will be Kristina Ayanian, an SSAES alumna and a member of the Forbes 30 under 30 Class of ’24. Ayanian is the host of Nasdaq’s “Live from MarketSite,” a weekly listings and capital markets series where she interviews CEOs and business leaders to discuss company successes, business trends and the latest innovations.
The celebration’s organizing committee is chaired by Nicole Babikian Hajjar, the parent of three SSAES alumni and a longtime supporter of the school. “I am honored to spearhead this event, as it celebrates the school’s mission and honors retiring Principal Boyamian at the same time,” Hajjar said. “SSAES is the only Armenian elementary school left in New England, and Digin Houry has dedicated the past 35 years of her life to establishing and growing it. I truly hope the community will join us in celebration and support on November 16.”
SSAES Principal Dr. Garine Palandjian, in an interview with the Armenian Mirror-Spectator this summer, expressed her feelings about SSAES: “The school has a lot to celebrate, and having a moment like the gala gives us the opportunity to just look back and celebrate. The primary thing is to honor Mrs. Houry Boyamian’s retirement, and then considering the 40th anniversary is coming at the same time, it’s a moment to celebrate the school. Kids come to school excited every day and go home eager to tell their families what they have learned that day. And there is nothing more rewarding than hearing that from our parents.”
The gala on November 16 at the Cambridge Hyatt Regency will start with a cocktail reception at 6.30 p.m., followed by dinner and program at 7.30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $250 ($150 for alumni and students) available at https://ssaes.square.site/product/tickets/2?cs=true&cst=custom.
The RSVP deadline is October 28, and various sponsorship opportunities are available, including for businesses. To donate, visit https://ssaes.kindful.com/.
Checks may be made payable to SSAES (please note “40th Anniversary” on the memo line) and mailed to 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown, MA 02472.
To advertise, send a business link and high-resolution logo to 40@ssaes.org.
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