The Wednesday before the AYF Olympics
We are leaving for the AYF Olympics tomorrow.
We are headed for New Jersey, and I am taking a break from packing to write the first of my daily articles for the Armenian Weekly. This is my 12th year covering the AYF Olympics for the paper.
In the first few years, I wrote only for the Special Issue, which, in those days, was an insert to the print edition of the physical newspaper. About two or three years into this wonderful labor of love, I started writing daily articles from the Olympics, reporting—in almost real time—what happened each day. I was up ‘til the wee hours of the morning, sorting and editing photos and then writing the article. I would email it in, and the editors would tidy up the spelling and grammar before publishing.
Since the Weekly transitioned to an online-format only, the daily articles still get posted online; however, the AYF Olympic Special issue has become a full-color magazine, which, I must say, is very well presented, thanks to the editorial team. We are doing the same this year. Please consider becoming a sponsor of the Special Issue magazine and supporting the Armenian Weekly by subscribing to the online version.
This year, the AYF Olympics is as late into September as it can possibly be, with Labor Day falling on September 7. All week, the historical posts on my social media have been bringing back memories of past Olympics through old posts and photos. I am including a few of those photos with this article. Seeing them only adds to the excitement of going to the Olympics!
Getting ready for the festivities is always exciting. It was that way when I was in AYF, and it is still the case now. The anticipation of seeing old friends and making new ones is part of what makes the Olympics so special. With each passing year, I take pure joy in seeing how the AYF is thriving. It is wonderful to see our young adults compete hard in the many sporting events and then come together to celebrate all things AYF, with pure joy, at the Grand Ball on Sunday evening.
The AYF Olympics is a cherished heritage that has been nurtured and cultivated over generations. It is always wonderful to get the Adbook and see the photos of growing AYF families, while also noting, with heavy hearts, those who have departed. There is something very special about seeing all those generations represented in its pages.
And then, there are the questions that will soon be answered. We wonder who will be crowned King and Queen this year? Who will receive the Varadian Spirit Award? Who will be the high scorers and who will be the shining new stars? Who will win the Olympics? And, just as importantly, which chapter will garner the softball bragging rights? All of this lies before us and adds to the anticipation.
I’d better get back to packing. I sure hope I don’t forget anything important.
