A race lasts seconds or minutes. A jump is over almost as soon as it begins. Yet the moments surrounding them — the encouragement before a start, a familiar face waiting at the finish, a friend celebrating someone else’s medal — can stay with a Junior much longer.
From Sept. 18 to 20, 106 AYF-YOARF Juniors gathered for the 2026 Junior Athletic Games, hosted by the Middlesex County West “Musa Ler” Chapter. They came from chapters across the region to compete in track, field and swimming. They also came to spend a weekend among friends, make new ones and feel part of a community that was there to cheer them on.
AYF Camp Haiastan was home for the weekend and the setting for Saturday night’s dance. Swimming events took place at Milford High School in Milford, Massachusetts, while Juniors competed in track and field at Lasell Field in Whitinsville. Across both venues, athletes took part in a total of 15 events: six running distances, baseball throw, long jump, shot put and 25- and 50-yard freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke.
“I had such a great time at JAG! Competing was really fun, and I loved how everyone cheered each other on and showed good sportsmanship. It was also great to meet new people and catch up with my friends from different states,” said Isabel Vartanian from the Washington, D.C., “Sevan” Chapter.
For many Juniors, the most reassuring sight at an event was someone they knew looking back at them. Parents, relatives and friends came to watch the Juniors compete, filling the sidelines with people who cared about more than the final standings. Their presence gave each athlete someone to look for before a race and someone to find afterward — whether the result was a first-place finish or the satisfaction of trying something difficult.
AYF-YOARF Seniors from chapters across the region helped throughout the games, too. They gave their time to support the events and the Juniors taking part in them. Having older AYF-YOARF members there mattered. To a Junior, a Senior’s attention can say, “We see the effort you’re making. We’re glad you’re here.” That encouragement helped make the competition feel welcoming, especially for those stepping into an event for the first time.
“My first time attending the Junior AYF Olympics (JAG) was one of the best and most memorable events I have attended through the AYF. I was welcomed by not only my chapter but many new faces and new friends. The day was very organized, and seeing the Seniors cheer us on was great. It is the only place when I hear, ‘Go Ani’ I don’t know if they are cheering for me or someone else. Everyone was very friendly and I got to meet multiple people and make new friends,” said Ani Derderian of the Providence “Varantian” Chapter.
The results gave every chapter reason to celebrate. On the track, New Jersey’s Ari Kalayjian earned first-place finishes in the 400-meter, 800-meter and 1,600-meter races. Greater Boston’s Nora Yenikomshian placed first in the 200-meter, 400-meter and 800-meter races, while Leila Yenikomshian earned first-place finishes in the 400-meter and 1,600-meter races. Providence’s Ani Derderian placed first in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races.
In the field events, Providence’s Melissa Burke earned first-place finishes in baseball throw and long jump. First-place long jump finishers also included Philadelphia’s Vrej Hovagimian, North Andover’s Andrew Movsessian and Worcester’s Taline Kopoyan, each competing in their respective division.
The pool brought another set of accomplishments. Philadelphia’s Yeran Baronian earned first-place finishes in all three 25-yard strokes: freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. New Jersey’s Kirk Vosbikian and North Andover’s Samantha Janian each earned first-place finishes in all three 50-yard strokes.
“I’m so proud of my chapter. Even though we were second (as always), we had so much fun!” said Yeran Baronian of the Philadelphia “Papken Suni” Chapter.
Medals mark extraordinary efforts, but they do not tell the whole story of a Junior Athletic Games weekend. There were Juniors who challenged themselves to enter an unfamiliar event, who returned to compete again after a hard result and who made sure a friend heard their name being cheered. There were families proud to watch their children participate and Seniors ready to show younger members what it looks like to support one another. The Games gave all of those moments a place to happen.
The weekend also welcomed three newly sworn-in Juniors: Tessa Ross and Zara Ross of the Worcester “Aram” Chapter, and Sona Aronson of New Jersey “Arsen” Chapter. Their swearing-in marked the beginning of their own AYF-YOARF journeys. Around them was a community of Juniors to grow alongside and Seniors who had come back to help create the same kind of experience for a younger generation.
“I had so much fun at JAG! I can’t wait to see my friends again and make new ones!” said Sona Aronson of the New Jersey “Arsen” Chapter.
Saturday night brought everyone back to Camp Haiastan for the big dance! After a day of racing, swimming and cheering each other on, the Juniors traded their competition shoes for dancing shoes. A Michigan Hop got the crowd moving, and friends from each chapter filled the dance floor, laughing and making memories together.
“JAG is about so much more than competition — it’s about showing our Juniors that their Seniors are here to support them, cheer them on and help them grow. We want every Junior to leave this weekend feeling proud to be part of the AYF, inspired by the friendships they’ve made, and knowing that they have an entire community behind them. One day, they’ll be the Seniors on the sidelines doing the same for the next generation,” said Richard Minassian, AYF-YOARF Central Executive member.
The AYF-YOARF thanks the Middlesex County West “Musa Ler” Chapter for hosting the 2026 Junior Athletic Games, as well as the Seniors, volunteers, coaches, families and friends who showed up for the Juniors. Congratulations to every athlete who competed and the three newly sworn-in members who began their AYF-YOARF journey this weekend!
High Scorers
Older Boys: Ari Kalayjian, New Jersey “Arsen”
Older Boys: Kirk Vosbikian, New Jersey “Arsen”
Older Girls: Samantha Janian, North Andover “Sassoun”
Younger Girls: Nora Yenikomshian, Greater Boston “Nejdeh”
Younger Girls: Yeran Baronian, Philadelphia “Papken Suni”
Younger Boys: Tomas Vosbikian, New Jersey “Arsen”
Final standings
| Chapter | Total points |
| New Jersey “Arsen” | 139 |
| Philadelphia “Papken Suni” | 64 |
| Providence “Varantian” | 57 |
| Greater Boston “Nejdeh” | 37 |
| North Andover “Sassoun” | 27 |
| Worcester “Aram” | 25 |
| New York “Hyortik” | 10 |
| Washington, D.C. “Sevan” | 8 |
