On Monday, April 4, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School’s students gathered for two sets of assemblies – one for Middle School and High School (DHS) students, and one for Elementary School (MMS) students – to show their solidarity for the heroes of Artsakh’s army and for the Armenian people.
Mr. Hratch Sepetjian initiated the first meeting with DHS students. Following the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic’s national anthem, Sepetjian updated students on recent military developments along the line of contact and the threat of a reignited, fully-fledged war. Student body president Nora Galoustian shared her reflections on the situation and today’s realities, encouraging the community to mobilize its collective resources to help our brothers and sisters in harm’s way.
Following these remarks, DHS students read aloud statements regarding the conflict from the AGBU Central Board, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) followed by watching news coverage about the recent attacks committed by Azerbaijan’s army. Students Cynthia Bedrosian, Daniel Booth, Melanie Besnilian, and Harout Nazarian read news clips about the conflict to the assembly. We wish to thank all of the students for their attentiveness during the assembly, especially Vahn Voskian for his technical assistance running our production technologies.
Armenian teachers Mrs. Maral Voskian and Mr. Hovhannes Gumruyan also shared their perspectives with the students before closing remarks from Vice-Principal Anahid Nalbandian and Principal Arpi Avanesian.
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The Student Council has already begun developing initiatives today and plans throughout the week to organize various ways to raise awareness, funds, and support for Armenian defense efforts.
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Elementary School students in grades 3-5 gathered for a similar assembly. Vice-Principal Parig Hartounian delivered the opening remarks followed by Mrs. Maral Voskian, both of whom conveyed current events to the students in an age-appropriate manner. They discussed the history of Nagorno-Karabagh and underlined its need for our community’s support in this critical time. They also watched relevant and suitable clips, returning to class with determined and uplifted spirits.
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On Tuesday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m., the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in Burbank invites all Armenians of the greater Los Angeles area for a vigil to pray for and discuss the developments in the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic. We encourage all community members to join us at the church as we come together and mobilize our support.
