Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School’s 12th Grade Commencement Ceremony and College Acceptances for the Class of 2013
LOS ANGELES—57 seniors walked through the gates of Pilibos on August 20, 2012 to begin their senior year. Most of them had walked past those same gates many times before as kindergarteners or as 1st graders. This time was different, however, as it marked their last year as a Pilibos Eagle. It was on June 9, 2013 that those same 57 seniors walked out of the Pilibos gates as alumni, to be Pilibos Eagles forever.
On graduation day – the day that the Class of 2013’s accomplishments would be recognized and celebrated – students walked into the Nerses Tashjian Gymanasium as Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” played over the speakers. The excitement was palpable as pride shone upon the faces of parents, friends and relatives and as anticipation and hope for the future radiated from each student.
Throughout the ceremony, students were reminded to think about who they are and who they want to be. They were encouraged to dream big and strive for excellence every day in all they do. But most importantly, they were asked to “Leave a Legacy” – a mantra heard throughout the year. Students were asked to return to Pilibos, like many alumni before them, to contribute to the fabric of education that shaped their destiny. Examples of such commitment were present that day, as they have been every other day: the Mistress of Ceremonies, Elizabeth Antonyan (Class of 1993), the Keynote Speaker, Gary Daghlian (Class of 1997), Principal Dr. Alina Dorian (a former student of Pilibos), and other teachers were all examples of individuals who were once a part of Pilibos and who returned to contribute their talents and experiences. Students were asked to do the same. They were asked to go out into the world, accomplish the amazing things that they are all capable of, and then to return home to Pilibos to inspire, encourage, and lead future students of Pilibos so that they may achieve their own goals and in turn leave their own legacy.
The Class of 2013 is definitely on the right track. 33 students received the Honor Roll Award; 31 students received the California Scholarship Federation Award; 30 students received the Presidential Fitness Award; 7 students were a part of the National Honors Society; and 19 students were recognized for their dedication and accomplishments in athletics.
The Pilibos Class of 2013 gained admission to 19 different institutions, including UC campuses (UCLA, UC Berkley, UCSB, and others); California State campuses (CSUN, CSULA, CSUF, and more); and private Universities such as USC, LMU, Woodbury, Pepperdine, Occidental, and La Verne. Many were accepted into more than one university, allowing them to have a wide range of options in pursuing higher education. The school is proud to say that all 57 students will be attending a college or university and that 72% of its graduating class will be attending a 4-year university in the Fall.
These kinds of accomplishments were hard to overlook. During the commencement ceremony, parents, family, friends, and teachers cheered for the students and their many achievements. At the end of the ceremony, a traditional “Dhol and Zurna” Armenian band played time-honored celebratory music as students, led by the Principal, walked out of the gym and toward their future.
As an educational institution, the ultimate goal of Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School is to prepare its students for their journeys beyond graduation. The school is extremely proud and impressed with its students’ talents, accomplishments, and dreams for the future. The school is confident that its graduates will move forth as proud Pilibos alumni and future leaders of the community.
I was in the first class that began in 1969 and I graduated in 1981…Congratulations to class of 2013! : )
I would like to know if this is Haik Bedrossian, if so please contact me @
Shck@sbcglobal.net.
Thank you!