GLENDALE—The Armenian National Committee – Glendale Chapter announced this week the expansion of its internship program and welcomed 8 participants, Talar Alexanian, Caroon Al-Rayes, Marie Danielian, Katya Kazarian, Poulineh Manasi, Souren Abraham Odabachian, Arax Sarkisyan, and Anasheh Tahmasian to the 2009 summer session of the program.
“This internship program is an essential program for today’s youth, because it teaches them to be proactive citizens. They will be receiving firsthand experience as to how a grassroots organization functions while learning the inner workings of a city government,” stated ANC-Glendale Internship Coordinator, Nadia Simon. “With the expansion of the program, we hope to give the next generation of civil servants an opportunity to truly make a difference in their community,” added Simon.
Due to a high volume of applicants, ANC Glendale expanded its internship program to allow a larger pool of candidates to gain experience in policy-making and the processes that impact the Glendale community. With the expansion of the program, interns will also benefit from externship opportunities, which include shadowing City Council Members, GUSD board members and various city staff, commissions, and community based organizations.
Poulineh Manasi and Anasheh Tahmasian, currently students at GCC, have been active in their local community by being a part of their local college Armenian Club and volunteering on various campaigns. Tahmasian has volunteered at the Glendale Memorial Hospital and hopes to pursue a degree in cognitive science, while Manasi was a member of the planning committee for the Annual GUSD Genocide Commemorative Ceremony during her tenure at Hoover High School. She hopes to major in business after transferring to USC in the near future
As a senior at Crescenta Valley High school, Talar Alexanian has taken leadership roles in numerous clubs including Key Club, CVTV Broadcasting Club, as well as a news anchor of the Crescenta Valley Media Team, CVTV. With over 500 community service hours to date, Alexanian continues to serve her community as a member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Glendale Roupen Chapter, a Sunday school teacher of the CV Apostolic Church, as well as the vice president of the Crescenta Valley High School Armenian Club.
“Working with ANCG, I hope to interact and strengthen ties with fellow peers and community leaders and take a proactive role in advocating on issues of concern to my community,” Talar Alexanian stated.
Katya Kazarian and Arax Sarkissian, both upcoming seniors at their respective high schools, Sahag Mesrob Armenian School and Clark Magnet High School, remain active in their communities through involvement in their local AYF chapters and Armenian Student Associations.
Marie Danielian, a recent graduate of Providence High School, has taken part in several volunteer activities, including the ANCG-Political Action Committee during the 2009 Glendale municipal elections, Paul Krikorian’s State Assembly race, as well as volunteering at the Verdugo Hills Hospital. After her involvement in Mock Trial and Model U.N clubs, she now hopes to pursue a degree in business and political science.
A graduate of Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, Souren Abraham Odabachian currently serves as a member of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church’s Armenian Christian Youth Association (ACYA). Come fall, Odabachian will attend Cal State University of Northridge, to study business law, in order to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a corporate attorney.
As a senior in Glendale High school, Caroon Al-Rayes serves as commissioner of Glendale High School Associated Student Body and is involved in the Darfur Action Committee, G.A.T.E club, and the Armenian Youth Association of California.
“I wanted to take part in the internship program in order to learn about the issues facing our community and put my passion for change into action,” stated Caroon Al-Rayes. “I look forward to the next ten weeks of the internship program and hope to serve my community with the knowledge I obtain at ANCG,” added Al-Rayes.
Established in Fall 2007, the ANC-Glendale Internship program is a selective part time, leadership training program which introduces young public servants to all aspects of the public affairs arena. ANCG-IP provides an opportunity for student leaders to gain an in-depth understanding of community issues as well as advocacy efforts on the local level. The program hosts spring, summer, and autumn sessions.
ANC-Glendale promotes increased Armenian American civic participation and engagement at the grassroots and public policy levels.
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Photo Caption: ANCG 2009 Summer Interns from left Katya Kazarian, Souren Abraham Odabachian, Talar Alexanian, Marie Danielian, Caroon Al-Rayes, Anasheh Tahmasian, Poulineh Manasi and Arax Sarkisyan.
It is very impressive to witness the involvement of our youth in community based organizations serving as a liason to Armenian issues and humanity as a whole. Our youth is our greatest asset and this program truly deserves plaudits. I am also proud of my niece Talar Alexanian who loves to serve her community from a very young age. Keep up the good work!
Leon J. Makasjian, J.D.