The AYF “Nanor Krikorian” Memorial Scholarship entered its 10th full year this past April, making the tradition of fostering academic advancement in the community a decade-long one.
Named in honor of AYF member Nanor Krikorian, whose life was tragically cut short due to cancer, the scholarship aims to promote higher education and community involvement among young Armenian Americans.
To date, over 60 scholarships totaling nearly $200,000 in financial assistance have been distributed through the program.
“To know that this scholarship was given to me from my Armenian community was truly an honor,” said 2008 recipient Taron Matevosyan. “It is a great feeling to know that, though there are only a few million of us around the world, our community still cares for the young and supports them in their education and career.”
Winners are selected on the basis of not only academic achievement and financial need, but also on how their majors will benefit the Armenian community in the future and what track-record of community involvement they have had.
“I study in order to one-day serve my Armenian community as a whole and hopefully travel to Armenia and apply what I’ve learned to my homeland,” said Christina Mehranbod, another recipient of the scholarship currently studying Molecular Environmental Biology at UC Berkeley. “To be rewarded for having those dreams is something I am so thankful for.”
Applications are reviewed in the Spring by the AYF’s Educational Central Council and require an accompanying personal statement, as well as two letters of recommendation. Recipients are given 1st through 3rd place awards ranging from $250 to $1000.
The AYF looks forward to continuing to expand the program and the pool of talented young Armenian students aspiring to further their education.
For more information about the “Nanor Krikorian” Memorial Scholarship, contact the AYF Office at (818) 507-1933 or AYF@AYFwest.org.
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian youth organization in the United States, working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of Armenian American youth.
