PICO RIVERA—Monday, August 27, marked a festive and happy day for Armenian Mesrobian School students, when the school opened its 48th academic year. The Opening Day ceremony was held under the auspices of Western Prelate Archbishop. Moushegh Mardirossian, of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and attended by the students, parents, faculty and staff, Holy Cross Cathedral pastor father Ashod Kambourian, representatives of Prelacy Executive Council Rima Boghosian, of Board of Regents Chris Keosian, of School Board Berch Papikyan, and of community organizations, as well city officials Pico Rivera Mayor Bob J. Archuleta, Montebello councilman Jack Hadjnian and Montebello police chief Kevin L. McClure.
The program began with flag ceremony, pledge of allegiance and Mesrobian oath conducted by the students, followed by the opening prayer led by reverend father Nareg Pehlivanian.
On behalf of the administration Maral Asik and Lara Kizirian delivered the opening remarks in English and Armenian. They welcomed the students back to school and wished them success for the new school year.
Graduating students Arpi Labejian and Taline Sassounian presented the student body message in Armenian and English. They expressed the joy of returning to school; they praised the ongoing academic improvements at Mesrobian, and promised to learn more and accomplish more this year. Arpy Hamparian and Anoush Garabedian presented the faculty message in Armenian and English. They welcomed the students and stressed the importance of education. They committed that the faculty is prepared to lead the students in their strife for academic excellence and enrichment of our Armenian values and cultural heritage.
School Board chairman Papikyan underlined the importance of education at Mesrobian and extended the board’s continued support to the school. On behalf of the Prelacy Executive Council Boghosian congratulated Mesrobian for its achievements and for the renewal of WASC accreditation, and she wished the best for the coming year.
In his remarks, Mesrobian Principal Seto Boyadjian welcomed the students back and promised them an exciting and challenging year. He highlighted the achievements of last year and congratulated everyone for making the renewal of WASC accreditation possible. He then introduced the faculty and staff members by labeling them as “the team that will define and move our strife for change, for transformation and for excellence” during the upcoming year.
Boyadjian indicated, “This school year will mark Mesrobian’s initial step toward becoming an exemplary school.” He said this goal is attainable. “The key is to believe in ourselves and in our school. As a community we have to realize and instill in ourselves the deep conviction that there is no alternative to Mesrobian School. In terms of quality education, we surpass many of our neighboring schools. In terms of safety and care, no neighboring school can match Mesrobian.”
Reverend father Ashod Kambourian read Prelate Mardirossian’s message to Prelacy schools, wherein he stressed the importance of our schools and wished them a successful year.
The ceremony concluded by the blessing and prayer of the reverend father.
