GLENDALE – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region, alongside Areni Hamparian and Zabelle Hamparian, members of the Armenian Youth Federation as well as Alexis Tolmajian and Jibid Melkonian from both AYF and ANCA Glendale, participated in a leadership workshop organized by the Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools at Hoover High School Collaboratory in Glendale.
The event, titled “Connecting to Your Community”, aimed to empower Armenian students in public schools by equipping them with leadership skills, advocacy tools, and a deeper understanding of their role in the Armenian Cause.
Throughout the day, the aforementioned representatives engaged with students in interactive discussions on grassroots activism, public speaking, the art of persuasion, legislative engagement, and the importance of Armenian representation in government.
The workshop provided students with an opportunity to explore key advocacy strategies, such as mastering the effective communication techniques, including body language, tone, and rhetorical devices. Discussions also highlighted the significance of Armenian legislative staff in congressional offices, emphasizing how knowledgeable representation can make advocacy efforts more effective.
“The ANCA’s bountiful line-up of internships and programs remind Armenian students that they have a support system – a backbone – ready to them in personal enrichment all while strengthening diaspora-Hairenik connection.” said Areni Hamparian.
“Imparting this to the CASPS students was an honor and total pleasure. A strong homeland is born from its people – and each student in that room has the potential to take an active role in this cardinal mission,” she added.
In addition to advocacy training, the workshop introduced students to the structure of grassroots mobilization, explaining how local political engagement influences local, state, and federal policies.
The discussions included an overview of ANCA’s grassroots approach and its role in securing legislative victories, such as the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Participants also learned about key legislative priorities, including efforts to secure funding for Genocide education in the United States and ongoing initiatives to strengthen Section 907 restrictions from the FREEDOM Support Act on U.S. military assistance to the genocidal Azerbaijan.
“CASPS has been organizing the Leadership Workshop for high-achieving juniors for the past 20+ years. This year, the event was at Hoover High School, and students from Clark Magnet High School, Crescenta Valley High School, Hoover, and Glendale High joined to learn about Leadership and get connected to their community.” said Talin Partikian, Glendale Unified School District Culture and Climate teacher.
“Students learned about the many programs the ANCA offers and how they can get involved. It was a wonderful opportunity for our GUSD students to see the many opportunities they can participate in,” she added.
The event underscored the vital role Armenian students in public schools play in shaping their community’s future. By fostering connections between these students and Armenian advocacy organizations, CASPS and ANCA-WR continue to ensure that every Armenian-American, regardless of their educational background, has the opportunity to engage with and contribute to their community.
ANCA-WR expressed its gratitude to CASPS for organizing this impactful event and remains committed to working with Armenian students to strengthen their voices in civic engagement.
