IRVINE–The fourth and fifth grade students of Ari G. Minassian Armenian School of Orange County proudly participated in two Armenian Genocide commemorative events organized by the Armenian Students Association (ASA) of the University of California, Irvine.
ASA members commemorated the Armenian Genocide during a weeklong commemoration entitled “Out of the Ashes” during the week of April 20, 2009.
On Wednesday, April 22 A. G. Minassian fourth and fifth grade students together with their teacher, Mrs. Turner, and Principal, Dr. Niary Gorjian, departed for UC Irvine campus with the brand new AG Minassian school bus, anticipating a very meaningful afternoon ahead, as they displayed true “Armenianism” and pride, as students of Orange County’s only daily Armenian School. Upon arrival they united with UCI ASA members and participated in a “Silent March and Freeze” event, as they marched on Ring Road with signs and big displays, bringing awareness to the Armenian Genocide.
Between class periods, as all college students walked to their next class, ASA president, Haig Lafian, leading the march, coordinated for everyone participating in the march to “freeze,” at the same time. The event grabbed a lot of attention from college students, professors, and staff who observed this impressive event. Many observers stopped to ask AG Minassian students, neatly dressed in their school uniform with banners in hand, “What is this for?” as they replied “To remember the 1.5 million Armenians Massacred in 1915.”
On Thursday, April 23 an evening program, themed “Rebirth,” the AG Minassian fourth and fifth grade students, joined ASA members for a candle light vigil and performance, outside the administrative building of UC Irvine. The AG Minassian students opened the program as they sang “Mer Hyrenic” followed by the blessing from Reverend Father’s Moushegh Tashjian and Hrant Yeretsian. Following the opening, the program continued with special guest speaker Dr. Levon Marashlian; musical performances; a video preview; and poetry recital by an ASA member, concluding with a group recital from AG Minassian students.
Many AG Minassian parents, ASA members, members of the Orange County Armenian community, and interested UCI college students, attended the evening program to demonstrate support for the Armenian Genocide.
Alumnus of UC Irvine, past UCI ASA board member, and current Principal of AG Minassian, Niary Gorjian, PhD., recaps the far reaching benefits of collaborating with UC Irvine ASA members in stating, “the “march and freeze” event allowed AG Minassian students to a) to have the opportunity to educate other cultures about the Armenian Genocide b) to interact with university aged Armenians, serving as positive role models and c) to see what a university setting looks like, hence providing them with a vision of where “good studying” will take them.”
This was truly and unforgettable event for both the UCI ASA Members, students of the AG Minassian School, Staff and Principal Gorjian and the entire Orange County Armenian Community.
Ari G. Minassian Summer Program
The Ari G. Minassian School has recently released its Summer Program available to all youth of Orange County ages 2 ½ through 4 years and 5 years through 8 years old.
As part of its continued steps toward providing quality Education and Armenian Culture, the staff and education committee have put together a wonderful, fun and educational Summer Program.
There will be a six-week program beginning July 7 through August 13, 2009. The program will offer a three-day program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
There will be weekly themes to include science, transportation, music, animals and sports as well as water play and craft times, incorporated into a fun and educational summer program.
The A G. Minassian Summer Program promises to be educational, creative and fun, which will be a summertime memory for each student and their family. The Program is open to the entire community and the dedicated staff at Ari G. Minassian look forward to seeing your students this summer.
The registration deadline is May 29th, 2009 and for more information about the program you may contact the AGMinassian School Office at 714 839 7831.
