GLENDALE – Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School held an unveiling ceremony for it newly renovated school yard and classrooms on Monday, August 16, one day prior to the opening of the new school year.
The school dedicated one of two basketball courts and a math classroom to Chamlian’s late principal Vazken Madenlian who passed away last spring. Madenlian’s wife, Seta, and his two daughters were on hand for the unveiling ceremony.
Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan presided over the unveiling of the newly renovated schoolyard and classroom. The Prelate was accompanied by St. Mary’s Church pastors Archpriest Vazken Atmajian and Archpriest Gomidas Torossian, Executive Council representatives, and parish Board of Trustees members.
The Prelate and entourage were greeted at the school entrance by Chamlian principal, Dr. Talin Kargodorian, School Board members, Seta Madenlian and her daughters, teachers, sponsors, students and parents.
Following the ribbon cutting by the Prelate and Seta Madenlian, Dr. Kargodorian delivered welcoming remarks in which she spoke about the recent renovation projects and Madenlian’s invaluable contributions to the School’s advancement during his years as principal from 1991 to 2014, adding that in consultation with the Madenlian family, the School leadership had decided to memorialize his legacy by dedicating the new schoolyard and classroom in his memory. She then invited the Prelate and Seta Madenlian to unveil the schoolyard and classroom plaques.
The Prelate congratulated the Chamlian School family and affirmed that all Prelacy Schools are an integral, strong, and vital presence in the life of our people.
“Our Prelacy and our Schools know how to appreciate our devoted national servants, and today’s ceremony is an expressive testament to that,” said the Prelate, commending the Board of Regents, the school administration, school board, teachers, parents, students, sponsors, and supporters, adding that this unveiling ceremony is a unique and important reminder that we must honor those who have a great contribution to the community and the nation.
In lieu of flowers donations were to the Chamlian School at the time of Vazken Madenlian’s passing.
On behalf of the School Board, Chairman Artin Ghazarian conveyed words of appreciation and spoke on the ongoing initiatives to meet all the needs of the students.
Chamlian’s new state of the art facilities include two new full size basketball courts, a new tennis and volleyball court, new four squares and hopscotch, track and field running tracks, and a new soccer field.
The Chamlian colors and logo are strategically designed all across the new sporting facilities to lift the Tiger spirit of our students who will be using the yard day in and day out. Surrounding the sporting facilities are newly designed shade covered spaces with picnic tables and terraced seating under a backdrop of cypress trees for students to enjoy breaks and leisure. Along with the renovation of the main school yard this summer, all 32 classrooms on campus were fully renovated.
The new modernized open space classrooms are designed to meet the developing needs of the 21st century student.
The new basketball court at Chamlian Armenian School 
Chamlian now boasts a new tennis court… …and a soccer field
”The Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School Administration and School Board is proud of the upgrades to facilities made this past summer, proud of the support and partnership with donors and community members, all with the goal of serving the Armenian American students of the community with the best resources available,” said Dr. Kargodorian, the Chamlian Principal.
The fundraising efforts for both the school yard and classroom modernization projects began 3 years ago with the 45th anniversary Chamlian Gala event. The donations collected since have all been benchmarked for these two major facility projects. The school yard has a generous anonymous benefactor who contributed to half the cost of the renovation. Donations are still being gathered for the cost of the school yard, including A Night in Tuscany event taking place next Saturday, August 28 at the Hamparian residence. Limited number of tickets are still available for purchase.
Chamlian Armenian School promotes academic excellence, preserves the Armenian heritage and develops students of high integrity in an innovative, safe learning environment.
