“The goal of NHS is to bring out qualities of leadership, service, scholarship, and character in our students, and that is what we saw last night,” explained NHS Chapter Adviser Berj Parseghian, who teaches Middle and High School History at Mesrobian.
The new members were inducted by chapter president and Mesrobian Senior, David Khachatryan, who presided over the induction ceremony, along with Mesrobian Principal David Ghoogasian, Mr. Parseghian, and the four student officers of the chapter who each represent criteria qualities NHS promotes: Anush Ghoogasian, Scholarship; Jonathan Cinquegrani, Service; Anya Avedissian, Leadership; and Hrag Harboyan, Character.
“Our chapter is proud to have its first NHS induction ceremony, indicating the continuing emphasis on excellence that we represent for our school and community,” said Khachatryan in his opening remarks.
“In addition to the strong academic records which established the eligibility for membership, our chapter members are leaders in many student organizations, and we serve our school and community through many activities; for example, the community garden we built at the Armenian Center last year with our community partners. We are proud to have started this Chapter, and are looking forward to the community work we will be doing for many years to come,” he added.
Khachatryan then invited each student officer to light a candle and explain the qualities of the office they hold.
Anush Ghoogasian, representing Scholarship, explained that her office denotes a commitment to learning and a willingness to spend hours reading and studying. Through scholarship, she said, one can know the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind.
Jonathan Cinquegrani, representing Service, described service as a willingness to work for the benefit of those in need. He noted that service is work one does without monetary compensation or public recognition, in order to create a better tomorrow.
Anya Avedissian, representing Leadership, said that the real leader strives to train and aid others to reach their common goals of success. She discussed the importance of sacrifice and putting the interests of others over personal interests.
Hrag Harboyan, representing Character, discussed the development of a character of individuality and goodness, cultivated through self-control. He emphasized respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
In his closing remarks, Principal Ghoogasian (Mesrobian Class of 1982) thanked the advisors, faculty, staff, parents, and families for all their efforts in helping to cultivate the inductees. He congratulated the students and all present, and reiterated that these students are part of a long tradition at Mesrobian. He emphasized that they are now on the same path as Mesrobian graduates who have gone on to top institutions of higher learning and have achieved prominence in their respective fields, citing several examples.
The student inductees then took an oath to uphold excellence within Mesrobian and the community, and were officially inducted as National Honor Society members. Each student received an NHS pin and certificate.
The ceremony ended with a special thanks to adviser Mr. Parseghian and the members of the induction ceremony committee, Mesrobian office staff Taleen Savoian and Seta Avetissian, for their hard work in organizing this year’s induction ceremony.
The following is a list of all official NHS chapter inductees:
12th Grade:
Hrag Harboyan, David Khachatryan, Alex Manoukian, Eva Mooradian, Hasmig Veilleux, Michelle Tervandian;
11th Grade:
Victoria Cinquegrani, Anush Ghoogasian, Sevag Roohinian;
10th Grade:
Anya Avedissian, Jonathan Cinquegrani, Lily Grigorian, Ani Khachigian, Izabella Melkonian, Nevart Mooradian;
9th Grade:
Briana Godigian, Marine Hovsepian, Ani Ouzounian.
Armenian Mesrobian School, established in 1965, is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has Ron and Goharik Gabriel Preschool (which serves students 2-5 years old), Elementary, Middle School and a college preparatory High School on the same campus. A major convenience for parents who may have children at multiple ages, Mesrobian offers a unique perspective and opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to grow together, and for students to get the attention and nurturing they need to be successful in school and in life. The High School curriculum is certified to the University of California. Mesrobian’s Alumni Network and Mentorship Program connects students with five decades of alumni who have distinguished themselves in fields as diverse as education, science, business, medicine, music, law, dentistry, chiropractic, politics, art, marketing, engineering, veterinary medicine, and psychology.
If you are interested in scheduling a campus visit or enrolling your child, please contact the school at (562) 699-2057 or (323) 723-3181, or email info@mesrobian.org.
