FRESNO–Fresno Congressman George Radanovich recently visited the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School, where school Principal Rosie Bedrosian took him on a tour of the school facilities and classrooms. The Congressman particularly enjoyed seeing and interacting with the students and teachers. Students of the first grade class quickly demonstrated that they weren’t camera shy as they gathered around posing with the Congressman for a picture.
Congressman Radanovich’s visit coincided with a meeting between the principal and the local Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Sophia Chapter members, Iris Sahatdjian, Margaret Shirin, and Nazik Arisian, President of the Chapter. One of the main purposes of the ARS is to help the only Armenian school in Fresno, the Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School.
To help with the purchase of additional portable classrooms the ARS made a commitment to raise funds for the school. A fundraiser planned will be a concert at the California State University, Fresno to be held on March 8, 2009, by the Armenian band Element. This band is comprised of nine young Armenian members and since its formation three years ago, the Element Band’s greatest aspiration has been to apply new styles and innovation to musical traditions creating their own unique identity.
As the tour progressed through the facility, Mrs. Bedrosian pointed out where a new flag pole was to be constructed. Congressman Radanovich informed Mrs. Bedrosian that he would send her a U.S. flag that would be flown over the U.S. Capitol building. The tour of the school ended as parents started arriving to pick up their children at the end of the school day. A number of parents were treated to meeting and talking with the Congressman.
