GLENDALE—Student activists from Glendale and Burbank marked the commencement of summer vacation with their acceptance to the ANCA Glendale 2012 Summer Internship Program on June 18.
During the next 12 weeks, Sevag Alexanian, Alique Berberian, Tatevik Manucharyan, Pauline Pechakjian and Gevork Terzyan will complete a number of projects concerning civic engagement, educational policies and programs and will collaborate to organize various community forums. In addition, the interns will participate in weekly lectures and workshops, featuring an array of guest speakers from a wide range of political fields.
“We are pleased to welcome a very diverse group of student leaders as participants for the 2012 Summer Internship Program,” stated Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of ANCA Glendale. “We are confident that the students will gain a valuable experience from this internship as they interact with various public officials while working on projects, ranging from voter registration to putting together a series of educational forums for the Glendale community,” added Asatryan.
A senior at Crescenta Valley High School, Sevag Alexanian is the President of the Armenian Club, the news anchor of his school’s daily television program, the President of the CVTV Broadcasting Club, President of The Falcon Award, a member of Key Club, a member of the Speech and Debate team, and a student in the National Honor Society. He is an active participant in his community as a member of the Armenian Youth Federation Glendale “Roupen” Chapter and basketball team for La Crescenta Homenetmen “Shant” Chapter.
Alique Berberian, a sophomore at Occidental College, is pursuing a major in Diplomacy and World Affairs with a minor in Economics. She is actively involved in the Glendale community as the assistant swim and water polo coach for Glendale High School and a member of the Armenian Youth Federation Glendale “Roupen” Chapter. Her involvement also extends to the nearby Eagle Rock community as she is the President of Occidental College’s Armenian Students Association and swims for the Occidental Tiger’s Varsity swimming and diving team.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work as a summer intern at ANCA Glendale as I am confident that this innovative experience will leave me with a broad and insightful perspective concerning local community issues. At the same time, I will gain first-hand experience in contributing to the organization’s efforts to educate and engage our local community and further improve the lives of Glendalians,” said Berberian.
Tatevik Manucharyan is a recent UC Berkeley graduate and a California Alumni Association Leadership Award Scholar. Having obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in European Law in the fall. During her years in college, she was actively involved in the UC Berkeley Armenian Student Association.
As a member of the ASA Cultural Committee, she helped organize events for the annual UC Berkeley Genocide Awareness Week and assisted in putting together an on-campus Armenian cultural show amongst other events and programs.
Pauline Pechakjian, a senior at Crescenta Valley High School, is the Editor in Chief of the school’s literary and art magazine Journeys – a position which requires countless hours of reviewing, editing, and publishing the artistic work of the student body. Additionally, she serves as the Publicist of the Armenian Club, the President of the Investing in People Club, a member of the Varsity Speech and Debate team, and a student in the National Honor Society. Pechakjian has also been a scholar athlete on Crescenta Valley High School’s Varsity Pep Squad and a volunteer at the Crescenta-Canada YMCA.
“I am eager to learn how to become an effectively contributing member in my community through the ANCA Glendale Summer Internship Program and to work directly with the issues and needs of the local population,” stated Pechakjian. “I am grateful for the opportunity to get involved with a grassroots organization as large and successful as the ANCA in order to help give back to my local community.”
A junior at Burbank High School, Gevork Terzyan balances rigorous academics with a demanding athletic schedule as he plays on the water polo team, volunteers at Wonderland Child Day Care and attends Saturday Armenian School. Come fall, he plans to become an active member of the Burbank High School Armenian Club.
Established in fall 2007, The ANCA Glendale Internship program provides an opportunity for student leaders and activists to gain an in-depth understanding of Armenian-American issues as well as advocacy efforts on the local level. In addition to networking with community leaders, candidates participate in workshops featuring a variety of guest speakers, including public officials, ANCA leadership, and specialists from the community. Interns also partake in joint projects with fellow interns as well as individual sessions ranging from media relations and civic participation to grassroots advocacy.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s Armenian-American community and promotes increased civic participation and awareness at the grassroots and public policy levels.
Good job guys and girls!!! Proud of you all 🙂 We are wishing you a big success in your future endeavors; academic, professional and community life. Don’t forget to fight for our Armenian Cause, Armenian Dat, our cause is a just cause. Best of Luck!!!