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The Archbishop Hovnan Derderian Scholarship Fund of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church leaves “no child behind in education” and leaves no donor unappreciated for their support of the Fund, now it its sixth year of operation. An appreciation dinner for donors and supporters alike was held at the beautiful Chevy Chase Country Club, in Glendale on April 8, 2018 with a record number of donors present. The evening began with an open air champagne reception at 5p.m. where guests were greeted by committee members and the Primate, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian before they proceeded indoors for dinner and the program. Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbp. Hovnan Derderian, the night once again celebrated the triumph of the Scholarship Fund’s mission with the crowd of enthusiastic guests who recognized the necessity of scholarship and financial aid to assist Armenian schools in retaining student enrollment.
The appreciation dinner proceeded with Eileen Keusseyan, Esq., Vice chairlady of the Scholarship Committee who welcomed guests with genuine fondness and humor making sure that everyone felt comfortable. She introduced Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazian pastor of St. Leon Church for the invocation and the blessing of tables. Mrs. Alice Chakrian, Chairlady of the Scholarship Committee spoke with a power point presentation of the growth of the fund, the distribution of the fund and the investment of the fund in Armenian students and in endowment. She also thanked each and every one for their unrelenting financial and moral support.
“Every year the funds have grown,” said Mrs. Chakrian. “With the generous support of those who believe in the value of an education in our Armenian schools, we have multiplied our financial assistance and scholarships. Over the past six years, we have given over $200,000 in aid and scholarship to Armenian students,” continued Mrs. Chakrian proudly.
A video presentation was screened with testimonials from principals and students alike who have benefitted from the scholarship and financial aid. It showed the scope of the Scholarship fund and its positive effect on the future generation of Armenians being raised and schooled in an Armenian environment. “It is a pleasure to announce that once again the funds that will distributed to the various schools within the program,” said Mrs. Chakrian. Currently, the Armenian schools that benefit from the fund include St. Gregory Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School, The Armenian Sisters Academy of LA, C & E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School, and The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America Saturday Schools.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian thanked each and every donor for their faith in the Armenian schools and for their benevolence through their donations. He also thanked all principals and teachers who devote their time to maintain an environment that develops the Armenian spirit among the future generations of youth. He thanked the leadership of the Committee and welcomed the expansion of the Board with its new members. “The work you do is unparalleled. The outcome is a blessing that enriches the community and ensures the Armenian survival remain contingent on the education of our children. They are the leaders of a bright tomorrow,” said Abp. Derderian.
Under the auspices of the Primate Abp. Hovnan Derderian, members of the Scholarship Fund Committee are: Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazian, Chairlady, Alice Chakrian; Vice Chairlady, Eileen Keusseyan, Esq.; Treasurer, Silvana Vartanian; Secretary, Angela Parseghian; Recording Secretary, Maggie Sumian; Media relations, Peggy Kankababian; Funds’ Manager, Armine Bedrossian; Diocesan Advisor, Diran Avagyan; Senior Advisor, Roy Boulghourjian; Advisors, Ann Anahid Andreassian, Angie Garibyan, Vicki Grigorian, Silva Katchiguian, and Silva Sepetjian, with Dr. Elie Andreassian and Hagop Hagopian serving the Leadership Counsel.
The Hovnan Derderian Scholarship Fund was established on the conviction that each and every Armenian student is entitled to an Armenian education within an Armenian school. The Fund is dedicated to helping Armenian students in financial need who are enrolled in an Armenian school through a scholarship and financial assistance program. The Fund’s mission is to assist deserving students within the Los Angeles community to achieve their educational goals with an objective of bettering the community at large and “investing” in future leaders who are committed to serving both their church and their people. Besides tuition assistance, the Fund sponsors Senior Graduation awards, presented to the graduating seniors selected by the school’s administration for exemplary Christian behavior and presented at their respective commencement ceremonies.
The evening continued with camaraderie and good spirits entertained by the music of Ara Darbinian and his trio from the Elements Band.
