The 54th Annual ACYO-WD Sports Weekend tournament in Fresno, CA took place this Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28, 2018. The Sports Weekend tournament is one of the four annual events the Central Council hosts for its members. Athletes from across the Western Diocese participate in team sports including junior/senior boys basketball and girls volleyball, co-ed dodgeball, and co-ed soccer. Individual sports included tennis, ping pong, and tavloo. The weekend also hosts several social events and an evening banquet for all to attend.

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The weekend began at Clovis West High School in Clovis, CA with the Opening Ceremony. The “Parade of Parishes” kicked off the ceremony as chapters entered the main gym flying their chapter/parish flags to traditional Armenian music. The flag presentation was done in partnership with the Homenetmen Sassoun Fresno chapter scouts. The U.S. National Anthem was performed by two members of the Homenetmen Fresno Sassoun chapter followed by Mer Hayrenik by St. James Sacramento ACYO member Arackel Isayan. The Armenian Dance Academy of Fresno led by Mrs. Karine Hovhannisyan performed for all in attendance. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian shared a message with the youth and recognized the Central Council for their work in bringing together the youth. The weekend officially kicked off with a prayer led by the Diocesan Primate.

In his remarks addressed to the youth, Archbishop Derderian stated “The ACYO Sports Weekend is a sacred time for you to grow in the Christian love and wisdom. As the youth family of the Western Diocese, you are graced with the divine gifts to become the guardians of our Church. Thus, all of your activities, on local and national levels are steps which would guide you toward God, the Church and the family.

I extend to you all my love and deep appreciation for your commitment. May the Good Lord bless and guide you all. I pray for Father Avedis, your Youth Director for his unwavering love and leadership for the ACYO, for the Central Council chaired by Nataline Jindoyan and for all ACYO members for your unreserved dedication.

You are the Church. Be in the heart of your church and sacrifice your life for this outstanding organization which has been and will continue to be the safeguard for all upcoming generations.”

Saturday began bright and early as athletes continued to compete in their respective sports. The Clovis West High School quad was filled with youth singing, dancing, and of course eating. Our Chapter festival brought St. Vartan Oakland’s Armenian soorj and tea, St. Paul Fresno’s “Khanoot” and St. Gregory the Illuminator Fowler’s Andrew Hagopian playing the oud. At lunch, the smell of the delicious Armenian khorovatz filled the high school as Der Avedis, Der Yeghia, and Der Yegishe from Holy Apostles, St. Gregory the Illuminator, and St. James Sacramento all prepared a BBQ for 500 youth and parents alike. Archbishop Derderian joined Andrew Hagopian singing traditional Armenian songs in the quad.

On Saturday night the youth connected for a night on the ice at Gateway Ice Center. Our evening on ice was enjoyed by all ages!

Our youth joined St. Paul Fresno to attend Holy Badarak with Youth Director and Reverend Fr. Avedis Abovian as celebrant. The sanctuary was filled with youth and parishioners from the Central Valley. In addition to the Divine Liturgy, St. Paul Fresno hosted a delicious coffee hour for all to enjoy. After the tasty lunch at St. Paul Fresno our youth traveled back to Clovis West High School for the championship games.

54 years of tradition brought us to a sold out Awards Ceremony and Banquet at St. Paul Fresno Sunday night. The crowd of members, parents, and supporters from throughout the diocese filled St. Paul’s Haig Berberian Hall for an unforgettable night of nonstop dancing and celebration. The Central Council would like to thank Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Der Avedis Abovian, Der Yessai Bedros, Vahe Sargesyan, Vartush Mesropyan, Deacon Steve Adams, Mrs. Pam Stepanian, Mrs. Marci Cranford, Ms. Shayla Stepanian, Ms. Khori Cranford, Darlene Chardukian Mr. and Mrs. Nazaret and Seta Jindoian, Mr. and Mrs. Dicko and Alexia Shahvekelian, Mr. Yeghia Apkarian, and St. Paul Fresno groundskeepers Arthur and Sarkis for their indispensable support, love and guidance throughout the weekend. We are so fortunate to have had your help!

We hope to see you all at our next event!  Senior Retreat will be Veterans Day weekend, look out for more info and Save the Date, we’re going to the Bay! The Annual General Assembly and Convention “When the Lights Go down in the City” will be January 18-20, 2019 at St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco. You won’t want to miss this premier event!

The Results are in, and the winners are…

2018 Sportsmanship Trophy Winner: St. Peter Van Nuys

Ping Pong

1st Place: Garen Hamamjian-St. Leon Burbank

2nd Place: Yervand Yazlyan- Holy Apostles Crescenta Valley

3rd Place: Mheir Ohanessian- St. Leon Burbank

Tavloo

1st Place: Yervand Yazlyan- Holy Apostles Crescenta Valley

2nd Place: Norayr Der Abrahamian- St. James LA  

3rd Place: Anahid Der Abrahamian- St. James LA 

Tennis

1st Place: Mheir Ohanessian- St. Leon Burbank

2nd Place: Angelina Mkrytchyan -St. John Garabed San Diego   

3rd Place: Idalina Apkarian- St. Vartan Oakland

Soccer

1st Place: St. Leon Burbank

2nd Place: St. John Garabed San Diego

Dodgeball:

1st Place: St. Mary Yettem

2nd Place: St. Vartan Oakland  

3rd Place: St. John Garabed San Diego

Girls Junior. Volleyball:

1st Place: St. Geragos Las Vegas

2nd Place: St. Paul Fresno

3rd Place: St. Leon Burbank

Girls Sr. Volleyball:

1st Place: St. Gregory Fowler  

2nd Place: St. Vartan Oakland  

3rd Place: St. John Garabed San Diego

Boys Jr. Basketball

1st Place: St. Gregory Fowler

2nd Place: St. Paul Fresno

3rd Place: St. Geragos Las Vegas

Boys Sr. Basketball

1st Place: St. Peter Van Nuys

2nd Place: St. Mary Costa Mesa

3rd Place: St. Geragos Las Vegas

Your 2018 Central Council:

Chairman- Nataline Jindoian, Vice Chairman-Mary Yazlyan, Rec. Secretary-Gayane Parsegova, Advisor- Victoria Amran, Publicity Director-Sevan, Treasurer-Alex Sarkisian, Corresponding Secretary: Allen Torchiyan.