On June 10, 2017, Mer Hooys celebrated the wedding of one of its graduates, Armine Arshakyan, who married fellow artist Sooren Vardanyan.

The bride dressed in the graduate apartment of the transitional program at the Nakashian Children’s Support Center.   Program staff and her Mer Hooys sisters from the first and second classes participated in the wedding preparations. In traditional Armenian style, the bride sat while serenaded by musicians and young women in traditional costumes, and the groom's mother, sister and immediate family.  

The groom received toasts from Mer Hooys director Mihran Mirijanyan, his friends and father.  Sooren then escorted Armine from her home of nearly 5 years to waiting cars in which they traveled to Abovyan City, where the groom’s relatives met the couple at the family home. The groom's 90-year-old grandfather danced with joy at the home, and all through the night, celebrating the wedding of his grandson. Mer Hooys program director Noune Geghamyan, pedagogue Yn. Lusine Beynaminyan, mentor Tzovig Gevorgyan, and Mer Hooys board president Hon. Adrienne Krikorian accompanied the bride to her new home.

Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash from St. John Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco, Mer Hooys board member, joined the parish priest of St. Hovhaness Armenian Church in Abovyan City performing the traditional Armenian wedding ceremony.  Judge Krikorian joined Mer Hooys board members Dn. Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian, Dn. Dr. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, guests from Los Angeles Vahram and Polina Biricik, and Chris and Lucy Yaldezian from San Ramon, Mer Hooys graduates and staff as witnesses to the wedding ceremony.

After the ceremony, a festive wedding reception went well into the night at the Old Parvana Restaurant in Abovyan City. The bride celebrated with her Mer Hooys sisters from the first class, her maternal aunt's family, and friends and family of the groom. Near the end of the evening, Armine performed a wedding dance for Sooren that brought tears to everyone's eyes. The couple then cut the cake, shared a glass of champagne with fireworks in the background, and passed out "daros" to their guests.  It was a beautiful day for everyone.

Armine's journey at Mer Hooys achieved the primary goals of the Mer Hooys program - she came to the program as a teenager from an orphanage in fall 2012, shy, without self-confidence or a suitable education. She is now an educated and talented artist with a skill that will earn her a living. She will continue her education attending master classes in art at the local art university, along with her husband Sooren.  Armine has become a beautiful young woman with grace, filled with love, and a bright future. In addition to her family from Mer Hooys, her husband's family is very loving and has welcomed Armine, and her Mer Hooys family with loving hearts - opening a bright future for her.

Shnorhavor Armine and Sooren! You are loved by your Mer Hooys family who are so proud of you!