At the end of the 2010-2011 academic year, the Dr. Adrineh Karakashian Hall of Hamazkayin was the meeting place for parents, graduating students, friends of the school, school staff and teachers, the directorship, the board of trustees, as well as the Central Committee of Hamazkayin. Four end-of-year celebrations were held there. They were not only events for handing out certificates, but also occasions for displaying the knowledge and the work of students in various spheres of art.
The end-of-year celebrations event of the Norsigian kindergarten took place June 4. The Pre-school and elementary school celebrations took place on Friday June 10, and Wednesday, June 15, 2011, respectively. The students of the first three grades of the school performed a musical entitled, “The fox without a tail,” while the students of grades 4, 5, and 6 performed a theatrical concert entitled, “Birthday,” under the surveillance of Robert Arakelyan, the author and director of the play. Maria Bardizbanian taught all the performances’ songs, while the dances were assorted and arranged by dance teacher Mariejean Adourian. After each event exhibitions of art crafts, drawings and paintings by students accomplished during during the school year were available for viewing. They were composed under the guidance of Elo Melkonian and Krikor Arpajian.
The ceremony for the 12-grade students was held Thursday, July 7, at 7:00 Pm.
The event began with a video film illustrating photos of the graduating students from various school occasions throughout the years.
After hearing the national anthems of Lebanon and Armenia, Sebouh Torigian read a farewell speech on behalf of the students of the 11th grade. He said: “In this school students are divided not only into classrooms, but also into work groups where there is a warm atmosphere and mutual trust. Together, they organize successful events and prepare us for our national and human responsibilities. Thus, in the auditorium, we have groups that develop the extracurricular interests of the students: collective lectures organized outside the groups prepare the responsible human being and the Armenian. Apart from this, there are several other initiatives that bond all the students, such as an annual picnic, cultural day, and environment day, to mention some. All these educational activities create a warm bondage between the students, as well as with the teachers, and it becomes hard to part from this family. True, each graduating student will take his or her own road in life, but I am certain that they will never forget Djemaran which welcomed them, educated them, and cultivated their minds. This is not their last day in Djemaran: this is simply a farewell, just a farewell.”
Following the farewell speech, Palig Aroyian from the graduating class performed a series of Armenian songs. Ani and Garin Arakelian from the graduating class recited “The Prelude” by Zareh Khrakhouni.
On behalf of the graduating class, Nanor Haroutyounyan read a speech. She said: “Today we are living a very different emotion, since it is hard to complete one’s education in Djemaran, and yet stay a member of Djemaran, since even in the coming years we shall be obliged to live and act with the responsibility of a member of Djemaran. Djemaran provided us not only with an education, and not only educated us as individuals and Armenians, but also induced in us the feeling of responsibility. We are responsible for the higher education we are about to commence, our future results, as well as of the tasks we will be undertaking. We are even responsible for our daily conduct, simply because we are members of Djemaran. We are completing the course of the school where the spirits of Levon Shant and Aghpalian, Simon Vratsian and Karnig Guzalian prevail. It is the school that made every effort so that we might have an unbreakable Armenian identity. The future will show how we will be repaying what we have taken from Djemaran. One thing is certain; that Djemaran has armed us with the weapons of the 21st century, for which we remain grateful both to Djemaran with its teachers and staff and to our parents who have sent us to Djemaran by undertaking great sacrifices. We extend our heartfelt word of thankfulness to the principal of Djemaran, our teachers and all staff members. It is with deep emotions that we pass the torch to the 11th grade, well knowing that this torch will stay alight and lead worthy generations.”
Following those farewell words, graduating students Nareh Salorian and Varanta Yakoubian sang “Zartir vortiag” (“Wake up, Son,”) while Lori Aprahamian and Hrag Karakashian accompanied on the guitar. Hrag Karakashian also performed “Zinvori yerk” (“Soldier’s song.”)
Afterwards, Dikran Jinbashian, the executive director of Djemaran, took the stage to announce the student awards. Varant Godalazian was awarded with the Mark Ardaljian Award for having the highest average grade in the graduating class, as well as the Garo Surmelian Award for having the highest average in scientific lessons in the graduating class. Nanor Harutounian from the literary section and Ani Arakelian from the scientific section received the Sossi Memorial Fund Awards for highest average in Armenian studies. Nanor Haroutiounian received the Louis Ohanian Award for the highest average in Arabic language in the 12th grade. The Arshavir Hovsepian Awards for having excellent grades and at the same time carrying out public activities in the school were received by Garin Geokjian from the literary section and Hagop Hajakian. Varanta Yakoubian received the Viken Zakarian Award for the best contribution to the publication of Chahagir Yearly. Ani Arakelian was awarded the prize for participating in the Student Forum of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin and for having the highest grades in Armenian studies in the secondary school. Areni Khachadourian and Narod Seroujian were awarded the Sossi Mavisakalian Award for having the highest grades in Armenian subjects in the Elementary School. Serouj Handian was awarded the Sosseh Sepetjian Award for the best grades in Arabic in the 9th grade. Patil Kevorkian was awarded the Houri Bertizlian Award for best grades in Armenian language and history in the 10th grade. Hrag Karakashian and Arin Kassabian received the Vartkes and Lousin Dzadourian Awards for Best Athletes, while Garo Feslian was awarded the Vicken Aghasarkissian Award for being a model student of Djemaran with his perfect conduct and a servant’s heart.
Following the Awards Ceremony, the director praised the success of Djemaran students on the official exams; 90% success in Brevet, and 95%, in Baccalaureate. Mr. Djinbashian also highly praised the dominating presence of Djemaran students at various competitions and events throughout the past scholastic year, especially the success at LEVAM Sports Games, saying that the Shield of LEVAM has once again returned to Djemaran and that the office of the director has been adorned with several Sports Games and Chess Tournament Cups.
Mr. Jinbashian also described the main improvements and new projects in the school during the past year. He also spoke about the implementation of various projects that target the constant improvement of educational pursuits at the school, such as the Arabic Project and the 10-day teachers’ end-of-year seminar implemented in cooperation with the Department of Education at the University of St. Joseph. The seminar includes theoretical topics and practical activities for teachers. The director also said that all the secondary school classrooms and the hall of written activities were furnished with new technology and “smart” computerized spotlights, granted by “Walid Ben Talal” Benevolent Union.
Referring to the graduating generation, Mr. Jinbashian said that this generation has been a true descendent of Djemaran. He said they have proved their dedication to the mission of Djemaran of being good individuals and good Armenians. He said: “The presence of a youth armed with knowledge, is conscious of its responsibilities, aim at their best in their personal lives and put their intellectual and spiritual capacities to the service of the Armenian nation is very empirical in our reality. With their message, our graduating students promise that time will show to what extent they will return to the Armenian people all that they have received at Djemaran. Let us look forward to that and trust them. And we wish a green path to the new Djemaranians, the graduating generation of 2011, who leave us physically but will stay in our minds and souls.
Following his speech, Mr. Jinbashian invited Vache Papazian, the chairperson of the Central Committee of Hamazkayin to take part in the ceremony of granting the diplomas. The following students received diplomas of graduation:
Literary section: Akdedian Lousin, Annayian Cynthia, Aroyian Palig, Bekerejian Siroun, Shammasian Meghri, Shegian Hera, Garabedian Nathalie, Geokjian Garin, Garabed (Haroutiounian) Nanor, Haroutiounian Narod, Jamgochian Lori, Kabasakalian Arin, Kasbarian Maria Christel, Koyabalian Kohar, Keheyayian Maggie, Krikorian Patil, Nokhoudian Nareh, Norundzayian Nvart, Papazian Sella, Proudian Patil, Sarafian Lilit, Chivian Kohar, Chivian Patil, Toros Alakiaz, Vosgerichian Seza, Yakoubian Varanta, Aljian Alex, Aprahamian Apraham, Shammasian Krikor, Feslian Garo, Hagopian Sarkis, Hergelian Herag, Karaoghlanian Hagop, Kavlakian Mher, Kehyayian Kevork, Kersoyian Manoog, Mgrdichian Njteh, Demirjian Sevag.
Scientific Section: Annayian Gasia, Aprahamian Lori, Arakelian Ani, Arakelian Garin, Boyajian Talar, Gidanian Araz, Gassabian Arin, Kjelian Talar, Kekejian Araz, Mesrobian Patil, Mikayelian Palig, Poladian Angela, Salorian Nareh, Snabian Lori, Bosnoyian Chris, Hajakian Hagop, Hovsepian Christ, Karageozian Christapor, Karakashian Hrag, Kerteshian Berj, Godalazian Varant, Roumoulian Edward, Saghbazarian Razmig, Tabakian Souren.
Following the ceremony, the event was concluded by the recitation of the Djemaran anthem, after which the audience congratulated the newly graduated students and a reception took place.