AGBU Manoogian School Celebrates its 40th Anniversary; Unveils its New High School Building

Dr. Richard Marburger, the president of the Manoogian School Board and president emeritus of Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, brought greetings from his hard-working colleagues on the board. He is married to an Armenian, considers himself an adopted Armenian, and has dedicated much of his time to the Detroit-Armenian community. He mentioned how proud he was about the opportunity for select upperclassmen on the administrator’s list to take an engineering course at Lawrence Tech. The next speaker was Torossian, who lauded the Manoogian family for their commitment to education, academic excellence and the perpetuation of the Armenian heritage. He pointed out the respect that the school commands in the community and the high esteem it enjoys as one of the most successful charter schools in Michigan. He went on to announce with pride that the class of 2010 has already garnered nearly $400,000 in scholarships to study in colleges and universities in Michigan and beyond.

Brenda L. Lawrence, mayor of Southfield, spoke eloquently about her fondness for the Armenian community, which forms a substantial portion of the city’s population and has been active in the development and growth of the economy in the area. She commented on the richness of Armenian culture, which she has witnessed on many occasions at St. John Armenian Church and at the Manoogian School.

Artoun Hamalian, director of education for the AGBU in New York, had visited the school earlier in the week and met with members of the Armenian faculty. Hamalian read a letter of praise and gratitude from Berge Setrakian, president of the AGBU Central Board of Directors, and added his own favorable impressions of the school.James Goenner, executive director of the Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University, talked about the success of the Manoogian School and how it has served as a model for other schools in the state. He presented a crystal plaque as a commemorative gift to the school.

Dyana Kezelian, principal of the Manoogian Pre-K, Elementary and Middle School, was the next speaker. As a long-time second grade teacher, later head teacher, and now principal, Kezelian has been the embodiment of the school for the past 35 years. She has seen two generations of students grow, mature and graduate. She remarked how heartwarming it is to see children of graduates now attending the school. She particularly praised the visionary leadership of the school’s founders, Alex and Marie Manoogian, and the trust and confidence shown by their children, Richard and Louise, who four years ago sponsored an almost complete renovation and face-lifting of the existing school with the addition of a pre-K wing and a new library and who have now endowed the school with a brand new high school building.Edmond Azadian, vice chairman of the School Board, was given a plaque, honoring him for his 40 years of uninterrupted and dedicated service to the school.

In his typically humble way, Richard Manoogian, accompanied by his wife, Jane, thanked all those, past and present, associated with the well-being of the school and reminisced how the students would brighten his father and mother’s day during their frequent visits. He quipped how proud they were when the school was mentioned in the media, even for snow-day announcements.

Rev. Diran Papazian, former pastor of St. John Armenian Church and a fixture at the school for all special events, offered a prayer in closing. This was followed by the official cutting of the ribbon and formal unveiling of the Manoogian High School. Guests were given tours of the school by smiling high school students in uniform attire.Guests enjoyed appetizers prepared by a small but dedicated group of teachers, parents and grandparents. The dinner was catered by Gary Reizian and his crew.