LOS ANGELES — The commencement ceremonies of the elementary, middle and high school portions of the Tekeyan Cultural Association Arshag Dickranian School took place on Saturday, June 26, at the school’s Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall.
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, benefactress Eleanor Dickranian, Satenic Michaelian, Walter and Laurel Karabian and Doctors Petros and Karine Taglian were amongst the guests, who were joined by members of the school board of trustees, faculty and a capacity audience comprising jubilant parents, relatives and friends.
The processional entry of the three graduating classes was followed by the school choir’s rendition of the national anthems of the United States, Armenia and the hymn of the Dickranian School.
Janna Taglyan, Esq. (Class of 2001) acted as the mistress of ceremonies. Her opening remarks were followed by the presentation of diplomas given to the 14 students who had finished the fifth grade, by Education Committee Chairperson Arpi Idolor-Avanesian, the 20 who had finished the eighth grade, by Board Member Diran Depanian, and the 19 graduates of the Class of 2010, handed by Board Chairman George K. Mandossian.
The members of the Class of 2010 were: Cristina Grishikyan, David Haytayan, Sara Jaratanian, David Kazazian, Azatuhi Keshishian, Krystal Kilajian, Elizabeth Megrabyan, Gaspar Melikyan, Levon Mkhsian, Susie Nazlikian, Haik Pambuckchyan, Avedis Sarkisian, Janet Sarkisian, Sarkis Semerdjian, Armen Shishikyan, Ani Taglyan, Annie Tufenkjian, Angela Yerpemian and Emanuela Yesayan.
Valedictorian Emanuela Yesayan, recipient of Eleanor Dickranian’s $1,000 Arshag Dickranian Award and Salutatorian Janet Sarkisian, recipient of the $500 Armenian Educational Foundation Arshag Dickranian Memorial Award, presented their speeches in Armenian and English, reflecting upon their school experiences and memories cumulated since being kindergarten pupils.
