By Kristen Reed
OAKLAND GARDENS, N.Y. — On Friday, June 19, Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) of Queens held its 33rd commencement exercises. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, as well as members of the board, education committee, benefactors, volunteers, teachers, friends and family attended the program.
Not only was it a meaningful evening for the sixth-grade graduating class, Michelle Ashbahian, Emma Galstian, and Haig Piramzadian, and their families and loved ones, their teachers Claire Asadorian, Houri Ghougassian and teachers throughout the years, Principal Zarminé Boghosian, but also for fourth grade teacher Kristen Reed.
The presentation by the class of 2015, along with the fifth graders, consisted of a potpourri of Armenian and English recitations and songs dedicated to the remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the April 24th, 1915 genocide and recently canonized 1.5 million saints. The English poems recited were: “The Road Not Take”n by Robert Frost, “The Victor” by C.W. Longenecker, and “Success” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The English songs were: My Wish, The Rose and God Bless America. The Armenian portion of the program included a poem: “Silence & Rebirth” by Gosdan Zarian dedicated to Komitas and Karoon a – song by Komitas. The Armenian songs were: Dsidsernag, Ko Hayreniku and Sardarabad. Special thanks go to choirmaster Anahit Boghossian and pianist Nevart Z. Dadourian.
The evening also consisted of the invocation given by Rev. Abraham Malkhasyan, an address to the graduated from HMADS alumna Arin Piramzadian, MD, Class of 1995 and a special guest appearance by pianist Kariné Poghosyan. A photo exhibition by Robert Karapetian presented a visual feast to all in attendance.
Armenian Language teacher Houri Ghougassian invited the three graduates of the year: Michelle Ashbahian, Emma Galstian, Haig Piramzadian to receive their diplomas from their homeroom teacher and the principal.
