By Tom Vartabedian
LOWELL, Mass. — Sam Manoian Post 1, Lowell Armenian-American Veterans achieved significant milestones September 24 at its annual scholarship dinner-dance.
The group reached the $200,000 plateau in distributions, maintaining a tradition that started in 1990. Over these 26 years, a total of 170 students have been honored with disbursements.
“It says a lot for our membership,” said Commander Richard Juknavorian. “Every year we come up with an appropriate list and single out these students who are attending excellent colleges and making a significant contribution to our Merrimack Valley community.
“Our investment into the future serves as an inspiration for other organizations in keeping our youth engaged,” Juknavorian added. “We make it as family-oriented as possible. Parents, grandparents and siblings are all part of the proceedings.”
A large crowd turned out at Sts. Vartanantz Church’s Kazanjian Memorial Hall in nearby Chelmsford to applaud seven recipients: Daniel Papazian, attending University of South Carolina; Tamara Manoli, attending University of New Hampshire; Benjamin Balian, attending University of Massachusetts, Lowell; Ryan Ajemian, attending Coastal Carolina University; Aram Nalbandian, attending Suffolk University Law School; Azniv Nalbandian, attending Pennsylvania State University, and Adrineh Nalbandian, attending Colby Sawyer College.
