THE END OF A JOURNEY, THE BEGINNING OF A LEGACY
Wednesday, July 10th, 2013
Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School’s class of 2013 at their
graduation ceremony.
Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School’s 12th Grade Commencement
Ceremony and College Acceptances for the Class of 2013
LOS ANGELES-57 seniors walked through the gates of Pilibos on August
20, 2012 to begin their senior year. Most of them had walked past those
same gates many times before as kindergarteners or as 1st graders. This
time was different, however, as it marked their last year as a Pilibos
Eagle. It was on June 9, 2013 that those same 57 seniors walked out
of the Pilibos gates as alumni, to be Pilibos Eagles forever.
On graduation day – the day that the Class of 2013’s accomplishments
would be recognized and celebrated – students walked into the Nerses
Tashjian Gymanasium as Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance”
played over the speakers. The excitement was palpable as pride shone
upon the faces of parents, friends and relatives and as anticipation
and hope for the future radiated from each student.
Throughout the ceremony, students were reminded to think about who
they are and who they want to be. They were encouraged to dream big and
strive for excellence every day in all they do. But most importantly,
they were asked to “Leave a Legacy” – a mantra heard throughout the
year. Students were asked to return to Pilibos, like many alumni
before them, to contribute to the fabric of education that shaped
their destiny. Examples of such commitment were present that day, as
they have been every other day: the Mistress of Ceremonies, Elizabeth
Antonyan (Class of 1993), the Keynote Speaker, Gary Daghlian (Class
of 1997), Principal Dr. Alina Dorian (a former student of Pilibos),
and other teachers were all examples of individuals who were once
a part of Pilibos and who returned to contribute their talents and
experiences. Students were asked to do the same. They were asked to
go out into the world, accomplish the amazing things that they are all
capable of, and then to return home to Pilibos to inspire, encourage,
and lead future students of Pilibos so that they may achieve their
own goals and in turn leave their own legacy.
The Class of 2013 is definitely on the right track. 33 students
received the Honor Roll Award; 31 students received the California
Scholarship Federation Award; 30 students received the Presidential
Fitness Award; 7 students were a part of the National Honors
Society; and 19 students were recognized for their dedication and
accomplishments in athletics.
The Pilibos Class of 2013 gained admission to 19 different
institutions, including UC campuses (UCLA, UC Berkley, UCSB, and
others); California State campuses (CSUN, CSULA, CSUF, and more);
and private Universities such as USC, LMU, Woodbury, Pepperdine,
Occidental, and La Verne. Many were accepted into more than one
university, allowing them to have a wide range of options in pursuing
higher education. The school is proud to say that all 57 students will
be attending a college or university and that 72% of its graduating
class will be attending a 4-year university in the Fall.
These kinds of accomplishments were hard to overlook. During
the commencement ceremony, parents, family, friends, and teachers
cheered for the students and their many achievements. At the end of
the ceremony, a traditional “Dhol and Zurna” Armenian band played
time-honored celebratory music as students, led by the Principal,
walked out of the gym and toward their future.
As an educational institution, the ultimate goal of Rose and Alex
Pilibos Armenian School is to prepare its students for their journeys
beyond graduation. The school is extremely proud and impressed
with its students’ talents, accomplishments, and dreams for the
future. The school is confident that its graduates will move forth
as proud Pilibos alumni and future leaders of the community.
From: A. Papazian