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    Categories: 2021

FUSD Vote Renames First School for Member of the Armenian Community

Oct 14 2021

(Photo courtesy – Fresno State)

[KMJ) – For the first time in its history, the Fresno Unified School Board votes to rename one of its schools for a prominent Valley Armenian-American.

In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the Fresno Unified School Board voted to rename Forkner Elementary School to Roger Tatarian Elementary.

Tatarian, a Fresno native, was considered a world-renowned journalist. He was the former editor-in-chief at United Press International, where he worked for 34 years. And he also taught journalism at Fresno State.

Tatarian was recently considered — but was passed over — when naming was being considered for Fresno Unified’s newest campus, now under construction in Southeast Fresno.

But, Fresno Unified says this name change will not take effect immediately Instead, the District will not be able to begin using the name Tatarian Elementary until the 2022-23 school year, at the soonest.

Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS