ANCA Capital Gateway House Dedicated In Memory of Hovig Apo Saghdejian
Friday, January 28th, 2011
by Asbarez
New $25,000 Donation from Apo Saghdejian Brings Total Raised in Honor
of Youth Leader’s Legacy to More than $100,000
Apo and Nayiri Saghdejian with ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian at the ANCA
headquarters, in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON – Apo Saghdejian and his daughter Nayiri traveled to
Washington, DC last month to join with ANCA leaders and young
Armenians from across America to take part in the blessing and
dedication of the ANCA Capital Gateway House in honor of Hovig Apo
Saghdejian, the 23-year-old student from Fresno, California whose life
of community leadership and public service was cut short, in July of
2004, by a tragic car accident.
The ANCA Capital Gateway Program, established in 2003, helps Armenian
American college students and recent graduates from across the U.S. to
pursue careers in public policy, through three month grants of free
housing, access to the ANCA network of contacts and resources, and
hands-on training on how to find work in the governmental, political,
policy, and media worlds.
The ANCA Capital Gateway House was dedicated in honor of Hovig Apo
Saghdejian, the 23-year-old student from Fresno, California whose life
of community leadership and public service was cut short, in July of
2004, by a tragic car accident.
Over the years, the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway House,
located in the heart of Washington, has housed more than 150 program
fellows, ANCA summer interns, staff, and volunteers.
`The Saghdejian family, a proud pillar of our community and Cause, in
turning their great sorrow into selfless service to a new generation
of Armenian youth, truly stands as a role model of caring and
generosity for Armenians from across America and around the world,’
said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. `In honoring
Hovig’s legacy, Apo and Nayiri are – in a very powerful and
far-reaching way – empowering young Armenians to get involved, to give
back, and to grow stronger, both for themselves and for our nation.’
Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Pastor, Reverend Father Sarkis
Aktavoukian offered the Armenian Apostolic house blessing, and
followed this sacred service with warm words in honor of Hovig’s
legacy, and in appreciation of his family’s dedication to creating
opportunities for a new generation of Armenian youth to become
involved in public service. After the Der Hayr’s remarks, both ANCA
Chairman Ken Hachikian and Executive Director Aram Hamparian, speaking
before an assembled group of current and past Gateway fellows, shared
their great respect and profound appreciation for the Saghdejian
family’s deep and abiding commitment to both Hovig’s legacy and the
ancient and sacred Cause that he served. Apo Saghdejian closed the
program with touching words of remembrance for his lost son, and warm
words of hope for the future of the Armenian nation.
The Saghedejian family support for the Capital Gateway Program has
long been a labor of love, beginning with the establishment of the
Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fund in 2004, which raised well more
than $50,000 for the program in just a few short months. Since then,
family and friends have honored the memory of Hovig’s late mother,
Rosine Saghdejian, who passed away in 2006, and Apo’s mother, Sona
Saghdejian, who died in 2010, through additional contributions to the
fund. With their most recent gift of $25,000, made on the occasion of
the Capital Gateway House dedication, the fund is now over $100,000.
These funds will be held in perpetuity, with only the income being
used to finance the participation of young Armenian Americans in the
Gateway Program.
Hovig’s sister Nayiri, shared her thoughts following the ceremony: `My
father and I were pleased to have this opportunity to visit with our
friends in Washington for the dedication of the Hovig Apo Saghdejian
Capital Gateway House as a living memorial to my brother’s legacy. We
were especially gratified to have the opportunity to spend time with
some of the talented young Armenians that have been empowered by our
family fund, to get started on careers of public service and lifetimes
of community sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves.’
The Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellowship fund has, on an ongoing basis,
sponsored a Capital Gateway Fellow, covering his/her housing and
providing a full range of support services – from improving the design
of their resumes and sharpening their interview skills, to making the
right introductions and integrating them into the growing network of
Armenian American public policy professionals in the nation’s capital.
As one Hovig Apo Saghdejian Fellow secures a full-time public policy
job and graduates from the program, another has been brought to
Washington, DC to take his or her place, ensuring a succession of
fellowships that, over the years, has placed dozens of Armenian
American youth in the key positions. Typically, each fellow has been
able to secure a full-time position within three to six months.
For detailed information about the Capital Gateway Program, visit:
Father and Daughter Apo and Nayiri Saghdejian joined with Fr, Sarkis
Aktavoukian, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, Exec. Director Aram
Hamparian, ANCA Regional staff and Capital Gateway Program fellows and
supporters for the dedication of the Hovig Apo Saghedjian Capital
Gateway House.
Hovig Apo Saghdejian: Inspirational Youth Leader and Community
Activist Hovig Apo Saghdejian was born on December 31, 1980 in Fresno,
California. Early in life, Hovig became a member of the Homenetmen
Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, and he joined the ranks of
the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), contributing to the welfare of
the Armenian American community and reinforcing his commitment to his
Homeland.
He breathed life into the ideals of his youth by working to preserve
and reinvent Armenian identity in America, while bringing a sense of
optimism to the people of Armenia for a better future. As a volunteer
with the Land and Culture organization, Hovig traveled to Armenia
during the summer of 2003 to work as a volunteer in Ayroum, developing
infrastructure and self-sustainability for the impoverished population
of this village. Beyond the value of the hard work that contributed
significantly to the well being of the villagers, Hovig’s efforts
helped bring hope to all he came in contact with that the future held
better things for the people of Armenia. Commenting on his time in
Ayroum, in a testimonial on the Land and Culture website, Hovig
explained that, `I know that when I reflect back on this experience I
will feel ecstatic about the work we accomplished, the things we saw,
and the bonds we forged.’
Hovig attended Fresno City College, California State University of
Fresno, and the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored
in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis on economics,
philosophy and film studies. He performed his civic duties by being
politically involved, not only with the ANCA, but also with
Congressman George Radanovich and State Assemblymember Steve Samuelian
on campaign and public policy projects.
Hovig enjoyed life, family, and friends. He had a very special bond
with his parents, Apo and Rosine, and sister, Nayiri. He spent his
spare time helping his mother at the Adult Day Care Center, and his
father with the family business.
From: A. Papazian
www.anca.org/gateway