MERRIMACK VALLEY ESSAY CONTEST DRAWS KEEN INTEREST
By Tom Vartabedian
May 3, 2013
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.-Three different Apostolic churches throughout
Merrimack Valley had much to celebrate with their youth this month.
Different winners from each community shared $600 in prize money,
along with certificates. Winning essays were published inside a program
booklet distributed to more than 200 guests attending a 98th annual
commemoration event on April 28 at North Andover High School.
Winners of an essay contest marking the 98th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide received their awards during a commemoration at
North Andover High School. (L-R) Matthew Kochakian, Armen Hovsepian,
Taleen Kalajian, and Sarah Tavitian. The contest was sponsored by
the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley
and drew 14 entries, resulting in $600 in prize money.
Fourteen entries were received in all as a cadre of present and
retired educators served as judges. The impressive showing was well
received by members of the committee chaired by Sossy Jeknavorian,
who was impressed with this year’s writing talent.
“They really stepped up with some remarkable papers that gave their
impressions of the genocide,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for them
to express their feelings about their heritage and take responsibility
as they pass into adulthood. The future appears in very good hands.”
The contest was divided into two age levels, Grades 7-9 and 10-12.
Capturing first prize in the younger division was Sarah Tavitian, 14,
of the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, Haverhill, who approached the
question, “If given an opportunity to interview a genocide survivor,
what would you ask?”
In part, she answered, “I would first ask how that individual survived
and how they found the courage, dignity, and strength to go on after
losing family members. I would tell this survivor they are very special
in that they walked in the valley of death, only to emerge as a shining
star and inspirational example to present and future generations.”
Second and third place in this division went to Armen Hovsepian and
Anna Shahtanian, both of St. Gregory Church, North Andover.
First place in the older category was won by Taleen Kalajian, 18,
of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, who addressed the question,
“How is the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide relevant to your
generation?”
She answered, in part, “As the number of survivors decrease, their
living testimony and our personal confrontation of the genocide reality
also diminishes. Therefore, my generation must pass on the vivid
stories and journeys of each family. My generation is the critical
link that must not let the cry from our martyrs’ soul for justice
and recognition go unheard. If we fail, so will coming generations.”
Second place in the older division went to Matthew Kochakian, a
repeat honoree, St. Gregory Church of North Andover, followed by
Irena Manukian, third, Sts. Vartanantz Church.
The afternoon’s observance included a concert featuring noted soloists
Yeghishe Manucharyan, Victoria Avetisyan, and Knarik Nerkararyan,
accompanied by pianist Levon Hovsepian; an update on the Lowell
Genocide Memorial at City Hall by Armen and Ara Jeknavorian; a
proclamation reading from the Town of North Andover by Albert S.
Movsesian; and a memorial service featuring a combined choir from
area churches led by Paul Ketchoyian, accompanied by Arsen Russian.
Co-celebrants were Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Rev. Fr. Khachatur
Kesablian, and Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalian.
The area’s lone genocide survivor, Nellie Nazarian, attended the
commemoration, having celebrated her 101st birthday last December.
Mistress of ceremonies Sossy Jeknavorian noted that $71,000 in net
proceeds has been turned over to charities in Armenia over the past
two decades. More than 100 donors contributed to this year’s fund.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/05/03/merrimack-valley-essay-contest-draws-keen-interest-from-youth/