The Armenian Studies Program web page is sponsored by a grant from
The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable
Foundation, Fresno.
Eight months have passed since the
This September, in keeping with the school’s tradition, its youngest students—Salpi
Kerkezian and Lily Baloian—rang the first bell to begin the
It was only two years ago
that the school faced an uncertain future. Its landlord at the time, the Saint Therese Catholic Church, had plans to make major renovations
to the former parochial school facility and had given noticed that it did not intend to renew the lease.
Shortly after Hye Sharzhoom ran
a story on the school in March 2007, Bedrosian received an unexpected call from philanthropist Charlie Keyan, who, two years before,
had contributed $100,000 to the school to establish a scholarship fund for needy students. After exchanging greetings, Bedrosian informed
the Coachella farmer of the school’s situation, and Keyan was more than ready to help.
The former
While Keyan had single handedly turned around the fortunes of the school, the board still had a long way to go to convert the former
In stepped Board Chairman Jerry Kutumian, proprietor of Kutumian Construction.
With help from fellow board members Ara Karkazian, Vahe Nishanian, and Ralph Katchadurian, Kutumian obtained the city permits, improved
the existing structure, put in new water and electrical systems, installed portable classrooms, and essentially transformed the largely
undeveloped property into a school campus in just nine short months. Facing one of the worst building slumps in memory, the
“There are many reasons to support the
The new facility has expanded the school’s scope of activities. This past
summer, the school held a four-week summer session, and with the updated kitchen and social hall, school nutritionist Zaruhi Karadanyan
can now serve pilaf, mac & cheese, lahmajoon, and her other daily fares cafeteria-style from the kitchen window. Best of all,
perhaps, is that the grass planted in late summer has grown, and for the first time in nearly eight years, the students at the
Of course, the staple of the school has been what happens in the classroom.
For over thirty years, the school has provided its students with a quality education with an emphasis on Armenian language, culture,
and history. In April, sixth grader Christine Idjian won first prize and fourth grader Nareg Apkarian placed second, in their respective
divisions in the 24th Annual Saroyan Writing Contest.
Because of the poor economy as well as the costs of construction, which
drained much of its cash reserves, the school is once again in a vulnerable state. While donations and fund raising events, like the
upcoming Crab Feed, are necessary to keep the school operating, one board member hopes the community will not lose sight of the school’s
purpose.
“Just like our name says, we are an institution that exists to provide a service to the community. A student who graduates
from the Armenian Community School receives not only an exceptional education but is much more inclined to become involved in other
community institutions such as the Armenian Studies Program and Armenian Students Organization, as well as church, social, and political
organizations.”
For more information about the