On May 18, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received students of the Armenian Mesrobian School of California led by Principal David Ghoogasian and Zepyur Ohannessian.

The minister attached special importance to the role that the school established in 1965 at the initiative of the Holy Cross Armenian Church, the Armenian Educational Institution and the Armenian Center of Montebello plays in the life and development of the Armenian community of California.

“Today, more than 300 students learn Armenian language, literature, history and religion at the Armenian Mesrobian School. They also take courses on the Armenian Cause, learn Armenian songs, paint and learn to think logically. Interestingly, the students also print a newspaper and publish yearbooks. This means that the staff at the school lives for the values of the Armenian nation and has been doing everything possible to transmit Armenian culture and language to the generations for decades.”

Minister Hranush Hakobyan granted copies of the “Learn from the Greats” book to the students.

David Ghoogasian expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and mentioned the following: “Our school was truly established as a genuine citadel for the preservation of the Armenian identity. Most of these children weren’t born in Armenia, but they are fluent in Armenian. Most of them are visiting Armenia for the first time, but they feel free and unconstrained on the native land. Mrs. Hakobyan, the students of Armenian Mesrobian School have said they will teach at Armenian Mesrobian School when they grow up.”

“This year, more than 160,000 Armenian Americans participated in the rally that was dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. We proved to the world that we have managed to defend the Armenian Cause and solve issues of national concern as a nation that stands united as one,” the RA Minister of Diaspora emphasized after listening to the principal and the students with a feeling of satisfaction.

The minister urged the students to visit the Homeland more often and not stay at hotels, but with Armenian families, which cordially and generously host Diaspora Armenian teens and youth for ten days through the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.