On July 5, 2015, the AGBU Tarouhy-Hovagimian Secondary School held a graduation ceremony for 26 students at the AGBU Demirdjian Center in Beirut. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries and special guests, including Shant Chinchinian, Lebanese Member of Parliament; Hovig Vartanian, AGBU Lebanon District committee member; Silva Libaridian, AGBU Lebanon Education Committee co-chair and district secretary; Vicken Tchertchian, AGBU-AYA Central Committee chair; as well as AGBU members, parents and teachers. 

In his welcome speech, Ara Vassilian, the principal of the school, talked about the outstanding performance of the graduates and the formative role of the school in their lives: “Even though national test scores, math, science and languages are important, let’s not forget our school’s mission: to preserve Armenian language, values and culture and to pass them on to the next generation.”

After Vassilian’s speech, Chinchinian addressed the audience as the keynote speaker, commending the school and emphasizing the importance of good schools in students’ lives: “I know for a fact that your sons and daughters have been in good and safe hands that have shaped them and made them what they are today: responsible teenagers ready to enroll in universities and serve their community—ready to face tomorrow’s challenges.”

Graduating students Houry Jamgochian, Karine Simonian, Areen Dakessian and Arax Tcherchian then delivered words of gratitude to the audience. In her speech, Jamgochian promised to stay faithful not only to her knowledge, but also to the Armenian community, and Dakessian praised AGBU’s dedication to the Armenian community and its role in creating an environment that enables students to strive for greatness.

After the speeches, the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and awards. The event closed with a cake cutting ceremony, a school tradition. In the fall, graduates will attend the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University and Haigazian University, among many others.

In 2000, the Tarouhy Hagopian School for Girls and the Hovagimian-Manougian School for Boys merged to form the AGBU Tarouhy-Hovagimian Secondary School, well-known in the Armenian community for its high quality of education. The school seeks to provide youth with lifelong skills that help them achieve success in work and life and gives high importance to the Armenian language and heritage.