On February 1, the Glendale-based Davidian & Mariamian Educational Foundation organized its annual Appreciation Night, which was attended by approximately 220 people, including Mayor of Glendale Paula Devin, members of the Board of Education, Glendale City Council, Burbank City Council and Los Angeles City Council, school principals and representatives, the Foundation’s teachers, parents, members of various community organizations and other guests.

As Director of the Foundation Ophelia Satoorian reported to Hayern Aysor, the event began with the national anthems of Armenia and the United States, followed by a solemn opening speech by President of Davidian & Mariamian Educational Foundation Vahik Satoorian.

The organizers of the Appreciation Night award teachers who had stood out over the past year. Attaching importance to such appreciation, Ophelia Satoorian assures that they are much encouraged and become more responsible.

The Foundation collaborates with the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia to award the teachers. This year, certificates of appreciation of the Ministry were granted to Gaiane Stepanyan, Nayiri Keshmeshyan, Alisa Khachatryan, Anna Sinanyan and Sona Manukyan.

The congratulatory video message of RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan was shown during the Appreciation Night.

During the event, the Davidian & Mariamian Educational Foundation paid homage to RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan for her efforts for the strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora relations, preservation of the Armenian identity, prolific activities and achievements. The Foundation also granted a certificate of appreciation to Advisor to the RA Minister of Diaspora Stepan Petrosyan for his longstanding cooperation and dedication to the Foundation.

Superintendent of schools of Glendale Weinfred Reberson received an award in the Best Educator of the Year category, Glendale’s John Muir Elementary School won in the Best School category, and Director of AABC TV Vrej Aghajanian was recognized as Man of the Year.

The Foundation also granted a certificate of appreciation to Dean of the Faculty of Philology at Gavar State University Tatul Asoyan, whom the RA Ministry of Diaspora has sent to the U.S. to host Armenian language training courses with Armenian language teachers.

Vahik Satoorian was also granted a certificate of appreciation by the organization of Glendale Schools Superintendents and the Board of Education.

Gevorg Chichyan