The Armenian Academy of Los Angeles held its Inaugural Gala-Banquet on April 1, 2005, in support of the launch of an all-new college-preparatory high school in Los Angeles. Over 350 guests attended the event at the Deukmejian Hall of the Ararat Home Complex in Mission Hills.
The cocktail hour, featuring an elaborate exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Armenian artists was followed by dinner and the main presentations. After opening remarks by Master of Ceremonies Dr. Armand Dorian, he invited Mrs. Seta Simonian, chairperson of the Board of Directors to deliver her address. Mrs. Simonian presented the vision and need of a top-level high school for the Los Angeles Armenian community. Stressing the need for academic excellence in an atmosphere that nurtures the Armenian-American identity of its student body, she said: "We want to create an institution that best prepared its students to compete and achieve success in the world outside and at the same time made its students fully conscious of, attracted to, and defiantly proud of the world that they came from".
Following a video presentation that depicted the premise and the vision of the Academy, Dr. Noubar Afeyan delivered the keynote speech. Dr. Afeyan, CEO of Flagship Ventures and lecturer at MIT, recounted how academic achievement has been a beacon on which his successful career has been built. He emphasized the importance of high level |
academic achievement in today's competitive global environment, and he highlighted the need to fully appreciate the symbiotic relationship between the Armenian homeland and the Armenian Diaspora and the unique role that a highly educated generation would play in the future development of the Armenian nation. Dr. Afeyan, concluded his remarks with a philosophical reference to the challenges of such a major undertaking by saying "those who discourage you in your dreams are often people who have abandoned their own dreams".
Three commissioned artistic works - musical, theatrical and dance presentations - tastefully complemented the evenings program.
The evening and the project were blessed with prayers and words of appreciation by representatives of Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
The Board of Directors and the Planning and Development Committee are currently embarking on an extensive fundraising campaign. Pledges and donations to date total nearly $175,000. Those interested in joining the project or contributing to it may visit its website at www.armenianacademyofla.org or may call (818) 293-0010.
|
