The Final Round of the Armenian History Contest
Organized by the ARS in Javakhk
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The participants in the Armenian
History Contest on stage
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On May 25, 2008, the final round of the Armenian History contest, organized by the ARS in Javakhk, was held at the Number 4 public school in Akhalkalak named after Terenik Temirdjian. 82 students from 32 schools operating in Ninotsminda, Akhlkalak and Akhaltsekha participated in this stage.
Before the contest, the participants, parents, school principals and teachers gathered in the school’s auditorium, which was renovated and equipped through the efforts of the ARS. There they listened to a speech by Mels Torossian, editor of the “Agounk” publication, who talked about the anniversary of Georgia’s independence on May 26 then wished success to the participants in the final stage of the contest. He was followed by Karine Tatevossian, Chairperson of the ARS in Georgia, who welcomed the participation of educators and parents in this round of the Armenian History contest. Tatevossian was followed by J.Tarpinian, a teacher from Aboul village, S.Snekhchian and M.Yeranossian, teachers from Ninotsminda, other educators and parents who all congratulated the ARS on this undertaking and commended the work done by the organizing committee.
Three days later, on May 28, an award distribution ceremony was held at the House of Culture in Akhalkalak. A large crowd and officials participated in the ceremony, which was opened by the Chairperson of the ARS in Georgia. She welcomed all the participants in the event and underlined that this ceremony was being held on the 90-th anniversary of the declaration of the First Independent Republic of Armenia. She was followed by Father Samuel Torossian, pastor of the St. Cross Church of Akhalkalak, who blessed the organizers and participants on the occasion of this festive day. Congratulatory messages were delivered by Mels Torossian, editor of “Agounk”, contest jury members Mnats Yeranossian and Ararat Elizbarian, school principals Natela Krikorian and Krikor Amirkhanian.
Members of the Literary Club of the ARS Youth Center of Akhalkalak presented a play entitled “Ode to Eternal Hayasdan” under the supervision of Takoush Sarksian, a teacher of Armenian language and literature. The play was followed by the distribution of awards.
All 82 participants in the final round of the contest received testimonials. 22 students received encouragement prizes while the winners of the first four places received monetary awards and memorabilia. They also received books donated by the St. Cross Church of Akhalkalak.
Beside the students, 9 teachers were honored as best teachers and 10 schools received Armenian History atlases.
Offering their comments, jury members confirmed that they are encouraged by the growing number of schools participating in this and similar events organized by the ARS and noted that they see a clear improvement in the Armenian education of the children in Javakhk. However, they underlined the immediate need for textbooks of Armenian History because currently children are being educated on that topic through the hand written or oral teachings of their dedicated teachers.
June 16, 2008