On June 5, 2017, 39 students graduated from the A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School and, with knowledge and confidence, will matriculate at various institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor and Dearborn), Michigan State, Wayne State, University of Detroit-Mercy, Oakland University, Oakland Community college, etc. The Valedictorian was Jacob Garabedian (U. of M. Ann Arbor), and co-Salutatorians were Sabrina Kesto (U. of D. Mercy) and Robert Zakharian (U. of M. Ann Arbor). The keynote speaker at graduation was Prof. Artemis Boghossian from the Institute of

Chemical Sciences and Engineering of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale in Lausanne, Switzerland. Prof. Boghossian is a 2003 graduate of the Manoogian School, a 2007 graduate of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), then going to Harvard University and receiving her doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering in 2012. Congratulations to the graduates and their proud parents.

Southfield, Michigan A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian SchoolJune 2017

The A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School of Southfield, MI continues to achieve excellent academic results. The school is already recognized as one of the best charter schools in Michigan and among the best of the seven thousand charter schools throughout America.

Thus, on March 29, 2017, Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) President Dan Quisenberry announced the names of the five most outstanding Michigan charter school administrators. Manoogian High School Principal Dr. Hosep Torossian was chosen as one of the five. The voting included hundreds of school principals.

This was truly an achievement, not only for Dr. Torossian, but also for all the teachers and administrators involved in the success of this educational institution. On this occasion, Michigan State Representative Jeremy Moss, representing the 35th electoral district, read a special tribute honoring Dr. Torossian at the State Capitol building.

The auspicious ceremony and handing out of certificates took place on April 26, 2017, in the Michigan State Legislature, located in the capital, Lansing. Attending were Michigan educational authorities, members of the State Senate and Assembly, and charter school officials. Prior to the ceremony, MAPSA had prepared a five-minute video devoted to the accomplishments of the Manoogian School. This video was immediately made available to the Detroit Armenian community and found a receptive audience. The link to the video is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXfmVsG0q-U

As can be seen in the video, the success of the Manoogian School is also greatly appreciated outside of the Armenian community. Anyone who visits the Manoogian School will witness both Armenian and non-Armenian students reciting Armenian poems, singing Armenian songs, and performing Armenian dances. All of the students diligently learn Armenian

history, literature, language, and culture. Of course, this success is a result of a collective and concerted effort of parents, students, teachers, Board members, and administrators.

Of the above-mentioned team, the most important is, undoubtedly, the role of the principal. He is the one who oversees and maintains the high academic standards of the school. By all accounts, the success of the high school is reflected in the scores on the state exams and in the acceptance of the graduates into prestigious institutions of higher learning. This is a testimony to the pedagogical skills and experience of Dr. Torossian. He is not only a success-driven principal, but also a highly praised lecturer at Central Michigan University, teaching courses in educational leadership and school finance.

We know that Dr. Torossian is on the path to conquering even newer and greater heights. Congratulations to him and to the entire faculty and staff at the Manoogian School.

Principal Dr. Hosep Torossian Honored

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

Manoogian ChoirsMrs. Apkarian has worked meticulously all year to train

the high school choir, known as the Manoogian Singers, and comprised of Olesia Belozerova, Rachel Garabedian, Marianna Kucheriava, Lerna Lacinian, Nastya Rostetska, and Nayiri Sagherian, as well as the middle school choir, comprised of Katrina Azar, Lora Derian, Liliya Gandzyuk, Nicole Gapoyan, Maksym Grygorkiv, Veronika Harahuts, Trinity Harris, Marteen Kothi, Iryna Lapshynska, Sofiia Lyzun, Khrystyna Masnytska, Giselle Mihaloan, Shayna Mouradian, Kateryna Palamarchuk, Veronika Semyhen, and Antonina Velychko. The choirs performed at the Christmas program on December 21, 2016, at the Armenian Song and Dance program on February 9, 2017, and at the Ladies’ Lenten Luncheon on March 24th. They concluded the school year by singing at the high school graduation on June 5th, and at the 5th and 8th grade awards ceremony on June 6th. The talented accompanist on the piano for both choirs is Jacob Garabedian.

The 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was commemorated by the Manoogian School. The Elementary students were presented a program by Digin Toumajan’s 4th grade students. The presentation included a historical overview of the genocide and a recitation of poems stressing the survival and perseverance of the Armenian nation. Then the students proceeded to the back of the school where the nonagenerian Rev. Fr. Diran Papazian led the students in the annual tree planting tradition in memory of the martyrs. Earlier that morning, members of Baron Avedikian’s 7th grade class did readings and recited poems, with Komitas, the father of Armenian music and a victim of the genocide, as a backdrop. Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian spoke to Middle school students, both in the high school auditorium and at the St. John Armenian Church martyrs’ monument, where students placed roses in memory of the innocent victims of the genocide.

Armenian Genocide Commemoration

Clockwise from the top: At the Saint John Armenian Church Martyrs’ Monument, Elementary Genocide Commemoration, Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian addressing the middle school students, Tree Planting Ceremony with Rev. Fr. Diran Papazian and Mrs. Kalfayan.

The Manoogian Starschoir shown above and The Manoogian Singers choir shown on the left.

Music RecitalOn May 15, 2017, a select group of

Manoogian School students gathered at St. John Armenian Cultural Hall for the second annual music recital, this year bearing the theme “Music to Color.” The recital included 34 students, ranging in age from seven to fifteen. Congratulations to Mrs. Gharibian for organizing the recital, to Mr. Hovakimian for preparing the junior and senior violinist ensembles, and to the participating students on their outstanding performance.

The AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian high school entered their 2nd electric car in the Square One Education Network’s race at M-city on Saturday, May 6th. The team was led by Petro Kindratskyy a senior on the team. The event consisted of several judging categories as well as a figure 8 race and an endurance race. We placed 3rd in the figure 8 race with the car driven by Andriy Kramarchuk and we also did well in the endurance race with Petro driving. The car was presented to the judges by Mathew Yaldo, Sevag Oknayan, and Petro Kindratskyy. Mathew presented his collision avoidance system which included a Lidar unit connected to an Arduino computer with Bluetooth connected to his phone. Mathew wrote an app that Apple approved earlier this year for this system. The team also took first place in the Eisenbrenner Public Relations award for their outreach to the community.

The National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held in the Manoogian School high school multi-purpose room on May 25. Nine students in grades 6, 7 and 8 were inducted into the organization based on their exemplary qualities in scholarship, citizenship, character, leadership and service. The new members are: Renee Kesto and Simon Yeldo, 8th grade; Jenna Oraha, 7th grade; and Katrina Azar, Lora Derian, Nicole Gapoyan, Zachary Garabedian, Sofiia Lyzun, and Isaac Yeldo, 6th grade.

Electric Car

WALLED LAKE CAMPThe time we spent at the Walled Lake Camp this

year was invaluable as it is every year. The students engaged in many different activities from team building challenges to zip lining. It was awesome to see the students so openly involved in their own learning process. The students also maintained the

exceptional reputation of the school as the camp instructors made it known not only how much they look forward to our visit, but how impressed they were with what they were seeing from our groups. Way to go students! What an exciting experience to look forward to next year.

National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony

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A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School22001 Northwestern HighwaySouthfield, Michigan 48075

Our annual Preschool Mother’s Day program took place on Friday, May 5, 2017. The theme of the program was “Under the Sea.” The kids sang a variety of songs in Armenian and English. At the end of the program, each preschooler said one reason of why they loved their mommies and presented their mom with their personalized gifts. Thank you to all the parents and relatives who came to watch our program.

During the month of March, the preschool classes hosted a guest reader month. Faculty members of our school and relatives of the preschoolers came in and read a story to each class. They launched their reading month with a spirit week that correlated with Dr. Suess books. For example, they wore green one day in honor of Dr Suess’ famous Green Eggs and Ham book and had Hat Day for The Cat in the Hat.

The kids really enjoyed listening to all the stories and participating in activities that went along with the books. Thank you to all our faculty

and family members that came to read to us!

Ladies’ Lenten Luncheon