Kristen Reed – HMADS Fourth Grade Teacher
Oakland Gardens, NY: On the evening of Friday, June 19th 2015, Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School of Oakland Gardens, Queens, NY, held its 33rd commencement exercises. What a meaningful evening being held in the year of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and being especially graced with the presence of Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, as well as members of the board, education committee, benefactors, volunteers, teachers, friends, and family.
Not only was it a meaningful evening for the Sixth Grade graduating class, Michelle Ashbahian, Emma Galstian, and Haig Piramzadian, and their families and loved ones, their teachers Mrs. Claire Asadorian, Mrs. Houri Ghougassian, and teachers throughout the years, principal Mrs. Zarminé Boghosian, but also for Fourth Grade teacher Miss Kristen Reed. Fifteen years ago, I myself graduated Sixth Grade from HMADS, and now fifteen years later, my first class being as official teacher after graduating with my teaching degree and certification, graduated themselves, the same year as I graduated from Queens College with a Master’s Degree in the field of Special Education. What a surreal feeling. Special congratulations to the three of you and woo-hoo, class of 2015!
The presentation by the class of 2015 along with the fifth graders consisted of a potpourri of Armenian and English recitations and songs dedicated to the remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the April 24th, 1915 genocide and recently canonized 1.5 million Saints. The English poems recited were: The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, The Victor by C.W. Longenecker, and Success by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The English songs were: My Wish, The Rose and God Bless America. The Armenian portion of the program included a poem: Silence & Rebirth by Gosdan Zarian dedicated to Gomidas and Karoon a – song by Gomidas. The Armenian songs were: Dsidsernag, Ko Hayreniku, and Sardarabad. Special thanks to Choirmaster, Anahit Boghossian and Pianist, Nevart Z. Dadourian.
The evening also consisted of the invocation given by Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, an address to the graduated from HMADS alumna Arin Piramzadian, M.D. – Class of 1995, a special guest appearance by Renowned Pianist Kariné Poghosyan was truly a very special gift to the graduating class. A very special photo exhibition by Robert Karapetian presented a visual feast to al in attendance.
Armenian Language teacher Mrs. Houri Ghougassian invited the three graduates of the year: Michelle Ashbahian, Emma Galstian, Haig Piramzadian to receive their diplomas from their homeroom teacher and the principal.
An inspiring message touched the hearts of the audience as Surpazan Gizirian addressed the audience with his God given voice and riches of the Armenian Language stressing the importance of Armenian Education wherever we choose to live.
On behalf of the class of 2015 HMADS and their parents, Mrs. Boghosian took this opportunity to thank all the Teachers, ACEF Donors, Benefactors, Volunteers, members of the Friends of HMADS for their love and support throughout the years. The evening came to its closing as H. E. Arch. Yeghishe Gizirian delivered his closing prayers.
A beautiful reception table was awaiting the guests, graduates and their families set up by the parents of the 5th and 6th grades for all to enjoy. Very encouraging generous donors presented their donation to HMADS at the reception hall, thus showing their full support for HMADS.
We would like to wish our graduates an endless amount of success in their future endeavors. May they never forget their HMADS family, their Armenian culture, pride, and values.
