Reported by: Miss Hripsime and Miss Kristen
On Monday, October 26th at 1:30pm, the students of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School (HMADS) in Oakland Gardens, Queens, NY presented a beautiful program in celebration of the Feast of the Holy Translators at their annual Cultural Month Assembly. We remembered our first teacher, Sourp Mesrob Mashdots, who created the Armenian Alphabet in 404 AD with the assistance of Sahag Bartev and the support of King Vramshabouh, to empower the Armenian Nation with a written language by translating all the valuable literature from around the world into Armenian starting with the Holy Bible.
The program began with the presentation of the color guards and singing of the National Anthems displayed with the Forget-Me-Not Flower – symbol of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and canonization of our Martyrs into Saints followed by the opening prayer led by our Pastor, Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan and welcoming remarks by our principal, Mrs. Zarminé Boghosian.
The girls of the graduating Class of 2016, Anahit, Brianna, and Maria, presented the biographical information of Sourp Mesrob Mashtots to start the afternoon program. The Nursery students sang Ayp, Pem, Kim by Yorgants and recited “Aha Yes Al Tebrots Gertam.” The Kindergarten students sang Ayp, Pen, Kim by Mher Minassian and recited Mer Hye Lezoo.
The First, Second and Third grade students recited Christopher Columbus, Mayrenee Lezoo, Hayeren by Khachig Tashdents and Veramood. Group singing followed the recitations as they sang: Tarkmanchats Don, Vosgetar, and Pokrig Hayasdan.
The Fourth Grade students recited Hayasdan –in English- by Baruyr Sevag and presented H. Toumanian’s Soodasaneh- The Liar. The Fifth Grade students presented the program. The boys of the graduating Class of 2016, Davit and Shant spoke of the life of Avedik Isahagian while Levon and Gary gave us a history of Ani – The City of 1001 Churches which followed by group songs: Tson Hayots Lezvee, Ko Hayrenik, and Hayer Miyatsek.
The most anticipated moment of the assembly was the poetry contest among a selective group of Fifth and Sixth grade students. The students were to memorize one mandatory piece of poetry entitled «Ani» by Avedik Isahagian. In addition to the mandated poem, participants were to memorize a personally selected piece of poetry on their own. From Fifth grade, Lusine Galstain recited Mayrenee Lezoo by Sooren Mouradian and Anais Stepanian recited Seeramarkee Botcheh by Arshavir Tarpnee. From Sixth grade, Shant Injoyan recited Mer Kirern oo Lezoon by S.K. Zankoo, Levon Rakoubian recited Loosavortchee Gantegheh by H. Toumanyan, and finally Davit Hovhannisyan recited Yes Im Anoosh Hayasdanee by Yeghisheh Charents. Although the judges Lilian Ishkhanian, Zabel Hatem, and Anie Shnorhokian chose Levon and Davit as the first place winners, all of the participants of the poetry contest were winners and were acknowledged for their hard work, dedication, and responsibility of preparing for the contest prior to the deadline.
There is only so much Armenian and history of Armenia which could be taught within a short period of time since September, within the walls of HMADS – we hope that you as parents, grandparents, families, and friends will continue to raise your children as proud Armenians and keep the Armenian Culture aflame!
