Key Takeaways
- The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA recognized student participants in its Annual Cultural‐Identity Contest.
- The contest was open to Armenian‑day‑school and weekly‑class students in grades 4‑8 and asked them to creatively teach the world about Armenian culture.
- Submissions could take several formats: an app, video game, short video, illustrated book, or board game.
- New submission ideas were encouraged, resulting in a high level of student creativity and enthusiasm.
- Every participant received a commemorative gift, including board games and puzzles featuring Armenian landmarks.
- The contest highlighted the vital role of teachers and principals in fostering cultural pride and educational excellence.
- Winners and participants represented a wide range of Armenian schools across the region, underscoring a strong, united heritage.
Contest Overview and Objectives
The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern USA Regional Executive Board proudly announced the winners of its Annual Contest, an initiative that motivates students attending Armenian day schools and weekly Armenian classes to reflect on and celebrate their cultural identity. Open to students in fourth through eighth grades, the contest invited written and creative submissions that explored personal and community contributions to preserving Armenian culture. This year’s central theme posed the question: “Imagine you have the chance to teach the world about Armenian culture—its people, places, language, or traditions—in your own special way. In your creative project, describe what you chose to share about Armenian culture, why it is meaningful or special, and how your creative project helps others learn or appreciate Armenia.”
Accepted Submission Formats Students were encouraged to present their entries in one of five distinct formats: designing an app, creating a video game, producing a short video, writing and illustrating a book, or crafting a board game. These categories provided diverse outlets for artistic expression and allowed participants to leverage the tools and skills they were most comfortable with.
Creative Initiatives and Parental Influence
The Contest Committee introduced fresh submission suggestions this year, sparking notable interest and imaginative responses from students across multiple grade levels. The variety of projects demonstrated how young Armenians are employing modern media—such as digital apps, interactive games, and video productions—to share their heritage. One participant, Ariana Zoklu, wrote and illustrated a book that described Armenian traditions; another, Arin Khodaverdian, built an interactive vocabulary game; and several others designed board games that taught Armenian history and geography in engaging ways.
Recognition of All Participants
The ARS Eastern USA Board of Directors extended heartfelt congratulations to every participating student for their dedication and thoughtful work, noting that their efforts were commendable even alongside regular school responsibilities. Special acknowledgment was given to the principals and teachers whose guidance made these creative endeavors possible. In celebration of all entrants, each student received a token of appreciation—including a board game about Artsakh and puzzles featuring iconic Armenian landmarks such as the We Are Our Mountains sculpture, Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, and Dadivank Monastery.
Awards and Regional Participation
Warm congratulations were extended to the students representing eleven Armenian schools across the region who took part in the contest. Their voices, the organization emphasized, are essential to keeping Armenian heritage alive for future generations. The participating institutions included a mix of one‑day schools, full‑day Armenian schools, and Saturday schools, reflecting a broad geographic and institutional spread.
Detailed Showcase of Student Projects
The article lists a comprehensive array of student projects submitted across varying grades and language tracks. In fourth grade Armenian classes, Ariana Zoklu produced an illustrated book on Armenian traditions, while Harout Arakelian prepared a PowerPoint presentation on Armenian history. Fifth‑grade English students such as Vivian Stoecker penned essays titled “Armenia My Way,” while Vicken Karakashian designed a map‑based board game. Among seventh‑grade English entrants, Celine Khodaverdian authored an essay called “Strength of Armenians,” and Ara Megerdichian created a video highlighting Armenian culture. Eighth‑grade Armenian participants like Peniamin Berberian produced an extensive 177‑page handwritten, illustrated book about Armenia, and Remi Hajjar made a cultural video in Armenian. Each entry demonstrated thoughtful engagement with Armenian heritage and creative use of educational tools.
Support from Armenian Schools and Saturday Programs
Numerous Armenian schools—ranging from day schools like Armenian Sisters Academy to Saturday programs such as St. Stephen’s Saturday School—participated enthusiastically. Projects included videos narrated by adults, board games focused on Armenian monuments, and applications designed to teach Armenian vocabulary. For example, Sofia Kazanjian designed an app titled “Preserving Western Armenian,” while Lucy Khatounian wrote an essay about Armenia. These contributions underscore the depth of involvement across different educational settings and highlight the importance of institutional support in nurturing cultural pride.
Conclusion and Future Impact
The ARS Eastern USA’s Annual Contest not only celebrated student creativity but also reinforced a collective sense of belonging and responsibility toward Armenian heritage. By encouraging participants to think about how they can educate the world about Armenian culture, the contest fosters a forward‑looking perspective that blends preservation with innovation. The recognition of every entrant, coupled with tangible rewards and public acknowledgment, sends a powerful message: the Armenian diaspora’s future is bright, as the younger generation continues to carry forward traditions, language, and history with imagination and dedication.