Monday, Aug. 22, marked the 37th year that Chamlian Armenian School opened its doors to students with its traditional opening ceremony.

Rejuvenated and excited to begin the new school year, students in grades one through eight lined up at their assigned places as parents and teachers watched.

Saro Nazarian, the chair of the Eastern Armenian Department, began the ceremony with a warm and welcoming speech.  Soon after, he greeted the school’s incoming first graders as they were escorted down by the eighth grade graduating class of 2012. The tradition symbolizes the school’s commitment to educating youth, one generation after another.

The Reverend Father Vazken Atmajian followed the procession with a prayer, after which Vahan Mehrabian and Sarene Adessian led the students in the Armenian and American pledges of allegiance.

The school vice principal Rita Kaprielian officially declared the school open and welcomed the students and their parents to the new academic year. She proudly announced that 14 of the new students are children of Chamlian alumni, acknowledging the alumni by announcing each of their names.

Reverend Father Vazken Atmajian read His Eminence Arch. Moushegh Mardirossian’s message to Chamlian Armenian School’s students, wishing them a successful year and reiterating the importance of Armenian Schools and their mission.

Principal Vazken Madenlian then closed the ceremony, thanking all the parents for their active involvement and continued support of the school.