Touts the Value of Community College

I’m the president of the GCC Scholars Program. I currently attend Glendale Community College but live in La Crescenta. Two years ago, after my last semester at Crescenta Valley HS when most of my friends moved away, I stayed home for community college and the loneliness and envy kicked in pretty swiftly. But once I stepped onto the campus, I realized that my experience at GCC could be just as enriching and memorable as at a university. And after hearing from my cousins about the school’s honors program, I jumped at the opportunity to sign up. What followed was a blessing.

The GCC Scholars Program, as it is officially known, expands upon the benefits of the community college experience. Scholars, as it is colloquially called, provides rigorous academic courses, gives back to the community by volunteering, and nurtures lifelong social bonds between the members of this distinguished honors program. These elements, not academics alone, are essentials for every young adult, and local community colleges can provide them.

The value of attending community colleges across this great nation is getting lost at a crucial moment in our society. At present, the minds of America’s teens are seemingly made up. A majority of them only plan to go straight from high school to a four-year institution, ignoring community colleges all together as if they are poisonous to their futures. Every time I visit CV to present information on GCC and the Scholars Program, students hold firmly onto the stigma despite my best efforts to legitimize both. They think that their intellect should not be “wasted” in a community college versus attending the all-important university, regardless of its reputation. This view is clearly misguided, especially amongst those who excelled academically in high school. I chose the community college route, and I am proud of it.

After reading this, I hope you recognize the value of California community colleges as a solid foundation for successful transfer to a four-year institution, especially via honors programs like Scholars. For more information, go to www.gccscholars.com. You won’t regret it.

Andrew Panosian

La Crescenta

A Virtual Commemoration

Every year near April 24, the City of Glendale holds an Annual Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event at the Alex Theatre. Last year was the 18th time. This year, [the City of Glendale] did something unique due to the novel coronavirus global pandemic. It released a YouTube video, “We Remember: Armenian Genocide Commemorative Video 2020,” recording some of the highlights from the past five years. However, last year’s was noteworthy in that so many non-Armenians helped mark the day.

For example, the students in the Glendale High School choir sang Armenian songs beautifully, even though they were not all Armenians. They also sang the national anthems of the United States and of Armenia. Students from the Air Force Junior ROTC from Crescenta Valley High School performed the flag ceremony; none of them were Armenian. Additionally, a local Armenian troop performed. The Zvartnots Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin danced to a recording by Komitas, the Armenian cultural icon who is considered the father of ethnomusicology. The recording selected, “Hill Bring Breeze,” is more than 100 years old and features Komitas’ beautiful baritone voice. Komitas represents the symbol of the Armenians’ suffering through the Genocide. Komitas had worldwide fame before being arrested, with other Armenian elites and intellectuals, by the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 1915.

Dr. Peter Green, chair of the performing arts division at Glendale College, combined Armenian and non-Armenian choirs. The Glendale College Concert singers sang with the Homenetmen Ararat Chapter Choir, which is an Armenian organization, along with Armenian drummer Jacob Armen and his non-Armenian band. Dr. Green masterfully drew the musical sounds together and Armenian and non-Armenian voices blended together so beautifully that the choir seemed to breathe as one. It was an exceptional performance of Armenian music and songs that gave voice to the 1.5 million martyrs massacred.

The Genocide commemoration and the candlelight vigil is both an alert and a prayer that will continue to be honored and performed by artists and musicians, whether the performers are Armenians, Americans or non-Armenians. Although this year was different due to the coronavirus halting social gatherings, this tradition shall continue. Everyone will come in future years whether or not our voices are heard by world leaders. Everyone has an opportunity to watch “We Remember,” on YouTube video.

Let’s remember that both the U.S. Congress and the Senate recognized the Armenian Genocide almost unanimously on Oct. 29, 2019 and unanimously Dec. 12, 2019. The voice of justice has been heard!

Yes, together we will combat the COVID-19 and survive, and together we will bring justice to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Let us remember Komitas, who had the honor to be on the United Nations (UNESCO) 2018-19 eminent personalities calendar, whose music heals the soul and has the power to even combat the novel coronavirus. We’re silently praying, in the spirit of Armenian values and character, to God and to our holy saint martyrs for justice to be served.

Rachel Melikian

Glendale

Military Appreciation Month

May is Military Appreciation Month when we the people have the opportunity to thank World War II veterans, celebrate the men and women serving today and remember the men and women who gave their last full measure of devotion in the defense of our nation.

Tomorrow, May 8 is the 75th anniversary of VE Day recalling the end of WW2 in Europe. The Second World War finally ended on Sept. 2, 1945, VJ Day, when Japan finally surrendered. Sixteen million men and women served during the Second World War. About 342,000 remain with us and 370 of America’s Greatest Generation are dying every day.

May 16 will be Armed Forces Day this year. It is a time to celebrate and thank the men and women on active duty around the world defending our nation. They are the greatest force for peace in the world today.

On Memorial Day, May 25, we will remember the men and women who were killed in action as well as those who were prisoners of war or missing in action and are still unaccounted for, to this day.

In closing, there are three foundational American principles that bind these three groups together. You will find those principles on any coin in your pocket. They are “E Pluribus Unum” – Out Of Many, One; “In God We Trust” and “Liberty.” I invite you to take a few minutes and reflect on the abundant blessings of peace and freedom that you enjoy.

Lynn McGINNIS

Glendale