The Girl Scouts of Troop 4511(all Mountain Avenue fourth graders) have a passion for dogs and cats, so it was a natural choice for them to complete their Agents of Change journey at a local animal shelter.
The girls developed their sewing talents by making 20 fleece blankets. They also developed their leadership skills and learned the benefits of teamwork by organizing a blanket and towel drive at their school. They achieved their goal of helping dogs and cats thereby making the world a better place.
Submitted by Melissa STEPHAN
Court of Honor Held
Boy Scout Troop 317 held a Court of Honor on April 25 at Holy Redeemer Healy Hall in Montrose. This was to recognize and acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the Scouts who earned rank advancements and merit badges. Boy Scout Ethan Arellano, for his service, commitment to scouting and selfless acts of helping others, had earned the BSA Star rank. As a Star Scout, Ethan now has more responsibilities in his service duties as a Boy Scout.
Recognized for their good work, congratulations were extended to Boy Scouts Rowan Fitzgerald, David Januzik, Aedan Molina, Allister Quizon, Sean Salazar and Curtis Yun for earning numerous awards and merit badges, like camping, personal fitness and snow sports.
A highlight was the recognition of Boy Scouts Ryan Januzik, Alexander Soewers and Kevin Tom who recently passed their respective Eagle Scout boards of review. These three Scouts will be honored at an Eagle Court of Honor on May 20.
On April 29, Girl Scout Troop 1601 participated in a Golden Gate bridging ceremony in San Francisco. Local La Crescenta fifth graders Natalie Avakian, Erin Blackley, Jessica Bruck, Avalon Burzynski, Emmaline Enright, Maddie Hayes, Suji Hong, Hannah Pitney and Keira Russell joined over 6,000 girls, both local and out of state, in walking across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge as they bridged from juniors to cadettes. These Scouts enjoyed this once-in-a -lifetime opportunity!
Submitted by Melanie BURZYNSKI
Local Girl Scouts Bridge to Next Level
On April 29, Girl Scout Troop 1601 participated in a Golden Gate bridging ceremony in San Francisco. Local La Crescenta fifth graders Natalie Avakian, Erin Blackley, Jessica Bruck, Avalon Burzynski, Emmaline Enright, Maddie Hayes, Suji Hong, Hannah Pitney and Keira Russell joined over 6,000 girls, both local and out of state, in walking across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge as they bridged from juniors to cadettes. These Scouts enjoyed this once-in-a -lifetime opportunity!
It was a “Star Wars” themed evening at Mountain Avenue Elementary School on May 4. The annual art night is an event where every child at Mountain Avenue displays art.
“We are proud of our artists and are so appreciative of our PTA for organizing the event,” said Principal Jaclyn Scott. “The Rosemont [Middle School] jazz band played great hits to make the event truly festive.”
Mountain Avenue Elementary School held its 2017 variety show in late April. The theme was Somewhere Over the Rainbow and, out of the 60 acts that auditioned, 16 were chosen to be a part of the show.
The show included bands, dance, instrumental performances and poetry reciting. Principal Jaclyn Scott said she was “thrilled” with the talent, demonstrating the performing arts at Mountain Avenue Elementary.
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s Vocum Veritas took home a first place trophy at the World Strides Choral Festival and Competition in San Diego during the weekend of April 1. The competition featured 19 different schools and various types of groups attended – concert choirs, chamber choirs, show choirs, men’s choirs and women’s choirs. Vocum Veritas swept the women’s choir division, winning first place. The group also placed third overall and was only three points below first place.
Under the direction of Aaron Mosley, the group performed three songs, “Kaval Sviri,” a traditional Bulgarian choral piece, “Weep No More” by David N. Childs and “J’entends le moulin” (“I Hear the Windmill”), a French-Canadian work by Donald Patriquin. Judging was done by three adjudicators; each held a DMA (doctoral in musical arts) degree in music.
Due to their high score, Vocum Veritas was invited to compete in one of World Strides national competitions, called the Festival of Gold, with the option of attending the festival in Washington D.C., Chicago or Nashville.
Crescenta Valley High School Senior Reflections for the Class of 2017 will take place on Tuesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. in the MacDonald Auditorium. Senior Reflections is a must-attend event enabling the 2017 graduates to reflect on their high school experiences at CVHS.
This program (a very important senior-centered event) will feature seniors, senior class offices, faculty and staff as they share their aspirational thoughts and inspirational memories with music, elocution and pictorial fanfare. The talented participants will showcase what it means to be part of the CVHS family – a community of students, staff and family exchanging support, guidance and encouragement – all while fostering a lifelong education.
Everyone – seniors, family, friends, students and staff – are invited to attend this hour-long event. There is no limit on the number of invitees. Photos with favorite students (outfitted in cap and gown) are welcome if not encouraged before, during and after the program.
For more information, contact Frances Mencia at cfmencia@sbcglobal.net.
The MacDonald Auditorium is located at 4400 Ramsdell Ave. in La Crescenta.
Registration Open for LCPC Parent Ed Fall Program
Registration for La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s Parent Education fall program is now open. Entering its 39th year, Parent Ed offers 14 classes for parents of children 0-18 that provide education, friendship, and sustenance. Classes meet weekly September through May and attract approximately 400 participants from 22 different cities. Classes fill up fast, so don’t wait to register!
Please go to www.lacanadapc.org/parented for class listings, staff bios, and online registration. Scholarships and payment plans are available online. Affordable childcare is offered during all class times.
La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill in La Cañada.
Primary teachers with Dr. Reynods enjoying a delicious luncheon
The first week of May was celebrated as Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week at Valley View Elementary School. Doors were decorated by parent volunteers to show how much they and the community appreciate the professionals who teach and guide their children every day.
The traditional staff appreciation lunch was held on Friday, May 5 and had a Hawaiian theme. Massage Envy and Starbuck gift cards were raffled during the luncheon. Valley View’s PTA members Lisa Pang and Lisa Ingoldsby helped serve food and the PTA provided Valley View gift cups filled with goodies.
Submitted by Viehanoosh NAZARIAN
EEELP teachers Tamara Dittes and Mali PurananGreat times at lunch with Dr. ReynoldsHaving a great lunch, Mali Paliwan and school secretary Annette Valian
Incredible volunteers setting up the Hawaiian lunch, Lisa G. and Lisa P.Lunch time funMusic teacher’s doorSpecial Education team, Elizabeth Rubinstein and Karen DelgadoWonderful PTA volunteers Lisa Pang and Lisa Ingoldsby
Monte Vista students, part of the Crescenta Commons Kids, supported the recently rebranded Crescenta Commons Garden on Saturday, May 20. Under the guidance of Robbyn Battles, Ines Chessum and Fred Laughrey, as well as crossing guard Nan Gwinner and Monte Vista principal Suzanne Risse, students planted drought-resistant shrubs and foliage to brighten up the Crescenta Commons Garden. Plants were purchased through the students’ fundraising efforts.
From left are Mimi Suh, Goar Ayrapetyan, Rep. Adam Schiff, Annabel Lawton Boardman and Monika Uguryan
Rep. Adam Schiff recently hosted the annual 28th District Congressional Art Competition and Forum at Van De Kamp Hall in Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. During the exhibit, attended by more than 200 students, teachers and parents, Schiff announced that Mimi Suh’s mixed media piece “Building Blocks” had won first place and will be included in the nationwide Congressional Arts Competition: An Artistic Discovery, in Washington, D.C. Her artwork will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year, alongside winners from other congressional districts across the nation. Mimi attends Crescenta Valley High School, lives in La Crescenta and is in the 12th grade.
Additionally, Schiff announced that Goar Ayrapetyan’s photograph “Looking for an Opening” and Annabel Lawton Boardman’s linocut print “Ministry of Peace” won second and third place, respectively, and their artwork will be displayed in Congressman Schiff’s Washington, D.C. office and his Burbank District Office. Goar attends John Burroughs High School and Annabel attends the LA County High School for the Arts. Schiff also awarded the People’s Choice award to Monika Uguryan for her painting, “World’s Eye.” Monika attends the Atanian Art Center: School of Fine Art & Design. Monika’s artwork will be displayed in Rep. Schiff’s Hollywood District Office. Over 2,500 constituents voted in the People’s Choice online contest this year.
“Each year, it is an honor to see young artists from our community showcase their talent,” said Schiff. “Every student involved in this competition deserves recognition, and I hope they will all continue to enrich our community with their artwork. I want to congratulate this year’s winners, Mimi, Goar, Annabel, and Monika. I look forward to viewing their art this year in my offices and in the Capitol building!”
This year, the judges serving on the panel to award the different prizes included Kellye Nakahara Wallett, David Warren, and Patricia Peréz. Kellye Nakahara Wallett is a well-known watercolor artist who is also known for her role as “Nurse Kellye” in the television series “M*A*S*H.” David Warren is on the board of trustees of the Hollywood Arts Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes, nurtures and supports the arts of Hollywood. Patricia Peréz is a multi-media artist and board member of the Elysian Valley Arts Collective.
There were 58 entries representing 24 schools in the 28th Congressional District this year. Each student participant received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Schiff. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have participated in the nationwide competition.
Mimi Suh will attend the opening reception in Washington D.C. on June 29.
Over 300 Crescenta Valley High School seniors and their guests attended the 2017 Prom Plus event held at the Crescenta Cañada YMCA. In addition to a full casino, guests had plenty to keep them busy from midnight to 5 a.m.
Photos by Joe ALLEN and Charly SHELTON
balloon hatsBalloon hatsBungee run and pool tablesBungee runBungee
Dance Dance RevolutionDance Dance Revolutionfull casinoguests arrivingHenna tattoosHuman foosball 2Human foosballHuman foosballJurassic Park was the themeLaser tagMaking a runMechanical sharkMechanical sharkon the zip linePlenty to eatPlenty to eatPrizes!Prom plus bannerregistrationrock climbing wallsmoothie stationTarot card readerThe theme was Jurassic Parkvideo gamesZip line
Crescenta Valley Weekly congratulates the graduating classes of our local high schools and those promoting at Rosemont Middle School and the local elementary schools!
CRESCENTA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Edwin Lee
Adriana Abelian
Hratch Abrahamian
Arin Sarkissian
Amanda Adcook
Annie Agazaryan
Lillian Akopyan
Noor Alanizi
Brendan Alcalde
David Alikhanian
Benjamin Allen
Laurent Almendarez Gomez
Raymond Alonso
Michael Alvarez
Kayla Antanesian
Anthony Arakelian
David Arellano
Karla Arom
Nicolas Arredondo
Arvin Artonian
Aleksa Atanackovic
Sevada Avanessian
Lia Avasapian
Ada Avila
Ani Babakhaneans
Hannah Bae
Henry Bagramyan
Michael Balian
Trey Ballard
Emily Barbar
Henry Barkhordarian
Avery Barnes
Delaney Barrera
Mitchell Bayles
Maxwell Beglarian
Rachel Bender
Jeremy Benson
Joshua Bentzen
Alex Bertram
Conor Blakey
Jaimy Blank
Joanne Blood
Carlos Boror
Elise Boyle
Destiny Bright
Sophia Bringas
Marisa Broadrick
Ashley Brown
Kristen Brown
Matthew Brunner
Olivia Bryan
Brandon Budwig
Adnan Bulic
Lauren Byun
Asia Cain
Julian Cally
Matthew Carbajal
Carolyn Carothers
Kayley Carreno
Katherine Castellana
Haley Castro
Brendan Caver
Jeong A Cha
Eric Chambrasi
Rachel Chang
Erin Chang
Rebekah Charters
Christopher Chavez
Brendan Chess
Sarah Chew
Tyler Chew
Stacey Chin
Justin Cho
April Cho
Kelly Cho
Ellen Choe
Amy Choi
Joshua Choi
Young Woo Choi
Jilly Choi
Branden Chong
Amanda Chookhachian
Russell Chow
Woo Suk Chung
William Chung
Rebecca Cisneros
Xizhon St Franci Clare
Alexandra Clarke
Tara Coffeen
Nikki Collins
Samantha Colvin
Jesse Contente Pelayo
Benjamin Cooke
Kyle Cooper
Dante Coronado
Amber Craig
Elizabeth Crotty
Leah Crowther
Connor Cruz
Kaleia Cuervo
Kathryn Cummings
Evan Currie
Jessica Da Volio
Samantha Daidone
Jacqueline Dall
Lara Daneshgaran Bajastan
Cole Davis
Madison Davis
Charlotte Day
Athena Marie De Vera-Drew
Ashley Dean
Anthony Dehnoushi
Connor Dempsey
Lance Dennison
Audrey Derian
Angela Lulejian
Aliana Di Piazza
Andrew Dittes
Brianna Domingo
Nicholas Doubrovsky
Christopher Drainudel
Riley Duarte
Brandon Duet
Joshua Duncan
Brett Dunkin
James Duquette
Saylore Duryee
Lindsey Edelstein
Indira Evans
Darius Farhoumand
Thomas Farmer
Angelica Feeney
Mathew Fernandez
Justin Flores
Noah Flores
Richard Fonda
Ethan Gabon
Ian Galloway
Mathew Galoostian
Brenda Gamez
Akila Ganapathi
Tristan Kyle Ganzon
Riley Garcia
Kathlynn Gates
Michelle Gee
Deena Gharibian
Michelle Ghazarian
Diuon Vartanian
Amy Giboney
Sarah Gillespie
Kalea Girroir
Patrick Goldsmith
Tomas Gonzalez
Emin Gorjian
Jocelyn Emma Gould
Samantha Gould
Paige Grande
Christina Graves
Gwenyth Greco
Carly Griffin
Ani Gukasian
Ani Hajibekyan
Jonathan Han
Sharon Han
Kyu Hyun Han
Kyu Min Han
Sarin Hanneyan
Sevag Hanneyan
Zoe Harris
Vardges Harutyunyan
David Heckmann
Gyun Heo
Demetrius Hernandez
Dana Herrera
Reagan Hesse
Teagan Higuchi
Tyler Hill
Jason Hoisington
Jonathan Holden
Charles Holeman
Clyde Hovsepian
Michelle Huezo
Chris Huh
Edgar Hukassian
Jason Hur
Stephanie Hwang
Brittney Hwang
Armen Isayan
Thalia Jabotian
Kaitlyn Jabourian
Hyo Eun Jang
Jean Jaramillo
Seung Jee
Brianna Jenks
Yoo Jeong
Joo Young Jeong
Alex Jilizian
Briana Jimenez
Min Chae Jin
Anders Johnson
Yeon Hee Joo
Kira Jordan
Sunghoon Jung
Jacob Stephen Junio
Kudzai Kachingwe
Royce Kang
Kiana Karn
Karolin Karnik
Matthew Kaufmann
Paige Kenyon
Patricia Kerman
Gregory Keshishian
Marie Keshishian
Monte Keshishian
Eric Keshishyan
Teny Khachadourian
Alex Khachatourian
Armen Khachikyan
Catherine Khajadourian
Alex Khazhakyan
Anna Khechoomian
Christina Khopshanosova
Aleen Kiledjian
Jack Kilgore
Lydia Kim
Alvin Kim
Allyson Kim
Dillon Kim
Joseph Kim
Alyssa Kim
Matias Kim
Alice Kim
Grace Kim
Chris Kim
Nina Kim
Naomy Kim
Jane Kim
Lynette Kim
Nicolas Kim
Eugene Kim
Chan Ill Kim
Su Kim
Taeklim Kim
Yoonhye Kim
Ashley Kim
Samuel Kim
Bon Won Koo
Ryan Kramer
Jennifer Kubela
Leila Kulenovic
Alison Kwan
Andrea Labudzki
Kyle Lange
Myles Larin
Nathan Larreynaga
Alexandros Lattas
Karissa Layseca
Lew Aaron Karl Lazatin
Samuel Le Fevre
Noble Leduc
Josephine Lee
Nicole Lee
Nathan Lee
Dasol Lee
Jonathan Lee
Nicole Lee
Camila Lee
Pamela Lee
Austin Lee
Grace Lee
Hae Joo Lee
Karis Lee
Yeon Ji Lee
Jonathan Lee
Troy Leef
Lillian Leif
Brianna Leon
Desiree Leon Rosales
David Lewis
Cassidy Lewis
Arleth Lima
Sierra Lindman Marshall
Loryn Lindsey
Samuel Linkchorst
Yu Liang Liu
David Llerena
Kelli Loritsch
Camryn Lozano
Jacqueline Luna
Owen Lunt
Je Suk Ma
Ryan Malloy
Philipa Manoukian
Raffi Margossian
Brianna Marroquin
Lucas Martos-Repath
Caden Mc Kinney
Aidan McCarty
Madison McDonough
Polin Megerdichian
Talitha Mehdikhanian
Cassey Melkonian
Christopher Menke
Tyler Mesa
Max Meyer
Katie Meza Soto
Denise Michel
Desiree Michel
Nikolas Milanian
Emily Miller
Jarod Minasian
Zareh Mirzayan
Jenna Mitchell
Manvel Mkrtchyan
Ian Mocorro
Kaylyn Mok
Sasha Monterroso
Eric Moon
Sung Moon
Julia Moran
Elisabeth Morrell
Raphael Movsesian
Rebel Murphy
Malley Musso
Paulo Naccarati
Yuree Nam
Gloria Namkung
Mara Niesyt
Nadeen Nima
Emily Novak
John Nunes
Leo Ohandjanians
Rodin Onniek Adjmian
Janice Pak
Lorin Pak
Adrian Palafox
Jonathan Paredes
Kelly Park
Joshua Park
Jason Park
Daniel Park
Jong Park
Johann Park
Eamon Patamasing
Julie Payton
Christine Petrosian
Julianna Petrosian
Alyssa Pimentel
Andrea Pimentel Rodriguez
Ailen Piralyan
Sydney Pontius
Katie Prehn
Therese Ramos
Karly Ranek
Natalie Rastian
Emily Redecker
Michelle Reeves
Matthew Reiner
River Remey
Luke Rosette
Robert Rothrock
Kalea Ruiz
Harley Russell
Anthony Russo
Eric Ryang
Rouben Saakian
Jennifer Saengsri
Riya Sagar
Maria Sala
Idean Samirami
Austin Sampson
Kiara Sandoval
Chase Sanford
Ailyn Santos
Natalie Sargsyan
Vache Sarkissian
Alex Sarkissian
Elizabeth Sarkisyan
Alexandra Sato
Emily Sauer
Marc Schreiber
Jeweliana Schultz-Johnson
Kaylee Scott
Alexander Sermanian
Michael Shahinian
Jarrett Sharp
Abigail Sheklow
Jessy Shelton
Kenta Shimizu
Eugene D Shin
Soon Shin
Sung Shin
Eugene Shin
Michelle Sinani
Matilda Sinany
Kevin Siraki
Kaylee Siu
Alexander Smith
Dean Smith
Got Smyth
Natalie Snyder
Jillian Snyder
Angela Snyder
Summerain Solomon
Madeline Sommers
Jessica Sommers
Alvin Song
Alicia Soto
Patricia Springer
Alec Stepanian
Frederick Stepanian
Dakota Stewart
Kevin Strawn
Gabrielle Susca
Noorhan Swendah
Saad Swendah
Carly Szabados
George Tahmassian
Vana Ter-Hovhannesian
Brandon Thomas
Dominic Townsend-Carroll
Andrew Traber
Nicholas Tralongo
Tara Troschak
James Tumbucon
David Valian
Andrew Van Ginkel
Kaitlin Marie Velarde
Scott Vinceri
Catrina Voors
Luke Wade
John Walsh
Andrew Walsh
Maryanne Ward
Mark Webster
Hannah Weingarten
Charles Weinmann
Christian Wesley
Suzanne Whifler
Sabrina White
Braeden White
Jared Wolcott
Emma Wollenweber
Justin Won
John Woo
Grace Wright
Isabel Wright
Joshua Yang
Samara Yarnes
Michael Yedigaryan
Eunice Yi
Donovan Ynda
Matthew Ynda
Esther Yoo
Angie Yoo
Ye Chan Yoo
Ki Woong Yoon
Esther Yoon
Woo Vin Youn
Sofia Young
Eric Yun
Jessica Yzaguirre
Collette Zaghakian
Christopher Zedlar
Ala Zohouralen
Jihye Choi
Da Sol Jeong
Sung Jun Lee
Mimi Suh
Odelia Kim
Lucia Chekerjian
Jason Beggs
Nicole Kalayjian
Alina Obdzhanyan
Clair Schlueter
Emily Jabourian
Nicole Jabourian
Hyun Jae Oh
Hyun Sik Kong
John Wells
Christina Chung
Andreh Yaghoubian
Amos Ro
Ray Back
Brandon Beardt
Maxmillion Dubner
Aidan Travis
German Park
Sierra Kerr
I Re Lee
Genevieve Gonzales
Krista Mercado
Han Seong Im
Daisy Maddox
Christopher Abdalian
Anthony Kerimyan
Alex Garabekyan
Naeiri Hayrapetian
Paul Cho
Zechariah Gonzalez
Eric Song
Kira Valera
Tajwar Khandaker
Yeun Ho Choi
Julianna Quinonez
Dylan Harrison
Armine Charkchyan
Arthur Nazaryan
Alex Akopyan
Daniel Kim
Sara Choi
Mary Cloie Go
Jimmy Moreno
Montana Cueto
Makkenzie Zepeda
Tsolag Torikian
Sungjin Cho
Narek Galstyan
Andrew Atherton
Isabella Magdaleno
Juri Lee
Su Min Choe
William Rees
Leonardo Sanchez-Montes
Ani Mazmanian
Michelle Garabetian
Sydney Schoeller
Quinn Kelly
Soyeon Kang
Cole Miller
Diego Gonzalves
Maegan Yim
Margarita Petrosyan
Samuel Park
Hovanes Kalijian
Ethan Valencia
Jennifer Gorman
Madeline Ritcheson
Sevag Antabian
Michael Babayan
Hyoung Suk Mun
Danielle Munoz
Leilanie Coker
Hyounjoo Lee
Ryan Lopez
Ju Won Kim
Miriam Perez Campos
Audrey Kim
Jestena Galvan
Jaden Suh
Andrew Vartanian
Christopher Mendoza
Teny Shahjahanian
Analisa Bribiesca
Jorden Esparza
Avann Santos
Ha Lin Kim
Yeran Lee
Grace Ko
JiWon Lee
Andre Keshishian
Ani Zamani
Nicholas Hartounian
Tyler Cadelina
Ani Gharapetian
Dro Gharapetian
Anthony Zaragoza
Giordan Hawkins
James Matthew Mendoza
Haroutun Zhamkochian
Taylor Haas
Kent Morfin
Anthony Yeghiayan
Arbi Avanessian
Justin Jamir
Ani Markarian
Shelby Reif
Journey Shank
Kewin Aleman-Ledesma
Sebouh Oshagan
Davit Reganyan
Eva Nefas
Sarah Kim
Julian Galeano
Jose Antonio Escobedo
Ryan Dalmas
Minneh Solaimanian
Luis Flores
MaryJane Martinez
Viviana Solorzano
Raquel Ghougasian
Derick Aghayane
Levon Donabedian
Jairo Aguilar
Chae Won Lim
Martha Gayle Espinola
Alexis Miller
Victoria Forsblad
Chantal You
Min Ji Kim Kim
Yong Hyun Kim
Junkeun Yi
Natalie Misetich
Mary Rose Shaheen
Katrina Akbarian
Katelyn Sayre
Duncan Anderson
David Solis
Makan Afzali
Carson Akers
Cameron Vargas
Niharah Shillingford
Krikor Kechichian
Alice Chun
Keilah Domenico
Allen Gwon
Asma Karim
Levon Barseghyan
Dorian Nelson
Marineh Mousalu
Maggie Gabr
Kevin Taix
Dong Hyun Kim
Haniyet Soleyman
Jessica Rehrmann
Paige Sawicki
Harrison Manzano
Aayushi Priya
Michael Pirjanloo
Alyssa Pieprzyca
Craig Busch
Chase Kunaschk
Armen Kazorian
Isela Rivas
Jeho Jin
Carli Clay Dunn
Yujin Cho
Soo Bin Lee
Dong Jin Choe
Brandon Kim
Arootin Aghajani
Andy Hwang
Jae Hwang
Josue Ortiz
Nicole Abnous
Loren Fittante
Anahit Madatyan
Giorgia Novak
Jinae Navarrete
Gabryel Valenzuela
Miguel Lopez Boche
Kachatur Gazdzhyan
CLARK HIGH SCHOOL
Artur Abgaryan
Preti Abnoosi
Edrik Abnous Masihi
Celine Abrahamian
Nareh Abramian
Sona Aghasaryan
Melanie Aghayane
Leo Aghazaryan
Himanshi Ahir
Arlene Aladadyan
Cynthia Alejandre
Seiran Aleksanyan
Narek Aloyan
Jerome Alton
Renita Amirian
Areen Andreasian
Arman Antonyan
Eric Arakelian
Zhanna Arsenyan
Marie Arutyunyan
Aram Arutyunyan
Nanor Asadourian
Rouzanna Asatryan
Haroutyoun Ashkharian
Edita Asiryan
Dareh Aslanpour
Artur Avetisyan
Izabella Avetisyan
Natalie Azizian
David Babakhanian
Kristina Baghramyan
John Bandek
Esther Barahona
Armine Barfyan
Alek Barkhordarian
Andranik Basambekyan
Calvin Miguel Bayaua
Aren Bedrousian
Patrick Begian
Araksie Berberian
Andrea Mikaela Bernardo
Rita Bilamejian
Lousaper Boghosian
Austin Borusiewicz
Kristina Boshyan
Anik Boyadzhyan
Aram Bulutyan
Jonathan Cardeno
Amalya Chakhbasian
Michael Chebishian
Josiah Collins
Ty Cooper
Isaiah Coyotl
Anthony Cragnotti
Michael Davtyan
Tanya Davtyan
Ryan De Angelis
Cristian De La Cruz
Allen Deravanessian
Natalie DerAvanessian
Talar Derbedrosian
Manvel Dzhanoyan
Hripsime Eghiazarian
Ryan Ellinwood
Lilian Eloyan
Pollyanna Esaghoolian
Gabriel John Espinosa
Liam Estes
Argin Eyvazi
Raisa Faisal
Vahe Farhadnejad
Davis Favara
Jonathan Fong
Anthony Francisco
Sandra Gadalla
Melena Gadayan
Devin Gallagher
Claire Garcia
Kiara Gardea
Anna Gasparyan
Alisa Gasparyan
Sergey Gevorkyan
Lia Gharabeg
Taleena Gharibian
Anna Ghazaryan
John Golingay
Rosa Gonzalez
Jacquelyn Goryan
Andranik Grigorian
Grisha Grigoryan
Levon Gukasyan
Levon Gukasyan
Leo Hacopian
Varuzhan Hakobyan
Ella Harutyunyan
Evelina Harutyunyan
Marah Hasan
Roni Hayroomian
Michelle Hernandez
Grigor Hoonanian
Hagop Hovannessian
Arpi Iskandaryan
Leo Issagholian
Areg Jangozian
Vahan Jivalagian
John Jerald Junio
Aleen Kadoian
Michael Kallas
Alex Karapetyan
Anthony Karroum
Margaret Kasbarian
Melanie Kasparian
Avedis Kegeyan
Hakob Keshishyan
Mena Keshishzadeh
Menua Khachatouryan
Karina Khachaturova
Sevada Khashadoorian
Arka Khechoomian
Diana Khosrovyan
Harutyun Khudaverdyan
Byoung Ko
Haik Kolsuzyan
Michael Koulian
YooJe Lee
Jordan Ligot
Alejandra Lopez
Steven Lopez
Vanessa Lujan
Alexander Luke
Marco Magardichian
Harut Malkoon
Tigran Mamikonyan
Rania Mamo
Shant Manamshian
Hasmik Manucharyan
Arthur Manvelyan
Natalie Markaryan
Nanor Martirosian
Alen Martirosyan
Nicolas Matar
Dexxer Lansk Medina
Arina Megerdichian
Anita Megerdichyan
Mason Metz
Anna Mikaelian
Elizabeth Minasian
David Minasyan
Harutun Minasyan
Nicholas Mirzoyan
Larisa Mkrtchyan
Lauren Momjian
Arineh Moradian
Minely Moradian
Eden Morris
Phillip Mouradkhanian
Narvik Mousamoghaddam
Hovhanes Movsisyan
Natella Muradyan
Armen Najaryan
Hrach Nalchajyan
Armen Navasardyan
Lily Nazarian
Mency Nazarian
Erik Nazarian
Anna Nazaryan
Jakub Nogalski
Tristan O’Donnell
Arvin Ohanian
Alessandro Palermo
Vahan Paronyan
Anna Parsamyan
Meetkumar Patel
Marissa Pereira
Geracl Petrosian
Lina Petrossian
Ani Petrosyan
Milena Piltakyan
Hrair Pogosian
Alexander Popovic
Jonna Price
George Purtseladze
Eunice Ramilo
Demetrio Rebollo
Hunter Regan
Gian Rivera
Margaret Skye Rivera
Lucas Rosen
Teni Rostami
Lauren Rovello
Christopher Ruano
Jacqueline Saakian
Leen Sabaar
Samuel Sackett
Armin Sadeghi
Gilbertt Saenz Jr
Erik Sargsyan
Nariseh Sarkis Haratounian
Shant Sarkisian
Arvin Sarkissian
Elen Sayamyan
Aren Shaginian
Bhavin Shah
Amineh Shahbazian
Karen Shaheideh
Leo Shahnazari
Allen Shain
Liana Shaverdian
Ninette Simonian
Edit Simonyan
Karla Solorzano
Daniel Son
Robert Stepanyan
Talin Tarverdian
Tadeh Tarverdian
Arthur Ter-Avagyan
Edward Terzian
Andrew Tinoco
Marida Torosyan
Kahren Torosyan
Daniel Torres
Anthony Trujillo
Luiza Vardanyan
Serli Vartanian
Tenny Vasghanian
Deroo Vasghanian
Andrea Vazquez
Enrique Vazquez Jr
Jennifer Vo
Lauren Warshaw
Samuel Witt
Wolfgang Yakkel
Jimmy Zaarour
Arpa Zarokian
Christina Zatourian
Shant Zatourian
Zheyue Zhao
Thomas Zohrabyan
ROSEMONT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Narek Abelian
Aya Accad
Evan Aceytuno
Charlotte Ackley
Ashley Acuna
Alex Adamyan
Angelica Agahsi
Chloe Aghajanian
Ernesto Aguilar
Lourdes Aguirre
Anahita Ahmadi
Manazir Ahmed
Richard Airapetian
Shant Akopyan
Anna Allahverdian
Lillian Allaire
Trevor Allen
Tristan Paolo Almojera
Serli Amirchian
Amy An
Jason Anderson
Ruby Andonian
Matthew Andonians
Heidi Apkarian
Matthew Remegio Apostol
Andrew Arellano
Edward Arestan Tamrazian
David Argumaniz
Tais Arrieta
Nicole Arzoomanian
Emma Asadoorian
Johnathan Asadoorian
Chloe Ataya
William Aumrin
Jenny Austin
Leana Avasepian
Marc Joshua Averion
Isabella Aydin
Edwin Azoian
Nicole Babakhanian
Gwendolyn Baca
Kwang Hyun Baek
Rafayel Baghdasaryan
Vaneh Baghdassarian
Izaak Bailey
Troy Barajas
Magnolia Barett
Lorena Barron
Diana Barseghyan
Aren Barsikhian
Anais Bastian
Rafi Bastramjian
Timothy Bautista
Jiane Beach
Sydney Bebla
Brooke Beer
Bartholomew Bendick
Grace Bennett
Corbin Bennett-Chamberlain
Annika Bentzen
Gabriel Berberian
Arthur Berberyan
Katie Bernabe
Keilani Bertino
Nicholas Betanzos
Prashanth Bhaskara
Jeremy Blackwood
Harrison Blake
Michael Blikian
Kimberly Blood
Lorianne Bodnar
Andrew Boghosian
Emily Boghozian
Yerazik Boghozian
Justin Bolstad
Victoria Borkowski
Valeria Borraez
Bonnie Boss
Barbara BreviglieriDeAlmeida
Mikhail Bridges
Jack Bright
Jared Bringas
Connor Briskin
Delaney Bromberek
Jack Brothers
Nolan Brown
Seena Brown
Julianna Brundige
James Brungard
Danae Buckley
Max Burton
Ethan Byeon
Tyler Carlander
Cadie Carlson
Alexander Casian
Nicole Cazian
Brian Cha
Jackson Chacon
Yoon Ju Chang
Samuel Chavez
Julianna Cheney
Christian Chernin
Brandon Chew
Adarsh Chilkunda
Vikram Chilkunda
Lucas Cho
Aidan Choi
Alexander Choi
Dahae Choi
Faith Choi
Moses Choi
Roy Choi
Sumin Choi
Won Choi
Albert Chung
Da Bin Chung
Hannah Chung
Jaden Chung
Ryan Chung
Cate Collard
Jonathan Connors
Hanabi Copon
Katelyn Coste
Nolan Costin
Phoebe Crowther
Helene Cruz
Christopher Cubias
Ashlin Cuesta
Luca Cuneo
Audrey Daly
Sejin Dam
Xander Darian
Aidan Darnell
Alexander Davis
Anna Davis
Bennett Davis
Claire Davis
Nicholas Davis
Alex Davtyan
Ashley Davtyan
Ryan De Bernier
Dylan De Choch
Kaylie De Kruyf
Kelvin De Laura
Pablo Lee De Vera-Drew
Sebastian Deleon
Miranda Delfino
Stepan Derian
Preet Desai
Jay Dickinson
Zoe Dimitropoulos
Katherine Doll
Hagop Donabedian
Rita Donabedian
Mitchell Doom
Elizabeth Doubrovsky
Lorayne Duda
Sedona Elliott
Yasmin Elzanaty
Ronan Emmerson
Sarah Enriquez
Logan Enslow
Hannah Eom
Moises Escandon
Isabella Estrada
Robert Estrada
Sion Fallah
Yashna Farahmand
Mason Faunce
Devon Fernandez
Kaylynn Fernandez
Emily Ferrufino
Maria Figueroa
Julian Finley
Molly Fleischer
Matthew Flores
Julia Forster
Lukas Fullner
Lily Gabr
Catherine Gallagher
Celine Galoustian
Narek Galoyan
Daniel Gamboa
Nicole Gamboa
Julie Garabetian
Jeremiah Garcia
Joshua Garcia
Rebekkah Garcia
Ryan Garretson
Eligh Gedgaudas
Daniel Georgiev
Denitsa Georgieva
Micah Gerola
Heidi Geronimo
Alex Gharibian
Emily Gharibian
Melody Gharibian
Leon Ghazaryan
Hudson Ghiya
Anahit Ghukasyan
Keeley Gibson
Nicole Ginoian
Emma Glaza
Nicolas Goethals
Ronald Goldstein
Riley Gonzales
Rosali Gonzalves
Willa Gore
Eric Greco
Maxwell Greenfield
Alexander Gregorian
Sierra Greninger
Adam Griffin
Alynn Grigorian
Cooper Gross
Kevin Guerrero
Christina Gukasian
Desiree Gunnoe
Andres Gurza
Joshua Gutierrez
Tatiana Guzelian
Asante Guzik
Sarah Guzman
Chris Haghverdian
Alex Hakopian
Alena Hall
Trevor Hall
Jaya Hamkins
Jacob Hampton
Sophia Han
Anaida Haroutiunian
Sophia Harris
Caeden Harrison
Connor Harvey
Dylan Haworth
Jack Haworth
Deven Hebrard
Riley Helberg
Kelly Helton
Neomie Herabedian
Max Herman IV
Alexis Hernandez
Tyler Hertel
Aidan Hickey
Lina Horn
Maneh Hovanesyan
Anthony Hovian
Emma Hurley
Brandon Hwang
Victoria Ibarra
Daniel Ismale
Aleen Issaghoolian
Sabin Issaghoulian
Tatiana Issaghoulian
Lucien Ives
Mackenzie Izzard
Miranda Jackson-Gain
Mykhal Jacquet
Alexander James
Benjamin Jang
Sunghyun Jang
Joseph Janosko
Taylor Jazan
Joshua Jeong
Gene Jeoung
Clay Jones
Kyle Jones
Ann Jun
Hannah Jun
Harry Jung
Eugene Kae
Ines Kang
Simone Kang
Yunsoo Kang
Jason Kaplan
Madeleine Karakashian
Karnik Karnik Markarian
Lia Kazarian
Mouner Kazzi
Alexander Kennedy
Thomas Kenny
Chloe Keshishian
Lala Keshishzadeh
Shant Kevorkian
Allen Khachatourian
Vahe Khachatourian
Yasmine Khaliqi
Emily Khani
Zaven Khanjian
Emily Khatchatryan
Emma Khodadadi
Emma Khodaverdian
Aaron Kim
Alan Kim
Andrew Kim
Andrew Kim
Angela Kim
Bada Kim
Cedric Kim
Corey Kim
Edward Kim
Felicity Kim
HaHymn Kim
Jinhyun Kim
Joshua Kim
Judy Kim
Jun-Hyun Kim
Justin Kim
Karis Yeun Kim
Katie Kim
Lauren Kim
Leena Kim
Madison Kim
Margaret Kim
Michelle Kim
Naree Kim
Nauen Kim
Paul Kim
Solmih Kim
Stella Kim
Vincent Kim
William Kim
Daniel Ko
Tsuyoshi Komatsu
Nvard Konanyan
Kenneth Isaiah Koteh
Aren Kotoyan
Norah Krantz
Eric Kruegermann
Lucian Kugler
Taylor Kuhn
Rachel Kwon
Christine Kyuregyan
Isabella La Borde
Sophia Labellarte
Steven Lahendro
Jasmine Lamar
Emily Landaverde
Brandon Lau
Allison Lee
Daisie Lee
Euichan Lee
Eunice Lee
Eunseo Lee
Isaac Lee
Joanne Lee
John Son Lee
Joshua Lee
Karen Lee
Nathan Lee
Nicole Lee
Rachel Lee
Ryan Lee
Sun Jun Lee
Wonjae Lee
Chloe Lehmann
Heidi Leon
Kaydin Lewis
Amanda Li
Balin Lievense
Jun Hyok Lim
Samuel Lim
Eric Limonadi
Elliot Lin
Erik Lindeman
Diego Lopez
Nathaniel Lopez
Huntington Love-Coronel
Alani Lum
Ye Seo Ma
Laith Madanat
Noah Maddox
Samuel Magana
Lara Mahmoudi
Scott Makhanian
Shayaan Malik
Isabella Mangahis
Daniel Mangasarian
Androo Manoukian Kenaraki
Anthony Marinov
Genevieve Marmorstein
Alden Marriott
Adam Martin
Jeremiah Martin
Jenny Martinez
Emin Matevosyan
Dexter Matthews
Mary Matthews
Jack Mawhinney
Andrew McDermott
Isabella McDiffett
Liam McKnight
Devon Medina
Rana Mehai
Michael Melendez
Christopher Menasaka
Thomas Menjivar
Juliana Merida
Carmela Michaeli
Genna Michel
Jace Milford
Kimberly Miller
Vivian Mirzakhanyan
Andre Mirzayan
Olivia Mittelman
Gaik Mkrtchian
Sylvana Molina
Jalen Montgomery
Heesu Moon
Sky Moon
Kayla Morales
Griffin Moralls
Grace Moreno
Russell Morrell
Isabella Mozo
Lilian Muradyan
Jack Myers
Allen Myung
Sarah Nakama
Elisha Nam
Gabriel Navoian
Vaheh Nazari Nikoo
Ryan Ngo
Mai Nguyen
Faith Nicoll
Wendell O’Bryan
Katherine Ogara
Hannah Oh
Alec Olmassakian
Leighton Ong Yiu
Annika O’Rourke
Sarah Ortega
Andrew Ortiz
Matthew Ortiz
Sean Oshiro
Joshua Ouh
Bryn Owen
Julien Owhadi
Praus Paek
Kyle Pak
Nathan Pak
Aren Panosian
Luke Pardo
Matthew Paredes
Benjamin Park
Daniel Park
Gloria Park
Hyunjoon Park
Ji-Min Park
Joseph Park
Marie Park
Minseo Park
Rachel Park
Sean Park
Seung Jae Park
Yesun Park
Kyla Parracino
Naelan Pattanapijig
Emma Pecqueur-Bell
Brendon Pehar
Nicholas Pelayo Sanchez
Acacia Perera-Hand
Ivan Perez
Amanda Petersen
Jacob Petersen
Kailee Petersen
Sophia Peterson
Arman Petrosyan
James Phagoo
Ciaran Pierce
Lillian Pina
Marina Poghosyan
Lucas Ponce
Talin Popovic
Maya Porcelli
Sarah Postelwait
Cassidy Prasertsit
Jensen Price
Isabella Proiette
Zachary Prothero
Brandon Provost
Kai Purdy-Burton
Karl Puttler
Aubrey Qian
Jacob Rabinovitz
Ryan Regala
Kyle Reid
Stephen Reil
Miles Reindorp Ricardo Dos
Rowan Respicio
Annica Reyes
Ethan Reyes
Isabella Reyes
Michael Rhyoo
Sarah Ricci
Anthony Rios
Anthony Rios
Audrey Rivera
Dominique Rocha
Isabella Rocha
Joel Rocha
Jaelynn Rodriguez
Jiyun Roe
Megan Roeder
Timothy Roh
Jacob Romero
Eric Rostamlou
Hannah Roth
Helaine Roth
Isabella Rucker
Matthew Ruf
Rodolfo Ruiz
Willow Rusciolelli
Kursten Rush
Amanda Rush Bova
Dana Ryan
Lauren Ryder
Sun Woo Ryu
Samantha Safarian
Rafayel Safaryan
Jessica Sala
Martin Salazar
Sofia Salinas
Celeste Samaniego
Christienne Sanchez
Hannah Sanders
Ana Dominique Santos
Jamie Santos
Jared Santos Ibanez
Diane Santos Naccarati
Brandon Sardo
Kevin Sarinana
Leon Sarkis-Janoyan
Kevin Sarvarian
Brynn Schilling
Nicholas Schmalen
Jessica Schmutzer
Sydney Schulze
Beomsuk Seo
Emily Sepanossian
Carmen Serra
Nataly Serrano
Christopher Shabani
Anna Shahbazian
Arman Shahbazian
Leo Shahbazian
Raymond Shamiryan
Adam Sharp
Carter Sherrit
Jaeyi Shim
Kanta Shimizu
Matthieu Shin
Carrera Shirvanian
Leif-Ansell Shomali
Chloe Siebels
Leah Simon
Liana Simon-Khachikian
Lianna Simonyan
Clementine Smith
Holly Smith
Stewart Smith
Ian Smyth
Kaitlyn Sohn
Justin Song
Katie Song
Michael Song
Daniel Steussy
Charles Stewart
Jake Suh
Julian Suh-Toma
Timothy Suk
Reese Sunada
Napat Sungkamee
Nicholas Tabet
Shant Tahanian
Lilian Tahmasian
Ella Tamny
Hannah Tanita
Henry Taylor
Aricin Tellefsen
Angela Ter-Vardanyan
Lindsay Thomas
Victor Timofeev
Angelika Tonoian
Artin Torosian
Andres Torres
Mina Truong
Ashley Tsao
Madison Tubach
Ivan Tyler
Allison Urenda
Lily Valera
Benjamin Valtierra
Rafik Vardanyan
Dalton Vargas
Sevak Vartanian
Emma Vasquez
Robert Vega
Jarrett Vega-Warholy
Emilio Velis
Gabriella Velona
Gavin Ventura
Anton Verbylo
Anton Verheyen
Aaron Voskani
Jonah Walker
Katelyn Walter
Katelyn Wang
Phoenix Wang-DiNicola
Kathryn Ward
Samantha Watanabe
Brianna Watcher
Matthew Watson
Abigail White
Andrew White
Tyson Whitney
Stephanie Wichman
Georgia Wilder
Miles Wockenfuss
Lacey Wolfe
Sebastian Wynder
Roy Yang
Yelena Yapudzhyan
Peter Yedgarian
Anthony Yegiaian
Andrew Yegiayan
Tony Yeon
Jacqueline Yi
Justin Yi
Elizabeth Yim
Eunice Yoon
Jennifer Yoshioka
Ariana Zadori
Nazeh Zakariae Gorji
Alex Zargarian
Jaxon Ziegenfuss
Jackson Zimmer
Emin Zohrabyan Armenovich
ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL
Photo (from left): Sebastian Haworth ’17 (valedictorian) and Kevin Gates ’17 (salutatorian).
One-hundred-and-sixty young men from the Class of 2017 graduated on Saturday, May 27 on the campus of St. Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge. Fr. Tony Marti, OFM Cap. and president of St. Francis High School, represented his Excellency Bishop José Gómez, archbishop of Los Angeles, at the graduation. Thomas Moran, school principal, Rudy Trujillo, academic vice principal, and Mark Heydorff, ’70, chairman of the board of directors, also officiated at the 68th annual commencement exercises for the local Catholic, college-preparatory institution.
Dr. Kay Ladanyi (right with Lisa Marriott), beloved orchestra teacher, was honored at Monte Vista Elementary School on May 24 as she is retiring. Dr. Ladanyi spent 17 years at Monte Vista as the orchestra teacher as well as at many other Glendale schools. Parents, teachers and staff from La Crescenta, Lincoln, Verdugo Woodlands and Monte Vista celebrated her years of service at a reception titled “Musical Finale.”
Rep. Adam Schiff announced that eight students from California’s 28th District have been appointed to the U.S. Service Academies Class of 2021. This is the highest ever number of students to receive appointments from Schiff’s district. The eight appointees come from a diverse set of backgrounds and include five women and three men.
“Each student appointed to a service academy this year demonstrated excellence in academics and extracurricular activities and a profound commitment to serving our country,” Schiff said. “These students will receive a distinguished military education and many will become the leading defenders of our democracy. I have no doubt that this impressive group of students will make our community – and our country – proud.”
The following students received appointments this year:
Air Force Academy:
• Andrew Hyunwoo Ka is attending the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Ka graduated from Crescenta Valley High School.
Naval Academy:
• Claire Marie Garcia is a Glendale resident attending Clark Magnet High School in La Crescenta.
Merchant Marine Academy:
• Sean de Moura is a Tujunga resident attending the Advantage Preparatory School in Santa Clarita.
• Shannon Glory Snyder is a Tujunga resident attending John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley.
Military Academy – West Point:
• Claire Mie Dano Yanai is a Glendale resident attending Glendale High School.
Every year, Congressman Schiff nominates qualified and accomplished local students for admission to the U.S. Service Academies. The four academies requiring a Congressional nomination are the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, and the Military Academy at West Point. The fifth is the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which does not require a Congressional nomination. Students who attend one of the five academies receive a free college education at a highly ranked, nationally recognized academic institution, while preparing for an officer’s commission in the Armed Forces.
Students interested in applying to a service academy for the Class of 2022 should call Congressman Schiff’s District Office at (818) 450-2900 or (323) 315-5555.
The graduation ceremony at Clark Magnet High on Thursday went off almost without a hitch, if you don’t count the young man who was escorted from the pavilion area after he committed the cardinal sin of using an air horn during the conferment of diplomas.
First-year principal Lena Kortoshian, who replaced Doug Dall, said she faced many challenges she wanted to tackle this year, and couldn’t have been successful without the help of her staff and community.
“I learned the power of perseverance,” she said.
The student speakers in the late afternoon sun echoed the same sentiment, one of appreciation for their families, and of one another.
Student speaker
“Mom and Dad, thank you for always encouraging me to do my best and for always supporting me in every way possible,” said John Bandek, one of the student “voices” from the Panther Class of 2017, and whose speech was titled “One from Many,” a reference to the slogan on U.S. currency.
To his peers, Bandek said, “We collaborated on many projects and created lasting memories. But ultimately, it’s about the individuals we will become.”
Clark Magnet individuals achieved great success in 2016-17. The school’s robotics team won the Long Beach regional competition and participated in the world championships in Houston, Texas. Its mock trial team was named to the top eight in L.A. County.
Bahvin Shah, named co-valedictorian along with Areen Andreasian, was awarded the National Merit Scholarship.
“All I really have is the willingness to put in the hours and effort to make special things happen,” Shah said. “If there’s any takeaway from my experience, it is that a little preparedness and whole lot of perseverance can change your future.”
Shah also thanked his grandparents, calling them the wind beneath his wings.
“You have worked so hard to provide this life for me, and I won’t let you down,” he promised.
Kortoshian told her graduates that they cannot learn from success, only from the “scars and mistakes and failures” and that learning from mistakes will help them overcome other obstacles they may encounter. She said Clark’s staff has given them the tools to do so, and that they should aim high in life.
“The teachers have been your guides and source of inspiration over the past four years,” Kortoshian said. “They have taught you to be exceptional and push the envelope, be creative and think outside of the box … I wish for each of you brighter opportunities in the future and you achieve success in all of them. Congratulations on your graduation. May you lead a proud life.”
Bandek ended his speech by remembering how far he and his classmates have come in four years.
“I don’t want to call you guys twigs, but thank you for being part of this bundle,” he said. “We first met at Clark as strangers but today we leave as treasured friends.”
The graduation ceremony at Clark Magnet High on Thursday went off almost without a hitch, if you don’t count the young man who was escorted from the pavilion area after he committed the cardinal sin of using an air horn during the conferment of diplomas.
First-year principal Lena Kortoshian, who replaced Doug Dall, said she faced many challenges she wanted to tackle this year, and couldn’t have been successful without the help of her staff and community.
“I learned the power of perseverance,” she said.
The student speakers in the late afternoon sun echoed the same sentiment, one of appreciation for their families, and of one another.
“Mom and Dad, thank you for always encouraging me to do my best and for always supporting me in every way possible,” said John Bandek, one of the student “voices” from the Panther Class of 2017, and whose speech was titled “One from Many,” a reference to the slogan on U.S. currency.
To his peers, Bandek said, “We collaborated on many projects and created lasting memories. But ultimately, it’s about the individuals we will become.”
Clark Magnet individuals achieved great success in 2016-17. The school’s robotics team won the Long Beach regional competition and participated in the world championships in Houston, Texas. Its mock trial team was named to the top eight in L.A. County.
Bahvin Shah, named co-valedictorian along with Areen Andreasian, was awarded the National Merit Scholarship.
“All I really have is the willingness to put in the hours and effort to make special things happen,” Shah said. “If there’s any takeaway from my experience, it is that a little preparedness and whole lot of perseverance can change your future.”
Shah also thanked his grandparents, calling them the wind beneath his wings.
“You have worked so hard to provide this life for me, and I won’t let you down,” he promised.
Kortoshian told her graduates that they cannot learn from success, only from the “scars and mistakes and failures” and that learning from mistakes will help them overcome other obstacles they may encounter. She said Clark’s staff has given them the tools to do so, and that they should aim high in life.
“The teachers have been your guides and source of inspiration over the past four years,” Kortoshian said. “They have taught you to be exceptional and push the envelope, be creative and think outside of the box … I wish for each of you brighter opportunities in the future and you achieve success in all of them. Congratulations on your graduation. May you lead a proud life.”
Bandek ended his speech by remembering how far he and his classmates have come in four years.
“I don’t want to call you guys twigs, but thank you for being part of this bundle,” he said. “We first met at Clark as strangers but today we leave as treasured friends.”
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced more than 3,200 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the finalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship program who plan to attend their institution.
These awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. An additional group of scholars will be announced in July, bringing the total number of college-sponsored merit scholarship recipients in the 2017 competition to approximately 4,000.
This year, 182 higher education institutions are underwriting merit scholarship awards through the National Merit Scholarship program. Sponsor colleges and universities include 103 private and 79 public institutions located in 44 states and the District of Columbia.
Local recipients include Crescenta Valley High School graduate John K. Woo of La Crescenta. Probable career field is industrial engineering. Woo received a National Merit University of Southern California scholarship.
Fellow CV High School graduate Jason Park of Montrose received a National Merit Occidental College scholarship with an expected career field of biochemistry.
Lions Club
The local Lions Club held its scholarship distribution on Saturday morning. Club President Bill Stadler (left) presented scholarships to Johnathan Lee, Jenna Kaufman, Nicole Grande, Kara Bradley and Brandon Budwig.
PFARCF
The Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS® Charitable Foundation (PFARCF) presented scholarships totaling $10,000 to 10 local public high school students. Each year, PFARCF selects winners based on several criteria including GPA, extracurricular activities, community involvement, need, personal attributes, goals and leadership skills. The students who each received a $1,000 scholarship were Areen Andreasian of Clark Magnet H.S., Trey Ballard of Crescenta Valley H.S., Trevor Langham of Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, Rhema Taylor of Pasadena H.S., Myline Lam of San Marino H.S., Liseth Gonzalez of Blair International Baccalaureate World School, Nour Mallat and Adianna Paul of South Pasadena H.S., and Darcy Brakeman and Taleen Sarkissian of La Cañada H.S. The scholars plan to pursue careers in science, medicine, economics, architecture, and housing development and construction.
Prom Plus
Prom Plus from Crescenta Valley High School presented five scholarships to members of the Prom Plus Club, the youth on-campus arm of the organization. Recipient of the Bob Fletcher Scholarship was Jessy Shelton (above right). Other scholarship recipients were Lucas Martos-Repath (left) and Jason Beggs. Not able to attend the presentation were recipients Jesse Sommers and Tomas Gonzalez.
Every city slicker around donned their cowboy hat and boots for the 39th annual Our Lady of Lourdes Family Fun Days Carnival held in mid-May. The weekend offered line dancing to the tunes of the best local country-western bands, kids enjoyed rides like a carousel, The Tornado, The Speedway, Gravitron, a massive three-story slide and more hair-raising rides. Kids ran from game to game winning prizes, but their favorite still seemed to be those dawg-gone confetti eggs. No one was spared – teachers, students, moms and dads and, as always, the principal.
Between spicy tacos, tangy German kraut sausages, Filipino pancit and good old American burgers, corn dogs and cotton candy, everyone’s tastes were met.
Family Fun Days is a major fundraiser for Our Lady of Lourdes Church and School, but mostly it is an effort to bring the community together in a safe environment. Year after year, families look forward to the big shindig with some making attendance a family tradition. One couple met at FFD 21 years ago and returns each year with their children.
Families enjoyed the music from FM Radio, The Katie Dix band, Jimi Nelson Band, WolfGang, and JB and the Big Circle Riders. Anyone near OLL could hear the great music. It’s the event of the season in Tujunga.
For more information about Family Fun Days and Our Lady of Lourdes School, visit OLL’s website at www.ourladyoflourdes.us/school.
On the morning of June 1, Rosemont Middle School promoted 617 of its students onto the next phase of their academic career. On hand from the district were Dr. Kelly King, assistant superintendent and Nayiri Nahabedian, president of the board of education.
Student speakers Keeley Gibson, Adarsh Chilkunda, Angela Ter-Vardanyan and Andrew Alan Kim reflected on their time at Rosemont, the friendships that flourished and the hopes that they, along with their fellow promoting students, will be taking on to high school. Parents and other family members filled the amphitheater to overflowing, encouraging and congratulating their students.
St. James-Holy Redeemer School congratulated its eighth grade graduates as they move on to high school. All students who applied to local area Catholic high schools, including Alverno, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Immaculate Heart, La Salle and St. Francis, were accepted.
The Glendale Area Alumnae Panhellenic is a community-based organization encompassing the Glendale, Burbank, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Sunland and Tujunga areas, with member volunteers from any of the 26 sororities recognized by the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Established in 1947, the group’s charter is to support today’s young women from our area in their pursuit of higher education.
Scholarship awards of varying amounts were recently awarded to several high school senior women who are planning to attend a four-year college or university in the fall, as well as to eligible area college women who are active members in good standing of an NPC sorority. The Glendale Area Alumnae Panhellenic sponsors an annual benefit luncheon to raise money for the scholarship awards, which include merit-based scholarships and the Mary Ellen Gilstrap Memorial Scholarship.
In 2017, a multiple Mary Ellen Gilstrap Memorial Scholarship awards were given. Gilstrap was a member of the Chi Omega sorority at UC Berkeley and a member of Glendale Area Alumnae Panhellenic for 18 years who passed away in 2005. Each year, the top scholarship applicant receives this award, and is chosen based on Gilstrap’s ideals.
Olivia Homan received the Mary Ellen Gilstrap Memorial Scholarship this year. Homan is a Glendale resident who will be a junior in at DePaul University in Chicago in the fall majoring in business administration, with plans to pursue a career in the entertainment or the fashion industry.
Also receiving the Mary Ellen Gilstrap Memorial Scholarship was Amari Dennis, a 2017 graduate of Flintridge Preparatory School, who will be attending Tufts University and Kristen Laulette, a 2017 graduate of Glendale High School, who will be attending UCLA.
Merit scholarship recipients who are members in good standing of an NPC sorority include 2015 La Cañada High School graduates Catharine Cea, who is a member of Delta Delta Delta at UC Santa Barbara and Sophia Lamb, who is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at Clemson University. From Crescenta Valley High School, 2015 graduate Kaley Pomeroy is a member of Pi Beta Phi at the University of Oregon, and 2016 graduate Christine Lockhart is a member of Sigma Kappa at Arizona State University. Each recipient is active in her sorority and participates in a variety of campus and community activities.
The 2017 high school merit scholarship recipients include La Cañada High School graduates Amelia Bergen, who will attend the University of Puget Sound, Sarah Bhaskaran, who will attend UC Berkeley, Morgan Bowman, who will attend UC Davis, and Taleen Sarkissian, who will attend UC Irvine; Flintridge Preparatory School graduates Lilly Maxfield, who will attend UCLA, and Madelena Pawlek, who will attend Harvey Mudd College; Crescenta Valley High School graduates Jeong-A Cha, who will attend Azusa Pacific University, and Teny Khachadourian, who will attend USC; Village Christian School graduates Lauren Dyrness, who resides in Sunland and will attend Washington State University, and Julianne Misik who resides in Tujunga and will attend Point Loma Nazarene University. Also receiving a merit scholarship was Glendale High School graduate Sarah Brown, who will attend Cal State University Long Beach.
For more information about Glendale Area Alumnae Panhellenic and its activities, visit www.glendalepanhellenic.org. NPC sorority alumnae are invited to attend any activities. Currently additional volunteers are being sought to become alumnae chapter delegates or individual members in the group. Any area young woman interested in information about NPC sorority recruitment for the fall 2017 or spring 2018 can find additional information on our website.
At the age of 17, after his junior year at Crescenta Valley High School, Tyler Hill enlisted in the U.S. Army as an infantry airborne ranger. Now a graduate of CV, he is preparing to leave for Ft. Benning, Georgia in July.
Upon graduation, Hill was awarded the Army’s National Scholar/Athlete Award for his GPA and for being a four-year leader on the CV varsity football team.
A few days after his high school graduation, during a small ceremony at the Burbank Recruiting office, Hill was promoted to the rank of private (E2) for referrals and completing all required classes.
