GLENDALE–The Armenian National Committee ‘s Glendale Chapter, announced today the honorees for its highly anticipated Annual Banquet which will take place at Brandview Collection on Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 6:30 PM.
Awards will be presented to Alec Baghdasaryan, President of the Armenian Educational Foundation, Zizette Ayad, Community Relations Coordinator – City of Glendale, Officer John Balian, Public Information Officer of the Glendale Police Department and Davidian & Mariamian Educational Foundation, provider of after-school educational services to youth in the area. Decisions for the “Youth Activist of the Year Award” have not been made due to a high volume of nomination forms submitted by local schools and organizations. Each of the aforementioned individuals will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Armenian-American community and their ongoing efforts to enrich the City of Glendale.
This year’s annual banquet will celebrate the dynamic and energizing role of ANC Glendale, its new programs and collaborative efforts. The evening will feature a DVD segment in addition to award presentations for this year’s honorees.
“All of the award recipients have, throughout the years, committed themselves for the betterment of this great city we live in and through their leadership have contributed to the Armenian-American Community,” noted Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of the ANC-Glendale Chapter. “The Awards ceremony is just a small token of appreciation for all their hard work throughout the years. We look forward to a wonderful and memorable evening,” added Asatryan.
Alec Baghdasaryan, who will be presented with the “Leadership Award,” has been an advocate of the Armenian-American community for decades. He is currently a commissioner in the City of Glendale’s Community Development Block Grant commission, where he serves to evaluate the different social services and capital improvement projects; the President of the Armenian Educational Foundation; the President of Microsoft Certified Partners Association’s Southern California Chapter; a board member of the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce; a board member in the Gyumri Information Technology Center, a two year post graduate IT program in Armenia; and a member of Homenetmen Glendale, Ararat Chapter.
Zizette Ayad, the Community Relations Coordinator for the City of Glendale will be presented with the “Friend of Hai Tahd Award” in recognition of her continuous effort to advocate for and reach out to the Armenian-American community in Glendale. Since 2001, Ayad has coordinated the City’s Annual Week of Remembrance events including Man’s Inhumanity to Man and the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. She also serves as the coordinator for the annual Unity Fest and the key organizer for the Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Organization.
Officer John Balian will receive the “Community Service Award” recognizing his longstanding commitment to a diverse workforce and his extraordinary outreach efforts to the Armenian-American Community. After working as a Patrol Officer and a Training Officer, Balian was transferred to the Police Chief’s office in February 2006 to serve as the Public Information Officer. Balian has spent a considerable amount of his time as a spokesperson for the Department, bridging a relationship between the Armenian community, various ethnic minority groups and their local law enforcement agency.
D&M Educational Foundation will be honored as the “Organization of the Year”. Since 1987, D&M Educational Foundation’s after-school programs have preserved the Armenian language and heritage and have integrated the traditional Armenian educational values and the advanced American educational methodology. Through the various classes of the foundation, students are taught to read, write and speak Armenian, in addition to music, poetry and role-playing/drama. Classes are conducted in local public elementary and middles schools several times a week.
The Annual Banquet will begin with Cocktail Hour at 6:30pm, followed by Dinner and Program at 7 p.m. The Keynote Speaker for the evening will be the Honorable CA Senator Jack Scott. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the ANCG office at 818.243.3444.
To learn more about ANC Glendale or to obtain information on sponsorship opportunities please visit www.ancglendale.org.
