In recognition of Maro Kechichian’s service to the organization, the Regional Executive has named her as the 2012 Exemplary Homenetmen Member. Her biography, which highlights her service, follows:
Maro Kechichian was born in Anjar, Lebanon as the third child of Vahan and Siranoush Kechichian’s seven children. She completed her elementary and middle school education from Harach School in Anjar, and her secondary education at Levon and Sophia Hagopian Armenian College. She is a graduate of St. Joseph University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Armenian Literature. After earning her degree, she taught at the Aksor Kassarjian Armenian School and became the director of the kindergarten. During that time, she also completed courses in education at Haigazian University.
From a young age, she became a girl scout in the Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon’s Anjar Chapter. After transferring to Homenetmen’s Bourj Hamoud chapter as a Scouting Group Leader, she became a Chapter Scouting Leader, followed by a Regional Scouting Leader. Throughout her active scouting life, she has held various roles on both a chapter and regional level.
In 1984, she relocated to the United States and began working as a typesetter and reporter for Asbarez Daily Newspaper, later becoming a part of their editorial staff. She has also reported for Horizon Armenian Television and supervised their archives.
Since 1984, she has been an active member of the Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter. She has served as a Regional Scouting Leader, as well as several terms as a member of the Homenetmen Regional Executive Board.
Both as a scout leader and organizer, she has participated in the Pan Homenetmen Jamborees in Armenia.
In 1990, she was appointed by the Homenetmen Central Executive to work on a special project in Armenia, along with students from the Diaspora, in order to help further Homenetmen’s activities and establish chapters there. In 2011, the Armenian National Scout Movement honored her with the first Vartan Pakhshian Medal for contributions to the organization and her dedicated efforts to re-establish Homenetmen chapters in Armenia.
She is a member of the Boy Scouts of America and has earned her third Wood Badge bead.
Throughout the years, she has brought her active participation to the organizing efforts of the Homenetmen Navasartian Games and also contributes by reporting for the region.
In 2011, she earned the Ararat Rank, which is the highest rank of Homenetmen scouting, and in the same year, was honored as “Woman of the Year” by Congressman Adam Schiff.
“With my entire being, I am a firm believer in the ideology of Homenetmen and, for that reason, it remains an integral part of my life,” states Kechichian.
The Homenetmen Regional Executive extends its sincere congratulations to her for earning this recognition
Congratulations Maro!!