Over 200 enthusiastic Armenian National Committee Of America – Pasadena Chapter (Pasadena ANCA) members, guests, friends and supporters gathered at the Pasadena Armenian Center in Pasadena, California on the evening of Thursday, January 7, 2016 to collectively observe and celebrate the New Year and Armenian Christmas Holidays in a warm and congenial atmosphere and familiarize or reacquaint themselves with one another and with the Pasadena ANCA’s past, current and future activities.
This year’s celebration, as in years past, proved to be just as joyous, entertaining and memorable an affair for all who were in attendance. The evening’s program was opened by its Master of Ceremonies and Pasadena ANCA Chairman Vahe Majarian, who welcomed members and guests, introduced honored guests and dignitaries and delivered his remarks highlighting the Pasadena ANCA’s activities, achievements and successes over the course of the last year and outlined the organization’s goals, objectives and priorities in the year to come.
Following Majarian, the Pasadena ANCA’s longtime friend and champion, State Assemblymember Chris Holden, Representing the 41st California Assembly District approached the podium and during his remarks, commended the Pasadena ANCA for the critical role it plays the community and for its years of service and dedication to its constituency, the city and the region and reiterated how much he valued and cherished his longstanding relationship with the Pasadena ANCA and how delighted he is in attending its annual Christmas Holiday Reception every year. Majarian then invited the Honorable Mayor of the City of Pasadena Terry Tornek, who also shared his thoughts and that he too valued his close relationship with the Pasadena ANCA and its larger Armenian-American community in Pasadena and expressed his pleasure in being among such an esteemed assemblage of friends, elected officials, public servants and activists. Majarian and Mayor Tornek then invited Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Houry Bahgdadlian, who were recognized by the Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter as the organization’s “Friends and Supporters of the Year” and the Mayor presented them with an official Certificate of Recognition from the City of Pasadena.
During the event, guests enjoyed the refreshments and appetizers provided and during the entertainment portion of the evening’s program, guests were treated to musical performances by the Marshall High School Band lead by their conductor, Joel Lopez and joined by their principal Dr. Mark Anderson and dancers from the Patille Dance Studio who performed 4 unique dances: a ballet, a jazz and 2 special traditional Armenian dances whose performers were comprised of 3 different age groups spanning from 4 to 14 years old.
“We were very pleased with and proud to host this event” remarked Pasadena ANCA Chairman Vahe Majarian “Collectively we put in a lot of time, energy and effort into it and are extremely proud to host it every year and look forward to hosting it for many years to come” stated Majarian. “We thank all of our guests, sponsors, participants, sponsors, attendees and participants, but particularly our Board of Directors who worked so very hard to put this beautiful event together namely, Shoghig Yepremian, Felicia Kademian and Garin Kevoian, who lead its organizing committee” said Majarian. “This was a remarkable event, one that we hope to continually grow and build upon as we endeavor to expand the scope, profile and reach of our venerable organization, always striving to increase its sustainability, significance and contributions to and within our City of Pasadena and beyond.”
The event was also attended by distinguished group of dignitaries and guests which included: current California State Assemblymember Chris Holden and former State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, Mayor of the City of Pasadena Terry Tornek, City of Pasadena Councilmembers Margaret McAustin and Gene Masuda, Father Boghos Baltayan St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena, Armenian Cultural Foundation of Pasadena Chairman Sarkis Tatikian, Pasadena Police Chief Philip L. Sanchez, Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral T. Washington, Pasadena Community College Member of Board of Trustees Hoyt Hilsman, Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education President Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy and Member Roy Vruyr Boulghourjian, PUSD Coordinator of Intervention & Innovative Programs Hoori Chalian, Executive Director of Secondary Education Dr. Marisa Sarian, Phlunte’ Riddle, ANCA Western Region Board Member Raffi Kassabian, Retired Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffery Prang and Glendale City Clerk, Ardashes Kassakhian.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter is the oldest, largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization of its kind within the City of Pasadena. Founded in 1982, the Pasadena ANCA advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s thriving Armenian-American community and promotes increased civic service and participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
