Mourad Armenian school year end Hantes and graduation ceremonies took place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, following the Soorp Badarak. The graduates participated in the Soorp Badarak by reading the epistle of the day, reciting the Nicene Creed and acting as junior trustees. Special fellowship hour was prepared in honor of the graduates of both Mourad Armenian and Sunday Schools, parents and relatives who attended the hantes in the Aramian Auditorium. 
   Der Kapriel Nazarian did the opening prayer followed by the rendition of national and school anthems. Teacher Mrs. Araksi Sarkisian, emcee of the day, welcomed everybody and congratulated the two graduating classes.  The first part of the program was presented by the youngest group of our students who sang “Shoghkam” and “Eem Kuntag” songs, whereas the older groups sang the “Hayasdan Moratzir “and Gorani/Nino” songs under the direction and piano accompaniment of music teacher Mr. Raffi Rachdouni.  All the songs together with Michael Zaytounian’s piano performance of “Nazani” created a lot of enthusiasm   among the attendees. 
   School Committee chairman Mr. Hagop Khatchadourian in his speech highly appreciated all the efforts of the co-principals, teaching staff, parents and students for their dedication and perseverance to make the academic year a success. He made reference to His Holiness Aram I Catholicos’ 2025 message of the “Year of the Revitalization of Traditions” encouraging our graduates to follow that path now in order to better serve their communities as adults in the future.
   Co-principal Mrs. Lala Attarian in her message indicated that this year is very meaningful as two groups of students graduate yet it marks the beginning of new endeavors in their lives. She called the new graduates  “the Harvest of Hope” as our nation needs them to be the proud bearers of the torch of light and hope to the new generations.  Mrs. Attarian also expressed her heartfelt thanks to the teachers, parents, the Parent-teacher organization (PTO), sister organizations and individuals who dedicate themselves wholeheartedly by rendering their moral and financial support. She mentioned all the new programs implemented successfully in the school, as well as the participation of our students in most community functions, specifically the Armenian Relief Society Eastern USA regional office’s essay writing contest that our upper 2 classes participated in and received gifts. 
   Seven students graduated from our Kindergarten – Johnny Gevorkian, Kevin Gibbs, Milena Hagopian, Athena Hall, Aram Sarkisian, Alec Sarkisian, Alania Winpenny.
   A special power point presentation created a lot of excitement as a series of photos were put together to highlight the 10-year memorable journey our 14-year-old graduates enjoyed by attending Mourad school. Our 2025 graduates – Aren Khatchadourian, Leila Khatchadourian, Sareen Khatchadourian, Nadia Keshijian, Sarkis Nasr,  Bedig Zaytounian, Garen Zeitounian.
  Mrs. Lala Attarian presented all the teachers and highly praised their efforts. She also announced that unfortunately two of our very capable full-time teachers namely, the co-principal Mrs. June Mangassarian and the pre-K teacher Mrs. Stacey Khatchadourian are retiring this year, with a promise to continue helping us as needed. We are grateful for their lasting contribution and selfless service to our school! 
  Mrs. June Mangassarian congratulated all the graduates. She encouraged them to continue developing their special skills and to return to Mourad Armenian school to help and preserve their connection with their beloved school.
   Der Kapriel did the closing prayer after congratulating the Mourad Armenian school family, principals, teachers, parents, students and especially all the graduates and encouraged them to continue to dedicate their God given talents to this very important mission of educating the younger generation to love their church, language and nation. 
  We thank Mr. Edmund Nasr for capturing the memorable moments during the graduation ceremony and PTO members Ani Dedeyan, Alenoush Hagopian, Megan Khatchadourian, Sonia Nasr, Melanie Zeitounian for their dedication and assistance throughout the entire school year.
  We are grateful to our teachers for their dedication and hard work: Maggie Nalbandian, Menar Tarbinian, Talar Restikian, Zepur Donoyan, Araksi Sarkisian, Arpi Donoyan, Nora Tarbinian, Anna Gevorkian, Stacey Khatchadourian, Annie Yepremian, Baron Raffi Rachdouni, and teacher aide Garo Tarbinian.
(Photo credit: Edmund Nasr)