InternationalAGAU Alumni names scholarship winners
Antranig Dance Ensemble Artistic Director Joyce Shenloogian to receive service award
Published: Monday May 24, 2010
Joyce Shenloogian.
East Rutherford, N.J. - Eleven college scholarships totaling more than $16,500 for academic achievement and community service will be presented at the 48th annual awards luncheon of the Armenian General Athletic Union (AGAU) Alumni Association, on Sunday, June 27, 2010, at the Landmark II, Route 17 South, 11:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Joyce Shenloogian will also be honored as the 61st annual Person of the Year for over 25 years of service to the Armenian/American and AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble.
The scholarship winners, all of them New Jersey high-school seniors, were recognized for their academic achievement and community service. Mark Arakelian (River Dell H.S.), son of Charles and Kay Arakelian, Oradell, will attend the College of New Jersey. Sarah Boorujy (Whippany Park H.S.), daughter of Peter and Patricia Burujy, Whippany, will attend Moorabian College. Alex Deravanesian (New Milford H.S.), son of JorJik and Diana Deravanesian, New Milford, will attend Kean College. Jessica DeVries (Rocksbury H.S.), daughter of Jack and Lisa (Chopoorian) DeVries, Roxbury, will attend the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Michael Donofrio (Bergen Catholic H.S.), son of Edward and Dawn (Frougy) Donofrio, Saddle Brook, will attend Montclair State University. Haig Gulian (Cliffside Park H.S.), son of Hirant and Ruby Gulian, Cliffside Park, will attend Rutgers University. Briette Karanfilian (Bergen County Academics of Hackensack), daughter of Paul and Lauren Karanfilian, Oradell, will attend Lafayette College. Michael Habibian (Bergen Catholic H.S.), son of George and Armine Habibian, Paramus, will attend the College of New Jersey. Christopher Shalian (Bergen Catholic H.S.), son of Vasken and Linda Shalian, New Milford, will attend Rutgers University. Karni Semerjian (Westwood H.S.), daughter of Onnig and Ani Semerjian, Westwood, will attend Boston College. Lucy Yeghiazaryan (West Milford H.S.), daughter of Mels and Karine Yeghiazaryan, Hewitt, will attend William Paterson College.
The Y-Y Yeghiazaryan sisters will provide musical entertainment; past winners Sona and Tatev will have their sister Lucine join them as a scholarship recipient in 2010.
Joyce Tamesian-Shenloogian has served as Artistic Director of the AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble for 25 years. She has collaborated in the staging of six new dance productions; led the group on tours of the United States, Armenia, and Europe; and hosted more than half of the 300 young men and women who have ever performed in the ensemble. A member of the group from its origins in the early 1970s, Joyce truly embodies the Antranig experience. From humble beginnings as a back-row teenager, she worked her way up to primary female soloist, then Assistant Dance Director, and now Artistic Director of the group. She is a professional in Dance Education/Dance Performance and Choreography, with a Masters Degree in Performing Arts, Speech and Theatre from Montclair State University. Joyce's ability to work with the young members, giving them the time and patience to mature as dancers, has been the foundation of her success. The Person of the Year award is a fitting tribute from the Armenian/American communities that have been so dear to her heart.
The AGAU invites the public to join in their mission to help the future generation of young Armenians. All donations go directly to the scholarship fund and will be greatly appreciated. The members are very few in number, doing very great things in a difficult time.
Friends and family are invited to contact Mrs. Alice Shenloogian, 216 Hamilton Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 or call 201-288-4732 for any details. The suggested donation of $37.00 per person is tax-deductible. June 18 is the deadline for reservations. No tickets will be sold at the door.
The members of the AGAU Executive Board are Irene Khorozian, President; Rose Kirian, Vice President; Diane Burgraf and Alice Shenloogian, Recording Secretaries; Mary Varteresian, Corresponding Secretary; Grace Hagopian, Treasurer; Vivian Hovsepian, Typist; and Cynthia P. Khorozian, Publicity/Typist. Serving on the AGAU Scholarship Committee are Grace Hagopian, Floraine Halejian, June Kashishian, and Senior Advisor Virginia Shenloogian.
