The Navasardian Games integrate the grandest and most successful tournaments of the Armenian community. The competition repeats itself year in and year out traditionally, until it's conclusion on the 4^th of July weekend. This year marks the 36^th consecutive year of "The Navasardian Games". The organizers of this event, under the supervision of Homenetmen's Western United States Regional Executive Committee, are a group of dedicated volunteers with vast experience in putting together an extenssive tournament that runs uninterrupted for two months.

May through June is filled with athletic games including basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, ping pong, swimming, and track and field among other individual games such as chess. The Homenetmen slogan "Elevate Yourself and Others with You" is constantly reminded during the Navasardian Games through each game played and each friendship cultivated. It gives the athletes a sense of leadership, direction, and team work, and helps them in learning great work ethics and professional conduct. In a way Navasardian Games has a significant impact in preparing our youth for the challenges of the future, as it strives to conform to strong and structured Armenian culture from which our leaders of tomorrow benefit.

This year Ararat Chapter participates with approximately 1000 athletes and coaches. More than any victory or championship, we are proud that through our volunteer coaches, team parents and managers, we are able to have all these youngsters in our round the year programs and produce the leaders of the future.

Good luck to all and have fun.

It's been six years since the Ararat Choir first began filling the halls of the center with the rich culture and heritage of Komitas and Khachaturian as they formed a choir that belonged to all the members of the chapter formed by the members of the chapter.  In the following years the choir has grown with experience, resilience and members under the skillful and caring leadership of its director Ms. Alenoush Yeghnazar.

With the celebration of the choir's 5^th Annual concert on May 15, we continue what promises to be a year of cultural events lead by the Cultural Division and its committees. The choir's concert was held in the halls of the First Congressional Church of Glendale and took us on a journey through Asia, Europe and South America celebrating the long reaching hands of the Armenian Culture and Heritage.

The audience experienced the historical sounds of our most revered composers both old and new, celebrating the roots of our rich culture.

Do you belong to the 2011 High School graduating class?

Are you an active chapter member and do you have a minimum GPA of 2.5?  Here is your chance to win a $500 scholarship grant to be used for your college expenses.

Apply now and you might become a grant winner.

For additional information please visit:

http://www.ararat.org/pdf/scholarship-flyer-2011.pdf

The application deadline is July 30, 2011.

On June 5^th,2011, more than 200 tennis players along with their families and coaches gathered at Ararat Center to celebrate the conclusion of the 10^th Annual Ararat Tennis Tournament and participate in the medal ceremony.

Councilman Dave Weaver and Mr. Jess Duran Director of Community Development and Parks represented The City of Glendale. Glendale Water & Power Department, one of our major sponsors, had a desk and gave away free bags & coffee mugs.

All the winners were introduced individually and received their trophies. A light snack was served to all participants.

In celebration of its 33^rd anniversary, Ararat Chapter has launched several programs with the purpose of preparing the youth for the challenges of the future. The first program of this series "The Armenian Youth Identity" was held on April 3, 2011. The second program will be held in near future in Ararat Chapter's main campus, with psychiatrist Lukas Alexanian and attorney Mary Der Parseghian as guest panelists. Our Guest panelists will touch subjects such as teen development and Kids in Accordance to Law. Everyone, 13 years and older are encouraged to participate in this program.

On the weekend of May 6-8, 2011, the Scouting Division's Artvsik 1, Artsvik 2, and Arenoush 5 troops all went to camp at Trask.  The three camps were separate but it coincidentally worked out that they were at the same campground. 

Arstvik 1's camp goal was learning about poverty around the world and how to give back.  Artsvik 2 spent their camp finishing the requirements for the Art Pin.  And finally, Arenoush 5's camp was centered on the Public Speaking Merit Badge.

Arenoush 5 spent the weekend playing communication games and sitting through lectures, among which were "Parliamentary Procedure" and "Types of Learners."  Further, the girls had to give speeches to their groups members. The speech topics were among "How to" do something, "Something you don't know about me," and even an issue-speech; the speeches were a fun way for the Arenoush 5 girls to improve their public speaking skills.  Although all three camps followed different schedules and goals, they came together on the last night of camp for a big campfire.  Campfire is one of the most cherished and memorable times at camp and the scouts and leaders were happy to join in the effort.

On May 13, the Scouting Division held its first ever Scout's Formal.  This was the first time the event took place and was aimed at the younger crowd.  The formal theme was "A Night in Hollywood" and was magnificently decorated with the help of the committee and the scouts.  From the movie posters and streamers lining the room, to the centerpieces and the "Hollywood" sign photo- backdrop, everything came together in a true celebrity fashion.  The committee was a mix of a few scout leaders and an amazing group of parents.  The Scouting Division's Executive Committee again wants to express their gratitude to parents like them for their time, donations, and immeasurable care for the scouts.  Everything in our chapter works best with a joint effort and this event is an excellent example of that.  The event took place in the Ararat foyer with about 100 guests, which included of current and past Ararat Chapter scouts, Pasadena Chapter and Orange County Chapter scouts, and friends.

On May 22, the Scouting Division' Arenoush 5 troop had a patrol field-trip day.  The troop is split into three smaller patrols and, like every troop, the patrols have their own goals and activities they work towards.  Patrol Yeghjeroo (Եղջերու/Deer) has spent the last six months learning about the history and structure of roller coasters and so it was a nice treat for the patrol to go to Six Flags.  Patrol Tsool's (Ցուլ/Bull) goal for the day was to learn about different aspects of paint, colors, and texture; they added a fun twist to this by going to Color Me Mine.  Lastly, Patrol Aytskagh (Այծքաղ/Antelope) has spent the last six months learning about various animals and so they visited the L.A. Zoo.  Each scout left the patrol field trip happy that they were able to bond with their patrol.  There are benefits that come from a troop of 20-30 scouts but there are also many benefits that come from being with a smaller group of 5-10 scouts in a patrol.  Patrols are a fundamental part of the scouting structure and it is through activities like these that we can see the actual benefits.

On May 22, the Scouting Division's Ari 2 troop went hiking at Chantry Flats.  Hiking is a key part of scouting and is something the scouts enjoy doing.  At Chantry Flats, the Ari 2 scouts were able to get in touch with the outdoors and motivate each other to finish the hike in high spirits.

On May 22, the Scouting Division's Guylik 1 troop went to camp at Will J. Reid Scout Park.  The goals of the camp were to earn the Craftsman Pin and to learn skills necessary for 3rd Kark, the first test the scouts will need to pass once they transfer to their Ari troops.

Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America & ARPA Institute 

The HALO Program in Artsakh

A Seminar by Edwina Lebbie

Merdinian Auditorium 13330 Riverside Dr., Sherman Oaks, CA  91403  

Thursday, July 7, 2011 @ 7:30 PM    

click here for the  event flyer and for more information visit:  

 http://aesa.org  or  http://arpainstitute.org

In our May issue, Armenian Youth Identity Seminar article we mistakenly repored Mr. Steve Artinian as the Homenetmen Western Region Chairman. The current chairman of Homenetmen Western Region is Mr. Garnik Abrahamian.