Los Angeles, CA – The 2007 Summer Session of the Armenian National Committee-Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP) concluded on August 23rd. The ten week program closed with presentations by the participants summarizing their accomplishments while working to address issues of concern to Armenian Americans. Graduating from the program were interns Nareg Bostanian, Aida Siyahian, and Ankineh Zadoorian as well as Taleen Mardirossian, an extern with the Foundation for Economic Development.

The closing reception and presentations were attended by ANC-WR leadership as well as former IEP participants and the Aghjayan family, sponsors of the ANC-WR Haroutioun Kasparian Endowment. The ANC-WR announced the establishment of an endowment fund in the name of the late Haroutioun Kasparian of Los Angeles this January. The endowment fund is used to educate Armenian American youth on issues related to the Armenian Cause. Haroutioun Kasparian was a lifelong supporter of the ANC-WR who passed away on June 23, 2006. Among his memoirs, Kasparian wrote the following of his passion for the Armenian Church and the Armenian Cause: “I would like to convey, after my passing, that you [the Armenian people] must love the Armenian Church because it is the Armenian Nation. And the nation has an obligation to work for Hai-Tahd [the Armenian Cause] which is both our national pride and obligation.”

Bostanian, a senior at Ferrahian High School, completed the program in which he served as a Community and Government Affairs intern. In this capacity he worked with the ANC-WR staff to schedule and coordinate district office meetings with federal and state elected officials.

Mardirossian, a second-year student at El Camino College, worked with the Foundation for Economic Development (FED) which is the contractor for the California Trade Office (CATO). CATO strives to promote trade and commerce between the state of California and Armenia and countries of the Newly Independent States (NIS), Asia and Eastern Europe. In addition to helping FED develop a press outreach plan, she also oversaw the initiation of a FED news bulletin.

Siyahian, also a senior at Ferrahian High School, wrote press releases and explored alternate media formats for ANC-WR news distribution as a Public and Media Relations intern.

Zadoorian, a second-year student at California State University, Long Beach, worked with the Los Angeles-Yerevan Sister City Association by helping the organization with its publicity efforts and exploring program initiatives.

“I really enjoyed this opportunity to work with other student activists and community leaders while learning about the Armenian Cause in greater depth,” said Mardirossian. “The best part was that I was able to use what I learned to make a difference while part of the program.”

Established in June 2006, the ANC-WR IEP is a selective and intensive program that provides student leaders and activists with an opportunity to participate in an intensive internship designed to provide an in-depth introduction to Armenian American issues as well as advocacy efforts on the federal, state and local level. The program hosts spring, summer and autumn sessions. You can find more information about the IEP by visiting https://www.anca.org/gateway/gateway_overview.php.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots public affairs organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR promotes awareness of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

Photo Caption #1: ANC-WR Board Member Leonard Manoukian with IEP participants Siyahian and Bostanian (left) and Mardirossian and Zadoorian (right) during one of the session’s lecture series presentations.

Photo Caption #2: The Aghjayan family, sponsor of the ANC-WR Haroutioun Kasparian Endowment, joins the graduating class of the 2007 ANC-WR Summer Internship-Externship Program.