Los Angeles, CA – On November 8, 2007, the Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) welcomed students from the Mesrobian Armenian School to the organization’s regional office. Mesrobian students had set out to walk 10 miles to the ANC-WR office in a walkathon to support community efforts regarding the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106).

“It is important for our schools and the community’s youth to engage themselves in support of the Armenian Cause,” stated Mesrobian Instructor Tro Tchekidjian. “Our students took an important stand today in the name of human rights,” he added.

A group of twenty human rights advocates from the Mesrobian Armenian School’s 11th grade class gathered at the Pasadena Armenian Center the morning of November 8th. After two weeks of diligent efforts in collecting sponsorships from local businesses, friends, family and teachers to reach their stated goal of $1000, the marchers set out to walk the 10 mile trip to the ANC-WR’s office.

Along the route from Pasadena to Glendale students wore ANC T-Shirts to express their solidarity and support for the Armenian Cause. After a walk in which students bonded closely as a class, ANC-WR Executive Director Antranig Kzirian greeted the group at the ANC-WR office. Kzirian thanked the students for their activism and leadership and provided a brief update on the organization’s activities. Kzirian stressed that the students represented the future of the Armenian American community and the Armenian Cause. Tchekidjian also addressed the students, happily informing them that they had easily surpassed their original goal of $1000 and had collected $2500 in support of the ANC-WR.

“Seeing these students give their time and support in such a selfless fashion inspires me,” stated Kzirian. “As a product of Armenian American schools myself, I especially appreciate the value of their commitment to the Armenian Cause,” he added.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy 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 advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo Caption: Mesrobian Students, led by Instructor Tro Tchekidjian, join ANC-WR Executive Director Antranig Kzirian after their 10 mile walk in support of the Armenian Cause.