WASHINGTON, DC – Now in its 22nd year, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship program once again brought together student activists from across North America to learn first-hand how to mobilize grassroots efforts to ensure that the values and priorities of the Armenian American community are reflected in U.S. policy toward Armenia, the Caucasus, and the surrounding region.

During the eight-week program, seven interns honed their grassroots activism skills by attending seminars, participating in an intensive lecture series, and working on specifically designated projects. The program provided these proven student leaders with the skills they need to effectively advance Armenian American concerns in their hometowns and campuses around the country.

In addition to meeting with Congressional leaders, program participants were also able to consult with a range of officials from Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, among them Nagorno Karabagh’s Foreign Minister Georgi Petrossian; Speaker of the Nagorno Karabagh Parliament Ashot Ghulian; Armenian Parliamentarian Gegham Manukian; and Khapan Mayor Armen Karapetian. They had the opportunity to meet with Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatul Markarian and Nagorno Karabagh Representative to the U.S. Vardan Barseghian. Each envoy provided insight about Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh’s geopolitical challenges and the importance of their respective nation’s relations with the United States.

The interns were selected from a pool of applicants through a competitive process administered by the ANCA Eastern and Western regional boards. Criteria included community participation, leadership ability, and academic merit. The Leo Sarkisian Internship Program is an integral part of the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to explore Washington, DC careers in public service. Now approaching its third year, that year-round program helps university students and recent graduates find internships and permanent positions in Congressional offices, government agencies and policy groups by providing temporary housing and assistance in transitioning from student to professional.

This year’s Leo Sarkisian interns, under the supervision Capital Gateway Program Director Megan Young, were Meri Davtian, Babken DerGrigorian, Talar Kivork, Vagan Mikaelian, Berj Parseghian, Miran Ternamian, and Vache Thomassian.

“This year’s intern group – hailing from throughout the U.S. and Canada – is a testament to the truly exceptional pool of Armenian American student leaders committed to working for justice, strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations, and increasing the level of our community’s grassroots-drive and political power,” said Young, who is directing the Leo Sarkisian Program for a second year. She is an active member of the Providence Homenetmen and Armenian Youth Federation.

Coming from different backgrounds and bringing unique skill sets, each intern realized their aspiration to gain a clearer perspective on Hai Tahd activism.

Meri Davtian, from Pasadena, CA is entering her fourth year at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying Political Science and Armenian Studies. Selected for the Mortar Board National College Honor Society and Golden Key National Honor Society, Davtian balances her school activities with Armenian American community affairs, chairing the St. Gregory Alumni Association. Following her internship, Meri will be traveling to her place of birth, Yerevan, Armenia, for a month long visit prior to resuming classes.

Babken DerGrigorian, from Tujunga, CA is entering his second year at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying Political Science and Armenian Studies. DerGrigorian saw the importance of student leadership early on, founding the Armenian Club at Clark Magnet High School. He is an active member of the Armenian Youth Federation and a perennial volunteer at the ANCA Western Region office. Following his Washington DC internship, Babken will be traveling to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.

Talar Kivork, from Granada Hills, CA, is entering her fourth year at the University of California, Los Angeles, pursuing her Bachelors in English and Political Science. A graduate of the Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School, Kivork has been active in politics, volunteering with the John Kerry for President Campaign in 2004. She is an active member of the UCLA Armenian Students Association, serving on the Communications Committee.

Vagan Mikaelian, hails from Tavares, FL, and recently completed his Associates Degree in Arts from Lake Sumter Community College and will be pursuing a degree in Psychology at the University of Central Florida beginning Fall, 2006. An expert graphic designer, Vagan is fluent in Russian, English and Armenian. He serves as Vice-President of the Armenian Youth Federation Ocala, FL Chapter.

Berj Parseghian, from Pasadena, CA, recently completed two years of study at the Pasadena Community College and will be attending University of California, Santa Barbara, beginning in the Fall of 2006 to pursue a degree in Political Science. Berj is an active member of the Pasadena Armenian Youth Federation, serving on their executive from 2002 through 2006. He is an avid student of martial arts, serving as manager and instructor at the Hye-Kenpo Karate Studio.

Miran Ternamian, from Toronto Ontario, has received his Bachelors degree from McMaster University in Psychology, and later pursued a business certificate from the University of Toronto. He will begin studies for his MBA at Wilfrid-Laurier University School of Business and Economics in the Fall of 2006. A consummate community activist, Ternamian is a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Youth Organization of Canada (ARF-YOC), active in the ANC of Toronto, and serves on the ANC-Canada Media Relations Committee.

Vache Thomassian, from Irvine, CA, recently finished his studies in criminology and political science at Orange Coast College, and will be pursuing a Bachelors degree at the University of California Berkeley beginning in the Fall of 2006. Since joining the AYF in 2000, Vache has served as Vice-Chair and later as Chairman, from 2004 to the present. He is also an active member of the Orange County chapter of the ANC.