NORTHRIFGE, CA — California State University, Northridge, was the site for the 13th Science Olympiad on Sunday, March 23, 2014. This annual event organized by the Science Olympiad Committee of the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) brings together Armenian students from different middle and high schools to showcase their completed science projects.
Eighty-two Armenian students with sixty-eight projects from nine schools took part in this one and only science competition created for middle- and high-school Armenian students in the United States. The day began with interviews of the participating students by an expert panel of judges. Their projects were judged based on creativity, scientific thought and data analysis thoroughness, presentation, and clarity. The award ceremony started with more than 200 students, parents, educators and science enthusiasts in attendance. The keynote speaker Dr. Aida Rechdouni—a board-certified Anatomic and Clinical Cytopathologist and Ocular Pathologist, Chief Pathologist and Medical Director of SCGA Laboratories—gave an informative presentation on the anatomy, physiology, and optics of the human eye. Dr. Marina Guevrekian, Founder and Chair of the Science Olympiad Committee for 11 years, gave an inspiring tribute in memory of the late Helen Dabaghian, an accomplished scientist and a Science Olympiad Committee member for 12 years, since its inception. Helen played a key role in the establishment and growth of AESA’s Science Olympiad. In honor of her selfless dedication and enduring efforts, the Committee established the “Helen Dabaghian Judge/Mentor Award†to be bestowed to a mentor and/or judge in appreciation of his/her volunteer work during the preceding year. Dr. Karoline Rostamiani, an accomplished scientist, was honored as the first recipient of this award.
After welcoming remarks by AESA President Vasken Yardemian, Committee Chair Jenik Gharabegian praised all of the participating students for their hard work in preparing their science projects as well as everyone in the audience for their part in making this event possible. The table of student winners appears below. Each of the student winners was decorated with a medallion made in Armenia of native obsidian and will receive a monetary award.
In addition to the honors awarded to student participants, two non-student awards are given each year, for teacher appreciation and for school of the year. These selections for teacher and school are based on number of student participants, total number of participating projects in each category and level, and the point value of each student award. The Teacher Appreciation Award was bestowed on Mrs. Anna Mkrtchyan and Mrs. Anna Tavitian from AGBU Manoogian Demirdjian School; they will share the $300 award. The School of the Year Award was earned by Ferrahian High School; the school will receive a trophy and $300 to support the purchase of scientific instruments for the school’s science laboratory.
The AESA encourages all students of Armenian descent in grades 6 through 12—whether in public or private schools—to strongly consider participating in the next AESA Science Olympiad. For further information please email us at contact@aesa.org, or via Twitter (@AESA) or Facebook.
JUNIOR PHYSICAL SCIENCES
| Award Name | Student Name | School |
| Dr. Vrejouhi Darian Honorable Mention Award | Liana Melikian | Mountain Avenue Elementary |
| Mrs. Seda Hovnanian in Memory of Harmik Hovnanian Honorable Mention Award | Nanor Bedrosian | Merdinian School |
| Prof. Harotune and Berjouhi Kallayan Honorable Mention Award | Johnny Kamakian | AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian |
| Minaskianian & Nazeri Families Honorable Mention Award | Daniel Yacoubian | St Gregory Alfred and Margret Hovsepian |
| In Memory of Melanie Ookhtens Third Place Award | Nicholas Haroutiounian | Merdinian School |
| Abrahamian Family Third Place Award | Vachag Voskian | AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian |
| Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Grigorian Second Place Award | Tania Buickians Lynette Bonyadi | Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School |
| Guevrekian Family First Place Award | Hagop Chinchinian | AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian |
SENIOR PHYSICAL SCIENCES
| Mr. Simon Guevrekian in Memory of George Guevrekian Honorable Mention Award | Lily Dermendjian Angelica Gevoglanian Arpi Beshlikyan | Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School |
| Prof. & Mrs. Mihran Agbabian Third Place Award | George Khabbaz | AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian High School |
| Mr. & Mrs. Eddie Atoian Third Place Award | Adam Vahan Smith Khachik Avagyan | Holy Martyrs Ferrahian |
| Mr. Sarkis Barkhoudarian Family Second Place Award | Arteen Galstyan | Holy Martyrs Ferrahian |
JUNIOR LIFE SCIENCES
| In Memory of Dr. Chahen Khandjarian Honorable Mention Award | Arpa Boghozian | Carden Hall |
| Shahmirian & Gregor Families Third Place Award | Hrag Ganoumian Sevoulig Bastilian | Holy Martyrs Ferrahian |
| Mr. & Mrs. Zaven and Sonia Akian Second Place Award | Kevin Petrossian | AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian |
| Dr. Emmanuel Aaron Shirajian First Place Award | Alina Lahian | Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School |
SENIOR LIFE SCIENCES
| Friends of Helen Dabaghian in Memory of Helen Honorable Mention Award | Vagarshak Avetisyan Shant Reganyan | Holy Martyrs Ferrahian |
| In Honor of Amalia Guevrekian Honorable Mention Award | Talar Kassabian | Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School |
| Mr. KrikorVahan Bezdikian Honorable Mention Award | Nicole Arslanian | AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian |
| Helen Dabaghian Family Third Place Award | VaheYacoubian | AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian High School |
| Sarafian&Godoshian families Second Place Award | Alec Mesropian | AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian |
Los Angeles Area Armenian Students Achieve Success at the Armenian Engineers & Scientists of America 13th Science Olympiad
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