Zaven Khanjian, AMAA Executive Director/CEO

On Thursday morning, November 7, AMAA Executive Director/CEO Zaven Khanjian visited the C & E Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School in Sherman Oaks, CA. The students greeted him in the Chapel singing the Anthem of the Republic of Armenia as well as two hymns. They were accompanied by Music Teacher Alice Derkevorkian on the piano. Principal Lina Arslanian welcomed Mr. Khanjian and introduced him as one of the School’s founding members who served on the School’s Board of Directors as a member and as Chair for many years and as a big supporter of Merdinian School.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Khanjian said he felt at home at Merdinian, which is the only Armenian Evangelical School in North America under the auspices of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) and the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America. He then addressed the students with a beautiful message, emphasizing the importance of smile, which he said, is a symbol of inner contentment, while laughter is the result of a humorous story or a funny incident.

Principal Lina Arslanian with Zaven Khanjian

He then shared the story of Jesus calling the little children to Him and blessing them (Mark 10:13-16). He related his message to the great Armenian poet Jacque Hagopian, who passed away just two days earlier, and expressed his contentment for having a poet who lived such a long life and who dedicated his writings to Armenia, to our nation, and to God. Mr. Khanjian shared a few verses from two of Mr. Hagopian’s poems with the students and teachers. He concluded his message with a prayer.

Following the chapel service, Mr. Khanjian met with the Principal Arslanian and a few teachers in the faculty room and discussed various matters pertaining to the School.

Zaven Khanjian with Principal Lina Arslanian and some of the faculty members

Established in 1982 by the Armenian Missionary Association of America, the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America and the United Armenian Congregational Church of Los Angeles, Merdinian School, located in Sherman Oaks, CA, is the only Armenian Evangelical School in North America. The School offers a broad-based curriculum that fosters academic excellence, high moral values, and spiritual enrichment in the Armenian Evangelical tradition. Merdinian strives to create a safe and nurturing environment where every student receives personal attention to become a successful and responsible individual. For more information, please contact the School directly at 818.907.8149.