California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation Announces Essay and Visual Arts Scholarship Winners

SACRAMENTO – The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation has announced the winners of this year’s 2022 California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation has worked hard this year to advocate and participate in educational and governmental efforts in California and awarded 6 scholarships to California high school students who entered essay and arts contests.

“Year after year, I have had the pleasure of seeing this how this scholarship competition has both raised awareness of the Armenian Genocide, and empowered young minds with knowledge for a lifetime! Genocides, like the Armenian Genocide of 1915 need to be recognized so that future genocides can be prevented. Today, our scholarship winners leave more empowered to recognize and work against future crimes against humanity and I’m proud that the Caucus Foundation has contributed to development of that skillset in these young Californians. I hope that the Caucus Foundation continues to engage in this scholarship moving forward as that has been one of my main goals as a founding member.”
Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-Sherman Oaks)

“Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients on this great accomplishment! The student essays and art pieces serve as a reminder of the rich cultural history of Armenian Americans throughout California, as well as the importance of ensuring Armenian Americans have a seat at the policy-making table. My district includes Montebello, a city with a significant Armenian population that is home to the Montebello Genocide Memorial. It is not lost upon me why it is so important that we remember the atrocities they have faced so that we can be inspired by their resilience and build upon it.”
Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra)

“Congratulations to the enormously talented winners of the scholarships, and thank you to everyone who took the time to dive deeper and reach further in exploration of the theme, “Human to Human Interaction.” It is such a privilege and inspiration to experience the beautiful, thought-provoking artwork and essays from the next generation of Armenian American voices and leaders.”
Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale)

“When we remember the Armenian Genocide, today, we commit ourselves to fighting systematic injustice and inequality by governments everywhere, and join your cause to stop future genocides. Congratulations to the deserving students selected for this scholarship.”
Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena)

“Hats off to the winners! These students are deserving of the recognition as they used their talents to showcase history through words and visual arts. The California Armenian Caucus Foundation’s scholarship program is my favorite and I am glad students see it is as a golden opportunity to earn funding to assist for their higher education while learning about some of the darkest days in history.”
Senate Republican Leader Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita)

“My congratulations to these outstanding California students for their deep commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of Armenian Americans. The love for the Armenian people and their culture starts with teaching the next generation in our schools and museums. Our Caucus’ annual essay contest is an essential tool to fostering this essential education across our state.”
Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys)

“Congratulations to these very talented young people. California has remarkable students and it’s wonderful to see scholarships helping them garner future academic opportunities.”
Senator Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge)

Winners of the Essay Scholarship:
Earlier this year the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation invited California high school students to participate in its Annual Essay Contest. Students were asked to write a memo to the Armenian American National Museum sharing with the museum Director one person’s name that should be featured in the museum wing entitled Notable Armenian Americans.

First-prize, $1,000: Francine Ghazarian attending Glendale High School in Glendale, CA.
Second-prize, $750: Sean Choo attending Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA.
Third-prize, $500: Veronica Gazayan attending Van Nuys Senior High in Van Nuys, CA.

Winners of the Visual Arts Scholarship:
This year’s theme is “Human to Human Interaction.” Submission types were limited to drawings, paintings, photographs, digital illustrations, and graphic design.

First-prize, $1,000: Kayla Ranney attending Claremont High School in Claremont, CA.
Second-prize, $750: Chloe Lou attending Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, CA.
Third-prize, $500: Mikayel Badalyan attending Burbank High School in Burbank, CA.