AEBU Announces 2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients

PASADENA  – The Armenian Educational Benevolent Union (AEBU) Scholarship Fund Committee is excited to announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 scholarships. This year’s awards recognize outstanding students from the United States, Armenia, and Lebanon.

After reviewing a substantial number of applications from highly qualified candidates both domestically and internationally, the selection process proved rigorous yet rewarding, with a strong emphasis on community service and volunteerism. The Committee has selected seven recipients from the United States, four from Armenia, and three from Lebanon.

The award ceremony took place during the AEBU’s 6th Annual Benefit Brunch on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the AEBU Center in Pasadena. During the event, U.S. recipients were honored with their awards.

Miss Aleen Kozian, the event’s master of ceremonies and a 2021 AEBU Scholarship recipient, opened the ceremony with heartfelt remarks. Aleen shared her personal journey and the significant impact of the scholarship, stating, “This scholarship provides more than just financial aid; it offers a sense of validation and encouragement. It serves as a reminder that my hard work and perseverance were recognized and valued. This boost in confidence propels us forward, helping us to excel academically and personally.”

Following her address, Aleen presented a brief overview of AEBU’s mission and the specific goals of the Scholarship Fund. Mr. Tateos Koroglian and Mr. Jirair Guiragossian then took the stage to present the awards for this year.

The AEBU Scholarship Fund Committee extends its congratulations to all the 2024-2025 award recipients and wishes them continued success in their academic and personal endeavors.

The following are the 2024-2025 AEBU Scholarship Award recipients:

UNITED STATES:

Vaughan Abakians
Vaughan graduated this year from AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian High School in Canoga Park. This fall he will be attending UC Berkley as a freshman majoring in Physics with the goal to earn his PhD in theoretical physics and use his knowledge to benefit the Armenian community by continuing to teach younger students physics and mathematics and provide them with an introduction to research.

 Lily Akopyan
Lily graduated from Burbank High School in 2023 and is currently a high-achieving second-year student at UCLA, majoring in Physiological Science with plans to attend medical school. She aims to use her growing knowledge to improve the lives of those in her community, particularly fellow Armenians.

 Ani Fisher
Ani graduated this year from Ursuline Academy in Dedham, Massachusetts and is a Freshman at University of Massachusetts, Lowell majoring in Chemistry with concentration in Biochemistry with the goal to study pharmaceuticals and drug production. Ultimately, introducing affordable medicine making them accessible to certain countries with limited means and specially Armenia.

Osan Jarekian
Osan graduated from Granada Hills Charter High School in 2020 and is currently a junior at California State University, Northridge, where she is majoring in Biology and Psychology as she prepares for medical school. Osan’s passion for giving back to the community is evident in her extensive volunteer work with both Armenian and non-Armenian organizations.

 Taline Nahapetian
Taline graduated this year from Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School in Encino. This fall she will attend Stanford University majoring in Economics and International Relations. Beyond her academic achievements, Taline has shown remarkable dedication to her Armenian community through her advocacy and research efforts.

 Sandra Papazian
Sandra graduated this year from Armenian Mesrobian School in Pico Rivera as a high-achieving student and will be attending UCLA this fall, majoring in Biology with the goal of pursuing a career in medicine. She is committed to using her education to benefit her immediate community and Armenia through volunteer work and contributions to various organizations.

 Alique Tufenkjian
Alique graduated this year from Marshall Fundamental High School in Pasadena and is a freshman at UCLA majoring in Human Biology and Society with the goal to further pursue her studies and conduct biomedical and public health research. Besides her academic success, she’s passionate about photography and filmmaking.

ARMENIA:
Surik Ghazaryan, Aramayis Mkrtchyan, Davit Petrosyan, and Hayk Solkaryan

LEBANON:
Serly Bedigian, Gary Gulian, and Sevag Izmirlian