DETROIT, MI - The Armenian Renaissance Association Sophia Chapter of Greater Detroit presented their Annual Scholarship Dinner-Dance Saturday, September 23, 2000 at Laurel Manor in Livonia, MI. Co-chairpersons, Diana Shoushanian and Virginia Vartanian, are to be commended, as well as Susan Yester and Adreena Harley who arranged the silent auction. Artistic director was Sonya Avakian.

The highlight of the evening was the scholarship program. Mark Haig Khachaturian received the Barkey and Satenie Aranosian Merit Award. Arek and JoAnn Khachaturian of Beverly Hills, MI are his parents. Mark, a 4.0 student, attends the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, majoring in nuclear engineering. His Armenian involvement is extensive: he attended Sunday School at St. John's Armenian Church, Southfield, MI for 12 years; he is an active member of the Armenian Students Cultural Association, University of Michigan; he coached the Armenian basketball team at St. John's Armenian Church; he was treasurer of St. John's ACYOA chapter, and he organized the "Mittens for Armenia Project."

The Jack and Zarrouhe Shoushanian Merit Scholarship recipient was Juliette Chavdarian Boucher. Her parents are Michael and Catherine Boucher of Dearborn, MI. Ms. Boucher attends DePaul University, Chicago, IL, majoring in management and marketing. Juliette is an excellent student on the Dean's list and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, DePaul University Chapter. Having graduated from the St. John's Armenian Church Sunday School after 12 years, she continues to perpetuate her Armenian heritage at the college level: she created the first annual Armenian Culture Day at DePaul University; she established the first annual DePaul University Armenian Martyrs Remembrance Day; she was the leader of an open forum discussion about the Armenian Genocide; she established the first DePaul University Armenian Student Alliance. Rita Zepur Akaraz received the ARA Achievement Scholarship. Vahe and Ani Akaraz of Farmington Hills, MI. are her parents.

Attending the University of Michigan - Dearborn campus, Rita is pursuing a pre-medicine curriculum majoring in biology. She attended Armenian school for 8 years, speaks a fluent Armenian and was enrolled in the Church School. Armenian involvements include: chairperson of ACYOA Juniors; secretary of ACYOA Seniors; delegate from Detroit at National General Assembly - ACYOA Sports Weekend; speaker on Palm Sunday and reader on Christmas Eve in church.

Marina Poroshin, a Michigan State University student majoring in social work, was presented with the Andrew Kalagian Graduate.award. Armenian contributions include: involvement with Armenian Resettlement and Refugee Assistance Trust Fund (ARARAT), Lansing, MI; establishment of a Mission Parish in Lansing (beginning of an Armenian church); helped to establish a first fundraiser, "Armenian Nite," in Lansing; organized an Armenian dance group; leader in fundraising activities for the National Folk Festival (Armenian Quisine); helped Baku Armenian families in Lansing.

The Armenian Renaissance Association, Sophia Chapter, gratefully acknowledges the contributions made by its friends and members, which have enabled it to support the following charitable, educational and cultural activities during the past year 1999-2000.

Scholarship Program
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
(Child Sponsorship)
Knights of Vartan - Armenian School Project
Armenian Library and Museum of America (Boston)
Armenian Missionary Association (Child Sponsor)
Armenian Assembly Tree Project (Armenia)
Armenian Congregational Church
St. John's Armenian Church
St. Sarkis Armenian Church
St. Vartan's Armenian Catholic Church
Armenian Resettlement and Refugee Assistance Trust Fund
(ARARAT - Lansing)
University of Michigan Armenian Studies Program
CASP - Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (Diocese) Armenian Assembly, Washington, DC.
Armenian Fund U.S.A. (Goris to Stepanakert road - NKR)
Anoush Opera
Land & Culture, Inc. (New York)
University of Michigan Armenian Research Center - Dearborn
Campus
Senior Citizens Tea - St- Sarkis Towers
Armenian Youth Federation - Detroit Olympics - Booklet
Gomidas Institute - Ann Arbor
Supplies for Children of Armenia (Summer Program)
National YMCA Fund, Inc.
Salvation Army
Friends of the Detroit Library