Armen Kherlopian says the drive that pushes him to be a top-notch student at Spring Valley and a good athlete and a willing participant in community activities comes from within.

When asked why he had that drive, Kherlopian thought silently for several seconds.

"For academics, I want to make use of the resources available to me," he finally said. "I'm taking the classes that are there. For the community service and other activities, I sincerely want to make a difference."

Kherlopian, The Journal News Rockland Scholar-Athlete of the Week, also credits his parents for inspiring him. Of Armenian descent, they lived in Syria and Lebanon before war led them to come to the US.

Knowing what they went through, Kherlopian said, makes him proud and glad to live in America. Their experience and work ethic have also taught him the value of the educational opportunities before him.

"I don't just do things for the sake of it," he said, "I do these things because I believe in them. I believe that if something is important, you do it."

The senior's plate would appear to be more than full. Kherlopian has a 98.26 cumulative average, and right now he's taking Advanced Placement courses in calculus, computer science, physics, English and French, along with Project Advanced public affairs and economics.

"I keep my mind strong through all of the courses I'm taking," he said.

Kherlopian, who ranks 10th in his class, has Princeton, West Point, MIT, Columbia and Penn on his list of college choices. He plans on majoring in computer engineering and minoring in business.

He's gotten a head start on that by helping his father run a small business out of their home, exporting rock candy to the Middle East and importing baskets and European chocolate. Kherlopian built the company's web site and spends a couple of hours a week handling Internet communication.

Kherlopian still has time to be a jock. He's primarily a midfielder when he plays club soccer, but he's a stopper for the Tigers because that's where he's needed.

"I should be in the position where I can help the team the most," Kherlopian said. "As a stopper I do that."

Spring Valley coach Hugo Osorio called Kherlopian the key to the team for his ability, leadership and motivation. Kherlopian was a big help to Osorio early in the year, when Osorio began his tenure as the Tigers' new coach.

"From the beginning he was a guy who tried to help me, making phone calls, giving me directions for the kids, information about the skills of the kids," Osorio said. "He's really one of those kids you don't have to ask him what you need."

Although soccer is his favorite sport, Kherlopian also completes on the Spring Valley track team as a pentathlete. He also has a black belt in Karate -- this past summer he taught karate and chess at Finklestein Library -- and plays basketball for his church team.

In fact, Kherlopian said his faith is very important to him. He is the youth leader of his church youth group, which periodically gives food to homeless shelters, pays visits to an old-age home and give toys to orphans. At school he's also a leader, Kherlopian is president of the General Organization, which charters and funds clubs. He's trying to institute a plan to recycle cans in school. Kherlopian is also the senior representative on the Shared Decision Making Team, which make policies for the school.

"I believe you should keep three things strong," he said. "One would be your mind, the next would be your body, and the other would be your spirit. Through these activities I try to do that. Because if you have one without the others, you're a much weaker person."

If you're worrying about the wearying effect all of this must be having on Kherlopian, don't. He's doing these things for the right reasons: He believes in them, and he likes them.

"It's not all work," he said. "These activities, some of these things are fun."

The Journal News (Rockland County, NY)
October 14, 2000