(May 4, 2004) — Senior Neenel Mardirosian decided in the summer of 2001 to begin coaching for Ararat, the Glendale Chapter of Homenetmen, a nation-wide, non-profit organization whose goal is to educate Armenian-American youth about their native culture and heritage. As of now, Mardirosian has coached three summer sessions and is now assistant coach of both a girls’ and a boys’ team. Areni Mahdessian, a Clark Magnet senior and close friend of Mardirosian, is also involved in the Ararat Chapter of Homenetmen. She is now head coach of a girls’ basketball team which she was first acquainted with two years ago when she began as an assistant coach. Recently, Mahdessian led the team to a victory, beating all four competing teams and winning first place at a tournament in Orange County. Head coach Mahdessian, who is now coaching a full season team, began her coaching career two years ago, when she was an assistant coach with summer league teams. Mahdessian and Mardirosian attained their coaching positions after attending seminars and taking a test that proved their knowledge in coaching, rules and the basic skills of basketball––including those of shooting, dribbling, passing and playing defense. Each also had to undergo the evaluation of Homenetmen board members who watched and judged their coaching skills. With classes during the day and college classes at night, an hour and a half of practice twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays seems hardly convenient for Mahdessian. For Mardirosian, who coaches and also practices for tournaments held at GCC, there is only one day in the week when she does not hear the dribbling of basketballs on the court. However, as Mardirosian puts it, “It’s like getting 20 new sisters and 20 new sets of parents.” Nevertheless, she has the responsibility now for another family. “These kids are touching a basketball for the first time,” said Mahdessian. “They mess up a lot, don’t pay attention and talk––you need a lot of patience.” Mahdessian and Mardirosian have both been playing basketball on Ararat teams for 11 to 12 years and have taken up coaching to become positive role models for the children in the Ararat community. Mardirosian said her passion for basketball is what “keeps me motivated to be involved, and just the fact that I can be a role model to the kids keeps me satisfied.”