(March 26, 2004) — The three o’clock bell rang, dismissing students from school, and while most were happy to leave, over a hundred others who attended Clark’s first annual Armenian Achievement Day during enrichment Feb. 25 groaned at the thought of having to leave so soon. “We just started dancing and now we have to leave!” exclaimed Armenian Club secretary junior Niyiri Manougian. The purpose of this day, according to public relations representative senior Patrick Der Ohanian, was to promote membership and give awards to existing members. After a brief PowerPoint presentation of student involvement in the Armenian Club and pictures of Yerevan, the Armenian capital, Armenian Club officers were ready to present awards they had prepared. Junior Sevada Isayan received one for being the most active club member and junior Suren Maghakyan got one for helping the club earn the most money through fundraising. History teacher Ira West was also awarded a certificate of appreciation for opening his room to the Armenian Club after former advisor Cynthia Nash left Clark on a leave of absence. Vice President of the Board of Education Greg Krikorian received an award for continuously helping and encouraging the club. Krikorian stayed on the stage to introduce the Hye Hopes fundraiser dance held March 12 that Armenian clubs from all four high schools in the District had been planning since last October to help fund schools in Ghapan, Armenia. Krikorian visited schools in Ghapan and shared his experience with the clubs who then decided on the dance fundraiser. During Clark’s Armenian Achievement Day, Krikorian talked about how fortunate students in America are to have the opportunity of obtaining a great education, while students in parts of Armenia have barely enough supplies to use. He applauded Clark for having the biggest Armenian Club in the district and said that he had faith that Clark students could raise plenty of money for the needy schools. Tickets for the dance cost ten dollars each and Krikorian encouraged students to participate in the event. During the Achievement Day, pizza and drinks provided by the Pizza Man of Glendale were passed around. “The event was a great way to meet people and plus, free pizza!” exclaimed junior Anna Semerdjian. After students ate and listened to Krikorian’s speech, music was played and students got up and started dancing Armenian style. However, just when the party started, it was time to go home. Not to fret, however; students were able to get their groove on again at the Hye Hopes dance March 12 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium from 7-11 p.m. According to Isayan, approximately 200 students from Clark attended the dance, contributing to the total of $12,000 raised. Students who attended the event ate cultural appetizers while dancing to two famous Armenian singers’ performances and music by DJ’s Alfred Nazarian, Michael Hovsepian and Armen Sarkissian, all former Clark students. Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero and several other council members also attended the event. “It was a definite success. People came through and helped the charity while at the same time they danced and had fun,” said Isayan. Clark’s Armenian Club is again working with other the other high schools in the district in preparing the Armenian Genocide Commemoration assembly April 22 at Glendale High School.