AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School Raises $4 Million at 50th Anniversary Gala

LOS ANGELES — AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, with nearly 900 guests, celebrated its 50th Anniversary Gala, raising over an extraordinary $4 million in support of the school’s future.

Held  at the Fairmont Century Plaza, the evening featured a program, with Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Edrick Dorian, a former student from the early days of St. Peter AGBU Day School. Under the direction of Arick Gevorkian, the middle school students, accompanied by Emmy Bejanyan, performed the National Anthems, while Alec Van Khajadourian and Sarkis Demirjian delivered piano performances.

The invocation was delivered by Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Father Shnork Demirjian.

During the program, AGBU MDS honored Bedros and Anna Oruncakciel (Lifetime Legacy Award), Principal of Demirdjian Middle & High School, Anahid Nalbandian Pezeshkian (Lifetime Service Award), Director of Artemis Nazarian Preschool, Tagoush Khodabakhshian (Lifetime Service Award), and Dr. Raffi Svadjian, and Class of 1993 (Distinguished Alumni Award). Certificates of recognition were presented to all the honorees by Congressman Brad Sherman and Councilmember Adrin Nazarian.

Additionally, President of AGBU, Sam Simonian, and Honorary President, Berge Setrakian, honored long-time supporter and Central Board Member, Sinan Sinanian, with the AGBU Boghos Nubar Award, the highest honor AGBU bestows upon community members.

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(l to r) Sam Simonian, Sinan Sinanian, Berge Setrakian, Kevork Zoryan

Longtime benefactor Christine Simone was recognized for her enduring generosity, highlighted by the naming of the Manoogian Simone Collaborative Learning Center Complex in her honor. The school also announced that, through Alex Demirdjian’s generous contribution, the DHS Expansion will continue to carry the Demirdjian family name.

“This milestone celebration was not only a reflection of our past achievements, but a powerful testament to the strength and unity of our community,” said Chairman of the Board, Kevork Zoryan. “Together, we are building the foundation for the next 50 years of impact at AGBU MDS.”

Guests were presented the Heritage Library exhibit showcasing memorabilia spanning the decades, including vintage uniforms, photographs, and artifacts.

The Gala Committee and 50th Anniversary Chair was Ailine Vakian, Class of 1992, and Gala Chair was Zanni Kalaydjian. The Class of 2005 alumna event planner was Lusine Vartanian of Event Du Jour.

A silent auction and Student Council-led raffle as held which raised over $70,000 in additional support of the school’s mission.

Proceeds from the evening will support the school’s strategic expansion initiatives, as well as the establishment of an academic endowment to invest in innovation of curriculum and instruction.

Centered around the theme “Imagine the Possibilities,” the gala cast a bold vision for what lies ahead, while honoring the Changemakers, the early visionaries whose belief in the school laid the foundation for its success. Their foresight and dedication transformed possibility into reality, paving the way for the next generation to dream even bigger.