Tufenkian Preschool & Kindergarten Raise $950,000 at 50th Anniversary Gala

More than 500 community members, parents, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of St. Mary’s Richard Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten gathered at Taglyan Complex on February 22 to mark the 50^th anniversary of the school at its “Growing Up Golden” Gala.

The celebration was full of tributes to teachers, school benefactors and donors, a video representation of the school’s history and a fundraising effort that raised $950,000 in support of the school’s modernization and expansion project.

Among those present were Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Very Reverend Fr. Zareh Sarkissian; members of the Western Prelacy Executive Council including Vice-Chair Mher DerOhanessian, Dzovig Zetlian, and Gevik Baghdassarian; members of the St. Mary’s Church Board of Trustees including Chairman Alec Baghdasaryan and Shahan DerOhanessian; and member of the Board of Regents of Prelacy Schools Pattyl Aposhian Kasparian.

Guests included members of the extended Tufenkian family who joined benefactors Mr. & Mrs. Greg and Caroline Tufenkian as well as benefactors Mr. & Mrs. Sandra and Paul Kalemkiarian who made a Legacy Donation on the occasion of this golden jubilee. School visionaries Mr. & Mrs. Vahik and Alice Petrossian, Dr. Armineh and Mr. Vahe Hacopian, Mr. & Mrs. Norair and Anoush Avakian were also present. Former School Directors Dr. Ida Karayan and Mrs. Arsine Aghazarian were also in attendance.

“The Tufenkian Preschool nurtured and educated the future of a nation with love,” Petrossian said. “The Gala was the perfect tribute to all who have helped this dream become a success. Looking forward to the next 50 years and the joy this beautiful school will bring to thousands more families and children.”

The School Board and Administration expressed its immense gratitude to the school’s visionaries and founders, past Directors, and the school’s most notable benefactor, the Tufenkian family, as well as Dreammaker Donors, Dr. Christine and Mr. Allen Parseghian, and Golden Donors, the Yemenidjian family, and GASKA Alliance Foundation, honoring them with custom gifts of appreciation.

“Our Tufenkian school’s community came together with generosity and love, and the 50th anniversary gala was an extraordinary success. We are extremely fortunate to have a community of families, alumni, and donors who recognize the vision of our founders and the importance of ensuring the stability, growth, and success of our school,” said Armen Grigorian, Chairperson of the School Board. “The school administration and Board are humbled and privileged to be in this position and thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.”

One of the highlights of the evening was the recognition of faculty and staff who have been with Tufenkian Preschool and Kindergarten for more than 20 years. “No one takes their undeniably important role in the lives of our amazing students as seriously as our teachers and staff. They are the beating heart of our school right alongside our dear students. We are so very blessed with the long-time loyalty of so many of our educators and staff,” said School Director Lorette Avanessian.

The Growing Up Golden Gala showcased a special display of portraits of current students, as well as a Tufenkian Museum which featured treasured memento from the past 50 years including original chairs, uniforms, yearbooks, photos, children’s books, and instruments. Additionally, traditional Armenian music was provided by the renowned Greg Hosharian Band accompanied by vocalist Alene Aroustamian, and interludes by DJ Melkon.

“It was a beautiful evening of celebration—50  years of children experiencing an unmatched education backed by love and kindness,” said Sandra Kalemkiarian.

The Gala was organized by a special subcommittee of the Parent Support Committee led by Sara Cipolla and Anush Yemenidjian.

“This celebration was an ode to our visionaries, faculty and administration past and present, and the families that have supported the school from the start. We are so grateful for the vision they had and the heart they poured into the school.  We look forward to another incredible 50 years of celebrating Tufenkian and all that it has done for our children and families,” said Cipolla and Yemenidjian.

At the event, the school also launched a special golden anniversary Apricot Tree fundraising project, exclusive only to its 50^th year, which will be showcased in the newly renovated campus.

“The plausible success of the school is the direct result of the collaborative efforts of the past and present administration, teachers, school board, volunteer parents, families, alumni, and our dear Tufenkian Family members,” said Avanessian.

Looking to the future, she noted, “We are so incredibly lucky to have such dedicated individuals in our community who believe in the school’s ongoing strive for excellence in nurturing and educating our future Armenian-American generations.”