Awards
A sign of appreciation…
The first form of recognition received by the Chitjian’s would be their Right of Citizenship granted to them by Armenia
Right of Citizenship
Hampartzoum Chitjian granted citizen status April 24, 1995
Right of Citizenship
Ovsanna Chitjian granted citizen status April 24, 1995
ANCA Announces The Zaruhy Sara CHitjian Armenian Genocide Education Award
The Armenian National Committee- Western Region announced earlier today that it will be naming one of its awards the Zaruhy “Sara” Chitjian Armenian Genocide Education Award in honor of Ms. Chitjian’s exemplary commitment to Armenian causes and dedication to preservation of the Armenian heritage and teaching of the Armenian Genocide.
Ms.Chitjian was the first educator to bring Armenian history and cultural awareness programs to Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students over the past 40 years. She has been and continues to be closely tied to the Armenian community and is known for her generous philanthropy. The Zaruhy “Sara” Chitjian Armenian Genocide Education Award will be presented to outstanding educators of Armenian descent who have gone above and beyond to teach and preserve Armenian history, culture, and voices of victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
This year, the recipients of the Zaruhy “Sara” Chitjian Armenian Genocide Education Award will be presented to educators, Ms. Houry Mandjikian from Toll Middle School and Mr. Sean Abajian from LAUSD at the ANCA-WR Armenian Genocide Education Luncheon on Saturday, February 25, 11AM at Dream Palace Banquet Hall in Glendale, CA.
“The education committee is extremely pleased to honor a lifelong, outstanding educator by naming this legacy award after her. Though Sara was the first Armenian educator in public schools to teach Armenian history and culture, she is since then followed by numerous outstanding Armenian educators who continue, with passion, to tell our story,” noted Alice Petrossian, ANCA-WR Education Committee Chair. “We are honored to celebrate two of those very talented educators, Houry Mandjikian and Sean Abajian. We look forward to celebrating many more Armenian educators with the Zaruhy ‘Sara’ Chitjian Armenian Genocide Education Award in the years to come,” added Petrossian.
Excellence in Armenian Genocide Education Award
Elen Asatryan (ANCA-WR), Sara Chitjian, Roxanne Makasdjian (GenEd)
A special award for exceptional work in teaching about the Armenian Genocide by Armenian-American teachers was named after Sara Chitjian. Chitjian was a Los Angeles public school teacher for 34 years. She created lessons on Armenian culture and history, organized a full-day teacher-training workshop, established an Armenian-American teachers association, led the effort to allow students an excused absence for Armenian Genocide commemoration day, and much more. She has continued to vigorously support Armenian history research and education.
Roxanne Makasdjian, Executive Director of The Genocide Education Project and a former student of Chitjian’s, introduced Chitjian at the luncheon and presented the first two Chitjian Awards to teachers Houri Mandjikian and Sean Abajian.
The Heritage Award
Sara Chitjian with Aram Varabian of Nights of Vartan ( An Armenian Organization)
About The knights of Vartan
The Knights of Vartan (Vartanantz Asbedner) is an Armenian fraternal service organization established by twelve visionary men to encourage its members to assume leadership roles in cultural, educational, religious, and charitable organizations and activities on the local, national and international level for the betterment of the Armenian nation worldwide.
On May 27, 1916, a small group of Armenian community leaders in the United States knelt at an altar in a room at Bingham House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took the solemn oath of the Knights of Vartan, thus officially establishing the Brotherhood. The founding fathers included a bishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church (later Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia), five ministers of the Armenian Protestant Church, three professors, and three lay leaders of the Armenian community in America. Today there are 24 chapters of the Knights of Vartan and 23 chapters of the Daughters of Vartan throughout the United States and Canada.
The Knights of Vartan, Inc. was founded during the Armenian genocide and massacre of the religious and intellectual leaders of the Armenian people. After appeals to prominent political personalities in the United States, Germany and Russia, the realization dawned on the Founders that Armenians in America, and worldwide, not only lacked political and financial influence with the Great Powers (including the U.S.) to obtain political independence one day in historic Armenia, but in fact, were facing cultural and physical annihilation there. The primary aims of the organization were: to champion the Armenian cause, to alleviate the suffering of the Armenian people, to ensure the safety of displaced Armenians by interceding with the leaders of the Christian world, and to train leaders to serve the religious, cultural, educational, and charitable needs of the Armenian people.
More Awards & Acknowledgments
Armenian Urban Center Grant
This was a $350,000 grant awarded to develop material for an Armenian ethnics studies program. Unfortunately at that time to Sara’s dismay, the majority of her district was not in support of the program so the opportunity was passed on.
City of Los Angeles for Dixie Canyon Elementary School
Award from Dickranian School
Sara Chitjian receives award in recognition for her contributions and service as a teacher from the Arshag Dickranian School.
Award from The California Assembly
Sara Chitjian receives award in recognition for her dedication to education.
Award from AUA for being a Pillar
Sara Chitjian acknowledged for her support of AUA.
Acknowledgment from The LAUSD
Sara Chitjian acknowledged for her contributions to LAUSD via her In Service Programs. The following year, Kyoko Handler’s husband, Harry Handler, was the next Superintendent of schools and was a very close colleague of Dr. Vahakn Mardorosian (The Director of the Hispanic Urban Center): another decisive opportunity lost lost due to “Ahn-meeoutiun”.
Acknowledgment of Support
Sara Chitjian acknowledged for her contributions to education and Armenian culture from The Pilibos School.
Acknowledgment of Support
Sara Chitjian acknowledged for her support of various programs at The American University of Armenia.
Acknowledgment of Support
Acknowledgment of Support
The Chitjian Conference on Armenian Studies
Acknowledgment of Support
Sara Chitjian generously supports “Children of Genocide”.
Acknowledgment of Support
The Dickranian School achknowledges Sara Chitjian as a founding member for her 25 years of donated service the the eductational board.
Acknowledgment of Support
USC in gratitude for Sara Chitjian’s support of the Armenian Genocide Digitization Project.
Acknowledgment of Support
Sara Chitjian is recognized for her contribution, commitment and vision of “The Witness”
Acknowledgment of Support
Harry Chitjian is recognized for her contribution, commitment and vision of “The Witness”
Acknowledgment of Support
Armenian youth students recognize Hampartzoum.
Acknowledgment of Support
Armenian Film Foundation Recognizes Sara and Hampartzoum Chitjian
Acknowledgment of Support
Association for Near Eastern and Caucasian Studies express their profound gratitude to Sara Chitjian.
Acknowledgment of Support
ArmeniMash
Acknowledgment of Support
Armenia Tree Projects Thanks Sara Chitjian.
Acknowledgment of Support
In grateful appreciation of Mashdots College.
Acknowledgment of Support
In support of the 80th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Acknowledgment of Support
For the gracious support of the Manoogian School.
Acknowledgment of Support
For our eternal Appreciation to a fellow compatriot from the Kharpert Compatriot Union.
Acknowledgment of Support
Generously supported by Sara Chitjian
Acknowledgment of Support
The Legacy Award
Acknowledgment of Support
American University of Armenia recognizes Sara for her generous support of AUA and unwavering belief in the power of Education.
Acknowledgment of Support
In support of the Armenian Studies program at Cal State University, Fresno.
Acknowledgment of Support
Certificate of appreciation for her hard work and dedication to children and our community.
Acknowledgment of Support
USC Institute of Armenian Studies Leadership Council 2012.
Acknowledgment of Support
For dedicated service to the students of The Los Angeles City Schools.
Acknowledgment of Support
St. Joseph’s Indian School
Acknowledgment of Support
Clara Barton Token of Gratitude
Acknowledgment of Support
The Chitjian Foundation Supports the genomic analysis of ethnic regions in Armenia
Acknowledgment of Support
Life Membership award
Acknowledgment of Support
American University in America
Acknowledgment of Support
Cal State University, Fresno
Acknowledgment of Support
Institute of Archeology, Yerevan
Acknowledgment of Support
Zoryan Institute – The international Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies.
Acknowledgment of Support
Syrian Armenian Relief Fund Award given to Sara for her support
Acknowledgment of Support
Students of E.P.I.C. at The American University of Armenia thank Sara
Acknowledgment of Support
The AIMF awards Sara Chitjian for giving the gift of hearing to Armenian children.
Acknowledgment of Support
Award given to Sara for her dedicated services to the Dickranian School.
Acknowledgment of Support
The Central Board of Directors show their appreciation to Sara for 10 years of dedicated service.
Acknowledgment of Support
The Knights of Vartan and the L.A. County Tri Lodge Council award Sara Chitjian for her distinguished service in furthering awareness of the Armenian Genocide.
Acknowledgment of Support
St Josephs award of Appreciation to Hampartzoum and Sara
Acknowledgment of Support
Sara supports Aramazd.
Acknowledgment of Support
Award luncheon honoring sara
Acknowledgment of Support
25 consecutive years as a member of NAASR
Acknowledgment of Support
Becomes lifetime member
Acknowledgment of Support
Sara is very supportive of the Epic Center at AUA
For more info: http://epic.aua.am/
Acknowledgment of Support
For supporting the Lakota children
Acknowledgment of Support
The Chitjian Foundation has supported the Epic Center for many years.
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Acknowledgment of Support
The Chitjian Foundation has supported the Epic Center for many years.
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Acknowledgment of Support
The Chitjian Foundation supports AUA’s effort to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and Armenia.
Acknowledgment of Support
3 Epic teams supported by the Chitjian Foundation win grants from the EU 4Business Science and Technology Entrepreneurship program.
Creating Awareness and Keeping the promise for Armenians.
Two EPIC students thank the Chitjian Foundation for the grant of support given to them.
Acknowledgment of Support
Women’s Empowerment Initiative at American University of Armenia
