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A spectacular Sunday at the AYF Olympics
The winning AYF Detroit “Kopernik Tandourjian” team Sunday is the biggest day of the AYF Olympics weekend — when the bulk of the points are won and the day for track and field. Track and field events...
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In memory of Narek Stepanyan
A collection of poems that Narek Stepanyan wrote throughout his life Narek Stepanyan is a fallen hero from Artsakh. He was the second son of a family that I met when I went to Armenia in 2022. Narek...
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The day after Detroit wins the AYF Olympics
It is the day after the 90th AYF Olympics. I think of Tamar Kanarian’s post on Labor Day the last time the Olympics were in Detroit. Her post was simple and resonates with all of us: “Home. Let the...
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Regional ARF youth meeting held in Argentina
From August 30 to September 1, 2024, around 60 representatives and supporters of Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) youth organizations participated in a regional meeting in Buenos Aires,...
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Communities across borders: A journey in Javakhk
This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to enter a new world, somewhere I had only heard of through others — Javakhk. A year ago, if you had asked me whether I would ever consider doing Camp...
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Heads in the dirt
Hundreds, even thousands, of men’s heads sticking out of the ground in the scorching heat. Women bashing their heads on rocks to lose their beauty in hopes of escaping violation. Children forcefully...
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The power of Armenian camp
Sophia Marangoudakis having fun at Camp Javakhk with campers during free time on the tasht (field) Armenian camps across the globe are places where Armenian heritage is sparked and nurtured. Campers...
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IUSY VP Sarineh Abrahamian engages parliamentarians on COP29
YEREVAN—From September 6 to 10, the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) presidium meeting and the Young Social Democratic Parliamentarians Forum were held in Rabat, Morocco. Sarineh...
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Bridging youth in Javakhk and the Diaspora
Aram Najarian bonding with campers Growing up in the AYF, whether it’s during Junior Seminar, at Camp Haiastan or in our monthly chapter meetings, we hear about Camp Javakhk. The program, based in the...
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My immersive experience at Hamazkayin Camp Petag
Hrug Tatarian’s arrival at Hamazkayin Eastern USA Petag Armenian Immersion Camp Hello, my name is Hrug. I am 11 years old and from Maryland. This summer, I spent an amazing 12 days at Camp Petag, an...
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Krafian sets the record for records
Anoush Krafian from Greater Boston sets record in the triple jump (Photo: Tamar Kanarian) This year at the AYF Olympics, Anoush Krafian of Greater Boston broke the record in the triple jump, becoming...
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DKT’s KT
Detroit’s winning co-ed relay team (l-r): Melanie Sarafian, Knar Topouzian, Michael Nercesian and Michael Ohanesian (Photo: Arev Kaligian) Detroit’s Knar Topouzian participated in the AYF Olympics for...
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Detroit cruises to swim title
At the Friday night swim meet at the AYF Olympics, Detroit won the first relay and the next two events, and Team K-T kept going from there. After sweeping the final four relays, the host chapter...
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Carrying on the AYF Olympics tradition — “The Varantian Way”
Senior Executive member Ani Comella speaking at the pep rally By the AYF Providence “Varantian Chapter PROVIDENCE, RI—The Providence AYF “Varantian” Chapter is built on a rich tradition of success,...
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AYF Softball: A “Varantian” Three-Peat
Softball stands full of fans (Photo: Alexandrea Bedirian) The only true team sport at the AYF Olympics is softball, which is co-ed by design and involves no points. Softball does not contribute to the...
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Detroit royalty: Athletes, activists and sportsmanship
Olympic King David Shahrigian and Queen Taline Hagopian Chalian (Photo: Mark Gavoor) The AYF Detroit Olympics got it right by all measures for the titles of King and Queen — participation in the...
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Varadian Spirit awards go to…Ned Apigian and Carolyn Arslanian
Ned and Aroxie Apigian (center) and family (Photo: Mark Gavoor) Ned (Nishan) and Roxy Apigian were headliners at the AYF Detroit Olympics. Thursday evening at the St. Sarkis Church hall, the 60-year...
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Aram’s farewell to the AYF
The last 18 years of my life have been the best ride that I will never forget. From Junior Seminar to Camp Haiastan, from NATS to Convention and Senior Olympics, thank you AYF for the friends and...
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Dear Olympics
Four-time softball champ Michael Nercesian in the final game of his AYF career We had a great run. I’ll never forget the first time we met — it was in Detroit, I was 17 and just heading into college. I...
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AYF Olympics, a uniquely American Armenian experience
AYF athletes at the Opening Ceremonies (Photo: Arev Kaligian) Last year, I wrote the wrap-up for the Washington, D.C. AYF Olympics a few days after Artsakh fell. While the memory continues to haunt us,...
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