In adherence to its long-standing tradition of supporting educational programs for local Armenian students, the Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) will host its Sixth Annual Oratorical Contest on February 1, 2025 at UCLA, reports Zartonk Media. Following five successful years, this event celebrates a tradition of excellence in fostering public speaking and critical thinking among youth.
The public speaking competition will take place at UCLA’s Fowler Museum, located at 308 Charles E Young Dr N, Los Angeles, on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The competition begins at 10:00 a.m. and will showcase students from various Southern California Armenian schools.
This year’s event will be held in collaboration with UCLA’s Center for World Languages and will mark the inaugural competition of middle school participants alongside high school students from Southern California’s Armenian educational institutions. Participants from Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School, Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, Armenian Mesrobian School, C & E Merdinian Evangelical School, Chamlian Armenian School, Blair High School’s Armenian Academy, and Woodrow Wilson Middle School will compete in both Armenian and English speaking contests.
Sona Movsesian will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies. The distinguished panel of judges for this year includes Yvette M. Amirian, ACE, Nora Bairamian, Sevan Haneshian Bedourian, Sandra Halajian, Ed.D., Mesrop Khoudagoulian, Esq., Kevork Hagopjian, Ph.D., Esq., Christina Hacopian, Hagop Gulludjian, Ph.D., Shushan Karapetian, Ph.D., Melissa Bilal, Ph.D., Inna Sahakyan, and Maral Tavitian.
Dalya Barsamian, AEF Oratorical Committee Chair, stated, “AEF is at the forefront of educational innovation, providing students with unparalleled opportunities for academic growth and personal development. We’re privileged to be part of a program that emphasizes critical thinking, public speaking, and the development of essential skills that will empower students to excel in an ever-evolving world.”
Reflecting on last year’s success, the 2024 contest drew over 150 supporters and highlighted the talents of students across a variety of pressing topics, from the role of Armenian role models to the impacts of non-profits in Armenia. The winners, who demonstrated exceptional skills in line with the American Legion National Oratorical Contest standards, received scholarships for their outstanding performances. Last year’s middle school winners included Arpa Bostanian and Harout Karadanaian, and high school victors Natelle Ezadjian and Narod Ekmekjian, each receiving a $1,000 prize.
Established in 1950, AEF has been a cornerstone in promoting education among Armenian students worldwide, providing financial support to Armenian students and educational institutions and programs in Armenia, and the diaspora. By minimizing administrative costs and ensuring all programs are planned and executed by volunteers with minimal overhead, AEF assures donors that their contributions are directly funneling into programs like this oratorical contest, including significant efforts in Artsakh despite its occupation by Azerbaijan.
For more information about AEF, the contest or to donate to AEF’s mission, please visit www.aefweb.org.
AEF’s purpose in hosting the Oratorical Contest is to promote public speaking in Armenian youth, with the hope of encouraging and shaping a future generation of leaders, motivators and influencers who can become a positive force and promote progress within their community.
