ASA Cultural Committee Co-Chairs (Spring 07)

Armenian Chronicles gets to know the Co-Chairs of the Genocide awareness committee of Armenian Students’ Association


Babken DerGrigorian
Fourth Year
Political Science/International Relations major
Public Policy minor

Organizing the “Educate” week of Genocide Awareness month, DerGrigorian took a very active role in the two speak-outs in an attempt to educate the UCLA student community about the major genocides of the twentieth century. He organized the first speak-out in which facts and stories were shared about the Armenian Genocide, Jewish Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwandan and Darfur Genocides.

“We set a good precedent for establishing April as Genocide awareness month. We decided from the beginning that we wanted to set up this tradition since April is also the month for the day of remembrance for the Jewish Holocaust. It was a good beginning and I’m excited for what we can achieve in the future.” DerGrigorian was also committed to establishing relations with other campus groups, “With this year’s experience, next year we can start relations with more campus groups. Going into next year, we will have a better idea of how to approach Genocide Awareness month having already established some of these relations.”

DerGrigorian is also involved in Student’s for a Democratic Society (an anti-war student movement), the Armenian National Committee and the Armenian Youth Federation.

Allen Yekikian
Fourth year
History major

Being in charge of “Motivate” week, Allen helped organize the speak-out for educating the campus, the silent march on campus, and lecture and reception for activating the campus. Allen’s dedication to the campaign was reflected through his energetic and passionate attitude during meetings and in speak-outs.

“We have to reach out to the students of UCLA, who are already in an environment where they are encouraged and motivated to learn new things,” Yekikian said, “We cannot preach to the choir any longer. The genocide is a political issue and we have to be politicized so that we can raise awareness about it among the students who will, in 20 years, be the future of America. Every Armenian must be an advocate of the Armenian cause and April 24th is the perfect oportunity to rally everyone for that goal.”

Allen also helped build relations with other campus groups such as Jewish Student Union, Hellenic-America Students’ Organization, Darfur Action Committee and United Human Rights Council (which he is also a part of). Yekikian believes that by building strong coalitions in the beginning of the year, we can get more people to support our cause. “We need to create an active, motivated, and politicized ASA so that when the time comes, we have the support we need to make April 24 a successful campaign.”

Arine Harapeti
2nd Year (Ending)-Junior Standing
Political Science major/ Armenian Studies minor

Harapeti has been an extremely active and initiative-taking member of ASA. As co-chair of the cultural committee, she was in charge of “Activate” in which the ASA hosted a lecture and reception in the Ackerman Grand Ballroom. With the help of other committee members, she also helped organize the awareness march and the speak-out on April 23. Harapeti’s hard work paid off with the successful turnout at the reception and the inspirational speeches given by speakers such as Father Vazgen Movsessian.

“I think we really spread awareness around campus, drawing peoples attention to the atrocities that have gone on and that are still going on in the world. All in all, I think that the collaboration of everyone’s efforts this year made Genocide Awareness Month very successfully and effective on and off campus.” She adds that getting a call from UCLA Radio Station to conduct an interview regarding the Genocide Awareness Month shows that we were definitely able to get our voices out there.

If Arine’s name sounds familiar, you probably remember her as the organizer and MC of the Armenian Wedding of last quarter. Doing extensive research and planning, she brought the ASA community together to show the UCLA campus how rich the Armenian culture is.

“I think that the success of the events alone is not the only thing we should praise, but also seeing Armenians from different backgrounds come together, work together for a common cause. For me, the process of preparing for the events was an experience that I will cherish because seeing every person participate with their unique talents and with a group effort make these efforts come alive is something we should all be proud of seeing.”

Harapeti spends most of her extra time contributing to the various organizations she is a part of. She is also involved in a Church Bible Study organization, as well as the Unified Young Armenians.