On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at noon, the graduating 12th-grade students of the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School in Hollywood visited the Western Prelacy. The students were accompanied by Dr. Souzie Ohanian, Principal of Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, along with faculty and staff.
During the opening remarks, a student representative shared that it has become a cherished tradition for the graduating class to visit the Western Prelacy, seeking spiritual and cultural enrichment and the fatherly blessings of H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States. The student expressed that, as the graduating class of 2025 bids farewell to their beloved school and embarks on the next chapter of their academic journey, this visit serves to fortify their Armenian identity and deepen their connection to their heritage.
Addressing the students, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian emphasized the value of education both within and beyond the classroom. The Prelate noted that their visit to the Western Prelacy itself is a powerful form of instruction, rooted in cultural continuity and spiritual belonging.
“As you graduate and leave your school behind, always remember that this Spiritual Center is your home. Here, your spiritual, national, and cultural identity is cultivated. All that you have gained throughout your educational journey, from the Armenian Church, the Western Prelacy Armenian Schools, our organizations, and community, will remain with you, guiding you and shaping your path. These experiences will serve as lasting expressions of your Armenian identity and sense of belonging,” said H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian. Reflecting on the students’ trip to Armenia last year, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian encouraged the students to document their memories in a journal, reminding them that revisiting those reflections later in life would rekindle their connection to the homeland and strengthen their Armenian spirit.
Following a well-prepared student program, Dr. Souzie Ohanian presented a commemorative gift to H.E. Archbishop Khacherian on behalf of Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School. The visit concluded in the chapel, where the students joined H.E. Archbishop Khacherian in reciting the Lord’s Prayer. The Prelate then offered prayers for each graduate’s spiritual journey and bestowed his heartfelt fatherly blessings.
As a token of appreciation, the Western Prelacy presented each student with a copy of the poetry collection “I Am an Armenian Book” by Jacques S. Hagopian.
