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B6 The Armenian Reporter | March 15, 2008CommunityArmenian schools across Los Angeles cometogether to play ball and make friendsm Story starts on page B1older boys’ division won the championships,the young students wereso excited for them.”In the United States, soccermoms have been branded as themiddle-aged, crazed, carpoolingmothers who exhibit overly aggressivebehavior at their children’ssoccer matches. At the KAHAMgames, it seems like the roles werereversed. Excited Armenian fathersthrew fists in the air whenthe referee made the “wrong” call,stomped their feet on the bleachersto encourage a free throw, andclapped vociferously when anotherpoint was scored for the team.Hagop Parseghian, a parentwho was seated among frenziedfathers, describes the heightenedemotion as an inherent nationaltrait. “Armenians are a passionatepeople, and that passion comes outin everything we do,” he notes. Theinvolved parent also says that beyondall the excitement, he appreciatesthe communal aspect most.“Just the mere fact that hundreds ofour teenagers are gathered togetheris a victory for the Diaspora andall Armenians living in SouthernCalifornia,” Parseghian says.The cacophony of emotion adsound was complemented by therhythmic percussion of dumbekand ululations – not to be mistakenfor a traditional Lebanese-Armenianwedding. Some sports fansat the KAHAM games were playingthe dumbek in the bleachers, rilingup the crowd with percussivebeats that blended flawlessly withthe bouncing, staccato beat of thebasketball.During the Upper Division Girls’Basketball Finals - Chamlian versusArmenian Sisters Academy -there was a dumbek player for eachschool, galvanizing the players andfans with the bang of the drum.As the crowd chanted “Let’s go,A.S.A., let’s go,” 17-year-old EricHairabedian was beating hisround drum, providing rhythm tothe chorus of the fans’ mantra. Theenthused teenager, a former studentof the Armenian Sisters Academy,decided to come out to theKAHAM games with his dumbek tosupport his alma mater. “I play thedumbek to keep the team going,”Hairabedian says. “It’s almost likesending good vibes to the playersso they will play well.”On the opposing side of thebleachers was proud parent SossyGuekguezian, who also broughtalong her dumbek to rally up theChamlian basketball team, inwhich her 14-year-old daughterplayed. “This is the loudest thingI could find in the house to makenoise,” Guekguezian says. “I wentto Party City to find noise makers,but nothing is louder than adumbek. The beat gives the girlssome sort of encouragement andthe people love it.”Of the colorful array of chips,pizza, donuts, and candy whichthe Homenetmen Massis Chapteroffers, it is their “famous” sujukhsandwich that the sport fans gravitatetowards. A long line formsaround the tent where the succulentand spicy sausage is sold. Thesweet, charred smell of grilled sujukhdrifts into the gym and outinto the football field. Beyond powerbars and drinks, this panini-stylesujukh sandwich is the super foodthat seems to fuel the performanceof the athletes.Jano Ayarian, 12, says hecomes to the KAHAM games primarilyfor the food. “I support theHovsepian student shows hisschool spirit as they walk in front ofspectators.Armenian Sisters Academy Students find time to play around while on the field during the closing ceremonies.Photos: Hilma Shahinian.Chamlian Students Vana Ebrahhimi #17, Alexa Mirzaian #3, and Massis Ohanesian #27 along withother students are excited about winning the 7th & 8th grade boys’ and girls’ championship.athletes by eating,” says the leanand thin middle-school student.With hubris and pomp, the youngfood critic reviews this year’s cuisineof sujukh and snacks. “I usuallylike the sujukh spicier, but itstill was really good to eat,” heconcludes.The closing ceremonies had asemblance to the Olympics. Whilethe Homenetmen Marching Bandplayed the national anthems ofthe United States and Armenia,each school paraded around thefootball field, holding a placardwith their school’s name printedon it.Cheering parents, armed withcameras and camcorders, applaudedtheir children with loudhoolers and whistles, as theirschools were awarded with gildedtrophies.“It’s just great to have all thestudents from different Armenianschools come and competeand make friends,” said JohnKahwajian, athletic director ofthe Homenetmen Western RegionalExecutive. “You see themcompete against each other andthen, after the game, they comeout and hug each other and formnew friendships. It’s just a greatfeeling.”fconnect:homenetmen.netMerdinian student anxiously await their turn to approach the podium for their trophies under the supervision of theirAthletic Director, Mike TilkianFerrahian Armens G Girls Basketball are proud of theirtrophy.Chamlian soccer team shows off their first place trophy.TCA Arshag Dickranian take theopportunity to hang out on the polevault mat at Glendale CommunityCollege.
The Armenian Reporter | March 15, 2008CommunityKAHAM games come to a closeB7by Shahen HagobianGLENDALE, Calif.7 – In its lastweekend of competitions, the KA-HAM games seemed to save the bestfor last. The final round of gameplay was held at Glendale CommunityCollege, followed by an extravagantawards ceremony full of cheeringkids and proud parents. Thegames themselves were attendedby throngs of supporters, hecklers,excited parents, and angry parents,as well as a few hand-drum playerswho got spectators clapping andchanting for their favorite teams.The KAHAM games were organizedand facilitated by the HomenetmenRegional Athletic Council aswell as several volunteer coachesand organizers from various communityschools and organizations.Twelve Armenian schools fromthroughout Los Angeles Countryparticipated in the games.The final two games of the tournamenthad the most intense displaysof athleticism and were thefiercest of all youth games thus far.Both games featured the ChamlianSchool teams as they claimed victoryover their respective opponents.Coach Kamil Daniel of Chamliandescribed the girls’ match: “Yes, itwas extremely intense. ASA [ArmenianSisters Academy] is a good runningteam. They are quick on theirfeet, they throw long passes, andthey have good strength on them.They were holding up their own andwe held up our own and did thebest we could to get it going.” Bothgirls’ teams played a great game, despitedealing with the pressures ofan overwhelming and loud crowdof parents and friends. At timescertain fouls on the court wouldenrage a few fathers in the stands,who could be heard yelling acrossthe gym at the referees. In the end,Chamlian was able to secure enoughof a lead to slow the game down andwin comfortably.The boys’ match was just as intenseand fast-paced. The Hovsepianteam, under the direction ofCoach Zare Manoukian, had alreadybeaten the Chamlian teamearly on in the tournament, butwas faced with an inspired and focusedopposition this time around.“I feel like we’re the underdogs,”Manoukian said. “We’re alwaysstruggling, doing what we can withwho we have, and it feels right to beback here in the championships.”Manoukian, who doubles as theteam’s algebra teacher, added, “Weare a smaller school with a limitednumber of players – unlike the biggerschools, which have so manykids and are able to make two teamsfor their schools. These teams usuallyconsist of a main, stronger, teamand a weaker, developing, team.”The young Hovsepian School athletescould not hold off the Chamlianteam for a second time and lostthe championship game.Coach Daniel was ecstatic afterthe game, but was able to calmhimself enough to say, “I can’t explainit with words. They actuallyand truly played with their heartsthis year. We had some rough timesduring practice and I really thoughtthat they were going to give up butthey pulled through. They pushedtheir game up a notch; they wantedit, they deserved it, and they gotit.” And they were cheered on by afull gym, with parents and friendsalike crowding the stands as well asany available spot. “Its all about thecommunity coming together,” Danielsaid. “Armenians should alwaysbe with other Armenians, whetherit’s through school or whatever. Weshould always be close to home.”Although the games focus oncommunity and sportsmanship,they do come with their share ofAGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian students pose with their trophies. Photos: Hilma Shahinian.Sahag-Mesrob Students excited aboutthe KAHAM Games coming to an end.High fives awaited the Student athletes from Homenetmen Western RegionChairperson Steve Artinian and Homenetmen Western Region Athletic DirectorJohn Kahwajian.bad behavior. Daniel added, “Therehas been a lot of drama going onwith the parents, especially thisyear. Unfortunately certain peopletook it to the extreme and we wereable to clarify some situations, butthere is a lot of animosity goingon. However, it’s all behind me. Idon’t mean any disrespect but Idon’t care what the parents think.It’s all about the kids and that’s allthat matters. They get put in theorganization to get an educationand that’s what we’re giving them.”These sentiments were echoed byAGBU Manoogian-DemirdjianSchool alumnus and coach AnnieKahwajian. “The games have beengood so far this year but I don’t seemuch sportsmanship from otherschools,” she said. “I think it’s a veryimportant aspect of the games andsome of the other coaches shouldbe pushing that more.”Annie Kahwajian (daughter ofHomenetmen Western Regional ExecutiveBoard member and RegionsAthletic Director Jano Kahwajian)has been involved in basketball forMesrobian F girls are proud about placing first in the 3rd & 4th grade division for volleyballmost of her life. “After I graduatedfrom Manoogian-Demirdjian School,I went back to coach basketball,” Anniesaid. “My dad taught me how toplay basketball when I was sevenor eight years old, and the KAHAMgames were really the only timewhere we would get to play with otherArmenian schools and make newfriends. I’m still friends with girls Iused to play against from when I waseight years old, so it’s a really goodexperience.” With a youthful and optimisticattitude, Kahwajian remindsus about the common sentimentregarding Armenian youth sports.“Take your kids to practice and encouragethem to play in sports,” shesaid. “It’s a good way to learn disciplineand to make life-long friends.All these sports are great and it’sgood to be in Homenetmen and theKAHAM games.”Shahe Garabedian, principalof Sahag Mesrob Christian Schoolin Altadena, is also an enthusiasticsupporter of the games. “I think theKAHAM games are very well-organized,”he said. “We appreciate allA tired and hot little mascot for theSahag-Mesrob Armenian ChristianSchool, David Keshishian.Roupen Avedikian (center) and Chamlian teammates hold up their 1st place 5th &6th Grade soccer trophy.the efforts from Homenetmen. It’sall for the kids and it’s a great wayto promote togetherness for Armeniansand have them develop characterand friendships.” Garabedianadded, “I love the kids, so I come everySaturday and Sunday to encouragethem. Basically we teach our kidsthat we have to respect one another,love one another, and promote ourArmenian culture and values.”The volunteers behind the KA-HAM games include Armen Mahdessian,Sarkis Kahdejian,Roubina Kabirian, Gassia Mahseredjian,Garen Mardirossian,Tro Markarian, Shant Tarpinian,Quint Chemnitz, SossieShanlian, Khajag Keshishian,Hagop Avedian, HomenetmenRegional Athletic Council ChairpersonNyree Derderian, HomenetmenWestern Regional ExecutiveBoard member and Regional AthleticDirector Jano Kahwajian,Homenetmen Regional AthleticSupervisors Fred Babajanians,Mike Zezagian, and MousheghBedhoian, and Homenetmen RegionalAthletic Programs CoordinatorSevag Garabetian. fconnect:homenetmen.net
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