In December, our Pre-Kindergarten was filled with festive activities and special events. Students had the opportunity to take Pictures with Santa, capturing a tender moment and designing special Christmas treats and crafts. Later in January, they enjoyed a visit from author Tamar Kassarjian, who shared her book "The Secret Language Method."

Their Valentine's Day plans are nothing short of heart-melting as they indulge in Hearty Breakfast yogurt parfaits alongside their parents and share sweet treats with their classes. February also brings a dose of health education with visits from dentist Dr. Arlet Dakessian and physician Dr. Rita Akaraz, ensuring even our tiniest scholars stay in tip-top shape.

In recognition of the 100th day of school, Pre-K dressed up as adorable 100-year-olds and celebrated with the other 100-themed activities of the elementary school. But the real excitement lies in their celebration of "poon paregentan," an Armenian pre-Lent extravaganza where students craft masks, sing songs, and party hearty.

Elementary students embarked on a whirlwind of adventures this season, diving into the season with Pictures with Santa first. Notably, the annual Christmas program showcased the talents of students from all elementary grades, who came together to celebrate through joyful song and dance under the guidance of Paulette Apkarian, Nayiri Karapetian, and Dikran Callan.

In January, elementary students had an exciting visit from author Tamar Kassarjian, whose book "The Secret Language Method" is now in every elementary classroom to inspire future reading (and writing!). As the school year progressed, kindergarten students even predicted the future with digitized photos of themselves at 100 years old, while the entire elementary school engaged in various 100-themed activities to enhance their counting skills.

Looking ahead, Valentine's Day festivities are on the horizon, including classroom parties and a special Hearty Breakfast with parents, featuring delicious yogurt parfaits to share love and joy with our school community.

In the lead-up to Christmas break, our Middle School students enjoyed festive activities, including a movie party and pajama day, setting the stage for a joyful holiday season.

As the new year began in January, our Middle School Robotics students showcased their talents at the Future City competition held at the Suburban Showcase. Their hard work and dedication paid off as they secured an impressive 3rd place finish, along with two special awards, demonstrating their innovation and teamwork.

Additionally, members of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) volunteered their time at Forgotten Harvest, packaging a remarkable 4500 pounds of food, a contribution that will provide nourishment for over 4,000 families in need. To the delight of many, our students embarked on an enriching educational excursion to the Detroit Science Museum, engaging in hands-on experiments and activities to deepen their understanding of science and technology in a fun and interactive way.

From December to February, our high school students were actively engaged in a variety of activities. We kicked off the holiday season with a festive Christmas spirit week, complete with themed costumes and daily activities, culminating in an all-school game day.

Additionally, our school embraced the spirit of giving with our 2nd annual door decorating contest, showcasing creativity and unity across the campus.

In extra-curriculars, our Robotics Team, known as the Beach Bums, made waves at the OCCRA competition, securing a surprising first-place victory in our inaugural year in the league.

Meanwhile, the National Honor Society demonstrated their commitment to service by organizing a highly successful food drive, collecting nearly 10,000 pounds of donations.

Furthermore, NHS members volunteered at Gleaners to package an impressive 15,600 pounds of meals, making a tangible difference in our community.

The Feast of Vartanantz, celebrated on February 11, commemorates the historic clash between pagan Persia and Christian Armenia in 451.

Led by Vartan Mamigonian, Armenian forces bravely resisted the Persian king's decree to abandon Christianity, affirming their unwavering faith even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Despite heavy losses, the Armenians' steadfast commitment to their Christian beliefs at the Battle of Avarayr solidified Christianity as an integral part of their national identity.

Special Feature: Freshman Jurius Azar Shines at International Robot Olympiad in Greece

In an extraordinary journey that began with his first-place victory at the Robofest UMC Competition at Lawrence Technological University in November, freshman Jurius Azar showcased his remarkable talent on the global stage at the 25th annual International Robot Olympiad (IRO) held in Greece.

The prestigious event attracted hundreds of student participants from across the globe, including countries like South Korea, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, the US, and Mexico. Spanning a week from Monday to Saturday, the IRO comprised various events and competitions each day.

Jurius participated in two events: the "Creative Idea" and the "Mission Challenge." In the "Creative Idea" event, he conceptualized and built a robot tailored to assist Olympic athletes in track training, showcasing a robot which adapted to its user and changing needs.

In the "Mission Challenge" event, Jurius truly shined. There, Jurius created an autonomous robot designed to move a series of blocks to corresponding colored holes, all within specific spatial parameters. This robot was a “set it and forget it” challenge, where Jurius had to program the robot’s movements beforehand and could not interact or direct it once the trial began.

Despite limited opportunities for practice and feedback, his robot performed exceptionally well, earning him admiration and respect from his peers. Beyond his personal achievements, Jurius generously shares his expertise by volunteering to coach elementary and middle school robotics programs at the Manoogian School.

The school and the entire Manoogian community celebrate Jurius's accomplishments and eagerly anticipate his future successes in the field of robotics.