Detroit Hosts Midwest Junior Games

By Adrenee Asadoorian

In the words of Karekin Nejdeh, “If you wish to know the future of a nation, look at its youth.” The future is looking bright for the AYF-YOARF with the success of the Midwest Junior Olympic Games hosted by the Detroit “Kopernick Tandourjian” Chapter. The motivation and passion of every Junior present this weekend proved the bright future for our youth.

The Detroit Juniors
The Detroit Juniors

The Detroit chapter welcomed Chicago, Granite City, and Racine, with a picnic at Rotary Park in Livonia, Mich., to start the weekend on Fri., July 18. The next morning began the track and field athletics at North Farmington High School, where 77 athletes participated—a record high in the last several years. Mid-day, the opening ceremonies were conducted by Alec Sarafian, Stephen Hagopian, Der Hayr Hrant Kevorkian, Raffi Ourlian and myself, with national anthem vocals by Araxie Tossounian. Each chapter circled the track to Armenian music. Towards the end of the athletics, there was a rainstorm. While everyone huddled under the bleachers, in the bathroom, and under any kind of umbrella they could find, AYF Seniors and Juniors came together and started Armenian dancing in the rain on the football field to music from the PA system. It eventually cleared up, the athletics were completed, and Avi Keshgegian and Alexan Topalian awarded the winning Junior athletes their medals.

Later that night, we had a ground-breaking turnout at our Olympic Ball, with entertainment by the Nigosian Band at St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn. The final score was announced with Detroit (first place), Chicago (second), Racine (third), and Granite City (fourth). Each chapter did their respective chapter dance circling around the entire church hall. There were nine high scorers: Allison Devedjian (younger girls, Chicago “Ararat” Chapter, 15 points), Tavit Hardy (younger boys, Chicago “Ararat” Chapter, 13 points), Dominic Jones (younger boys, Detroit “Kopernick Tandourjian” Chapter, 13 points), Talene Nercesian (older girls, Detroit “Kopernick Tandourjian” Chapter, 15 points), Talia Oknayan (older girls, Detroit “Kopernick Tandourjian” Chapter, 15 points), Harry Dakesian (older boys, Detroit “Kopernick Tandourjian” Chapter, 13 points), Andrew Devedjian (older boys, Chicago “Ararat” Chapter, 13 points), Aram Shahrigian (older boys, Detroit “Kopernick Tandourjian” Chapter, 13 points) and Stepan Topouzian (older boys, Detroit “Kopernick Tandourjian” Chapter, 13 points).

The success of the Olympics was fueled by the encouragement from our community, support from our ARF advisors, fellow Midwest chapters, and Senior members Aline Bedirian, Sareen Bagdasarian, and myself. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve as Detroit’s Junior advisors and supporting us throughout the entire weekend. Every single Junior contributed something entirely special to the weekend and we hope that they carry the love for their chapter, fellow members, and our organization with them throughout their future years in the AYF. We thank everyone involved in the support and efforts in making this weekend one to remember—a weekend defined by family, lifelong friends, laughter, and love.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

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