A Living Lesson in Armenian History and Pride
Los Angeles — October 26, 2025.
For the first time, members of the AYF Juniors Burbank Gaidzag Chapter attended the ANCA-WR Annual Gala, held at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
The juniors who attended the event were Vahe Hampartsoumian, Nareg Demirjian, Emilia Panossian, and Sara Najarian, accompanied by their Varich, U. Ani Nahabedian.
From the Classroom to Real Life
The evening began with a lively two-hour reception, where the Juniors experienced the excitement of a major community event firsthand. They walked the red carpet, met members of the Armenian community from across the region, and proudly took photos with Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA Washington, D.C. office, and Sarkis Simonian, Chair of the ANCA Burbank Chapter.
For the Juniors, who study Armenian heroes, activism, and the Cause each week, this was a chance to see those lessons come to life—to witness the work being carried forward by today’s leaders.
Meeting the Grandson of General Dro
The highlight of the evening came when the Juniors were introduced to Philip Kanayan, grandson of General Drastamat Kanayan, known to generations of Armenians as Dro.
General Dro was known for his unwavering devotion to Armenian freedom. Meeting his grandson, who is an active member of ANCA Texas, was a moment of inspiration for the Juniors—connecting the heroes they study to real living descendants continuing the same spirit of service.
Mr. Kanayan warmly greeted the group, took photos with them, and even offered them refreshments, turning a historical lesson into a personal encounter none of them will forget.
The Gala Experience
Once the formal dinner began, the Juniors joined hundreds of guests in the ballroom, surrounded by the energy of community leaders and public figures. When the anthems of Armenia and Artsakh were sung, the children proudly sang along—songs they already knew well from their AYF education and weekly gatherings.
During the dinner, Burbank Mayor Nikki Perez, who was seated across the ballroom, heard that the Burbank Gaidzag Juniors were present and made her way over to meet them and take a group photo. Her visit was a wonderful acknowledgment of their civic participation and pride in representing their city and community.A Night They’ll Never Forget
The 2025 ANCA-WR Gala, themed around justice, unity, and perseverance, also featured heartfelt speeches from distinguished guests including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who reaffirmed her commitment to the Right of Return to Artsakh, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, who reminded attendees that “justice is not human-made—it is a God-given reality.”
But for the Burbank Gaidzag Juniors, the true impact of the night was personal. They left the event inspired—having seen the heroes, leaders, and ideals they learn about in their classroom embodied in real life. The Armenian Cause is alive—and it continues through the work of each new generation.
