Los Angeles, CA – Crescenta Valley High School Senior Ani Nalbandian recently completed the 2009 Spring Session of the Armenian National Committee – Western Region’s Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP). Nalbandian worked with the ANC-WR staff as a Community and Government Affairs Intern. “The Armenian National Committee is an amazing organization that assists students with gaining experience in an educational and public affairs environment. I have learned meaningful ways of engaging the community to promote a greater understanding on issues that are important to Armenian Americans,” said Nalbandian. Nalbandian is a member of the Armenian Youth Federation La Crescenta “Zartonk” Chapter and she also serves on several central executive committees. As an intern in the program, Nalbandian helped research how the campus community newspapers in the Los Angeles area have covered the Armenian Genocide in the past decade. Additionally, she assisted the regional office in its efforts to reach out to educate students about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and what they can do to voice concerns on the issue.

Working with ANC-WR IEP alumnus Rafi Orfali (Autumn 2007), Nalbandian helped coordinate voter registration efforts reaching out to local activists who contacted the ANC office seeking more information and/or assistance with voter registration. Concurrently completing classes at Glendale Community College, Nalbandian hopes to pursue Political Science and Business degrees as an undergraduate. “Ani was extremely motivated and passionate about the issues,” noted Haig Hovsepian the ANC-WR Internship-Externship Program Coordinator. “Her intern projects made a tangible impact on the community through voter registration and genocide education. These help turn immediate passion about the issues into a long term positive stimulus for the community. We hope to see her continue her involvement with her local Crescenta Valley ANC as she completes the regional program,” he added.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest Armenian American grassroots community organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

Photo Caption: ANC-WR IEP 2009 Spring Session Intern, Ani Nalbandian in a lecture on the history of Hai Tahd in the United States by ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian.