TORONTO, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. At the Armenian Community Centre, Mr. Ara Vardanyan, the Executive Director of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, the key-note speaker at the annual banquet of Armenia Fund Toronto, kicked off the fundraising for the completion of another school project in Artsakh. According to the Hayastan All Armenian Fund, the banquet started with Rev. Father Meghrig Parikian's blessing. Fund's Executive Director Ara Vardanian made an opening speech. He presented the guests with the work done by the Fund lately. Migirdic Migirdicyan, the chairman of Fund's Toronto Chapter, members Ara and Calabrina Boyajians, Tenny Nigoghossian, benefactors Kourken Sarkissian and Sarkis Yacoubian, other guests of honor took part in the banquet. The sum donated to the construction of Spitakashen school amounted to 200 000 Canadian dollars. Another 5000 Canadian dollars were transferred to the Fund by Armenian schoolchildren raised within the framework of the action From Pupils of Toronto Armenian Schools to Pupils of Artsakh Schools. Mrs. Calabrina Boyajian announced Bike-a-thon 2009 from Monterey to Los Angeles, again for the construction of the Spitakashen school. "We are very excited about building our fifth school in Artsakh because we are convinced that in 2040, the president of the Republic of Armenia or NKR will be from one of the graduates of our schools. If not the position for the president, we believe that our schools will graduate students who would become renowned scientists, diplomats, artists, doctors and other professionals," said Migirdic Migirdicyan, the chairman of the Toronto Chapter. The Fund also reported that Spitakashen school construction work was launched in 2008 October. The school intended for 130 pupils will open its doors before children in the 2009-2010 schoolyear.

---