June 2019

By Marian Sahakyan With pride and bittersweet tears, the graduating classes at Allan F. Daily High School and Verdugo Academy celebrated their successes, during a cozy, touching ceremony in an auditorium at the First United Methodist Church, located across the streets from the schools, Tuesday afternoon. For many of the 84 graduating students, the milestone was the result of years of survival and strength. With a smaller student-teacher ratio, both schools are designed to serve students in need of extra guidance. In many ways, the schools provide a second chance for students who don’t do well in a traditional school…

By Lila Seidman Shant Sahakian, executive director of the forthcoming Armenian American Museum, has a knack for turning his passions into professional achievements — intentionally or not. When Sahakian was a student at Toll Middle School, a friend asked him if he could design a website for his father’s small business. Sahakian, then 14 years old, was coding and designing websites as a hobby. It sounded like fun, and he said “yes.” When his friend asked him what his rate was, Sahakian was puzzled. “I’m looking at him, and I’m like, ‘What do you mean? I’m happy to do it…