Jessica Damerjian’s journey begins in Gyumri, Armenia, where she was born and adopted as a baby. Now a college student at Drexel University in Philadelphia studying Construction Management, Jessica reflects deeply on themes of identity, belonging, and rediscovering her Armenian roots.Originally from Reading, Massachusetts, her story explores what it means to bridge two worlds—being raised in a different country while finding pride and connection in her Armenian heritage. Through her voice, Jessica reminds us that family and identity are not defined by borders, but by love and the courage to seek one’s roots.
Simone Rizkallah is a Catholic speaker and writer who helps people discover a deeper and more meaningful existence. As a first-generation American of Egyptian-Armenian descent, she calls herself a “cultural gypsy”—Western born and educated, yet raised in an Eastern cultural and ethnic context.This unique background gives her a powerful perspective on the search for belonging and identity. Through her writing and speaking, Simone guides others toward becoming more rooted: in their faith, their heritage, their personal story, and their greater calling.You can learn more about her work at culturalgypsy.com.
Susanna Semerdzhyan is an Armenian-American writer and ESL instructor based in Los Angeles. A proud child of immigrants and a descendant of Armenian Genocide survivors, she is also a first-generation college graduate whose journey has deeply shaped her work and storytelling.Her writing often explores identity, belonging, and the complexities of growing up as a child of immigrants. Susanna contributes to The Armenian Weekly and has been featured in Inside Higher Ed, sharing insights on securing a tenure-track position as a first-generation graduate, and in Business Insider, where she writes about teaching financial literacy and self-compassion to children.Through her newsletter, "You’re a Masterpiece" on Substack, and her Instagram account, @suzyspoet, Susanna continues to uplift voices, reflect on cultural identity, and create spaces where personal narratives and collective history intertwine.
Susan Terzian Aran is a proud Armenian mother, Nutrition Educator, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Teacher, Entrepreneur, and founder of Radiate Kombucha. Grounded in her heritage and guided by values of gratitude, authenticity, and human connection, Susan lives with intention while inspiring others to do the same.For Susan, Radiate Kombucha is more than a drink—it reflects her belief in wellness, balance, and living fully. Through her work, she hopes to nourish both body and spirit while honoring her roots and empowering others to embrace health, gratitude, and purpose.Connect with Susan @susancartigliaaran Follow Radiate Kombucha @radiatemiami
Lilly Torosyan is an Armenian-American writer and editor whose work centers on celebrating and preserving Armenian culture. As the editor of The Armenian Weekly, she curates and amplifies stories that reflect the depth and breadth of Armenian identity—past, present, and future.Through her editorial leadership, Lilly ensures that the voices, achievements, and experiences of the global Armenian community remain visible and vibrant. She brings to the role a deep sense of responsibility: to honor history, elevate truth, and inspire pride among Armenians worldwide.Whether highlighting cultural traditions, chronicling historical narratives, or showcasing modern accomplishments, Lilly’s mission is clear—to keep the Armenian story alive for generations to come.
Margarita Simonyan is a first-year student at Stanford University, where she’s double majoring in International Relations and Public Policy with a focus on international security, peacebuilding, and human rights. Originally from Los Angeles, her commitment to the Armenian community runs just as deep as her academic ambitions.Margarita’s connection to her roots began early—at just five years old, she performed traditional Armenian dance at the Hayastan Cultural Center. But her drive to make a tangible impact deepened following the Artsakh War. In response, she founded Armenian Youth Education Aid, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on improving education in Armenia’s border villages.Through her nonprofit, Margarita has led a series of high-impact initiatives: rebuilding a school and creating an educational center in Lusashogh, donating musical instruments to revive the Khndzoresk music school, and delivering code-controlled drones to support STEM learning in Goris. Each project is grounded in her belief that education is both a shield and a bridge for the Armenian people.At Stanford, Margarita continues her advocacy as the Advocacy Chair of the Stanford Armenian Student Association, where she champions cultural representation and raises awareness of Armenian issues on campus. Her work reflects a powerful blend of purpose and pride—uniting intellect, activism, and cultural stewardship in service of a stronger future for Armenia.
Tamar Kassarjian is a Florida-born Armenian-American whose life is a vibrant blend of service, storytelling, and cultural preservation. While she works full-time as a medical assistant, her true calling shines through in the countless ways she uplifts Armenian identity in her community.Tamar is deeply rooted in local and national Armenian organizations, proudly serving as a member of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF). Every Sunday, she teaches kindergarten at her local Armenian school, introducing young children to their heritage through language, history, and tradition.Beyond the classroom, Tamar brings culture to life through dance and creativity. She’s the founder of HYEChains, a small business that handcrafts keychains featuring Armenian letters, turning everyday items into symbols of identity. She’s also the author of two bilingual children’s books, The Secret Language Method and The Proud Little Dancers, both designed to help Armenian youth feel pride in who they are.Whether through education, literature, or handmade art, Tamar is building bridges between generations and helping ensure the Armenian spirit remains strong for years to come.
Tatevik Ananyan, known to many as Tate, was born in Yerevan and raised in New York after moving to the U.S. at the age of eight. While she grew up in the heart of the city, her summers in Armenia and traditional Armenian upbringing deeply shaped her values, faith, family, and education, always at the center.Active in her local Armenian church, Tate served as a Saturday school teacher and camp counselor, finding joy in giving back and staying closely connected to her roots. Her passion for service led her to study Speech Language Pathology, a field where she now helps patients reclaim their voice, cognitive abilities, and sense of self after injury or illness.Whether she’s cooking for loved ones, exploring new cultures, or guiding others through healing, Tate brings compassion and resilience to everything she does. She hopes to be a strong example of what it means to be a proud Armenian woman, carrying forward the traditions of her ancestors while creating new legacies of her own. Connect with Tate on her socials at @blessed_t27
Armen Jesralyan was born and raised in New Jersey, carrying with him a deep personal connection to Armenian history—his grandfather, Peter, was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and immigrated to the United States with his family in search of a better future.Grounded in that legacy, Armen grew up closely tied to his Armenian roots. Over the years, he has been actively involved in numerous Armenian organizations across both New Jersey and Los Angeles. Most notably, he has served as a deacon in the Armenian Apostolic Church, offering his time and voice in spiritual service to his community.Professionally, Armen has built a longstanding career in Financial Services. More recently, he’s embarked on a new path as a professional actor—bringing stories to life on screen, while still honoring the one his family lived.His journey is one of tradition and transformation, balancing reverence for the past with bold steps toward the future.
Delilah Shahbazian is a lifelong community advocate whose roots run deep in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Raised in faith and culture, she has remained actively involved in organizations dedicated to uplifting the Armenian people and preserving their collective identity.Her passion lies in protecting the core of Armenian culture—its language, traditions, and spiritual foundations. Whether through mentorship, activism, or storytelling, Delilah focuses on empowering the next generation to carry forward their heritage with pride, purpose, and faith.Grounded in resilience and guided by a strong sense of ancestral responsibility, Delilah’s work reflects a devotion not only to remembrance but to revival. She continues to build spaces where Armenian identity is honored and reawakened through both Christian values and cultural roots. Connect with Delilah on IG @life.with.delilah
Stephanie Mangioglu is a music director, conductor, educator, and multi-instrumentalist with a passion for preserving and reimagining Armenian culture through sound. While she works across genres and musical disciplines, her heritage often shapes the heart of her projects. Most recently, she has been developing a musical initiative focused on Armenian folk songs, combining traditional melodies with modern interpretations. Stephanie is also a certified sound healer, using crystal singing bowls to explore music’s restorative power. Outside of her solo efforts, she performs as the keys player for the band Audio Riot. Her mission is rooted in fostering deeper cultural understanding and connection through music. Connect with Steph @stephmangi
Michael Demirchian is a Boston-based Engineering Manager passionate about Armenian customs and traditions. While his day-to-day covers the Semiconductor industry, his nights are focused on his various involvements. Most recently, he has served as treasurer for the past 3 years on the Knights of Vartan Ararat Lodge #1 executive board. Before that, Michael had held numerous recurring or event-based roles in various Armenian non-profits around the spectrum. He's been a dancer with Sayat Nova Dance Company, a member of the Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, and many more. Michael also worked on the committee for the Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Boston for 5 years, starting on the 100th back in 2015. His focus has been, and continues to be, bringing Armenians together to help maintain the culture in his local community.