U. Carine Markarian – 03 December 2024

It’s funny how life works. One moment we were sitting side by side in class, and the next, we were boarding a flight to Montreal as chosen delegates for the AYF Junior Conference. Who could have guessed this moment was waiting for us? In October of 2024, we were invited to attend the Juniors conference held by the ARF Bureau of Youth Affairs in Montreal, Canada from November 1-3. We had the honor of being chosen by the Central Executive as representatives of the AYF Eastern Region USA alongside Kohar Baronian, Sarhad Melkonian, Anna Donabedian, Garo Tarbinian and Haig Adishian. The excitement we had to attend a once-in-a-lifetime event together was a memory we will never forget. 

Our journey together began long before this conference. Since the age of four, we’ve shared countless milestones, attending Hamasdegh Armenian School through eighth grade and graduating side by side. Later, as members of Homenetmen Scouts, we both traveled to Armenia for the first time to attend the 12th Pan-Homenetmen Jamboree. Today, we serve together on the AYF Washington D.C. “Sevan” Junior Executive as the vice chair and recording secretary. Our journey within the Armenian community has been a shared experience to say the least. As Armenian youth living in the diaspora, we continue to grow and learn, and this trip was the perfect opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come.

In preparation for the Juniors conference, we spent time over Zoom and FaceTime organizing our thoughts while meeting the requirements sent by our ungers in Canada. We analyzed these guidelines and discussed our big idea as we worked together to lay out a foundation for our final report. The report included in-depth details of our successes and areas of improvement. We took extra time to search through images from our region’s social media to curate the perfect visual representation that would showcase the work of the Eastern Region. These meetings were important to keep everyone on track and ensure we were on the same page so that the Eastern Region’s activities and initiatives were represented accurately and comprehensively.

Upon entering the agoump for the first time, we were welcomed by ungers from Montreal, Toronto, Cambridge, the West Coast and Australia. Seeing everyone inside the amazing space filled us with excitement and kept our spirits high for the weekend. Soon after our arrival, we opened the conference and began presenting. We introduced our region and described how our meetings are run, our successes and our challenges. The presentations provided us with a deeper understanding of how each region functions while highlighting areas in which we can all continue to grow. Hearing different perspectives was eye-opening, starting meaningful discussions and inspiring many new ideas that we plan to share with our fellow executives back on the East Coast.

On the morning of Saturday, November 2, we attended engaging and interactive lectures covering topics ranging from the history and mission of the AYF to practical advice for our daily lives. These lecture topics included “What is a Badani?,” “Effective Ways to Manage Our Time,” “Artsakh,” “Hai Tahd” and more. These sessions provided us with valuable insights into balancing our Armenian and American identities while preserving our culture and heritage, all made possible by the strong community and foundation we have in D.C.

Later that day, we ventured out to explore Montreal on a beautiful tour of the city. For lunch, we enjoyed poutine. This was such a special experience for all of us, as we were able to try a new food together. We visited Mount Royal Park where we walked through a beautiful path of trees while singing heghapokhagansongs. At the top, we could see the entire city skyline and took memorable photos. Our adventures continued at the Museum of Illusions, where we explored mind-boggling illusions with our new friends. After the museum, we sang Armenian Christmas songs in the middle of the town, where locals gathered around us to watch and listen, intrigued by the unique culture we shared. We ended our day of tourism with a sweet treat: BeaverTails! Sharing laughter and stories over these delicious pastries made the day even more special. 

The experiences we shared on our trip will stay with us for years to come. The laughter, stories and connections made are everlasting. We accomplished so much during our three-day trip, from exploring the streets of Montreal to learning more about our Armenian heritage. Each part of our weekend gave us a deeper understanding of who we are and where we come from.

Although we’ve spent the past 12 years growing up together and sharing countless life-changing adventures, this weekend was unforgettable. It reminded us of how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown, both individually and as a team. We’re deeply grateful to the AYF for making this incredible event possible and to the people in our lives who continually support and inspire us to be our best.