Welcome to Our
Donors & Supporters
At Vahan Tekeyan School, we are deeply grateful for the generous support of our donors and supporters. Their kindness and commitment have been instrumental in sustaining and advancing our mission to provide quality education rooted in heritage and excellence.
This page honors the individuals and organizations whose contributions have made a lasting impact on our community. Their generosity not only helps us overcome challenges but also empowers our students to thrive academically, culturally, and personally.
We thank all our benefactors for believing in our vision and partnering with us to build a brighter future for generations to come.
Vahan Tekeyan School in Lebanon Inaugurated the
Sam
&
Sylva Simonian
Kindergarten
Vahan Tekeyan School in Lebanon proudly announces the inauguration of the Sam & Sylva
Simonian Kindergarten on Sunday, October 1, 2023. This event took place on the school
premises in the presence of the benefactors and their daughter Sevahn, dignitaries and the
school community. It marked a significant milestone in the institutions history which spans
over 70 years.
The Sam and Sylva Simonian Kindergarten provides a nurturing environment for young
learners to embark on their educational journey despite the dire economic situation in
Lebanon. Mr. Sam Simonian who resides in the USA with his family is an esteemed alumnus of
the school as he attended the Vahan Tekeyan School as a young boy. The contributions made
by the couple over the past decades are a testament to their unwavering commitment to
education and their dedication to Tekeyan’s community in Lebanon.
The Vahan Tekeyan School in Beirut, Lebanon has a strong educational legacy. For over 72
years the Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA) Board of Trustees in Lebanon have provided
governance and oversight to ensure the accomplish the educational mission of the
association. Armenian students have flocked through its gates seeking student centered
education in a caring and nurturing environment. It is worth mentioning that, for the past
three years and continuing into this academic year, Vahan Tekeyan School has provided
tuition-free education, a magnanimous initiative made possible through the gracious and
generous contributions of Mr. & Mrs. Sam & Silva Simonian from Dallas, USA.
The opening ceremony was a remarkable occasion and a moment of pride for the Tekeyan
Cultural Association. In her opening speech, Mrs. Annie Lachinian-Magarian, the Chairperson
of the Tekeyan School Board, outlined the remarkable achievements of the Simonian couple
and reiterated that their generous yearly contributions have become the lifeline of the school.
She stated that this momentous event can be defined by three words: gratitude, hope and
inspiration.
Among the present dignitaries were Archbishop Shahe Panossian, the Primate of Lebanon,
Mr. Mardig Boghossian, the Mayor of the Municipality of Bourdj Hammoud, Mr. Hagop
Kassardjian, the Chairperson of the TCA Board of Trustees and Board members, Dr. Avedis
Dakessian, the Chairperson of the Armenian Liberal Democrats District Committee and
members, Dr. Hagop Papazian, the Chairperson of TCA District Committee and members,
esteemed members of the AGBU and AYA, media representatives, donors, friends and school
staff. All were gathered to celebrate the official opening of the state-of-the-art Sam & Sylva
Simonian Kindergarten.
The event also featured a brief artistic interlude followed by a reception
to mark this historic occasion and to provide an opportunity for attendees to connect and
share their excitement for the future of Vahan Tekeyan School and its new kindergarten.
The school community expresses deep gratitude to the benefactors, Mr. & Mrs. Sam & Sylva
Simonian and wish them health and prosperity!
Inauguration of Elementary Teacher’s Lounge
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, was a memorable day for Vahan Tekeyan School, as it marked the
inauguration of the renovated elementary teachers’ lounge, made possible through the generous
support of the Krikor and Makrouhi Kurejian Educational Fund. The event was held in the
presence of the benefactor sisters—Mayda, Hilda, and Marina Kurejian, members of the
Tekeyan Cultural Association chairman, Dr. Hagop Papazian, Dr. Avedis Dakessian, President
of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) , Mrs. Ani Lachinian-Magarian, Chair of the
School Board, along with fellow board members, the school administration, guests, and the
faculty.
Speeches were delivered by Mrs. Ani Lachinian-Magarian, and the school principal, Mrs. Sevana
Semerdjian-Darakjian. In their remarks, they emphasized the invaluable contributions of the
benefactors and their daughters to the school’s growth and continuous progress.
With deep emotion, the eldest daughter of the Kurejian family, Mayda Kurejian, also spoke
within the newly renovated teachers’ lounge. She reflected on the strong ties between the
members of the Kurejian family and the school, noting the warm and close relationship they have
maintained for many years. She recalled that her father had served as a member and treasurer of
the school Board of Education and affirmed that, in memory of their philanthropic parents and
the legacy they passed down, the Kurejian family is committed to continuing this noble mission
of benevolence.
