Scholarships
2026 Winners
Lar Sisrian
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Lar immigrated to Canada in 2019, bringing with her a strong sense of community shaped by her upbringing in Syria’s Armenian community. From a young age, she became involved in the junior divisions of the ARF, where she first discovered her passion for leadership and service. Since moving to Canada, Lar has remained deeply committed to giving back to both her local and Armenian communities.
In 2021, she joined Christmas Cheer as an executive, helping raise over $50,000 across four years to support more than 1,500 families through the Burnaby Christmas Bureau. Following the devastating earthquake in Syria, Lar organized a school walk-a-thon involving more than 200 students to raise funds for affected families. She also led an initiative to sponsor the education of children in Artsakh, reflecting her continued dedication to supporting Armenian communities around the world.
At school, Lar serves as Student Government President, advocating for the student body and working to create meaningful change within her school community. Beyond school, she has volunteered as the piano accompanist at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church since 2023 and takes pride in being an active member of the AYF.
This fall, Lar will attend Simon Fraser University on a full-ride scholarship to study International Studies and Public Policy. Through her studies and future pursuit of law, she hopes to continue serving communities through advocacy, leadership, and public service.
Aya Chapanian
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Aya Chapanian was born in Kingston, Ontario, and raised in British Columbia. From a young age, Aya has been part of the Armenian community. She is currently a co-host of the Armenian Variety Show on 100.5 FM, sponsored by the Armenian Cultural Association of BC, where she helps share Armenian culture, music, poetry, and community news. She also attended ARS Araz Armenian School and Sasoon Jampar, serves as an altar girl, and is an active member of AYF Vancouver. Aya has participated in the European Festival for many years through dancing, singing, and presenting Armenian culture. She also had the opportunity to speak at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, sharing about the Armenian Genocide.
Outside of the Armenian community, Aya has been involved in school and extracurricular activities that reflect her interests in leadership and STEM. At school, she is part of the Student Leadership Council of School District 43 as an executive member and also participates on the tennis team. Outside of school, she has been a Leader-in-Training with UBC Geering Up, where she and her group designed a vaccine patch prototype to make needles less invasive. She also participated in UBC’s Engineers Without Borders case competition, where her group placed first for their sustainable engineering design project. In addition, Aya plays piano and works part-time at McDonald’s, where she enjoys helping customers and building relationships with them.
This fall, Aya will be attending Queen’s University to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering. She hopes to study Chemical Engineering and explore fields related to biomedical engineering, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare technology. In the future, she hopes to use engineering to create meaningful solutions that improve people’s lives.
Pioonik Petrossian
EDUCATIONAL AWARD WINNER
Pioonik is a third year student at University of Victoria, working towards a BSc Degree in
Psychology. A high school honours graduate and Dean’s List recipient, her academic interests lie in Neuropsychology and Childhood Development. She hopes to continue her education with a Master’s or PhD in Counselling Psychology.
Born in Iran and immigrated to Armenia at the age of two, Pioonik grew up in a proud Armenian family where her love for her culture was nurtured from a young age. Pioonik learned Armenian Folk dance and song at Ayb School, an experience that strengthened her connection to her roots, heritage, and the generations of tradition that came before her.
In 2020, at the age of 15, she made the journey to Victoria, BC, and it was there she discovered just how much community meant to her. As the only Armenian in her high school, she embraced the role of cultural advocate, working hard to share her people’s history, stories and identity with those around her.
Today, Pioonik carries that mission forward as an Armenian Folk Dance instructor in Vancouver, devoted to sharing the beauty and spirit of Armenian culture with the world.
Lucine Tachdjian
EDUCATIONAL AWARD WINNER
Lucine Tachdjian is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor’s degree in English and
Creative Writing at Concordia University in Montréal, with a focus on fiction and
playwriting. As a second-generation Armenian Canadian, she is passionate about how
storytelling can serve to generate new identities and communities, while remaining
connected to the past. Her stories often explore the long history of diasporic Armenian
experiences, set within different national contexts, and she is excited to be refining her
skills at one of Canada’s most prestigious and competitive programs for creative writing.
Lucine is the recipient of multiple awards for academic excellence including BC
Achievement Scholarship, Concordia University Canada Scholars Award, and AGBU
International Scholarship.
As a child, Lucine attended ARS Araz Armenian School and Sassoon Dance Camp,
and many of the formative experiences that nurtured her love of the arts occurred within
the Armenian community - from discovering the children’s book, Aram’s Choice by
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, that recounts the story of a group of Armenian orphans
brought to Canada in1923, to witnessing 100 years of Armenian cinema at a screening
series organized by the ACA and The National Cinema Centre of Armenia. Her dream is
to become a published author and contribute to this rich tapestry of culture.
Celine Kostanian
EDUCATIONAL AWARD WINNER
Celine is a caring and motivated person whose values, purpose, commitment, and responsibility were shaped by personal experiences and community service. Her aunt’s dedication to healthcare inspired Celine, instilling in her the belief that "there's never anything you can't do." From a young age, Celine was drawn to supporting others and making a visible difference in their lives.
Ever since Celine arrived in Vancouver, Canada, in 2016 after fleeing the Syrian Civil War, she has gained a deep appreciation for community and resilience. Her journey has strengthened her determination to pursue a career in healthcare, where she hopes to provide compassionate support to individuals, especially those who lack access to essential services. As a pharmacy assistant, she not only refined her communication and organizational skills but also learned firsthand the importance of empathy and patience when supporting patients. It allowed her to develop strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Through her interactions with patients, she has come to understand the importance of empathy, support, and genuine human connection.
Throughout her years at her school and in her community, Celine has been actively involved. At school, she volunteered, mentored students with their studies, and joined youth programs like basketball and volleyball. She also supported events such as community food drive and charitable hospital donations. By joining the Armenian Youth Federation Volleyball Team and engaging in other cultural activities, Celine demonstrates her dedication to teamwork, leadership, and supporting her heritage.
In addition to her community-based volunteerism, Celine participates in school activities. She contributes to her school newspaper as both a writer/designer. In this capacity, she raises awareness regarding various social and cultural issues. Regardless if it is through volunteering, participating in athletic teams, clubs, or leadership opportunities, Celine continually seeks ways to make a positive impact in the world around her.
Tamar Kuchukgozian
EDUCATIONAL AWARD WINNER
Tamar Kuchukgozian was born and raised in British Columbia and takes great pride in her Armenian heritage, which has been a constant source of strength, identity, and inspiration throughout her life. Growing up in a close-knit Armenian family, she learned from an early age the importance of tradition, resilience, and community, values that continue to shape the way she approaches both her personal and academic journey.
Over the years, Tamar has remained deeply involved in the Armenian community, participating in cultural events, volunteering her time, and finding meaningful ways to stay connected to her roots. Since her youth, she has been an active member of the ARS Araz Armenian School, the Soghomon Tehlirian Badanegan Chapter, the Vancouver Homenetmen Team, and Sassoon Dance Camp. Through these experiences, as well as her continued involvement with AYF Vancouver and Armenian youth initiatives, Tamar has developed a strong sense of responsibility, leadership, and pride in giving back to the community that has played such an important role in her life.
Tamar is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where she continues to distinguish herself through academic excellence and dedication to her studies. Her academic interests have fostered a passion for understanding human behaviour, family dynamics, and the social systems that shape individual experiences. She plans to pursue law school with the goal of specializing in family law, where she hopes to provide guidance, advocacy, and support to individuals and families navigating difficult circumstances.
Ash Armen
EDUCATIONAL AWARD WINNER