CANOGA PARK, Calif. — AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School marked a defining moment in its history with the Opening & Dedication of the Manoogian Simone Collaborative Center and Chapel at Sinanian Plaza, celebrating the culmination of years of vision, generosity, and collaboration – and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for generations of students to come.
Hundreds of guests gathered on campus for the milestone occasion, including donors, current and retired faculty and staff, alumni, students, families, dignitaries, community leaders, neighbors, and longtime friends of AGBU MDS. The celebration reflected the extraordinary community effort behind the MSCC and the shared belief in investing boldly in the future of education.
The ceremony began with an official Color Guard entrance by the AGBU AYA San Fernando Valley Chapter Scouts, followed by welcoming remarks from Student Council President Bedig Oruncakciel and Vice President Shant Vakian, who represented the students who will undoubtedly bring the new center to life.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian congratulated the school on reaching this milestone and presented AGBU MDS with a certificate of recognition. Nazarian also reflected on his involvement in the project’s early stages and his role in helping secure state funding to support the school’s vision.
Head of School David Ghoogasian recognized the administration, faculty, staff, project teams, and countless individuals who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to transform an ambitious vision into reality. He emphasized that the opening represented not simply the completion of a building, but the creation of new opportunities for students to learn, collaborate, innovate, and discover.
Chairman of AGBU Western Region and the AGBU MDS Board of Trustees, Kevork Zoryan, reflected on the decades of generosity that have allowed the school to continually grow and evolve. He offered special recognition to the project’s principal benefactor, Ms. Christine Simone, daughter of Louise Simone and granddaughter of philanthropists Alex and Marie Manoogian, whose extraordinary generosity and steadfast belief in the school and AGBU helped make the center possible. In recognition of her transformative support, the new center proudly bears the name Manoogian Simone.
Zoryan also recognized the Demirjian, Oruncakciel, and Sinanian families, as well as George Phillips Jr. and the AGBU Central Board, whose steadfast generosity and decades of support have left an enduring imprint on AGBU MDS. Their commitment, together with the generosity of the many donors who supported the project at every level, represents a legacy of philanthropy that continues to shape the school’s future.
Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian led those gathered in prayer and blessing, grounding the celebration in the faith, heritage, and values that have guided the school throughout its history, from its inception in 1976 at the grounds of St. Peter’s Church. The ceremony concluded with a vibrant performance by AGBU MDS dance students, bringing together tradition, culture, and the next generation of Titans.
Following the formal program, guests explored the newly completed center and gathered for photographs at the many spaces made possible through donor naming opportunities. Throughout the day, thoughtfully arranged food, décor, and live music by the AGBU MDS Guitar Ensemble students & faculty created a festive atmosphere as generations of the AGBU MDS community came together to experience the new space firsthand.
The Manoogian Simone Collaborative Center represents a significant investment in the future of teaching and learning at AGBU MDS. Designed to encourage exploration across disciplines, the center brings together spaces for collaborative learning, research, innovation, creativity, and community. At the heart of the center is its breathtaking library, anchored by an expansive amphitheater with stadium-style seating and surrounded by inviting spaces for students to read, study, gather, and exchange ideas.
The Innovation Center further expands the possibilities for hands-on learning with a state-of-the-art Medical Lab featuring an Anatomage Table; the Founders Lab, equipped with a professional laser cutter and tools that bring student ideas from inception to creation; and a Media Lab featuring a dedicated podcast room for digital storytelling and content creation. Together, these spaces create an environment where students can explore their interests, collaborate across disciplines, and turn curiosity into discovery and ideas into action.
The opening carries particular significance as AGBU MDS emerges from its historic 50th anniversary year. For five decades, the school has grown through the vision and dedication of generations who believed in what was possible. The MSCC now stands as a tangible expression of that belief and of the school’s commitment to continue evolving for the students and families of tomorrow.
From the earliest conversations about what the space could become, to groundbreaking, construction, and finally opening its doors, the MSCC has been a community endeavor. Donors believed in it. Educators helped shape it. Builders brought it to life. And now, students will define what happens within it.
Together, we continue to Imagine the Possibilities.
Founded in 1976, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School is a preschool through 12th-grade Armenian educational institution in Canoga Park, California. For 50 years, AGBU MDS has provided generations of students with a rigorous college-preparatory education rooted in Armenian language, culture, heritage, and values. Through academic excellence, innovation, leadership, and community, the school remains committed to preparing students to think boldly, collaborate meaningfully, and lead with purpose.