AGBU MONTREAL SCOUTS ACHIEVE MAJOR SUCCESS AND SWEEP SEVERAL AWARDS AT ANNUAL GALA OF EXCELLENCE

Montreal, May 12, 2007 – At the annual Gala of Excellence of the Scouts du Montreal Metropolitain, held this year in the historical chapel of the College Breboeuf of Montreal, the AGBU scouting movement won several awards including the prime prize, the coveted Inukshuk.

The AGBU Scouts’ venturer company became the only unique group to ever win the Inukshuk award for a second time in the 8-year history of this award. The Inukshuk award is given to a group of older scouts or venturers for a singular achievement or project that serves as a guiding example for all the scouting movement.  Inukshuk is an Eskimo word given to a human-shaped sculpture signpost showing the traveler the direction to follow.  AGBU venturers won this award for their second humanitarian mission to Armenia (Armenia ’06 Project) where they worked with the SOS Armenia orphanage village in the Kotayk region and also assisted in equipping the Yerevan Disabled Children’s Rehabilitation Center with the necessary technical equipment.  All venturers participating in the project received the coveted Inukshuk badge.

The Inukshuk award will be on display at the AGBU center for one year, until it gets passed onto the winners for next year.

“Our scouts make us really proud, and set an example in our chapter for all to follow”, said Dr. Rita Kuyumjian, chairperson of the chapter who attended the event. “Our movement is now setting the standard at the highest levels for all scouts in Canada”, said Aline Egoyan, chair of the Scouts’ Council at AGBU Montreal, who herself was a recipient at the same Gala of a 10-year Volunteer Long Service Medal.

What is also remarkable is that three AGBU Inukshuk badge winners have now become part of a small elite that are double Inukshuk badge holders.  These are Mr. Vrouyr Moughalian, Ms. Tamar Koolian and the intrepid leader of both projects, Ms. Lory Boudjikanian.  For her incredible leadership of both projects over a period of 4 years, Ms. Lory Boudjikanian also received the Special Award of Outstanding Service.

Mrs. Suzanne Tatarian-Atamian, Assistant Group Leader, received the 20-year Volunteer Long Service Medal recognizing her contribution in Lebanon, in Canada and in the World Federation of Girl Guides.

The Gala concluded with a special recognition for Mr. Viken L. Attarian, member of the Honorary Society of the federation, who was awarded the 10-year Volunteer Long Service Medal. He also received the highest service distinction medal of the movement, the Medal for Emeritus Service, recognizing his achievements in scouting, and his contribution to the advancement of the movement in Canada and around the world.

“I am truly humbled by this distinction”, said Attarian,” but I would like to say that this medal is the achievement of the AGBU and the values it has instilled in me from a very early age”.

For further information, please contact the AGBU at 514-748-2428 or at agbumontreal@bellnet.ca; or visit its website at www.agbumontreal.org