Fun Facts about the ACYOA
- The official ACYOA colors are purple & gold.
- Former Central Council members and husband and wife, Joe Kalemkerian and Rev.Louise Yeghissian-Kalemkerian both served as ACYOA Executive Secretaries.
- Four sets of siblings have served on Central Council: Alex and Maria Derderian(Wynnewood, PA), Emma and Paul Hovsepian (Detroit, MI), Ben and Greg Saraydarian (Bayside, NY), and Arthur and Ralph Yagjian (Worcester, MA).
- Rev. Fr. Nersess Jebejian has led more ASP trips than any other clergyman; 5 times between 1972-1976.
- Seven former Central Council members were at various times St. Nersess seminarians.
- The ACYOA was founded in 1946 by Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan.
- On September 3, 1949, under the presidency of Archbishop Vartan Kasparian, the ACYO was established in the Western Diocese.
- The first official ACYOA meeting was held January 12, 1946, in Providence, RI.
- Eight former Central Council members have served as full-time staff in various ministries at the Diocese: Daron Bolat, Maria Derderian, Laura Gononian-Mayer,Joseph Kalemkerian, Lydia Kurkjian, Steve Megrdichian, Jennifer Morris, Rev. Louise Yeghissian-Kalemkerian.
- The current president of the ACYOA is Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.
- In 2003, the ACYOA Chairman was Saro Kalayjian.
- The overall champion at the 2009 Sports Weekend was St. Leons Armenian Church, Fairlawn, NJ.
- The name of the ACYOA translates to Armenian as: Hayastanyats Yegeghetsvo Yeridasartats Gazmagerboutiun Amerigayi.
- 2011 marks the 65th year anniversary of the ACYOA.
- Maria Derderian has served the most consecutive years on Central Council. Maria served a total of 5 years, the first year as an alternate.
- Currently, in 2009, the ACYOA has 22 active chapters throughout our Diocese.
- Former Central Council members Dn. Diran Jebejian and Rena Jebejian-Megrdichian are the nephew and niece of ACYOA founder Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan.
- The ACYOA Central Council is comprised of 7 members.
- The ACYOA programming is based around the 5 circles of the cross: Worship, Witness, Education, Service & Fellowship.
- The 2000 General Assembly & Sports Weekend was held in Chicago, IL.
- Five former Central Council members are offspring of clergy: Zovig Ashjian, Ralph DerAsadourian, Rena Jebejian-Megrdichian, Saro Kalayjian, and Meline Kasparian.
- Many believe the best hair in the ACYOA belongs to former central council chairman, Diran Jebejian. Followed by a close second is Johnny Elchemmas.
- The chapter "A" award in 2007, was given to the ACYOA seniors from Racine, WI.
- In 1970, the Chapter "A" award was given to the ACYOA seniors from, East St. Louis, MO.
- In 2005, the Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan vision award was given to Arthur Sabounjian, from Holy Tranlators, Framingham, MA.
- At the 2008 ACYOA Juniors Sports Weekend the basketball championship went to Holy Trinity, Cheltenham, PA.
- Three members of the Derderian family of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church in Wynnewood,PA have served as Central Council Chairs: Shake Ajamian-Derderian, Maria Derderian and Alex Derderian.
- Six former Central Council members married other Central Council members.
