Victory Banquet? "Yes Please!"
Donig L. Donabedian
It’s hard to imagine the Navasartian Games sans the Victory Banquet. It is the "Party" that has often delivered without holding back the best of Homenetmen. True, the Navasartian Games is a tournament focused on sports competitions, uniforms and perspiration, but not the entire time, mind you. It has a side to it that ekes out the classy and the flamboyant in its members and followers. The guests arrive impeccably dressed. The men well groomed, and in fashionable attire, the women, with their hair teased-up to the moon, wearing the latest that Haute Couture offers, topped off with stilettos that scream "OUCH!"
As is the custom, the Victory Banquet is a celebration of a tournament that keeps on giving to the Armenian Community here in California, and would not be complete without this year’s would-be honorees, the relevant speeches, and last but not least, a Master of Ceremonies. The Master of Ceremonies, or MC, for short, is the glue that keeps everything on the night, intact. As tradition would have it, the Victory Banquet has a new MC every year. And this year is no exception. Those that are chosen every year, are so, because they are well known in the community. A celebrity of sorts, due to their philanthropy or success in their careers, or both, and because they have the ability to convey the type of message, and set up the kind of atmosphere and good mood that has everyone’s undivided attention. The end result is that, the attendees are at ease in their seats, and the mood, right for the night. In other words, they are good communicators.
This year’s MC has all of those qualifications, and then some. Armand Dorian, M.D. FACEP is this year’s Master of Ceremonies at the Victory Banquet. A native of California, and as a first generation American-Armenian, can call Los Angeles "home" and no one would object. Least of all me! Dr. Dorian, a valedictorian of his class, graduated Cum Laude with Bachelors in Biology with an emphasis in Philosophy from UCLA, excelled in academics, arts and athletics. He’s earned many accolades in medicine through research, and having acted in many television series, is a celebrity in his own right. He has graced the television through such shows as "Untold Stories of The ER and "Diagnosis X," has worked behind the scenes on others such as, "Grey’s Anatomy," "ER," and "Days of Our Lives."
His love of people and his zeal to help cure, heal and educate the public has opened many doors for him and has driven him to do more every day. His "Raison D’etre," though, is the undying love and passion he has for his wife, Aslin, and his beautiful children, Avand and Hooys. In addition, Dr. Dorian is an avid Homenetmen member and supporter. His unselfish desire and attitude to always help those injured during a game makes him a true role model. Such is the spirit and the foundation that a wonderful organization called Homenetmen was built on.
With the Victory Banquet being such a grand occasion, it is often followed by a party for the youth of Homenetmen. It is called "the party after the party." That’s when many of Homenetmen’s youth take the stage and make it their own.
Those of you who have yet to buy their tickets for the Victory Banquet, please do so quickly. There may only be a handful of tickets left that are available for you to purchase. Please visit www.navasartiangames.com for ticket and venue information.
