Shant Sahakian announces candidacy for Glendale School Board District D
GLENDALE—Longtime community leader Shant Sahakian officially announced his candidacy for Glendale School Board District D. The election will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017.
“I’m running for Glendale School Board because I understand the importance of a great public education and I want to ensure that each and every one of our students has access to the educational opportunities, resources, and support they need to reach their ultimate potential,” Sahakian said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Sahakian is a product of the Glendale Unified School District and a lifelong resident of Glendale with deep roots in the City. At the age of 14, while in middle school, he founded Sedna Solutions, a business in the art and technology sector that supports many local companies and non-profit organizations with their communication needs. While working hand-in-hand with business and civic leaders, he saw the value in giving back to the community and took an active role himself, contributing his time and expertise to numerous non-profit organizations and service programs throughout Glendale.
Over the years, Sahakian has volunteered for local organizations that support Glendale’s youth, enhance the city’s public services, and serve the most vulnerable in the community. He currently serves as the Chair of Glendale Youth Alliance, President of Glendale Parks and Open Space Foundation, and appointed Commissioner of the City of Glendale Arts & Culture Commission. He is also currently serving on the Glendale Unified School District’s Student Attendance Review Board (SARB), Ascencia’s Board of Directors, and Armenian American Museum’s Development Committee.
Shant Sahakian and his wife, Suzanna Sahakian
Most recently, Sahakian has served as the Vice President of Glendale Kiwanis and continues to be an active member supporting the service club’s youth programs. In the past, he has served as a Board Member for the Campbell Center and the Arturo Sandoval Institute. Sahakian was one of the Founding Board Members of Glendale Young Professionals and Co-Chair of the Armenian National Committee of America Professional Network. He also served on the organizing committee of the March for Justice, which brought together more than 160,000 people in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial on April 24, 2015.
In early 2016, Sahakian received the prestigious “Man of the Year” Award from the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. He has also been honored with the “Hope Diamond” Award from the Glendale Educational Foundation, “Community” Award from The Character & Ethics Project, and first ever “Hero” Award from the Glendale Youth Alliance.
“My goal is to ensure that the high-quality education I was provided as a student is strengthened, improved and modernized for the next generation of Glendale Unified School District students,” said Sahakian. “I’ve seen first-hand what our students can achieve when they’re given the support they need to succeed and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the community that has given me so much.”
Sahakian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design with a Marketing Minor from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a Certificate in Marketing from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Extension).
He and his wife, Suzanna, live and work in the City of Glendale and are excited to welcome their first child at the end of October.
District D of the Glendale Unified School Board includes households from the 91205 and 91206 zip codes. To learn more about Shant Sahakian’s campaign and view a map of the district, please visit VoteShant.com.
Source: Asbarez
Link: Shant Sahakian Announces Candidacy for Glendale School Board District D