My family has done an amazing job in keeping alive the Armenian culture in me, and I am thankful
that I was raised in a family with strong Armenian traditions and values.  I am proud to call myself
a Hayuhi, or in this case, a Hye-Oozhuhi, because I have always shown my pride in being
Armenian, and strived to keep my culture alive.  Growing up in Fresno, I attended St. Paul
Armenian Saturday School.  The teachers at that Saturday school played a major role in my life,
making sure I never forgot my Armenian language or knowledge.  

Today I am 16 years old, I speak Armenian, Russian, and English, I attend Duncan Polytechnical
High School, and I am in the Health Pathway.  I plan to attend Fresno State after high school and
in the future, become a pediatrician.  I am very involved in the Fresno community; I do my best to
volunteer, whether it is at Kaiser Permanente hospital, or reading to children in elementary
schools.  When I learned of the opportunity to join the HyeOozh hosts, I could not believe it. I had
grown up as a child listening to Tatev, never imagining that I would take part in the radio show
and actually become a host!  This experience is very valuable to me because not only do I have a
great time with my friends, but I improve my knowledge on the Armenian language and Armenian
entertainment.  I am able to provide great music for the Armenians of Fresno, and anyone else
who may be listening, and that for me is a huge gift. I am very dedicated, and no matter what, I
will never forget my culture and where I come from.  Words cannot express how grateful I am for
receiving this opportunity from Tatev, and how much it has changed my life.  The experiences I
have here at the radio will never be forgotten.  I would like to give a very big thank-you to Tatevik
Ekezian, to our listeners, and to all who have helped HyeOozh become what we are today.

Lots of love,
Marine Vardanyan
Hey! I’m Marine Vardanyan, and I am one of the            
HyeOozh Dj’s! I was born on March 30, 1993 in Yerevan,
Armenia and I came to America when I was 6 years old.
It was difficult for me and my family to adjust to the new
life in America, but having HyeOozh in Fresno really
helped.  I am truly thankful to HyeOozh for being there
and giving us a little piece of Armenia in this foreign
land.  I have lived in Fresno ever since we moved here
and I have grown to love it! Although most of my family
is still in Armenia, my life here in America is wonderful
with my parents,  grandparents, and older brother.
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