Press Release
The Best and most successful Reunion AYAA has ever had - the state of AYAA rejuvenated!
May 28-30, 2011
The 8th Reunion Gala which took place last Memorial Day weekend May 28-30, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia was by far the best and most successful reunion AYAA ever had. Everybody seemed to have enjoyed the entire weekend with great excitment.
The event welcomed over four hundred Alumni and friends who had come from all over the United States, and including from Ethiopia. As it is an “All Alumni Reunion”, it looked like every graduating class, starting from the late 1950’s to the 2000’s were represented. One of the first graduates Dr. Mekonnon Fekadu, and some other early graduates like Bisirat Fesehaye, Abebe Kahsay and Gidey Amemew were there.
AYAA’s 8th Reunion Celebration weekend had three separate events. It started on Friday night May 27, where AYAA hosted a welcome party for all members and friends at Betelihem Restaurant with our own DJ Kibrom playing all kinds of music. Everybody had a good time.
The main event was held on Saturday at the beautiful Impact Banquet Hall. The set up and decorations of the hall, the food, musicians, and DJ were all marvelous. The day started with a General Assembly meeting which started around 3:00 PM and lasted for couple of hours. Attendance was low, but some serious and important issues including the state of AYAA and the current LMC project were discussed and finally resolved with a positive note and good understanding. The result of the meeting was later reflected during the evening fund raising. It was really encouraging and motivational to see so many members making generous financial contributions. Others expressed their determination and commitment to bring felow alumni and friends on board to sponsor at least one square meter of the Library Media Center Project within the next six months.
On Satuday night, the following four members were also recognized as examplery star fund raisers for the Library Media Center Project.
- Abraham Biadgelegne, a former V. President and a current member of the LMCAC for making a generous donation of $6,500.00 to the LMC Project in the last three years. We have also collected another $6,900.00 from his employers through a matching fund progrom. He has prommised to do the same all over again.
- Zewdi Woldebirhan, a current Board Member, besides the generous donations she makes at every reunion, her ”Mariam Ginbot Party“ where she did all the hard work of cooking including, tej and tella, all by herself, in the last two years, has managed to raise a little over $3,000.00. Last year, she was able to raise another $3,000.00 from her sister Workababa Woldebirhan and brother in law Haile Kiros Teferra where both live in Paris, France.
- Dr. Aregawi Girmay, one of the founding fathers, former AYAA Secretary, and currrent Chair Person of LMCAC and Science and technology Fare. Besides making generous donations at every reunion, he has also managed to raise over $6,000.00 from family and friends who sponsor his London Marathon run. Recently, he was able to convience a family membr (Ato Mesfin) to donote five computers and monitors to the organization. As all this is not enough, Dr. Aregawi is getting much more tickets more than any member in the in the last three consecutive years. Ready for another Marathon Run. Soon we will hear from him asking us to sponsor his marathon run, all for AYAA’s benefit.
- Alemnesh Gebru, also a current Board Member, has been recognized as one of the best fund raisers for the LMCP. She made an extra ordinary effort to sell admission, lottery tickets and DVDs. She has become the number one top seller in the last three consecutive years!
Besides entertaining themselves with great music and all night dance / “guila”, everybody seemed to have enjoyed the entire night with great excitment and expressions, There were plenty of hugs, laughters, and cherished memories. Others were also having a great time connecting, and renewing old friendships and recent aquintances. Simply put, Saturday was a memorable and a spectacular Reunion night.
The Party kept going on Sunday night too. This time it was held at Meskerem Restaurant and the event was organized by some local individuals. The entire music team Temesgen, Berhane, Eden and DJ Kibrom who had a great performance on Saturday night were entertaining on Sunday night too.
All these whould have never happened without the hard work and organizational leadership of the Atlanta 8th Reunion Organazing Committee lead by Aregay Desta and Dr. Asfaw Natu. Also our special thanks go to the ladies who helped to cook the delicious dinner for the event. And the Master of Ceremony Solomon Nega, what can we say, he is becoming a shining star. Thank you all, and thank you Atlanta for doing a fantastic job, everything was awesome.
Finally, we say thank you to all donors, pledgers, and to all members who volunteered to be one square meter sponsor organizers to this reunion.
If you haven’t participated on donations or want to be a sponsor to the Library Media Center Project, please send your check to the Treasurer, or use your credit card to make donations on our website.
We welcome your suggestions, and input regarding the event or any AYAA maters.
We hope you will plan to be with us next year. Hopefully, we may go West this time.
Here are some pictures from the event:
AYAA Board members elected new officer
July 16, 2010
Ato Aregay Desta , Treasurer
His election bears witness to his competence, talent, and willingness to serve AYAA. Please join the entire AYAA Board members in congratulating and extending best wishes to the new treasurer, Aregay Desta, on his new position.
We remain united in our dedication to the mission of AYAA.