Laurie Nalbandian, a P.E. teacher at Abraham Lincoln Middle School, Selma, California, was honored recently by the Fowler Chamber of Commerce for many years of community service, hanfordsentinel.com reports.
Nalbandian, who grew up in Selma, lives in Fowler. Her late father, John Mechigian, was Selma’s mayor and one of her sisters, Gina Mechigian, is dean of instruction at Selma High. Nalbandian, a 1976 graduate of Selma High, received the Silent Servant Award at the annual banquet of the Fowler chamber.
“I would like to know if this means I have to be silent,” Nalbandian joked in accepting the award. “All of you know how much I like to talk.”
She continued: “On a serious note: God has blessed everyone in this room with a gift. I thank God for my gift – working with children. I love kids.”
Nalbandian has served with many groups and organizations in Fowler, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Kids Club Christian afterschool program, Redcat Athletic Foundation, Fowler Food Pantry, school site council and boosters groups for volleyball, softball, soccer and band/color guard. She also was chairwoman of Sober Grad at Fowler High.
