In the morning of Friday, 21
st of November, 2008, the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School welcomed the President of Metn District's Municipal Union
Mrs. Mirna el-Murr's assistant
Dr. Nicolas Samaha. He was accompanied by a responsible in the Secret Service
Colonel Pierre Saab, and the Mayor of Bourj Hammoud
Mr. Antranik Messerlyan. The honorable guests were welcomed by the principal of the college,
Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, along with students in Armenian national uniforms with the traditional "Bread and Salt".
The guests had a brief conversation in the principal's office, where
Bishop Vartan Ashkarian, the parish priest of St. Savior Church
Father Sarkis Tavitian, as well as other personalities were present. Following that, they all went to "Hovhannes Boghossian" theatre hall, where took place the celebration of the 65
th anniversary of the Independence of Lebanon with the participation of all students. The Parental Committee, the teachers and administration of the college were also present.
After listening to the national hymn of Lebanon, the student Melkon Eleyjian delivered a speech in the name of the students. Following that, students of different grades performed, by reciting poems, playing guitar, dancing and singing.
At the end of the artistic program, the college's principal Mr. Gregoire Kaloust delivered his speech to the audience. He specially honored the devotion of the el-Murr family to the Lebanese people. He also stressed about the fact that Mirna el-Murr "does not save efforts to make the Metn District prosperous on social and cultural levels". The principal also thanked the mayor of Bourj Hammoud Mr. Antranik Messerlyan, who "always supports Mesrobian College on every aspect".
Should Mr. Gregoire Kaloust give a souvenir to Mrs. Mirna el-Murr, the latter, however, being in bad health condition, could not be present in Mesrobian College during this celebration. Dr. Nicolas Samaha informed that as soon as Mrs. Mirna el-Murr recovers, the principal can personally hand the souvenir to her.
After the celebration, the honorable guests had a tour within the campus. On the Golden Book of the college, Dr. Nicolas Samaha left his remarks, saying: "[...]
If you wish to have a harvest for a year, sow wheat; if you wish to have a harvest for several years, sow olive; but if you wish to have a harvest for eternity, sow strong generation. I congratulate you. I'm sure the seeds you sowed are eternity's strong generation. I congratulate you for your efforts and God be with you ".
The honorable guests left the college at 12:30PM taking with them nice impressions about the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High school, and Armenians in general.
