Welcome to the Atse Yohannes Alumni and Friends.

The 6th AYAA reunion was successfully celebrated in Dallas, Texas

The Atse Yohannes Alumni Association (AYAA) held its sixth annual reunion during the memorial week end as part of a larger nationwide networking event. About 400 alumni and friends from across the country made their way to Dallas to see their old buddies and show their strong support to their beloved alma mater.

The event was opened on Saturday, May 23rd, around 1:00 PM with the General Assembly of members at the awesome Zituna Banquet Hall. Among other things, hearing of annual reports and election of new Board members were performed on the occasion. Ato Ambachew Teklu, Dr. Asfaw Kindeya, Ato Asfawossen Mekonnen, Ato Gebre Hadera (former V. President), Ato Kidane Zerihun, Ato Meareg Yalew and Ato Tekeste Gebru are elected to a new three year term to its Board pursuant to the annual General Assembly meeting.

The celebration continued into Saturday night and Sunday, with music and entertainment by Zema Band dominating the reunion’s festivities. The crowd was a whole lot more than what was expected. Saturday night’s special dinner was yummy with variety of traditional food and dishes. Comedian Mergeta Hailu puts a lot of laughter to the mix of the dancing which ended on Sunday morning at 4:00 am. In other activities, Lemlem Tsegay, from Seattle, Washington with ticket # 0019, won the Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa round trip ticket while the second ticket was auctioned and won by Frezgi Teame. Most of the alumni from out of town stayed around the Park Central area with Crowne Plaza Suites at the center, which makes it easier to hang out and share rides with one another.

During the reunion, AYAA recognized Ato Mitiku Ashebir (former President), Ato Solomon Mebrahtu (former Secretary), Ato Abera Hagos, Ato Ayalew Girmay, Ato Fesehaye Hagos, and Ato Hailu Legese for their generous commitment, great services, and personal contributions towards the association’s growth. These departing Board members were presented with Leadership Excellence Award.

Award of Distinguished Services were also presented to Ato Teka Hailu, Ato Abraham Biadgelegne (former V. President), and Dr. Aregawi Girmay (former Secretary) for their extraordinary generous donations and active support to AYAA’s fund raising effort. AYAA also recognized another twelve members and friends and presented Voluntary Participation Award for their exceptional support during AYAA’s 5th reunion in Washington DC on May 24, 2008.

Special thanks to Rebecca Tesfay who sponsored all the expenses for the award and for hosting the 4th AYAA Board meeting at her residence.

The Board members of AYAA are thankful to those who took the lead in making the 6th reunion successful beyond expectations. Most notably the credit goes to alumni and friends of Dallas residents and members of Tigrians Mutual Assistance Association in Dallas. Without their generous and selfless volunteerism, many of the programs of our reunion would not have been successful.

Coming Soon - Reunion Snapshots.

AYAA Reunion 2010 will be held in Washington DC

AYAA held its first Special Board members meeting for the fiscal year on June 7, 2009 and has decided that the 2010 AYAA 7th reunion will be held in the nations's capital Washington DC on Saturday May 29, 2010. This was done with the consent and advise of current and former AYAA Board members and other prominent members in the area. The Board is determined to actively participate, lead and support the Local Support Committee throughout the entire preparation and planning period. The Board believes that AYAA Reunion 2010 is going to bring another success to the association.