Armenia- Peggy Garabekian

Name: Peggy Garabekian

Age: 26
Occupation:
 Pageant Coach
 Pageant Production Assistant
 Model
 Physical Therapy Aide
Height: 5’10
Hobbies:
 Outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, paddle boarding, swimming, and jet skiing
 Acrylic painting
 Going to museums
 Exercising
Biography:

I was born in Tehran, Iran, but I spent most of my early
childhood growing up in New Delhi, India. I am proud to be of Armenian descent and remain
true to my Christian faith, core values, morals, and culture. I have my bachelor of science in
kinesiology and I’m currently studying to complete physical therapy school in order to become a
doctor of physical therapy.
The first pageant I competed in was the Miss Asia USA 2015 pageant when I represented
Armenia as Miss Armenia. Among the countless rehearsals and pageant related events I
participated in, I was blessed enough to also contribute to different communities through giving
back. For instance, through Miss Asia USA, I participated in events indorsing resolutions to
world issues such as the former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” movement to stop
child obesity and the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony of 2015, which supported acceptance
and inclusion among individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. Through a lot of hard
work, dedication, and perseverance, I competed against 57 countries in the evening gown,
national costume, swimsuit, and on-stage question segments of the show. I was very fortunate to
have made it to the Final Five. I ultimately won Third Runner-up, won the Miss Congeniality
title, and received the People’s Choice Award for having the most supporters.
Following my experience as a delegate for the Miss Asia USA pageant, I began working
as a pageant assistant starting from 2016 for the same pageant production, Virgelia Productions
Inc. This new involvement only opened more doors for me in the pageant world. I now had a
different perspective, understanding, and respect for the efforts that went into creating a pageant.
While before I was on the stage rehearsing, performing, and competing in one pageant, I now
worked behind the curtains, helping to plan, organize, and execute an entire show for multiple
pageants. With this new responsibility, I was given the chance to offer feedback on the quality of
segments and researched, developed and pitched stories that reflected the unique sensibilities of
the production. This opportunity served me very well since I gained so much more insight as to
what really goes into successfully creating a pageant show.
My modeling career skyrocketed through and after my pageantry experience. It gave me
the opportunity to begin modeling for print, television, and photography. And so, I began
collaborating alongside designers on fashion course, style, and creative vision. Along with this, I
was fortunate enough to assist photographers, videographers, modeling coaches, and fashion
directors through onsite and offsite photo and video shoots. I am now signed to a modeling
agency and I couldn’t be more thrilled since I now represent my agency’s top brands through
special events like fashion week. Even more exciting, my modeling experience allows me to help
other models by rehearsing, critiquing, and refining their routines.
I now also work as a pageant coach for Virgelia Productions Inc. I am beyond
enthusiastic since I can draw from my education, involvement and knowledge base to accurately
evaluate the qualities of each delegate. Moreover, due to my background in pageantry, I help
them in recognizing and exploiting their strengths, aid them in forming a strategy for attaining
their goals, and refine and perfect their pageant presentation. With my knowledge as both a
delegate and a pageant production assistant, I serve as a well-educated business professional,
mentor, as well as confidential advisor, who can offer each delegate honest leadership, backing
and encouragement for every feature of competition.
My participation in volunteerism and charity work holds a large and profound place in
my existence. Throughout every period of my life, I have made it a constant standard to
consistently help others however I possibly can, even if it comes down to self-sacrificing one’s
own energy, time, efforts, etc. For instance, during my pageantry experience, I’ve organized,

executed, and participated in ethnically diverse fundraiser galas where real-world matters were
examined, such as gender equality, violence, education, etc. Moreover, I aided to resolve and
prevent homelessness in Los Angeles through diverse donation events. Meanwhile, through my
church, Christ Armenian Church, I’ve aided in establishing and achieving coat and toy drives for
children in Artsakh who fell victim to an ongoing war and raised money for new furniture and
bedding for them. Throughout the ongoing years, I’ve also worked with Operation Christmas
Child in setting up donation drives to collect toys, school supplies and hygiene items and
delivered them to children in need globally. From 2010 to 2019, I volunteered at Unified Young
Armenians and was able to successfully help other communities as well through it. I effectively
organized and partnered with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in arranging blood drives, toy
drives, and clothing drives. By continuously expanding my platform, I began holding a more
active role in my community. For instance, through the organization, I helped propose, organize
and work with Glendale’s City Council in the renaming of a street sign to a historical landmark
for Armenian history and established the first Armenian-related street name, Artsakh Avenue.
Having a role in such a historical event such as that was extremely gratifying for me because I
had the privilege to witness the triumph and happiness in the eyes of my fellow Armenian
citizens. Moreover, I was a key organizer of the Annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration
Candlelight Vigil and March comprising of thousands of attendees honoring the victims of the
Armenian Genocide. This is an exceptionally significant event since it holds a deep-rooted
meaning to not only the Armenian people globally, but for anyone who believes in justice and
human rights. I contributed to telethons aiding Armenian American orphans and disabled
children’s fund and held clothing, food, toy, and winter drives for homeless shelters in Los
Angeles, as well as for the orphans, children, and in-need families in Armenia. Due to our
relentless determinations, we were awarded by the Mayor of City of Glendale, Ara Najarian’s
Commendation for the organization’s intellectual leadership on March 29, 2019 and received the
Certificate of Recognition from Assembly member Laura Friedman of the 43rd Assembly
District for organizing the First Annual Unified Young Armenians Fundraiser Gala. Ultimately,
my efforts and determination in ensuring the betterment of my community was effective and I
became president of Unified Young Armenians from 2018 to 2019.

Life Ambition:
– One of my life’s ambitions is to become a doctor of physical therapy. Growing up, I’ve
witnessed and worked with individuals and patients that have underwent a traumatic
physical incident that left them either partially or completely incapable of having control
over their bodies. This left them with very limited movements and completely disfigured
their lives. Witnessing the immense toll this had on their physical, mental, spiritual, and
emotional state was enough for me to further pursue a career in physical therapy. Due to
my experiences, one of my ambitions is to work in a field that permits me to help others
master adversities, learn, adjust and accomplish their own ambitions. Through physical
therapy, the patient will undertake the rehabilitation and recovery course, while I get to
witness a degree of determination and will power hardly seen in daily life. There remains
a huge personal reward and happiness in knowing that I had a responsibility in seeing the
patient’s quality of life and purpose reestablished. Personally, working as a doctor of

physical therapy, it’ll serve as a stage to glorify the Lord throughout making a positive
influence in peoples’ lives.
Volunteer / Charity Work:
Unified Young Armenians (UYA)
 Volunteered in the organization Unified Young Armenians (UYA) and became President
(April 2018 – April 2019)
 Partnered with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) in organizing blood drives, toy
drives, and clothing drives (2016-2019)
 Proposed, organized and worked with Glendale’s City Council in the renaming of a street
sign to a historical landmark for Armenian history (June 2018)
 Organized the Annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration Candlelight Vigil and March
comprising of thousands of attendees honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocide
 Organized toy, clothing, and winter drives for orphans, children, and in-need families in
Armenia
 Participated in telethons aiding Armenian American orphans and disabled children’s fund
 Organized clothing drives for homeless shelters in Los Angeles
Christ Armenian Church (CAC)
 Helped organize and execute coat and toy drives for children in Artsakh who fell victim
to an ongoing war
 Helped raise money for new furniture and bedding for children in Artsakh in need
 Worked with Operation Christmas Child in setting up a donation drive to collect toys,
school supplies and hygiene items and delivered them to children in need globally
Miss Asia USA (Virgelia Productions Inc.)
 Participated in international events, such as the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony
2015, in indorsing acceptance and inclusion amid individuals with and without
intellectual disabilities
 Participated in events promoting solutions to world issues, such as the former First Lady
Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to fight child obesity
 Participated in ethnically diverse fundraiser galas where real-world issues were
discussed, such as gender equality, violence, education, etc.
 Participated in fundraisers, clothing and food drives, in aiding to resolve and prevent
homelessness in Los Angeles

Why did you enter the pageant?
– This pageant has held a strong stride, making it one of the best pageants encompassing
diversity and inclusion, both of which are factors that I find to be extremely important in
today’s progressive society. I have always prided myself in working in and surrounding
myself in environments with diverse individuals where it better allows me to learn from
their backgrounds, cultures, customs, and values. That said, this pageant only allows me
the opportunity to expand my embracement of diversity. Moreover, it will equip me with
the necessary tools in growing my platform within my community. In doing so, I will be

able to better help my community in taking action in serious world issues concerning
climate change, food insecurity, violence, education, health care, homelessness, etc.

Which world leader inspires you?
– Nun and missionary Mother Teresa, known in the Catholic church as Saint Teresa of
Calcutta, is one of the most important world leaders that inspires me still to this day.
While she faced many hardships and criticism, it didn’t deter her from selflessly devoting
her entire life to caring for the sick, poor, and disadvantaged. In the process, she defied
stereotypes, broke limitations, and educated the world the true spirit of charity. Through
her humanitarian efforts, she established soup kitchens, a leper colony, orphanages, as
well as a home for the dying destitute. This selfless devotion sparked charitable
consciousness globally and continues to work as a constant reminder of where my values
and goals lie.

What do you like about host country India?
– India has a special place in my heart seeing that I spent a good portion of my early
childhood living there for over 3 years. My family raised me in New Delhi and I could
confidently say that my period in India served as one of the most influential stages of my
life. While I love and greatly encompass India’s rich culture full of vibrant colors,
astounding history, wide range of food, poetic songs, etc. into my own life, what I like
the most about India is the life lessons I learned and still carry with me until this day. I
will always hold their life values as a grounded staple of what I put my importance to.
The people’s spirit in making the best of every situation and their gratitude for everything
they have, however miniscule we may see it, is truly inspiring. I always saw people from
different classes, backgrounds, and upbringings and understood that despite their
dissimilarities, they all shared the same values. They were thankful of every opportunity,
they shared each moment of happiness with their families, and despite any and every
hardship, the people of India kept their faith and spirit alive in one another. It not only
helped me and my family overcome our own hardships in India, it has helped shape and
align my perspective of life and my morals accordingly and I couldn’t be more thankful
for India’s influence.
Favorite Food: Gulab Jamun