WATERTOWN — St. James Armenian Church celebrated the graduation of 18 young adults from the St. James Sunday School on Sunday, June 3. This year’s graduates were: Zachary Abdalian, Armen Andonian, Garni Aroyan, Christine Bahtiarian, Matthew Bejian, John Bogosian, Aaron Campbell, Ani Chilingirian, Natalie Eskici, Matthew Kapilian, Amanda Luniewicz, Suzanne MacMillan, Rebecca Minasian, Vartkes Moushigian, Jonathan Raposo, Ari Shirinian, Lauren Trimble and Chloe Zeytoonian.
In the church sanctuary, at the end of Divine Liturgy, the graduates received their diplomas from the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church. Rev. Arakel Aljalian, pastor of St. James, offered words of congratulations and encouragement to the graduates. A pro-
gram and reception followed, during which guests listened to addresses by Valedictorian Aaron Campbell, Salutatorians Aroyan and Minassian, Superintendent Marsha Alabachian and Graduating Class teacher Yn. Natasha Aljalian.
The graduates have grown through the years and been enriched through the St. James pro- gram and curriculum, which focuses on the teaching of and application of faith, on out- reach, service and fellowship. The graduates also participated in the parish’s Junior Parish Trustee program, in which the students of the Sunday School serve the role of Parish Council members on the last Sunday of each month. The graduates will return for their ser- vice year to St. James during the 2012-2013 Sunday School year.
