Mara Najarian has grown up and devoted her time to St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit since she was young. Mara has served as an active board member for ACYOA Detroit Juniors and Seniors through her years in leadership. Along with ACYOA events like socials, retreats, or November dances, she has also taken part in Lenten dinners, bazaar weekends, and putting together meals for families through the church. 

 

She has attended Hye Camp since she was 11 years old, and last year had the role of Program Director and Photographer while being head counselor for her cabin. She had also attended ACYOA Junior retreats and grew her faith at a young age. Mara also attended session A of St. Vartan Camp as a CIT in 2019 and served as a lifeguard. On top of that, she was blessed to grow in faith along with 24 other Armenians across the Eastern Diocese on the 2022 ASP Trip. She has attended general assembly and sports weekends, and ACYOA zoom events. 

 

Mara’s love for the ACYOA was imbedded in her by her parents and grandparents. Her grandfather Harry Terzian served on the Central Council and St. John Armenian Church Parish Council. Her grandmother also ran the Sunday school at St. John. Mara’s mother, Kim Najarian is currently the St. John Parish Council Chair. 

 

Mara will graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business in 2025. Her involvement at MSU includes being president of the Armenian Student Association, an active member of Alpha Chi Omega Beta Epsilon chapter, and she works with the Broad College of Business to plan Hospitality Business career fairs and assist peers with resume help and internship/job search. She has started traditions for the Armenian Student Association at MSU and prioritizes connecting Armenian Christians at the college campus. While doing this away at college, she finds a way for supporting events and being there for her church at home consistently.