Aliso Viejo – More than 40 high school seniors from the Laguna Niguel Stake were recognized for their attendance and graduation from the seminary program on Wednesday (May 24).
The seminary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a four-year religious education program for youth. In seminary, students and their teachers meet to study the scriptures, including the Bible (Old Testament and New Testament), The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. It provides the students with a chance to recognize the Holy Ghost and understand the atonement of Jesus Christ through their studies.
These amazing students generally attend seminary before school each day where they learn the scriptures, edify one another, partake in gospel discussions with their teacher and peers, and prepare themselves for their demanding days at school.
The graduation program began with a beautiful musical performance by Maddy Vance and continued with Doctrinal Mastery Speakers (Lauren Marocchi, Hannah Reynolds, Christian Burke, Samantha Del Rosario, Jessie DeGraw, Adrienne Taylor, Reece Kartchner, Hunter Mills, Dallin Luedtke and Summer Clawson).
Ten students from the Laguna Niguel Stake received the Disciple Award this year. To earn the award the student must read scriptures 10 minutes everyday, read the entire New Testament of the Bible, achieve 90% attendance, memorize all 25 doctrinal mastery scriptures, and give a Book of Mormon to a friend not of the LDS faith. Anna Sedgwick, Hanna Eyre, Carina Novillo, Amanda Miller, Olivia Wettengel, Audrey McKeon, Brooke Robison, Mary Sorenson, Blake Hawkins and Riley Curtis were all outstanding in completing these honors.
Janet Christensen, Seminary Principal, went on to recognize Alexis Doney and Caden Ashdown who had not missed a single day of seminary in four years. A huge accomplishment!
Well done to all the participants and graduates! A special shout out to the amazing teachers who prepare lessons each day and are there faithfully early each morning to mentor and guide these students. The love you show the students does not go unnoticed!