Norwood Native Sarah Varadian Delivers Student Address at Stonehill's President's Dinner

Also receives scholarship from Armenian International Women's Association

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Sarah Varadian addresses the crowd at the 49th annual President's Dinner at Stonehill College.

EASTON, MA (06/02/2009)(readMedia)-- Norwood native Sarah Varadian, a rising senior at Stonehill College in Easton, recently addressed over 700 local business leaders, alumni and friends of the College at its 49th annual President's Dinner on Thursday, May 28.

A graduate of Ursuline Academy in Dedham, Varadian delivered the student address at this year's dinner.

"I have been blessed with such invaluable experiences at Ursuline and Stonehill, as well as with the support and generosity of others that I have been inspired to pursue my dream of becoming a professional fundraiser," said Varadian, who noted her passion for fundraising began after the events of September 11, 2001 transpired.

"It was then that I learned how Afghan girls were being denied an education," she recalled. "The fact that I have been blessed with the opportunity for education is something I never take for granted. Education allows individuals the ability to expand their minds, care for their families, and become contribution members of their communities."

Varadian, an American Studies major and psychology minor, has since created her own nonprofit initiatives to help women in third world countries obtain an education. She has also been active in motivating other young Americans to help the less fortunate.

"I stand here not only inspired by my high school's motto of "Serviam" but also by that of my college, "Lux et Spes" because I believe that by contributing and devoting your time and efforts, each of us is capable of spreading "light and hope" throughout the world," added Varadian. (A full copy of Vardian's speech can be viewed here.)

The event, chaired by long-time friend of the College Attorney Philip Nessralla, was held at the Sally Blair Ames Athletic Complex and raised $100,700 for academic initiatives at Stonehill.

Varadian was also recently awarded the Rose "Azad" Hovannesian Scholarship from the Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA). The announcement of the awards was made by members of the AIWA Scholarship Committee, Barbara Merguerian and Joy Renjilian-Burgy, on May 2.

AIWA scholarships are awarded annually to full-time female students of Armenian descent attending accredited colleges or universities.

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Stonehill is a selective Catholic college located near Boston on a beautiful 375-acre campus in Easton, Massachusetts. With a student: faculty ratio of 13:1, the College engages over students in 70+ rigorous academic programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and pre-professional fields. The Stonehill community helps students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character to meet their professional goals and to live lives of purpose and integrity.