Celebrating United Methodist Student Day, Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora honored four 2025 graduates.
During Sunday morning worship, Lead Pastor, Reverend Tammy Scott recognized Faith Burnett and Jacqueline Chloe Jaramillo and Michelle Curiel of Aurora, and Delia Akyea of Oswego.
Rev. Scott presented each grad with a gift bag. They featured single-serve packs of Nerds, Whoppers, Reese’s Pieces, and other candies. Emily Lou John, president of Wesley’s United Women in Faith unit, presented each grad with a prayer shawl handmade by Wesley women.
Grads honored were Delia Akyea of Oswego, daughter of Jonathan and Genevieve Akyea, a graduate of Oswego East High School who plans to study pre-med at Northwestern University; Faith Burnett, Aurora, daughter of Rob Burnett, a West Aurora High School graduate who plans to attend Waubonsee Community College; Jacqueline Chloe Jaramillo, Aurora, a graduate of Aurora Christian Schools who plans to study biology at Aurora University; and Michelle Curiel, Aurora, who received a master’s degree in social work in May from Aurora University. She has accepted a position as a school social worker at Prairie Point Elementary in Oswego.
Pastor Scott concluded the presentation with a blessing and a prayer. A post-worship fellowship hour was held in the grads’ honor.
Celebrated nationwide on a Sunday in May, Student Day raises awareness and supports the value of education. Free will donations support 70 scholarships for qualified United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every dollar received assists in educating a new generation of principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.
—Al Benson