Spiritual Advisor

Fr. David Sommer

St. Thomas, Snohomish, WA 

Fr. David is the father of 5 kids (16, 14, 11, 6, 3). Oldest two are boys and the rest are girls. He and his wife have been married for over 20 years. He was raised in a small coastal town by the name of Isla Vista in California and having lived there for 19 years, he moved to Alaska where he met and married Heather. Before becoming a priest, he was a General Contractor and home builder (he still occasionally swings a hammer). Now he helps his iconographer wife install icons in churches around North America.

For nearly 11 years, he has been a priest—first serving in Wilkes-Barre, PA while he finished seminary and then in Snohomish, WA for 10 years where he currently serves the church of St. Thomas. His involuntary hobby is to drive kids around but the thing he really loves and misses is the great Pacific Ocean.

 

President

Esther Clemence Risek Azar

St. Nicholas, San Francisco, CA

Esther Clemence Batarse was born and raised in San Francisco. She was baptized at St. Nicholas in Diamond Heights and has attended her Mother Church for her entire life. She has been the director of Christian education for Sunday School since 2018 and an administrator, counselor and advisor for Teen Soyo and Camp Three Holy Youths. She is graduating from San Francisco State University with a bachelors in Biology with a concentration in Zoology where she works full time in a laboratory. Esther Clemence loves learning about science and understanding animal behavior, physiology and communication mechanisms. During her term as President, Esther Clemence prays that through her diligence, perseverance and faith, she is able to strengthen the foundation within the young adult community within our Diocese. In addition she is strategically working on facilitating the transition between Teen Soyo and Young Adult. By communicating with the other deanerys in our Diocese, Esther Clemence knows that through Christ she will be able to establish a grand relationship with ourselves, each other and above all, with God. 

Vice President

Richard Ajalat

St. Michael, Van Nuys, CA

Hello All! My name is Rick Ajalat. I am your new Vice President . Here is just a little bit about my life. I went to Saint Mary’s College of California class of 2010 and I have a B.A in Theology and a minor in Anthropology. Then went to Saint Vladimir's Seminary class of 2013 and received a Masters in Divinity.

I pray that our committee of young Adults will exceed your expectations and we will create a community.

Treasurer

Shadi Azar

St. Nicholas, San Francisco, CA

My name is Shadi Azar and I am your new treasurer! I am 28 years old and I am coming to you from St Nicholas San Francisco. I currently serve as the Young Adult Director at my church, as well as an advisor for Teen Soyo and Sunday school.

I graduated college in Bloomfield New Jersey, where I received a degree in business with an emphasis in Economics. I currently own and operate a small family business throughout San Francisco.

I really enjoy cooking, outdoor activities like gardening, playing tennis and random hikes.

Being apart of this team of leaders for this ministry is truly humbling. One of my goals for this term is to bring people from all parts of our Diocese and really making them feel like we are one ministry.

Secretary

Yara Arnouk

St. George, Upland, CA

My name is Yara Arnouk and I come from St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Upland, CA. I am honored to be elected to be your new Secretary for our Young Adult Ministry, DLAW. I am currently a 4th year Dental Student at Loma Linda University in CA. I currently serve as the Assistant Director of Teen SOYO at my parish as well as a member of the choir. I love eating French Fries and watching any and all crime shows. I have recently picked up a baking hobby much to the enjoyment of my family. I look forward to serving you to the best of my capabilities and in bringing us closer in fellowship! I can’t wait to see what this next year will bring!

College Chair

Christian Farradj

St. Anthony, San Diego, CA

My name is Christian Farradj, and I am the College Outreach Chairman for the Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West. I am 21 years old, and was born and raised in Danville, California, where I grew up in the community of St. John the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church.

I am a student at the University of Saint Katherine, where I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Science. Since moving down to the San Diego area, I have been attending St. Anthony Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Diego. I am a reader in our Archdiocese, and am especially passionate about Ecclesiastical music.

In this role for the Young Adult Ministry, I am excited to empower and connect the college students in our diocese. It is such a pivotal time in the lives of those who are college-age. By God’s grace, I want to help this ministry especially connect with those who are transitioning from high school, recognizing that they have a home in the Church, and that they are critical to the life of the Church.

Program Chair

Chris Ajalat

St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA

 

My name is Chris Ajalat and I am your new program chair for the young adult ministry. I am 24 years old and attend St. Nicholas Cathedral in LA, where I was born and raised. I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Electrical Engineering last year, and currently work in the Aerospace field.  I am super excited to work with all our wonderful new board members this term, and I hope and pray that we can continue to foster and strengthen this community and bring all our young adults closer to each other and to Christ.

Social Media Chair

Paul Rodriguez-Anter

St. Mark, Irvine, CA

My name is Paul Rodriguez-Anter and I’m your next social media director! I am 21 years old and attend St. Mark’s church in Irvine, CA. I’m a third year at USC studying religion and international relations! I have been involved in Orthodox Christian programs my whole life from NAC SOYO, to St. Nicholas church camp, to YES, and to Special Olympics! I am so honored to be a part of the YAM fam and connect with you all! I look forward to growing with you all through Christ, and pray we will be together soon!