Dandeegeen Diaries—Chapter 7: Village Favorites

Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Lusine immigrated to the US in the early 80s with her family. She graduated from Assumption College with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. She held positions in the marketing field after graduating college and participated in the Sayat Nova Dance Company for six years. As a full-time mom, she volunteered at her children's elementary school and supported various Armenian organizations. She was also a children's Armenian dance instructor for St. James Armenian School of Watertown and Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church of Whitinsville. She is currently the executive assistant for the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Lusine lives in Ashland, MA with her husband Armen and her children Jivan, Aram and Vana.

Heather Apigian Krafian was born in Detroit, Michigan and was one of the founding students of A.G.B.U. Alex Manoogian School in 1969. She graduated Michigan State University in 1988 with a bachelor’s in International Relations and cognate studies in German and Russian. She holds a master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. As an ANCA intern, Heather worked for the Minority Rights Group in London under Ben Whittaker. She’s also worked at Zoryan Institute as its Armenian Studies Coordinator. She began her career in education in 1990 after which she became the assistant principal of St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School from 2006 to 2008; she currently serves on its Education Committee. She has also served on the Board of Trustees at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church. Heather is a member of the ARS Cambridge “Shushi” Chapter and a member of the ARS Eastern Region Board of Directors. Heather was the 2010 recipient of the Knights of Vartan “Community Leader” Award and the 2015 recipient of the Eastern Prelacy’s Certificate of Merit. She is married to Ara Krafian; they live in Belmont, MA with their four daughters Araxi, Nairi, Anoush and Knar.