Lowell High School held Student Honors Night in person for the first time on May 17 since the Covid-19 pandemic. The evening filled with excitement, cheers and applauses as each student took turn to receive their scholarship award. There was no speech from any student, like other scholarship event the audience would anticipate. It wasn’t because they were not important, but because of the long, long list of scholarship recipients that took two moderators two hours to finish reading out loud each of 378 different scholarships that awarded to the much deserved 243 graduating seniors.
It is not a complaint. It is a good kind of long list that made one open the eyes and see so many generous people in Lowell, and appreciate the generosity of many generations before us have put forward the gifts for the future of Lowell young men and women whom they may or may never meet. About one-half of the scholarship recipients are the first in their family to go to college and two-thirds of the students have demonstrated financial needs.
City of Lowell is a working-class city with medium income of $62,000 per household with 40 thousand households, according to the 2020 U.S census. There are 21% of 115,441 persons living in Lowell are Asian descends, 17.9% are Latinos, 49.8% are white, and 8.9% are blacks, 4.3% are mixed two races or more. Lowell’s high school enrolled 3,056 of which 29% Asian, 34% Hispanic and 20% white. Foreign born persons are 26% and 40% of the total population speaks other English language at home. The characteristics of Lowell city explains the complex needs of the immigrant’s community, refugees, as the city continue to welcome all people from all walks of life.
The story of Lowell High School scholarship is truly remarkable like none other. The old mill city high school had $75,500 in 26 scholarship funds established before 1998 when it transferred the funds to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation to manage and invest. A few years later, LHS initiated The Campaign for Educational Excellence that raised $1M in scholarships. Since then, other efforts have occurred, and today, the LHS Scholarship Endowment Fund totals 6.75 million dollars, according to the foundation newsletter.
Greater Lowell Community Foundation President and CEO Jay Linnehan thanked the generous donors and those who have set up scholarship funds for their commitment to education and excellence in our community. He urged the student scholarship recipients to not forget where they came from and to always remember to “pay it forward.”
He said that philanthropy is not just about money, but also civic engagement and involvement, encouraging these budding young leaders to be involved in their community.
Many diverse students received the scholarships. Given the statistics, many Cambodian American students also have received the scholarships. Notably, there is ONE Cambodian American scholarship and it was presented to a Khmer student Cynthia Toum by two Cambodian American School Committee members: Dominik Lay and Susie Chhoun. Superintendent Dr. Joe Boyd was in the attendance.
The 2022 scholarship recipients are:
- Peter S. Stamas Scholarship Fund: Frantzcesca Charles, Brian Chea, Eduarda De Moura, Kane Pham, Samantha Seng
- Thomas “Tiny” Sheehan Scholarship Fund: Mariam Seid
- Sullivan Middle School PTO Scholarship Fund: Melanie Chaves, Karyna Cortes Lopez
- Marilyn Swartz Lloyd Scholarship: Vishwas Devisetti
- Swartz-Lloyd Love of the English Language Scholarship: Amy Lam
- Joseph D. Sweeney Science Award: Sokrath Un
- Ellenor T. Trull Scholarship Fund: Patricia Prout
- Votze Butler Stone Memorial Scholarship: Mustafa Salih
- Frank D. Weymouth Memorial Scholarship: Meghan Jewell, Jessica Pot
- Cassie Zousoumas Memorial Scholarship Fund: Darlena Suy
- 1826 Lowell High School Scholarship: Constance Chan-Polcari, Viputh Kounakor, Jessica Nguyen, Jeter Santiago
- Douglas Townshend Choral Arts Scholarship Fund: Cynthia Toum
- Verda Annan Scholarship Fund: Raffy Reyes
- Edward J. Babigan Memorial Scholarship Fund: Justin Charbonnier
- Walter A. Bacigalupo Memorial Scholarship Fund: Mariany De Amorim Trugilho
- Harry F. Bean Scholarship Fund: Melanie Chaves
- John J. Beaulieu Poetry Prize Fund: Jayanny Oliveria
- Doyle Family Scholarship Fund: Sokrath Un
- Bon Marche Trust Scholarship: Arinola Ajayi
- Ruth I. Brennan Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Sullivan Middle School: Karyna Cortes Lopez
- Wang Middle School: Konama Adusei
- Sally Birke Memorial Scholarship Fund: Jhekcarry Mam
- Charles A. & Mary Carlson Memorial Scholarship Fund: Joseph Buckley, Thavictoria Seng, Ethan Xayvethy
- Caulfield and R. Mercier Lowell Wonders Scholarship Fund: Patricia Batenga Kalemera
- Sithsuon Chan Scholarship: Jyling Kuy, Chrisna Keat
- Don Costa Memorial Scholarship Fund: Viona Kamoni
- John H. Costello Book Award for Music: Glen Njeru
- Jane Cullen McOsker Scholarship: Mariliza Lanes
- Richard J. Dacey Scholarship Fund: Solinda Chea, Margaret Hood, Olivia Makiej
- Merrimack Valley Rotary Club for Lawrence L. Day Memorial Scholarship Fund: Tyler Ros
- DCU Scholarship: Joseph Auger, Angelyna Bahls, Dyllan Bui, Ashley Boissonneault, Mackenzie Boissonneault, Rebecca Cady, Franklin Caguana, Julia Driscoll-Perez, Natalie Mao, Alana Harris, Has Seka Hak, Rosa Hinojos, Melissa Ing, Viona Kamoni, Tobey Keopadith, Khanh Ly, Jhekcarry Mam, Hoang Nguyen, Oghenetega Nsumei, Areeya O’Neill, Kyaylanna Ren, Anisha Sanghvi, Michael Sawin, Sana Sherring, Rebecca Suman Fragoso
- Berthe M. Desmarais Scholarship Fund: Heather Berry, Jazmine Chhet, Amanda Donovan, Madeline Frenette, Mariya Ken, Kythan Ses, Tien Tran, Triza Waigi
- Theres Farrell Scholarship Fund: Isabel Allen
- Eileen Marjorie McGuire Donahue Scholarship Fund: Xavier DeMarco Burks
- Sarah Droney-McGurrin Scholarship Fund: Alyssa Bouchard
- George and Carol Duncan Family Scholarship Fund: Jeter Santiago
- Agnes C. Durkin Memorial Scholarship Fund: Qingping Diep, Christina Grillakis, Angelina Lam, Kelly Ly
- Natalie J. Eacrett Memorial Scholarship Fund: Ali Rivera
- Louis Fineman Memorial Scholarship Fund: Katrina Russell
- Martin “Mickey” Finn Scholarship: Callum Burgess
- Leo & Matthew Flynn Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kimleng Kit
- Eleanor Pihl Fox Scholarship Fund: Channeary Mao
- Kenneth Russell Fox Scholarship Fund: Kyle Frechette
- John J. Giblin Music Scholarship Fund: Glen Njeru
- Goriansky Brothers Scholarship Fund: Vinnycius Alves
- GLCF Scholarship Fund for LHS: Mannette Gono, Ethan Hebert, Zoeshka Obdens, Paulina Preap, Rosenid Vazquez Chavez
- Kenneth Hall Scholarship Fund: Mason Webb
- Julia Hassan’s Musical Instrument Scholarship: Amy Huynh
- Head of School Award, Business Management/Finance: Mohamed Jalloh
- Head of School Award, English: Valerie Savard
- Head of School Award, English Learners: Salome Serrata
- Head of School Award, Fine Arts: Glen Njeru
- Head of School Award, World Languages: Priyanka Patel
- Head of School Award, Math: Kimleng Kit
- Head of School Award, Perseverance: Aliza Prom
- Head of School Award, Science: Angelina Lam
- Head of School Award, Social Studies: Sopheakmonyratana Ouk
- Mary F. Hogan Scholarship Fund: Michael Pickett
- John J. & Clara M. Hurley Memorial Scholarship: Nicole Bianchi, Thu Huynh, Shuaib Ibraheem, Jayanny Oliveria, Drew Waterhouse
- Felicia May Johnson Scholarship Fund: Konama Adusei
- Henry J. Jubinville Scholarship Fund: Abdulai Jalloh
- John M. Kenney Memorial Scholarship Fund: MolyKim Srun
- Jack Kerouac Prize for Literature Fund: Melissa Ing
- Jack Kerouac Scholarship Fund: Ken Lei
- Mary V. Kiafas Scholarship Fund: Athena Cote
- William P. Kraines Memorial Scholarship Fund: Sarah Azevedo, Amy Lam, Richard Sriprai
- Stephanie Gancarz Krzyda & Frank Krzyda Scholarship Fund: Adam Tyawil
- Anna Lekas Kuenzler Scholarship Fund: Riasey Seng
- Michael J. Kuenzler Scholarship Fund
- Wrestler: Theodore Jimenez
- Law Enforcement: Nelsy Nunez
- LHS Scholarship Fund: Melissa Ing, Dylan Kuczek, Sopheakmonyratana Ouk, Priyanka Patel
- LHS Class of 1979 Scholarship Fund: John Riordan
- LHS Alumni Association Alice Pearson Awards
- Accounting: Molykim Srun
- Business: Darsh Patel
- Math: John Riordan
- LHS Alumni Chorus: Glen Njeru
- LHS Dance Scholarship: Amelia Halloran
- LHS Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Fund: Eh Paw
- LHS Latino Scholarship Fund: Emmanuel Montoya Cano
- LHS Visual Arts Scholarship Fund: Hannah Ho
- National Honor Society Scholarship: Christopher Ferreira, Natalia Flores, Jheovanie Mikouanya, Avani Patel, Darsh Patel, Mason Webb
- Lowell Garden Club Genieve E. Lawrence Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kimson Lam
- Lowell Summer Music Series Scholarship Fund: Hannah Ho, Rhondyna Reth
- Lowell Women’s Week Scholarship Fund: Okechukwu Onyenwe
- Ester Loynes Curseaden & Ruth Loynes Barker Memorial Scholarship Fund: Chrisna Keat
- Peter Markham Family Scholarship Fund: Arinola Ajayi, Alexia Loyn
- Luz Family Scholarship Fund: Kaitlyn Doughty, Thong Ha
- Catherine J. McArdle Scholarship Fund: Aryan Bhaghat, Kiernan Foyle, Rachael Klosowski, Tatiana Mitchell, Ravik Nan, Bonne Volonte Panguere, Thy To
- McAuliffe Elementary School PTO Scholarship Fund: Patricia Batenga Kalemera
- Clement G. McDonough Memorial Scholarship Fund: Christopher Ferreira
- Ryan P. McMahon Memorial Scholarship Fund: Casey Mitchell
- Marty Meehan Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund: Demitria Peau
- Middlesex Women’s Club of Lowell Scholarship Fund: An Tri Thach
- Rita Sharcoff Mizner & Sidney S. Mizner Memorial Scholarship Fund: Avani Patel
- Mojtabai Family Scholarship Fund: Victoria Kamoni, Hoang Truc Kim, Raphael Talhouk
- Francis X. Moriarty Scholarship Fund: Morgan Bilodeau
- Grady Mulligan Scholarship Fund: Victoria Chanthaseng
- Robert E. & Cecelia Mullin Scholarship Fund: Anthony Pena
- Frederick T. Murphy Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund: Nathaniel Haley
- Dennis J. & Lillian Murphy Scholarship Fund: Basma Al Aani, Jeffrey Awuah, Das Wesley Fataki, Matthew Geary, Izaviah Hong, Abigail Igbinovia, Francis Kelly, Benjamin Kotsifas, Viputh Kounakor, Maccinne Kurapa, Chousean Ly, Desaliyah Maomanyvanh, Kimora Mckinney, Marina Meas, Quynh Nguyen, Prem Patel, Giangelys Pena, Jorge Perez Guerro, Tatyana Pike, Rhondyna Reth, Manuel Rivas, Mey Phing Taing, An Tri Thach, Kaydinh Tu, Ashley Valente, Vincent Var
- Peter Nason Scholarship Fund: Makaeli Boisvert
- Dana and Elizabeth Palmer Book Award: Keaton Thoeuk
- Katina Pappas Tsongas Scholarship Fund: Nora Funaro
- Louis M. Saab Memorial Scholarship Fund: Sarah Simmons, Vaidehi Patel
- Peter Saab Joseph Memorial Scholarship Fund: Brandon Bui, Angelina Lam
- Thomas J. and Mary E. Saab Scholarship Fund: Tuleen Aghabi, Isaiah Kafero
- Georgia Sarris Memorial Scholarship Fund: Aleen Aghabi
- Nicholas C. Sarris Scholarship Fund: Ary Kusna
- Linda A. Souza Scholarship Fund: Badraddin Al Ezairej
- Kathryn Philbin Stoklosa Scholarship Fund: Michael Pickett
- George N. Tsapatsaris Scholarship Fund: Alicia Mansaray
- Stephen Tousignant Music Memorial Scholarship Fund: Xavier DeMarco Burks
- Raymond & Jean Trudel Memorial Scholarship Fund: Khoi Vo, Jheovanie Mikouanya
- Chet Szablak, Jr. Scholarship Fund: Blake Ramos
- Kate Thompson Scholarship for a Brighter Future: Rose Njeri
- United American Energy Scholarship Fund: Basma Al Aani, Vishwa Devisetti, Kimberly Imbacuan, Marina Meas, Aaron Morris, Marianne Nguyen, Patricia Prout, Mercy Olu, Maneth Song, Palamee Vongdara
- Amrita Valli Healthcare Scholarship: Mohamed Jalloh
- An Wang Middle School Scholarship: Giangelys Pena
- Washington Savings Bank Scholarship: Mey Phing Taing
- Joann Weber Memorial Scholarship: Santiago Echeverry Lopez
- William Woodcock Scholarship Fund: Kyrone Lor
- Western Ave. Artists Association Scholarship: quynh Nguyen
- Rotary Club of Lowell Doris Williams Scholarship Fund: Vanthavy Oung
- Zaher-Lacouture-Galotta Family Fund: Aleen Aghabi
- Air Force Jr. ROTC Instructor Award: Sarah Azevedo, Mayara Correia, Sofia Cruz Carasquillo, Santiago Echeverry Lopez, Brian Lang, Jheovanie Mikouanya, Michele Pham, Lauren Poirier
- Air Force Jr. ROTC In Memory of Kirk Czelewicz: Vinnycius Alves
- Align Credit Union Scholarship: Channeary Mao
- Mary Barsorian Weems Sullivan Nealon Humphrey Scholarship Fund: Kyrone Lor
- Cameroonians of Lowell Scholarship Fund: Kevin Wahome
- Janet E. Conners & Janet L. Lang Nursing Scholarship: Melanie Chaves
- Colleen Creegan Memorial Scholarship Fund Cheerleading: Cindy Sriprai, Juan Tobon
- Creegan Family Scholarship: Anthony Bianchi, Jacy Nelson, Kavi Oeur
- Daniel Crowther Memorial Scholarship Fund: Michele Pham
- Michael DeVincenzi Scholarship Fund: Morgan Bioldeau
- Ernie Descheneaux Memorial Scholarship: Tien Phan
- Michael Dubois Memorial Scholarship: Matthew Morneau
- Barbara N. Dunsford Scholarship Fund: Roselyn Chavez
- Emily Edwards Memorial Scholarship: Portia Yeboah
- Friends of Tyler Park Scholarship: Maneth Song
- Jachaly Engineering Scholarship: Justin Charbonnier, Marianne Nguyen, Sokrath Un
- Dennis Krysiak Memorial Scholarship Fund: Thong Ha
- Enterprise Bank Scholarship: Randi Hang
- Muriel R. Moriarty Scholarship Fund: Isabel Allen, Mariliza Lanes, Catherine Shanahan
- LHS Class of 1962 in Honor of Barbara Silva Russell: Anastasia Lee
- LHS Class of 2010 Scholarship Fund: Jyling Kuy
- LHS Class of 1969 Scholarship Fund: Jesenia Wilson
- LHS Class of 1968 Scholarship Fund: Mariany De Amorim Trugilho
- Brian J. Martin Scholarship: Keaton Thoeuk
- Katherine M. Martin Scholarship Fund: Victoria Farley
- Rodger F. Martin, Jr. Scholarship Fund: Cindy Sriprai
- Rodger F. Martin, Sr. Scholarship: Ashly Tep
- Peter F. Martin Scholarship: Gabriela Mejia Guzman
- James S. Martin Scholarship Fund: Ali Rivera
- Merrimack Valley Food Bank for the Guy Francesshelli Scholarship Fund: Kimleng Kit, Kevin Wahome
- Francis Paul McHugh Scholarship Fund: Joseph Buckley
- Plomaritis Family Foundation Scholarship: Maegan Cole
- Miller Family Scholarship Fund: Samuel Thy
- Raymond E. Riddick Scholarship: Carleigh Ahern, Callum Burgess, Ryan Courtney, Casey Mitchell, Travis Vandinter, Brian Lang, Lauren Poirier, Rose Njeri
- Kathy Reticker Scholarship: Mia Frazier, Darlena Suy
- Joseph R. Rocha NAACP Scholarship Fund: Brigid Thome
- Shruti N. Shah Memorial Scholarship: Rachel Sorano, Angel Tran
- Daniel F. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship Fund: Emmanuel Montoya Cano
- Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund: Richard Sriprai
- William S. & Patricia G. Taupier Foundation Scholarship: Konama Adusei, Joylyn Ndungu, Syntiche Nguimbi Moussouda, Portia Yeboah
- William S. & Patricia G. Taupier Foundation Scholarship, Nursing/Health: Darsh Patel, Michaela Wilson
- Paul Tsongas/UMass Lowell Scholarship: Alejandro Bonilla, Katherine Tamayo
- Cambodian American Scholarship: Cynthia Toum
- Cobblestones-Plath Family Culinary Arts Scholarship Fund: Ester Raposa
- James F. Conway, Jr. Scholarship Fund: Christina Grillakis, Darsh Patel
- Eastern Bank Scholarship: Amelia Halloran
- Ajay Kothari Scholarship: Katrina Russell, Adam Tyawil
- Amsi Morales Scholarship Fund: Manuel Rivas, Juan Tobon
- Linda R. Gallagher Scholarship: Salome Serrata
- Girls Incorporated Loretta Duncan Scholarship Fund: Alicia Mansaray
- A Melvin Glazer Scholarship Fund: Kaitlyn Doughty
- Greenhalge Elementary School Scholarship Fund: Christopher Ferreira
- George D. and Stella A. Kouloheras Scholarship Fund: Jessica Pot
- Brendan D. Leahy Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kevin Pol
- LHS Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund: Catherine Shanahan
- LHS Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund: Ayame Le Thoueithaisong
- William J. Samaras/Kendall M. Wallace LHS Class of 1959 Scholarship Fund: Lakshmi Chea Men, Dhebi Chea Men, Khoi Vo
- Friends of LHS Founders Scholarship Fund: Kyle Frechette
- LHS Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund: Anisha Sanghvi
- LHS Class of 1975 Scholarship Fund: Juan Tobon
- LHS Class of 1980 Scholarship Fund: Lauren Poirier
- Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank/Gerald R. Wallace Memorial Scholarship: Constance Chan-Polcari, Justin Charbonnier
- Bartlett Community Partnership School Alumni Scholarship Fund: Meghan Jewell
- Lowell General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Scholarship Fund: Tracy Waruru
- Lowell Police Officer George F.A. Pearsall Memorial Scholarship Fund: Mayara Correia
- Lowell Police Officer Christos G. Rouses Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kimberly Imbacuan
- Lowell Police Officer Patrick F. Leavitt Memorial Scholarship Fund: Celia Flomo
- Lowell Police Officer John J. Winn II Memorial Scholarship Fund: Gabriela Mejia Guzman
- Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship Fund: Tracy Waruru
- Thomas F. & Helena B. Murphy Scholarship Fund: Davida Vandi
- Manilal Dadabhai Patel Memorial Scholarship Fund: Ashly Tep
- Store 38 Scholarship in Memory of Gino Edward Orlando: Natalia Flores
- Store 38 Scholarship in Memory of Corporal Peter E. Orlando USMC: Gabriela Mejia Guzman
- Store 38 Scholarship in Memory of Diwaliisben P. Patel: Eh Paw
- Portuguese-American Scholarship Fund: Dalia Silva
- Joseph G. Pyne Arts Magnet School Scholarship: Nathaniel Haley
- Brian F. Reynolds Student Athlete Scholarship Fund: Sophia Cruz Carasquillo, Alex Phosy
- Rogers Hall Scholarship: Lillian Cluff
- Rogers School Effective Effort Award Scholarship Fund: Alex Chau
- Stephen Ronan Scholarship Fund: Alyssa Bouchard
Jen Myer from Lowell Public School contributed to this report.