$350K in scholarships awarded to Lowell High Seniors

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:

1. Peter S. Stamas Scholarship Fund: Frantzcesca Charles, Brian Chea, Eduarda De Moura, Kane Pham, Samantha Seng
2. Thomas “Tiny” Sheehan Scholarship Fund: Mariam Seid
3. Sullivan Middle School PTO Scholarship Fund: Melanie Chaves, Karyna Cortes Lopez
4. Marilyn Swartz Lloyd Scholarship: Vishwas Devisetti
5. Swartz-Lloyd Love of the English Language Scholarship: Amy Lam
6. Joseph D. Sweeney Science Award: Sokrath Un
7. Ellenor T. Trull Scholarship Fund: Patricia Prout
8. Votze Butler Stone Memorial Scholarship: Mustafa Salih
9. Frank D. Weymouth Memorial Scholarship: Meghan Jewell, Jessica Pot
10. Cassie Zousoumas Memorial Scholarship Fund: Darlena Suy
11. 1826 Lowell High School Scholarship: Constance Chan-Polcari, Viputh Kounakor, Jessica Nguyen, Jeter Santiago
12. Douglas Townshend Choral Arts Scholarship Fund: Cynthia Toum
13. Verda Annan Scholarship Fund: Raffy Reyes
14. Edward J. Babigan Memorial Scholarship Fund: Justin Charbonnier
15. Walter A. Bacigalupo Memorial Scholarship Fund: Mariany De Amorim Trugilho
16. Harry F. Bean Scholarship Fund: Melanie Chaves
17. John J. Beaulieu Poetry Prize Fund: Jayanny Oliveria
18. Doyle Family Scholarship Fund: Sokrath Un
19. Bon Marche Trust Scholarship: Arinola Ajayi
20. Ruth I. Brennan Memorial Scholarship Fund
21. Sullivan Middle School: Karyna Cortes Lopez
22. Wang Middle School: Konama Adusei
23. Sally Birke Memorial Scholarship Fund: Jhekcarry Mam
24. Charles A. & Mary Carlson Memorial Scholarship Fund: Joseph Buckley, Thavictoria Seng, Ethan Xayvethy
25. Caulfield and R. Mercier Lowell Wonders Scholarship Fund: Patricia Batenga Kalemera
26. Sithsuon Chan Scholarship: Jyling Kuy, Chrisna Keat
27. Don Costa Memorial Scholarship Fund: Viona Kamoni
28. John H. Costello Book Award for Music: Glen Njeru
29. Jane Cullen McOsker Scholarship: Mariliza Lanes
30. Richard J. Dacey Scholarship Fund: Solinda Chea, Margaret Hood, Olivia Makiej
31. Merrimack Valley Rotary Club for Lawrence L. Day Memorial Scholarship Fund: Tyler Ros
32. 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
33. Berthe M. Desmarais Scholarship Fund: Heather Berry, Jazmine Chhet, Amanda Donovan, Madeline Frenette, Mariya Ken, Kythan Ses, Tien Tran, Triza Waigi
34. Theres Farrell Scholarship Fund: Isabel Allen
35. Eileen Marjorie McGuire Donahue Scholarship Fund: Xavier DeMarco Burks
36. Sarah Droney-McGurrin Scholarship Fund: Alyssa Bouchard
37. George and Carol Duncan Family Scholarship Fund: Jeter Santiago
38. Agnes C. Durkin Memorial Scholarship Fund: Qingping Diep, Christina Grillakis, Angelina Lam, Kelly Ly
39. Natalie J. Eacrett Memorial Scholarship Fund: Ali Rivera
40. Louis Fineman Memorial Scholarship Fund: Katrina Russell
41. Martin “Mickey” Finn Scholarship: Callum Burgess
42. Leo & Matthew Flynn Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kimleng Kit
43. Eleanor Pihl Fox Scholarship Fund: Channeary Mao
44. Kenneth Russell Fox Scholarship Fund: Kyle Frechette
45. John J. Giblin Music Scholarship Fund: Glen Njeru
46. Goriansky Brothers Scholarship Fund: Vinnycius Alves
47. GLCF Scholarship Fund for LHS: Mannette Gono, Ethan Hebert, Zoeshka Obdens, Paulina Preap, Rosenid Vazquez Chavez
48. Kenneth Hall Scholarship Fund: Mason Webb
49. Julia Hassan’s Musical Instrument Scholarship: Amy Huynh
50. Head of School Award, Business Management/Finance: Mohamed Jalloh
51. Head of School Award, English: Valerie Savard
52. Head of School Award, English Learners: Salome Serrata
53. Head of School Award, Fine Arts: Glen Njeru
54. Head of School Award, World Languages: Priyanka Patel
55. Head of School Award, Math: Kimleng Kit
56. Head of School Award, Perseverance: Aliza Prom
57. Head of School Award, Science: Angelina Lam
58. Head of School Award, Social Studies: Sopheakmonyratana Ouk
59. Mary F. Hogan Scholarship Fund: Michael Pickett
60. John J. & Clara M. Hurley Memorial Scholarship: Nicole Bianchi, Thu Huynh, Shuaib Ibraheem, Jayanny Oliveria, Drew Waterhouse
61. Felicia May Johnson Scholarship Fund: Konama Adusei
62. Henry J. Jubinville Scholarship Fund: Abdulai Jalloh
63. John M. Kenney Memorial Scholarship Fund: MolyKim Srun
64. Jack Kerouac Prize for Literature Fund: Melissa Ing
65. Jack Kerouac Scholarship Fund: Ken Lei
66. Mary V. Kiafas Scholarship Fund: Athena Cote
67. William P. Kraines Memorial Scholarship Fund: Sarah Azevedo, Amy Lam, Richard Sriprai
68. Stephanie Gancarz Krzyda & Frank Krzyda Scholarship Fund: Adam Tyawil
69. Anna Lekas Kuenzler Scholarship Fund: Riasey Seng
70. Michael J. Kuenzler Scholarship Fund
71. Wrestler: Theodore Jimenez
72. Law Enforcement: Nelsy Nunez
73. LHS Scholarship Fund: Melissa Ing, Dylan Kuczek, Sopheakmonyratana Ouk, Priyanka Patel
74. LHS Class of 1979 Scholarship Fund: John Riordan
75. LHS Alumni Association Alice Pearson Awards
76. Accounting: Molykim Srun
77. Business: Darsh Patel
78. Math: John Riordan
79. LHS Alumni Chorus: Glen Njeru
80. LHS Dance Scholarship: Amelia Halloran
81. LHS Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Fund: Eh Paw
82. LHS Latino Scholarship Fund: Emmanuel Montoya Cano
83. LHS Visual Arts Scholarship Fund: Hannah Ho
84. National Honor Society Scholarship: Christopher Ferreira, Natalia Flores, Jheovanie Mikouanya, Avani Patel, Darsh Patel, Mason Webb
85. Lowell Garden Club Genieve E. Lawrence Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kimson Lam
86. Lowell Summer Music Series Scholarship Fund: Hannah Ho, Rhondyna Reth
87. Lowell Women’s Week Scholarship Fund: Okechukwu Onyenwe
88. Ester Loynes Curseaden & Ruth Loynes Barker Memorial Scholarship Fund: Chrisna Keat
89. Peter Markham Family Scholarship Fund: Arinola Ajayi, Alexia Loyn
90. Luz Family Scholarship Fund: Kaitlyn Doughty, Thong Ha
91. Catherine J. McArdle Scholarship Fund: Aryan Bhaghat, Kiernan Foyle, Rachael Klosowski, Tatiana Mitchell, Ravik Nan, Bonne Volonte Panguere, Thy To
92. McAuliffe Elementary School PTO Scholarship Fund: Patricia Batenga Kalemera
93. Clement G. McDonough Memorial Scholarship Fund: Christopher Ferreira
94. Ryan P. McMahon Memorial Scholarship Fund: Casey Mitchell
95. Marty Meehan Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund: Demitria Peau
96. Middlesex Women’s Club of Lowell Scholarship Fund: An Tri Thach
97. Rita Sharcoff Mizner & Sidney S. Mizner Memorial Scholarship Fund: Avani Patel
98. Mojtabai Family Scholarship Fund: Victoria Kamoni, Hoang Truc Kim, Raphael Talhouk
99. Francis X. Moriarty Scholarship Fund: Morgan Bilodeau
100. Grady Mulligan Scholarship Fund: Victoria Chanthaseng
101. Robert E. & Cecelia Mullin Scholarship Fund: Anthony Pena
102. Frederick T. Murphy Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund: Nathaniel Haley
103. 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
104. Peter Nason Scholarship Fund: Makaeli Boisvert
105. Dana and Elizabeth Palmer Book Award: Keaton Thoeuk
106. Katina Pappas Tsongas Scholarship Fund: Nora Funaro
107. Louis M. Saab Memorial Scholarship Fund: Sarah Simmons, Vaidehi Patel
108. Peter Saab Joseph Memorial Scholarship Fund: Brandon Bui, Angelina Lam
109. Thomas J. and Mary E. Saab Scholarship Fund: Tuleen Aghabi, Isaiah Kafero
110. Georgia Sarris Memorial Scholarship Fund: Aleen Aghabi
111. Nicholas C. Sarris Scholarship Fund: Ary Kusna
112. Linda A. Souza Scholarship Fund: Badraddin Al Ezairej
113. Kathryn Philbin Stoklosa Scholarship Fund: Michael Pickett
114. George N. Tsapatsaris Scholarship Fund: Alicia Mansaray
115. Stephen Tousignant Music Memorial Scholarship Fund: Xavier DeMarco Burks
116. Raymond & Jean Trudel Memorial Scholarship Fund: Khoi Vo, Jheovanie Mikouanya
117. Chet Szablak, Jr. Scholarship Fund: Blake Ramos
118. Kate Thompson Scholarship for a Brighter Future: Rose Njeri
119. 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
120. Amrita Valli Healthcare Scholarship: Mohamed Jalloh
121. An Wang Middle School Scholarship: Giangelys Pena
122. Washington Savings Bank Scholarship: Mey Phing Taing
123. Joann Weber Memorial Scholarship: Santiago Echeverry Lopez
124. William Woodcock Scholarship Fund: Kyrone Lor
125. Western Ave. Artists Association Scholarship: quynh Nguyen
126. Rotary Club of Lowell Doris Williams Scholarship Fund: Vanthavy Oung
127. Zaher-Lacouture-Galotta Family Fund: Aleen Aghabi
128. Air Force Jr. ROTC Instructor Award: Sarah Azevedo, Mayara Correia, Sofia Cruz Carasquillo, Santiago Echeverry Lopez, Brian Lang, Jheovanie Mikouanya, Michele Pham, Lauren Poirier
129. Air Force Jr. ROTC In Memory of Kirk Czelewicz: Vinnycius Alves
130. Align Credit Union Scholarship: Channeary Mao
131. Mary Barsorian Weems Sullivan Nealon Humphrey Scholarship Fund: Kyrone Lor
132. Cameroonians of Lowell Scholarship Fund: Kevin Wahome
133. Janet E. Conners & Janet L. Lang Nursing Scholarship: Melanie Chaves
134. Colleen Creegan Memorial Scholarship Fund Cheerleading: Cindy Sriprai, Juan Tobon
135. Creegan Family Scholarship: Anthony Bianchi, Jacy Nelson, Kavi Oeur
136. Daniel Crowther Memorial Scholarship Fund: Michele Pham
137. Michael DeVincenzi Scholarship Fund: Morgan Bioldeau
138. Ernie Descheneaux Memorial Scholarship: Tien Phan
139. Michael Dubois Memorial Scholarship: Matthew Morneau
140. Barbara N. Dunsford Scholarship Fund: Roselyn Chavez
141. Emily Edwards Memorial Scholarship: Portia Yeboah
142. Friends of Tyler Park Scholarship: Maneth Song
143. Jachaly Engineering Scholarship: Justin Charbonnier, Marianne Nguyen, Sokrath Un
144. Dennis Krysiak Memorial Scholarship Fund: Thong Ha
145. Enterprise Bank Scholarship: Randi Hang
146. Muriel R. Moriarty Scholarship Fund: Isabel Allen, Mariliza Lanes, Catherine Shanahan
147. LHS Class of 1962 in Honor of Barbara Silva Russell: Anastasia Lee
148. LHS Class of 2010 Scholarship Fund: Jyling Kuy
149. LHS Class of 1969 Scholarship Fund: Jesenia Wilson
150. LHS Class of 1968 Scholarship Fund: Mariany De Amorim Trugilho
151. Brian J. Martin Scholarship: Keaton Thoeuk
152. Katherine M. Martin Scholarship Fund: Victoria Farley
153. Rodger F. Martin, Jr. Scholarship Fund: Cindy Sriprai
154. Rodger F. Martin, Sr. Scholarship: Ashly Tep
155. Peter F. Martin Scholarship: Gabriela Mejia Guzman
156. James S. Martin Scholarship Fund: Ali Rivera
157. Merrimack Valley Food Bank for the Guy Francesshelli Scholarship Fund: Kimleng Kit, Kevin Wahome
158. Francis Paul McHugh Scholarship Fund: Joseph Buckley
159. Plomaritis Family Foundation Scholarship: Maegan Cole
160. Miller Family Scholarship Fund: Samuel Thy
161. Raymond E. Riddick Scholarship: Carleigh Ahern, Callum Burgess, Ryan Courtney, Casey Mitchell, Travis Vandinter, Brian Lang, Lauren Poirier, Rose Njeri
162. Kathy Reticker Scholarship: Mia Frazier, Darlena Suy
163. Joseph R. Rocha NAACP Scholarship Fund: Brigid Thome
164. Shruti N. Shah Memorial Scholarship: Rachel Sorano, Angel Tran
165. Daniel F. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship Fund: Emmanuel Montoya Cano
166. Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund: Richard Sriprai
167. William S. & Patricia G. Taupier Foundation Scholarship: Konama Adusei, Joylyn Ndungu, Syntiche Nguimbi Moussouda, Portia Yeboah
168. William S. & Patricia G. Taupier Foundation Scholarship, Nursing/Health: Darsh Patel, Michaela Wilson
169. Paul Tsongas/UMass Lowell Scholarship: Alejandro Bonilla, Katherine Tamayo
170. Cambodian American Scholarship: Cynthia Toum
171. Cobblestones-Plath Family Culinary Arts Scholarship Fund: Ester Raposa
172. James F. Conway, Jr. Scholarship Fund: Christina Grillakis, Darsh Patel
173. Eastern Bank Scholarship: Amelia Halloran
174. Ajay Kothari Scholarship: Katrina Russell, Adam Tyawil
175. Amsi Morales Scholarship Fund: Manuel Rivas, Juan Tobon
176. Linda R. Gallagher Scholarship: Salome Serrata
177. Girls Incorporated Loretta Duncan Scholarship Fund: Alicia Mansaray
178. A Melvin Glazer Scholarship Fund: Kaitlyn Doughty
179. Greenhalge Elementary School Scholarship Fund: Christopher Ferreira
180. George D. and Stella A. Kouloheras Scholarship Fund: Jessica Pot
181. Brendan D. Leahy Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kevin Pol
182. LHS Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund: Catherine Shanahan
183. LHS Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund: Ayame Le Thoueithaisong
184. William J. Samaras/Kendall M. Wallace LHS Class of 1959 Scholarship Fund: Lakshmi Chea Men, Dhebi Chea Men, Khoi Vo
185. Friends of LHS Founders Scholarship Fund: Kyle Frechette
186. LHS Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund: Anisha Sanghvi
187. LHS Class of 1975 Scholarship Fund: Juan Tobon
188. LHS Class of 1980 Scholarship Fund: Lauren Poirier
189. Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank/Gerald R. Wallace Memorial Scholarship: Constance Chan-Polcari, Justin Charbonnier
190. Bartlett Community Partnership School Alumni Scholarship Fund: Meghan Jewell
191. Lowell General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Scholarship Fund: Tracy Waruru
192. Lowell Police Officer George F.A. Pearsall Memorial Scholarship Fund: Mayara Correia
193. Lowell Police Officer Christos G. Rouses Memorial Scholarship Fund: Kimberly Imbacuan
194. Lowell Police Officer Patrick F. Leavitt Memorial Scholarship Fund: Celia Flomo
195. Lowell Police Officer John J. Winn II Memorial Scholarship Fund: Gabriela Mejia Guzman
196. Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship Fund: Tracy Waruru
197. Thomas F. & Helena B. Murphy Scholarship Fund: Davida Vandi
198. Manilal Dadabhai Patel Memorial Scholarship Fund: Ashly Tep
199. Store 38 Scholarship in Memory of Gino Edward Orlando: Natalia Flores
200. Store 38 Scholarship in Memory of Corporal Peter E. Orlando USMC: Gabriela Mejia Guzman
201. Store 38 Scholarship in Memory of Diwaliisben P. Patel: Eh Paw
202. Portuguese-American Scholarship Fund: Dalia Silva
203. Joseph G. Pyne Arts Magnet School Scholarship: Nathaniel Haley
204. Brian F. Reynolds Student Athlete Scholarship Fund: Sophia Cruz Carasquillo, Alex Phosy
205. Rogers Hall Scholarship: Lillian Cluff
206. Rogers School Effective Effort Award Scholarship Fund: Alex Chau
207. Stephen Ronan Scholarship Fund: Alyssa Bouchard

Jen Myer from Lowell Public School contributed to this report.