Greetings Fellow Alums,
I hope you'll join me in celebrating an outstanding class of LHS grads this year. On June 8, 2016, 700 students graduated from Lowell High. Among the grads, 64 nations were represented, and, according to the senior survey, the graduates will be attending 85 different two or four year colleges.
Among the colleges and universities some of the students plan on attending are:
- Brown University
- Brandeis University
- Boston University
- Columbia University
- Middlesex Community College
- Syracuse University
- Tufts University
- Umass Amherst
- Umass Boston
- Umass Lowell
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Congratulations to all of the graduates; we wish them all much success in all of their future endeavors. For more information about commencement and the amazing students and programs at Lowell High School, read the Lowell Sun Commencement insert.
Read below to learn more about 2016 commencement speaker and Lowell High Distinguished Alum, Luis Pedroso. If you know an influential alum who you think deserves this honor, continue reading to learn more about the nomination process.
Take care,
Caroline (Petruzziello) Rider - Class of 1983
Alumni Relations Manager
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Student Spotlight: Luis Pedroso
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Born in the Azores, Luis and his family moved to the US in 1969 when he was nine years old. After first moving to a California dairy farm, the family eventually settled in Lowell after the untimely death of his father. Luis enrolled in Lowell High School and graduated in 1980. Since then he has gone on to own two very successful electronics companies in the Lowell area.
In 2008, Luis was honored as one of Lowell High School's Distinguished Alumni. Most recently, Luis gave the 2016 Lowell High School Commencement speech. During that speech Luis spoke of his humble upbringing and how when he first moved here he didn't speak any English, but soon became an informal translator for his Portuguese-speaking neighbors.
Luis admits that English was never his favorite or best subject in school, but math is where he really shined. Using his math skills and a business sense he honed under his mentor, Dr. Sidney Brother, owner of the pharmacy that Luis worked in during high school, he was able to establish his first company in 1984. He owned that first company, Qualitronics, until he sold it in 2000, and in 2004 he became co-founder and president of Accutronics, Inc.
Luis has seen many challenges and hardships in life, not the least of which was his own battle with colon cancer. But it is the lessons he learned through these challenges that have lead to his successes. He told the class of 2016 to remember their own upbringing and share their successes with those less fortunate.
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Scholarship Opportunities: How You Can Help
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We are all aware of the staggering costs of a college education. Yet few people know that in Lowell one organization works hard to help take the bite out of college costs. In 2016, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, in partnership with Lowell High School, awarded 350 scholarships totaling $421,284 to 240 students. While these are outstanding numbers, considering that the Foundation received over 6,000 applications it demonstrates how great the need is.
The Foundation would love to see more alumni become involved by creating new scholarships. It is not a difficult process or as expensive as you may think. In fact, if a whole class becomes involved it is quite affordable.
Many alums and reunion groups host "fun"draising events in order to increase their endowment. For example, the class of 1980 hosts a "Meat Bingo" party that is said to be a blast and a big money-maker. Each year, the student that graduates 80th in the class receives a $250 scholarship from the class of 1980. A scholarship fund offers the opportunity to honor or commemorate a family member or friend, or to serve a specific cause important to you or a loved one. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.
If you, your reunion group, or your business is interested in setting up a scholarship fund please contact The Greater Lowell Community Foundation at 978-970-1600 or by email at
[email protected].
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Distinguished Alumni Award Nominations
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For the 13th year in a row, the Lowell High School Distinguished Alumni Board of Directors is seeking nominations for its annual Distinguished Alumni Award. Past Honorees include: Paul E. Tsongas, Edward L. McMahon, Helen Sawyer Hogg, Milton Bradley, Patti Fleming Quigley, Luis Pedrosa, Jack Kerouac and Elinor Lipman. Presentation of the awards will be held in the fall at Lowell High School.
The criteria for nominations are:
- have attended or graduated from Lowell High school at least 20 years ago
- demonstrated substantial life achievement
- made a significant contribution to the community in which he or she lives
- engaged in activities fostering pride as a Lowell High alumnus/alumna
If you know of someone who fits these criteria and you think they should be recognized, complete and submit an application no later than June 17, 2016.
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The mission of the Lowell High School Alumni Association is to help its members to connect with each other; to engage with the school and the community and to inspire future generations of Lowell High School students by way of mentoring, advising and tutoring.
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Connect with over 2,000 alumni (and growing) on Facebook.
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Contact our general mailbox to share ideas, join our mailing list or learn more about our programs.
Use our online form to update your email preferences and tell us a little more about yourself and your connections to Lowell High.
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The Alumni Relations Program is a collaboration between Project LEARN, The Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Lowell Public School System. It is funded in part by the "$100k for 100" grant from the Cummings Foundation. Our goal is to invite the alumni to work with new and existing programs within the schools to help make the academic experience better for all students as well as to provide tangible benefits to alums and current students.
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