Greater Lowell Community Foundation

Personal Stories

Belinda Juran and Evan Schapiro: Helping to Maintain and Grow the Merrimack Valley’s Rich Cultural Tradition

Belinda Juran and Evan Schapiro

As residents of the Merrimack Valley for the past 25 years, Belinda and Evan often took advantage of the rich and diverse cultural opportunities that the region offered. Unlike Boston, where the scene is dominated by large cultural institutions with a large donor base, the Merrimack Valley's arts scene typically consists of a more diverse group of smaller and less well-known organizations. So, Evan and Belinda were especially surprised to learn that the Merrimack Valley did not have a permanently endowed Arts Fund dedicated to the support of local cultural organizations. MORE

Peter S. Stamas: Dedicated to Education in Lowell for 17 Years

Peter Stamas

Peter’s Passion: Education and civic involvement.
As headmaster of Lowell High School for 17 years, Peter shaped the minds of Lowell’s future leaders and led by example. He believed community services was the way to better our region’s quality of life. More...

Lowell High School Campaign for Educational Excellence

Securing a Legacy of Scholarships and Academic Enrichment Programs for Lowell High Students

Contribute to an individual scholarship, award or academic program.

Through the Campaign for Educational Excellence, Lowell High School and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation are building a $5 million endowment to provide permanent scholarships to college-bound seniors. These funds also support enrichment programs that enhance the school’s curriculum with guest lectures, performances, field trips, and other special projects.

Mission Statement

Lowell High School’s Campaign for Educational Excellence will create permanent scholarships and other endowed funds enabling all college-bound students to afford the school of their choice. The funds will also support innovative enrichment programs that enhance teaching through guest lectures, performances, field trips and other special projects.

Vision Statement

Lowell is a gateway city, granting entry into a world of opportunity for all its residents; those newly transplanted here from other communities and nations, as well as those whose family trees have been rooted in this city for many generations. Since 1831, Lowell High School, located in the heart of the city’s historic and vibrant downtown, has played a central role in shaping the dreams of its students through a solid educational program. Over the years, the city of Lowell has been tremendously supportive of its high school, including funding a $40 million renovation of the facility.

Today, Lowell High School continues to grow with the city and its residents. With nearly 4,000 ethnically-diverse students, Lowell High School is the state’s second-largest public high school. Despite its size, this large urban high school boasts a remarkably close-knit learning community, where diversity is embraced as a life-lesson. The school is indeed a microcosm of the community it serves. Lowell High School is invested deeply in developing young people who possess tolerance, integrity, and a lifelong love of learning. Graduates are primed to make their marks as responsible, informed and contributing members of a global society. Lowell High School graduates have gone on to become Presidential candidates, congressmen, actors, authors, entrepreneurs, church dignitaries, military generals, doctors, professional sports stars, opera stars, and television and radio personalities.

Lowell High School, recognized as an outstanding urban high school by U.S. News & World Report in 1999, remains committed to helping all its students succeed. Over the years, particularly the last decade, Lowell High School has strengthened its traditional educational program by introducing innovative offerings such as the Latin Lyceum, an exam school offering a classical education to academically-gifted students, and other specialized Academies. It partners with the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College to allow students to take some college courses while still attending high school. Lowell High School continues to recruit the finest teachers, to integrate cutting-edge technology into its classrooms, and to renovate its buildings and sports facilities to meet the changing times. The school also offers numerous clubs and championship sports teams for student participation. This is truly an exciting time to be at Lowell High School, as the school reflects on its rich tradition of excellence and develops a plan for continued growth in the future.

For more information contact Brenda Costello at 978-970-1600 or Brenda.glcf@verizon.net