GLCF celebrates 100+ Lowell High School scholarship reviewers; awards $671,000 to LHS seniors
LOWELL, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) recently hosted an Evening of Appreciation for the 100+ volunteers who reviewed 4,500 senior scholarship applications submitted to GLCF.
Reviewing an average of 35 to 40 applications each, GLCF volunteers served as tireless evaluators.
This year, their efforts resulted in 388 scholarships being awarded to 293 students for a combined award total of $671,176. Nearly 50 percent of the 2025 awardees will be the first in their family to attend college.
“To have a friend you must be a friend,” messaged Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner. “GLCF, through the LHS application review process and the awarding of scholarships, has forged relationships with the donors and volunteer reviewers to create this vibrant opportunity community for our student recipients to support their futures.”
For 17 years, Rita Patrylo of Lowell, a 29-year registered nurse, the process has been insightful and rewarding, “The students’ essays reaffirms that our future is bright. These young people, especially ones experiencing strife and financial challenges, are moving forward educationally with hope and resilience.”
Gail DeVincenzi Green of Dracut, a retired LHS Bursar and administrator of the Michael A. DeVincenzi Memorial Scholarship, has served as a GLCF reviewer for two years. “I was involved with the Foundation when then LHS head master Peter Stamas started coordinating the scholarship awards process with GLCF. I worked with the LHS guidance counselors on applications so I saw first-hand the value placed on education. Amazingly, these exceptional students are earning these awards while juggling academics, sports, extracurricular activities, volunteerism and /or work.”
GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan reinforced the foresight of scholarship donors paying it forward to someone they will never know. “In 1998, the original Lowell High School Scholarship Fund of $75,500 was transferred to GLCF and today is valued at $7.2 million.”
A highlight of the evening was the introduction of seven scholarship recipients who graciously thanked their parent(s), the donors and reviewers for their support in pursuit of higher education:
Caroline Chhim: Paul Tsongas/University of Massachusetts Lowell Scholarship to major in Applied Biomedical Sciences. Chhim was senior class vice-president.
Kathy Du: Shruti N. Shah Memorial Scholarship and the William J. Samaras/Kendall M. Wallace LHS Class of 1959 Scholarship Fund to major in Applied Biomedical Sciences at UMass Lowell. Du was senior class secretary.
Surika Prak: Paul Tsongas/University of Massachusetts Lowell Scholarship. Prak was senior class senator and a Carney Medalist.
Nadya Nuon: Michael Dubois Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Riddick Family Scholarship Fund majoring in Business Administration at Boston University. Nuon was senior class treasurer.
Violet Kourembis: James F. Conway Jr. Scholarship Fund and the Francis Paul McHugh Scholarship Fund. Kourembis, the Class Salutatorian, a Carney Medalist, and National Honor Society president, will attend Elon University.
Andy Teung: John J. and Clara M. Hurley Memorial Scholarship Fund majoring in computer engineering at UMass/Lowell. Teung is the first person in his family to go to college.
Anhkhoa To: James F. Conway Jr. Scholarship Fund and the Lowell Five Cents Savings Bank for the Gerald R. Wallace Memorial Scholarship majoring in computer engineering at Tufts University. The 2025 class Valedictorian, To is also a Carney Medalist and the first person in his family to go to college.
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship, with GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $70 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community
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Caption: GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan applauds LHS scholarship awardees from left, Surika Prak, Andy Teung, Anh To, Violet Kourembis, Caroline Chhim, Nadya Nuon, Kathy Du
