Lowell, MA – Sophia Gikas, LHS’24, was sound asleep last Monday when she received a call from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Controller, Janinne Nocco, letting her know her recent scholarship was just extended for three more years – sophomore through senior year at UMASS Lowell. 

She was thrilled and surprised when Gikas was awarded the $5,000 Demetrios P. Karamanolis Scholarship in May 2024 to pursue a nursing degree. “I didn’t open the envelope until I went to supper with my family. When I saw the amount, I cried as I had been budgeting my money to pay for college, working weekly at Market Basket to meet my financial goal. This scholarship gave me a huge relief to know I could pay more attention to school now and not work so much to pay for the upcoming year.”

The Karamanolis Scholarship, funded by a bequest, is given to a graduating senior of Greek descent with a 3.3 GPA or above and financial need. Sophia used this award to complement her nursing studies and complete a critical licensed EMT course with Pridestar/Trinity of Lowell. She currently works transporting patients to and from home to the hospital or a nursing home. Sophia continues to work at Market Basket, having been employed there for the past three years. 

However, the thank you letter she sent Maria Recco, Mr. Karamanolis’ niece and scholarship administrator, cinched the additional three years. “I wanted the donor to know who I was and how grateful I was that there was a generous stranger who wanted to help me. I applied for the Karamanolis Scholarship because I fit the criteria. Here was an opportunity in front of me, and I would never know what would come of it if I didn’t apply.” 

Ms. Recco, very much impressed by the “thank you” and insight into this young woman, decided, “Because Sophia truly embodies the spirit of this award – bright, compassionate, and deeply committed to her community, she exemplifies its values in all she does. It speaks volumes that the first thing she did with the funds was earn her EMT certification.”

When asked, “Who or what has inspired you?” Sophia replied, “If I had to choose the individual who has inspired me the most, I would say my mother. Her dedication, empathy, and passion for her job inspired me to become a nurse. She works hard and sacrifices so much for her children, and I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I could have without her constant support. Her ability to balance being a mother, working full time, and still going back to school is a strength I hope to exhibit one day.

Similarly, if I had to pick what has inspired me, I would say knowing that I’m making a difference in people’s lives. I think there is no better feeling than knowing you’ve impacted somebody else’s life, big or small! Whether it’s at my Market Basket or EMS job, helping out a stranger, or even just checking in on a friend I haven’t seen in a while, knowing that what I’m doing could help somebody out drives me to work hard every day.”

Reflecting on her LHS education, she said, “LHS is such an amazing school because it has many opportunities. I took advantage of their Dual Enrollment and Early College programs, which allow students to earn college credit directly in high school. Additionally, I participated in rigorous and challenging courses, the TRIO program, tennis, which helped me build teamwork skills, and other extracurriculars like the Random Acts of Kindness Club or National Honor Society. 

However, band is where I came out of my shell thanks to the amazing director, Jared Logan, and the community I found there! I’ve been playing trumpet since 6th grade, marimba since 11th grade, and singing as long as I can remember.”

Sophia’s goal is to complete her nursing degree at UMASS Lowell, get some experience in an ICU, and eventually become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Sophia’s philosophy is simple and profound: “There are good people out there in the world who want to help you. If there is an opportunity in front of you, take it! Later in life, you can do the same and pay it forward.”

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about these empowering opportunities at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or to learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship, contact 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 overnearly $65 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 recently delivered the news to Sophia Gikas that her recent scholarship was just extended for three more years – sophomore through senior year at UMASS Lowell thanks to the generosity of the Demetrios P. Karamanolis Scholarship administered at the foundation. From left, GLCF’s controller Janinne Nocco, scholarship recipient Sophia Gikas and GLCF’s president and CEO Jay Linnehan.

Pat Santos Nickles ‘68 (Keith Hall) and Bill Nickles ‘69 (Lowell High School) have been married for 50 years. Both are career professionals – Pat a 35-year teacher in the Billerica school system and Bill 35 years with the US Postal Service in finance, management and later with financial planning. Early on, they lived in a small apartment, saving for their dream home. In 1978, when a piece of land in the Upper Highlands became available, they were in a good position to purchase it and build their dream home – where they have lived for the past 46 years.

Having been a scholarship presenter for the Class of 1969 and Friends of Tyler Park at the annual LHS Honors Night, Bill had been thinking about creating a scholarship and wanted to give back to his community meaningfully.

When Bill reached out to Jay Linnehan, Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) President and CEO, to fund a Lowell High scholarship with his required minimum distribution (RMD), it was one of the first of its type scholarships GLCF had done. “This is an easy way to create a scholarship. Once you turn 73, you have to take this distribution. Save it; re-invest it; spend it on that dream vacation or give it away to family, friends, or a nonprofit organization like GLCF with a simple transfer from one’s custodian to us to avoid it being taxable income,” according to Jay.

How does it work? A required minimum distribution is the minimum amount that IRA and/or retirement plan account owners must withdraw annually. The IRS assesses penalties if not taken.

Example: If you turn 73 by the end of 2024, you must take your RMD by April 1, 2025 (for your 2024 distribution). You will have to take an additional RMD by December 31, 2025 (your 2025 distribution). Subsequently, each annual distribution will be taken by the end of the year after that.

You can take your RMD out of one account or from numerous accounts as long as you take the required minimum. Most retirement funds are applicable. Additionally, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) can be made directly from your IRA to a charity at age 70 1/2 under certain circumstances. A QCD will count towards your RMD and will not be taxable income. Talk with your financial advisor or go to the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds to calculate your distribution.

Pat and Bill directed their RMD funded scholarship for a student pursuing education and they will eventually create a second scholarship for nursing in 2025. Pat, although a seasoned educator, believes strongly that nurses are the front line, work horses when lives are at stake having experienced it through her family’s health journey. “With nursing shortages, our hope is to encourage young people to pursue this reputable career.”

And what advice would the donors give their recipient? “Pay it forward,” said Bill. “Get involved with your graduating class and have fun every 5 years with a reunion. Raise money so that your class can have its own scholarship award like my class of 1969 has set up. Alternatively, if you can’t donate money right away, volunteer.” 

GLCF provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about these empowering opportunities at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or to learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship, contact Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org.

About the 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 $65 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: Pat Santos Nickles ‘68 (Keith Hall) and Bill Nickles ‘69 (Lowell High School) at the LHS 55th Reunion in August.

LOWELL, MASS. – Determined to honor their mother’s life after her unexpected death due to sepsis, the Emily Edwards Memorial Scholarship Fund was created. Managed by GLCF, the scholarship fund was established in 2022 at the request of sisters Tina Edwards, Diana Rogier and Kimberly Edwards Wunderlich in honor of their mother, Emily Edwards.

Born and raised in Lowell, Emily Edwards was a 1966 graduate of Lowell High School who became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and ultimate caregiver throughout her professional life. She died at the age of 67 from an unforeseen sepsis infection. Often called ‘blood poisoning,’ sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when a person’s immune response to an infection damages vital organs and often causes death. The condition kills approximately 350,000 adults each year in the United States.

The Edwards siblings described their mother as a woman of integrity, strength, and love, the heart and soul of any gathering. Beyond her favorite professions of a devoted mother and Nana, she enjoyed the camaraderie of her McDonald’s Coffee Club friends and the Brunswick league’s Early Bird and Cool Cats bowlers.

“My mother would have been humbled and proud by this annual award. She would tell the recipient to laugh a lot and take time to stop to enjoy and live life,” said daughter Tina Edwards, adding, “We feel strongly that more research and community awareness about sepsis is necessary. For future nurses, this essay and knowledge might save a patient’s life.”

“The trusted, well-established reputation of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation gave us the easy opportunity to keep our mother’s memory alive and will bring our family together each year for generations to come to present the award. A person doesn’t have to be rich to establish a fund or to donate to a scholarship. Hopefully, our investment in this scholarship for a future nursing student will be positive and impactful.”

The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Lowell High School senior who plans to pursue a career in the medical field. As part of the application process, an essay on sepsis is required.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for donors to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about these empowering opportunities at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or to learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship, contact Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org.

About the 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 $65 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: From left, Diana Rogier, 2023 Emily Edwards Memorial Scholarship winner Eddie Gabriel Djatcha, Kimberly Wunderlich, and Tina Edwards