October 28, 2004: Headlines: COS - Ethiopia: Politics: Awards: Lowell Sun: The late U.S. Sen. and one-time Democratic presidential candidate Paul Tsongas, class of 1958, was one of five Lowell High School graduates honored last night by the school's first annual Distinguished Alumni Award reception
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October 28, 2004: Headlines: COS - Ethiopia: Politics: Awards: Lowell Sun: The late U.S. Sen. and one-time Democratic presidential candidate Paul Tsongas, class of 1958, was one of five Lowell High School graduates honored last night by the school's first annual Distinguished Alumni Award reception
The late U.S. Sen. and one-time Democratic presidential candidate Paul Tsongas, class of 1958, was one of five Lowell High School graduates honored last night by the school's first annual Distinguished Alumni Award reception
The late U.S. Sen. and one-time Democratic presidential candidate Paul Tsongas, class of 1958, was one of five Lowell High School graduates honored last night by the school's first annual Distinguished Alumni Award reception
Lowell High Honors Its Own
Distinguished Alumni Award goes to Behrakis, Kerouac, McCallums, Tsongas
By REBECCA PIRO, Sun Staff
LOWELL If senior Beth Regan didn't already have aspirations for greatness beyond high school, last night's tribute to those who graduated before her provided it.
"You could be president after Lowell High," said the 17-year-old, wide-eyed. "It's a great thing to see."
The late U.S. Sen. and one-time Democratic presidential candidate Paul Tsongas, class of 1958, was one of five Lowell High School graduates honored last night by the school's first annual Distinguished Alumni Award reception.
Also in the limelight were the late beat novelist Jack Kerouac, class of 1939; pharmaceutical businessman George Behrakis, class of 1951; and entrepreneurs and philanthropists Elkin and Donna McCallum, class of 1961.
Despite having to compete with a possible World Series-clinching game in St. Louis, the reception's first run had a successful turnout of about 250 attendees, alumni and "blow-ins" alike.
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Guests mingled in the school's hallways beneath the plaques of Carney Medalists, enjoying beverages, shrimp and beef prepared by LHS culinary students. They drifted into the Cyrus W. Irish Auditorium for the ceremony, where the honorees were greeted with a rousing song from the LHS band, and seated on the stage in wooden chairs, built and painted with the LHS emblem just for them.
"These are people who not only achieved wealth or literary fame," LHS Headmaster Bill Samaras said. "They are people who did not forget their roots."
The honorees, nominated by members of the community, were chosen as examples of greatness produced by the 167-year-old high school.
Behrakis, a first-generation Greek-American, referred to his LHS teachers as heroes.
"They mentored us. They urged us to go to college," he said. "Without an education today, it would be very difficult to succeed."
Hillary Holladay, an English professor at UMass Lowell, accepted the honor on behalf of Kerouac. She read a passage from his book Maggie Cassidy and urged the audience to focus on the controversial writer's work, rather than his foibles.
"I'm just not interested in his all-too-human flaws," Holladay said. "His talent was truly exceptional."
Niki Tsongas accepted the honor on behalf of her late husband. She also introduced the audience to Tsongas' twin sister, Thalia Schlesinger, who graduated alongside her brother in 1958.
"Never be afraid," Niki Tsongas said. "Paul was never afraid. He felt he worked hard, got the education he needed, and he could work wonders."
Organizers treated the audience to a special video presentation about LHS's place in history, as the starting point of the honorees' journey in life. LHS, which opened in 1831, was the first co-educational high school in the country and was the first school to graduate an African-American student.
"I didn't know we had graduated the first African-American!" exclaimed School Committee member Jackie Doherty after the ceremony, flashing Samaras a thumbs-up sign. "I am so proud to be part of this school system. I really am."
In addition to drawing attention to the high school, the Distinguished Alumni Award reception is designed to drum up donor dollars. The school is working to fulfill its Campaign for Educational Excellence, a fund-raising effort seeking $5 million for Lowell High School.
"(These students) are the next George Behrakis," Samaras said. "They are the next Jack Kerouac. That is why the Campaign for Educational Excellence is so important at this time. We must be sure the potential of these students ... is realized."
Donna McCallum, who, together with her husband Elkin pledged up to $1 million to the campaign as thanks for helping her realize her potential, said LHS was one of the biggest influences in her life.
"At the time, I didn't realize how good it was," she said.
Rebecca Piro's e-mail address is rpiro@lowellsun.com .
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Story Source: Lowell Sun
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Ethiopia; Politics; Awards
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