You know what’s amazing about our Lowell schools? The way an entire community can come together over a basketball game, a school play or even a PTO craft fair.

I’ll let you in on one of my worst-kept secrets… 30 years after getting cut from the St. Margaret’s cheerleading squad, I still can’t do a cartwheel to save my life. (If competitive curb-falling was an Olympic sport though, I’d definitely bring home gold for Lowell!) But here’s what I’ve learned – you don’t need to be a star athlete to feel the magic that happens in our school gymnasiums, auditoriums and classrooms. That feeling of community pride? It’s electric.

Have you seen that incredible video of the Sullivan vs. Pyne Arts basketball game making the rounds? Talk about community spirit! And don’t even get me started on our LHS Boys Basketball team this season (one loss – ONE!). That’s the kind of achievement that makes every Lowellian’s heart swell with pride.

And here’s the thing – it’s not just about sports. Whether you’re watching our amazingly talented students perform in plays (seriously, these kids could give Broadway a run for their money!), cheering on our whiz kids at the Knowledge Bowl or joining the fun at PTO-sponsored events like Trunk or Treat and craft fairs – these moments are what bind our community together.

Do you want to see something that’ll make your day? Watch what happens when our younger students interact with the older ones. Their eyes light up like it’s Christmas morning! Just the other day, my son Landry was going on and on about how he’s going to be an LHS baseball player someday. (He’s already coordinating his future uniform with his bedroom colors – talk about planning ahead!)

This is exactly why I’m running for School Committee – because I believe our schools can be the heartbeat of our community. It’s not just about what happens during school hours (though that’s super important!). It’s about creating spaces where everyone – whether you have kids in the system or not – feels like they’re part of something special.

I know we all lead busy lives (trust me, some days my calendar looks like a game of Tetris gone wrong). But there’s something incredible that happens when we come together to support our schools. That feeling when you’re watching a student nail their solo in the school musical or seeing a kid score their first basket – it’s pure magic!

So here’s my challenge to every Lowellian: Come out to watch a game. Catch a school play. Stop by a craft fair. I promise you’ll feel it too – that spark of pride that comes from being part of our amazing school community.

(And if you see me at an event, come say hi – I’ll be the one carefully navigating around any curbs while trying to look graceful!)