UMASS President Marty Meehan and his wife Jen Meehan of Lowell Community Health Center with Ms. Sturtevant’s & Mrs. Rodriguez’s Kindergarten Class
Lowell – March 3, 2024 – Lowell Community Charter Public School (LCCPS) proudly hosted its annual Read Across America event on March 1st, 2024, in honor of Nixon Alert, a former student who passed away after bravely battling illness. The event served as a touching tribute to Nixon’s memory while celebrating the importance of reading and literacy within the community.
The Read Across America event, held annually at LCCPS, is a cherished tradition aimed at promoting the joy of reading and fostering a love for literacy among students and community members alike.
This year’s event held particular significance as it paid homage to Nixon, a beloved member of the LCCPS family. This year’s event was generously sponsored by LGA CPA’s & Business Advisors.
To commemorate Nixon’s spirit and resilience, the school welcomed 50 esteemed community and business leaders as guest readers. These leaders generously volunteered their time to read the inspiring story “Emmanuel’s Dream” to LCCPS students. The book, selected by two of Nixon’s former teachers, Mrs. Melville and Mrs. Ortiz, shares the powerful journey of a young boy from Ghana who overcomes obstacles with determination and leadership, mirroring Nixon’s own courage and strength in the face of adversity.
State Representative Vanna Howard and Robert Gignac, COO of LCCPS, along with student ambassadors
The event was a heartfelt tribute to Nixon’s memory, highlighting his enduring impact on the LCCPS community. Through the act of reading and sharing stories of resilience, students and guests alike were reminded of Nixon’s indomitable spirit and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
“We are deeply grateful to all the guest readers who joined us for this special event in honor of Nixon,” said Nicholas Leonardos, Executive Director of LCCPS. “Nixon’s legacy continues to inspire us all, and we are committed to keeping his memory alive through events like Read Across America.”
Mayor Dan Rourke with Ms. Grace Hajj’s first grade class
Guest readers at the event included Mayor Daniel Rourke, City Councilors Rita Mercier and Erik Gitschier, State Representatives Vanna Howard and Rodney Elliott, President Marty Meehan of the University of Massachusetts, Jen Meehan of Lowell Community Health Center, President Phil Sisson of Middlesex Community College, Greg Hudon Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department and many other outstanding community and business leaders, including Maame Alert, Nixon’s mother, who each brought their unique perspectives and experiences to the reading sessions, enriching the event with their presence and enthusiasm.
“Lowell Community Charter Public School extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants, readers, and supporters who contributed to making this year’s Read Across America event a meaningful and memorable tribute to Nixon Alert. Our students and staff greatly enjoyed hearing from our community leaders, which left them inspired to become the future leaders of our City.” Said Robert Gignac, Chief Operating Officer of LCCPS.
