by Jen Myers

LOWELL – Two hard-working, community-minded students from the Lowell High School class of 2024 have been awarded full-ride scholarships to UMass Lowell through the Paul Tsongas/University of Massachusetts Lowell Scholarships.

The scholarships are awarded in memory of U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, a Lowell native and champion of the city, who also served as a Trustee at UMass Lowell. Recipients of this prestigious scholarship receive free tuition, fees, a standard room, and a meal plan for all four years of college.

The recipients from the Lowell High School Class of 2024 are Angelica Pareja and Vaal Thawnghmung.

Angelica Pareja has always planned to attend the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She attended the Reilly Elementary School and Pyne Arts Middle School and will be the second person in her family to attend college, the first being her cousin, a UMass Lowell Alumni – Class of 2021.

Angelica has earned over a 4.5 GPA at Lowell High and plans to study nursing.  From her personal experience, she recognizes that nurses help the sick and their loved ones feel more at ease during difficult times. Angelica sees this career as a great way to give back to others.

She is thrilled to receive this year’s Tsongas Scholarship, partly because it allows her to focus on her commitment to volunteerism rather than having to work many hours to pay for college. She recognizes the important contributions that Paul Tsongas made to Lowell and wants to continue her commitment to volunteering and the City of Lowell.

Her advice for other Lowell High Students: “One is never too young to start volunteering.  There are opportunities within LHS, and programs even help students set up volunteer hours and provide transportation.  Ask a teacher, counselor, or program how you can help and get involved because each student can directly impact the community in such a positive way.”

Vaal Thawnghmung has always loved the idea of attending UMass Lowell as he is excited to meet people “at home” from around the country and the world. He attended Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School and Wang Middle School. He is honored to receive this particular scholarship because he recognizes that Paul Tsongas was one of the most pivotal figures in Lowell and one of the reasons Lowell was revitalized years ago; he could have gone anywhere to work and live and chose to come back and work here and support his community continuously.  Vaal shares that same love, passion and respect for this community, and knows he was raised in a safe environment because of Paul Tsongas’ accomplishments.

Vaal worked hard to earn over a 4.6 GPA at Lowell High School while being very involved in the school community. As Captain of the LHS Soccer Team and Captain of the LHS Tennis Team, he has eagerly brought new events to LHS like March Madness Dodgeball and Pickleball Brawl, even reviving the Powder Puff Football tradition.  He is our Senior Class President and is always a positive role model, bringing a smile to the face of those he interacts with his sense of humor and genuine kindness.

He plans on studying Exercise Science, with a goal of working with the youth involved in sports in Lowell. He knows that many young people in Lowell are lacking resources and transportation and he wants to be able to support their goals not only as athletes but also as strong members of the Lowell community.

His advice for other Lowell High Students? “As soon as you discover the meaning of life, they will change it…” so choose wisely!