CENTER FOR LOWELL HISTORY – UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL LIBRARIES

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CHANGING TIMES: A CENTURY AND A HALF AT 
LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL
 
organizations such as the Marksmen's Club (a women's club), a returning Veteran's Club, and a Military Police organization, a youthful version of the U.S. Army MP's.  During the 1980's newly-arrived immigrant groups, including Laotians, Vietnamese, and Cambodians, have formed organizations to provide assistance in relating to the broader high school community.

LHS

"...I can't imagine Lowell High without Girl officers I just can't imagine it. "
 

Rachel Paquin, '59


Lowell High Cadet Officers and Girl Officers represented a long and proud tradition at Lowell High School.  Membership in these organizations was often a multi-generational experience for many Lowell families.

The Cadet Officers were begun after the Civil War, when it was felt young men needed military instruction.  Civil War General Benjamin Butler is believed to have had a major role in instituting the Cadet Officers training program at the high school.  About a decade later, the Girl Officers' program was born.  The Cadet and Girl Officers were largely responsible for organizing and leading the annual Field Day parade and Memorial Day activities.

As values changed, both the Cadet Officers and Girl Officers lost their appeal for Lowell High students.  The Cadet Officers and Field Day ended in the mid-1970's and the Girl Officers ended in June 1990.  In their place is the junior Air Force ROTC, which began in 1977.

Changing Times at Lowell High

The people and events that shaped Lowell High School over the years reflected the broader forces impacting our city and our country.  Rosters of

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