LOWELL | If pride could be bottled and sold, there would have been millions of dollars to make last week as Lowell High School hosted its annual PRIDE Banquet.

Proud parents, students, teachers and administrators and gathered to honor the academic top 10 percent of the Class of 2008 and the teachers each of them selected as most influential during their school years.

"I'm glad I was able to make it (top 10 percent)," said Brett Fulka, one of 25 honored seniors. "I got off to a slow start in high school and then realized how important it was and that's what I studied for...I set this as my goal."

John Anderson, a former Lowell High School teacher and honoree, attended the dinner this year as a proud father watching his daughter, Lauren Anderson, take the stage.

"This is a lot less suspenseful, since I know Lauren is the honoree," Anderson said. "I'm proud of Lauren and her dedication to her studies and all of her hard work... a lot of people don't know the kind of investment it takes to achieve this."

Most of the teachers sharing the catered meal with the students and parents had no idea which of the honor graduates had singled them out for honors this year.

"I have no idea," said Three Creeks Elementary School fifth grade teacher Doug Wiseman of his selection. "I think it's one of the most important honors a teacher can receive. I had the honor of being chosen several years ago as Tri-Creek Teacher of the Year, and this is 100 times better."

For Lowell High School social studies teacher Chuck Naumowich, the honor provides a grand send-off as he retires this year and heads to a new life in Arizona. "It's my second time, and it's an honor going out with one of these awards," said Naumowich, who was selected by Fulka.

"He's the teacher I thought had the most fun teaching, and that's what I desire in my profession," said Fulka of his choice.

One new addition to the banquet this year was the selection of an Honorary PRIDE Teacher, an honor that went to Valerie Giacomin, a sixth-grade math teacher at Lowell Middle School for 30 years. "Some teachers don't have students who are in the Top 10 percent, and yet they are great teachers," said Joe Gianotti, cosponsor of this year's banquet with fellow LHS teacher and honoree Kevin Deal.

"Every day is a new adventure when you teach," said Giacomin, who received a plaque sign by all of the student honorees. "You are the ones who an make it happen...the opportunities are endless," she told the students.

BREAKOUT

Lowell High School Academic Top 10 Percent and the teachers they chose as the most influential to them

Lauren Anderson chose Joseph Gianotti of Lowell High School

Kim Bell chose Wendy Pitcock of Lowell Middle School

Katelyn Bohney chose Kevin Deal of LHS

Katie Cleveland chose Laura Eller of LMS

Jessica Echterling chose May Lee of LHS

David Feitz chose May Lee

Brett Fulka chose Charles Naumowich of LHS

Katie Haberlin chose Wanda Frank of Three Creeks Elementary School

Meghan Hamm chose Joseph Gianotti

Allie Hubert chose Jake Rakoczy of LHS

Holly Huseman chose Joe Bliha of LHS

Therese Kennelly chose Kevin Deal

Robin Kleine chose Joe Bliha

Kristina Kuzma chose Joseph Gianotti

David Lang chose Jane Fedler of Oak Hill Elementary School

T.J. Lukasik chose Bobby Wong of LHS

Jason Madrigal chose Bridget Swinford of LHS

Megan Manley chose Kathy Nelson of LHS

Zach Modjeski chose Megan Keown of LHS

Kathleen Parilac chose Kevin Deal

Mark Puskar chose Julie Mikulich of LHS

Stephanie Revere chose Joseph Gianotti

Heather Schultz chose Doug Wiseman of Three Creeks Elementary School

Sarah Sienko chose Andrew Killion of LHS

Dawn Wiltshire chose Megan Keown