Greater Lowell Technical High School students and staff pose with the sign created for the Troubled Waters Inc. program at The Bridge Club of Greater Lowell. From left, Graphic Arts teacher Rene Dion; 2019 graduate Christina Landry, who won the design contest; Painting & Design teacher Michael Donahue; sophomore Hannah Lally; Carpentry teacher Michael Murphy; and sophomore Victoria Falcon. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lowell Technical High School) 
Greater Lowell Technical High School students designed and created this new sign for the Troubled Waters Inc. program at The Bridge Club of Greater Lowell. The sign was unveiled at a grand opening celebration on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Greater Lowell Technical High School)
TYNGSBORO — Superintendent Jill Davis is pleased to share that Greater Lowell Technical High School students from multiple technical programs worked together to design and construct a new sign for a Lowell non-profit.
The new sign for Troubled Waters, Inc. at The Bridge Club in downtown Lowell was unveiled at a ceremony on Saturday morning, July 10. The Bridge Club offers safe spaces for those seeking support in their addiction recovery.
Greater Lowell Tech’s involvement began when Graphic Arts student Christina Landry won a contest to design the Troubled Waters logo. Graphic Arts Instructor Rene Dion suggested the School also carve the sign, using a new CNC overhead router that would help Carpentry students integrate technology skills into their trade.
Students in the Graphic Arts, Carpentry, and Painting and Design programs are required to improve and develop both trade and technology skills. The task of creating and building a sign for a non-profit organization became a well-timed learning experience for the students in these programs to develop their skills using new technology.
Bridge Club founder Robert Cox met with Construction Cluster Chair Dan Hamel to map out the project. They agreed that the sign should include Colonial charm to become part of the East Merrimack Street neighborhood.
“What so impressed me was the forethought and dedication of the Greater Lowell Tech faculty and the thoughtfulness of the students,” Cox said. “They wanted to be proud in the years to come, that when they drive by they could show their families the sign they built and the benefit of their education at the vocational school.”
Carpentry teacher Mike Murphy worked with students to bring the image to life on wood Painting and Design Instructor Tim Duby and Mike Donahue worked with students color schemes and painting. Carpentry students also worked on the trim, which Painting and Design students applied putty and the final white trim.
Landry, who graduated in 2019, said, “I truly look forward to seeing the logo I created displayed on their building.”
Hannah Lally, a Painting and Design sophomore, said, “It was my first major project. It will be cool to see it on the building. I’m so happy with the final product.”
“Our mission is to prepare our students for their technical careers using real-world situations, but it’s also to instill a sense of community service,” Superintendent Davis said. “Designing and building a sign for a non-profit with such an important purpose is a perfect alignment with our mission. Everyone involved should be extremely proud of the outcome and how they have benefitted the Lowell community.”
The Bridge Club opened in January 2020, though its grand opening celebration was delayed until Saturday due to COVID-19 restrictions. The ceremony was attended by numerous members of the community, local and state government officials and representatives of city cultural organizations. Attendees included U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, State State Rep. Colleen Garry, Rep. Thomas Golden, State Rep. Vanna Howard, Lowell City Councilor Sokhary Chau, Lowell City Councilor John Drinkwater, Lowell City Councilor Rita Mercier, Lowell City Councilor Daniel Rourke, Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue, Greater Lowell Tech School Committee Member Lee Gitschier, Middlesex District Attorney Marion Ryan, and African Community Center of Lowell Executive Director Gordon Halm.