by Grant Welker

Five accomplished alumni of Lowell High School were honored Thursday, joining 45 others who have been named distinguished alumni in the last 10 years.

Many of the 50 distinguished alumni were at the ceremony in Cyrus W. Irish Auditorium, representing some of the most notable graduates going back more than 180 years.

The latest class includes a man who was key in getting Israel’s statehood recognized by the United States; one of the first women in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps; the founder of a dry-cleaning chain; the head of a property-management company; and a world-champion boxer.

Frank Goldman, who died in 1965, was represented by his grandson of the same name; Mary Agnes Hallaren by her grandniece, Geraldine Robarge; and Arthur Anton by his son, Charles. James Herscot and George Michael “Micky” Ward Jr. were there to be honored.

“The city of Lowell is proud of you and the school is proud of you,” Superintendent Jean Franco said.

Goldman said he was honored to talk about “Papa Frank,” a member of the class of 1907 who served as president of B’nai B’rith, a Jewish humanitarian and advocacy group. It was Goldman, who lived to age 74, who argued to President Truman to recognize statehood for Israel, making the United States the first country to do so.

“He was just a kid from Lowell, Mass., who grew up to affect one of the most significant moments in history,” his grandson said. “His story is always overlooked, and I don’t think that would bother him.”…more.