The present day military, Air Force, Navy and Marines don’t captivate my American pride to “be all I can be.” But if Star Fleet — the humanitarian peacekeeping armada of outer space first introduced to us on CBS — located its future headquarters in San Francisco, I would enlist immediately.

I have a problem. I like things too much. If I curl up in bed with a good book, I disregard my biological need for sleep and stay up reading all night.

The path to high school for most Lowell students has a prevalent pattern — pride. Top of your middle school class. Top-notch grades and high praise from teachers. And, of course, the attitude — you are superior, unique from any other student.