The Lowell would like to thank Cheng for his guidance and dedication to the school during the past 16 years. The time and effort he has spent in this community helped preserve the school’s tradition of excellence.

Over the past few years, when the district reduced the school budget, Cheng fought to keep teachers. “The 10 percent budget cut in 2003 meant we’d lose 10 percent of the staff,” Alumni Association president Terrence Abad said. “His leadership was important, and he had strong relationships with the PTSA. Without those relationships I don’t think they would’ve done fundraisers to keep librarians, etc, employed. He worked to get donations from parents and the alumni to hire back people.”

Secretary Kay Tegland agreed, noting that the school’s visual and performing arts, such as dance and drama, owe much of their current existence to such efforts. “Lowell is not just academics; it has a great arts program and a great sports program,” she said.

Cheng also created strong working relationships with students. “Although he’s extremely busy, he still has time to update us of upcoming events,” junior class secretary Tenzin Seldon said.

Sophomore president Carter Chung agreed. “He was always easily accessible when you needed him,” he said. “Anytime we needed to plan an event, he’s always there.”

Cheng has also supported the school by respecting the student press. He has never attempted to censor or control the school paper, contributing to The Lowell’s mission to inform the public.

Cheng ensured the active participation of the entire community in school affairs by helping form the School Site Council, a group of students, teachers, parents and administrators that makes decisions about school-related issues. The benefit of the SSC is that “all groups have a say with decisions that affect the school,” Tegland said.

In a fight to preserve some measure of ethnic diversity, Cheng also helped shape the current admissions policy. “Instead of the numerical standards that admitted a certain percentage based on grades and test scores, it included other background,” Abad said. Students from underrepresented middle schools, as well as those who have strong much more to offer to the school than test scores and grades, are currently contributing to and benefiting from the school because of this admissions process.

But Cheng’s contributions go beyond academics, fund-raising and the day-to-day operations of the school. “He’s really kept the spirit of Lowell the way it was originally meant to be,” Tegland said.

Abad agreed. “About 4-5 superintendents have come and gone, it’s a big achievement to manage the school for 17 years,” he said.

His absence next year will create a hard-to-fill void. “I’ll miss his experience and knowledge; I don’t think we’ll find a principal any better,” Seldon said.

Junior Ruth Huang agreed. “He makes Lowell what it is today,” she said.

Principal Cheng, we hope your transfer to Marshall will be a success, and that students and faculty there will benefit from your influence. We will miss your greetings in the hallways and your relaxed personality, but memories of your impact will remain and our respect for you will continue to rise.