The VICCI center was named after Paul Cheng, former principal from 1990-2006. The Parent Teacher Student Association and faculty hosted the ceremony. Although people think of the center as just VICCI, not even realizing that it stands for Volunteer Information for College and Career Institutions, it has always been named after Paul Cheng. The recent ceremony formally acknowledged the dedication.

Principal Andy Ishibashi presents a photo frame to former principal Paul Cheng in the Paul Cheng VICCI center on Dec. 2. (Cassandra Liu)

The first half hour of the ceremony began in the auditorium lobby, with refreshments provided by the PTSA and music played by the Lowell String Quartet. Between seventy and eighty people attended the event, including both Paul Cheng and his wife.

Afterwards, guests were led to the VICCI center, where principal Andy Ishibashi unveiled the new placard. Ishibashi delivered a speech recognizing both the importance of the center and Cheng’s achievements. Following Ishibashi, Cheng gave a speech.

Another purpose of the ceremony was to celebrate the center’s work as a resource to students, according to assistant principal of building and grounds Michael Yi. “The VICCI center is doing a great job of providing all sorts of help and information for students — basically for colleges and career,” Yi said. “We want to use this event to promote the students’ awareness of the existence of VICCI.” In his speech, Cheng said he hopes all students, even freshman, will utilize its services.

Those who attended the event included current and former members of the school’s staff, parents, alumni and students. “It was a lot of fun,” Yi said. “Former faculty were able to reconnect with friends and share the difference that Lowell made in their lives. Everyone was chatting and laughing.”

Two new televisions also accompanied the dedication ceremony. The PTSA paid about $1,500 for the televisions MUST FIND OUT BY E-MAIL OF THE CORRECT PRICE and network administrator Alex Hsieh, Yi and people from Buildings and Grounds installed the system, according to Yi. One of the televisions is currently in the Paul Cheng VICCI center, while the other is outside in the hallway.

The new televisions will benefit students by providing college representatives with a way to show their Powerpoint presentations and college Web sites to prospective students, according to official transcript registrar Maria Valle.

Some students think that the televisions are unnecessary. “There are so many more things that the administration can spend the school’s money on, like new books or better bathrooms,” senior Monica Dyer said. “I understand that people liked Paul Cheng as a principal, but to use money on televisions is not really practical to me. It could be put to better use.”

Other college-bound students, however, believe that the televisions will provide a useful resource to them. “They’re good because this way, I can still get information about colleges when I cannot attend their informational meetings at the VICCI,” junior Vivian Chow said.

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