A whimsical red and white cap has been a fixture at Lowell High School since 1907. It’s worn by students elected to the prestigious Shield and Scroll society dedicated to service and honor.

The group boasts distinguished alumni, including retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who graduated from Lowell in 1955. Nearly 70 years later, today’s students still sport the same type of hat Justice Breyer wore.

That cap identifies the 160 students tasked with the mission to help the 2,600-student school run efficiently and effectively. 

Shield and Scroll members are front and center at major Lowell events. They’re the students providing direction at graduation, freshman orientation, school plays, and Back to School night.

Each semester 40 juniors are elected to Shield and Scroll based on their grades and involvement in extracurricular activities. Teachers and the society’s senior class members vote on applicants to determine those invited to join. 

Kaitlyn Lee, class of 2024, was last year’s Shield and Scroll president. As graduation approached in June, Kaitlyn planned logistics for weeks.

“We know our responsibilities at these events,” Kaitlyn says. “Unforeseen things always happen. So we have to be adaptable.”

Lowell has more than 100 clubs and service organizations and 32 sports teams, offering students an activity for virtually every interest. But Shield and Scroll is unique because of the work it requires. While Shield and Scroll students have high academic grades, they also use a lot of elbow grease.

In addition to big events like graduation, Shield and Scroll members work all year long on a myriad of mundane tasks. They move books, arrange desks, and perform other chores. Each semester, members must complete a certain number of work hours for tasks requested by teachers and staff. 

Why do students choose all this extra work while wearing a funny looking hat?

“Joining Shield and Scroll gives students the opportunity to make an impact at Lowell,” says Stephanie Kuang, this year's new Shield and Scroll president.

She also says students are incentivized by generous praise by the faculty.

“They frequently send emails commending our members for their consistent service,” Stephanie says. “It really recognizes the mutual relationship faculty has with our members.”

What else do members get from the experience?

“We have to communicate with the principal and teachers. So we learn to work effectively with people who are older and have more authority,” explains recent graduate Asher Rao, class of 2024.  

Stephanie Crabtree, co-chair of the English Department at Lowell and sponsor of Shield and Scroll, calls the organization an extension of the school’s administrative team.

“We are heavily reliant on them,” she says.

Lowell’s new principal JanMichelle Bautista is a fan of Shield and Scroll. She is a Lowell alumnus from 2004 and belonged to Shield and Scroll in her junior and senior years.

“I greatly appreciated the opportunity to give back to the community and represent Lowell in community events,” Principal Bautista says. “I took great pride in being a member of an honor society and am so glad that the tradition of Shield and Scroll has continued on to this day.”

Principal Bautista is also passionate about the hat.

“I love my poofy beanie!”

Reported and written by volunteer community journalist Jan Cook. We encourage residents with journalism experience, retired journalists, and student journalists in high school and college to volunteer as writers for Supervisor Engardio’s newsletter. Interested? Apply here. Do you know a story you would like to see featured in the newsletter? Tell us about it here.