LOWELL — The month of December, Lowell Catholic Elementary students held a food drive to benefit the Merrimack Valley Food Pantry. Hundreds of items were donated as students continue to learn about the importance of community and living the mission of the Xaverian charisms of trust, zeal, humility, compassion and simplicity.

Acting as leaders at the elementary level, students in grades 5-8 were recognized for those qualities in an award ceremony. Among the award recipients were fifth-graders, Angelina Sam, Braedan Groenwoldt and Joseph Tibbetts; sixth-graders, Norah Araujo, Dave Paulin, Michelle Roy and Cianna Cardaci; seventh-graders, Kendra Patel, Thea Clermont and Timothy Tran; and eighth-graders, Maggie Hood, Noelle Gadue, Ryan Pelkey and Kimberly Silva.