Conner Lowry, a 2006 graduate of Brother Rice High School, was killed in action during his time serving our country in Afghanistan as a corporal in the United State Marine Corps. Conner’s death was a tragic event for the Lowry family and the Brother Rice community. Conner was a Crusader through and through; maroon and orange pumped through his veins. He was a member of the football team his senior year and was one of the biggest Crusader fans the school has ever seen. After his graduation in 2006, Conner was called to join the Armed Forces and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Sadly, Conner was killed serving the United States in March of 2012.
Although Conner is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. On Sunday, October 28, Brother Rice and the Lowry family will host the inaugural “Freedom isn’t Free” 5K Run. This event will honor the sacrifice that Conner made for this country. In addition to the 5K run, the Lowry family will also host an event on September 7 at the Chicago White Sox game against the Kansas City Royals. Conner’s memory will be honored before the start of the game; tickets will be available through Brian Lavin, Conner’s stepbrother.
Proceeds from both events will benefit the Cpl. Conner Lowry Memorial Scholarship Fund at Brother Rice High School. The scholarship will help many future students achieve the same education and experiences at Brother Rice that Conner had during his time as a student.
“We want to set up this scholarship so that Conner will never be forgotten,” Grace Lavin, Conner’s stepsister, stated when asked about the scholarship. “Brother Rice meant a lot to Conner, so this would have been the way he wanted it.” Through this scholarship, Conner’s memory will forever live on with the current students and the alumni of Brother Rice. Conner is a part of a long line of Crusaders who heard the call to join the Armed Forces and chose to protect our country; his memory will not be soon forgotten.
