LYNN — There was a common theme at the Lynn Museum and Arts Center Wednesday evening: Opportunity is everything.

With photos of legendary Lynn athlete Harry Agganis on display and Manning Bowl footage playing on a video screen, the Agganis Foundation celebrated 70 years of providing college scholarships to student-athletes.

The Demakes family and Demakes Enterprises, as well as past Agganis Scholars and All-Stars, were recognized for their commitment and support of the foundation.

“At the end of the day, everybody needs help,” said Andrew Demakes, who was the foundation’s third president, following sports publisher Harold O. Zimman and Ted Grant, publisher of Essex Media Group, which owns The Item. “Throughout the years, I’ve realized the impact this foundation has for young people. We look forward to many more years.”

Through some mingling, a bite to eat, and a performance from Lynn Public Schools band members Jasmine Bonilla and Gavin Colon, under the direction of music teacher Christian Hoschek, speakers took center stage to celebrate Agganis and the foundation in his name.

Agganis All-Star Games Director Paul Halloran and Foundation President John Meklis kicked off the event. Superintendent of Lynn Public Schools Dr. Molly Cohen followed, highlighting the importance of education and opportunity.

“Many of our students don’t have the resources,” she said. “Any money we can give truly makes a difference and I want to thank the Agganis Foundation for standing with us.”

Past scholarship recipients and Agganis All-Stars Mike Giardi (1990), Becky Benowicz (1998), Brady Warren (2023), and Victoria Quagrello (2024) gave remarks.

Giardi, a three-sport coach at Marblehead High who played football and baseball at Harvard University, spoke about the foundation’s ability to open doors, while Benowicz highlighted the importance of community support.

“It’s meant so much for me and my family,” said Quagrello, who plays soccer at Middlebury College. “I don’t think I’d be here without the foundation and I’m incredibly grateful.”

“As a child, I’d always see pictures of Harry Agganis around the school (Lynn Classical),” said Warren, a golfer at Saint Anselm College. “Receiving this financial help has been a huge help to me.”

Also in attendance were Father Alex Orfanos of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, former Agganis trustee Tom Iarrobino, and former board chair Atty. Tom Demakis.

Agganis was an All-American football player at Lynn Classical and record-breaking quarterback at Boston University who opted for professional baseball so he could play for the Red Sox and be near his widowed mother. He died from a pulmonary embolism at 26.

Seventy years later, his name lives on.

“We’re here to shine a light on the Agganis Foundation,” Meklis said. “We want to continue to grow.”