Colleen Ritzer Benefit Concert Held At Danvers High School

DANVERS (CBS) -- The Danvers High School auditorium transformed into a full blown Holiday Pops concert on Sunday.

This year's concert will benefit the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

"This is a great time and we get to do some good with it," sponsor Marshall Jespersen of Honda North said.

The concert took place on Sunday in front of dozens of people who wanted to support the former High School teacher who was found murdered back in 2013.

17-year-old Danial Sacottle says it's been a challenging year for students and staff. Spreading some classical holiday cheer has been uplifting.

"I know she was a very nice compassionate person and her students really loved her," Sacottle said.

Closing arguments in the murder case are expected to happen this week making it a difficult time for the school and the Danvers community.

"Holiday and Christmas time was so meaningful to Colleen and special so to have a concert like this and benefit her fund will carry her legacy for many years to come," friend of the family Bill Ebben said.

"What she has meant to this community and her legacy for students who want to study education in college her fund benefits those students" he said.