ANDOVER, Mass. (WHDH) – Thousands of people gathered in Andover Sunday for a 5K run to honor the memory of slain Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

“She touched so many people. I don’t think she realized the impact she had son many people’s lives,” said friend and race organizer Nina Caron.

Nearly 4,000 people showed up to the 1st Annual Step Up for Colleen run, which hoped to raise money for a scholarship to be given each year to a student who wants to go into teaching.

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WHDH-TV 7News BostonWHDH-TV 7News Boston

The family of Colleen Ritzer — the Danvers High School teacher from Andover murdered last fall — looked out into a wave of pink donned by more than 4,000 gathered yesterday morning at The Påark downtown to honor their daughter’s and sister’s memory.

In what was one of their first public appearances since the 24-year-old’s death, allegedly at the hands of one of her students, her family gathered on a small stage and thanked the group for the support they continue to receive.

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ANDOVER, Mass. (AP) – Thousands of runners are participating in a 5K race to honor the memory of a Massachusetts high school teacher who was killed last October.

Runners gathered Sunday in Andover for the Step Up for Colleen 5K to remember Colleen Ritzer. She was a math teacher who was found slain behind Danvers High School.

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ANDOVER (CBS) — Thousands gathered Sunday morning to remember Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer.

The first annual Step Up For Colleen 5K walk and run aimed at raising money for the Colleen Ritzer Scholarship Fund.

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Staff Reports
The Andover Townsman

As thousands began gathering for this morning’s Step Up for Colleen 5K in Andover, the family of Danvers High School teacher Colleen Ritzer released a video thanking supporters for their outpouring of support since their daughter’s murder last fall.

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Benefit 5K looks to celebrate Ritzer’s spirit
By Judy Wakefield and Sonya Vartabedian Staff Writers

ANDOVER — Six months after Colleen Ritzer’s murder, the pain of her loss remains raw for many.

But tomorrow — just days before what would have been her 25th birthday on May 13 — thousands will gather to celebrate the legacy of the beloved teacher from Andover murdered last October at Danvers High School.

More than 3,000 of Ritzer’s family members, friends, colleagues and classmates will take to the streets of Andover for the first Step Up for Colleen 5K.

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An Arbor Day tree planting ceremony will be held at the Danvers High School on Friday May 2, at 10 a.m. in celebration of Arbor Day. Three pink dogwood trees, donated by the Danvers Garden Club and Danvers High School, will be planted along the front driveway. These trees will be planted to celebrate the life of Colleen Ritzer.

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Students assist in an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony at the Danvers High School on Friday May 2, at 10 a.m. in celebration of Arbor Day and in memory of Collen Ritzer,  the Danvers High School teacher who was allegedly murdered last year by a student. 

Three pink dogwood trees, donated by the Danvers Garden Club and Danvers High School, will be planted along the front driveway. The ceremony includes students of the school participating in the ceremony as well as planting of the tree. 

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Family, friends and strangers to Step Up for Colleen

By Judy Wakefield and Sonya Vartabedian
Staff writers

Dressed in pink visors with a Sanborn School logo, about 25 teachers from the Andover elementary school where Colleen Ritzer attended the early grades will make their way to the 5K start line at The Park on Sunday.

So will a group of parents from the same elementary school who want to show their support for the Ritzer family.

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