News

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (Dec. 16, 2025) – Chelmsford High School’s National Honor Society (NHS) held its inaugural Festival of Trees during the first weekend of December with proceeds benefiting the CPS Holiday Fund for Families in Need.

Advisor Jennifer McManus said the idea to hold the Festival of Trees was based on a long-standing community event in the town in which she grew up. When she approached the NHS officers with the idea, they eagerly jumped on board.

“Our immediate thought was timing and how we could make it work best,” said senior Miles Redding-Cooper, the publicity chair for the NHS. “We didn’t want it to be too close to the winter concert season.”

In early November, members of NHS solicited donations of trees and other items from Chelmsford High groups and organizations, as well as local businesses.

“We all had to come together and get involved, and the community too,” said Redding-Cooper, explaining that collaboration was key to pulling off the event.

As for deciding where the proceeds raised from the event would go, NHS advisor Katherine Doulamis said the choice was fairly easy.

“Years ago, the nurses used to collect money for the less fortunate and that kind of went away as the years went on,” she said. “So we thought we could bring that back.”

Because NHS is known for its community-based service and activism, Redding-Cooper said he’s glad the CPS Holiday Fund for Families in Need is benefitting from the group’s hard work.

“Knowing it will be going back to people we go to school with and see on a day-to-day basis, makes it all worth it, especially during the holiday season,” he said.

The current NHS officers have created a number of spreadsheets and collected lots of useful information for the Festival of Trees that will be passed down to the next board in hopes they can continue to grow the event.

“This group has been outstanding with documentation,” Doulamis said. “Next year’s set of officers will have a great foundation to start with.”

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.