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Family of Slain Massachusetts Teacher Encourages Acts of Kindness in Her Name

The family of a Massachusetts teacher who was brutally murdered by a student is encouraging people to show altruism in her name on the fifth anniversary of her slaying.

Colleen Ritzer was 24 when she was slain by a student at Danvers High School, and now her family marks Oct. 22 with a drive for acts of kindness.

"As we mourn the loss of this caring, energetic and passionate young woman we also look to honor who she was -- a positive and kind individual," her family wrote on Twitter Monday morning. "Join us today as we spread #Kindness4Colleen in her honor."

Philip Chism, who was 15 at the time of the slaying, was convicted of raping and murdering Ritzer in 2015 and sentenced to life in prison in 2016.

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