Choir performs to honor Nicholson, Munson

Smithsburg concert raises money for scholarship, college fund

January 18, 2008

SMITHSBURG ? Kathy Boyd didn't know Smithsburg Police Officer Christopher Shane Nicholson personally, but her 15-year-old son Jeremy did from after-school contact at Smithsburg High School.

On Friday night, the school's show choir ? including Jeremy Boyd ? put on a special benefit concert in memory of Nicholson, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Dec. 19.

Money collected in a basket Friday was earmarked for a scholarship fund in Nicholson's name at Williamsport High School, as well as a college fund for the children of Alison Munson, who also was slain Dec. 19 in Halfway, allegedly by a former boyfriend who later shot Nicholson near Smithsburg.

"You never think something like this will happen in a small town, but it does," Kathy Boyd said.

More than 60 people showed up for the concert that included numbers from "Grease," "Hairspray" and "Little Shop of Horrors."

There were dance solos, ensemble pieces from "High School Musical" and part of the group's 2008 Disney Tour Show.

'He was such a nice young man'

Betty Snook attended the benefit because she knew Nicholson for two reasons.

"He came to our aid one night," Snook said of his police work.

And in July, Nicholson went to her church ? St. Paul's Lutheran in Greensburg ? and spoke to the Vacation Bible School children about strangers and safety.

"He was such a nice young man," Snook said.

Smithsburg Mayor Mildred "Mickey" Myers attended Friday and praised the Smithsburg High School music department for this and other tributes to the fallen officer.

"This concert is a wonderful idea," Myers said. "It is part of the healing process for our town."

Myers said members of the choir performed in front of Smithsburg Town Hall and in the memorial service held by the Smithsburg Area Church Association.

Friday night's concert and the Jan. 7 memorial service drew large crowds, according to the SACA president who attended both.

"The spirit was really moving for that event," said the Rev. Mark Mooney of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Smithsburg.

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