by Jen Oemig
CHELMSFORD – Fifty local youths, ages 7-13, took part in the inaugural Nik Sperounis All Sports Camp at Chelmsford High School from July 15-18.
The four-day camp was held in memory of 2023 Chelmsford High School graduate Nik Sperounis, who lost his battle with Angiosarcoma on June 18, 2023, at the age of 18.
Nik Sperounis was a three-sport captain who loved the competition and camaraderie of team athletics.
Mary Sperounis, Nik’s mother, said camp attendees took part in two different games each day. On the last day, they got to choose which activities they enjoyed and wanted to play.
“All of the counselors are Nik’s friends,” Mary Sperounis explained. “Everybody’s volunteering their time and they’re having a blast.”
Seeing the camp come to fruition 13 months after her son passed away was bittersweet for Mary Sperounis.
“Nik would be so proud that they’re doing this for him,” she said. “Nik was so about helping people and he loved sports. He used to help his friends out. … So it makes me happy they all really wanted to do this.”
Michael Hennessey, a 2022 Chelmsford High graduate and Mary Sperounis’s nephew, was one of the counselors during the four-day camp.
“Everyone’s having a great time,” he said. “We started planning about six months ago, and weren’t sure what to expect. But it turned out great and everything ran really smooth.”
Manny Marshall, a 2023 Chelmsford High graduate and Sperounis family friend, also served as a counselor for the camp.
“Nik would’ve loved to see this,” he said. “I think we could do this every year and build something great.”
The Nik Sperounis All Sports Camp will be an annual event, and Mary Sperounis said she plans for it to expand, creating more opportunities for area youths.
“We’ve learned some things that we want to do differently next time,” she said. “I’ve received many emails from people saying their kids had a good time.”
Looking back on the event, Mary Sperounis said she is incredibly grateful for all of the support from the community, as well as the generosity with donations, which included everything from popsicles to the use of playing fields.
All proceeds from the camp go to the Nikolas Sperounis Memorial Scholarship Fund, which serves to honor the late athlete’s memory by giving back to the community and school that he so dearly loved.
The scholarship is awarded to a deserving Chelmsford High School senior who is a three-sport athlete and maintains a B or higher average. The first scholarship was awarded to Will Larsen this past May.
In addition to the camp, the Sperounis family and all of Nik’s friends have their sights set even higher.
“We want to open the Nik Sperounis All Sports Center,” said Mary Sperounis. “Because there’s really nothing in Chelmsford like the Tyngsboro Sports Center.”
For more information about the Nikolas Sperounis Memorial Scholarship Fund or the Nik Sperounis All Sports Camp, visit www.ns21.net or email TrainLikeNikMindBodySoul@gmail.com.
