Notte Fest 2022

My name is Leith Jehu and I have lived in Millis my whole life. I am a senior at Millis High School and for my Senior Project I am organizing a new music festival called Nottefest. The purpose of the festival is to raise money and awareness surrounding addiction by sharing music and art, as well as education.

The idea for this festival came after the loss of a good friend, to addiction last September. I was lost and wanted to find some way to make a difference. He and I met at the School of Rock, where we became bandmates for many years. He was an amazingly talented songwriter and guitarist, which is why a music festival seemed such a fitting event. He was 17 and came from the same loving home, middle class background, and life of possibility as me. Ronan lost his battle to addiction along with many other victims of the disease. In Massachusetts alone, more than 2,000 people die of an overdose every year.

With this festival I am hoping to raise money for Face the Music, a charity that helps to educate teens, and treat people struggling with addiction through music. I will also have various local organizations there to teach about substance use, and to share information. I also have speakers arranged to share their stories of recovery. Local bands have volunteered to play throughout the day, and there will be food trucks in attendance to feed the crowd.

Nottefest will be held on May 7th at the Millis High School football field. Many people have volunteered their services and time, but there are major expenses for the stage and sound, and I am seeking donations to help cover these costs. All proceeds from the festival will go directly to Face The Music.

Please help me make my goal a reality so I can try to help make a difference in the name of a life lost way too soon.