On December 2nd, health class students from Garden City High School were given the opportunity to view 3 large panels of the International AIDS Memorial Quilt, many squares commemorating the lives of children under the age of 3. Here speaker Jeff Bosacki shares a story about the children’s artifacts sewn into the quilt panel. In observance of World AIDS Day, celebrated around the globe on December 1st, Garden City High School Peer AIDS Educators played a critical role in raising HIV/AIDS awareness by serving as leaders on that day, as well as for a weeklong schedule of informational activities at the high school. Each year, World AIDS Day is set aside to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS and to provide an opportunity to show concern and support for those who live with the disease. Moreover, it reminds educators to provide our youth with essential HIV/AIDS prevention information. Long Island ranks first in the number of reported cases of all suburban communities in the United States, therefore, it is critical to effectively communicate awareness and prevention messages to our youth.

Garden City High School Peer AIDS Educators collected dozens of toys for donation to Long Island Coalition for AIDS. Pictured here with social worker Lori Kuster (kneeling, center) are (left to right): Anne Marie Bonifati, Melissa Johnston, Tara Stephens, Eileen Ungberg, and Jane Furey. All high school students attended an informational HIV/AIDS assembly on December 4th, while optional activities were offered during the week of November 30th through December 4th, supported by high school peer educators. These student facilitators compiled written materials and internet video links for teachers to use in classrooms. Peer AIDS Educators distributed red ribbons to all staff and students during first period classes to serve as awareness-raising reminders on December 1st. Classes of volunteer students viewed and discussed the International AIDS Memorial Quilt in the high school library on Wednesday, December 2nd with guest HIV/AIDS educator, Jeff Bosacki. And toys were collected during the entire week for donation to the Long Island Coalition for AIDS. The donations were subsequently distributed to local children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thank you to Garden City High School Peer AIDS Educators, and to high school social worker Lori Kuster for organizing this week of valuable awareness-raising events.