AIDS awareness team

When sports teams and school choirs win championships we rightly honor and recognize them. But there are other school teams we rarely fete or award. I want to honor one of those teams, the Ellsworth High School AIDS Awareness Team.

For the past four years, the members of this team have consistently given up hours of their time to become educated about HIV-AIDS. They are dedicated young people, committed to stopping the spread of AIDS in the teen community.

A few months ago team members decided they wanted to raise money to host their annual AIDS awareness day at the high school. They organized a dance for younger students from schools in Hancock County (grades 6-8). They wrote letters to principals, designed posters, asked teachers and parents to chaperone the dance, and on April 27, about 100 young people attended the dance. The AIDS team members provided music and disc jockey, they helped staff and parents supervise the younger students and everyone enjoyed the fun. The team raised $700 for their AIDS education project.

I know the parents and teachers of these young people are proud of them and their efforts to combat AIDS. The staff of Down East AIDS Network, people living with HIV, board members, families and friends of people living with HIV are also very proud of the Ellsworth High School AIDS Awareness Team. We salute your work and honor you for the wonderful human beings you are.

In addition, we extend our thanks to the teacher who has been an inspiration and constant guide for the team, Andrea Beardsley, and to the principal, vice principal and parents who gave up their free time to help with the dance. You are the champions!

Mary Harney

Director

Down East AIDS Network

Ellsworth