Edison/Fareira Students Support World AIDS Day

Students from Edison/Fareira High School attended the Tenth Annual World AIDS Day Ceremony commemorating children and youth at the Joseph Stokes Auditorium at Children’s Hospital on Friday, November 30, 2001. The ceremony was sponsored by The American Red Cross, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The School District of Philadelphia, Temple University Department of Health Education, University of Pennsylvania Center for AIDS Research, and Wawa, Inc. Guest hosts were The Hot Boyz, Power 99 FM and music provided by the Northeast High Chamber Choir and the Northeast High School Orchestra.

Biology teacher, Mrs. Veresta Hyman, was awarded a $3,000 grant by the School District of Philadelphia’s Department of Health and Physical Education under the direction of Bettyann Creighton. The funds will be used to purchase iMac computer accessories, web publishing kits and training students to serve as peer mentors for HIV/AIDS education.

The tenth grade class from the Motivation Small Learning Community will attempt to educate and provide a solution to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Philadelphia area via education and awareness. Assisting in the classroom are representatives from RAVE (Reaching Adolescents Via Education), a local support group. RAVE is part of the Gallelea Project located at 12th and Locust Streets. RAVE has been meeting with the students biweekly teaching AIDS 101 as well as how to present and become certified as peer mentors.
The following Edison/Fareira students were presenters at the ceremony: Angel Rosa, Ismaleys Colon, Jomyra Crespo and Joslyn Latimer.

According to a recent educational report by Dr. Marciene Mattleman, between 1994 and 1998, there had been a rise in AIDS among youth in the age group 12-19. There was an increase of 117% through heterosexual contact and 90% through drug use.

ESEAA (Edison Students Educating Against AIDS) will present its education/awareness program to students in the 9th Grade Success Academy at Edison and to several middle schools within the Central East Academic Area.

Students attending the ceremony were: Aisha Isley, Rasheetra Seabrooks, Candice Brown, Ismaleys Colon, Jomyra Crespo, Helena Henry, Joshlyn Latimer, Michael Lugo, Eneida Malave, Crystal Monroe, Daphne Ramos, Baudilio Reyes, Tiffany Ristine, Ebone Walker, Elia Gomez, Stephanie Sanchez, Angel Rosa, Jennifer Ramirez, and Jaime Rivera.

Edison High School, with the support of Principal Dr. José Lebrón, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and St. Christopher’s Hospital has implemented a program of STD screening in the school’s Health Resource Center. The program is voluntary and available to any student upon request.