Student educators rally to help educate lawmakers

I would first like to thank A3D for allowing me to write on the blog and speak on behalf of the ASPEN team.

ASPEN (AIDS Student Peer Educators at Newport) is a team of students from Newport High School in Bellevue. We are selected through an application and interview process and ultimately whittled down to a team of 26 juniors and seniors. The main goal of this team is to educate our teenage peers throughout the Bellevue School District on the HIV/AIDS. Not only do we teach self developed lessons, but we also deliver many of the HIV and STD lessons mandated by Washington State.

With AIDS Action and Awareness Day fast approaching, the ASPEN team is rallying in support. The budget deficit in Washington State and around the country has created large cutbacks on important educational programs and because knowledge is the most effective way to decelerate this epidemic, losing these programs will be life threatening. We must realize that we have the opportunity to prevent the spread of HIV with education; education that will show the children of Washington state how to stay safe and protect themselves.

This is why ASPEN is backing the efforts of A3D and making our presence known in Olympia on the 18th, to continue the help and support of those affected by HIV/AIDS, and to prevent the spread altogether.

Matt Eschbach

ASPEN Educator

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