December 1, 2005

On December 1st Patchogue-Medford High School experienced a unique World-AIDS Day Event sponsored by the PMHS Art Department. The usual student displays were covered in black cloth and replaced with facts and figures to raise teenage awareness of the impact that AIDS has had and continues to have on the creative community and the world. Plaques with the names of many artists, poets, athletes, musicians and others famous people living with or lost to the disease were also be part of the exhibit.

Art and Health teachers researched the information, the Graphic Design classes made the plaques and monoprints, and Art classes made over 2,000 red AIDS awareness ribbons, which were available to everyone.

LIACC, the Long Island Coalition for AIDS Care had an information station set up in the Auditorium/West Wing Lobby with age-appropriate information for our students. The AIDS ribbons were available at this table.

Over 40 million people world-wide are infected with HIV/AIDS, one million of them in the USA. Someone dies of AIDS every 5 minutes. There is still no cure for HIV/AIDS.

Special thanks to the following for contributing to this important event:

Tom Combs, Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health, Home and Careers
Jay Matuk, HS Principal
Michael Scholz, Lead Teacher - Art Department
Erika Ciociola, Art Teacher
LIACC - Ilyse Blatt and Ivy Ingber
The PMHS Art Department and Art Students
PMHS Health Teachers
Paul Grupinski and the PMHS Custodial Staff

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