Florida: Read, Sew and Remember

Anne Cirelli believed her Hudson Middle School language arts class would learn an invaluable lesson on bullying by reading "My Own Story" by Ryan White. The Indiana youth, a hemophiliac, contracted HIV at age 13 through a blood transfusion. After he was expelled from middle school, White and his family became champions of AIDS education and antidiscrimination efforts.

The class not only learned the lesson but also put it into practice. Led by Braxton Mora, 13, the class decided to pay homage to Florida teens whose lives were claimed by AIDS. The classmates crafted a panel for inclusion in the NAMES Project Foundation National AIDS Memorial Quilt, sections of which are sent to communities across the United States.

"I wanted to do something," said Mora. "I thought it [the quilt] was kind of cool."

The students also read 1980s news stories profiling the three Ray brothers of Arcadia, Fla., whose home was burned down following their AIDS diagnosis. The instruction was brought up to date with information on new HIV/AIDS medications and the Ryan White program.

"All in all, I think the students came away with a sense of the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, no matter their race, religion, gender, social class, sexual orientation, or health status," said Cirelli. "They read firsthand how bullying can affect one's self-esteem and just how deeply it can cut, especially in kids."

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