Ann Darling, Biology and Health Sciences Teacher at Hilltop School, wrote the following letter about the Huckleberry HIV Youth Prevention Education Program

Pictured: Jennifer Lloyd and Ramses Munoz from the Huckleberry Health Education Team.

Dear Ramses, Jen, and Team:

I want to thank you for sharing Danny's story with Hilltop Students. The HIV Youth Prevention Education Program (HYPE) should be mandatory for all students, 11-12 graders especially. Our students learned so much about HIV and AIDS. They are sharing with other students in school, who did not take part due to their absences.

Your program builds the trust needed in the first two days to then bring in the HIV infected person without the stigma they might feel coming in cold. The two presenters, Ramses and Jen, were quick to like the students and were not judgemental. That built the trust needed to continue on when Danny Garcia came to tell his story.

Thank you for taking time for us. Our school is small and we do not have funding to bring in outside speakers unless they do not cost us. Teachers spend their own money on supplies for their students. We are in your debt.

Sincerely,

Ann Darling, Hilltop School