Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Students Learn Of HIV Virus

In the United States today, many families face a variety of serious crisis. One crisis youth of today face is the virus HIV that causes AIDS.

The Hilltop 4-H Club, working with the Diamond Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, recently discussed the facts about the deadly virus.

A total of 32 students from Gurdon Middle and High Schools participated in the education course March 9 organized by Hilltop. The instructor was Valerie Gates.

Students participated in open discussions, research and role playing to learn the fact about HIV and develop an awareness of the effect this virus has on the family.

Students worked in groups discussing what is HIV, what is AIDS, how the virus is spread and preventing an infection.

The program stressed the fact that abstinence is best in protecting themselves from a possible exposure. The program also promoted understanding and sensitivity about the effect this virus has on the family.

They learned that

• HIV is a virus that causes AIDS;

• AIDS is the result of HIV in-fection;

• HIV infection can be prevented;

• HIV cannot be spread through everyday causal contact; and

• People cannot get HIV when they give blood.

Discussion included facts relating to human sexuality, substance use, sexually transmitted disease, death and dying. The course had two purposes: to increase knowledge about HIV and AIDS and to encourage participants to apply the facts to their own behavior.

The American Red Cross has been involved in health and safety services for decades. Since the mid- 80's, it began educating the public about HIV and AIDS.

Volunteers of Diamond Valley Center of the American Red Cross serving Clark, Dallas, Grant, Hot Springs and Pike counties encour-age all to learn the facts about HIV.

Members of the Hilltop 4-H Club learned the facts about the HIV virus from Valerie Gates, a spokesman for the Diamond Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. The workshop took place in the Gurdon High School student union Tuesday, March 10. The students learned facts about HIV and developed an awareness of the effects of this virus.

Fifth grade students in Mrs. Debbie Davies class at Gurdon Middle School has just completed a reading contest. Students who read the most books with ten or more pages and passed a computer test were the winners. First place winner was Ashley Caviness who read 15 books. She received $20. Second place winner was Melanie Shults, who read 13 books and received $10. Trey Rainey, who read 10 books, was the third place winner and received $10.

George McNeal (right) Perry County Judge and president of the board of directors of the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District, presents a commemorative plaque to outgoing president James Williams of Arkadelphia. Williams served the district as president for two years. The West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District serves Clark, Conway, Garland, Hot Spring, Johnson, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Pope and Yell counties.

The children of Ms. Lillie McGuirt invite you to her wedding to Mr. Ray McDaniel at the Church of Christ. The ceremony will be Saturday, March 21, at 4:00 p.m. A reception will follow. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.

Janice and Jerrel Brashear from Russellville will be singing at Mt. Bethel Church in Arkadelphia on March 21 at 7:00 p.m. Singing since 1972, the Brashears sing over 300 dates a year all across the United States and Canada. They are regulars on TV programs. They can also be heard on radio programs. Everyone is invited to attend. The church is located on Highway 26.