Project Teaches AIDS Awareness to Teens
In its fifth year, a Santa Monica project that trains teenagers to teach AIDS awareness to other teens has grown from 15 students at one high school to 100 students at five senior and middle schools.
Student volunteers from four Westside high schools and one middle school will learn how to teach a one-hour lecture on AIDS during a two-day training session next weekend.
During the sessions, instructors train the students how to relay information ranging from basic medical facts of AIDS to condom use and making decisions about sex, said Scott Vandrick, a spokesman for the Santa Monica AIDS Project.
The students will then attend two months of practice sessions before debuting as lecturers at their schools, Vandrick said.
The program is co-sponsored by the American Red Cross’ Santa Monica chapter. The students lecturers, ages 14 to 18, will usually address other students in science or senior English classes.
“The kids that participate are pretty much the kids that are trying to change the world,” Vandrick said. “They are highly motivated and want to help their friends stay safe.”
Last year, students participating in the project spoke to 2,800 students at Santa Monica High School.
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