This year’s Ryan White AIDS Walk at Hamilton Heights High School raised over $3,000 for the Ryan White Scholarship Fund. The Hamilton Heights High School Student Government Organization has been hosting the Ryan White Fundraiser for over 20 years.
More than 600 students, faculty and staff paid $1 to walk around the high school track during one class period on Homecoming Friday in his honor. Money raised from the walk continues to help preserve White’s legacy: “Help me beat the odds and together let’s educate and save the children of tomorrow,” while raising funds for the scholarship fund created in his memory in 1991.
White became a poster child for HIV/AIDS in the United States after being expelled from his Kokomo middle school in 1985 because of his infection. A hemophiliac, White became infected with HIV from a contaminated blood treatment. He lost his battle to the disease in April 1990, one month prior to his high school graduation. This year marks the 31st anniversary of his first day at Hamilton Heights High School. This is also the year, a historical marker in his name will be installed at the Hamilton Heights Middle School (formerly the high school).
To date, the Ryan White Scholarship Fund, provides scholarships for deserving seniors who plan to pursue a degree in the fields of health, education and/or medicine, has awarded more than $55,000 in scholarships.
Money for the Ryan White Scholarship Fund are generated through the annual AIDS walk fundraiser and private donations. Donations can be mailed to: The Ryan White Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 379, Arcadia, IN 46030, Attn: Kim Kaiser.