This year’s Ryan White Walk at Hamilton Heights High School raised $1,577 for the Ryan White Scholarship Fund.
One day a year in the spring, students pay $1 to miss each period and participate in specialty activities outside such as walking around the track, FFA Farmer Olympics and the Senior/Staff Basketball game among a few. There is music, food, and camaraderie to help raise awareness to continue to preserve Ryan 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.
The Ryan White Scholarship began in 1989 when money from all over the country was sent to Heights in Ryan’s memory. The school and the AIDS Council created The Ryan White Scholarship to award seniors planning to pursue careers in fields that were important to Ryan – education, health and medical. The Walk began as a community event, but after about a decade, it was taken in-house as a fun and engaging day for students to learn more about Ryan and his impact on the school and community.
Hamilton Heights Senior Honor Society Officers Morgan Guthrie and Ava Bryant enjoy their last Ryan White Walk. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Kauffman)
Since the scholarship program’s inception, Hamilton Heights High School has awarded over $66,000 to 82 students. The Hamilton Heights High School Student Government organization play host to this annual fundraiser.
Ryan White, a 14-year-old boy from Kokomo, was diagnosed with AIDS in December 1984 after contracting the virus from a contaminated hemophilia treatment. He faced intense discrimination from his school and community in a time of fear and misunderstanding about the disease. Ryan and his family moved to Cicero, where he was embraced by Hamilton Heights High School and the community. Ryan lived for over five years after his diagnosis. He lost his battle to the disease in April 1990, one month prior to his high school graduation. His story, which has become an integral part of Hoosier history, still resonates with people around the world and his legacy continues to raise awareness on AIDS.
An Indiana historical marker commemorating his contributions was installed during a special dedication at Hamilton Heights Middle School (formerly the high school) on Aug. 30, 2019.
Money for the Ryan White Scholarship Fund is generated through the annual Ryan White Scholarship 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.