Winners of AIDS poster competition named
The U.S. Embassy last year challenged primary school students from standards four through six to create posters geared towards their peers and focusing on HIV awareness. The competition formally ended on Thursday, when seven primary school students from across Belize were honoured at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan for topping their divisions. They are Shaunne Elliott of Holy Cross Anglican School on Ambergris Caye, Denesha Grant of Holy Redeemer in Belize City, Christopher Pulido of Bishop Martin R.C. in Cayo, Angela Sun of Mary Hill R.C. in Corozal, Randy Copo of Solomon Seventh Day Adventist in Orange Walk, Sharyn Martinez of Christ the King School in Stann Creek, and Erlena Teul of San Pedro Colombia R.C. in Toledo. According to U.S. Ambassador to Belize, Robert Dieter, the posters will assist in efforts to educate the population.
Robert Dieter, U.S. Ambassador to Belize.
“Talking openly about HIV/AIDS in the United States or in Belize is a sensitive issue, but as responsible parents and educators we owe young people proper information to help them make healthy, responsible, and informed decisions. We at the U.S. Embassy believe that the best way to prevent the spread of HIV is through education and increased awareness. Therefore, we sponsored the national primary school poster competition to help in the effort to increase knowledge and awareness. You seven students who are here today are here because your posters were awarded first place in your district and they were judged the most effective in communicating the messages of prevention and understanding to your peer group. So in addition to receiving today’s awards, students can take pride in knowing they are helping in the battle against the spread of HIV.”
The winning artworks will be displayed in a calendar and on textbook covers. This is the second year that the U.S. Embassy has held the National Primary School HIV/AIDS Awareness Competition.
