Peers Promoting Action and Awareness (PPAA) was founded by students in February of 1992. Today, it is one of the largest extracurricular clubs at the Nantucket High School (NHS). Serving as peer leaders, the group is dedicated to educating their peers, as well as the community, about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, healthy decision making, and drug and alcohol use and abuse. PPAA students also help teach these same themes in the middle school health classes. Members attend training sessions and workshops and meet regularly to discuss on-going ideas and issues regarding school and island life. PPAA is sponsored and supported by the Nantucket AIDS Network (NAN).
Formal Training
PPAA Training workshops are offered to the entire student body with the objective of how to become an effective peer educator. The training focuses on peer leadership and the reality of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and substance use and abuse of young people. The program consists of guest speakers from the community (the Nantucket Police Department, Nantucket AIDS Network, and Family Planning), group activities and role playing, and an extensive amount of public speaking exercises.
NHS Outreach
PPAA members distribute free condoms each week and maintain an information center of posted articles, brochures, and a list of their on-going activities.
Worlds AIDS Day
Each year, PPAA hosts a school-wide assembly, which is also open to the community at large. World AIDS Day is a time to honor those living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS, to cherish the memory of those lost to AIDS and to acknowledge the work, of so many, who have contributed to continued HIV/AIDS education, awareness and support.
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