Students at Plymouth State University gathered at the Hartman Union Building for a candlelight vigil on Friday night. The vigil was part of AIDS Awareness Week and allowed students to pay respects to those who have been affected by the epidemic.

AIDS Awareness Week at PSU is sponsored by SAGE, ALSO and the Diversity Fellowship.

Organizer Janelle Sprague of the Diversity Fellows program on campus thanked the 20 or so students who took part in the vigil, noting that while it is not a happy event it still shows that people within the community care.

Sprague, a junior at PSU, said that the vigil has been going on since she arrived at PSU three years ago. On the lawn of the HUB there was a ring if 41 red ribbons representing the 41 people that day every day of AIDS, according to Sprague. In the center of the ribbon circle was a sign saying "Stop AIDS. Keep the promise."

The vigil began inside the Hartman Union Building, with Sprague telling about how the disease affects her life. Sprague's brother was diagnosed with HIV several years ago and she said that it was something that really hit her hard. She said that when she spoke about it last year it was much harder for her. But now, she explained that he has been doing well and that the medication he is on is really working.

"He seems to get better and better each time he gets checked," said Sprague. "It has gotten to the point that it is almost undetectable. This shows how medication has come along."

The vigil continued with students walking around the HUB in silence, holding candles, acknowledging those who have been affected. There was time set aside for people to say prayers or read poetry, but those involved in the vigil chose to remain silent and use the walk as a means of acknowledging AIDS and HIV victims.

Inside the HUB was a quilt that recognized victims of the disease. The quilt was a moving reminder of how real the epidemic has been and remains to be to this day.

Megan Grondin is a senior at PSU. She is the former president of Diversity Fellowship and said that she has been involved in the vigil for three years.

"I just feel that is good to pay respect to the people dealing with this," said Grondin.