The Tripod

In honor of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, Trinity College hosted several events to promote awareness of the syndrome the week of Nov. 26. From discussion groups, an annual concert event at Peter's Retreat House, to an AIDS Day ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 1, Trinity was active in making efforts to increase an understanding of how AIDS affects communities. The Trinity College BRIDGE Organization was at the forefront of these events, soliciting the collaboration of many campus organizations throughout the week.

According to Vice President of BRIDGE Samantha Levy '09, the BRIDGE Organization began as a group with the goal of "start[ing] an organization on campus that would unite members of the Trinity community from various backgrounds with varied interests." With this vision in mind, the group sought the assistance of various campus organizations, working alongside the Biology Club, the Muslim Student Association (MSA), the Asian American Student Association (AASA), the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Encouraging Respect of Sexualities (EROS), and the Women & Gender Resource Action Center (WGRAC).

Many of these groups led campus discussions on the disease, some in conjunction with films. In response to the movie Three Needles sponsored by the WGRAC, Director of the WGRAC Laura Lockwood was pleased to describe the Tuesday, Nov. 27 evening as one with "good attendance and discussion."

With the aid of Dean of Students Frederick Alford and the WGRAC, Trinity was able to bring part of the AIDS quilt to campus, displaying it in Mather Hall throughout AIDS Week. The large quilt, hung above the lobby of the front entrance, was filled with heartfelt messages such as "Live Long and Prosper" and included the names of loved ones, their years of births and deaths, as well as their favorite possessions, many of which were books. In the center of the quilt was its largest image, a Pacific beach scene.

Another tribute to AIDS Week was the 2nd Annual Peter's Retreat House Concert on Friday, Nov. 30. It was organized by Dan Cosgrove, a senior who has been leading a group of Trinity volunteers to visit Peter's Retreat House, an AIDS hospice, since his sophomore year "do[ing] whatever tasks [the center] needs," citing examples of "creating calendars, moving furniture, and raking leaves." Whereas last year the concert consisted of just Trinity's a capella groups, Cosgrove explained, "this year [the BRIDGE Organization and I] were able to include the Gospel Choir and schedule the concert to nearly-coincide with World AIDS Day." The annual concert was held at the Peter's Retreat House in Hartford. With Trinity's five a cappella groups -- the Trinitones, Dischords, Trinity Pipes, Accidentals, and Quirks -- along with the Gospel Choir, the concert acted as the beginning of World AIDS Day.

Peter's Retreat House resident Robyn began by identifying the tremendous "talent in this room […] [that] uplifts this house." She continued to acknowledge the "smiles and spirits [of the Trinity singers]" as well as Trinity's "year-round efforts in volunteering, serving during lunch-time, and in teaching." Another resident, Robert, then voiced, "It's a blessing to have you here with us. Don't be strangers. We welcome you all; you're all family."

Echoing Robert's praise of the evening, BRIDGE Organization President Christina Ramsay '09 later described the Nov. 30 concert as a "very uplifting" event where the singing groups "cheer[ed] each other on," providing the feeling of "a big family celebration." Following the concert, the Accidentals donated and autographed several of their CDs for the residents after one predicted seeing them someday on "American Idol." Peter's Retreat House Operations Coordinator Danielle Thornton exclaimed, "I'll be hearing about [the concert] for weeks!"

BRIDGE Organization Social Chair Stacy Bertrand '09 considered the campus response of the AIDS Week events to be "overwhelmingly positive," with the hope that they are "at least making people aware of the disease." Considering the well-attended AIDS awareness events this past week, Trinity College made great strides in promoting awareness of the syndrome through efforts not only on Trinity's campus, but throughout the surrounding Hartford community.

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